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Trip Facts
- Duration 18 Days
- Start FromKathmandu
- Group Size1-10 Pax
- End FromKathmandu
- Trip GradeModerate to Strenuous
- Max Height 5250 m
- AccommodationTea House/Tent Camp
- TransportationBus/Jeep
Best Season
Sept – Nov, March to May
Trip Highlights
- The grandeur of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna Himalayas
- Off-beaten trekking experience in the foothills of the Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m)
- Experience traditional culture of Magar and Thakali People
- Visit popular stops in the western Annapurna region like Jomsom and Marpha
Trip Overview
“Dhaulagiri circuit Trek ” is one of the most difficult trek in Nepal. Begining from farming villages on the foothills of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), the trek stretches to high alpine pastures, deep and uninhabited valleys and to multiple challenging passes. Walking with close-up views of several peaks over 8,000m with in Dhaulagiri range, Dhaulagiri circuit trek is thrilling and breathtaking at every point. The trek offer everyday different view and different landscape of Dhaulagiri, Gurja Himal and Annapurna mountain range, traditionals Magar and Thakali culture also the highlights of this trek.
First, the trip begins from Kathmandu with a drive to Beni via Pokhara. As you reach the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, you drive to Dharapani and officially begin the trek. The trek begins as you make an easy climb to Bagar village. Continuing on, you trek to Sallaghari and settle at the Italian Base Camp for a day. On this day, you acclimatize with the rising altitude and prepare for the trek. Then, you trek northeast towards the Japanese Base Camp. The trek begins to explore the off-beat trails with sublime natural beauty. Then, the next part of the trek takes you to the Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
After soaking in the glory of the Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m)- the 7th highest mountain in the world, you head to the French Pass (5323m). The pass is also the highest point on the trek and offers a panorama of the Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri ranges. Then, you descend to the Hidden Valley which gets its name from the discreet location of the valley. As you trek to the Thapa Pass (5250m), you slowly enter the southern parts of Mustang. Descending from the pass, you trek to Marpha where you can enjoy the local apple alcohol- Marpha. A final trek along the Kali Gandaki River brings you to Jomsom. A flight to Pokhara followed by a drive to Kathmandu brings the trek to a close.
It is a difficult trek with plenty of off-beat and steep trails. So, trekkers with previous trekking experience and good physical fitness can do this trek.
Note:
At Vista Treks, we offer you the best services on your trips from transport to guides and porters. Similarly, we also have numerous other trips across Nepal.
Trip Itinerary
- This day marks your arrival in Kathmandu city. Our representative will welcome you and drive you to the hotel.
- You can explore the vibrant city by yourself as nothing specific is planned for today.
- You can choose to visit Thamel and enjoy the vibrant nightlife atmosphere of the city.
- Overnight in Kathmandu.
- You will visit Vista Trek’s office and meet your trek guide and staff. After a detailed discussion about the trip, you will complete the due payment and head out to purchase or rent any needed gear or equipment.
- Your guide will assess your gear and equipment before deciding to buy anything.
- If time permits, you can choose to indulge in a scenic sightseeing tour of Kathmandu City and explore some of the popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Overnight in Kathmandu.
- Today, you’ll leave Kathmandu and drive to Beni Bazaar via Pokhara City. Drive through the scenic Trishuli Highway and take a detour from Pokhara to reach Baglung Highway that takes you directly to Beni.
- Beni lies almost 300km from Kathmandu and serves as the gateway to Mustang District. A bustling town, Beni is the last destination until you enter the wilderness of Kali Gandaki Valley.
- Overnight in Beni.
- Leaving Beni, you’ll begin traversing through the rugged trail and drive alongside the massive Kali Gandaki River towards Dharapani.
- Drive through Tatopani Village and walk across a bridge to arrive at Simalchaur village. Continue driving towards Babiachor village.
- As the valley widens with terraced foothills, you’ll continue driving through Shahashradhara and cross the DukKhola to arrive at Ratorunga. A short drive from here will bring you to Dharapani Village.
- From Dharapani, the road followes several switch back cross GattiKhola. On the way we can observe beautiful PhalaiGaon and cross DharaKhola to arrive at Muri, a large Magar village of Dhaulagiri Trek.
- Spend the night in Mudi Village.
- Leaving Muri, you’ll begin descending through a gentle slope and cross a stream and terraced farms to arrive at DhoraKhola.
- The trail rises towards GhorbanDhara from where you can witness the maiden view of Ghustung South (6465m). Continue trekking alongside the Naura River and climb the lush grass hill above MyagdiKhola.
- You’ll begin climbing the stone steps and head into the MyagdiKhola Gorge. A short descent through terraced fields will bring you to Bagar Village.
- From Bagar, the trail first descends through terraced fields towards Jyardan. Jyardan is a small remote village and acts as a transit between Bagar and Dovan.
- Continue through a rocky path and begin climbing towards Lipse. Walk past the forests through LapcheKharka and head towards Dovan.
- Overnight in Dovan.
- Leaving Dovan, the trail begins to rise and head towards Sallaghari village. The entire trek may last 5hr.
- The trail rises above the beautiful forest and continues alongside sparse grassland that opens up a wide valley surrounded by mountains on all sides.
- Overnight in Sallaghari.
- As you continue heading up the valley, you’ll leave grassland and arrive at a glaciated path amidst Dhaulagiri massif.
- Leave Sallaghari and continue walking past the glaciated path. The trail opens up the main glacier, Chhonbardan Glacier from where you can view Tukuche Peak (6837m).
- You’ll cross difficult terrain and continue towards Italian Base Camp surrounded by Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri II (7715m), and Dhaulagiri V (7618m) on three sides.
- The night will be spent inside a tented camp.
- You’ll spend a day acclimatizing at Italian Base Camp, also known as Upper Vungini.
- You can make a short hike around the glaciers to help your body and mind circulate more oxygen. The rest of the time will be spent inside the tent as it can get really cold throughout the day.
- Overnight inside a tented camp.
- You’ll encounter a fragile section of the trail as you leave Italian Base Camp and head towards Japanese Base Camp. This trail is known to be prone to stone fall.
- You will use the rope at some tricky sections while crossing the glacier. The trail heads to the main glacier and climbs towards Japanese Base Camp.
- The night will be spent inside a tent over the glacier rubble.
- You’ll encounter an adventurous trek today as you leave the Japanese Base Camp and head towards Dhaulagiri Base Camp located at the base of Dhaulagiri I (8167m).
- The uphill trail continuously rises through the glacier. A short hike from here will open a smooth icy part of the glacier. A short distance from here lies Dhaulagiri Base Camp over the rocky terrain.
- Catch the beautiful sights of Dhaulagiri I, Dhaulagiri II, Dhaulagiri III, and Dhaulagiri V surrounding the base camp. In front of you is the impressive icefall that descends from the northeast col.
- Overnight inside the tented camp, full board meals included.
- The trek begins with an ascent through two terraced hills. You’ll leave the glaciated path and climb the steeped moraines towards French Pass (5323m). You’ll catch the first glimpses of MukutHimal (6328m), Tashi Kang, and SitaChuchura peaks from here.
- Few sections of the trail may require you to use fixed ropes. From French Pass or French col, you will continue alongside the Hidden Valley and arrive at Thapa Pass (5250m).
- A short descent from Thapa Pass will open up the Hidden Valley. As the name suggests, the valley remains discreetly located amidst high mountains.
- Leaving the Dhaulagiri Valley, you’ll make your way towards Mustang. The trail goes to the east and reaches Yak Kharka via Thapa Pass.
- From the Hidden Valley, you’ll begin climbing towards Thapa Pass. The trail takes a turn and heads towards Dhampus Pass at 5200 meters.
- After crossing the avalanche-prone slopes down the pass, you’ll finally arrive at Yak Kharka. The night will be spent inside a tent in open surroundings.
- Leaving Yak Kharka, you’ll begin encountering high barren ridges, canyons, and rugged paths leading towards Marpha village.
- The trek may last 6hr and will take you through the sparse alpine forests towards Marpha village that remains popular for its apple farm.
- Enjoy the evening drinking local apple brandy ‘Marpha’ with the local Thakali cuisine.
- On the last day of our trip, we take our breakfast eaerly in the morning and take bus to Pokhara.
- It will be long but adventurous drive all the way to Beni and from Beni to Pokhara. On the way, we will go through the deepest valley ( Dana Valley) of the world made by Annapurna I (8091m) and Dhalugari and also encounter stunning Ruptse Water fall.
- Enjoy the beautiful Kalopani, Ghasa and Tatopani Village and arrive in Pokhara for your overnight stay.
- After long and exusting trek, you can spend your time freely in Pokhara. Walking around beautiful lakeside, boating in Fewa Lake ( The third biggest lake of Nepal) and visiting Davi's Fall (famous underground waterfall of Pokhara) would be good way to enjoy Pokhara.
- Spend the night in pokhara.
- Leaving Pokhara, you'll embark on a comfortable tourist bus and drive back to Kathmandu.
- Bid adieu to the beautiful lakeside city and the massive sights of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre as you head back.
- Drive through Trishuli Highway alongside the massive Trishuli River to reach Kathmandu.
- Overnight in Kathmandu.
- Enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel. We’ll drop you off at the airport in time for your flight back home.
Cost Includes
- Pick up from Airport-Hotel-Airport
- 3 nights standard hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and 2 night in Pokhara.
- Local guest house accommodation & tented camp accommodation during trek
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner during trek.
- All the land transportation before and after the trek.
- Camping equipment and Kitchen equipment, Mattress, Toilet tent, shower, Dinning tent, dinning tables, chairs etc.
- All entrance fees and permit of trekking
- Guide, Cook, assistant cook and Porters for the trip including their food,accommodation , transportation and insurance included.
- One way flight ticket from Jomsom to Pokhara
- Sleeping bag, Down jacket, duffel bag .
- Medical Kit
- Rescue assistance in case of emergency
- Two days Rafting trip including food and accommodation in Trisuli river.
Cost Excludes
- Meals in Kathmandu & Pokhara
- International airfare
- Nepal entry visa fee ($40).
- Your travel insurance (should include your medical and rescue).
- Any personal expenses.
- Bar bills.
- Staff & driver tipping.
Trip Gallery
Useful Info
About Accommodation.
In Kathmandu, we will accommodate you at Hotel Sapana Garden, and In Pokhara at Hotel Mount View Pokhara. Local lodges accommodation and tented camp accommodation provided during the trek on twin sharing basis. Hotel in Kathmandu and in Pokhara comes with private bathroom , however in mountain, toilet and shower will be on sharing basis. In the busy months, (October/November & April/ May) you may have to share the room with other traveler as some villages have limited number of local lodges .
About Meal
You can enjoy typical Nepali food as well as continental , Italian, Indian and Tibetan during the trip either prepared at the tea house of cooked by our professional staff. Dinner and breakfast serve at the tea house/Tent Camp where we stay and lunch will be served on the way to next destination. In Kathmandu and in Pokhara, only breakfast is provided. If you are a vegetarian or vegan, no worries, Nepal is such a easy place to get several vegetarian options.
About Staff:
A Guide, Cook, and necessary number of porters assist you from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. In a group with more than 8 clients, 2 guide will be provided. A porter provided for 2 trekkers, and carries between 15 to 20 K.G.
About Equipments
Following Equipment list is recommended to bring for the trek.
Down Sleeping Bag, Down Jacket, Long sleeved shirt, Jumper or fleecy jacket, T – shirts, Trekking shoes or boots, Comfy shoes for around the camp, thick and warm woolen socks, Light cotton socks , A day bag to carry your valuable, Sun hat, Woolen hat, Gloves, rain coat, Sun block, lip balm , Goggles or sunglasses, Long underwear, Thermal wear, Nylon windbreaker, Nylon wind pants, Water bottle, Sewing kit, Medical & first aid kit, Flash light, Batteries and bulbs, Swiss army knife, Towel and toiletries etc.
Physical Fitness and experience
Dhaulagiri Curcuit Trek is a moderate which is fit for those who has the ability to walk 5-6 hours ups and down in a day carrying own day bag. Some days are even longer with 7- 8 hours of walking. Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is high altitude trek which demands more physical fitness, therefore this trek is suitable only for experienced trekker who have excellent health and good level of physical fitness . Few weeks prior to the trip, doing some physical exercise is better . No technical skill is needed however past experience also helps . If you are taking medicine for heart, lung or for blood diseases, please kindly consult your doctor and inform to Vista Trek P. Ltd.
About Insurance,
You have to obtain the travel insurance which should cover emergency evacuation and medical expenses. Some Insurance policy’s cover only up to 4000 meter, so please kindly confirm with the insurance company before you purchase it.
About Seasons
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. You can do it in winter (December to February )if you are used to with extreme cold temperature.
About Bus Drive
Highway in Nepal are safe, however sometime transport can be halted due to landslide , strike or by political issues. In such case trip itinerary will be affected. Thus, we would like to request you to add few days extra in Kathmandu. If you complete your trip smoothly, then you can enjoy your time with other activities like sightseeing, White water rafting. Jungle activities or more.
