Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek: Strenuous Trek in Nepal

Private Trip

Destination

Nepal

Accomodation

Tea House , Camping

Walking Distance

101.06km

Duration

17 Nights 18 Days

Max. Elevation

5010 m

Meals Included

Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner

Best Season

March-May August-November

Grade

strenuous

Overview

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek involves trekking around the Dhaulagiri Mountain Range traversing through some of the most remote parts of Nepal. Mt. Dhaulagiri, with a height of 8167 meters, is the sixth-highest mountain in the world. We will also pass through suspension bridges and stay in the remote Magar and Sherpa villages.

Reaching a height of 5360 meters at French Pass and 5234 meters at Dhampus Pass, it provides some stunning views of 23 snow-capped mountains. Along with Dhaulagiri, these are Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhampus, among others. We begin our trek by driving to Beni. From there, we will pass through the villages of Dharapani, Muri, and Dobang before reaching the Italian Base Camp.

We will then pass through the Glacier Camp and Dhaulagiri Base Camp which provide an amazing view of the Dhaulagiri Mountains. After proper acclimatization at the camps, we will cross the French Pass and Dhampus Pass. Then, after reaching Jomsom, we will take a flight back to Pokhara.

What to Expect on This Trek?

The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek is daunting but fruitful. With the massive mountain range of Dhaulagiri consisting of fifteen 7000-meter magnificent peaks, trekking the main paths is not only possible but can be immensely rewarding.
Though, you do need a sense of adventure and an increased ability to deal with the unexpected. Geographically, it is a land of dramatic contrast. The beauty the terrain and the Himalayas provide is unparalleled.
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek takes you on an exciting journey to the off-beat paths near the Dhaulagiri massif. It encompasses some challenging trails with stunning views of the mountains and glaciers. Due to the rough terrain with lack of proper accommodation, the trek is one of the most difficult treks in Nepal.

Best Time For The Trek.

The months of March through May or September through November are the best trekking season. Any other time, it is either too hot, too cold or too humid.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Nepal is certainly not for beginners and should not be tried if you’re not fit. As it mostly incorporates narrow off-beaten paths and steep inclines, we only recommend this to adventurers who have trekked a few times.

We will take care of your entire food and lodging and make sure that you’ll smoothly complete this trek. Additionally, we provide an experienced guide that will accompany you throughout the trek. Furthermore, Dhaulagiri Circuit Itinerary will provide detailed information about the whole expedition. Also, the Dhaulagiri circuit trek cost is mentioned in the package itself.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek | Nepal

Sunrise in Dhaulagiri mountain clicked by North Nepal Trek during Dhaulagiri circuit Trek.

Photo of trekker in front of Dhaulagiri mountain clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Desert filled path clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Trekker trekking along the desert filled path with background of Dhaulagiri Himal clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Trekker trekking along the Dhaulagiri trail filled with desert, clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Trekker with his tent in the desert filled terrain clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Desert filled path during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek clicked by North Nepal Trek.

mesmerizing view of Dhaulagiri himal clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Trekker enjoying the view of Dhaulagiri, clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Trekker enjoying the view of Dhaulagiri Mountain, with a blue background in the sky clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Challenging trekking trail filled with greenery clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Very old houses with lots of greenery surrounding it, clicked by North Nepal Trek, during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Itinerary

day 1
Arrival at the Airport
Highest Altitude 1400m

You will meet our office representative at the airport who will pick you up in a cab and take you to your hotel. After freshening up, we will have a meeting where we will brief you about the tour. We will have dinner at a Nepali restaurant before going back to our hotel.
- Overnight stay at Hotel with attached bathroom
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 2
Kathmandu to Beni (850m)
Trek Duration 9 hours drive

After breakfast, we will head towards Beni as we drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara highway and further to the west. It is almost a 10-hour drive after which we will get to our hotel and have dinner.
- Overnight stay at Hotel with attached bathroom
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 3
Beni to Babiyachaur (950m)
Highest Altitude 950m

Trek Duration 6-7 hrs

We walk along the banks of Myagdi Khola and pass through the settlements at Beni Mangalghat, Singa and Tatopani. After 7 hours of hike, we arrive at Babiyachaur.
- Overnight stay at Lodge
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 4
Babiyachaur to Dharapani (1860m)
Highest Altitude 1860m

Trek Duration 6-7 hrs

We travel along a winding path on the mountainside as we come across the villages of Shahashradhara and Ratorunga. Hiking further through a twisted trail, we take a steep ascent to Dharapani.
- Overnight stay at Lodge
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 5
Dharapani to Muri (1850m)
Highest Altitude 1850m

Trek Duration 5-6 hrs

After descending to Myagdi Khola, we will cross the river and climb uphill. We walk for a total of 5 hours before reaching the Magar village of Muri.
- Overnight stay at Lodge
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 6
Muri to Baghar (2080m)
Highest Altitude 2080m

Trek Duration 6 hours

Crossing Dhora Khola, we start ascending and reach Ghorban Dhara. We continue along a steep slope before finally descending to the village of Bhaghar.
- Overnight stay at Lodge
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 7
Baghar to Dobang (2520m)
Highest Altitude 2520m

Trek Duration 5 hours

We walk across the terraced fields and pass the villages of Jyardan and Lipse. We hike further through a forest and pasture land to reach Dobang.
- Overnight stay at Lodge
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 8
Dobang to Sallaghari (3110m)
Highest Altitude 3110m

Trek Duration 5-6 hrs

We cross the river and hike uphill through a fairly steep forest path. Walking further, we can notice that Mt. Dhaulagiri comes into sight. We reach the pine forest of Sallaghari, where we set up our camp.
- Overnight stay at Lodge
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 9
Sallaghari to Italian Base Camp (3660m)
Highest Altitude 3660m

Trek Duration 5-6 hours

We walk near the Chhonbarban Glacier as we cross bridges and traverse through forests. We then ascend along a steep trail to reach the Italian Base Camp.
- Overnight stay at the Camping
- Included all meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 10
Acclimatization at Italian Base Camp
Highest Altitude 3660 m

We spend the day acclimatizing and exploring the Italian base camp.
- Overnight stay at camping
- Included meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 11
Italian Base Camp to Japanese Base Camp (4210m)
Highest Altitude 4210m

Trek Duration 5-6 hrs

We ascend through more challenging terrain as we traverse a rocky trail. We also cross two glaciers that originated from Dhaulagiri. After 5 hours of hike, we arrive at the Japanese Base Camp.
- Overnight stay at Camping
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 12
Japanese Base Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,740 m)
Highest Altitude 4,740 m

Trek Duration 7 hours

The altitude gradually increases, and we walk along a more difficult trail. After 7 hours of strenuous walk, we will be greeted with a stunning view at Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
- Overnight stay at Camping.
- Included all meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 13
Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley Camp (5100 m) via French Pass
Highest Altitude 5100 m

Trek Duration 6-7 hrs

After carefully crossing some glaciers, we will climb further to reach the French Pass. We can see the Hidden valley from here where we descend to and spend the night.
- Overnight stay at Camping.
- Included all standard meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 14
Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka (3680m)
Trek Duration 7 hours

We walk mostly downhill as we descend steeply to Yak Kharka from Hidden valley.
- Overnight stay at Camping.
- Included all meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 15
Yak Kharka to Jomsom (2743 m)
Highest Altitude 2743 m

Trek Duration 5 hours

From Yak Kharka, we will climb down to the famous village of Marpha. From there, we will continue north along the bank of Kali Gandaki River to reach Jomsom.
- Overnight stay at Guest House with attached bathroom
- Included all meals (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner)
day 16
Flight to Pokhara 35 minutes
Flight Hours 35 minutes

We take a 35-minute flight from Jomsom to Pokhara.
- Overnight stay at Hotel in Pokhara with attached bathroom
- Included standard Breakfast
day 17
Drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara
Trek Duration 7 hours drive

It is a 7-hour bus journey from Pokhara to Kathmandu.
- Overnight stay at Hotel with attached bathroom
day 18
Farewell

We will drop you at the airport and bid you farewell.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Map and Altitude Graph

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Airport and hotel transfer by tourist car/jeep/van as per the itinerary.
Kathmandu to Pokhara airfare inclusive of airport taxes.
Both way Pokhara-Beni-Pokhara by bus drivers.
All the essential trekking permits and local taxes.
All the camping equipment such as a mattress, member tents, dining tents, kitchen tents, toilet tents, kitchen utensils etc.
Pokhara to Kathmandu drive by tourist bus.
Highly experienced English-speaking trekking guide.
Kitchen helpers and mules to carry your food, luggage and camping gear.
Expert trekking cook who prepared continental, Indian and Chinese foods during the trek.
All trekking staff insurance, wages, food, accommodations, and equipment.
Full board meals while on the trek (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner).
Twin-sharing or single-tented camp accommodation while on the trek.
A first aid medical kit.
Company kit bag.
Farewell dinner party at a typical Nepali restaurant after trip completion.

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

International airfare.
Nepal visa which was obtained at the airport on arrival {bring 4 copies of the passport-size picture too.
Alcoholic beverages, bottled mineral water, soft drinks, and snack foods.
Travel insurance which included rescue Personal medical or evacuation expenses incurs and strongly recommend internationally.
Extra porter for the personal day bag pack.
Riding a horse along the trek.
Extra night hotel due to bad weather and earlier back to Kathmandu.
Tips to staff.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Permit Requirements

Dhaulagiri region is one of the restricted regions of Nepal.

You will need a trekking permit for the Dhaulagiri Trek
A minimum group size of 2 people is a must for this trek. Meaning that a solo traveller is not allowed for trekking the Dhaulagiri region.

Note: If you are planning your trek with a travel agency in Nepal, they will manage the permits for you.

Frequently Asked Question

The tea houses are barely available on the first or second day. After that, the whole trip is all about camping so, the mandatory tools and gear are taken along with us from the city areas. Food is carried throughout the journey by porters because of that, one may need to hire more porters for this trek. We highly recommend taking portable energy-giving foods rich in proteins and fats. Because of the lack of organic foods, trekkers are requested to take extra care regarding their health.

This trek barely has any tea houses so, taking children is almost impossible. Most of the nights are spent in a tent so, children are very likely to get sick from cold and lack of good food. However, with extra care and attention along with the presence of an extra special guide, the trek can be completed but with great difficulty. In conclusion, it is very risky to affix the child on this particular trek.

This trek is particularly harder than any other trek. With poor lodging and food, one is more likely to get sick along the way. This trek is considered to be almost impossible for beginners. Most of the nights are spent in a tent so, extra care of your health is the utmost thing to do. Also, carrying extra gear and camping tools is always tedious and difficult for the porters as well as trekkers.

Most of the death and lost cases of trekkers in the Himalayas have one thing in common which is they were travelling without a guide. Guides usually have comprehensive knowledge of all the available trails and have good contact with locals. Also, they are equipped with first-aid kits and medicines for commonly occurring diseases, in addition to that, they can contact the respective officials required during emergency cases. Moreover, the guides bear the responsibility of keeping their trekkers safe throughout the journey. It is mandatory to travel with a guide or in groups for safety purposes. Most importantly, we need someone to take care of us during emergency accidents, altitude sickness, and injuries.

Private Trip