License No: 237321

Quick Facts

  • Duration:17 Days
  • Trek Style:camping, Hiking & trekking
  • Group Size:8++
  • Location:Dhaulagiri region
  • Trek Starting Point:muri
  • Trip Grade:Moderate+
  • Meals:Breakfast, lunch, Dinner
  • Accomodation:Tea house, camping
  • Max-Altitude:5,360 m
  • Transportation:domestic flight / local jeep
  • Trek Ending Point:marpha
  • Departure from:Kathmandu / Pokhara

Dhaulagiri Circuit

Dhaulagiri Circuit trek is challenging and a real adventure for experienced trekkers who are looking for an expedition-like experience.

Dhaulagiri is the 7th highest mountain in the world. Dhaulagiri circuit trekking was first discovered by the 1950 by French expedition team that climbed Annapurna I. Dhaulagiri round trek is chiefly attractive to people drawn to high mountain and wilderness, and requires an excellent physical condition and basic mountaineering skills.

Dhaulagiri trekking begin from Beni Bazar, trekking into Italian Base Camp. There are basic tea houses with beautiful mountain view and terraces. After Italian Base Camp, we can trek through the glacier and snow clips. The final challenge over French pass, also the highest point of the trek, it is not too long an ascent but can be demanding. Descending from French pass, we enter the lonely but fascinating area know as Hidden Valley. This place is one of the few true wilderness areas accessible in Nepal. The Hidden Valley stretches away to the north eventually narrowing to a rugged gorge which connects to Upper Dolpa and Upper Mustang.

We need to organize full board of camping with guides and porters staffs for this trek. Our staffs carry all the necessary goods and prepare healthy meals during trek.

Dhaulagiri Circuit trek start from Beni bank of Kali Gandaki and Myagdi Khola, follow the Myagdi Khola westwards to Darbang and turn north on a tiny trail that leads through forests into the high country. Much of the route is on snow and glaciers as it crosses French Col, traverses the head of Hidden Valley and crosses Dhampus Pass. Dhaulagiri treks end at Marpha and return to Pokhara by domestic flight.

Highlights:

☛ The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking is considered to be one of the most remote and challenging trekking routes in Nepal.

☛ This is a circular hike of Mount Dhaulagiri, starting in Beni and ending in Jomsom. From Jomsome we fly to Pokhara.

☛ This route is considered to be one of the best hidden Nepalese trekking trails experience that is challenging but amazing trek from the low route to all the strict high passes.

☛ Best camping trekking experience.

Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport. Our Staff member meets you and transfers you to the hotel.
Overnight at a hotel.

Morning wake-up and breakfast in the hotel.
Our guide will meet you in your hotel and brief you about the upcoming Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking. He will guide you through all the formalities and necessary paper-works required for the trekking. After that, we then do Sightseeing in Kathmandu valley of famous UNESCO world heritage sites like Boudhanath, one of the largest Stupas in the world; Swayambhunath, a famous monkey temple, and Pashupatinath, a sacred Hindu temple complex. Apart from Sightseeing, we also get a TIMS card and permits for our Annapurna Circuit trek on this day. In the evening, we do initial preparation for the trekking.

Overnight at a hotel.

To start our trekking, we wake up early in the morning, take our breakfast in the hotel and drive to Pokhara in a tourist coach. We take our lunch for the day on the way to Palpa Resort. Upon arrival at Pokhara transfer to the hotel. In the evening, we do some leisure activities around Phewa Lake and do final
preparation for the trekking.
Overnight at a hotel.
Alternative: You can also take a domestic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. The duration of the flight is about 30 Minutes. One-way flight costs around 125 USD per Person. We can make a flight reservation for you. Please let us know.
In the morning we drive to Darbang through beautiful Beni valley. We should arrive in Darbang in the early afternoon, where we will meet the rest of our trekking crew. After Darbang we cross the suspension bridge and shortly afterwards start the ascent to Dharapani. Gurung and Chettri communities live in this village. If the weather is clear, we should get a first glimpse of the Dhaulagiri massif in the north.
Overnight at a teahouse lodge or a tented camp.
From Dharapani we hike through the villages of Takum and Sibang. These are affluent places with many terraced fields where rice and wheat are grown. During today’s hike we will pass traditional villages with mountain views. Many of the men in this field work in the Middle East or in the British and Indian Gurkhas abroad. There are good views of Gurja Himal and Puta Hiunchuli to the west. After crossing Dhara Khola on a suspension bridge, we continue to the village of Muri. Most of the people in this village are from the Magar ethnic caste.
Overnight at a tented camp.
From the camp in Muri we descend to the bridge that crosses the Muri Khola. We walk through bamboo stalls and clearings with fields and farmhouses. Further north the valley becomes steeper and the path is steep in places. We camp on the grounds of the elementary school in the village of Boghara.
Overnight at a tented camp.
In the next few days we will hike up the Myagdi Khola River. This valley receives high amounts of precipitation due to its north-south orientation. When clouds from India approach in the south, they rise over Mount Dhaulagiri at the end of the valley. The cooling effect of the buoyancy causes precipitation. It should rain in the afternoon, although it usually clears again in the evening. Because of this, there are lush subtropical forests up to the Sallighari camp. Walk carefully here as it can be slippery, especially when hiking over tree roots.
From Boghara the trail follows the west bank of Myagdi Khola. We hike through a hilly path in the forest. Look at the cliffs high above the path with large bee nests where the villagers come to collect honey. We stop for lunch in Lipshe at 2,080 m, after which we continue hiking in the forest to a clearing in the forest near Dobang. There are several simple teahouses and campsites.
Overnight at a tented camp.
The path continues through dense, lush vegetation of ferns, bamboo and rhododendrons. We cross a cantilever bridge to the east bank of the Myagdi Khola. We camp for the night in a clearing in the forest called Sallaghari.
Overnight at a tented camp.
Leaving Sallaghari we walk through a forest of pine, rhododendron and birch. Later we are above the tree line and see heather, junipers and azaleas. The path leads to a lawn on the lateral moraine in the Italian base camp. The impressive west wall of Dhaulagiri is located high above the camp. Tsaurabong Peak is visible on the other side of the valley.
Overnight at a tented camp.
We will spend another night in the Italian base camp at 3,660 m to acclimate our body to the new altitude and environment. In the morning we take a walk to explore the Italian base camp and spend the afternoon at the camp. We will explore the beautiful surroundings and enjoy the offerings of the nature.
Overnight at a tented camp.
We follow a rough path along the moraine-covered glacier to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. The view is impressive with Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak and Little Eiger. Further to the west are Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m) and IV (7,618 m). You can also see the start of the climbing route on Dhaulagiri through the icefall. In the climbing season there will probably be some expeditions on the moraine strip in the base camp. Climbing Dhaulagiri is more popular with mountaineers in the spring season.
Overnight at a tented camp.
After an early breakfast we leave the base camp along the moraine strip. We cross the left side of the Upper Chonbarden Glacier. We follow a lateral moraine ridge towards the French Pass. From here you have a wonderful view back into the valley to Dhaulagiri I and the Tukuche Peak.
The final climb to the French Col begins at a pile of stones on the ridge. The approach to the pass takes place over moderately angled snow slopes. The summit of the pass marked with Buddhist prayer flags and piles of stones. The view from the top of the pass is superb. You can see Sita Chuchura, the peaks of the Mukut Himal, Tashi Kang, Tukuche Peak and of course Dhaulagiri I.
The descent from the pass is on snow slopes as we enter the hidden valley. After a long descent, you will reach your camp by the river not far from the base of Dhampus Peak. In the hidden valley there is a sparse vegetation of isolated moss and grass areas. This area is located in an area that is affected by the rain shadow effect of the Dhaulagiri massif.
Overnight at a tented camp.
This is a long day and by far the toughest on this trek. After an early start from camp we walk up a moderate snow slope to gain Dhampus pass at an altitude of 5,240 m. There are views of Dhampus Peak to the left of the pass and to the right the beautiful ice flutings on Tukuche Peak.
From the summit of the pass the trail descends for about 100m before starting to traverse left. Depending on the snow and ice conditions crampons might be used for group & porters at this point. There is a long traverse on snow and rock usually taking about four hours. There are excellent views of Nilgiri and the western end of the Annapurna Massif. At a large cairn we start the steep descent to our camp at Yak Kharka at an altitude of 3680 m.
Overnight at a tented camp.
Today there is a long descent to the village of Marpha in the Kali Gandaki Valley. Marpha has a Buddhist monastery, whitewashed houses, and cobbled streets. It is also famous for its apple orchards, which are worth stopping here for a glass of apple juice at one of the lodges.
In Jomsom we spend the night in one of the lodges near the airport. After hot shower, we head out to explore Jomsom. In the evening, the cook will prepare a special meal to celebrate our achievement.
Overnight at a teahouse lodge.
Early morning, we take a short picturesque flight to Pokhara. The view of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains and the world’s deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki is stunning from the flight. After we arrive at Pokhara, we rest for a while in our Hotel and wander around the Lake Side area in the evening. We can also explore various interesting places like Mahendra Cave, David’s fall, Peace Stupa, etc. on this day.
Overnight at a hotel.
After breakfast, we end our Dhaulagiri Circuit trek and drive back to Kathmandu in a tourist coach. We arrive at Kathmandu in the evening, where we have some time for leisure.
Overnight at a hotel.
Alternative: You can also take a domestic flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The duration of the flight is about 30 Minutes. One-way flight costs around 125 USD per Person. We can make a flight reservation for you. Please let us know.
After breakfast, a staff member will pick you up from the hotel and transfers you to the airport for the final departure. We wish you a pleasant and safe flight back home and hope to see you soon again.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

  • Airport Pick-up and drop Service
  • Hotel Accommodation in Kathmandu (twin sharing basis) with breakfast
  • Guided Tour of Kathmandu valley with an experienced tour guide
  • Hotel Accommodation in Pokhara (twin sharing basis) with breakfast
  • Sightseeing charges and Entry fees
  • 1 way flight from Jomsom to Pokhara
  • Accommodation during the trek (teahouse / guesthouse / homestay)
  • All meals during the trek (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
  • Transportation (tourist coach / local bus / private vehicle)
  • Experienced licensed English-speaking trekking guide
  • Local government Entry Permit of Rs. 2000 (started in 2018)
  • Insurance of the Guide and Porter
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
  • TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) Trekking Permit Card
  • Medical kits carried by the guide
  • All necessary paper works, office service charge and all Government Taxes

 

Optional Add-Ons:
  • Porter (cost: 20 USD per day, carries 15 – 20 kg load. Porter’s accommodation, transport and meal is paid by the company)
  • Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map (in case if you don‘t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

  • Travel and rescue insurance (Mandatory: Should include emergency evacuation coverage while trekking up to 5500+ m)
  • International airfare and Visa costs (you can get a Visa upon arrival at the Airport)
  • Domestic Flight POK – KTM
  • Personal interest items or gears
  • Tips to guide / driver / porter
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and Pokhara
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu and Pokhara in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary
  • Beverage and Drink Items / Other Extra facilities like hot shower during trek
  • Any other expenses which are not mentioned in “What’s Included” section
Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking elevation map 2021
Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking elevation map
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