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$2,897
per person
The Dhaulagiri Trek also known as Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is one of Nepal's most challenging, yet rewarding treks that takes you to the base of the Dhaulagiri Mountain at 8167 meters. This trek around Dhaulagiri is only done by a few hikers because it goes through hard and remote landscapes.
The Dhaulagiri trek starts from the lush forests of the Beni Myagdi valley. You'll be following the Myagdi Khola river towards the west until you reach Darbang. From there, you'll turn north along the small trail that goes through forests and into high, remote mountain passes and glaciers of Dhaulagiri before reaching the Kali Gandaki Valley.
From there, most of your hike will be on snow and ice, crossing the French Pass, over the Hidden Valley and crossing Dhampus Pass. The descent is equally steep, and on your return to Pokhara along the Kali Gandaki river or over Ghorepani ridge, you'll get a fantastic view of all the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains.
All these treks include key highlights like Beni, Dhaulagiri Base Camp, French Col, Hidden Valley, Thapa Pass, Dhampus Pass, Kali Gandaki, Marpha, Jomsom, and Pokhara.
Upper Dolpo trekking is a strenuous and lengthy camping trek in Nepal. You'll be crossing several passes above 5000 m., and spending several nights at elevations above 3500 m. The entire trail goes up and down steep hills, through narrow gorges, and you will need to walk several kilometers for 6 to 8 hours per day. Beginners and first time trekkers are not recommended to embark on this trek.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek costs $2,897 per person.
Day 1: Arrival at Kathmandu
Day 2: Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Day 3: Drive to Beni
Day 4: Camp at 810 meters
Day 5: Start of Dhaulagiri Trek
Day 6: Trek to Darbang
Day 7: Trek to Sibang
Day 8: Trek to Muri
Day 9: Trek to Boghara
Day 10: Trek to Dobang
Day 11: Trek to Shalaghar
Day 12: Trek to the Italian Base Camp
Day 13: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Day 14: Rejuvenate at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Day 15: Trek to Hidden Valley
Day 16: Cross Thapa Pass
Day 17: Trek from Marpha to Jomsom
Day 18: Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara
Day 19: Return to Kathmandu
Day 20: Farewell
Day 21: Departure
Seasoned mountaineers looking to take their passion for exploration to the next level often choose to embark on Dhaulagiri Expedition. Within the challenging terrains and awe-inspiring vistas of the Dhaulagiri region, adventurers can experience some of Nepal's most remarkable landscapes. Whether it's tackling technical climbs or uncovering breathtaking views, Dhaulagiri Expeditions present a thrilling and unforgettable journey that transcends the typical trekking experience.
Upon arrival, you'll be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu.
Spend the day exploring the historic and cultural sites of Kathmandu, including UNESCO World Heritage sites like Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple), and Pashupatinath Temple.
You'll embark on a scenic drive to Beni, the starting point of your trek. Enjoy the beautiful landscapes and mountain views on the way.
Your first day of trekking will take you through lush forest and along the riverside. The day ends with a night camping at an altitude of 810 meters.
Trekking begins in earnest as you ascend through picturesque landscapes, en route to Babichor at 950 meters.
The trail continues through terraced fields and villages, as you make your way to Darbang (1030 meters) for the night.
The trek continues uphill with splendid views of the surrounding mountains to Sibang at 1720 meters.
You'll trek to Muri, a charming Magar village at 1840 meters.
Trek through dense forests and across bridges to reach the village of Boghara at 1990 meters.
The trail leads you across terrains, along the Myagdi River and through forest to reach Dobang at 2400 meters.
Trek along the path flanked by rhododendron and oak forests until you reach Shalaghar (2820 meters).
Experience your first stunning views of the Dhaulagiri range from the Italian Base Camp at 3585 meters.
Trek across glacier moraines and challenging terrains to reach the Dhaulagiri Base Camp (3810 meters), offering an impressive up-close view of the peak.
Spend the day resting and enjoying the serene mountain views from the base camp.
Cross the French Pass at 5360 meters to descend into the remote and stunning Hidden Valley (4900 meters).
Trek over Thapa Pass, which provides panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, to Yak Kharka.
Descend to Marpha, a charming village known for its apple orchards, before heading to the windy town of Jomsom.
Catch an early morning scenic flight to Jomsom and then to Pokhara. Spend the rest of the day exploring Pokhara's lakeside and attractions.
Take a flight or drive back to Kathmandu. You can spend the rest of the day at your leisure, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or relaxing.
Enjoy a well-deserved rest on this day. You can go for a relaxing spa, massage or swimming. In the evening you will be joining our team for a Nepali farewell dinner and a cultural show.
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departing flight.
You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara. In the beginning of the trek, you'll be staying at lodges/ teahouses. They provide only the most basic accommodation on a twin sharing basis, common toilets and bathrooms. Since Dhaulagiri Circuit trek is more remote, most of your stay will be in camps. You will be camping in tents and your meals will be cooked by the team. Food will be provided in the camp kitchen. Most of your meals will constitute potatoes- they're high in carbohydrates and provide required energy at high altitudes.
Before you embark on your Dhaulagiri Trekking Adventure, be mindful of the following.
The best time to trek the Dhaulagiri Circuit in Nepal is during the pre-monsoon/spring and post-monsoon/autumn seasons. The weather, for the most part, during spring, is stable. Despite the moderate temperature, higher elevations can get particularly cold. Autumn presents clear skies and a pleasant temperature, making it the most popular season for trekking. While some people do embark on this trek during winter, the extremely cold weather and thick snow makes the trek even more dangerous. The monsoon is the most difficult season for trekking with slippery and leech-infested trails and high chances of landslides.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a remote and secluded trek; you’ll have a difficult time finding even the most basic amenities. This means you need to pack more stuff than other treks.
Clothes:
Equipments:
You need a TIMS card and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). The cost of obtaining these are included in the package cost.
We recommend you get insurance for the Dhaulagiri hike that covers for loss, theft, damaged and delayed baggage. The policy should also cover for emergency evacuation and repatriation, hospitalization, medication, and treatment costs, trip cancellation, interruption and delay, and search and rescue operations (if available).
The sightseeing will be in a private car on smooth roads. The drive to Beni will be on well-maintained winding roads with dirt roads, bumps and potholes in a few places. The trails range from lowland pastures to snowy, glacier-covered landscapes. The trails, sometimes not clearly marked, have steep ascents and descents, river crossings, and can be affected by weather conditions, potentially becoming slippery post-monsoon or snow-covered in winter. The trek is physically demanding with long trekking days, sometimes involving scrambling over boulders or negotiating crevasses. The flight to Jomsom and to Pokhara is short but has chances of delay or cancellation, depending upon the weather.
Dhaulagiri Trek is one of the most difficult treks in Nepal, hence, it's important to be physically and mentally prepared for the challenges this trek entails. If you're trekking for the first time, we do not recommend this trek.
The trek requires you to walk 6-7 hours a day for multiple days consecutively, often at high altitudes and sometimes over steep terrain. Therefore, practice aerobic exercises like running, swimming, and cycling to help build stamina. Include squats, lunges, and step-ups for strengthening your legs. For your core, consider exercises like planks, crunches, and leg raises. A strong upper body will also help you carry your backpack, so include some weight lifting in your routine.
Similarly, good balance will help you navigate uneven terrain and reduce the risk of injury. Yoga and Pilates can be excellent for improving both flexibility and balance.
If you live at low altitude, consider using a stair climber or hiking uphill with a loaded backpack to simulate the demands of trekking at high altitudes. You may also consider training using altitude masks or at specialized altitude training centers, though the effectiveness of these methods can vary.
One of the best ways to trek is by hiking. It's essential to get out and hike regularly, ideally on varied terrain and in different weather conditions. This will help your body get used to trekking in different conditions and using different gears. In order to be in the best shape for the trek, start with shorter workouts and gradually increase the length of your training sessions over time.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a remote and secluded trek; you’ll be camping for the most part of your trek, and there are only a few teahouses and lodges in the lower altitudes. You won’t really find the facilities available in other treks during your trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek trails go through areas that may not have a regular power supply. While Kathmandu and Pokhara have plenty of electricity and charging options, it's not the same during your trek. The tea houses in lower regions have limited power supply, so you'll be charged an additional amount for using the charging facility. The camps do not have electricity, so you'll be completely reliant on power banks and backup options. Solar chargers may or may not be effective, depending on weather conditions, but it's always a good idea to carry them.
Given the remote and rugged nature of the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, you should be prepared for limited to no connectivity for much of the route. You might have good coverage in lower regions with a mobile network, but it can be sporadic and unreliable as you climb higher. In many parts of the route, you may not have any network coverage at all.
Internet services or WiFi are unlikely to be available throughout much of the Dhaulagiri Circuit. Some tea houses or lodges in lower altitude regions may offer WiFi for a fee, but the connection is often slow and unreliable.
On the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, you will mostly be camping as accommodations are sparse and very basic. When available, teahouses provide simple shared rooms with basic beds. Most accommodations are not heated and can be cold at night. Basic facilities are shared, and toilets are usually squat style. Hot showers are rare and only mostly available at lower altitudes, sometimes for a fee. Often, you'll have a bowl of warm water for washing.
In campsites, the toilets are set up in tents. They are also shared. Access to water is limited, so do not expect showers or baths in the camps.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit demands resilience, preparation, and an unwavering spirit of adventure. The extreme altitudes, challenging terrains, and often harsh weather conditions, will push you to the limit. But the raw beauty of the landscape, the stunning peaks of the Dhaulagiri massif, and the sense of accomplishment makes this trek worth every struggle.
We excel by experience and have been recognized for our excellence.
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