Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport was well received by our guide and staff with traditional welcome greetings. Then the a short drive to your hotel, located in the heart of the city. Accommodation in one of the best 5-star deluxe hotels. Check into your lovely rooms, after rest and getting refreshed from the Jet-Lag. Walk down to the hotel lobby to join other trekking members for a group briefing. Provided by your guide or Group Leader, with useful information regarding the trek, hotels, and local lodges on route walk. 

Evening a group welcome dinner in authentic Nepali Restaurants. Entertains you with a Nepalese folk cultural program, an introduction to Nepalese heritage and culture while you enjoy the meals. 

Another day in Kathmandu for familiarization with local Nepalese cultures and historical background. The morning after breakfast, our city / cultural guide will take you for a short drive in the heart of Kathmandu city. 

Kathmandu's places are steeped with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, like the old Durbar Square / Palace Courtyard. After an interesting tour of old Durbar Square, a short drive to Nepal’s famous landmark. The Swayambhunath Stupa of more than 2,500 years of history.  A Buddhist monument stands on a hilltop west of Kathmandu city, from here visit Pashupatinath. The holy Hindu Temple of Lord Shiva, one of the most revered sacred sites, the tour continues to Bouddhanath Stupa, also called ‘Little Tibet’. A great place houses the world’s largest Stupa with the seeing eyes of Lord Buddha.

After an exciting tour, back to the hotel rest of the afternoon preparing for the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek.

An early morning overland journey of 6 hours to scenic Pokhara city, an abbot of serene Phewa and Begnas Lakes. Interesting drive to Nepal Mid-West past lovely farm villages and town then reaching Pokhara by the beautiful Phewa lakeside.

Where most good hotels are located, with time for a short walk in the afternoon around Phewa Lake that reflects the view of the high Annapurna Himalaya.

Morning from Pokhara, another exciting drive takes you to the western part of Nepal at Beni. The headquarters of Mygdi district, from here drive continues for another few hours on the dirt road. The drive leads through several towns and farm villages before arriving in Darbang for an overnight halt. 

Darbang is located near the raging Mygdi River, which flows from Dhaulagiri Base Camp and its glaciers. Today’s camp will be set near the main village or staying in a local simple lodge.

Today's adventure starts walking past farm villages following a pleasant trail along the Mygdi River. After a gradual walk, head towards overnight camp by the river. In the afternoon, enjoy a cool dip in the glacial river or relax and explore the rural farm areas populated by Magar. The main hill tribes of western Nepal follow the Hindu and Buddhist religions.

The morning after a first overnight in a tented camp, and having a good breakfast walk follows a river. Reaching the farm village of Jugepani, where we will stop for a hot lunch, the afternoon walk leads to climbing a ridge. Covered in dense tree lines a gradual walk for a short while, and then descend to Bagar for overnight camp. 

Bagar is a small rural farm village, the last settlement before reaching Marpha on the other side of Dhaulagiri Himalayas.

Leaving Bagar hamlet, adventure continues heading higher on a narrow, undulating path above the Mygdi River. Reaching a ridge top, as the trail descends through thick vegetation and tree lines, then finally at Dovan for overnight camp.

Located on a small forest clearing the stone-made temporary huts for cattle, the camp is set on a grassy meadow. After 5 to 6 hours of good exciting walking, a place with few small shelters for travelers and porters.

Today, the trek starts with a 30-minute walk to the bank of a fast-running stream. Carefully cross the bridge entering the forest. Passing through another log bridge over a stream once again leading to the deeply forested area.

While descending from the forest, you’ll notice the Dhaulagiri range, peeping through closely packed trees. Before straying too far from the Konaban River, head down to the Mygdi Riverside and take the left bank trail. Climb up toward another Khola called the Pakite Khola and cross it to reach the tableland of Chatare. Overnight camp in Chartare also called Bhainsi Kharka.

On leaving the campsite, and the lush green forest behind proceed further along the trail to Italian Base Camp. Beyond the woodland area as walk enters a rocky and glaciated valley around the mountainside within a glacier originating from the West wall of the Dhaulagiri Himal. 

Prepare yourself for another ascend to a grassy narrow ridge and a plateau of Pakhaban, also known as Japanese Camp. Pakhaban is a lovely campsite with the spectacular Dhaulagiri-I, West Wall, and the massive rocky cliff walls of Tsaurabong Peak.

From Pakhaban, leaving the grassland walk heads down to the right side of the valley blanketed with snow and fallen rocks. Walking with care along the undulating glacier surface as the valley bends towards Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

As the walk finally ends for the day on reaching at high Dhaulagiri base camp, beneath the towering peaks of Dhaulagiri-I. Along with massif Ice-Fall facing views of Dhaulagiri-II (7,751 m), III (7,715 m), and IV (7,618 m). Includes close views of Tukuche Peak with the majestic North Face of Dhaulagiri-I. The rocky moraine clearing will be the site of the overnight camp

The morning trek is initiated along the moraine and glacier to a rocky terraced hill. Climb towards a rocky ridge, uphill to the top of French Col, the highest point of the adventure. The pass is not only summited for adventurous purposes but also for spiritual enhancement. The top is marked with a Buddhist prayer flag or Lungta, raised by fellow hikers and other climbers. 

Cherish the view of Sita Chuchura, the Mukut Himal, and Tashi Kang (5,386 m), all of which surround the Hidden Valley. Tukuche Peak West lies to the right, and in the distance is the enormous Dhaulagiri-I. A gentle descent along the snow-covered landscape finally leads to the overnight camp at a wide Hidden Valley.

A well-deserved rest day, after several days of tough and interesting walks. 

Enjoy the free day and explore the unexplored scenic Hidden Valley and empty your exhaustion amidst massive mountains. An ideal environment for blue sheep, you might get the opportunity to spot the rare wildlife.

After a pleasant rest day at Hidden Valley, the walk follows on to cross the 

5,250 m-high Dhampus Pass. The walk begins on a wide path with a short ascent per hour continued by a narrow lane for the next hour. 

Then finally climb on top of Dhampus or Thapa Pass, which offers a grand vista of the Kali Gandaki Valley's deep gorge and the Annapurna Himalaya ranges beyond.

At Dhampus Pass' summit ridge, Mukut Himal is seen in the distance as the Hidden Valley is hidden behind the Col. Walk downhill to the campsite at Yak Kharka, the mountainside is steeply descending and covered in rocks. 

Setting camp at the summer pastureland of Yak Kharka, accompanied by Nilgiri and the western end of the Annapurna massif.

Last day walk of the adventure, enjoy the morning glorious views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri range. After a good breakfast, head downhill along a winding mountain trail that ascends to a ridge. From which Dhaulagiri-I and the Tukuche Peak are once again discernible. Slowly the walk ends on reaching a charming Marpha Village, the loveliest settlement on this trip. From Marpha take a short drive to Jomsom. The headquarters of Mustang with a small airstrip above Kali Gandaki River. At Jomsom overnight in a lovely hotel or guest house with time to explore the exciting streets of Jomsom town.

From Jomsom, morning a short walk to the air terminal and then board a small aircraft for a scenic flight of less than 25 minutes to Pokhara, viewing the amazing Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. On arrival at Pokhara airport transfer to the hotel by the Phewa lake side. The rest of the day at leisure for individual activities and browsing the lively streets of Pokhara lake side.

An early-morning trip from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes an overland journey of about six hours. An interesting drive on the Pokhara and Kathmandu highways, following the Trisuli River for some hours. As drive heads uphill and then down towards Kathmandu's bustling city. On arrival transfer to your hotel, rest of the afternoon at leisure.

On your last day in Kathmandu and Nepal, as per your international flight time, our staff transfer you to the airport. Then bid farewell to the guide and staff as you enter the airport terminal for a homeward-bound flight, after a memorable adventure on Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking.