Dhaulagiri is the 7th highest mountain in the world which is situated towards North West of beautiful Pokhara city. Dhaulagiri circuit trek is a challenging trek around French Pass (5240m) and Dhampus Pass (5155m). In this trek, you have to walk over snow and glaciers most of the time. Dhaulagiri trek takes you to the untraded trekking area which provides the opportunity to explore the pristine natural beauty and cultural grandeur as well as the stunning mountain vistas. During the Dhaulagiri trek, you can see the dramatic view of the two 8000m mountains Annapurna and Dhaulagiri facing each other.
The view of the deep gorge of Kali Gandaki River between these two 8000m mountains allures every trekker in this region. You can also see the beautiful view of the Machhapuchhre (6996m.), Nilgiri (7061m.), Dhampus Peak, Annapurna II, Dhaulagiri II, III, Iv, etc during the trek. Along with the Natural scenery and vistas of the Himalayas, the culture of the ethnic inhabitants of this region like Gurung, Magar, Thakali, etc with their hospitality provides further pleasure to the trekkers.
The challenging Dhaulagiri circuit trek begins from Beni after a 5-6 hour drive from the beautiful Pokhara valley and ends at Jomsom. Then you follow the bank of the Myagdi Khola (river) and traverse through the peaceful forest with various flora and fauna and wild animals and birds, picturesque Gurung and Magar villages with emerald terraced farms, ever-changing landscapes as well as the snow-covered trail to the Base camp of the Mt. Dhaulagiri enjoying views of the Dhaulagiri Massif. In the villages, you can explore their lifestyle and culture.
From the base camp, you head to cross the French pass and enter the hidden valley. From the pass, you can enjoy the views of the mountains and the beautiful hidden valley. You also cross the Dhampus pass from the valley and finally reach the Jomsom from where you take flight back to Pokhara. The best season to go for the Dhaulagiri trek is from March to May and August to November.
Itinerary details of Dhaulagiri Trekking
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu (1310m/4264ft.)
You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu and you’ll be taken to the hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu sightseeing day
A guide will take you to the cultural and historical sites of Kathmandu. Among them, the UNESCO enlisted world heritage may be the primary place to visit like Pashupatinath (sacred Hindu temple), Boudhanath (Buddhist Shrine), Swayambhunath (Monkey temple), Durbar Squire, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, Dharahara (Bhimsen Tower), etc. After having lunch at 2/3 o’clock in the afternoon, you should be involved in a pre-trip discussion with your trekking guide for well preparation for the trek. You will give brief information about the route and spots to Langtang Valley Trekking. You will have dinner in the hotel in the evening. You can experience the nightlife of Kathmandu too.
Day 03: Kathmandu to Pokhara flight and drive to Beni
With having breakfast in Kathmandu, your flight is set to Pokhara. View of beautiful hilly and the Himalayan region while you are in the air overwhelms you as well. Then, we charter a bus to Beni. Beni is the district headquarters of Myagdi where your trekking permissions will be checked by police. Beni Bazaar is at the confluence of the Myagdi Khola and Kali Gandaki River. You camp there overnight by yourself.
Day 04: Trek to Babiacahur
After breakfast in Beni early in the morning, the trail follows Myagdi Khola towards the east of Beni. We walk across the Mangalaghat, Singa and Tatopani. After crossing the bridge beyond the village to the south, the trail leads to another bridge near Simalachaur. It continues until we reach Babiacahur. We spend the night in a tented camp after a 5-hour trek.
Day 05: Trek to Dharapani (1400m.), 6/7 hours walk This day, we head to Dharapani from Babiachaur. It is a 6-hour long trek to reach Dharapani We follow the trail along the valley as emerging hills on both sides of the river. The trail passes through Sahasradhara village in a fairly leveled way. We cross Duk Khola and walk along fields to reach Ratorunga. The terraces disappear as the valley narrows down. We walk along the village. We spend the night in a tented camp.
Day 06: Trek to Muri (1850m.), 5/6 hours walk
After having breakfast, we start 5 5-hour trek for the day. We cross the river to its west bank and climb after leaving Phedi. The route is challenging with many ascends until we meet a ridge. We continue climbing the steeply to reach Muri and walk to reach Sibang and Mattim. The trail leads to a climb incline to cross the snout of the ridge and downs to cross Gatti Khola and reaches Phalai Gaon. The trail continues after crossing Dhara Khola emerging on the west bank of Myagdi Khola and we climb a ridge to reach Muri; a large Magar village. Overnight camping in Muri in a tent.
Day 07: Trek to Boghara (2080m.), 5/6 hours walk
This day after Breakfast, we descend down for a short distance till we cross a stream. The trail continues through the terraced field and climbs the ridge. We reach to a pass from where you can view Mt. Ghustung South (6465m) and descend to the Myagdi Khola and go along its West Bank till we reach Naura village. The trail follows climbing grassland and steep slopes with switch-backs and descends through forest and terraced fields. The village of Boghara is the spot for our overnight camp in a tent.
Day 08: Trek to Dobang (2520m.), 5/6 hours walk
From Boghara, we walk across the terraced fields before reaching the ridge. We reach a settlement crossing a forest; possibly the most remote settlement of this area called Jyrdan. A windy path goes through a rocky area with ascends and descends until we reach Lipshe. At the hilltop, there is a single hut. Our trek continues crossing a forest through Lapche Kharka and continues to Dobang. The night in a tented camp after 5 5-hour trek!
Day 09: Dobang to Choriban Khola (3110m.), 5/6 hours walk
The trail descends to the forest area after crossing a wooden bridge in Dobang. The sight scene of Dhaulagiri Himal attracts you on today’s trek. We cross a wooden bridge over Myagdi Khola and trek along the east bank till we reach Chartare. The trail follows the forest and continues through a rocky area to Choriban Khola where we spend the night in a tented camp after 5/6 hours-long trek.
Day 10: Trek to Italian Base Camp (3660m.), 6/7 hours walk
This day we follow the trail of the terminal moraine of Chhonbarban Glacier and enter the glacier from the right viewing Tukche Peak (6837m.) straight on. On the right, the panoramic view of Dhaulagiri I(8167m.) shows its overwhelming effects on the viewers. You reach Italian Base Camp which is the camp site for the night. Now, wander around with catching scenes Dhaulagiri II (7751m.), Dhaulagiri III(7715m.), and Dhaulagiri V(7618m.). Overnight camping there!
Day 11: Acclimatization day
It’s your acclamation day in base camp! It is necessary to acclimatization because of high elevation and the effects of thinning air. You can explore the landscape and natural scenarios while we are spending the day till evening.
Day 12: Trek to Glacier Camp
From the Italian Base Camp, we set early to reach Glacier Camp as soon as we had our breakfast. You can enjoy nature and its photogenic experience while the trail continues to reach Glacier Camp. It is about 6 hour’s trek if the weather favors you. The area is dangerous because rocks may fall while passing through the gorge.
Day 13: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp from Glacier Camp (4640m.), 7/8 hours walk
After today’s breakfast, we follow the trail to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. It is one of the amazing routes that enforce to swallow the beauty of nature. You get one of the best memorable adventures of our trek. We reach to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. From there we can see the North face of Dhaulagiri I, Dhaulagiri II Dhaulagiri II, Dhaulagiri III Dhaulagiri III and Dhaulagiri V. You can see a beautiful icefall in front of you descending from north east. Our night is spent in a tented camp there in Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Day 14: Trek to Hidden Valley through French Pass (5330m.), 6/7 hours walk
After having breakfast, our trail continues to French Pass. We cross the glacier and walk across the hills and mountain flanks; we walk through an incline along the abalone valley and reach French Pass. You can see Mukut Himal (6328m.), Sita Chuchura(6611m.) and Tashi Kang(6386m.) through the open vista up of French Pass. These mountains surround Hidden Valley. To the South, there lies Tukche Peak (6920m.) and beyond that there appears a massive presence of Dhaulagiri I. We continue along the right edge of Hidden Valley enjoying the astonishing picturesque scenarios losing a little altitude to Thapa Pass. The pass is between Tukche Peak and Thapa Peak. We camp in the valley descending upon Thapa Pass for the night after trekking for about 6 hours.
Day 15: Trek to Hidden Valley through French Pass (5330m.), 6/7 hours walk
After having breakfast, our trail continues to French Pass. We cross the glacier and walk across the hills and mountain flanks; we walk through an incline along the abalone valley and reach French Pass. You can see Mukut Himal (6328m.), Sita Chuchura(6611m.) and Tashi Kang(6386m.) through the open vista up of French Pass. These mountains surround Hidden Valley. To the South, there lies Tukche Peak (6920m.) and beyond that there appears a massive presence of Dhaulagiri I. We continue along the right edge of Hidden Valley enjoying the astonishing picturesque scenarios losing a little altitude to Thapa Pass. The pass is between Tukche Peak and Thapa Peak. We camp in the valley descending upon Thapa Pass for the night after trekking for about 6 hours.
Day 16:
Trek to Yak Kharka crossing Dhampus Pass (3680m.), 5/6 hour walk
This day we tend our trek to yak Kharka. We descend down from Hidden Valley to Dhampus Pass. Enjoying nature’s majestic creation, we continue our trail to Dhampus Pass. We reach Yak Kharka and set our camp. The spot is perfect enough to explore the surroundings. Overnight in a tented camp after a 6-hour long trek.
Day 17: Trek to Jomsom (2710m.), 5/6 hours walk
Your last day of the trek is from Yak Kharka to Jomsom. To reach Jomsom we descend down to Marpha Village situated on the west bank of Kali Gandaki River. Marpha is famous for its apple orchids and many fruit products. You can taste the local brand Apple Brandy for what it is also famous for. Continue trekking north up the river valley to reach Jomsom Bazaar. You will throw yourself in a hotel for the night and enjoy the landscape if you come there in time.
Day 18: Jomsom to Kathmandu
You board a plane and fly to Kathmandu. This short and scenic flight possibly makes you feel nostalgic because of the glimpses of snowy mountains while you are in the air. Representatives of your travel agency will receive you in TIA and you will be transferred to hotel.
Day 19: Farewell Day
BeA w hours ofbeforecheduled flight, your travel agency representative will take you to the TIA. On your way home, you will have plenty of time to plan your next adventurous visit with recollection of experiences.