Booking is open for 2024 and 2025 for all tours and trekking in Nepal.
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Trip Duration
20 DaysGroup Sizes
1 - 16 PeopleDifficulty
ModerateMax. Altitude
5360mActivities
Meals
Accommodation
Do you want to set off on a journey to the majestic peaks of the Western Himalayas of remote Nepal? If yes, we invite you to participate in our 20-day Dhaulagiri trek which is going to be a unique and unforgettable experience for you.
Among the trips and tours we offer, the Dhaulagiri trek stands out as a heroic challenge for hiking lovers. Located in the western part of Nepal, between the renowned Annapurna circuit and the remote Dolpo region, it offers breathtaking views and engaging challenges that only true trekking enthusiasts can tackle.
This trek is also an incredible opportunity to be near the seventh tallest mountain of the world- Dhaulagiri also known to the world as White Mountain. It stands tall at 8167 m above sea level.
Along with the Dhaulagiri mountain range, we will also have the magical views of lesser-known Nepali Peaks including Sita Chuchura, Gurja Himal, Manapathi Peak, Tukuche Peak, Chhonbarban Glacier, Thapa Peak, Dhampus Peak, Mukut Himal, Tashi Kang peak, and many more.
The initial route to the Dhaulagiri circuit begins from Kathmandu and Beni where the good road ends and continues on a dirt road to the remote village of Babiachaur from where the trek begins. Then we pass and spend nights in several small remote villages inhabited by the indigenous tribes of Gurungs and Magars.
We will get the real-life experience of the lifestyle, customs, culture, and traditions of these people. Engaged in mainly agriculture, the extensive rice terraces set by these people often welcome us in the village. The second part of the trek now takes us through jungle-like forests with many tropical plants and bamboo. Waterfalls come down everywhere in the dense and humid jungle.
Then as we reach the Swiss Base Camp, everything changes and we enter the difficult terrain between spectacular gorges. We will then pass through the Italian Base Camp and Japanese Base Camp to arrive at the Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
From the Base Camp, we move on to tackle the most challenging French Pass which is the crucial part of the entire Dhaulagiri trek. After passing the French Pass, we reach a spectacular plateau that leads us to the Hidden Valley and Dhampus Pass. From Dhampus Pass, we descend to the Kali Gandaki valley of Marpha and drive to Pokhara and Kathmandu.
Since we will be passing two important high altitude Passes, good acclimatization is of the utmost importance. We therefore allocate sufficient time for this. We will stay a day in both the Italian Base Camp and the Dhaulagiri Base Camp to acclimatize.
Our Dhaulagiri trek begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Beni from where the trekking route begins. The days ahead will take us along the Myagdi Khola River crossing several villages of Babiachaur, Dharapani, Muri, Boghara, and Dobang.
The route now becomes more challenging culminating in the Italian base camp. Passing the Glacier Base Camp, we arrive at the main base camp of Dhaulagiri. A day of rest at the base camp then we move on to cross the highest point of the trek, French Pass. Then we cross the Dhampus Pass and descend to Marpha from where we drive to Pokhara and return to Kathmandu.
You can cutomize this trip as per your requirements if met the proper guidelines.
Trekking to Dhaulagiri is recommended in spring from March to May and autumn from September to November. The stable weather conditions reduce climate-related risks, and the dry weather in these seasons provides a greater chance of enjoying a beautiful day during the trek.
The months of June to August are not ideal because of the monsoon. From December to February, it is very cold and you may not be able to cross the passes due to snowfall. Temperatures can drop to -30 degrees C during this period.
The Dhaulagiri trek is a remarkable opportunity to reach the base of the seventh highest peak in the world- Dhaulagiri erected at 8167 m above sea level. During the entire trek, we reach the highest point at French Pass which stands tall at 5360 m above sea level.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a 180 km hike that begins from the small village of Beni. The village is located 303 km west of the capital and serves as the starting point for Dhaulagiri’s adventure.
On our 20-day itinerary, we will hike for 14 days covering around 16 km each day walking 5 to 7 hours per day.
This trek is a multiday high-altitude trek in which you will traverse through several lesser-known remote villages of Nepal and hike for 5 to 7 hours a day. The entire trek involves a gradual and steep climb and descends through some narrow paths, crossing hanging bridges and streams. The trail is therefore slightly more challenging than the famous Annapurna or Everest Trail.
Therefore, most of the days, you will hike for long hours but sometimes the hiking duration can only be 5 hours like on day 4, day 6, day 8 day 9, and day 17. among these, the day 17 trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha is the easiest one.
The most difficult walk will be on day 15 when you hike for 7 to 8 hours to tackle the highest elevation of French Pass to reach Hidden Valley.
The Dhaulagiri Trek is one of the tough and challenging treks of Nepal that comes with certain risks. The first risk is that of high altitude and thin air for which proper rest and acclimatization are necessary. So we have three rest days: first at Kathmandu, second at Italian Base Camp, and third at Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
The second risk is that of difficult hiking terrain through dense forests and alpine landscapes. The third difficulty that this trek presents is the lack of stable shelters such as lodges or tea houses that other famous treks have.
So be prepared to spend nights in tented camps surrounded by some of the tallest snowy giants. In short, the Dhaulagiri circuit is not a quiet Tea House Trek like those of Annapurna or Everest, but rather it has a more demanding and risky point that you have to be aware of.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek is not for beginner trekkers or first-time visitors to Nepal, but those with more experience will find the rewards high. The ascent to French Pass and Dhampus Pass requires basic mountaineering skills, such as knowledge of using ice axes and crampons. Three days in a row are spent trekking on snow above 5,000 m, with no easy descent. Adding to the challenge is the cold, as this is a camping hike, there are no cozy shelters to retreat to at night.
If you wish to join the Dhaulagiri trek, you must be prepared to spend a few nights in camps from the Swiss base camp to above Marpha, facing sometimes difficult weather conditions. You should also be able to hike for long hours walking through some narrow mountainous trails and crossing high-altitude Passes.
Therefore, to tackle this trek, good adaptation, physical training, and mountaineering knowledge are essential. Engage in consistent walking, stretching, squatting, lunges, jogging, and high-altitude training.
If you think the itinerary of this trek is quite long and challenging for you, then you can take the alternate approach to the Dhaulagiri trek. The second approach will take you to the Dhaulagiri South Base Camp skipping the need to cross the High Passes. In this itinerary, you will drive to Beni and trek to Ghyasikharka, Phedi Camp, Odar Camp then to Dhaulagiri South Base Camp.
Our Dhaulagiri trek is no doubt a high-altitude trek. From day 9 you will be at an altitude of more than 3000 m. you will then continuously gain elevation as the trek days progress ultimately reaching more than 5000 m at French Pass. Therefore, the probability of altitude sickness is high in this trek.
Even if you are an experienced trekker, you may feel moderate symptoms including headache, nausea, loss of sleep, and difficulty breathing. In such a case, descending to the elevation where you were comfortable can be the best measure.
Drinking plenty of water, walking slowly, avoiding smoking and alcohol, and proper use of rest days are some best preventive measures against altitude sickness.
We look after all your needs during the Dhaulagiri Trek including transportation, accommodation, meals, and drinks. On your arrival and departure days in Nepal, we provide airport transfer to and from the hotel in a private vehicle.
As our trip starts, we will drive you to Beni from Kathmandu and Marpha to Pokhara on a public bus. At an additional cost, we can also arrange for private transportation. From Pokhara, we will drive you on a tourist bus to Kathmandu, if you wish, you can also take a small flight to Kathmandu at an extra fee.
Our tour includes free breakfast in Kathmandu and Pokhara and full meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and tea or coffee) during the trek. The food along the way is simple but good: noodle soup, dal bhat, spaghetti, fried rice, etc.
When we camp, our team will provide a healthy and nutritious meal. There is also always hot water and tea available.
The Dhaulagiri trek takes you to some of the remotest settings of Nepal. There are not many stable and well-developed lodges or tea houses along the route. Therefore, do not expect regular uninterrupted communication or Internet or wifi facilities in this trek.
However, the local NCELL and NTC networks have extended their coverage in almost all villages of Nepal. But as you gain elevation and reach the top of the Pass or stay at Base Camps, there may not be mobile networks at all. We have satellite phones for emergency usage.
As for WIFI, there are tea houses that provide WIFI or internet facilities but the price can be quite high in comparison to Annapurna or Everest. However, the connections may be unreliable and slow.
Likewise, we advise you to carry power banks for charging your devices when staying at camps. At lodges, you can charge your devices with the usage of a simple adapter at an extra cost.
You will need a TIMS card ($10) and an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) (USD 20). We will organize these permits for you and the cost is included in our service.
Our Dhaulagiri trek will take you through the wild routes of Nepal that run through a remote and rarely visited territory by tourists. We will walk through the gorge along the Chonbarden Glacier and the Hidden Valley.
We will pass through numerous traditional Magar villages, with terraced fields that rise along the Myagdi River to the subtropical forest zone. We will then hike through a zone of alpine landscape that turns into narrow mountain gorges, glaciers, and high snow-capped passes, surrounded by magnificent views of the harsh peaks of the Himalayas.
Then we will move on to cross the challenging sections of French Pass and Dhampus Pass. From the top of the French Pass, we will have a grand view of the Hidden Valley, the northern wall of Dhaulagiri, and the pointed peaks of seven thousand meter peaks on the other side.
We will spend the night in the snow of the Hidden Valley which will be an unforgettable experience in the Himalayas, where there are no villages for many kilometers around. We will taste some locally prepared apple brandy at Marpha and spend a pleasant evening in Pokhara.
This trip also allows us to take a one-day trip to Kathmandu Valley immersing in its cultural heritage.
Yes, we stay in camps when trekking to Dhaulagiri especially when arriving at Base Camps of Dhaulagiri, Japanese Camp, and Hidden Valley. Our teams will set up the camps for sleeping, latrine, and cooking.
Yes, we will not be entering any restricted zone so private trekking is possible. Please inform us with details of your preference so we can customize the trip for you.
Our 20-day Dhaulagiri trek costs USD 1985 per person. The cost is reduced when you join the larger group. We also provide a group discount if you bring your own group.
No, the route to the Dhaulagiri is one of the remote trails in Nepal with basic amenities available. We advise you to carry some cash in Nepali currency from Kathmandu.