The drive from Pokhara to Kande takes 45–60 minutes on the Pokhara–Baglung highway, climbing past Hemja and the Tibetan settlement at Hyangja and up through terraced hills. Kande, at about 1,770 m, is a small roadside village with tea shops where the trail starts beside a signboard. Your guide checks permits here while you adjust your daypack and walking sticks. The road is paved all the way, and the drive itself gives early views of Machhapuchhre above the terraces.
The trail climbs on well-laid stone steps through forest of oak, chestnut and rhododendron, with occasional clearings that open views back over the Kaski hills. The gradient is steady and a comfortable pace with rests takes about 1–1.5 hours, gaining roughly 300 m. Midway there are small tea shops selling soft drinks and biscuits. Langur monkeys and forest birds such as laughingthrushes and barbets are often heard in the trees.
The forest opens suddenly onto the lawn of Australian Camp, and the mountains appear all at once. Plan to arrive in the mid-afternoon to settle into the lodge before sunset. The walk back down to Kande takes about 45 minutes; the alternative is to continue to Dhampus the next day. Wear proper walking shoes, as the steps can be slippery in damp weather. In October and November the camp fills by late afternoon, so an earlier start also secures the better view rooms.
Good for
- Families
- First-timers
- Couples
- Seniors
Questions travellers ask
How difficult is the walk to Australian Camp?
Easy to moderate. It is 1–1.5 hours uphill on stone steps from Kande, gaining about 300 m, with tea shops to rest at along the way. Children from about six and active seniors manage it at a slow pace. People with knee problems should use walking poles, especially coming down.
Do I need a permit for Australian Camp?
Yes. Australian Camp lies inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so you need an ACAP entry permit, and foreign trekkers also need a TIMS card and, under rules introduced in 2023, a licensed guide. SAARC nationals pay a lower ACAP fee. We arrange these for you. Check current status before you travel, as rules change.
Can I do Australian Camp as a day hike from Pokhara?
Yes. Leave Pokhara by 7 am, walk up from Kande in 1–1.5 hours, spend an hour or two on the ridge and walk down to Kande or on to Dhampus and Phedi in the afternoon, back in Pokhara by evening. Mountain views are usually clearer in the morning, but an overnight gives sunset and sunrise.
