Australian Camp Trek Nepal Itinerary (1 night/2 days)
Are you planning to go on the Australian Camp Trek from Pokhara?
Don’t worry, I’ve got all the information you need. The Australian Camp Trek is a great option if you are short on time or looking for an easy and short trek from Pokhara.
The Australian Camp Trek is usually completed in two days – spending one night at the Australian Camp to see the sunrise the next day. However, if you are short on time, it is possible to complete the trek even in one day.
Information on the Australian Camp Trek Nepal
- Permits: No permit or guide is needed for this trek. The short trek can be done both in groups or solo.
- Difficulty level: Easy
- Best time to trek: Between October – November and March – May. During this time, the views are clear and it is also not too cold. Generally, these times are considered the best for trekking, however, still sometimes the weather patterns can be unpredictable.
The trail is generally an easy hike. There are some sections where you will have to go up on some stairs but not for too long. The whole hike is about 3.5 – 4 hours to the Australian Camp and there are tea houses in Dhampus to take a break and recharge.
Australian Camp Trek Itinerary
There are two options to reach the Australian Camp:
Route 1. Pokhara → Phedi → Dhampus → Australian Camp → Kande → Pokhara
or through the opposite direction:
Route 2. Pokhara → Kande → Australian Camp → Dhampus → Phedi → Pokhara
I went on the hike starting from Phedi, so here there is information on the route starting from Phedi.
Route 1. Pokhara → Phedi → Dhampus → Australian Camp
How to Get from Pokhara to Phedi
By Bus: Take the bus from Hari Chowk (Pokhara) to Phedi. It costs Rs. 60.
(How to get to Hari Chowk: Take a bus from Lakeside to Zero Km (Rs. 25), then from Zero Km take another bus to Hari Chowk (Rs. 25).
By Taxi: It is also possible to get a taxi to take you to Phedi. If you decide to go by taxi, make sure to arrange it the day before so that you can start your trip early.
Day 1: Pokhara → Phedi → Dhampus → Australian Camp
- Phedi to Dhampus trek time: 2.5 hours
- Dhampus to Australian Camp trek time: 1.5 hours
When you get to Phedi, there are some restaurants where you can stop to have breakfast before you start the hike to Dhampus.
The first section of the hike will take you uphill, taking stairs up. There is not much shade while going up the stairs, so it can get very hot and sunny on the way up. Make sure you have sunscreen with you and a sunhat.
It takes about 2.5 hours to reach Dhampus from Phedi. Dhampus is a nice place to stop for lunch and to take a break. Lunch costs around Rs. 400-500.
From Dhampus to Australian Camp, the trail is even shorter and it takes maximum 1.5 hours to reach the Australian Camp.
Day 2: Australian Camp to Kande to Pokhara
- Australian Camp to Kande trek time: 30-40 minutes
- Kande to Pokhara bus: 1 hour, costs Rs. 150
The trek from the Australian Camp to Kande is a really easy one. It is mostly downhill and you can get to Kande in about 30-40 minutes.
Kande to Pokhara Bus:
As you reach Kande, you will find the bus taking you back to Pokhara right at the end of the trail. If the bus is already there, you will see the bus helper at the end of the trail, already asking the trekkers if you are looking for the bus to Pokhara.
The bus fare from Kande to Pokhara is Rs 150.
Things to Do at the Australian Camp
Watch the Sunrise
Most people come to the Australian Camp to see the sunrise over the Annapurna range. The views are really incredible from here, considering it is so easy to reach from Pokhara. The views may be cloudy during monsoon, so it is best to plan a trip here off the monsoon season.
Try Local Alcohol
The guesthouses sell some locally made alcohol which can be fun to try, even if just a little bit to taste.
Explore the Village
As you will reach the Australian Camp fairly early (early afternoon), there are some trails you can discover and walk around the village. It is nice to walk around, watch the sunset and discover the area a little bit.
Play on the Swing
There is a big swing set up at the Australian Camp. Traditionally, swings are set up in Nepal during the Dashain Festival, however, at the Australian Camp, you will find the swing all year round.
Continue to Trek to Mardi Himal
If you have another 4-5 days to trek, you can continue from the Australian Camp to Mardi Himal. Just as you reach the Australian Camp, you will see the trail that is marked to continue towards Mardi Himal.
Teahouses at the Australian Camp
Guesthouses: Most of the guest house are around the main camping area of the Australian Camp. I stayed at the Angle’s Guest House which is also at the main ground. The views are really great from here, the food was good and there is also hot water shower. Price of guest house per night: Rs. 1,000 for 2 people
Camping: There are also tents set up if you are up for camping. I did not try the tent when I was there but it seemed really fun. I would be careful about staying in a tent during monsoon as the leeches may be able to come into the tent with you.
Australian Camp Trek Budget
The Australian Camp Trek can be kept a very low budget. Here is the budget for 2 people for a 1 night/2 days trip to the Australian Camp from Pokhara:
Bus/transport: (25+25+60+150) x 2= Rs. 520
Accommodation: Rs. 1,000 (1 night)
Food: Rs. 300 (breakfast in Phedi)+ Rs 800 (lunch)+ Rs. 1,050 (dinner) = Rs. 2,150
Total Australian Camp Trek cost for 2 people: Rs. 3,670