15 Days
Wilderness Trekking
Meals
Trekking is essentially day hiking and doesn't require any special training. However, good physical condition, a love of walking, and a desire to enjoy mountain views and village life are essential.
These treks are suitable for walkers looking for something more challenging and energetic. Hill-walking experience is desirable, with longer days and higher elevations.
Since the terrain can be hard and the days long, hikers should be in good physical condition and have previous mountain walking experience. High passes and extended trekking days may be involved.
Accommodation
Sep to Nov, March to Jun
5212m
1-15 Pax
Flight/Land
Group Size: 5
(Save $400/pp)
Per Person
$2,700Total
$13,500The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is renowned for its difficulty and is considered one of Nepal’s most challenging treks. It requires high physical fitness, as it involves crossing high mountain passes, including the French Pass (5,360 meters) and Thapa Pass (5,250 meters). Despite the difficulty, the trek offers breathtaking views of the Dhaulagiri peaks, including Dhaulagiri I (8,167 meters), the world’s seventh-highest peak.
The best time for the Dhaulagiri circuit trek is during spring (March to mid-June) and autumn (September to mid-December), when the weather is favorable, with clear skies, dry trails, and excellent visibility. Winter treks are possible but more challenging due to heavy snowfall at higher elevations. The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek is known for its narrow, landslide-prone trails that often require rope repairs, limiting the number of trekking groups each season.
On the Dhaulagiri circuit trek, you will encounter the captivating “hidden valley,” a barren region with biting winds and challenging trails. The view from Alu Bari (Yak Khadka) offers breathtaking panoramas of the Annapurna range, Nilgiri Peak (6,940 meters), Annapurna I (8,091 meters), Tilicho Peak (7,134 meters), Thorong Peak (6,144 meters), and the Upper Mustang Valley.
Dhaulagiri circuit trek is at an elevation of 4,700 meters, and French Pass, at 5,360 meters, offers stunning views from the high viewpoint scaling a spectacular mountain from a high hill. This classic Nepal trek encompasses remote and picturesque landscapes typical of the high mountains.
For additional adventure, trekkers can extend the Dhaulagiri circuit trek by two days to ascend Dhampus Peak (6,012 meters). This requires a separate itinerary, guide, permits, and climbing gear with costs not included in the Dhaulagiri round Trek package.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek begins in Darbang after reaching Beni from Kathmandu via Baglung. Trekkers often spend the first night in Beni before starting the trek toward Muri, ascending through forest paths. From Muri, the trail leads to Boghara, offering stunning mountain views.
After crossing the Dhaulagiri circuit Pass, trekkers descend through rugged terrain to the villages of Marpha and Jomsom. The descent is challenging, with steep and rocky paths. Marpha is a small mountain settlement with the best spot to stay for an overnight, while Jomsom is a larger town with flight connections to Pokhara.
The villages along the route are inhabited by Magars on the Magdi side and Thakalis on the Kali Gandaki side. Trekkers experience a transition from village settlements to alpine wilderness and pasturelands.
From Jomsom, trekkers either fly or continue trekking to Pokhara, a picturesque city by Phewa Lake and the trek’s endpoint. In Pokhara, trekkers can relax, reflect, and celebrate their journey, enjoying breathtaking views of the Himalayan landscape.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is one of Nepal’s most challenging camping treks. You’ll carry all necessary camping equipment and supplies, including food, due to limited facilities. Basic accommodations are available until the Italian Base Camp, where you will rely on camping for overnight stays.
To undertake the Dhaulagiri circuit trek, trekkers need to be physically fit. It is recommended to run for at least an hour a day for 10 to 15 days or a month, depending on your fitness level, before the trek. This helps to build the individual’s hiking stamina. It requires high physical fitness, as it involves crossing high mountain passes, including the French Pass (5,360 meters) and Thapa Pass (5,250 meters). This preparation helps in acclimatizing to the high altitudes and ensures you are ready for the demanding terrain of the trek.
Stage One:
Stage Two:
French Pass
Thapa Pass
We guarantee departure on all published dates for Dhaulagiri round Trek Itinerary. If these dates don’t match your travel plans, we are happy to create a trip for your desired dates. Let us know what kind of trip you are looking for, and we will help make your dream destination a reality.
Begin your adventure with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Beni, the gateway to the Dhaulagiri region. The journey follows winding mountain roads along rivers, terraced hillsides, and traditional villages. Upon arrival in Beni, check into your hotel and rest for the night.
After breakfast, drive to Darbang, where the trekking trail begins. Trek through villages and cultivated fields to reach Khibang Bensi. Overnight in a tented camp.
Follow a scenic trail through forests and terraced farmland. Cross suspension bridges and pass through small settlements before reaching Boghara. Overnight in a tented camp.
Continue ascending along the Myagdi Khola through dense forests and narrow gorges. Dovan is a beautiful campsite surrounded by towering cliffs and lush vegetation. Overnight in a tented camp.
The trail climbs gradually through rhododendron and pine forests, offering increasingly dramatic views of the surrounding peaks. Overnight in a tented camp at Pine Forest.
Today you reach the spectacular Italian Base Camp, set in a wide alpine meadow with panoramic views of Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak, and Annapurna South. Overnight in a tent or basic shelter.
Spend the day acclimatizing to the altitude. Optional hikes around the base camp provide excellent viewpoints and help prepare for the higher elevations ahead. Overnight in a tent or shelter.
Cross a challenging section of narrow and rocky trail to reach Japanese Base Camp, located beneath the massive west face of Dhaulagiri. Overnight in a tented camp.
Traverse the glacial moraine to reach Dhaulagiri Base Camp, surrounded by towering ice walls and some of Nepal’s highest peaks. Overnight in a tented camp.
One of the most rewarding days of the trek. Cross French Pass and enjoy spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, and the Annapurna range before descending into the remote Hidden Valley. Overnight in a tented camp.
Cross the scenic Dhampus Pass and descend steeply into alpine meadows and yak grazing areas at Yak Kharka. Overnight in a tented camp.
Descend to the famous Thakali village of Marpha, renowned for its whitewashed houses, apple orchards, and traditional culture. Overnight at a lodge.
Enjoy an easy walk along the Kali Gandaki Valley to Jomsom, the administrative center of Lower Mustang. Overnight at a lodge.
Take a spectacular morning flight to Pokhara, with excellent aerial views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Overnight at a hotel.
Return to Kathmandu by tourist bus or private vehicle, marking the end of your unforgettable Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.
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