Dhaulagiri Sanctuary Trek

On arrival at Kathmandu, Nepal International Airport was well received by our guide and staff with traditional welcome greetings. Then 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 resting and getting refreshed from the Jet-Lag. Walk down to the hotel lobby to join other trekking members for a group briefing. Your guide or Group Leader provides useful information regarding the trek, hotels, and local lodges on route walks. 

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 Sanctuary 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 towns 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.

On leaving Pokhara, for another interesting drive of a few hours to west Nepal at Beni. The headquarters town of Mygdi district is at the starting point of our adventurous trek. The walk begins after getting fully organized, where our guide and porters take care of the baggage and camping equipment. Follow our expert guide through the exciting Beni Bazaar, situated west of Pokhara approx. 80 km driving distance. As the walk progresses leaving behind the large town of Beni, heading uphill above the town. 

An hour’s climb to reach a high ridge facing views of Beni town, as the trail follows past a Hindu temple. Having a few short refreshing breaks as the air gets cooler, reaching high hills and a small farm village. Where our overnight camp is set, having time to enjoy the surrounding views before dinner in the camp.

Enjoy the first camping breakfast served by our kitchen department, and then be ready for a long day’s walk. The route follows to a high ridge, after a few hours of good walks, then reaches small farm areas. The trail follows through the villages of Basket, Jagannath, and Tori Pari, enjoying observing the local Nepalese farm activities.

The villages around are mainly populated by Magar people, one of the main hill tribes of Western Nepal. The walk continues with a climb to Kot Danda a ridge, covered in a lovely forest of pines, oaks, and rhododendron trees. Overlooking views of snow peaks, after a short climb to Todke Danda / Ridge.

From the top magnificent views of the snow mountain range facing Mount Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, and Mana Pathi in the north-west. Includes views of Nilgiris and Annapurna Fang  Vara Shikar towards the north.

At Todoke Danda enjoy the comfort of a nice guest house. The last lodge of the adventure before reaching the Lete and Ghasa villages. 

Enjoy the morning downhill walks on stone paved steps for a short while and then enter the lovely forest. Walk through dense rhododendrons, oaks, pine, magnolia, and fir within dense tree lines with lush vegetation of giant ferns. 

The trail leads past meadows and summer pastures with temporary shelters for cattle herders, as the walk reaches Pakhapani farm village. Enjoy the wonderful views of cascading waterfalls, then cross a few streams, and the day finally ends with a short steep climb. Following the ridgeline to Rayakhor village for overnight camp facing Mount. Dhaulagiri and adjoining peaks.

From Raykhor’s small village, the morning starts with a descent to Patel Pani, a small farm village. The trail follows to cross Rahu Khola, then reach Ghyasi Kharka, a settlement with few huts. These areas are mostly inhabited by an indigenous small tribe called Chhantyal. In the early days, they were brought from lower warm areas of India and Nepal Terai as laborers for copper mining. Since copper mining was closed, these people settled as farmers, one of the few almost extinct tribes of Nepal.

The trek continues following the Rahu River then reaching a level field where the small village of Chhari is located. Our overnight camp is set, around this temporary settlement used for harvesting Yarsagumba a high-altitude herb. A precious medicinal herb, also known as botanical gold.

A cure for various diseases, the locals search and collect to make a sustainable living from this special fungus. 

After Chhari, the adventure leads on the path to cross again Rahu Khola, the walk leads uphill over a rocky cliff. Then reaching into a forest path of pines, firs, and birch, as the climb gets steeper. Slowly the hard day walks end reaching Sunga Thala, close to a beautiful waterfall. Overnight camp is set facing views of dramatic scenery with rolling green hills and snow peaks.

The morning starts on leaving Sunga Thala, as the walk leads to a slow steep climb through small bamboo thickets. The route leads up to an overhanging cave, a safe shelter often used by Yarsagumba herb collectors. 

Having a refreshing break walk proceeds to Dovan close to Rahu Khola and then completes the day to Kali Barah Dovan. Our overnight camp is close to the route 

Mount Dhaulagiri South East Base Camp, and the sanctuary. 

Today a short walk, on leaving Kali Barah Dovan climbs beyond tree lines heading towards mountain wilderness of glacial terrain. Altitude gains slowly climb up towards our final destination at Dhaulagiri South East Base Camp.

At present known as Dhaulagiri Sanctuary, a small glacial area and a glaciated field full of snow, moraines, and ice.

A leisurely rest day to enjoy a short hike and explore the beautiful scenic surroundings. From the camp climb towards a high ridge with a small plateau, where few mountaineers often set their camps. 

A fascinating panorama of Mount Dhaulagiri Himalaya range, and as far towards Nilgiri and Annapurna Himalayan peaks.

On completing our major highlight and destinations returned to our journey downhill into the forest. The trail leads on the same route for a few hours to Sunga Thala and then our route diverts to Phedi. Which is also known as Bheda Kharka, a cattle herder temporary settlement. A long day trek, but on the downhill with few short ups to reach Phedi or Bheda Kharka for overnight camp. 

Trek to Pairo Kharka 3,310 m- 06 hrs.The walk today heads to Pairo Kharka, an interesting and exciting place for an overnight stop. A place of early landslide areas, but safe at present. 

This section of the mountains and hills is prone to rock falls sometimes, especially during the monsoon wet season.

Walk today will be much shorter to Seti Baraha, a place with a small glacial pond.

Morning leads to a steep climb heading towards higher ridges, which are the highest overnight camps of the adventure. The trail traverses over Gauda Kharka, a small pass below 4,000 m. As the walk continues to steep descent reaching our overnight camp at Seti Baraha, a place with a small glacial pond.

The word Seti means white, as the pond remains frozen in ice during most of the year round. Overnight camp is set by the pond, facing grand views of snow-clad peaks. 

After continuous climbing for several days, the walk today is quite easy on a moderate, gradual downhill path through dense forest. Enjoy the day taking photos before leaving the campsite, a great spot amidst tranquil surroundings. 

Walk further down with a slow short uphill, with more descent, overlooking the beautiful scenery of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayas. Finally, end the day reaching a small isolated area amidst lovely forest surrounding for the last overnight at Bhaise Kharka.

Last and final day of the adventurous walks, today’s walk leads back into human settlements and villages back to civilization. Where Ghasa and Lete villages are located close to the main motorable road. 

The walk heads downhill reaching Kaligandaki River valley close to Kaligandaki River. Located in between the giant peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountains, which form the world’s deepest gorge. On clear day views of Nilgiris, Annapurna Fang / Vara Shikar and Annapurna-I can be seen on walks.

After a pleasant downhill reach Late and then towards a nice Thakali village of Ghasa, in the comfort of a nice lovely lodge. Ghasa is the last village of the Mustang district amidst beautiful forest surroundings.

The drive follows the Kaligandaki River heading to low warm paddy farm areas and villages past Tatopani. A village with natural hot springs, as the drive continues reaching close to Beni and Baglung town. Finally reaching the main Beni and Pokhara Highway, as drive leads on a smooth road to Pokhara for an overnight stop.

The drive follows the Kaligandaki River heading to low warm paddy farm areas and villages past Tatopani. A village with natural hot springs, as the drive continues reaching close to Beni and Baglung town. Finally reaching the main Beni and Pokhara Highway, as drive leads on a smooth road to Pokhara for an overnight stop.

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