Overview

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

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek - Remote and Challenging Route in Nepal

There are numerous trekking destinations spread across the mountainous regions of Nepal. Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is one of the most challenging treks. This Dhaulagiri trek goes to the base camp of the world's Seventh highest peak. It is a less explored-tented camping trekking route in the Himalayas. The trail passes lateral moraines, glaciers, and beautiful snow-covered slopes. 

Overview of Dhaulagiri Trek

Once landed in Kathmandu, your trek guide will take you to the hotel. We have time for trek preparation and gear management. We explore a short sightseeing tour of the famous world heritage sites. We drive to Beni to begin this strenuous route Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. Once you reach Beni Bazaar, you start 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 villages like Dharapani, Sibang, Muri, and Naura. 

Italian and Dhaulagiri Base camp

We hike to the Italian Base Camp via the Lapche Kharka and Darbang. Here we spend a day for proper acclimatization. We walk around and enjoy the great panoramic view from here. Churen Himal, Gurja, Ghustung South, Tsarabang Peak, Jirbang, and Manapati on display. The next day we start our trekking to Dhaulagiri Depot camp. It is the high-altitude region where the Oxygen level gets thinner. We hike slowly and steadily on the icy glacier trail to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. It is between the Dhaulagiri and Tokuche peaks. The stunning icefall around the base camp amazes you.

French Pass and Hidden Valley

We continue our walk on an icy trail of the glacier. It gently climbs up the French Pass a an elevation of 5360 m. Furthermore, we hike towards the Hidden Valley, which lies behind the Dhaulagiri Peak. You continue this Dhaulagiri trek towards Yak Kharka via Dhampus. We descend to Jomsom. Next, we explore Marpha and Lete villages on the way to Poon Hill and Pokhara. Stunning views of the Annapurna Mountain range during the sunrise and sunset.

Extra Info Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a challenging camping trip. If you want to make the best of your trekking journey, prepare for it. You can do cardio exercises and practice long-distance walking. The best time to do this trek is during the late spring and early autumn seasons.

At Mountain Monarch, we never compromise on the quality of our services. Our well-trained guides will make sure that you are safe and comfortable. We ensure an experienced guide with a proper safety backup. Oxygen to Medical kit and enough trek crew on a journey.

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 enjoy an local group welcome dinner.

  • 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 Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Stupa. These sites are enlisted in the UNESCO World Heritage 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. 

  • Scenic drive along the hilly landscape.
  • First glimpse of the Himalayas at Pokhara.
  • Overnight stay in the beautiful town of Beni.
  • AccommodationTea house
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and dinner
  • Altitude900 m

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

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. 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). 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

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 must 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

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 to IV, along with other smaller peaks. You will also see glimpses of the Dhaulagiri Icefall. You have time 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
  • Altitude4750 m

The trail will take you on a walk along the glacier and moraines, opening to an ablation valley. It would be best to be 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

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

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. You can also interact with the local community and other trekkers during these two days. 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, we 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. The next day we hike out to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara.

  • 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

The long trek has finally come to an end. From Pokhara, you drive or catch a flight back to Kathmandu. An extra day in Kathmandu will give you time to explore the city

  • 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.

  • MealsBreakfast

Dhaulagiri Trek Itinerary:

Day-to-Day Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Itinerary. Check out the hiking trail conditions, walking hours, and elevation. Know stunning peaks and diverse cultures. 

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$2990

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

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