Overview

  • Duration: 26 Days
  • Diffculty: Strenuous 
  • Best Time: Oct / Nov / Mar / April
  • Max. Altitude: 5,360 m

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek - Remote and Challenging trek route in Nepal

There are numerous trekking destinations spread across the mountainous regions of Nepal. One of the most challenging trekking routes is Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. While this trek takes you to the base of the seventh highest mountain in the world, Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), trekking in this area introduces you to the lateral moraines, glaciers, and beautiful snow-covered slopes. A less explored trekking route, the Dhaulagiri Trek takes you to the outskirts of the secluded Annapurna region.

Overview of Dhaulagiri Trek

After reaching Kathmandu, our representatives will take you to your hotel, where you’ll refresh and rest. After that, you can take a short sightseeing tour of the famous world heritage sites in the valley. You can also prepare yourself for the trek by buying the necessary gear.

To begin this challenging trekking route of the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek, we drive to Beni via the Prithivi National Highway along the banks of the Trishuli River. Once you reach Beni Bazaar, you begin your trek toward Darbang. You pass through the dense forests of this hilly area. Magars mainly inhabit the villages along the trail. You come across multiple villages like Dharapani, Sibang, Muri, and Naura. Before reaching the Italian Base Camp, you come across the villages of Lapche Kharka and Darbang.

While acclimatizing to the Italian Base Camp, you can enjoy the views of Churen Himal, Gurja, Ghustung South, Tsarabang Peak, Jirbang, and Manapati. From Italian Base Camp, you start your trek in the high-altitude region towards Dhaulagiri Depot, where you’ll have an overnight stay to acclimatize your body. The trail towards Dhaulagiri Base Camp rewards you with the stunning icefall between Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak.

Continue along the icy trail of the glaciers as you gently climb up the French Pass (5360m) and continue towards the Hidden Valley, which lies behind the Dhaulagiri Peak. You continue this Dhaulagiri trek towards Yak Kharka via Dhampus. Then, you continue to walk towards Yak Kharkha and then to the arid region of Jomsom. Next, you explore Marpha and Lete villages. From here, you head towards Poon Hill, a famous destination in the Annapurna Region. You can see some stunning views of the Annapurna Mountain range during the sunrise and sunset.

Extra Info about the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a relatively challenging trip. If you want to make the best out of your trekking journey, it is recommended that you prepare for it at least two weeks before starting the trek. Then, you can do regular cardio exercises and practice long-distance walking. The best time to do this trek is during the spring and autumn seasons, as the visibility is high with clear days and pleasant weather.

At Mountain Monarch Adventure, we never compromise on the quality of our services. Our well-trained guides will make sure that you are safe and comfortable. We have a variety of packages, along with the option of customizing your itinerary of this challenging adventure route to the base camp Dhaulagiri massif based on your time duration and physical fitness.

Trip in Nutshell

  • Picturesque strenuous trekking in the western part of Nepal
  • Explore the unique and secluded Dhaulagiri region.
  • Cross the famous Dhampus pass (5240m) and French pass (5360m).
  • Experience the rich ethnic Thakali culture in Kaligandaki valley.
  • Medically trained trek guide with a supplementary Oxygen tank
  • Full board meals on a trek with tea and coffee
  • Required trek and camping gear and Permits

Itinerary

You will land at Tribhuvan International Airport, where our representatives will welcome you warmly. After a brief introduction session, you will relax at the hotel. In the evening, you will meet the team who will accompany you on this trek and enjoy an authentic Nepalese-style dinner accompanied by ethnic and cultural programs.

  • Meet the team who will guide you through the Dhaulagiri trek.
  • Discover the rich flavors of Nepalese cuisine.
  • Enjoy the ethnic and cultural program.
  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsWelcome Dinner
  • Altitude1340 m

You will get to explore the rich heritage sites of Kathmandu, the capital city. After breakfast, the guides will take you on an exciting cultural heritage tour of the town. You will visit important landmarks like Basantapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, and Boudhanath Stupa, which are also enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list. In addition, we can take you to other places of interest.

Along with the tour, you will also prepare for the trek. If you didn't have the necessary items for the walk, you could buy or rent them at shops around Thamel.

  • Discover the rich heritage of Nepalese culture.
  • Try out delicious Nepali cuisines.
  • Preparation for the trek.
  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Altitude1340 m

The day starts early, and the team will arrive at the hotel early morning in a private vehicle. Then, you will head to the Prithivi Highway as you drive to Beni. The drive is scenic, with lush green hills and a gorgeous view of the Trishuli River. Once you enter Pokhara Valley, the views of the Machhapuchhre and Annapurna ranges will welcome you. From the city of Pokhara, it is another 3-hour drive to reach Beni. Overnight stay at a lodge.

  • Scenic drive along the hilly landscape.
  • First glimpse of the Himalayas at Pokhara.
  • Overnight stay in the beautiful town of Beni.
  • AccommodationTea house
  • MealsB, L, D, tea and coffee
  • Altitude900 m

Trekking to the Italian base camp, savor the stunning beauty of the Himalayan peaks of Churen Himal, Gurja, and Ghustung south, Tsarabang peak, Jirbang, and Manapati.

From Beni, you will venture into the Dhaulagiri region. On the fourth day, you will head to Babiachor (950 m) as you walk along the Myagdi Khola and stay overnight. The route will continue along the banks of the Myagdi Khola, where you will pass by villages like Singha Bazar, Babiachor, and Baguwa. From Darbang, the landscape widens into the terraced landscape, and you cross the Duk Khola.

Crossing several villages, you will stay overnight in Dharapani (1,560 m) on the fifth day. From here onwards, the trail will go deep into the valley, and you will need to climb a steep route. After passing by the villages of Sibang and Mattim, you head to a ridge and cross Dhara Khola to ascend to the Magar village of Muri (1,720 m). Overnight stay at Muri village on the sixth day.

On the seventh and eighth day, you will stay overnight at Bagar (2,080 m) and Doban Kharka (2,520 m), respectively. From the seventh day, you will get to see the majestic mountains. After descending and crossing Myading Khola, you see mountains like Ghustung South and Jirbang. The ascending to Bagar goes via green grasslands with steep slopes. On the eighth day, you traverse the terraced fields and walk through lush forests to reach Doban Kharka.

The route will also go through some rocky areas. On the ninth day, the trail will take you through the forests, which open up to scenic views of Dhaulagiri I. After walking along the Myagdi Khola and crossing more forest areas, you arrive at Choriban Khola (3,110 m). From the ninth day onwards, you will stay overnight via camping. Finally, you ascend to Italian Base Camp via the moraines of Chhonbardan Glacier on the tenth day. You will spend two days in this base camp, with one day separated for acclimatization.

  • Trek to the rustic villages and settlement areas.
  • Scenic views of mountains like Dhaulagiri, Gurja, and Ghustung.
  • Trek to Italian Base Camp.
  • AccommodationTea house + Camping
  • MealsB, L, D, Coffee, Tea

After arriving at the Italian Base Camp, you will spend a day for acclimatization. The weeklong trek to the base camp will tire you, so you can rest before heading out on a short hike to the surrounding area. The panorama of the mountains from this base camp is mesmerizing. Since you need to adapt to higher elevations, you can hike to nearby regions and explore the surroundings. Do some physical activities as it is recommended for acclimatization.

On the twelfth day, you will head to the next camp called Glacier Camp, the Japanese camp. The trail steeply descends into an area filled with moraines and glaciers. So, you will need to cross the Chhonbardan Glacier to reach the Glacier Camp. Overnight stay in a tented camp.

  • Explore the Italian Base Camp.
  • Overcome the challenging route to Glacier Camp.
  • Witness the pristine beauty of the snowy landscape filled with moraines and glaciers.
  • AccommodationTented Camping
  • MealsB, L, D, Coffee, Tea

Today is finally the day when you will ascend to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. The trail to the base camp is a bit rough and is usually covered with moraines and glaciers. En route, you will see the magnificent Dhaulagiri I, Dhaulagiri II, Dhaulagiri III, and Dhaulagiri IV, along with other smaller peaks. You will also see glimpses of the Dhaulagiri Icefall. Once you find and set up the tent in a suitable area on the base camp, you can head to explore the surroundings. Overnight stay in a tented camp.

  • Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
  • Enjoy the picturesque views of the Dhaulagiri range and Dhaulagiri Icefall.
  • AccommodationTented Camping
  • MealsB, L, D, Coffee, Tea
  • Altitude4750 m

The trail will take you on a walk along the glacier and moraines, opening to an ablation valley. It would be best if you were careful as you walk on icy and slippery trails. After a short time, you will have to ascend to French Pass. From the pass, the splendid views of Mukut Himal, Tukuche Peak, Dhaulagiri I, and many more will amaze you. All the mountains visible from this pass surround the Hidden Valley. Finally, the trail goes to the valley's edge, and you head to Thapa Pass (5,244 m). From there, you descend to the valley and find a suitable spot to camp overnight.

  • Traverse through glaciers and moraines.
  • Panoramic views of the Dhaulagiri range, Tukuche Peak, etc.
  • Trek to the Hidden Valley Camp and cross the French pass. 
  • AccommodationCamping
  • MealsB, L, D, Coffee, Tea

On the fifteenth and sixteenth day, you will explore the Hidden Valley and then trek to Yak Kharka via Dhampus Pass. The ascend to the Dhampus pass is a bit strenuous, so you must start climbing early in the morning. En route, you can see the spectacular views of Dhampus Peak and Tukuche Peak. The scenery gets more stunning once you reach the pass. Then, you gradually descend from the pass that takes you into the Kali Gandaki Valley. Finally, you arrive at Yak Kharka for overnight camping.

  • Explore the Hidden Valley.
  • Trek to Dhampus Pass.
  • Traverse into the Kali Gandaki Valley and enjoy the pristine nature.
  • AccommodationTented Camping
  • MealsB, L, D, Coffee, Tea

From the seventeenth day onward, you will descend to lower elevations and enjoy the lush vegetation. Then, you will steeply descend to the Kali Gandaki gorge and pass by villages like Jharkot and Khingar. Walking into the valley, you will notice the Tibetan influence on architecture and lifestyle. On the seventeenth day, you stay overnight at Jomsom (2,670 m). On the eighteenth day, you head to the nearby village of Marpha (2,665 m) and enjoy the apples. During these two days, you can also interact with the local community and other trekkers. Finally, on the nineteenth day, you will head to Lete (2,470 m) following the Kali Gandaki River. Crossing the juniper and pine forests, you arrive at Lete, renowned for its Thakali culture and cuisine.

From the twentieth day, you will head into the Annapurna region. After leaving Lete, you arrive at the last Thakali village, Ghasa. Then, you head into the narrowest part of the Kali Gandaki Gorge and descend to Tatopani (1,160 m). This place is famous for its natural hot springs, so take a bath at the springs once you arrive here. Finally, on the twenty-first day, you will head to Ghorepani (2,775 m).

Walking through the rhododendron forest, you arrive at Deurali, where the Annapurna range greets you. You then arrive at Ghorepani for an overnight stay at a lodge. The next day, you need to wake up before dawn and hike to Poon hill (3,210 m) to see the sunrise over the mountains like Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Nilgiri, Tukuche, Gangapurna, etc. The view from here is unforgettable.

After enjoying the views, you head back to breakfast and descend to Ghandruk (1,940 m) for an overnight stay. The village is one of the famous places within the region and is known for its Gurung community and culture. On the twenty-third day, you will head down to Nayapul (900 m) while enjoying the scenic mountain views. From Nayapul, you drive to Pokhara and stay overnight at a hotel.

  • Discover the unique taste of organic apples of Jomsom.
  • Visit Poon Hill, one of the best viewpoints in the country.
  • Trek to various rustic villages that reflect the hospitable culture of the local communities.
  • AccommodationTea house
  • MealsB, L, D, Coffee, Tea

The long trek has finally come to an end. From Pokhara, you catch a flight back to Kathmandu. An extra day in Kathmandu will give you time to explore the city. If you wish, you can spend one day exploring Pokhara before heading back to Kathmandu.

  • Scenic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
  • Explore the vibrant city of Kathmandu or Pokhara (option).
  • AccommodationHotel
  • MealsBreakfast
  • Altitude1340 m

Today is the last day of your stay in Nepal for your Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. Our representatives will drop you off at the airport approximately three hours before your scheduled flight.

  • MealsBreakfast

Dhaulagiri Trek Itinerary:

Day-to-Day Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Itinerary: Read carefully for the info on hiking trail conditions and walking hours. Sleeping elevation, peaks, and culture to explore on this Dhaulagiri Circuit trek in the Himalayas.

What's Included
  • Arrival and departure transfers on both domestic and international flights.
  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara on a twin share with breakfast.
  • Welcome dinner as listed in the Dhaulagiri circuit trek itinerary.
  • Half-day guided city tour with world heritage entrance fees as in the itinerary.
  • Private transportation to and from the starting and ending points of the trek as applicable.
  • Responsible trekking of 01 Trekker: 01 Porter on Dhaulagiri trek
  • Freshly cooked Full board meals prepared by our cook while on Dhaulagiri trekking.
  • Accommodation in a Tented camp while around Dhaulagiri trekking.
  • All required camping gear, including the member tents on the Dhaulagiri trek
  • Mountain Monarch Trip Gears - sleeping bag, fleece liner, down jacket, rain poncho for a trip.
  • Professional and experienced Trek Leader / Guide trained in Wilderness First Aid.
  • Supplementary Oxygen tank or Gamow Bag (A life-saving device in case of Acute Mountain Sickness) along with the comprehensive First Aid Kit.
  • Professional and experienced Trek Leader / Guide trained in Wilderness First Aid.
  • Trekking cook, kitchen staff, Trek Sherpa, and trek porter with proper insurance and required trek gear
  • Complementary trek Duffle bag, Mountain Monarch T-shirts, Dhaulagiri region trek map
  • TIMS / Dhaulagiri trek permit, National park / Conservation entry fees.
What's Excluded
  • Nepal entry Visa fees, Your travel insurance of any kind
  • International Airfare and Airport Tax
  • All Drinks and main meals in cities.
  • Tips and Items of personal expenses like a hot shower, battery charge, telephone, beverage drinks, and water.

Dates & Availability

October Departure
     
Start DateStart DateOctober 06, 2023End DateEnd DateOctober 31, 2023StatusStatusGuaranteedPricePriceUS$2950
Book with flexibility
All-Inclusive CostUS$2950

This trip can be booked privately if you’re travelling solo or private.

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