Best Season March, April, May and September, October, November
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is one of the longest and most difficult treks in Nepal, circumnavigating the sixth highest mountain in the world. Very few trekkers visit this area, which makes it a very special trek. You can embrace a wide range of people and terrains, from subtropical jungle to a geographic extension into the high, dry, Tibetan Plateau. The scenery is a superb mix of lush vegetation, massive mountain peaks and a variety of different villages.
The trek start at Beni in the Myagdi district. Myagdi is one of the most easterly of the districts, home of the Magar people. This group of hill dwellers are similar in many ways to their Gurung neighbours but are thought to have settled in Nepal some time earlier.
The Dhaulagiri trail follows the Myagdi Khola, a river that drains the southern side of the Dhaulagiri massif. Passing through the settlements of Darbang and Muri, the country is still quite heavily populated with scattered villages and farming land. Beyond Muri, the river swings north and the landscape becomes much more rugged and sparsely populated. The tree line is reached just below the site of the so-called Italian base camp. located at tip of the Chhonbaraan glacier, an ideal place to spend an acclimatization day exploring the hills nearby.
The next two nights are spent on the glacier, the second night being at Dhaulagiri Base Camp, a rugged spot with some spectacular views of the western face of Dhaulagiri. The trail then crosses the French pass (5360m). the highest point of our trek. Descending from the French Pass you will enter to the Hidden Valley. The place is one of the true wilderness areas accessible to trekkers in Nepal.
From Hidden Valley, the trail crosses Dhampus pass (Thapa Pass) which is 100m lower than French pass. After crossing Dhampus Pass the trail descends into the valley of Kali Gandaki meeting the main trail at Marpha or Tukuche. Along the way there are spectacular views across to the Annapurnas and up into the arid steppes of Mustang.
The range of geographical and climatic regions has led to a diverse variety of flora and fauna with in this region. These parts of area are heavily cultivated and the landscape is terraced paddy fields for most of the year. the higher up in the hills the natural vegetation changes from the tropical species to more temperate stands of forest trees including oak, beech and rhododendron.
Itinerary
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On the 1st day you will be transferred from Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu to the hotel where we will brief you with the detailed itinerary. Overnight stay in a hotel.
Kathmandu Valley includes several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Pashupatinath, Buddhist stupa in Boudhanath. We can also visit Swyambhunath, also known as Monkey Temple, which is 2000 years old. Finally, we can visit Patan, city of fine arts. In the afternoon, you will be meeting with your trekking guide and will check all the necessary things. Overnight stay at the hotel.
After taking an early breakfast in the hotel, we head out for our journey. The scenic bus drive will take 9-10 hours. We'll stop along the way for lunch and snacks. Beni is at the confluence of the Myagdi Khola and the Kali Gandaki Camp. It is the district headquarters, so we will have our trekking permits checked there. Overnight in Beni.
Our drive follows the Myagdi Khola. Along the way there is a popular hot spring. If you have interest, we can stop and take a dip in these healing waters. The trail passes through villages and rice paddies. Overnight in Darbang.
Trail continues along the bank of Myagdi khola until phedi. After lunch, the trail goes uphill for two hours through pine forests to reach Dharapani, one of the biggest villages in the area. Overnight in Dharapani.
After crossing the river to its west bank leaving Phedi, the trail takes a steep uphill climb and there will be many switch-backs until you arrive at the ridge, where the angle of ascent eases. Again, the trail climbs steeply to the village of Muri. Continue your trek to Sibang and Mattim. From here, you continue up an incline to the top of a ridge before descending to the Gatti Khola where we reach Phalai Gaon (1810 meters). Cross the Dhara Khola to once again emerge on the west bank of the Myagdi Khola and then climb a ridge to the large Magar village of Muri. Overnight in Muri.
After breakfast, we start the day. We cross a stream and continue through terraced fields before climbing a ridge to reach the pass. Descend to the Myagdi Khola and trek along the river bank to the village of Naura, where we will climbing a steep slope with switch-backs and then descend through a forest before arriving at the terraced fields of Boghara (2080 meters). Overnight at tented camp.
The trail first descends through terraced fields to a small ridge and then through a forest to Jyardan, the most remote permanent settlement in these parts. After Jyardan, a high winding path crosses a rocky area and then descends before climbing again to Lipshe where there is one single hut. After Lipshe, the trail continues through a forest to Lapche Kharka and then climbs to the level area at Doban Kharka. Overnight here.
After crossing a wooden bridge out of Dhoban Kharka, the trail ascends to a forested area. Soon the west face of Dhaulagiri I (8167 meters) becomes visible through breaks in the trees. Descend to the Myagdi Khola and cross it via a wooden bridge to the east bank and continue to Chartare. Passing through forests again, we cut across a rocky area and cross a stream to Choriban Khola. Overnight in Salla Ghari.
After breakfast, we follow the trail to the moraine of the Chhonbarban Glacier and step onto it from the righthand side. Tukche Peak (6837 meters) becomes visible straight on, while at the far end the impressive north flank of Dhaulagiri I (8167 meters) dominates the skyline. After a short while, we will reach Italian Base Camp (3660 meters), our campsite for the night. To the west are the peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7751 meters), Dhaulagiri III (7715 meters) and Dhaulagiri V (7618 meters).
Today we will take it easy and let our bodies adjust to the high altitude. There is plenty to explore around the area and we'll have an amazing day taking it all in.
We wake up early in the morning when the weather is expected to be clear. The trail is bit prone to stone fall, so we proceed with caution, but without too much worry. We pass through a narrow gorge, and after a couple more hours, we reach to Swiss Base Camp. Today we stay overnight near at glacier.
Another short day as we climb up above four thousand meters. Leaving our camp, the trail now crosses a rocky area, traversing a steep slope and climbing abruptly to cross the moraine of a glacier which flows down from Dhaulagiri itself. Beyond the glacier, we reach a wide grassy area in a shallow valley. This is the campsite known as ‘Japanese Base Camp’ and is a spectacular place, dominated by the impressive west face of Dhaulagiri I on one side and by the huge rock walls of Tsaurabong Peak on the other. For the first time, we have the feeling that we are approaching the heart of the Himalayas. Overnight at tented camp.
Our hike to Dhaulagiri Base Camp is on our the most memorable and adventurous on our trek. From here you can look up at the impressive north face of Dhaulagiri I (8167 meters). To the west are the peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7751 meters), Dhaulagiri III (7715 meters) and Dhaulagiri V (7618 meters). In front of you is the impressive ice fall that descends from the northeast. Overnight in tented camp.
After the glacier you climb two terraced hills, the first of which runs along the glacier. We then cut across a mountain flank and a moraine to begin a gentle incline from the valley. Climb this gentle slope to the French Pass (5360 meters). A great vista opens up from the French Pass and you will be able to see Mukut Himal (6328 meters), Tashi Kang (6386 meters) and Sita Chuchura (6611 meters), all of which surround the Hidden Valley. To the south is Tukche Peak (6920 meters) and beyond is the massive peak of Dhaulagiri I. From the French Pass, we continue along the edge of the Hidden valley losing a little altitude at the Thapa Pass (5250 meters) between Tukche Peak and Thapa Peak (6012 meters). Descending from Thapa Pass, you will make a camp at about 5,200 meters.
Descend from the Hidden Valley, to the Dhampus Pass and continue to Yak Kharka. There is a perfect camp site to enjoy the surroundings. Overnight at tented camp.
Descend to the village of Marpha on the west bank of the Kali Gandaki River. Marpha is home to many apple orchards as well many other fruits. Apple Brandy is a local specialty that you may be lucky enough to taste en route. Continue north, up the river valley to the town of Jomsom. Overnight at tented camp.
Take a early flight to Pokhara and flight will take about 20minates. Pokhara is set in a lovely valley at the foot of the Machapuchare so you get spectacular views of the mountains from all parts of the town. There are some fun walks or bicycle rides from Pokhara, or you can swim and canoe on Lake Phewa or just watch the last rays of the sun stream across the dip in the mountains that hold the lake. There is plenty to do in Pokhara and you have the day to explore. Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, we take the tourist bus to Kathmandu, enjoying the scenery along the way. The bus will stop several times for snacks and a lunch. We'll have a celebratory dinner in Kathmandu after we arrive. Overnight in hotel.
We will transport you to the airport. Thanks for trekking with Adventure Himalayan Travels. We look forward to seeing you again!
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