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The Australian Base Camp Trek is a short but sweet 5-day trek that combines two of Nepal’s most popular cities, Kathmandu and Pokhara, with a quick yet rewarding trek up to the foothills of the Annapurna range. Australian Base Camp, at 1,995m in a meadow with no obstacles to the view of the Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Hiunchuli and beyond (after only a couple of hours of walking through rhododendron forest and traditional Gurung villages), is one of the region’s best kept secrets.
This hike was not built for those who are peak baggers with weeks to spare. It was designed for those who wish to experience the Himalaya but don’t want to undertake a long trek or put themselves at risk in the mountains. It’s a steady ascent from Phedi through Dhampus and Pothana and then onto the ridge at Australian Base Camp where the morning and evening light on the Annapurna range more than compensates for the brief ascent.
The camp, nicknamed the “Australian camp” after a group of Australians who became enamored of the area decades ago, is only a short trek from a trailhead to the long trek to Annapurna Base. There is no technical difficulty, no high altitude exposure and an easy trail for most levels of fitness, making it great for first-time trekkers, a family trip, or combining a short trek up the mountain with a longer tour of Nepal.
Day 1 Drive from Kathmandu(1,310m/4,296ft) - Pokhara (822m/2,696ft)
Day 2 Pokhara (822m/2,696ft) - Drive to Phedi - Trek to Australian Camp (1,995m/6,543ft)
Day 3 Australian Camp (1,995m/6,543ft)- Pokhara (822m/2,696ft)
Day 4 Pokhara (822m/2,696ft) - Kathmandu (1,310m/4,296ft)
Day 5 Departure from Kathmandu (1,310m/4,296ft) to Home country
Final morning in Kathmandu. Depending on your onward flight schedule, use the time for last-minute souvenir shopping or a short visit to a nearby cultural site. Our team will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport in good time for your departure flight.
It starts a full day drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara, which is one of the best drives of the trip through the river valley and up and down the terraced hillsides before dropping into the Pokhara valley where on a sunny day, you may catch sight of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. The laid-back lakeside town of Pokhara in Nepal is the ideal place to catch your breath as you head towards the short trek ahead in the Annapurna region.
The trail from the trailhead at Phedi, just a short drive from Pokhara, climbs through rhododendron and broadleaf forests, where langur monkeys and many species of birds are encountered. The hike winds through the Gurung villages of Dhampus and Pothana where there are terraced fields and stone farmhouses along the way, before reaching the ridge at Australian Camp. The area was once an extensive pasture, known as Thulo Kharka (“big pasture”), and the name has remained since when a large group of Australian trekkers stayed for long periods of time.
Australian Camp, at 1,995m, is just below the height at which mountain sickness is an issue, and is a perfect short hike for those who don’t have time to acclimatize for a longer trek. It’s not a high peak, but in exchange it offers a great meadow-top perspective along with a trailhead to the longer Annapurna Base Camp trek, not far away, of Annapurna South, Machhapuchhre, Hiunchuli and Lamjung Himal.
The return to Pokhara at the end of the day gives the afternoon to relax or enjoy the lakeside which is home to boating on Phewa Lake, walking through the cafes and shops, or just enjoying the day after the trek.
Alliance Treks is a renowned enterprise with over 34 years of experience in Nepal trekking, which provides the best Australian Base Camp Trek. Our professionally licensed and trained trekking guides are knowledgeable, friendly and dedicated to ensuring your safety and comfort throughout the trek with us. They have been trained by NATHM (Nepal Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management). We have experienced, strong, honest and reliable porters, making your trek smooth and worry free. Along the way, the meals are handed out fresh, with a fusion of Nepali, Indian, Continental and Western dishes, and local ingredients are used whenever possible. Comfortable hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara, plus a comfortable teahouse/lodge with mountain views directly from your window at Australian Camp.
The Australian Base Camp Trek’s best seasons for the trip are Autumn (September–November) and Spring (March–May) when skies are typically clear and mountain vistas are best. Winter (December-February) is also clear with cold mornings. The trek is easy to moderate with a peak elevation of 1995m and is an ideal trek for everyone, including those with older children in the family. The above itinerary is flexible and can be modified with additional nights in Pokhara, an extra day of paragliding, or an extended Annapurna trek or shortened for those with less time available.
Please write to us by email on [email protected] or on WhatsApp: +977-9851022814, or visit our website for more details: www.alliancetreks.com
Alliance Treks offers a wide variety of treks and tours across Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and India throughout every season. If you need more details or a tailor-made itinerary, our team is available 24/7.
Alliance Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd. Once is not enough for naturally and culturally Himalayas
