Among the most of trekking routes in Nepal, Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is one of the challenging adventures trekking situated in the Annapurna Region which takes the trekkers to the base of highest peak, Mount Dhaulagiri (8167m). Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek walks through snow-covered slopes, icy glaciers, and lateral moraine. Throughout the journey, the trekking route offers the splendid view of the majestic Dhaulagiri massif along with other mountain peaks that are above 7000m.
ITINERARY
On your arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be met by Sherpa Expedition and trekking staff and transferred to your respective hotels followed by a briefing regarding Dhaulagiri trek, hotels, lodges on the route and the dos and don’ts followed by an evening welcome dinner.
Overnight: Kathmandu View Hotel
Meals: Welcome dinner
Today, we will spend the day sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley with culture guide guide. You are driven to Pashupatinath, which is regarded as the holiest Hindu temple in Nepal and where pilgrims worship Lord Shiva (situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River), Bouddhanath, a Largenst Stupa with different architect and then on to Swayambhunath known as the Monkey Temple. From Swayambhunath driven to Kathmandu’s famous Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and located in front of the old royal palace. Upon arriving back at your hotel you may have time to do some last-minute shopping around Thamel – the tourist hub of Kathmandu. Back at your hotel your guide will help you prepare for your trek.
Overnight: Kathmandu View Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
After breakfast in the hotel we take a bus to the domestic terminal of Kathmandu Airport for the 45-minute flight to Pokhara. Here we board our transport for the 3 – 4-hour journey through a fascinating and lush landscape of emerald, green rice paddies and dense forest on the steeper and higher slopes. Travelling deeper into the Annapurrna Himal, we follow the Kali Gandakhi river to the town of Beni and then follow its tributary, the Myagdi Khola, passing several small settlements, to arrive at the small rural town of Darbang where we make our first camp. Approximate altitude of camp is 1100 metres. Overnight in Darbang.
Overnight: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Beginning our trek after breakfast, short easy walk we get to the riverbank at Phedi, after we cross the Danyga Kholaa on a big suspension bridge and start to climb up to Dharapani. It offers nice views of Dhaulagiri, Gurja Himal and Puta Hiunchuli to the west. After lunch at Dharapani (1200m) and then continue along the ridge to Sibang. Overnight in Sibang.
Overnight: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After a long descent to the Dar Khola, the path goes steep climb to Muri which takes approximately 2 hours. The Dar River flows from the west, in which direction lies The Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, which is the only hunting reserve in Nepal established in 1987. We follow the route towards the north along the Myagdi River. We will stop at Muri for lunch and afterwards we continue the trek, to a bridge crossing of the Mudi Khola. We pass through pretty farmland, terraced rice fields and isolated houses to the village of Naura. Overnight in Naura.
Overnight: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After breakfast, we continue walking through the Myagdi River to the larger settlement of Bagar (2080m). After lunch at Bagara the trail descends down to a small ridge then crosses forest to Jyardan, it is the last village in this valley and the last village that we will encounter until we arrive at Marpha. Descend a long, steep, slippery stone staircase into a deep bamboo and rhododendron forests to crazing field know as Lapche Kharka. Overnight at Lapche Kharka.
Overnight: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
After the breakfast, we continuing our gradual ascent on a spectacular alpine-style path, passing more grassy fields and arrive grazing area at Dobang. After lunch at Dobang we continue our journey crossing Konaban Khola, then climbing towards the Sallaghari. We will have west face of Dhaulagiri during the walk. Overnight in Sallaghari.
Overnight: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
We take an easy day today; it is just about 3-4 hours short walking. You’ll pass through beautiful forests trail and with the closer views of mountains panorama, where you will camp just in front of the West wall of the Dhaulagiri. Overnight in Italian Base Camp.
Overnight: Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Acclimatization day at Italian base camp, it is important that we include an acclimatization day before we reach over 4000m. A good day for resting, possible to make exploration walk above camp and enjoy the scenery and natural beauty. Overnight at tented camp.
After breakfast another short trek as we climb up above four thousand meters. The trail now crosses a rocky area then walk through first section of glacier, probably using a rope in couple of tricky spots while crossing the main glacier. The surroundings are spectacular, dominated by the impressive west face of Dhaulagiri I and massive rocky walls of Tsaurabong Peak on the other. Overnight in Glacier Camp or Japanese Camp.
We start early morning for the long and tough trek to Dhaulagiri Basecamp. Soon we follow the north side of the glacier passing to the smooth ice of the white part then climb steadily to the rough part before teaching to the basecamp. Tough walk but campsite offers the spectacular towering face of Dhaulagiri I (8167m) and to the west Dhaulagiri II (7751m), III (7715m) and IV (7618m). Overnight in Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
In the next day you will be crossing the pass into the Hidden Valley where you will be constantly at an altitude of over 5000m so it is important you will have rest. You can walk over the camp for spectacular views. Overnight in Dhaulagiri Basecamp.
We follow the Ghhondarban Glacier towards the north before steadily climb hillside above the glacier. We cross over the French Pass (5370m) the highest point of the trek; it offers a stunning 360-degree panorama of the surrounding mountain ranges including Sita Chuchura, the peaks of the Mukut Himal, Tashi Kang, Tukuche Peak, and the huge Dhaulagiri I. We descneds an easy trail into Hidden Valley. Overnight in Hidden Valley.
Another rest day or spare day in case of any problems affecting our schedule. Enjoy the surrounding Peaks and exploring around the valley. Overnight in Hidden Valley.
With the optional ascent of Dhampus Peak (6012m must be pre-registered), the trekking tour reaches its climax today. If the high-alpine adventure is not appealing, you can descend together with the porters from the pass directly to the day's destination, the Elevation Camp at 4950 m. Ü in the tent. (Walking times: Dhampus Peak: ascent approx. 5-6 hours, descent approx. 2-3 hours, 915 m↑, 1065 m↓; Dhampus Pass: approx. 5 hours, 260 m↑, 410 m↓).
We follow high- level alpine style travers path to the eastern end of Hidden Valley and climb up the Dhampus Pass, a spectacular crossing between the Thukuche and Thapa peaks, which overlooks the Kali Gandaki valley with the view of the Annapurna range and we can once again see Dhaulagiri I. Then rocky steeply descent leading to Yak Kharka. Overnight in Yak Kharka.
We continue our descent Kali Gandaki Valley, passing through first seasonal huts at Alubari(3400m) then to beautiful Thakali village Marpha (2667m) where we stop for Lunch. We take easy walk to Jomsom. Overnight in Jomsom.
Today 22-minute morning flight takes us to Pokhara from Jomsom. Once we arrived at Pokhara airport, we then drive to hotel. In the afternoon we will have sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley, which covers Fewa Lake, Devi’s waterfall, International Mountain Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave. Overnight at hotel.
Driver back to Kathmandu. 7 hrs drive. You can choose flight option which will take 24 min to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.
After breakfast (or depending your flight schedule) we transfer to the airport final departure or follow your next adventures trip.