Dhampus, Nepal: Travel Guide (2024)

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Dhampus is a small village 25.5 km from Pokhara and can be reached by taking a bus to Phedi and then hiking from Phedi to Dhampus. The bus takes about 1 hour to Phedi and the hike to Dhampus is another 2.5 hours.

Dhampus is famous for its hiking routes and views of the Himalayas. I hiked from Phedi to Dhampus on the way to the Australian Camp, and Dhampus is a nice place to stop for lunch on your way to the Australian Camp. If you don’t want to continue to the Australian Camp, you can also stop in Dhampus for the night and return to Pokhara the next day.

The major ethnic group in Dhampus is the Gurung. A traditional Gurung food is the dhido which is made out of buckwheat flour and hot water. Usually, in the Gurung ethnic group, people eat dal bhat with dhido instead of rice. If you are in Dhampus, it is a good place to try dal bhat with dhido.

Here is all the information you need to know about Dhampus, including how to get there, best time to visit and things to do!

Dhampus Quick Facts

Best Time to Visit Dhampus

The best time to visit Dhampus is in the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (April-May).

In general, Autumn and Spring are the most recommended times to visit and travel in Nepal. The weather during these times is the most pleasant (not too cold or not too hot) and the skies are clear to have nice views of the Himalayas.

Dhampus Altitude

The altitude of Dhampus is 1,650 metres above sea level.

Dhampus Location

Dhampus is located 25.5 km from Pokhara and it can be reached by taking a bus to Phedi and then hiking there. The bus from Pokhara to Phedi takes about 1 hour, and the hike from Phedi to Dhampus can be completed in about 2.5 hours.

What is Dhampus Famous for?

Dhampus is a small village near Pokhara and is famous for its hiking routes and views of the Himalayas. It is also on the way towards the Australian Camp, so if you are trekking to the Australian Camp, you will pass it by.

Major Ethnic Group in Dhampus

The major ethnic group in Dhampus is the Gurung. There are 125 ethnic groups in Nepal and one of them is the Gurung ethnic group. The Gurung ethnic group is mostly settled in the hilly region of Nepal in the Gandaki Province.

A traditional Gurung food is the dhido which is made out of buckwheat flour and hot water. Usually, in the Gurung community, people eat dal bhat with dhido instead of rice. So, it is a good place to try dal bhat with dhido there.

Pokhara to Dhampus Distance

Dhampus is a village 25.5 km from Pokhara and can be reached by taking a bus from Pokhara to Phedi and then hiking from Phedi.

Dhampus Trek

Dhampus Trek Difficulty

The Dhampus Trek is easy level and is great for beginners or for those who just want to go for a day hike.

If you want to spend more time trekking, there is also an option to continue to trek to the Australian Camp. It takes only about 1.5 hours from Dhampus to the Australian Camp which is famous for its sunrise views of the Himalayas.

Most people just take a break in Dhampus while on the way to the Australian Camp.

Dhampus Trek

Option 1: Phedi to Dhampus Trek

• Duration: 2.5 hours
• Difficulty Level: Easy

The Dhampus Trek is a short trek from Pokhara. The starting point is in Phedi which is about 1 hour bus ride away from Pokhara. Then, from Phedi it is a short 2.5 hours trek to Dhampus.

Once you get to Phedi, there are some small restaurants where you can have some breakfast before starting the trek to Phedi.

The beginning of the trek is uphill climb on a hill and there is not much shade, so if you start out late on a sunny day, make sure to pack sunscreen and a sunhat to protect you from the sun.

Option 2: Kande to Dhampus Trek

• Duration: Kande to Australian Camp: 1 hour, Australian Camp to Dhampus: 1.5 hours.
• Difficulty Level: Easy

There is also an option to reach Dhampus from Kande. If you start from Kande, it is basically the reverse route than as if you were starting from Phedi. It also takes longer and you pass the Australian Camp. If you only specifically want to go to Dhampus, than it is better to start from Phedi.

If you start from Kande, then you will basically follow the Australian Camp route.

On this route, you will start from Kande and trek to the Australian Camp which takes about 1 hour uphill. Most people stay at the Australian Camp for the night to see the sunrise the next morning.

Then from the Australian Camp, it takes maximum 1.5 hours to reach Dhampus.

Things to Do in Dhampus

Dhampus is a small village so if you want to experience life in a small Nepali village, it is the right place for you. As it is small, the activities you can do is limited.

Nevertheless, if you are looking for some peace and quiet, hiking, views of the Himalayas, experiencing life in a traditional Gurung village or just a short escape from Pokhara, check out Dhampus!

For food, make sure to try dal bhat with dhido which is a specialty of the Gurung ethnic group living in Dhampus. Dhido is made by mixing together buckwheat flour and hot water. It is a good place try the dal bhat with dhido here.

How to Get from Pokhara to Dhampus

To get from Pokhara to Dhampus, the easiest and quickest route is to take a bus from Pokhara to Phedi and then to trek from Phedi.

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.

How to Get from Phedi to Dhampus

• Phedi to Dhampus trek time: 2.5 hours

When you get to Phedi, there are some restaurants where you can stop to have breakfast before you start the hike.

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 and a sunhat with you.

It takes about 2.5 hours to trek from Phedi to Dhampus. Dhampus is a nice place to stop for lunch but there are also homestays if you want to stay there for the night. Most people continue onto the Australian Camp, which can be reached by an additional 1.5 hours hike.

FAQs: Dhampus, Nepal: Travel Guide

What is Dhampus famous for?

Dhampus is a small village near Pokhara and is famous for its hiking routes and views of the Himalayas. It is also on the way towards the Australian Camp, so if you are trekking to the Australian Camp, you will it pass by.

How do I go from Pokhara to Dhampus?

Dhampus is a village 25.5 km from Pokhara and can be reached by taking a bus to Phedi and then hiking from Phedi. The bus leaves from Hari Chowk in Pokhara and takes 1 hour to get to Phedi . Once in Phedi, the hike to Dhampus is another 2.5 hours.

How high is Dhampus Pokhara?

The altitude of Dhampus is 1,650 metres above sea level.

What is the starting point of the Dhampus Trek?

The starting point of the Dhampus Trek is in Phedi. Phedi is about 1 hour bus ride away from Pokhara. Once you get to Phedi, it takes a short, 2.5 hours trek to reach Dhampus. It is an easy level trek, great for beginners wanting to go on a short hike near Pokhara.

How high is the Australian Camp, Nepal?

The Australian Camp is at 2,065 metres above sea level.

Conclusion

Dhampus is a small village 25.5 km from Pokhara and can be reached by taking a bus to Phedi and then hiking from Phedi. The bus takes about 1 hour to Phedi and the hike to Dhampus is another 2.5 hours.

Dhampus is famous for its hiking routes and views of the Himalayas. It is also on the way towards the Australian Camp, so if after arriving there, you can also continue onto the Australian Camp.

If you don’t want to continue to the Australian Camp, you can also stop in Dhampus for the night and return to Pokhara the next day.

The major ethnic group in Dhampus is the Gurung. A traditional Gurung food is the dhido which is made out of buckwheat flour and hot water. Usually, in the Gurung ethnic group eat dal bhat with dhido instead of rice. So, it is a good place to try dal bhat with dhido there.