Australian Camp Trekking

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Tour Type

Trekking

Location

Annapurna Region

Overview

Australian Camp Trek is a short hike for a day and a half. It is a great way to be close to a range of peaks of the Annapurna Himalayas with the majestic Machhapuchare Himal. A scenic and serene country walk on the foothills of the great massif Annapurna Himalaya.

Australian Camp, also called Thulo Kharka, is a place for grazing domesticated cattle. A green meadow with a grassy field, in the past two decades as the influx of visitors increased. Then several good lodges have been built for the comfort of hikers and trekkers. A beautiful spot to enjoy a day, in the close harmony of a pristine natural environment.

As well as to relax and marvel at the incredible panorama of the Mid-Western Himalayas. Includes the world's three highest peaks Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and Annapurna Himal, with arrays of peaks as far as your eyes can reach. In the early 1970s, Australian Mountaineering Expeditions camped on this lovely spot en route to Annapurna Base Camp. 

From then on, the name was tagged as Australian Camp and became popular instead of the local original name Thulo-Kharka.

A beautiful place with nice green meadows, amidst the forest surroundings. Lined with oaks, blue pines, and rhododendrons tall trees with spectacular scenery of snow-capped peaks and rolling green hills.  

The Australian Camp Trekking Itinerary is for a two-day walk with an overnight halt at lovely and picturesque surroundings. 

A short drive leads to a hill village of Kande and then a few hour's climb into the cool shade of the forest. Then reach Australian Camp for a pleasant day in the close backdrop of the Himalayan peaks. The next morning, catching a stunning sunrise as it reflects over the chain of white peaks.

The walk slowly ends with a pleasant walk down to Dhampus Village. Another scenic viewpoint for the last look of Annapurna Himalayan Panorama, from Dhampus, a short drive brings you to Pokhara. After a marvelous experience on Australian Camp Trekking with the great services of Woman Adventures guide and staff.

Highlights

  • Refreshing trek amidst cool mountain air facing stunning views of snow peaks.
  • Enjoy the harmony around serene picturesque surroundings at Australian Camp.
  • Striking sunrise views over chain of Annapurna and Manaslu Himalayan peaks.
  • Lovely forest lined with rhododendrons, oaks and pine trees and green meadows.
  • Views of snow mountains on daily treks around lovely traditional farm villages.  

Short Summary

Trekking Grade: Moderate Walks with short ups and downhill. 
Trek Location:  Australian Camp / Thulo Kharka, around Kaski district. Mid-West Nepal, Gandaki Zone. 
Maximum Altitude: 2,065m/6,647ft. At Australian Camp.
Mode or Transport: From car, 4WD Jeep, coach, bus as group size.
Driving Distance: 56 km/35 miles. From Pokhara to Pokhara.
Hiking Distance: Approx. 11 km/07 miles from Kande to Australian Camp unto Dhampus to end the trek.
Total Trip duration: 01 Nights and 02 Days (Pokhara to Pokhara with drives).

Best Seasons For Australian Camp Trekking

The best time and seasons for Australian Camp Trekking, or other adventures in Nepal Himalayas. Spring and Autumn / Fall seasons. The spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant walks and scenic views. Most days are fine and clear with enough sunshine hours till late afternoon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

It can get overcast in the afternoon sometimes, with chances of light rains and snowfalls. Days are much longer with sunlight hours, but cold morning and late afternoon till nighttime. Depending upon altitude and overnight stops en route to Mardi Himal View Point, on the highest point of the adventures.

Spring is the best time for nature lovers, when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various species. 

The next best season is autumn/fall, where most days are bright, with sunny days for clear views. The autumn/fall starts from September to November, one of the high seasons in Nepal for trekking. Days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, but it gets dark soon due to limited sunshine hours. The morning and late afternoon until the nighttime is cold, sunlight hours from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Winter time of Christmas and New Year Holidays will be a short and perfect hike to Australian Camp Treks. Despite the cold morning and nighttime, but most days are fine with sunshine to enjoy clear views of snow-capped peaks.

The Routes and Trails From Kande to Australian Camp & Dhampus

For visitors joining for short moderate adventure to Australian Camp Trek or other adventures around Nepal Himalayas must be aware. Nepal is a country of high land of mid-hill to higher mountainous landscapes and terrains. The walk leads up and downhill with a few gradual sections to enjoy. The only flatland is the low sub-tropical Terai belt around southern Nepal. En route to Australian Camp and Dhampus Village, starts with steep ups for some hours from Kande farm village. 

But once on top of Australian Camp, the highest spot of the treks. The return journey on downhill to Dhampus village for exciting drive back to Pokhara. 

The walk is mostly on forested paths, with some stone steps on leaving Kande village. The climbs with few gradual section, but more or less enjoyable walk along with surrounding glorious scenery.

Culture and Religion to Australian Camp & Dhampus Village

Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around the Annapurna Himalayas and Mid-West Nepal are Gurung hill tribes. 

The Gurung are the main inhabitants around the southern hills of the Annapurna Himalayas. The main Gurung villages on this treks at Kande, Australian Camp and Dhampus villages, inhabited by the Gurung ethnic tribal. 

The Gurung are predominantly farmers and cattle herders with livestock. The Gurung menfolk are also famous as Gorkha Soldiers in the Indian, Nepal, and British Army Regiments. Follow both Hindu and Buddhist religions and cultures and celebrate their tribal festivals and events. The Gurung also practices ancient Bon sect of pre-Buddhism, worship of nature and mountain spirits.

Foods, Accommodation and Lodges Facilities

Food and accommodation are important, besides the best seasons for trekking to Australian Camp. After staying in a nice tourist standard hotel in Pokhara, the food and lodge accommodations around villages are simple.

At Australian Camp, the lodge accommodation is nice and small and provides a basic food menu to enjoy. In Nepal and favorite and most common meal is Nepali Dal Bhat, boiled or steamed rice. It is served with mild seasonal vegetable curry, including Dal, a lentil bean soup with homemade pickles, and hot sauce as options.

The food menu lists from breakfast, lunch, and dinner to snack items. Breakfast from oats porridge, including cereals to cornflakes with toast/ chapattis and pancake, with choice of egg variation. Lunch and Dinner with Nepali and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups.

The most common food for snacks and main course is the Nepali Dal, Bhat with vegetables. Including meat curry where available, mostly buffalo dry meats and fresh chicken are rare sometimes. The most available food besides Dal, Bhat is noodles, fried with vegetables or eggs or noodle soups. Tibetan Bread made from wheat, millet, or barley flour, and sometimes vegetable dumplings available, and fried or boiled potatoes.

Including pancakes or chapattis’, it goes well with fresh country honey, jams, and pickles or butter to add. Along with refreshing hot drinks, Tea, coffee, and drinking chocolate are available. All lodges have large dining rooms with a fireplace to heat the rooms while you enjoy the meals. Rooms with attached Bathrooms and Toilets are available in Australian Camp only in few standard lodges.

The lodges have electricity for the dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. Trekkers can charge electronic items at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available but slow and disturbing in some places due to weather and conditions of landscape terrains.  

Physical Fitness Requirement

For this short treks to Australian Camp till Dhampus Village, all people of age groups can enjoy this scenic treks. From families with young kids, school and collage groups to elderly person, as long as all are physically active. Corporates Executive, can also enjoy this hike for a refreshing day, in the harmony of pristine natural environment.

Short Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Morning drive from Pokhara to Kande 1,540 m, and hike to Australian Camp 2,050 m-03 hrs.
Day 02: Enjoy the sunrise and panorama of Annapurna Himalayas and trek to Dhampus Village 1,650 m and drive back to Pokhara-04 hrs. Walking distance 4.7 km or 2.9 miles. Drive of 26 km/16 miles.

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