The Dhampus Sarangkot Hike: A Beginner-Friendly Adventure in Pokhara Nepal
5 Apr 2024 Chandra Gurung
The Dhampus Sarangkot hike is a stunning trekking experience in the hill station of Sarangkot near Pokhara. The hikes take you to the Annapurna region of Nepal, climbing through charming Dhampus village (1,650 m) on the northern hill station of Pokhara Valley.
Dhampus village in Nepal is a major attraction for those hiking to Sarangkot. Ascending to hilly land takes you to a perfect stopover for the gorgeous golden rice field of Dhampus. The trekking trail takes you from 1:30 to 2 hours by foot on the majestic Annapurna and Machhapuchhre mountain ranges.
How do I reach the starting point of the Dhampus Sarangkot Hike?
The Dhampus Sarangkot Hike is typically a 3-day adventure with amazing views of the Annapurna massif and Macchapuchhre range. The most common starting point for the Dhampus Sarangkot hike is Phedi village, which is a 30 to 40-minute drive from Pokhara City Center.
Trekkers can take a local bus from Lakeside Pokhara to reach Phedi. Besides, they can also hire a shared jeep, taxi, or tempo towards the Phedi village. Hiring a private vehicle is another comfortable option to start at the foot trail of Sarangkot.
From Phedi, you stop to explore the village nearby, Pokhara, starting with Phedi. It takes around 3 km of stone steps and gradual altitude gain for you to reach the Sarangkot viewpoint. One can also complete this adventure within a day of trekking, but exploring each aspect of this beautiful trail leading up to Sarangkot is not quite possible.
Choose what you prefer; the alternative starting point to Sarangkot is the Naya Pool (New Lake) area near Pokhara Airport. It is a 4 to 5-km hike to reach Sarangkot from the starting point. You can also explore the Davis Fall area with the 5-kilometer extended trail connecting to Sarangkot.
Day 1: Pokhara (860m) to Dhampus village (1,520 m)
The Dhampus Sarangkot hike begins with a scenic drive from Pokhara (860m) to Dhampus Phedi. The distance is approximately 20 km when you drive towards the northwest from Pokhara towards the Annapurna Conservation Area. You pass through the beautiful villages of Bhulebhule and Suikhet before reaching Dhampus Phedi.
From Dhampus Phedi, at an elevation of 1130 m, you officially start to trek. The uphill hike from Dhampus Phedi for about 1.5 to 2 hours takes you to Dhampus village, covering around 2.9 km of the trekking route. You finally gain an elevation of around 390m (Dhampus village is at 1,520 m).
Dhampus village is a charming Gurung village with stunning views of the Annapurna range. It is an idyllic stopover renowned for its terraced fields, rich culture, and warm hospitality. After exploring the serene ambiance of this region, you can now begin short hikes to vantage points like Australian Camp.
During your overnight stay in the homestays and lodges of Dhampus village, you get a chance to savor the authentic flavors of Gurung cuisine and Nepali food style. You are served with Dhido (a thick fermented cooked dough made with millet or buckwheat), with additional love of ghee and honey upon your choice, the fermented leafy green Gundruk, ko achar, and even used in soup and curries.
Made with local herbs and spices, a flavorful curry to match the cool night in the village. Upon request, you can also taste homemade millet beer, Tongpa, enjoyed warm in wooden vessels.
Day 2: Morning view from Sarangkot
After an overnight stay in Dhampus village, start your day off with a hearty breakfast at Sarangkot viewpoint. Wake up early and take a hike to the hill station of Sarangkot, located west of the tourism capital of Nepal, Pokhara.
The Sarangkot viewpoint is famous for its amazing views of eight thousand peaks like Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu. Even enjoy the holy Machhapucchre Himal (6993m, 22943ft) views, also known as the “Fishtail” due to its distinctive twin-peaked summit.
Did you know Machhapuchhre Himal is also known as Kumari Mountain? The mesmerizing sunrise from Sarangkot is worth endeavoring—just the fresh start of your second day’s trek.
You can enjoy a traditional breakfast of sel roti, achar, fried eggs, and tea or coffee at Sarangkot viewpoint. You can also choose to eat a fruit plate, potato curry or aloo paratha, or even an English breakfast like pancakes, French toast, or porridge, with hot beverages of your choice.
Day 3: Trek to Pokhara (970m)
Wake up early and hike to Sarangkot for a magnificent sunrise and the final views of a stunning sunrise over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges before your descent towards Pokhara city. Besides, you can take this time to have a paragliding experience in Sarangkot on the day you leave for Lakeside.
Rivers, Streams, and Georges near Sarangkot hike
Begin your second day’s trek by heading towards the top of the Dhampus ridge and crossing small streams or rivulets like Bijayapur Khola and Phusre Khola, flowing on the southern and eastern slopes of the Sarangkot hill. On your trek, you also cross the Ghatte Khola River.
Bijayapur Khola passes through Bijayapur and Baidam before joining the Seti River. Whereas Phusre Khola originates from the hills near Naudanda and flows southwards towards Pokhara.
After a refreshing sunrise view, take an hour to reach Naudanda, on the Pokhara-Beni highway, the settlement area, for a good exploration round. You continue east towards Sarangkot to enjoy the village of Kasikot before reaching Sarangkot. The final overnight stop on Sarangkot Hill is just a km away.
You can take a side trip to Seti Gorge, which the Seti River forms. Its cliffs are located a few kilometers away from the base of Sarangkot Hill, towards the south. It’s an ideal location for photography and watching paragliders soar overhead.
Trip Highlights of Dhampus Sarangkot Hike
- Panoramic vistas of Annapurna I (8,091m), Machhapuchhre/Fishtail (6,993m), Annapurna II (7,930m), Dhaulagiri (8,167m),
- Also, enjoy the vistas of Lamjung Himal (6,983m), Annapurna South (7,219m), and many other dazzling snow-capped peaks.
- The sunrise and sunset views from Australian Camp and Sarangkot
- Trek to the North of Pokhara, overlooking the valley and Fewa Lake
Hiking around Pokhara: Glimpse of the Short Treks
Pokhara, the paradise for hikers and Nepal’s tourism capital, is the gateway to the roots of the Himalayas. Hiking around Pokhara, taking a sightseeing tour in the International Mountain Museum, and exploring the lakes and temples of Pokhara, are beyond magical. Let’s have a glimpse of the short trek in Pokhara.
1. Ghandruk Cultural trek
Ghandruk cultural trek takes you to the traditional Gurung village of Ghandruk (1,950 m). It is a rich palace that has witnessed the bravery of Gurkha warriors, while the Gurung inhabitant has preserved their traditional way of life in this region.
Take the incredible views of Annapurna, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), and Hiunchuli peaks. It is one of the renowned places for treks in the Annapurna range of Nepal. Get a chance to visit the Meshrom Baraha Temple, Old Gurung Museum, and the top attractions of the Kaski district.
2. Ghorepani Poon Hill trek
Ghorepani Poon Hill Trek is the star attraction of the trek, where you can view the Annapurna, Mansiri, and Dhaulagiri Himalayan ranges from Poon Hill. You get to see the views of Machhapucchre, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, and Mardi, as well as a magnificent sunrise and sunset.
Get to see the popular stone stairs of Ulleri villages, walk through scattered Gurung settlements, and even relax in the hot water spring at Jhinu Danda, on your way back. You can explore Nepal’s wildlife in its natural habitat.
3. Himalayan Panorama Trek
The Himalayan Panorama Trek is a shorter trek option, perfect near Pokhara. Visit the World Peace Pagoda and have panoramic views of the surrounding valleys and mountains like Machhapucchre, Hiunchuli, Nilgiri, Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Mardi Trek. Take quaint villages for rhododendrons.
This trek takes you to the Australian Camp at an elevation of 2,065 meters (6,647 feet) and Dhampus villages, plus the hospitality of the Gurung and Magar communities. Immerse oneself in the local way of life as memories await in the Himalayan regions.
Conclusion
The Dhampus Sarangkot hike brings you the most amazing trekking experience in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Over the trekking experience at Sarangkot Hill Station, a top paragliding destination in Nepal. The must-do adventure for the western hill station of Sarangkot is the breathtaking sunrise over the Annapurna massif, including the sacred Machhapuchhre Himal.
The easy accessibility of Sarangkot Hill station takes you to the first glimpse of the Himalayan sunrise. If you start straight away from the Phewa lake, it’s around 12 kilometers to reach the top of Sarangkot hill station. Enjoy the surrounding views of the Dhaulagiri Himalayan range, from the west to Annapurna II on the east (straight from the world’s 7th highest mountain to the 10th highest peak in the World).