Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek – 24 Days

Trip Facts

Trip Points Kathmandu- Pokhara-Beni-Babi Chaur-Gharapani-Muri-Bagar-Dobang-Italian Base Camp -Dhaulagiri base camp-Dhampus Pass-ukuche village-Tatopani
Duration 19 Days
Max. Altitude: 5,360 meters (17,580 ft)
Group size Min. 2 – Max. 12
Best Time for Visit Sept, Oct, Nov, March April
Activity Trekking
Trip Guide & Porter Experienced | Licensed | Strenuous
Facilities Meal | Breakfast | Accommodation | Porter
Meals Breakfast, Lunch Dinner
Accommodation Teahouse / Lodge Basis
DIFFICULTY Difficult
LOCATION Dhaulagiri Region
Flights Kathmandu – Biratnagar –Taplejung – Kathmandu
Departure From Kathmandu, Nepal

Overview

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking is off beaten and wilderness trek in Nepal. Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters) literally means ‘White Mountain’ is the 7th highest peak in the world rising 7000m above its local terrain over the Kali Gandaki George in the most remote part of western Nepal. This feature has made Dhaulagiri one of the most unique mountains in the world.  Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek takes you through some of the most challenging high passes like Dhampus Pass (5,182 meters) and French Pass (5,360 meters) encircling the magnificent towering peaks of Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters) massif. This region receives a very little rainfall, and this determines its versatile vegetation and the rugged topography.

This trekking trail takes you all the way through the isolated western region through outstanding scenery of emerald hills, terraces filled with barley, pristine forest of oak juniper and rhododendron blossoming from pink to red, beautiful villages inhibited with delightful people and their unique culture, moraine, Glaciers, high glaciated peaks and many more. This trek also takes you to the deepest George of the world namely Kali Gandaki George formed in between the two towering mountain peaks Dhaulagiri and Annapurna I. Western Nepal is culturally and scenically exotic regions with its people highly influenced by Tibetan lifestyle. There are beautiful villages with the house built in Tibetan style with the flat roofs covered with the packed earth which are best suited for semiarid conditions of the area. The people have adopted a different kind of religion that seems to be mixture of Hinduism and Buddhism practice. Best trekking season for this Dhaulagiri circuit trek is from late spring and throughout the summer until late October.

Itinenary

Arrive in Kathmandu. You will be met by a member of Top of the World Treks and after a 45-minute bus journey to the heart of the city and check into the hotel there is time for a cup of tea, shower and then a chance to see the tourist district of Kathmandu by night as we go for dinner before an early night!

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house

A day in Kathmandu where we will take you to Swayambhunath which is a Buddhist stupa and Monastery, which is over 2000 years old and one of the oldest in the world. Here is a great chance to see across the valleys, see some monkeys and begin to learn about this fascinating country.

 

The afternoon will be spent getting for the trek and some time to relax and make sure all the kit and packing is complete. Also, the first time you can go shopping which in Thamel is an adventure in itself!

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house

Today, we’ll transfer to airport for morning flight to Pokhara takes 20 minutes fly and upon arrival guide will receive you and take a bus drive to Beni takes 4-5 hrs drive and overnight at camp

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guesthouse, Teahouse

Today, we will start our adventure towards Babi Chaur. After walking for about 5 – 6 hours through steep upward trail and bank of the Myagdi River, we’ll reach at Babi Chaur a small village where one can find the mixed inhabitants. We’ll spend the night at Babi Chaur at our own camp.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house

Today we walk for about 2 – 3 hours through steep upward trail to reach Darbang where we take the lunch and later after crossing the Myagdi River we walk again for 3 – 4 hours more to reach Dharapani, where we spend the night. One can witness the Dhaulagiri 1, 2, and 3 from here. Enjoy your evening on tented camp.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house

After the breakfast we walk for about 5 – 6 hours, through steep upward and downward trails and crossing various small villages, reach to Muri, where we spend the night. Muri is a nice village from where one can see the beautiful view of mountains and overnight at camp.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house

We start continues our walk-through flat land and steep up and down hill and the forested path for about 5 – 6 hours and lastly, we reach to a village called Bagar where we will stay tonight at our camp and this village is the last village on this trail before cross.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house

This morning we’ll start our trek further to Dobang descend through the scenic landscapes and forested path but cannot get any peaks view this day but during the walk on the trail we can have the view of beautiful landscape and after walking for about 5 – 6 hours through the forest to Jyardan and after here climb high winding path & rocky area, we descends and climb to Lapche Kharka then further climb we’ll reach at Dobang, where we stay overnight at camp.

 

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house

Today we’ll walk through the dense forest and the river banks for about 6-7 hours and we reach to Italian Base Camp where we spend the night. Once, when during an adverse weather, a group of Italian people, who were heading towards the base camp has to camp at this place and they were the first trekkers who pitched the camp at that place and since then, it is being known as Italian base camp and overnight at tent.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house

Today, we’ll have full day at rest and relax at the camp. You may have chances to explore the surrounding areas and enjoy the view and overnight at tented camp.

 

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house,Camp

We trek through the snowy and long trail to get to Dhaulagiri base camp. This is most difficulty path but breath-taking view and climbing up to the camp. It takes 6-7 hrs journeys and can be feel short breath to reach at base camp. We can sight Tukche Peak (6837 m.) becomes visible straight on; at the far end while the impressive north flank of Dhaulagiri I (8167 m.) dominates the skyline to your right. After a short while you will reach Dhaulagiri Base Camp (3660 m), which is also the site of your camp for the night. To the west are the peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715 m) and Dhaulagiri V (7618 m). We will enjoy the night at tented camp.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, camp

Today we’ll walk on the snowy trail takes 5-6 hrs to get to French Col from here we can see the Mt. Dhaulagiri including the massif ranges of Annapurna as well. You can enjoy the scenic view of Dhaulagiri and down to camp site 5,050 meters for the overnight.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

You will have full day to relax and rest at French Col and enjoy the scenic view of high mountains and overnight at camp.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

We’ll start our hard day to cross the pass through the snowy trails walk on your own pace and slowly get to the top. After the summit trek down to the Yak Kharka and it takes on total 6-7 hrs walking time and enjoy the magnificent view of the mountain and landscape.

 

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

Today we walk for about 2 hours through the plane trail and after crossing plain trail we walk for about 3-4 hours more through steep downwards to reach at Tukuche village where we spend the night. This place is settled on bank of Kaligandaki River and village of Thakali inhabitant. Also faTmous for home made apple brandy and garden of apple where we’ll stay overnight at our campsite.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

Today we start our trek with scenery of Mountain and follow the downstream to Kali Gandaki River. This is close beneath the Tukuche peak and Dhaulagiri with spectacular views of Mt. Nilgiri’s and the massif icefalls which tumbles from the Dhaulagiri’s east face, continuing trek down to Kalol pani village for lunch, and this is another lovely village of more than 30 houses with excellent tea houses and lodge with grandeur view of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiri’s and Dhaulagiri above the beautiful pine forest. After 2 hrs easy downhill brings you long settled Thakali village for overnight at camp.

 

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

The route dramatically changes the vegetation, from dry, arid desert to pine and conifer forests, as we pass between two giant peaks of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna’s. From Ghasa the southern end of the area dominated by Thakali people with fewer of this ethnic tribe till Tatopani, the architectural style change, with much ornately carved wood work in evidence. This pleasant walk amidst the beautiful surrounding continues back to the terraced paddy fields and into warm sub-tropical climate all the way to the village of Tatopani passing through the beautiful waterfalls of Rupse waterfall. We come down through Dana village (the deepest gorge of the world) and after lunch onwards couple of hours to get to Tatopani for natural hot spring bath. Explore the local place and overnight at camp.

 

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

Today, we a full day relaxing at hot bath and after long day at Himalaya enjoy your day with Nepalese lifestyle and explore surrounding village, read your book or play pool. It’s depending on your interest you have full free to do your own and overnight stay at camp.

 

 

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

Spending wonderful day at hot spring we trek down before crossing a suspension bridge over the Kali gandaki river, the path leads by the river for a while just arriving at the junction of the two trails, the other wide path follows the river all the way to Beni. We divert from here taking the left uphill climb, the first of the climb is quite steep to the top, and continue with farms and villages, from this spot a gradual climb leads us most of the day, leaving behind the terraced fields walking in the dense rhododendron forests and reaching at Ghorepani for the overnight at tented camp. This is a great place for mountain scenery and Kaligandaki valley.

 

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

Another early start as we rise at 4am to walk for about one hour to go to Poon hill for sunrise. We will again be rewarded with impressive views and is one of the highlights of this trek. After about an hour we will walk back to Ghorapani for breakfast. We will then have a steep desent to the village of Ulleri, and then we will continue our descent to the final destination of the trek in Tikedunga.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

We leave Tikedunga for a easy walk to Nayapul (New Bridge) Here we will be met with civilisation as we leave the mountain region. We then drive for about an hour back to Pokhara where we will go straight to the hotel for a well deserved rest! The rest of the day is free for eating, shopping and exploring this wonderful city.

 

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

We spend the day together in Pokhara and will take boats across the lake. Here we will walk up to the World Peace Stupa. Where we can see all the mountains and the city of Pokhara. It is a very interesting place and a chance to learn about Buddhism. After this we will walk back down the other side and then there is a chance to visit the Mountaineering Museum if the group would like to.Evening will be spent in Pokhara.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

We will get up early and after breakfast head for the airport to fly back to Kathmandu Or by Tourist bus to Kathmandu, In Kathmandu you will be able to spend time relaxing and shopping.

 Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, dinner
  Accommodation : Hotel, Guest house, Tea house, Camp

Extra days are available at your own cost

 

 Meal : Breakfast

Cost Includes:

  • Airport arrival and departure by private vehicle
  • Sightseeing trip with city tour guide in Kathmandu.
  • Sightseeing entrance fee and Tour guide fee.
  • All local transportation.
  • Kathmandu – Pokhara and Pokhara to Kathmandu round flight ticket.
  • Full board meal(breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea & coffee) in during the trek
  • Comfortable tent accommodation during the trek
  • Trek leader (English speaking, First Aid and eco trained), Sherpa helper, and all payments
  • Dhaulagiri entry fee and necessary permits
  • Exclusive medical kit bag
  • All government taxes and service charge.
  • Medical Supplies (Frist aid kit).

Cost Excludes:

  • Nepal visa
  • International airfare
  • Travel and rescue Insurance
  • Food in Kathmandu
  • Extra night hotel accommodation in Kathmandu if arrive early or late departure.
  • All the hotel accommodation or meals in Kathmandu. ( in the case return early from trek due to any reason)
  • Personal expenses( bar bills, coke, beer, bottle of water, phone call, laundry service etc.
  • Tips for guide porter.

Equipment

Trekking requires careful selection of gear to ensure comfort, safety, and efficiency on the trail. Depending on the conditions (terrain, weather, duration), the equipment you need may vary, but here’s a comprehensive list of essential trekking gear:

  1. Backpack
  • Capacity: Typically, for a multi-day trek, a 40-60L pack is ideal.
  • Fit: Adjustable straps for shoulder, chest, and hip.
  • Features: Hydration system compatibility, side pockets for easy access, and a rain cover.
  1. Footwear
  • Trekking Boots: Look for boots with good ankle support, durable soles (Vibram is a popular choice), and waterproof features.
  • Trail Shoes: For lighter treks or well-maintained paths, trail shoes may suffice.
  • Sock Layers: Merino wool socks or synthetic socks that wick moisture and reduce blisters. Avoid cotton.
  • Gaiters: To keep debris, mud, and snow out of your boots.
  1. Clothing (Layering System)
  • Base Layer: Moisture-wicking (synthetic or merino wool) long-sleeve top and bottoms.
  • Mid Layer: Insulating layer, such as a fleece or down jacket.
  • Outer Layer (Shell): Waterproof, windproof jacket and pants. Gore-Tex or similar fabrics are excellent choices.
  • Trekking Pants: Convertible pants (with zippers for shorts) can be useful.
  • Trekking Shirt: Lightweight, moisture-wicking, and quick-drying.
  • Gloves: Lightweight gloves for warmth, plus an additional heavier pair if trekking in cold climates.
  • Hat/Cap: A sunhat or beanie depending on the weather.
  • Neck Gaiter/Buff: For sun protection, warmth, or dust.
  1. Sleeping Gear
  • Sleeping Bag: Temperature-rated for the conditions you’ll face. Down bags are warmer and lighter but lose effectiveness if wet, while synthetic bags dry quicker.
  • Sleeping Pad: Inflatable or foam pads that insulate from the cold ground.
  • Tent: Lightweight trekking tents (1-3 person) that suit your conditions. Some options include 4-season tents if you're trekking in harsh weather.
  1. Hydration System
  • Water Bottles: Collapsible or hard plastic bottles (ensure they’re BPA-free).
  • Hydration Reservoir: Camelbak or similar bladder systems for easy access to water.
  • Water Purification: A filtration system (e.g., Sawyer, LifeStraw) or chemical tablets to purify water from streams or other sources.
  1. Food and Cooking
  • Stove: Compact gas or alcohol stove for cooking on the trail.
  • Cookware: Lightweight pots or pans, often titanium or aluminum.
  • Fuel: Compatible fuel for your stove (check for availability in the region you’re trekking).
  • Food: Dehydrated meals, energy bars, trail mix, nuts, and fruits. Lightweight, high-calorie, and easy-to-prepare foods are best.
  1. Navigation Tools
  • Map and Compass: Always have a paper map as a backup, even if you use a GPS.
  • GPS Device or Smartphone with a Trekking App: Make sure to download offline maps.
  • Altimeter Watch (optional): Useful for tracking elevation and route progress.
  1. Lighting
  • Headlamp: Hands-free lighting for night-time use, with extra batteries.
  • Flashlight: A backup to your headlamp.
  1. First Aid Kit
  • Include basic supplies: Bandages, antiseptic wipes, blister treatment, pain relievers, and any personal medications.
  • Personal Medications: Always bring enough for the whole trip, plus extras in case of delays.
  • Sunscreen and Lip Balm: Protect your skin from sun exposure.
  1. Safety Gear
  • Multi-tool/Knife: A good multi-tool (like a Swiss Army Knife or Leatherman) is very useful for repairs and emergencies.
  • Whistle: For signaling.
  • Emergency Blanket: Lightweight and compact for warmth in case of emergency.
  • Firestarter: Matches or a lighter, and waterproof if needed.
  1. Miscellaneous
  • Trekking Poles: Help with balance, reduce strain on knees, and improve traction on uneven terrain.
  • Towel: Quick-dry, compact towel.
  • Sunglasses: UV protection for your eyes.
  • Camera/Smartphone: For documenting the journey, with extra storage or a portable charger.
  1. Personal Hygiene and Toiletries
  • Toilet Paper: Always carry biodegradable toilet paper and a small trowel for digging a "cathole" if there are no facilities.
  • Hand Sanitizer: To keep clean without access to water.
  • Wet Wipes: For cleaning yourself when there's no shower.
  • Biodegradable Soap: If you need to wash, use eco-friendly soap.
  • Toothbrush/Toothpaste: Compact travel versions.
  1. Weather Protection
  • Sun Protection: Sunglasses, sunblock, and a wide-brimmed hat for sun protection.
  • Rain Gear: A high-quality waterproof jacket, pants, and gaiters, especially if you're trekking in areas with unpredictable weather.
  • Cold Weather Gear (if needed): Depending on the trek, you might need additional gear like down jackets, insulated gloves, or even crampons for ice or snow.
Extra Considerations for Specialized Treks:
  • High-altitude Treks: Consider gear for altitude sickness (like Diamox), extra layers for extreme cold, and an oxygen system if necessary.
  • Long-distance Treks: You might need additional gear like extra food storage, a larger stove, or a lightweight trekking umbrella.
Always check the weather forecast and understand the terrain and altitude of your trek to fine-tune your gear selection.

FAQ's

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a high-altitude trekking route that circumnavigates Dhaulagiri I (8,167m). It takes you through diverse landscapes, including villages, lush valleys, rugged glaciers, and high mountain passes.

Long trekking days (6–8 hours per day). High-altitude challenges, including crossing French Pass (5,360m) and Dhampus Pass (5,240m). Walking on glaciers and rough terrain. It requires prior trekking experience and good physical fitness.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Dhaulagiri region These can be arranged through a trekking agency or guide.

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