A one- or two-day walk from Kande near Pokhara to Australian Camp, a grassy viewpoint at about 2,060 m facing the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre, returning via Dhampus and Phedi.
- Days
- 2 days
- Maximum altitude
- 2,060 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
Pokhara & Annapurna, Annapurna Region
Dhampus Village Trek
A short overnight walk from Phedi near Pokhara to the Gurung village of Dhampus (about 1,650 m), with homestays and sunrise views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurnas.
- Days
- 1-3
- Max altitude
- 1,650 m
- Distance
- about 6 km
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Best months
- Oct-Apr
- Start / end
- Phedi (by road from Pokhara) / Phedi or Kande (by road to Pokhara)
- Sleep in
- Homestays, Guesthouses, Lodges
- Permits
- 1 required
Overview
Dhampus is a Gurung village on a ridge above Phedi, 20-40 minutes by road from Pokhara. A stone staircase climbs about 500 m through terraced fields and forest in 1.5-2 hours, and the village looks north to Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South and Annapurna II.
The point of this short trek is the village itself: an evening and a night with a host family, a walk through the lanes and fields, and the sunrise from the viewpoint above the houses. Fitter walkers can add a climb to Australian Camp on the second morning and come down to Kande instead of Phedi.
A night with a Gurung host familySunrise on Machhapuchhre and the AnnapurnasTerraced fields and stone housesClose to Pokhara
Why it is rated easy
- Short walks of 1-2 hours each way
- A stone staircase of about 500 m from Phedi
- Low altitude throughout
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dhampus | 1,650 m | - |
| 2 | Pokhara | 822 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1Drive to Phedi, climb to Dhampussleep 1,650 m1.5-2 habout 3 km
About 20-40 minutes by road to Phedi, then a stone-step climb through fields and forest to Dhampus. Spend the afternoon in the village and the evening with a host family.
Homestay or lodge in DhampusAbout Dhampus
Day 2Sunrise in Dhampus, walk down to Phedisleep 822 m1-1.5 habout 3 km
Walk to the viewpoint above the village for sunrise, then descend to Phedi for transport to Pokhara. For a longer day, climb about an hour to Australian Camp (about 2,060 m) and walk down to Kande instead.
Hotel in Pokhara
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap.
Permits
ACAP entry permit (Annapurna Conservation Area)Conservation area
Dhampus lies at the southern edge of the conservation area. Sources disagree on whether a permit is checked for a short village stay; it is needed for treks beyond Dhampus. Ask the NTNC/ACAP office in Pokhara.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against National Trust for Nature Conservation (Annapurna Conservation Area Project, e-permit links). Guide rule: Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (The National, March 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Oct-Apr
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September to November: clear mountain views from October and rice harvest on the terraces.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February: often clear and dry, with cold mornings; good for views at this height.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May: warmer, with rhododendrons in the forest above the village and more afternoon haze.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August: green terraces but rain, cloud and slippery steps.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Dhampus, 1,650 m), end (Pokhara, 822 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Dhampus (start)
Forecast for 1,650 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Pokhara (end)
Forecast for 822 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
This route stays below about 2,500 m, so altitude illness is unlikely, but insurance that covers trekking and evacuation is still sensible. This is general information, not medical advice.
The staircase from Phedi is steep and slippery when wet; use poles on the way down.
If you walk up in the late afternoon, carry a headlamp.
What to pack
- Comfortable walking shoes with grip
- Warm layer for sunrise
- Headlamp
- Small gift or snacks to share are welcome but not expected
- Cash for the homestay
Side trips and alternatives
About an hour above Dhampus through forest; a meadow viewpoint at about 2,060 m.
Continue via Pothana and Tolka to Landruk for a longer walk towards the Annapurna Base Camp route.
Dhampus Village questions
How long is the Dhampus village trek?
One night from Pokhara is usual; it can be a day hike or stretched to three days with Australian Camp.
How do I get to Dhampus from Pokhara?
Take a bus or taxi to Phedi (20-40 minutes), then walk up 1.5-2 hours, or take a jeep to the village.
Can I stay with a family in Dhampus?
Yes. Homestays are run by village families, and there are also lodges and guesthouses.
Do I need a permit for Dhampus?
Sources disagree for a short village stay; an ACAP permit is needed for treks beyond Dhampus. Check in Pokhara.
Similar treks
A two- to three-day walk from Pokhara to Panchase (about 2,517 m), a forested hill with a temple and pond west of Phewa Tal, with views of Dhaulagiri, the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhre.
- Days
- 3 days
- Maximum altitude
- 2,517 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
A low, short village walk in the hills east of Pokhara, via Kalikasthan, Syaklung and Chisapani to Begnas Lake, named after a 1980 trek by the then Prince Charles.
- Days
- 4 days
- Maximum altitude
- 1,730 m
- Difficulty
- Easy
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Annapurna Sanctuary trek, Wikivoyage, Dhampus, Wikipedia, The Dhampus trek in Nepal's Annapurna region, Much Better Adventures, Australian Camp day hike from Pokhara, North Nepal Trek
Dhampus Village · 2 days