Dhampus pothana kande hiking

INTRODUCTION TO DHAMPUS

Dhampus village is small and quiet settlement nestled against the incredible snow-capped mountains and verdant hills. In recent times, the village has become quite popular as one of the rewarding short treks in Nepal, referred to as “Dhampus Trek.”

Dhampus village is located 26 kilometers north of Pokhara city in the central Kaski district. Dhampas is a traditional Gurung village located at an altitude of 1650 m above sea level. The village provides an opportunity to explore the lifestyle of the ethnic Gurung community.

The attraction of visiting Dhampus village is a little more than the magnificent view of the Annapurna range: Annapurna at 8091 m, Dhaulagiri at 8,167 m, and Manaslu at the eighth highest, 8166 m.

Village life experiences are the main things to see during your Dhampas visit. Sunrise and sunset view, Dhampus village is an evergreen hill with a hilly landscape and excellent Himalayan view.

At sunrise, you can experience the dense forest with sculpted mountain views and colorful forest flowers. This beautifully laid out place offers a view of the evening sunset. Travelers dancing in the upper part of the Himalayas can enjoy wonderful surprises.

Dhampus village is also famous for a short day and overnight trek from Pokhara Valley. The village is at the entrance of the Annapurna Conservation Area and on the way to the Annapurna base camp trek and many other treks. There are two hiking trails to reach Dhampas village.

It’s obvious, rich, and defined natural beauty drapes a strong culture, and the unreserved hospitality of Nepali people has made Dhampus trek a remarkable trip.

DHAMPUS HIKING

The sole Dhampus Trek takes only two days starting from the beautiful valley of Pokhara. It takes around 5.5 hours, 200 km to reach Pokhara from Kathmandu by vehicle. From Pokhara Lakeside it is an hour’s drive, 18 km to Phedi.

Then from Phedi, it is only around three-hour walk to reach Dhampus. However, this classic two-day Dhampus trek can be extended with other destinations. So keep up with us.
Its easy trail makes it perfect for a family trek with your kids, solo trek and can be embarked by every age of people.

Dhampus-Pothana-Kande

It is 3-4 days of a trek that covers several popular hiking villages and the perfect extension of two-day Dhampus trek. The trails are still easy and serve best for the beginner trekkers.

Phedi is around 30 minutes ride from Pokhara located at 1,130 meters. Then, we start trekking towards Dhampus Village and to Australian Camp. On clear days, you can have an excellent view of Phewa Lake and World Peace Pagoda.

Both Australian Camp and Pothana are awesome vantage point with a great view of Machhapuchhre and snow-capped mountains of Annapurna range.You can stay a night in either of these places to view the sunrise and sunset.Now, while returning to Kande, the trails from Australian Camp is more steps than roads.

The main features of this trek are the moments of sunrise and sunset. Apart from these, this beautiful cultural village lets you stay in a stone tea house with views of the Annapurna range. That is the main takeaway. You can get the best out of the trekking trail without covering too much distance. Sunrise and sunset views from the mountain will be an amazing experience.

The Dhampus Trek from Pokhara in 2 or 3 days will be a great trip for those trekking enthusiasts who are limited. Or for a limited time for those who pay higher wages. Time is available in Nepal. Whether you are single or having a family with children, this destination is perfect for everyone. The village is located on the border of Annapurna Conservation Area so you do not need permission to get there. Here we are discussing everything you need to know about Dhampas Trek.

Best Season for Dhampus Hiking

The best seasons for hiking to Dhampus are Spring (March, April and May) and Autumn (mid Sept, October, Nobember till mid Dec ). If you are looking for nice views of clear mountain. Dhampus Hiking can be done in any month except January and February as it is too much cold.

DHAMPUS WEATHER

The weather in Dhampus village is generally mild and pleasant. The average annual temperature and average rainfall in Dhampus varies according to the season. The weather is clear in spring and autumn. Spring (March, April and May) and autumn (October, November and December) are the best time to visit Dhampas village. The weather during these seasons is fun and enjoyable to witness for the blue skies, panoramic views of the mountains, magnificent nature, and short walks around the village.

The temperature is unique and conducive to hiking, adventure activities and sightseeing around the nearby village. Winter (January and February) may be the second-best option but summer (you (September) is not recommended. Since there are no high passes on this trek, it is not difficult for you to choose your best season. However, October to November is the best time for every traditional trek due to the perfect weather and clear weather. The preferred season for every trekker in Nepal is the end of October to November.

So, expect a little more traffic on your way when traveling during this peak. The end of December will be cold which leads to cold temperatures in January and February. People visit even in hot weather, which is not highly recommended.

There is heavy rainfall from July to September. In comparison, winter may be the best time. Tourists can enjoy growing on the freezing days of December to March. But they can be enjoyed at the campfire at night with BBQ and dinner.

Meals and Accommodation

Dhampus is not a new tourist trek in the western region as it coincides with the beautiful village of Ghandruk. So, there won’t be many problems for housing trekkers. There are plenty of hotels in Dhampus, although we recommend you stay at Homestay for a true experience as a local lifestyle. Homestay in Dhampus offers delicious food and breakfast with simple, clean beds. You can try some sel roti (round pancakes) for breakfast.

Nepali dal and bhat are always on the menu for dinner. As with other treks, Homestay will have no problem charging your mobile and camera batteries. Also, some homestays may have internet and some may not. Even if there is internet service, the speed is a slow fix so it doesn’t matter where you live. Due to the easy availability of hotels, lodges, resorts and homestays, many tourists visit Dhampus village.

Appropriate accommodation is provided for group gatherings, small group and single passengers. Guesthouses and homestays offer services according to the demand of the visitor. Homestay offers Gurung hospitality culture, local food, traditional welcome and village accommodation. Guesthouses and cottages offer luxurious rooms, modern food, internet and hot water baths.

Drinking water

We will get mineral and boiled water along the trekking routes which is also an additional cost. We discourage not to buy Mineral bottle water but use boiled water from the local lodges and put water purify tablets. Plastic bottles are difficult to dispose off and have become an environmental problem in mountains.
What to take

Nepalgram adventure offers you a Trekking maps as a complementary and Company T-shirt.Trekking Plus would suggest you to pack as lightly as possible when you are on mountain. We provide one porter between two trekkers to carry your trekking gears. You will be carried your valuable things in a day pack by your own and your other bags will be carried by the porter in a duffel bag which we provided.

Porter carries about 25 KG from 2 trekkers. You can store you’re your luggage which you are not going to use it on trek can leave in Kathmandu Hotel which is free of cost.

Experience and Health Requirements

Dhampus Hiking is considered a easy hiking in Nepal which is suitable for any age group. No technical skills or mountaineering experience are required for this hiking. Trekkers who have asthma, allergy or any other diseases related to hurt, lungs should take more precaution for this and any hiking or trekking in Nepal.

THINGS TO DO DURING DHAMPUS TREK

Dhampus Trek is a short journey, typically goes for classic two-days. There are many things to explore during the trek that is just in the vicinity of Dhampus Village. Well, you can certainly take a chance to extend a day or two and have the best confined days. Following are a few things you can opt to during your visit to Dhampus.

Visit View Tower
The View Tower is closely located to Dhampus Village and a must-visit place to witness the unobstructed view of mountains, including some tallest in the world, along with breathtaking sunsets and sunrises.

The tower was built in 2016 to bolster community tourism and is located within the periphery of Annapurna Conservation Area.
Go for an early hike to View Tower to see the sunrise emerging for the majestic array of mountains Annapurna II, Annapurna IV, Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre and Hiunchuli.

The moment when the sun casts its first ray on Machhapuchhre, then Hiunchili and other peaks and rise slowly becoming glowing red and spills all over the horizon is way beyond words.

Astam Hike

Astam is another beautiful village near Dhampus which takes around 4 hours of hiking. Astam, which translates as Sunset Village is at an elevation of 1,400 meters and just as its name meaning, the village offers an unprecedented view of the surrounding area.

The hike is a pleasing walk through the delightful forest and traditional and old houses, some dating back to even 100 years. It is an easy walk with no difficulty and challenge whatsoever.

You will pass through houses where men and women are involved in their daily chores and are quite interesting to watch.
In ancient times, these villages were referred as Dhampuskot and Astamkot, and while hiking towards Astam, there are two more kots; Hemzakot and Jaykot, which were used for storing weapons during Baise and Chaubise Rajyas (Rulers).

Be a part of the culture

Dhampus is a traditional Gurung village that lives by adhering to ages-old ethnic and cultural practices. These people are friendly and warm-hearted who are living in peace and harmony away from self-centered life in cities.
Their life revolves around their cultural belief, and it can act as an ice-breaker if you want to know about it.

You can always lay your queries about their culture and practice, and they will be happy to let you know more. As the food is the major part of a culture, do try Kheuni, a Gurung cuisine while in Dhampus Trek.

You can also learn some handicraft skills, as people in these villages are pro in making doko (wicker basket), dalo (bamboo basket), and naglo (round woven tray) from bamboos.

Gurung culture and village experience / what to expect

Dhampus Hike(1650 m) north of Pokhara Valley has a magnificent view of a farmer’s golden rice field and stone roof. The trekking of this village offers wonderful views of mountains, nature landscape and inner silence. The Gurung Committee welcomes various classes of trekkers in Dhampus village. Tourists usually stay here as a stopping point. It is the main source of income for the local people. This trekking route is best because of the Annapurna area.

Mount Dharampus is one of the best views of the earth in Nepal. One can capture the magnificent view of Pokhara from Dhampas and the landscape gets better after sunset. Although the trek is short but it promises a picturesque view of Annapurna and its morning peaks. If you are hiking in March and April then the trek side hills are filled with beautiful rhododendrons.

Also, this village of Dhampus is a cultural village, which is touched by the large ethnic community of Gurung. The Gurungs are an indigenous community in Nepal who have shown bravery in every regiment listed. In Dhampus you will also find Gurung culture and their way of life. The villagers practice their old culture and traditions. Which still come after their new generations. Gurungs are also called Gorkha, the symbol of bravery.

Gorkha has been serving in the Indian and British armies since World War II. Dhampus Yatra may be the best opportunity to understand the local culture and traditions of the Gurung community and their way of life.

They serve their delicious traditional food and also display Gurung culture on some special occasions and festivals. There is also a museum of small Gurungs where the traditions, culture, costumes and existence of the Gurung caste have been preserved. The growth of Dhampus provides an opportunity for the daily life of these villagers, from trampling buffaloes to doing daily chores on the farm.

One of the funniest places in Nepal, the journey to Dhampus village starts from Fedi village, about 30 minutes away from the attractive lake of Pokhara valley. When we reach Dhampus from the forest, we will be amazed at the magnificent view of the huge mountain. Commonly known as mount Fish Tail (6993 m), it looks like a fishtail.