While in that area, take a walk also to Pothana (1,974 m), a short distance away (should take you around 25 minutes only). The trail is stone-paved all the way, so you might think that you are walking on a road of the Roman era. The route is pretty scenic and you’ll be walking through forests of rhododendron, magnolia, oak, sandalwood, and pine. You’ll also see a growing from moss-covered tree holes, quite a fair number of orchids. All this is sure to make your walk a most pleasant one. As for Pothana itself, it is also taking a cue from the boom in business due to the growing number of visitors every year, and you’ll find homestay facilities here, besides of course, many eateries. From this village, you can walk for some 20 minutes to arrive at the Australian Camp, so-called because some Australians are believed to have planted some Aussie grass seeds on a vacant site originally known as Thulo kharka (big pasture) here. Around it are a couple of houses and some tea shops.On the whole, this pleasant itinerary from Pokhara to Dhampus, and on to Pothana and the Australian Camp, will provide you with a most enjoyable outing: not too tiring, and just a couple of days. However, considering the beautiful landscape you’ll be walking through, the spectacular views you’ll be seeing, and the friendly people you’ll be meeting, you’ll surely agree that not all treks have to be long and arduous to be an experience to treasure.
