Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking leads you around the massif range of Mt. Dhaulagiri, the 7th world’s highest peak at 8, 167 m. The adventure leads from low warm paddy fields towards more excellent hills, covered in dense tree lines.
Then reaching the arctic zone terrain at Mt. Dhaulagiri Base Camp, covered in moraine, ice, snow, and glaciers. A great adventure could lead to a sheer challenge in snow conditions, but overall one of the best wild countries. Where one can enjoy walks in tranquil surroundings from green forest to barren wilderness, enclosed by giant snow peaks.
An adventure away from human habitation and villages, on off the beaten trails far from the maddening crowd of civilization. The charm and beauty of Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking are dramatic changes in climate, vegetation, and landscapes.
As walk starts from low warm sub-tropical paddy fields and terraces reaching high cooler green hills. Reaching amidst deeply forested areas lined with tall rhododendron, oaks, and pine trees with grassy meadows. After continuing the trek leaving the last farm village of Bagar around the district of Mygdi.
The climb leads to a serene forest path, hardly used by the main flow of trekkers other than mountaineers for Mt. Dhaulagiri expeditions.
The trek leads through the lush green forest, and then vegetation and tree lines give away for mountainous terrain. On reaching glaciated field of ice and moraine around South West flank of massif Dhaulagiri Himalaya range.
The climb continues over a boulder of rocky moraine and ice, following the right path and routes on the glacial section. The walk finally leads to Dhaulagiri base camp, beneath Mt. Dhaulagiri and its massif flow of Ice-Fall and glaciers.
Spending overnight at the base camp, adventure follows to cross the highest point of the trek over French Pass. Then heading down to scenic Hidden Valley and onwards to Thapa / Dhampus pass. The high pass marks the transition between Mygdi and Mustang districts, and then downhill to Kaligandaki River valley.
Where our adventurous walks complete on reaching the charming village of Marpha and then to Jomsom. The headquarters town of Mustang district for last overnights around the high hills and valleys of Dhaulagiri range.
The next morning a swift short flight brings you to beautiful Pokhara. A renowned tourist city steeped with the natural beauty of Snow Mountains and lakes, a wonderful place to conclude our adventure. After a great mesmerizing experience on Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking.
While in Pokhara, one can enjoy staying longer for some days to enjoy various adventure sports activities like paragliding, Ultra-Light flights, Zip-Flyer or relax and enjoy a tour around Pokhara at its natural wonders. One can extend the holiday by rafting the Kaligandaki River, Seti River, or Trisuli River and stay near Chitwan National Park for exciting wildlife.
On arrival at Kathmandu-Nepal International Airport via various airlines, our guide and staff receive you. From the airport a short drive to the heart of Kathmandu city, where your hotel is located. Checking into your rooms and then joining with other members of the trek at the hotel for trek briefing. The guide will provide useful information to make your holiday in Nepal enjoyable. Evening group welcome dinner in a lovely Nepalese Restaurant with a folk culture program.A nice way to experience Nepalese culture, along with good meals of great variation.
Extra day in Kathmandu, for trek preparation as well for tour around Kathmandu world heritage sites. The city guide takes you to exciting places visiting famous historical monuments and old palaces. After an enjoyable day, back to the hotel for Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek preparation.
The morning after breakfast an interesting drive to the renowned tourist city of Pokhara, located Mid-West. The overland journey leads beyond Kathmandu valley towards lower warm farm areas, driving through villages and towns.
The drive finally ends on reaching Pokhara, and then check into a nice hotel, located close to beautiful Phewa Lake. Have time for a short stroll around the lakeside, where the best hotels, restaurants, and shops are located.
Pokhara is a renowned tourist destination blessed with natural beauty facing close views of Annapurna Himalayas with serene Fewa and Begnas Lakes.
(Options for the short flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu of 30 minutes)
Another exciting drive to the starting point of our trek, depart from the hotel having breakfast. The morning drive leads towards the west enjoying views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri, then reach Beni town. A large town and headquarters of Mygdi district and Dhaulagiri region. From Beni drive continues on dirt tracks following the Mygdi River to Darbang for an overnight stop. A nice farm village, slowly growing into a town, Darbang is an important gateway to various areas of Western Nepal. The guide will find the best available lodge, although simple but good and clean.
The first-day walk starts following the Mygdi River upstream past smaller farm villages and hamlets. Walk into a cool mixed forest of pine and Sal trees with a few short ups and down and on winding trails. Reaching more farm areas with large paddy fields and terraces, as walk ends for the day for overnight halt. From here onwards in the tented camp, the tents are set close by the river. Enjoy the afternoon having refreshing cool bathing and swimming on the Mygdi River, after walking in the hot sun.
After the first overnight in a tented camp, the morning walk starts with having a nice breakfast at the camp. Start the walk following through farm fields and rural villages to Jugepani. For possible lunch stop, served and cooked by our camping chef, after lunch, a steep climb for an hour. Reaching a high ridge, covered in thick forest, from here downhill to Bagar village for overnight camp. Bagar is the last village for a week, after getting organized in the camp, time to explore the last village.
The Mygdi areas are populated by Magar people, the largest hill tribes of Western Nepal as well spread all around Nepal.
From Bagar short easy walk for a while, and then the climb starts heading due north-west. The path is covered in a forest of tall rhododendron and pine trees with lush vegetation, on leaving the Mygdi River below.
After an hour climbs, and then downhill on a narrow path reaching a small clearing amidst tall tree lines. Here our camp is set for overnight in a small place called Dovan, having a few cattle herder huts and shades. Which also serves as tea houses and shops in high seasons of the year.
On leaving Dovan, from onwards into pure wilderness crossing a small wooden bridge over a tributary stream of Mygdi River. The walk follows through dense tree lines and vegetation past a few summer grazing areas and meadows. After hours of morning pleasant walks reaching a small shelter of local cattle herder at Chartare or Bhainse Kharka. The camp is made on a grassy meadow amidst dense tall tree lines close to a small hut. This camping area is also called as Jungle Camp a quiet spot with only the sound of a bird call.
Morning on leaving the camp, after a few hours of walks the green vegetation and tree lines give away. A walk leads to mountainous terrain and glaciated valley at a place called Italian camp. From here onward walk on the moraine of ice and glaciers with short steep climb reaching a grassy small field. Here our overnight camp is pitched above the massive glacier also the main source of the Mygdi River.
From the camp at Pakhaban, also known as Japanese Camp enjoy a close view of Mt. Dhaulagiri South Face. Includes Putha Huinchuli and Manapathi, with giant rock walls of Tsaurabong Peak.
An exciting day, having breakfast and carrying pack lunch for the day trek to Dhaulagiri base camp. The walk leads to short descent reaching the moraine and glaciers of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks. From here the real adventure begins crisscrossing over the boulders of ice and boulders. Tracing the right path crossing smaller icy streams, then finally ending the walk reaching Dhaulagiri base camp. Tents are set on available level ground away from rocks, facing close views of towering Mt. Dhaulagiri-I and Ice Fall. Enjoy the closest look at the world’s 7th highest peas with adjoining Tukuche peak.
The camp includes grand views of Dhaulagiri - II (7,751 m.) and Dhaulagiri - III (7,715 m.). The view extends as far as Dhaulagiri - IV (7,618 m.) in the southwest direction.
After an enjoyable overnight stop at dramatic landscapes close to Mt. Dhaulagiri and the glacier. Having breakfast, the morning walk starts heading north over rocky moraine with some ice, as the climb continues to a steep ridge. Reaching on top of French Pass at 5, 360 m, the highest point of the adventure. Rewards excellent views of surrounding peaks with Mt. Dhaulagiri North Face and Tukuche peaks.
Enjoying the grand mountain scenery, a short descent to Hidden Valley for overnight camp. Hidden Valley, a summer grazing field for Yaks and other cattle of Kaligandaki villagers and Lower Mustang areas. A great spot for extra days amidst arrays of snow peaks that surrounds the Hidden Valley.
Spending another day at Hidden Valley after a great adventurous walk of some days. Enjoy the day relaxing and marvel at the grand incredible scenery of the mountain range. Interested energetic people can take a short hike and explore the unexplored areas of scenic Hidden Valley.
After an enjoyable rest day, slowly our adventure nears an end with one more overnight camp at Yak Kharka. Walking on a gradual winding path on the screen of stones can be pretty tough on deep snow. The narrow trail leads to climbing over the last high Thapa / Dhampus pass at 5,250 m high. A short steep climb to the top, facing grand close views of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks. The view includes Nilgiri’s and Annapurna Himalaya range towards North-East across Kaligandaki valley.
Enjoying the glorious panorama of high snow peaks, a slow downhill to Yak Kharka for overnight camp. The area also called Alu Bhari means a potato garden, where herders grow potatoes. During yak, grazing times spends a few months around this area up to Hidden Valley.
From here our adventurous walk comes to an end on reaching down at Kaligandaki River valley in Marpha village. Located around Mustang district, a charming lovely village full of apple orchards. The walk starts downhill and back into tall tree lines and green vegetation, the walk continues on a long descent.
Then finally reached Marpha village within civilization, after being in complete mountain wilderness for several days. At Marpha stay overnights in the comfort of a nice lodge, and enjoy the last day party among members.
As well as trekking staff and porters a great place to celebrate last night's dinner party by enjoying the local brew. Marpha is famous for apples and its products.
After an enjoyable overnight at Marpha village, morning a short drive to Jomsom airport for a flight to Pokhara. Jomsom is the headquarters town of Mustang district with a small airport, located on route to Upper Mustang.
Morning is time for the flight to Pokhara, get in on a smaller aircraft for a short scenic flight to beautiful Pokhara. During the flight enjoy great views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks, as the plane lands at Pokhara airport. Transfer to respective hotels close to famous lovely Phewa Lake.
The rest of the afternoon is free for individual activities, or enjoy boating on the lake and hiking to Peace Stupa located on a hilltop opposite side of the lake.
After breakfast, depart from Pokhara for an exciting and interesting drive to Kathmandu, as the journey heads on the main highway past many farm villages and towns. The drive follows the Trisuli River for some hour and then climbs to reach the suburb of Kathmandu valley. Finally, the ride heads down to enter the hustle, and bustle of city life of Kathmandu, and then transfer to your respective hotel.
The rest of the afternoon is free for individual activities and shopping for souvenirs or enjoy rest with grand memories of the adventure on the high mountains of Annapurna Himalaya.
(Flying options half-hour on-air to Kathmandu with a sweeping panorama of mountains)
Last day in Nepal, a country of Himalayan wonders. As per your international flight time transfer to the airport for the final flight departure homeward bound. After a great wonderful adventure and experience on Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking.
