Dhampus Day Hiking

Dhampus day hiking is something you should not miss out on if you are on your way to Pokhara. The village of Dhampus serves the best for beginners looking for a place to hike. It only takes a few hours to hike through the village, and you also get to explore the Australian Base Camp while you’re at it. There are plenty of hotels and amenities that you can find when you’re in the village.

While there aren’t as many luxurious hotels to serve you, you will be quite comfortable throughout your visit. Waking up in the first hour of the morning, you can get the perfect view of Mount Machchapuchre. It would be an understatement to say that Dhampus is one of the most beautiful places in Pokhara. Along with Machchapuchre Himal, you can also get a view of other mountains like Annapurna-Manaslu and Lamjung Himal range. You will go to Dhampus village through your ride in Pokhara itself. From Kathmandu, you can reach the village in only around 4-5 hours.

Further, Dhampus Day hiking starts once you settle in. There is no compulsion for you to find a hotel to stay in Dhampus as the Dhampus Day hiking takes only a day. But, it is best to start your hike at the earliest time in the morning as you can see the clearest view of the mountains from the village during the morning than any other time of the day. Similarly, since Gurung culture is dominant in the village, there is much to explore about the culture when you are in Dhampus. You can also go a little further from your Dhampus day hike if you want to hike to Ghandruk village. 

Dhampus Day hiking takes no more than a day. In fact, you can complete the hike within 3 to 4 hours. The hike starts when you are dropped off at Phedi, western Pokhara. You will be back on your ride once you are done with your hike and return back to Phedi.

Day 1 - You travel from Kathmandu to Phedi in no less than 4 to 5 hours. If you are not looking to hike the first day due to tiredness, you should stop at a nearby hotel. Resting time is not as crucial during Dhampus Day hiking as you can have no hiking skills and still make it through the hike with no problem at all. Plus, the trails aren’t as time-consuming and tough, either.

However, if you are in Phedi for only a solo day hiking without staying in a hotel, then you start from the Suikhet area itself. Phedi also translates to the lower hill. You can get all ready with a pair of bottles and solid shoes here. Going through the village, you will see the beautiful view of the greenery and rural lifestyle of the Gurung people there.

The trails aren’t as difficult but quite rocky and slippery after you climb a certain number of stairs through the village during your hike. Carry along a hiking pole in case you need some support for your body. The forests that you will be coming through in your hike are fascinating, and the hike, overall, is quite refreshing and best for anyone looking to escape urban life, even if temporarily. Machhapuchhre Himal, Lamjung, and Manaslu Himal, with a tip of Mt. Dhaulagiri, are some of the main attractions during your hike.

A cattle grazing area, which is now known as Australian Camp or Thulo Kharka, will have you discover many trekkers camping amidst the beautiful mountainous scenario that you will end up in during your Dhampus day hike. You can either rest there or continue your hike back to Phedi. It is preferably best that you settle in the Australian base camp for a while to soak in the beauty of Pokhara’s hills and mountains as you get the best view from there. Return to Phedi is not as difficult as you will be following the same trail back. You can then make your way to the more urbanized location in Pokhara from here.