Dhampus Trek and Village: Altitude, Route and How to Get There
Dhampus is a Gurung village at about 1,650m in the Annapurna foothills, close to Pokhara. From the village you can see Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli and Dhaulagiri. The usual way up is a 30 minute drive to Phedi, then a 2 to 3 hour walk.
The Dhampus trek is usually done in 1 or 2 days. The most popular loop starts at Kande, goes up to Australian Camp, drops to Dhampus and walks down to Phedi. It’s about 4 to 5 hours of walking in total. Dhampus is also the last stop on our 12-day Poon Hill Dhampus Village Trek.
- Altitude: about 1,650m (5,413ft)
- Highest point on the loop: Australian Camp, about 2,060m (6,759ft)
- Distance from Pokhara: about 25km by road
- Getting there: 30 minute drive to Phedi, then a 2 to 3 hour walk
- Trek length: 1 or 2 days, about 4 to 5 hours of walking for the full loop
- Difficulty: easy to moderate, with lots of stone steps
- Mountain views: Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli, Dhaulagiri
- People: mainly Gurung
- Permit: ACAP permit for foreign visitors (NPR 3,000)
- Best time: October to April for clear views
Last updated: October 2026
Dhampus is one of the easiest places near Pokhara to get a real Himalayan view. You don’t need a long trek or high altitude. A short drive and a half day walk is enough.
The village sits on a ridge above the Pokhara valley. It has old stone houses with slate roofs, small Buddhist shrines and terraced fields running down the hill. On a clear morning, the Annapurna range fills the skyline in front of you.
You can visit on a day trip, but it’s best if you stay the night. Most people come for the sunrise on Machhapuchhre.
How High Is Dhampus?
Dhampus sits at about 1,650m (5,413ft). That’s far below the height where altitude sickness is usually a worry. So it suits most people, including families and first time trekkers.
Australian Camp, just above the village, is at about 2,060m. It’s the highest point on the usual Dhampus loop. From there you also see Phewa Lake and the Pokhara valley far below.
How to Get to Dhampus from Pokhara
Drive to Phedi and walk up
This is the most common way. Drive about 30 minutes west from Pokhara on the Pokhara to Baglung road to Phedi. From there, a stone stepped trail climbs through forest and terraced fields to Dhampus. Most people take 2 to 3 hours.
The climb is steady but not technical. Take water, and start early if you want clear views when you arrive.
Drive to Kande and walk via Australian Camp
You can also drive a bit further to Kande, walk up to Australian Camp, then walk down to Dhampus. This way you get the Australian Camp views on the way.
By jeep
A rough road reaches Dhampus, so you can drive most of the way by jeep. Conditions change, especially in the monsoon. For most visitors, walking at least one way is the better way to see the village.
The Dhampus Trek: Route and Itinerary
When people say “Dhampus trek”, they usually mean a short loop from Pokhara through Kande, Australian Camp, Dhampus and Phedi. You can walk it in one long day or split it over two days with a night in Dhampus or Australian Camp.
Walk it in this direction if you can. Starting at Kande means most of the climb is done early, and you finish with a downhill walk to Phedi.
Route at a glance
| Stage | Altitude | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pokhara to Kande by road | about 1,770m at Kande | about 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Kande to Australian Camp | about 2,060m | 1 to 1.5 hours, uphill |
| Australian Camp to Dhampus | about 1,650m | about 1 hour, mostly downhill |
| Dhampus to Phedi | about 1,130m | 1.5 to 2 hours, steep stone steps down |
| Phedi to Pokhara by road | about 820m in Pokhara | about 30 minutes |
Times are for a steady pace with short breaks. Altitudes are rounded and can differ a little between maps.
Dhampus trek in 1 day
Leave Pokhara early and drive to Kande. Walk up to Australian Camp for the views, then down to Dhampus for lunch. In the afternoon, walk down the steps to Phedi and drive back to Pokhara. It’s about 4 to 5 hours of walking. You’ll be back in Pokhara by late afternoon.
The catch is the views. Clouds often build by late morning, so on a day trip you may see less of the mountains.
Dhampus trek in 2 days
Day 1: Pokhara to Dhampus via Kande and Australian Camp. Drive to Kande and walk up to Australian Camp. Stop for tea, then walk down to Dhampus. Spend the afternoon in the village and watch the sunset. If you’d rather sleep higher, you can stay at Australian Camp instead.
Day 2: Sunrise, then Dhampus to Phedi and Pokhara. Get up before dawn for the sunrise on Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South. After breakfast, walk down to Phedi in 1.5 to 2 hours and drive back to Pokhara. You’ll be back by lunch.
This is the version we suggest. You get the morning views, the walking days are short, and you get a night in a Gurung village.
How hard is the Dhampus trek?
It’s an easy to moderate walk. There’s nothing technical, and the altitude is low. The hardest part is the stone steps, especially going down to Phedi, which is tough on the knees. Walking poles help. If you’re fit enough to walk 4 to 5 hours with some steep sections, you’ll be fine.
Do you need a guide?
Since April 2023, foreign trekkers in Nepal’s protected areas are required to trek with a licensed guide, and Dhampus is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area. A guide also handles the jeep, the permit and your room, and knows the shortcuts between villages. If you’re planning a trip, get in touch and we can arrange a guided Dhampus trek from Pokhara.
Dhampus vs Australian Camp
Dhampus and Australian Camp are close enough to visit together, but they feel different. Dhampus is a real village, with Gurung homes, farms, teahouses and daily life at about 1,650m. Australian Camp sits higher at about 2,060m. It’s an open ridge with a few lodges and big mountain views.
If you want village life and a night with a local family, choose Dhampus. If you only want a quick viewpoint, Australian Camp is the better pick. Most people just do both on the loop.
Things to Do in Dhampus
Watch the sunrise over the Annapurnas. This is the main reason to stay the night. On clear mornings the light hits Machhapuchhre and Annapurna South first, then spreads across the range.
Walk up to Australian Camp. It’s about an hour above the village, with a wide view of the mountains and the Pokhara valley.
Walk through the village. Stone paths, slate roofs, small shrines and prayer flags. People live and farm here, so ask before you photograph them or their homes.
Stay in a teahouse or homestay. Eating dal bhat with a local family is one of the simplest and best things you can do here.
Look for birds and rhododendrons. The forest around Dhampus has rhododendron, oak and bamboo, and it’s good for birdwatching. The rhododendrons usually bloom in March and April.
Keep walking. Dhampus links to Australian Camp, Pothana and Landruk, so it’s an easy start or end point for longer walks in the Annapurna foothills.
Where to Stay in Dhampus
Dhampus has several teahouses and homestays. Rooms are simple but comfortable, and many have mountain views from the window. Hot showers are usually available for a small extra charge.
In October and November it’s worth booking ahead, especially if you want a room with a view. Australian Camp also has a few lodges if you want to sleep higher.
Permits for Dhampus
Dhampus is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so foreign visitors need an ACAP permit. It costs NPR 3,000 for foreigners and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. There’s an ACAP checkpoint at Dhampus, so carry your permit and passport.
For longer treks in the area, other rules apply too. See our Nepal trekking permits guide for the details.
Best Time to Visit Dhampus
October and November give the clearest views. December to February is cold in the mornings but often very clear, and the village is quiet. March and April bring the rhododendrons, though afternoons can get hazy.
The monsoon, from June to August, is wet. Clouds often hide the mountains, and there are leeches on the trail.
See our month by month guide to the best time to trek in Nepal for more.
Treks That Pass Through Dhampus
Poon Hill Dhampus Village Trek (12 days). This is our slower version of the classic Poon Hill trek. After the Poon Hill sunrise, it walks down through Ghandruk, Landruk, Tolka and Australian Camp, and finishes in Dhampus before the drive back to Pokhara. You walk 3 to 5 hours a day, so it suits families and first time trekkers.
| Group size | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 4 to 9 trekkers | $558 |
| 2 to 3 trekkers | $684 |
| Solo | $1,052 |
Other Annapurna treks. The Kande, Australian Camp and Pothana area links to several longer routes, including Mardi Himal. If you want to go higher, see our Mardi Himal trek guide and Annapurna Base Camp trek cost guide.
For other short options near Pokhara, see our guide to short treks in Nepal.
View the Poon Hill Dhampus Village Trek
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Dhampus?
About 1,650m (5,413ft). Australian Camp, just above the village, is at about 2,060m.
How long is the Dhampus trek?
1 or 2 days. The loop from Kande to Australian Camp, Dhampus and Phedi is about 4 to 5 hours of walking. Most people split it over two days and stay the night in Dhampus for the sunrise.
Is the Dhampus trek hard?
No, it’s easy to moderate. The altitude is low and nothing is technical. The stone steps, especially down to Phedi, are the hardest part.
How far is Dhampus from Pokhara?
About 25km by road. Most people drive 30 minutes to Phedi and walk up in 2 to 3 hours.
Can you drive to Dhampus?
Yes, a rough road reaches the village, so you can drive most of the way by jeep. Conditions vary, especially in the monsoon, and most visitors walk at least one way.
Can you visit Dhampus as a day trip from Pokhara?
Yes. But it’s worth staying the night for the sunrise, when the views are clearest.
Can you do Dhampus and Australian Camp in one day?
Yes. Drive to Kande, walk up to Australian Camp, down to Dhampus and on to Phedi. It’s about 4 to 5 hours of walking, and you’re back in Pokhara by late afternoon.
What can you see from Dhampus?
Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli and Dhaulagiri on clear days, plus the Pokhara valley below.
Do I need a permit to visit Dhampus?
Yes. Dhampus is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so foreign visitors need an ACAP permit. It costs NPR 3,000 for foreigners.
Is Dhampus good for first time trekkers?
Yes. The altitude is low and the walks are short, though the stone steps can still be tiring.
What is the difference between Dhampus and Australian Camp?
Dhampus is a Gurung village at about 1,650m. Australian Camp is a ridge viewpoint with a few lodges at about 2,060m, about an hour above it. Many people visit both.
