Quick facts
A half-day or overnight hike from Pokhara's northern edge to Australian Camp, with unobstructed views of Machhapuchhre, Annapurna South, and the entire western Himalayan skyline.
Overview
Australian Camp is where I take people who have one free day in Pokhara and want to actually feel the mountains rather than photograph them from the lakeside. The hike begins at Kande, a short drive north of the city, and climbs through forest and small settlements to a ridgeline camp at around 2,065m. The round walk to Australian Camp and the adjacent village of Dhampus takes 5-6 hours and works well as either a day trip or an overnight stay.
The views from Australian Camp are among the best accessible from Pokhara without a multi-day commitment. Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) sits almost directly ahead in an unobstructed line, with Annapurna South, Hiunchuli, Annapurna II and IV, and Lamjung Himal all visible on clear days. Sunrise and sunset from the camp are particularly striking — the low angle of light turns the snow faces gold before the valley below has woken up.
Dhampus village, a Gurung settlement a short walk below Australian Camp, offers a genuine look at village life. The houses are traditional stone construction, and the community maintains its culture without having been overly commercialised by the trekking industry. Many locals offer homestay accommodation, which I can arrange. Spending a night here and catching the next morning's sunrise from the ridge is the experience I most often recommend for visitors with limited time.
Who this trek is for
Anyone staying in Pokhara who wants a real Himalayan view from a ridge rather than a rooftop. This is one of the most accessible proper hikes from the city — suitable for all fitness levels, families with children, older trekkers, and anyone acclimatising before a longer trek. No technical difficulty, no altitude concerns. The overnight option suits photographers or anyone who wants the sunrise experience.
Best views & moments
- Panoramic view of Machhapuchhre (Fishtail) from the camp ridge — one of the cleanest angles on the peak from Pokhara
- Sunrise from the ridgeline above Dhampus — golden light on Annapurna South and Hiunchuli before the valley wakes
- Gurung village life in Dhampus — traditional stone houses and local hospitality without the tourist density of Ghandruk
- Short enough to do as a day hike with a half-day remaining in Pokhara
- Rhododendron forest in bloom on the approach trail from Kande (March-April)
- Clear sightlines west to Dhaulagiri and east along the full Annapurna range on good days
Day-by-day itinerary
Drive from Pokhara lakeside to Kande (27 km, about 45 minutes). Begin hiking at 8am — the trail climbs steadily through forest to Australian Camp in 1.5-2 hours. Rest at the camp with views of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range. Continue 1-1.5 hours down to Dhampus village for lunch and village exploration. Descend to Phedi (1.5-2 hours) and drive back to Pokhara. For an overnight stay, remain in Dhampus and hike back the next morning.
For the overnight option: rise before sunrise and walk back up to the Australian Camp ridge for the morning light on the peaks. Return to Dhampus for breakfast, then descend to Phedi and drive back to Pokhara. Total morning walking time roughly 3 hours.
Route & terrain
The trailhead at Kande sits about 27 km north of Pokhara lakeside, reached by a 45-minute drive on the Pokhara-Baglung highway. From Kande the trail ascends directly through pine and rhododendron forest on a well-maintained path. The gradient is steady rather than steep, and the forest provides good shade. The trail is well-used and signposted — this is one of the few hikes around Pokhara where independent walking is straightforward without prior local knowledge.
Australian Camp sits on a small plateau at the top of the ridge, with teahouses and an open viewpoint. The onward path to Dhampus descends gently through the village over 1-1.5 hours. The descent from Dhampus to Phedi (the road head at the bottom of the hill) takes another 1.5-2 hours on a clear trail. A vehicle can collect you at Phedi for the 30-minute drive back to Pokhara. The total circuit — Kande to Australian Camp to Dhampus to Phedi — is approximately 8 km of walking.
General info
Difficulty & preparation
This is an Easy-rated hike. The ascent from Kande to Australian Camp gains approximately 500m over 1.5-2 hours on a well-maintained trail with no technical sections. The maximum altitude of 2,065m presents no altitude concerns for anyone arriving from Pokhara. Total walking time for the day circuit is 5-6 hours, which is appropriate for average fitness levels including people who do not regularly exercise.
The main physical demands are the steady uphill gradient on the ascent and the stone steps on the descent to Phedi. Good footwear is helpful — trail runners or light hiking shoes are adequate, though anything with a decent sole is fine. This is not a trek that requires trekking poles, though they reduce knee strain on the downhill section.
How to prepare
Minimal preparation required. Wear comfortable, broken-in footwear with a decent sole. Bring sunscreen and a hat — the ridge sits above tree cover in places and UV exposure is stronger than in the city. A light jacket for the early morning start if you're catching the sunrise. One litre of water per person is sufficient for the day circuit; buy additional drinks at the teahouses.
Permits you'll need
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
NPR 3,000 (foreigners) / NPR 100 (SAARC) per person
Required even for this short hike as the trail enters the Annapurna Conservation Area.
TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System)
NPR 2,000 (independent) / NPR 1,000 (group) per person
Available at Nepal Tourism Board offices in Pokhara.
I handle all permit paperwork as your licensed guide.
Altitude & acclimatisation
At 2,065m, Australian Camp presents no altitude concerns for any trekker arriving from Pokhara (823m). The gain is gradual and the maximum elevation is well within the comfort zone of all fitness levels. No acclimatisation considerations apply. Drink normally and you will have no issues.
Food & accommodation
Australian Camp has several teahouses on the ridge with reasonable menus — tea, coffee, dal bhat, noodle soups, omelets. The views from the teahouse terraces make this a pleasant stop. Dhampus has simple guesthouses and homestay options run by Gurung families; meals are home-cooked and served at the family table. The overnight experience in Dhampus is one of the more authentic close-to-Pokhara stays available. No camping required on this route.
What to pack
Day pack only: water (1-2 litres), sunscreen, hat, light jacket or fleece for early starts, camera, snacks. For the overnight option add a change of clothes, a small sleeping bag or liner (teahouses provide blankets but a liner adds comfort), and a headlamp. Leave your main trekking bag at the hotel in Pokhara. This is genuinely a light-kit hike.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the trail from Kande to Australian Camp to Dhampus to Phedi is well-marked and widely walked. Basic navigation is not a problem for most people. That said, having a local guide enriches the experience considerably — knowledge of the Gurung cultural context in Dhampus, help arranging homestay accommodation, and confidence on the trail all improve the day. For a solo visitor comfortable with maps or GPS, independent walking is fine.
The mountains are frequently cloud-covered during monsoon, particularly in the afternoon. Morning windows can be clearer. The forest is lush and green during these months and the trail is less busy, but for guaranteed mountain views you should visit between October and May. December through February can also be clear, though mornings are cold on the ridge.
Yes, particularly for photographers or anyone who wants to see the sunrise light on Machhapuchhre from the ridge. The light at sunrise is dramatically better than mid-morning and it changes quickly, so being already on the ridge rather than hiking up from Pokhara in the dark makes a real difference. The homestay experience in Dhampus is also genuinely good.
Transport to Kande and back is roughly NPR 2,000-3,000 per vehicle. Permits total NPR 5,000 per foreign trekker. A guide for the day is an additional cost I can discuss directly. Meals at teahouses on the trail run NPR 300-600 per dish. Total budget for a day hike including transport, permits, guide, and meals is in the range of USD 60-100 per person depending on group size.
The camp is said to have been used by an Australian aid or development team working in the area in the 1980s or 1990s — the name stuck. It has no formal connection to anything Australian today. Some sources dispute the exact origin but the name is consistent across all local references.