Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

01 / THE EXPERIENCE

Discover the journey

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, also known as Dhaulagiri Round, is a challenging and rewarding trek that takes you through some of the most remote and beautiful regions of Nepal. The trip traverses through the breathtaking valleys and high passes of the area as it circles the magnificent Dhaulagiri massif, the seventh-highest mountain in the world at an altitude of 8,167m. The Dhaulagiri trek route explores a remote area in central Nepal. The trek starts through villages framed by views of the Dhaulagiri range. After Italian Base Camp, we walk through Chonbarden gorge towards Dhaulagiri Base Camp. We cross French Pass at an altitude of 5,360m into Hidden Valley and camp in Hidden Valley for two nights. On the day walk from Hidden Valley, you can explore this area with our trekking guides. Our recommendation is to ascend a ridge on the North-West side of the valley. The second option from Hidden Valley is to climb Dhampus Peak at an altitude of 6,060m. You need mountaineering experience for this route. If you like to climb to the summit of Dhampus Peak there is an extra charge to cover the cost of the climbing permit. After camping in Hidden Valley we cross Dhampus Pass at an altitude of 5,240m. From Yak Kharka we descend on a steep walking path to Marpha then to Jomsom located on Annapurna Circuit. We use the airstrip in this town for the flight back to Kathmandu via Pokhara. The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a demanding and rewarding hike that calls for a high level of physical condition and prior hiking knowledge. Since it's one of Nepal's less popular treks, you can anticipate seeing some of the Himalayas' most unexplored and inaccessible areas.

03 / YOUR ROUTE

Journey at a glance

Day Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu — Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You will receive a briefing of the trip after refreshing. The rest of the day will be yours to explore Kathmandu and to shop for anything that you might need for the trek. You can leave a bag at the hotel with any items not required to take with you on trek. Day Day 2: Fly to Pokhara (827m/2,713.25ft) — In the morning, you take the flight to Pokhara. The view of the Himalayas from the right side of the plane is spectacular. After checking into the hotel you have the rest of the day at leisure to explore Pokhara. In the evening the group will meet for a meal together at one of the excellent restaurants near the hotel. Alternatively, If you would like to avoid the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara there is an option to drive and this takes about 6 to 7 hours (depending on the traffic). There are also safety considerations with driving in Nepal as the roads are busy and road traffic accidents happen from time to time. Day Day 3: Drive to Darbang (1,180m/3,871.39ft) and trek to Dharapani (1,470m/4,822.83ft) — Pokhara - Beni - Darbang - Dharapani You travel to Darbang village in the morning through Beni. Early afternoon is when you should arrive at Darbang and meet the rest of your trek team. After leaving Darbang, you must cross a suspension bridge before beginning the ascent to Dharapani. In this village, there are Gurung and Chettri residents. You will first see the Dhaulagiri massif to the north if the weather is clear. Driving Distance: 105.11 km/65.31 mi Driving Time: 4 hours Trekking Distance: 4.5km/ mi Trekking Time: 3 hours Total ascent: 515m/1,690 mi Total descent: 100m/ 328.08 mi Day Day 4: Trek to Muri (1,850m/6,069.55ft)) — Dharapani - Muri We trek the villages of Takum and Sibang as we make your way from Dharapani. Today's journey takes you via quaint towns that are surrounded by mountains. To the west, there are excellent views of Puta Hiunchuli and Gurja Himal. We keep on to the village of Muri after traversing the suspension bridge across the Dhara Khola. This village is primarily populated by members of the Magar ethnic caste. Trekking Distance: 9 km/ 5.59 mi Trekking Time: 5 hours Total ascent: 720m/2,362 ft Total descent: 265m/869.42 ft Day Day 5: Trek to Boghara (2,080m/6,824.14ft) — Muri - Boghara From the camp at Muri you descend to the bridge crossing over the Muri Khola and walk through bamboo stands and clearings with fields and farmhouses. Further North the valley steepens and the trail is steep in places. You camp in the grounds of the primary school in Boghara village. Trekking Distance: 9 km/5.59 mi Trekking Time: 7 hours Total ascent: 985m/ 3,231.6 ft Total descent: 535m/ 1,755.24 ft Day Day 6: Trek to Dobang (2,500m/8,202.1ft) — Boghara - Dobang For the next few days we trek up the Myagdi Khola river. It is for this reason that there is lush subtropical forest up to Sallighari camp. Take care walking here as it is often slippery especially when hiking over tree roots. From Boghara the trail follows the west bank of Myagdi Khola. You stop for lunch at Lipshe at 2,080m and continue walking in the forest until we get to a clearing in the forest at Dobang. There are several basic teahouses and campsites. Trekking Distance: 6 km/3.72 mi Trekking Time: 6 hours Total ascent: 950m/ 3,116.7 ft Total descent: 285m/ 935.03 ft Day Day 7: Trek to Sallaghari (2,820m/9,252ft) — Dobang - Sallaghari The trail continues through dense, lush vegetation of ferns, bamboo and rhododendrons. We cross on a cantilever bridge over to the east bank of the Myagdi Khola. We camp for the night at a clearing in the forest called Sallaghari. Trekking Distance: 5 km/3.1 mi Trekking Time: 5 hours Total ascent: 795 m/2,608.26 ft Total descent: 110 m/360.89 ft Day Day 8: Trek to Italian Base Camp (3,660m/12,008ft) — Sallaghari - Italian Base Camp As you leave Sallaghari, you pass through a grove of birch, rhododendron, and pine trees. Later, when you are above the treeline, heather, juniper, and azaleas are visible. At Italian Base Camp, a grassy area is reached by ascending the trail. Dhaulagiri's magnificent west face is located high above camp. On the other side of the valley, Tsaurabong Peak may be seen. Trekking Distance: 4 km/2.48 mi Trekking Time: 4 hours Total ascent: 520m/1,706.03 ft Total descent: 75m/ 246.03 ft Day Day 9: Rest and acclimatization day — You spent two nights at Italian Base Camp at an altitude of 3,660m for essential acclimatization. In the morning we go for a walk to explore around Italian Base Camp and spend the afternoon relaxing in camp. Day Day 10: Trek to Glacier Camp(4,200m/13,779.53ft) — Italian Base Camp - Glacier Camp The trail leads to the glacier by descending a steep lateral moraine from Italian Base Camp. After traversing the glacier on the left side of the Chonbarden gorge, you move along the moraine. In the constrained Chonbarden gorge, you hike through the loose rocks. At the Chonbarden glacier's snout, we occasionally have to cross a swift-moving stream. You continue hour-long trek on the ice to ice camp. For your tents, there are a few ledges that have been leveled in the glacier's ice. Trekking Distance: 6 km/3.72 mi Trekking Time: 5 hours Total ascent: 735m/ 1,230.3 ft Total descent : 0m/ 0ft Day Day 11: Rest and acclimatization day — Today is another essential acclimatisation day before walking to Dhaulagiri Base Camp tomorrow. In the morning you walk up the glacier towards Base Camp to a large moraine ridge. From here there are fine views of Tukuche and the icefall on Dhaulagiri. This morning walk takes four hours. In the afternoon we recommend you relax in camp as this helps your body adjust to the high altitude. Day Day 12: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,700m/15,420ft) — Glacier Camp - Dhaulagiri Base Camp You follow a rough trail to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. The view is impressive with Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak and Little Eiger. Further to the west lies Dhaulagiri II (7,751m) and IV (7,618m). You can also see the start of the climbing route on Dhaulagiri through the icefall. Trekking Distance: 5 km/3.1 mi Trekking Time: 4 hours Total ascent: 650m/2,132.5 ft Total descent: 65m/ 213.25 ft Day Day 13: Rest and acclimatization day — You have two nights at Dhaulagiri Base Camp as well. By ascending to high altitude at a slow pace is to allow time for our body to adjust. It is critical for the group and trek crews' safety to be well acclimatised. Your international leader will organize a training session to learn mountaineering skills. This will help those in the group who have no prior experience of using ice axe and crampons. You will need these skills for crossing the high passes to Jomsom. Day Day 14: Trek via French Col (5,360m/17,585.3ft) to Hidden Valley (5,050m/16,568.24ft) — Dhaulagiri Base Camp - Hidden Valley You leave Base Camp after an early breakfast and move to the Upper Chonbarden Glacier's left side. A lateral moraine ridge leads you toward French Pass. From here, you can see Dhaulagiri I and Tukuche Peak as well as the valley's descent. As you enter Hidden Valley, you descend the pass on snowy slopes. You arrive at your camp beside the river after a hard descent. Trekking Distance: 8 km/4.9 mi Trekking Time: 7 hours Total ascent: 820m/ 2,690.2 ft Total descent: 320m/1,050 ft Day Day 15: Exploration around Hidden Valley or Optional ascent to Dhampus Peak (6,012m/19,724.41ft) — Option 1: Exploration around Hidden Valley There are numerous routes you may take for day hikes near Hidden Valley. The best option is to trek up a ridge on the valley's north-western edge. Incredibly beautiful mountain vistas may be seen from the ridge's highest point. Option 2: Climb Dhampus Peak (6,060m) We offer the option to climb Dhampus Peak at an altitude of 6,060m. Mountaineering experience and previous experience at high altitude is mandatory. If you would like to climb Dhampus Peak there is an extra cost to cover the climbing permit. You start in early hours of the morning for climbing Dhampus Peak. This climb is a 1,000m ascent from Hidden Valley at 5,050m to the summit at 6,012m. The route ascends on moderate snow slopes and scree along a ridge to the summit. The view is sensational with views to Dhaulagiri, Annapurnas and Mustang. Day Day 16: Trek via Dhampus Pass (5,240m/14,191.6ft) to Alu Bari(3,480m/11,417.32ft) — Hidden Valley - Alu Bari In the early morning, you begin your trek to gain Dhampus pass at an altitude of 5,240m where yousee Dhampus Peak to the left and Tukuche Peak to the right of the pass. At this point, the group and porters may need crampons depending on the snow and ice conditions. It normally takes four hours to cross a significant distance on snow and rock. Excellent views of Nilgiri and the western Annapurna Massif are available. We begin the hard descent to our camp at Alu Bari, which is at an elevation of 3,480 meters, at a sizable cairn. Trekking Distance: 10 km/6.21 mi Trekking Time: 9 hours Total ascent: 430m/ 1,410.7 ft Total descent: 1400m/ 4,593.17 ft Day Day 17: Trek to Jomsom (2,670m/8,760ft) — Alu Bari - Jomsom Today's journey to the Kali Gandaki valley's Marpha village involves a steep slope. Marpha contains paved lanes, whitewashed homes, and a Buddhist monastery. It is also worth stopping here to enjoy a glass of apple juice at one of the lodges because it is also well known for its apple orchards. We stay at one of the lodges close to the airport in Jomsom. Trekking Distance: 10km/ 6.21 mi Trekking Time: 5 hours Total ascent: 165m/ 541.33 ft Total descent: 970m/ 3,182.4 ft Day Day 18: Fly Kathmandu to Pokhara — Pokhara - Kathmandu via bus or flight In the morning, you take the flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. After checking into the hotel you have the rest of the day at leisure to explore Kathmandu. Alternatively, If you would like to avoid the flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara to Kathmandu, there is an option to drive and this takes about 6 to 7 hours (depending on the traffic). There are also safety considerations with driving in Nepal as the roads are busy and road traffic accidents happen from time to time. Day Day 19: Sightseeing in Kathmandu — This Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour lasts for one day. You begin by going to Patan Durbar Square. Then you take a journey to Boudhanath to see the Buddhist stupa. Pashupatinath, a Hindu shrine, was the day's final visit. Around 4 o'clock is when the tour is likely to end, after which you have the rest of the day free to explore Kathmandu. In the evening the group will meet for a farewell party. Day Day 20: Fly back home — We will drop you at the airport and bid you a pleasant bye for your return journey home. Please note that this itinerary is just a sample and can be customized according to your preferences and needs. Additionally, it is important to allow for some flexibility in your itinerary as weather and other factors can impact the trek.

YOUR DAY-BY-DAY ROUTE

Day-by-day itinerary

Day 1Arrival in Kathmandu — Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, you will be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You will receive a briefing of the trip after refreshing. The rest of the day will be yours to explore Kathmandu and to shop for anything that you might need for the trek. You can leave a bag at the hotel with any items not required to take with you on trek.+