Booking is open for 2024 and 2025 for all tours and trekking in Nepal.
Dhaulagiri Trek
5/5 based on 37 reviews
Booking is open for 2024 and 2025 for all tours and trekking in Nepal.
5/5 based on 37 reviews
Trip Duration
20 Days
Group Sizes
1 - 16 People
Difficulty
Moderate
Max. Altitude
5360m
Activities
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.
Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, our guide will meet you and transfer you to the hotel we have booked for you. Rest in your room and have some refreshments. If you have time, in the evening you can roam around the streets of Kathmandu and dine in one of the finest restaurants.
Tomorrow we set off for our journey to Dhaulagiri, and today we will devote the day to preparation. Our guide will meet you at your hotel and explain to you the tour itinerary and safety precautions. He will also collect all your documents to arrange for necessary permits.
We will then take a short excursion of Kathmandu city- visit the Buddhist temple complex Boudhanath, explore the Swayambhunath Temple, Durbar Square, Pashupatinath Temple, and walk through the picturesque Garden of Dreams.
After breakfast, we will drive to Pokhara by local bus, and from there we will move to the village of Beni situated at the junction of two mountain rivers Kali Gandaki and Myagdi Khola.
The long road winds through green valleys, along the Trisuli and Marsyandi rivers. Halfway through Pokhara, there is a lunch stop in Mugling. After Pokhara, we drive a few more hours to Beni where we move into a lodge for our overnight stay.
Our first day of the trek to Dhaulagiri starts from today. Leaving Beni after breakfast, we will follow the northern shore of the Myagdi Khola and hike towards the west. We will pass several pleasing settlements of Beni Mangalghat, Singa, and Tatopani crossing numerous hanging bridges.
Further, we will move on to cross two more hanging bridges to arrive at Simalchaur. An hour’s hike from here and we will be at Babiachaur where we will stay for the night.
After breakfast, we will hike along flat rice terraces and wheat and millet fields. Shortly we will arrive at Shahashradhara where we will rest for a while. Then we will cross a suspension bridge over the Duk River and reach the agricultural village of Ratorunga.
Now we will ascend for a while and reach Dharapani with the first views of Dhaulagiri I and III and Churen Himal. We will spend the night in Dharapani today.
Leaving Dharapani, we will begin a short climb after which there will soon be a view of Takam (1670 meters) during the gradual descent. After Takam the path goes up and down and we reach the Sibang Village with the scenic views of Gurja Himal and Dhaulagiri.
We will now pass through the town of Mattim and go down to Gattikhola. After taking a short rest at Phalai Gaon, we will cross Dharakhola and reach the Myagdi River. We will take the steep climb to Muri, which is a town in the Magar community. The Kami, the low caste of the ironsmiths of the Magar population group, live here.
Leaving Muri, we follow a short and slippery descent and cross an old landslide area. From here we descend to cross the bridge and reach the Pass at 1607 m with an amazing view of Mt. Ghustung South. we will now go downhill to the valley of the Myagdi Khola. Further, we will traverse through the thick jungle and reach the small settlements of Mahatala and Naura.
Further, passing through thick jungles, we arrive at the villages of Mahatala and Naura. From here, the Boghara village is just an hour or two away. From Boghara, we can enjoy the grand view of Manapathi Peak and the entire Dhaulagiri range.
Today is a little shorter than the previous one in which we continue advancing through a landscape of closed jungle trapped in the Myagdi Khola valley. Crossing the small settlement of Jyardan, we will arrive at Dobang, a small village that no longer has a permanent character and whose residents leave when the rigors of winter arrive.
After breakfast, we head on to cross the wooden bridge and take the trail through the forest to reach the ridge that offers a panoramic view of Dhaulagiri I. After a short rest, we will go down to the Myagdi River. Crossing the river, we will reach Chartare from where we will reach Choriban Khola where we will set up the camp and rest for the night.
Our hike today continues across the Chhonbarban Glacier. We will have the opportunity to get close views of the Tukuche and Dhaulagiri I mountains. Our journey continues through the slippery route towards the Italian base camp which is located at 3660 m altitude. The Italian base camp offers views of the Dhaulagiri II, Dhaulagiri III, and Dhaulagiri V mountains. We will set up the camp, have our dinner, and rest for the night.
We will use this day to allow our body to adjust to the thin air of high altitude. We will spend the day exploring the Italian Base Camp, walking around the camp to the small ice cave. We will climb a small ridge and enjoy the magnificent view of the west face of Mount Dhaulagiri. If fortunate, we can even spot a herd of blue sheep jumping over a rocky cliff.
Today we face a difficult trek to the Japanese (Glacier) camp at an altitude of 4210 meters. The initial ascending path after leaving the Italian Base Camp will be steeper and slippery. Shortly we will reach the Swiss Base Camp from where the trail will be now relatively easier.
We still have to tackle some steep sections and a little later we will be at the flat rocky terrain. A few hours’ trek from here and we will arrive at the Glacier or Japanese Base Camp. it is located on a glacier moraine, in a valley between the slopes of five giant mountains – Sita Chuchura (6611 m), Dhaulagiri II (7751 m), Dhaulagiri III (7715 m), Dhaulagiri IV (7661 m), and Dhaulagiri V (7618 m). Near the camp, there is a small lake, and a little further on the slope, there is a waterfall.
Today, we will have one of the greatest moments of Dhaulagiri trekking, with absolutely spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri, especially the eight thousand, which rises imposingly and menacingly just above us. Our path progresses at all times on the glacier but crampons are not necessary. After about 7 hours of walking, we will arrive at Dhaulagiri Base Camp where we will stay for the night after setting up the camp.
Another spare day for proper acclimatization above 4500 m altitude. We can rest at the campsite enjoying the beautiful views of the icy giants or we can walk around the camp and prepare for the next day’s challenging hike.
We are on one of the key days of trekking, the one that will take us through the French Pass, at 5,360 meters high towards the Hidden Valley. The climb to the hill will take us about 3 to 4 hours, during which we will have to overcome just over 600 meters of positive slope. Along the route, we will continue to enjoy absolutely great views of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak.
The French Pass is the highest point of the entire Dhaulagiri trek and is the gateway to what will seem like another world. From the top, we can observe Mount Dhaulagiri range, Thapa Peak, Tukuche Peak, Dhampus Peak, Tashi Kang Peak, Mukut Himal, Sita Chuchure and many more.
After spending some time at the Pass, we descend the ridge for about 3 hours and reach Hidden Valley where we will establish our camp and spend the night.
We will get up early in the morning and climb to the foot of the Dhampus Pass (5244m). then after a steep climb, we will be at the top of the Pass from where we can witness the Tukuche, Dhampus Peak, and Annapurna range.
It’s time to go down to Yak Kharka for our overnight stay and some well-deserved rest.
Leaving Yak Kharka after breakfast, we gradually go down and return to civilization. After a 5-hour trek to the valley of the Kali Gandaki River, we find ourselves in the mountain village of Marpha, from which the road begins. We devote the rest of the day to relaxation and photo walks around the surrounding area. We stay overnight in a lodge in Marpha.
After breakfast, we will drive from Marpha to Pokhara to return to Kathmandu. After long tiring trek days, it is time to stretch our legs and enjoy the 7-hour long scenic drive with the impressive view of Nilgiri peak. Passing through the lush green vegetation, we will arrive at Pokhara where we can rest and treat ourselves to a hot shower, a cold beer, or anything you can think of.
After breakfast, we will leave Pokhara and drive to Kathmandu on a tourist bus along the gorgeous Trishuli River. At an additional price, you can also take a flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara. The rest of the evening is at your leisure, roam around the pubs of Thamel and indulge in the charming nightlife of the capital.
Time to leave for home. After your breakfast, our representative will pick you up from the hotel and drive you to the International airport for your departure home.
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.
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