How difficult is the Australian Camp, Dhampus & Astam Village Trek?

This is a short, easy-to-moderate trek for beginners, families and older travellers. You walk 3 to 5 hours a day on village tracks, stone steps and gentle ridge trails, and the highest point is Australian Camp at 2,055 m, so altitude is not a concern.

What kind of accommodation and facilities can I expect during the trek?

Accommodation includes 1 night in a cozy local guest house at Australian Camp and 1 night in an authentic local homestay/eco tea house at Hyanjakot Village. Rooms are clean double-occupancy setups with comfortable beds, clean bathrooms, and hot water/ wifi facilities.

Which permits do I need for this trek? Do I need a porter or previous trekking experience for this trip?

You need the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), which costs NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals, plus a TIMS card (about NPR 2,000). Both are arranged for you and the costs are included in our package. This is a normal conservation area, not a restricted region, so no special restricted-area permit is required. Previous experience is not required as the trail is short and easy. A licensed English-speaking mountain guide is included to lead your group. Porters are available upon request if you prefer not to carry your own light daypack

What meals are served on this 3-day short trek?

The package includes full-board vegetarian meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner). You will enjoy organic, home-cooked local dishes such as fresh Dal Bhat, millet bread (Kodo ko Roti), seasonal farm vegetables, homemade snacks, and tea/coffee served with warm local hospitality.

What is the best season to do the Dhampus and Australian Camp Trek?

This trek can be done all year round. Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) offer the clearest mountain views and vibrant rhododendron blooms. Winter provides crisp, clear sky views, while Monsoon brings lush green terraced valley scenery.

What major Himalayan peaks can be seen during this trek?

You see a wide sweep of the Annapurna range, including Annapurna South (7,219 m), Machhapuchhre or Fishtail (6,993 m), Hiunchuli (6,441 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m) and Annapurna IV (7,525 m). The clearest view is sunrise at Australian Camp.

TrekEasyAUS-2/3

Australian Camp, Dhampus & Astam Village Trek — 3 Days

3 days2,055 mFrom Pokhara (drive to Kaskikot)Best: All Year Round

Photo by Sabina Bajracharya on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Australian Camp, Dhampus & Astam Village Trek — 3 Days

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Australian Camp, Dhampus & Astam Village Trek — 3 Days

Nov2

Nov 2 → Nov 4

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$130

Nov16

Nov 16 → Nov 18

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$130

Dec14

Dec 14 → Dec 16

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$130

Prefer your own dates? Book a private trek.

Duration

3 days

From

$130/person

Max Altitude

2,055 m

Difficulty

Easy

Starts

Pokhara (drive to Kaskikot)

Group Size

2–20 People

Stay

Tea House / Homestay

Meals

Full Board (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)

Best Season

All Year Round

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Trip Highlights

360° Panoramic mountain views from Kaskikot Darbar over Annapurna Range, Pokhara Valley, and Phewa Lake

Scenic ridge trail trekking through lush oak and rhododendron forests up to Australian Camp at 2,055m

Unobstructed sunrise views directly over Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli

Authentic Nepali village lifestyle experience with an overnight local homestay in Hyanjakot

Delicious organic home-cooked local meals including fresh Dal Bhat, millet bread, and traditional snacks

Cultural exploration of traditional Gurung villages, terraced farm fields, and ancient stone pathways

Eco-hospitality experience and ridge-top mountain view lunch at Annapurna Eco Village Resort in Astam

Quick, hassle-free logistics centred on the Pokhara valley

An easy 3-day trek from Pokhara over Kaskikot, Australian Camp (2,055 m) and Dhampus, with Annapurna and Machhapuchhre sunrise views, a night in a family homestay at Hyanjakot and lunch in Astam village. Made for families, beginners and anyone short on time.

Day-by-Day Itinerary(3 days)

Altitude Profile

Peak: 2,055 m · Day 1

At 8:00 your private car collects you from your Pokhara hotel and climbs 40 minutes to Kaskikot. A short uphill walk to the Kaskikot Darbar viewpoint gives a full 360°: the Annapurna range to the north, Pokhara Valley and Phewa Lake to the south. From there we follow a ridge trail through villages for about 2 hours (6 km) to Nagdanda and have lunch at Himalaya Deurali Resort. To reach Kande you can walk an hour (3.5 km) on a village trail near the road, or take the 15-minute local bus or van we recommend so your legs are fresh for the climb. The last 1 to 1.5 hours (4.5 km) climb stone steps through oak and rhododendron forest to Australian Camp. Its real name is Thula Kharka, the Big Pasture, where villagers once grazed cattle; so many Australian trekkers camped here that the new name stuck.

2,055 m4–5 hrs40 min drive (11 km) · about 14 km on footLunch & DinnerLocal guest house, Australian Camp

Sunrise comes straight up over Annapurna South (7,219 m), Machhapuchhre (6,993 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m), Annapurna IV (7,525 m) and Hiunchuli (6,441 m), and breakfast has the same view. We walk downhill through forest via Pothana to the Gurung village of Dhampus (1,650 m, about 3 km, 1.5 to 2 hours), explore its stone paths and old houses, and eat lunch facing the peaks. The afternoon drops gently through Dhital (1,450 m) on farm terraces and dirt tracks (about 6 km, 2 hours) to Hyanjakot (1,250 m). Tonight you stay with a local family: fresh dal bhat, seasonal vegetables from the farm, millet bread (kodo ko roti), homemade tea and coffee, a clean bed and hot water. Stay like a local, eat like a local.

1,250 m4–5 hrsabout 9 kmBreakfast, Lunch & DinnerVillage homestay, Hyanjakot

After an organic breakfast at the homestay, gentle village tracks climb about 4 km (2 hours) to Astam (1,500 m), with farming life around you and the mountains in view all the way. Lunch is at the Annapurna Eco Village Resort on the ridge. Then forest steps lead downhill about 4 km (1 hour) to Hemja / Melbot (1,000 m) on the highway; if you would rather skip the descent, we can send a private vehicle to collect you at Astam after lunch. On the way back we can stop at the long Seti River suspension bridge for photos, and you are dropped at your Pokhara hotel before 4:00 pm.

820 m3–4 hrsabout 8 km on foot · 12 km driveBreakfast & LunchBack at your Pokhara hotel (not included)

The Australian Camp, Dhampus and Astam Village Trek is a short Himalayan escape for families, beginners and anyone with only a few days in Pokhara. In three easy days you drive up to the Kaskikot Darbar viewpoint, walk a village ridge to Australian Camp (2,055 m) for an Annapurna sunrise, drop through the Gurung village of Dhampus to a family homestay in Hyanjakot, and finish with lunch in Astam before a short drive back to Pokhara.

The trip at a glance

Duration: 3 days, 2 nights
Grade: easy to moderate, family and nature friendly, with forest steps
Highest point: Australian Camp, 2,055 m
Distance: 25 to 27 km in total, 3 to 5 hours of walking a day
Route: Kaskikot (1,780 m) to Hemja / Melbot (1,000 m)
Season: all year round

Why this trek

Few short treks put this much mountain in front of you so close to town. Australian Camp faces Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli head on, so the sunrise needs no early climb. The second night is spent with a local family in Hyanjakot, eating dal bhat and millet bread from their own farm, which is the part most of our guests remember longest. Because the highest point is barely over 2,000 m there is no altitude to worry about, and the trek works in every season: rhododendrons in spring, the clearest skies in autumn, crisp views in winter and green terraces in the monsoon.

What's Included

Included

Private car transfers for the whole trip: Pokhara to Kaskikot on day 1, and Hemja / Melbot (or Astam) back to Pokhara on day 3, with hotel pickup and drop-off
Accommodation: 1 night in a local guest house at Australian Camp and 1 night in a family homestay at Hyanjakot (standard single or double room, hot water, clean bathroom, wifi)
Full-board vegetarian meals on the trek with local food (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and 2–3 litres of safe drinking water per person per day
All permits and fees: ACAP, TIMS, local entry fees and government taxes
Licensed English-speaking mountain guide with a first-aid kit (porter on request)
Trekking map, trekking poles and a sleeping bag if you need one
Insurance, food, salary, accommodation and equipment for your guide and porter
All government taxes and our service charge

Not Included

International flights, Nepal visa fees and your personal travel insurance
Hotel nights and meals in Pokhara before and after the trek (see the hotel options on this page)
Personal trekking gear, clothing and footwear
Rescue and emergency evacuation insurance (covering accidents, medical costs and trip cancellation)
Soft drinks, alcohol, phone calls and laundry
Tips for your guide and porter
Snacks, personal expenses and anything not listed under Included

Pickup

Pokhara or Kathmandu: where should we pick you up?

This trip begins in Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside trekking town. Most international flights land in Kathmandu, about 200 km away (25 minutes by plane or 6 to 8 hours by tourist bus), so you can either make your own way to Pokhara or let us collect you in Kathmandu.

Pickup in Pokhara

Trip starts here

Already in Pokhara? We collect you from your hotel at no charge.

Pokhara hotel pickupFrom any hotel in Pokhara, Lakeside included.Included
Pokhara airport pickupWe quote
Pokhara tourist bus park pickupWe quote

Pickup in Kathmandu

Landing in Kathmandu? We meet you at the airport or your hotel and get you to the start.

Kathmandu international airport (on arrival)Includes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
Kathmandu domestic airportWe quote
Kathmandu hotel pickupIncludes getting you to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight. The price depends on your arrival, so we confirm it with you.We quote
Kathmandu tourist bus park pickupWe quote

Hotel in the city

No hotel, I will book my own$0
Pokhara: tourist standard guest houseWe quote
Pokhara: 3-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Pokhara: 4-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote
Pokhara: 5-star hotel (bed & breakfast)We quote

Prices are per person and added to the trip price when you book. “We quote” means the price depends on your flight time and hotel, so our team confirms it with you before the trip. It is never added to your payment without asking.

Best Time to Go

Spring (Mar–May)

Rhododendrons in full bloom, warm days and clear morning views of the Annapurnas — one of the two prime seasons for this trek.

Low: 5°C High: 20°C None at this elevation; occasional afternoon haze.

Summer / Monsoon (Jun–Aug)

Lush green hills but frequent rain, leeches and clouds that often hide the mountains. Trekkable but views are unreliable.

Low: 12°C High: 23°C None; expect heavy rain and muddy trails.

Autumn (Sep–Nov)

The clearest skies of the year with crisp air and stable weather — the best time for sunrise panoramas from Australian Camp.

Low: 3°C High: 18°C None at this elevation; excellent visibility.

Winter (Dec–Feb)

Cold but stable and quiet, with sharp, clear mountain views. The low altitude keeps it comfortably trekkable through winter.

Low: -2°C High: 12°C Light frost possible; rare dusting of snow at Australian Camp.

Permits Required

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

NPR 3,000 (about US$23)

Required for all foreign trekkers entering the Annapurna region; SAARC nationals pay NPR 1,000. Arranged by us and included in the package.

TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System)

NPR 2,000 (about US$15)

Issued through a registered agency for the safety and tracking of trekkers. Arranged by us and included in the package.

All permits are arranged and included in your package price. Nothing to organise yourself.

What to Pack

A warm or light down jacket for the evening at Australian Camp

One change of clothes: light T-shirts and comfortable trousers are enough in normal weather

Raincoat or umbrella in the monsoon, a windproof jacket in winter

A detailed packing list will be sent with your booking confirmation. Gear rental available in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Frequently Asked Questions

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$120 × 2 people· 2–13 pax rate$240

All-inclusive · permits included