Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a long-distance walk around Mount Dhaulagiri that takes you on a journey of your lifetime. You will be walking on off beaten paths that pass through pasture lands, uninhabited valleys, colorful forests filled with various types of flora and fauna, etc.
Dhaulagiri massif is the world’s seven highest mountain above sea level with a height of 8167 m. It is situated in the Western Development Region and extends from Kaligandaki River to Bheri.
The massif was first climbed in 1960 by Swiss, Australian, and Nepali expedition. Along with its climb, this place is also famous for its circuit trek.
These circuit routes were discovered in the year 1950 by a group of french people. As you walk these trails it takes you through many glaciers, rich vegetation, and unique landscapes.
This Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is considered a challenging and strenuous walk through the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri regions. So, you should be physically as well as mentally fit while trekking in these routes.
You will be passing two major passes in this trek i.e. French Pass and Dhampus Pass. From the French Pass, the trails take you towards the beautiful Hidden Valley.
The people living in these regions are mostly Thakali but you can find other communities as well such as Gurung and Magar. The warm hospitality of these people is quite delightful.
There are not many tea-houses available on these routes so there are high chances you have to camp for most of the nights. This trek is also famous for camping.
You begin your journey by driving to Beni from Kathmandu then stay there for that night. From the next day, you start your trek and cross the two high passes. Then you head towards Jomsom and return back to Kathmandu.
Dhaulagiri circuit trek is still not as crowded as other trekking routes of this region. The highest point you reach during this trek is the French Pass.
Radiant Trek presents to you the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek itinerary that lasts for 17 days. You get to explore this circuit without missing out on any of the adventures. So take off a few days from your busy schedule and get ready to be lost in the beauty of mother nature.
Highlights of Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
- Camping in various places
- Visit the base of Mount Dhaulagiri
- Cross two high passes
- Visit the Hidden Valley
- View various mountains such as Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Annapurna, etc
- Learn about the tradition and culture of this region
- Explore the Dhaulagiri region
You may also like:
Today you begin your trek to Dhaulagiri Circuit as you head towards Beni from Kathmandu. The distance you will be covering is about 293 km. It is about 8 to 9 hours’ drive from here.
You will be traveling via Pokhara which is the gateway to various famous trekking routes. Viewing beautiful scenic views through Trishuli Highway you reach Pokhara.
From there, you head towards Beni taking the Baglung Highway. Along the way, you will see small streams, villages and enter the Kali Gandaki Valley.
Beni is a small and busy town situated at an altitude of 850 m above sea level. It is considered the gateway that leads to the Mustang District.
You stay the night in one of the lodges.
On your second day, you will be heading towards Babiachor which is about 4 to 5 hours walk.
You begin your trek by walking towards the west side on the banks of Myagdi Khola through small settlements such as Tatopani. Then from there, you will cross a bridge and walk on the south side of the river.
After walking for some time, you again cross a wooden bridge that leads to a small village nearby. From here, you walk on the north side of the river until you arrive at Babiachor.
Babiachor is situated at an altitude of 950 m above sea level. You will be staying in a tent for the night.
On your third day, you will be heading towards Dharapani which is about 6 to 7 hours walk.
As you walk in the trails, the valley starts to open up which makes the river visible on both sides. Walking in this trail you cross Dudh Khola and reach Ratorunga.
From here onwards, the valley starts to get narrow until you reach Dharapani. Dharapani is a beautiful village situated at an altitude of 1400 m above sea level.
You will be staying the night in a tent.
On your fourth day, you will be heading towards Muri which is about 4 to 5 hours walk.
The trek begins as you cross the river and walk towards Phedi from where you start ascending the trails until you reach the ridge.
As you keep heading forward in this ridge, you arrive Mattim. From here, you will be walking rough roads till Gattikhola and make a descent till you arrive at Phalaigaon.
Then you will cross Dhara Khola through a small wooden bridge and climb uphill till you reach Muri. It is situated at an altitude of 1850 m above sea level.
You will be staying the night in a tented camp.
On your fifth day, you will be heading towards Boghara which is about 6 to 7 hours walk.
You begin this trek by making a slight descent in the trails and crossing a small stream that leads to a terraced field. After that, you make a steep climb towards Ghorban Dhara viewing Mount Ghustung South.
Then you continue climbing in the paths along the banks of Naura River through a beautiful forest of Oaks and Pine trees. At the end of this forest, you climb up the trails using stone stairs and arrive at Boghara.
Boghara is situated at an altitude of 2100 m above sea level. You will stay the night in the tented camp.
On your sixth day, you will be heading towards Dobang which is about 5 to 6 hours walk.
You first descend these paths through open fields and reach Jyardan which is a small village that acts as a transit between these two villages. From here, you will be walking uneven paths and making an uphill climb towards Lipse.
Then you walk through lush green forests filled with colorful flowers, pines, birches, etc and reach Dobang.
Dobang is situated at an altitude of 2500 m above sea level. You will be staying the night in a tent.
On your seventh day, you will be heading towards Choriban Khola which is about 5 to 6 hours walk.
You begin this trek by crossing a wooden bridge that leads towards the colorful forests filled with Rhododendron, Pines, etc. From between the forest trees, you get to see the west side of Mount Dhaulagiri.
Then you make a descend till you reach Myagdi Khola and cross it with the help of a bridge and reach Chartare. From here onwards, you will climb through rocky paths until you arrive at Choriban Khola.
Choriban Khola is situated at an altitude of 3110 m above sea level. You will be staying the night in a tent.
On your eighth day, you will be heading towards Italian Base Camp which is about 7 to 8 hours walk.
You begin by heading out from the valley and entering the glacier paths that lie in the middle of Dhaulagiri Massif. Following the route, you reach the Chhonbardan Glacier. The view of the Tukuche peak looks astounding from here.
You will be walking many up and downhills before you reach the Italian Base Camp situated at an altitude of 3660 m above sea level.
You stay the night in a tent.
Today you will use this day to rest and let your body adjust according to the current environment. The air is thinner higher up so you can use this day to go on short hikes around the glaciers.
On your tenth day, you will be heading towards Glacier Camp which is about 6 to 7 hours walk.
You will wake up early this morning and head out if the weather is clear. This section is likely where stone falls. Also, you pass through small gorge till you arrive at Glacier Camp.
Glacier Camp is situated at an altitude of 4210 m above sea level. You stay in a tented camp for the night.
On your eleventh day, you will be heading towards Dhaulagiri Base Camp which is about 7 to 8 hours walk.
Today you will be reaching the base of the world’s seventh-highest mountain. You begin by taking an uphill climb and walking through uneven trails until you arrive at Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 4740 m above sea level. The mesmerizing view of Snowy mountain peaks such as Dhaulagiri I, Dhaulagiri II, etc is quite remarkable from here.
You will be staying the night in a tent.
On this trek, you have two acclimatization days to help your body adjust and prevent it from getting altitude sickness. You can explore the base camp or rest for the day.
On your thirteenth day, you will be heading towards Hidden valley via French Pass which is about 6 to 7 hours walk.
You begin your trek by making an ascend in the trails between terraced hills. Then you climb up through moraines and reach French Pass situated at an altitude of 5323 m above sea level.
From this pass, you get to view Mukut Himal, Tashi Kang, and Sita Chuchura. Then viewing these mountains you head in the trails until you arrive at Hidden Valley.
Hidden Valley is situated at an altitude of 5200 m above sea level. You stay the night in a tented camp.
On your fourteenth day, you head towards Yak Kharka crossing Dhampus Pass which is about 6 to 7 hours walk.
You make a descend from the valley to Dhampus Pass and enter lush green forests filled with beautiful vegetation of unique flora and fauna. Walking through trails you make a steep descent and reach Yak Kharka.
Yak Kharka is situated at an altitude of 3680 m above sea level. You stay the night in tented camp.
On your fifteenth day, you head towards Jomsom through the beautiful village of Marpha which is about 5 hours walk.
You walk downhill to the village of Marpha which is famous for selling alcohol made of apple. You can see many orchids of apples here. If you want then you can buy them here.
Then from here, you head north and reach Jomsom situated at an altitude of 2710 m. You will be staying for the night.
On your Sixteenth day, you head towards Pokhara which is about a 4 to 5 hours drive looking at the scenic views along the way.
Arriving Pokhara you have the rest of the day for yourself. You can visit tourist attraction sites or walk on the shores of Phewa Lake.
You stay the night in one of the hotels here.
Today is the last day of your trek, you will be heading back to Kathmandu which is about 6 to 7 hours drive from here.
Radiant trek hopes the information was helpful for you and you have an awesome trekking journey.
Write a Review