Trek around Dhaulagiri

The highest point of the Dhaulagiri range reaches 8172m. Dhaulagiri itself is one of the highest mountains in the world while the whole range dominates Nepal’s western skyline with more then 8 peaks above 7000m! The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek leads you through a deep and spectacular gorge to Dhaulagiri’s base camp and around this wild range. It's a great trek through remote little villages, dense and wild forests, across wild rivers and huge waterfalls. The Dhaulagiri Circuit takes you to impressive glaciated areas, high mountain passes, hidden valleys and if you're motivated, an extra option to climb an incredible 6000m peak.

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+ Trip description

Part 1 - To Dhaulagiri Base Camp

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a demanding trip through a remote area that is hardly visited by trekkers. This area, West of the Annapurna range, can only be visited by well organized parties. From Kathmandu it’s a long day drive to the starting point of this trek, just near Pokahara, a tropical area that can be very hot and humid. As soon as all equipment and food is rearranged for the porters, you will start trekking through little villages, green fields, rice terraces, thick bamboo forests and wild, rocky valleys until you reach the Italian base camp. From here the landscape changes dramatically. The Dhaulagiri base camp is reached by trekking through a narrow, spectacular gorge, across a rocky glacier for several days. The Dhaulagiri base camp lies just below its stunning ice fall that’s comes down from Dhaulagiri’s west slope. An area that is known for avalanches and very strong winds. That's why they call Dhaulagiri the Mountain of Storms, which you may experience during the night!

Part 2 - French Col & The Hidden Valley

The magical, white 'hidden valley' is just one pass away: the French Col (5238m). From the windy French Col First you will have to descend to the bottom of the valley to find out that there’s another valley behind the first part: the real Hidden Valley. It's a rare and convenient flat area that eventually leads to the second high pass, Dhampus Pass (5250m) and the possible climbing objective Dhampus Peak (6035m). This place is also a beautiful camping spot in the middle of the Himalayas! After climbing Dhampus pass you will be blown away by a stunning view at the impressive Annapurna Range that dominates the entire Eastern skyline. Very impressive! From Dhampus Pass it's a long descend across slippery, snowy slopes all the way down to the village of Jomson, the ending point of this challenging trek. From Jomson we will fly to Pokhara for a well deserved rest day, followed by a bus ride back to hectic Kathmandu.

+ Itinerary & different options

[ Arrival in Kathmandu / free days ]

Dhaulagiri Circuit		Different options
1 - Kathmandu - Briefing 2 - Beni 3 - Babichaur 4 - Dharapani 5 - Muri 6 - Boghara 7 - Dobhan 8 - Forest Camp 9 - Italy BC 10 - Rest & acclimatization 11 - Glacier Camp	12 - Dhaulagiri BC 13 - Rest & acclimatization 14 - French Coll - Hidden Valley 15 - Hidden Valley 16 - Yak Kharka 17 - Marpha 18 - Jomsom 19 - Pokhara (hotel) 20 - Pokhara (hotel) 21 - Kathmandu	15 days - Dhaulagiri Circuit, without Pokhara 17 days - Dhaulagiri Circuit + Dhampus Peak 6035m, without Pokhara Do you prefer a different route or itinerary? Just contact us and we will be more than happy to think with you and organize the tailor made trip you're looking for...

[ End of services / free days / departure / continue travelling ]

+ What's included & excluded in the price?

To make things easy for you, we have put together different service packages that suit most people. However, if you want to make it really special, we also provide full tailor made services. Have a look at the fixed packages first or download a detailed comparison sheet.

» Download Comparison Sheet (pdf)

Camping Service - Pro
The Pro package provides you a full organized trek including all organizational arrangements, a complete professional, experienced staff & crew, all needed equipment, all services and luxuries that makes your entire trek as comfortable as possible. The staff takes care of all tasks and activities, you are not required to help.

Camping Service - Basic
The Basic package provides you a full organized trek including all organizational arrangements, a small professional, experienced staff & crew, essential equipment & services only, without the luxuries of the Pro package. Although professionally organized, this package is much more basic and adventurous, you are required to help with all tasks and activities.

+ How difficult is this trip?

We have rated this Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek with C0-C1. This means that it's a intermediate to streneous trip with easy climbing sections. Have a look at a general description of these codes! Below we'll try to describe the specific difficulties of this trip.

[ Note: this trek has been created in a way that everybody with a general health is able to finish the Dhaulagiri Circuit. A slow and very good acclimatization schedule allows anybody to adapt to the high altitude and to reach daily trekking goals easily. ]

In this trip you start with a bus ride to Beni, the starting point of this trip. During the circuit you will trek across different trails varying from easy country side trails to difficult jungle sections and non-existant glacier trails. The Dhaulagiri Circuit leads you through little mountain villages, deep, green valley’s, across suspension bridges and wild rivers up to cold alpine area’s and wild glaciers. Dhaulagiri Base Camp is reached by trekking across one of its long glaciers. There may be deep snow here while the area is infamous for its very strong winds. The climb to the French Pass is not difficult, but tiring and slippery across large snowfields. The descent to the Hidden Valley may be long, tiring and slippery, too, but without technical climbing difficulties. Expect the same situation for the ascent and decent of Dhampuss Pass.

In general...
This trek does not require specific experience or skills, although you should feel comfortable walking on steep, rocky, slippery and unstable terrain for at least some parts of the trek.

This trek is open for anybody who is fit. However, if you’re part of a group during demanding activities, you must prepare yourself for working and living in and with a group of people who share the same, common goal! An easy going, flexible attitude is a must.

+ What clothes & equipment do I need?

After booking we will send you a final, detailed clothes & equipment list with all the required clothes and (climbing) equipment that you need for this trip. To get a really good idea what you will get from us, you may download an example equipment list.

» Download an Example Equipment List (pdf)

+ What is the best time to make this trip?

An indication of best seasons to make this trip (stable weather and clear views)

• Spring: March, April, May
• Autumn: October, November

Indication of temperatures: (depending on weather conditions)

• Below 5000m varying from: Day time: +10ºC / +30ºC. Night time: -5ºC / +15ºC
• Above 5000m varying from: Day time: -5ºC / +10ºC. Night time: -15ºC / -25ºC

Rain may be expected in the lower areas from Beni to Italy Base Camp. The French Pass and Dhampus Pass may be covered in deep snow. If you like to try to avoid a late monsoon and possible flight cancellations, you should start this trip from half October. Normally, the weather will be more stable by then. However, mountain storms and fog are unpredictable and can arise quickly, changing trekking & climbing conditions dramatically. Rain, snow and strong winds are always possible.