Pokhara: Trek to Australian Camp & Dhampus with guide

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Duration2d

GroupPrivate

LanguagesEN

PickupAt your hotel

Trekking from Pokhara to Dhampus & Australian Camp with a local guide

You’ll hike from Pokhara through forests and villages up to Australian Camp with a local guide by your side, sharing stories along the way. Enjoy home-style Nepali meals, watch sunrise over Annapurna from Dhampus, and feel what it’s like to walk these ancient trails — moments you’ll remember long after heading home.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Pokhara to Dhampus via Australian Camp

Taxi from Pokhara to Kande
Hike through forest to Australian Camp
Lunch at Pothana village
Trek to Dhampus village
Sunset view over Himalayas

Day 2 — Dhampus to Pokhara via Phedi

Sunrise view over Annapurna Range
Breakfast at Dhampus lodge
Hike from Dhampus to Phedi
Car ride from Phedi to Pokhara

The Experience

I didn’t really expect the first hour out of Pokhara to feel so quiet — just the car humming up those switchbacks, and then suddenly we’re at Kande, stretching our legs in the cool air. Our guide, Rajan, grinned when I fumbled with my backpack straps (he said everyone does that). The path started out easy enough but got steeper under the trees, where you could smell wet earth and something almost gingery from the leaves. I kept stopping to catch my breath — partly for the view, partly because I’m not as fit as I thought.

We reached Australian Camp after maybe two hours (I lost track), and honestly, it’s hard to describe that first look at Annapurna. It’s just there — huge and silent behind everything else. Some kids were playing cricket on the grass; their laughter echoed off somewhere behind us. Lunch was simple dal bhat in Pothana — warm rice, lentils, a little chili pickle that Rajan insisted I try (“not too much!”). My tongue burned for a while but it felt right somehow. We kept walking along the ridge toward Dhampus, passing old stone houses and women carrying baskets bigger than me. One waved and called namaste; I probably grinned too wide.

The lodge in Dhampus was basic but cozy enough — no towels or fancy stuff, just thick blankets and tea that tasted faintly smoky. Sunset was unreal: gold light on Machhapuchhre’s peak, clouds drifting slow like they had nowhere else to be. Rajan told stories about trekking here as a kid; I listened half-awake, legs sore but happy. The night was colder than I expected (bring socks), but I slept better than I have in months.

Next morning we woke before sunrise — not something I do often at home — and watched the mountains turn pink over breakfast. The walk down to Phedi was easier on my lungs but harder on my knees; still, every turn showed another patchwork of fields or someone tending goats. By the time we reached the car back to Pokhara, my shoes were muddy and my head felt clearer than it had in ages. There’s something about moving slowly through these hills that sticks with you long after you leave.

What’s included

Your trip includes private transportation from Pokhara with hotel pickup and drop-off, all meals (lunch, dinner, breakfast), accommodation in a guest house lodge (note: bring your own towel), plus an English-speaking local guide who handles logistics so you can just focus on walking and taking it all in.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomeNot for heart conditions

Operated by Breathe Nepal Trekking