The journey to Dhampus village, one of the paradise of Nepal, begin from Phedi village, nearly a 15 minutes drive from the beautiful lakeside city of Pokhara. From here one treks alongside beautiful views of golden rice terrace and the vast expanse of the Annapurna Mountain Range. This 2 hours climb to Dhampus continues through magnificent rhododendron forests nesting various species of birds to the village of Chandrakot, inhabited by the warm-hearted and hospitable Gurung People.
Dhampus is also a gateway to Annapurna Conservation Area. The place also serves as one of the main entry points to Annapurna Base Camp and to other trekking trails of Annapurna. The village ranges from the altitude of 800m at the base to 1600m.
In terms, if climbing technicalities, it is an easy mountain to ascend. The overwhelming altitude difference between Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range make Dhampus peak a very vantage spot to observe the mountain with Tukuche peak (6920 m) and the Dhaulagiri (8167 m) spectacular close to you.
When you emerge from the forest and reach Dhumpse, you will be able to marvel at the exceptional view of the massive Mt. Machhapuchhre popularly known as fishtail Mountain (6900 m) for its peak resemble the shape of fish’s tail. From Dhampus one can also grab the exceptional views of Pokhara and the scenery gets even better as the Sun goes down. The small villages comprise of the enormous beauty of mountain and friendly Gurung people. A small lake from where one can reflection of fishtail, temples, flowers, mustard field, birds, beautiful scenes and much more.
The total population of Dhampus is 2766 (1297 males and 1469 females). Gurung comprises the major population of the village, which consists mostly of ex-army and most of them are older people with an average age above 40. Gurung is followed by Brahims/ Chhetri, Kami/ Dami, and few Magars. Gurung speaks their native language whereas other speaks Nepali.
In Dhampus, the villages have started building lodges from where good views of a mountain can be seen. That is the reasons why the thick forests with abundant wildlife and natural vegetation are slowly transforming to the site of lodges and houses. Today, these lodges’ owners are among the wealthiest village and have high status in the village.
The hotel business has become so popular among the villagers that not only the lower class but also the people from the higher class of the society are indulged in this business.
The main source of income is farming as well as ex-army pension. The literacy ate us very low in this village. The majority of the women above the age of fifty are illiterate.
After seeing some tourist, the local felt that they could attract more. So the entire village got together to improve the facilities and infrastructure of the village.
Since then the number of tourists has increased considerably. Similarly, many lodges, tea shops, and cafes are available now in the village for better services to the visitors.
Dhampus was famous as a trekking route and was also enjoying all the benefits from trekking but lately after the construction of road joining Pokhara and Baglung. The number of tourists has decreased.
As Dhampus lies on the way to Gandhruk, the tourist normally stays here as a half point which is the main source of income for the people here.
Some other kind of hotels, which are operating in this village, are Hotel Green Land, Hotel Raju Gurung and Hotel Riu Top.
As said by Dibya Gurung, a research, “Tourism Development in Dhampus can be broadly divided into two categories: Direct tourism-related activities represented by lodges, tea shops, cold drink/ consumer stores, and petty trade and indirect tourism-related activities consisting of horticulture and vegetable farming, fuel wood selling, alcohol brewing, wage labor, livestock and poultry.”
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