DHAULAGIRI PASS TREK
DHAULAGIRI PASS TREK
The Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek, also known as the Dhaulagiri Pass Trek, is a challenging and exhilarating trekking adventure in the heart of the Himalayas. Situated in the western region of Nepal, the Dhaulagiri mountain range is the seventh highest mountain in the world, standing tall at 8,167 meters (26,795 feet).
The trek begins with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Beni, the starting point of the trek. From here, we follow the Myagdi Khola river gorge, passing through terraced fields, quaint villages, and lush forests. The trail gradually ascends, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
As we continue our journey, we reach the Italian Base Camp, where we take a well-deserved rest and acclimatize to the high altitude. From here, the trail becomes more challenging as we make our way to the Dhaulagiri Base Camp, located at an altitude of 4,740 meters (15,550 feet). This is a truly awe-inspiring location, surrounded by towering peaks and glaciers.
The highlight of the trek is crossing the challenging Dhaulagiri Pass, also known as the French Pass, which stands at an elevation of 5,360 meters (17,585 feet). This section requires some technical climbing skills and is not recommended for novice trekkers. However, for experienced climbers, it offers a thrilling and rewarding experience.
After crossing the pass, we descend into the hidden valley and continue our trek to the beautiful village of Marpha, famous for its apple orchards and traditional architecture. From here, we make our way back to Jomsom, where we catch a scenic flight back to Pokhara.
The Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is a physically demanding trek that requires a good level of fitness and previous trekking experience. The weather and trail conditions can be unpredictable, so it is important to be well-prepared with proper gear and equipment.
This trek not only offers stunning views of the Dhaulagiri mountain range but also provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the unique culture and traditions of the local communities. The warm hospitality of the villagers, coupled with the pristine beauty of the Himalayas, makes this trek a truly unforgettable experience.
So, if you are up for a challenging adventure and want to explore the hidden gems of the Himalayas, the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is the perfect choice for you. Embark on this journey and create memories that will last a lifetime.
ITINERARY
Day 1 : Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, our representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the vibrant streets of Kathmandu or simply relax and prepare for the trek.
Day 2 : Fly to Pokhara and drive to Darbang (1,100m) Duration: 7-9 hours.
We first fly to Pokhara and then drive down into the Kali Gandaki Valley and up the tributary of the Myagdi Khola valley until we reach Darbang where we will stay the night.
Day 3 : Trek from Darbang to Sibang (1,770m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we follow the trail for six to seven hours, passing several villages until we reach Dharapani that is situated on top of a ridge. We have lunch here and then continue through several villages and pass Takam Village before reaching Sibang where we stay the night.
Day 4 : Trek from Sibang to Naura Bhir (1,450m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we take the trail to the village of Muri where we stop for lunch and then continue our ascent of the Myagdi Khola Valley to Naura Bhir where we stay the night.
Day 5 : Trek from Naura Bhir to Lapche Kharka (2,000m) Duration: 7-8 hours.
Our trek today is of about seven to eight hours following the Myagdi Khola (river) until we reach Baghara Village. We descend down to the river before ascending to a herder’s camp at Lapche Kharka where we stay the night.
Day 6 : Trek from Lapche Kharka to Sallaghari (2,500m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today is another day of gaining altitude as we continue through forests and grazing lands around Dobang. After a lunch break we continue on to Sallaghari where we make camp for the night.
Day 7 : Trek to Italian Base Camp (3,660m) Duration: 4-5hours.
Today we trek for four to five hours and pass through and across a moraine until we reach the Italian Base Camp where we camp below the awesome west face of Dhaulagiri.
Day 8 : Trek from Italian Base Camp to Japanese Camp (4,200m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today we again ascend up the Myagdi Khola (river) with a steep ascent to Japanese Camp, also known as Chhonbardan Glacier Camp where we have incredible views of the numerous Dhaulagiri peaks. We will camp here the night.
Day 9 : Trek from Japanese Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,748m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Today’s trek is about seven to eight hours. We follow a trail across the Dhaulagiri moraine below the glacier until we reach Dhaulagiri Base Camp which will hopefully be before lunch if we leave early enough in the morning. Our camp here tonight is surrounded by Himalayan peaks – a breathtaking experience.
Day 10 : Rest and acclimatization at Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
It is essential that we take a break here and again acclimatize. Again, it is advisable to remain as active as possible.
Day 11 : Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley (5,120m) via French Pass (5,360m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
A six to seven hour trek is ahead of us today, and due to the higher altitude will be physically more demanding. We begin by crossing a moraine and then reach a ridge that heads up to the snowy slopes heading up to French Pass. We cross the pass and head into the Hidden Valley on the other side of Dhaulagiri where we make camp for the night.
Day 12 : Trek from French Pass to Yak Kharka (3,837m) via Dhampus Pass (5,280m) Duration: 6-7 hours.
Today we ascend back to the height of French Pass at the other end of the valley and then trek at this higher altitude to the slightly lower Dhampus Pass. Once through the pass we begin our descent to our overnight camp at Yak Kharka.
Day 13 : Trek from Dhampus Pass to Jomsom (2,736m) Duration: 5-6 hours.
Today the trail descends for about 1000 meters to the Kali Gandaki Valley and the attractive village of Marpha (2667m) that is on the Annapurna Circuit trekking trail.. After a short trek we reach Jomsom where we stay in a lodge for the night.
Day 14 : Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara & transfer to hotel; Duration: 30 minutes.
We fly above the mountainous terrain and head back on a scenic flight to Pokhara and check in to our hotel. We can either put our feet up and rest or stroll around the city shopping area, or alternatively sit beside Phew Tal (lake) and admire the distant Annapurna Mountains.
Day 15 : Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu; Duration: 25 minutes flight.
Our morning flight takes us back to Kathmandu where we will check-in at our hotel and then have time to wonder around the tourist area of Thamel catching up on some last-minute shopping.
Day 16 : Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport.
Your adventure comes to an end today – but your memories will last a lifetime! Our company representative will take you to the airport approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure and explore the most magnificent mountains of Nepal.
SERVICES
Costs Included In Your Package
- Airport picks up and transports by private Car/Jeep.
- Two Night's hotel accommodation In Kathmandu with breakfast (3 star Hotel)
- Transportation from Pokhara to Darbang by Local Jeep
- Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu flight with private airport transfer and domestic airport tax.
- Jomsom to Pokhara flight with private airport transfer and domestic airport tax.
- One Night hotel accommodation In Kathmandu with breakfast (3 star Hotel)
- All standard meals (lunch, dinners & breakfast) during the trek.
- Tent camp accommodation & food during the trek
- Best possible teahouses, lodge accommodation (generally twin share rooms)- during the trek
- Government licensed holder English speaking trek leader (10 or more trekkers an assistant guide) and porter to help carry your luggage.
- Strong, helpful Sherpa porters with proper safety equipment and walking equipment, his salary, food, accommodation, and insurance (one porter for two people).
- Guides and porters provided by Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions, including their meals, insurance, salary, lodging, transportation, and other necessary equipment
- All the required permits and paper works( Annapurna Conservation area Permit, TIMS etc)
- All government, local taxes, and official expenses
- Assistance in arranging rescue operations in case of complicated health conditions such as altitude sickness (funded by travel insurance)
- Souvenir - Sherpa Trekking & Expeditions t-shirt
- Use of sleeping bag, down jacket, duffel bag, and walking poles (if you don’t have your own, to be returned after the trip is completed).
- Sherpa Expedition and Trekking’s certificate of appreciation & completion after the successful trek
- Oxygen meter to check your pulse and oxygen saturation and heart rate twice daily (Very useful to check Altitude Mountain Sickness(AMS) symptoms) which will ensure your health during the trek.
Costs Exclude
- International airfares
- Nepal entry visa fee (easy to obtain the visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport – Kathmandu). $30 USD for 15-day, $50 USD for 30 Days, and $125 USD for 90 Days visa.
- Extra night’s accommodation in Kathmandu due to early arrival or late departure or early return from the trek.
- All the alcoholic and nonalcoholic, soup, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cocoa, mineral water, extra food, cold and hot drinks on trek ( i.e. those you choose to purchase along the way and during evenings in the tea houses)
- All desserts & sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
- Hot shower and battery charging at the tea houses.
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu & Pokhara
- Personal clothing and gear
- Travel insurance which has to cover emergency high-altitude rescue and evacuation (compulsory)
- Tips for guide and porters (recommended in our culture – and well deserved too!)
- Additional costs or delays caused by events beyond our control, for example, landslides, severe weather conditions, itinerary modification due to safety concerns, illness, change of government policies & strikes.
- All the costs and expenses which are not listed in "costs include" will be counted as exclusions.
EQUIPMENTS
The following information will give you some idea about what you need to bring for the trek. It is important you do not forget the essential items, as this will determine your comfort and safety on the trek. Equally important is that you do not burden yourself with unnecessary equipment on the trek.
- Sleeping Bag (Sherpa Teams will provide but need to return after completing the trip)
- Duffel Bag (Sherpa Teams will provide but need to return after completing the trip)
- Fleece jacket or pullover
- Waterproof windbreaker or windcheater
- Thermal underclothes
- Rain poncho
- Down jacket (Sherpa Teams will provide but need to return after completing the trip)
- Fleece or wool trousers
- Sun hat or scarf
- Trekking pants (two pairs)
- Mittens or woolen gloves
- Hiking socks (several pairs)
- Moisture-wicking shirts, including t-shirts
- Trekking shoes or boots with spare laces
- Flip-flops or sandals for relaxing in the evenings
- Underwear (several pairs)
- Swimsuit or swimming costume
- Sunglasses
- Headlamp or flashlight/torch
- Sleeping bag (Sherpa Teams can provide this for you)
- Trekking poles (if desired)
- Hiking backpack with a capacity of at least 40 liters
- Small lock for your backpack
- Reusable water bottles (at least two liters)
- Water purification tablets or filtration device
- Wash towel
- Basic first aid kit
Toiletries (tissues, toilet paper, moisturizer, lip balm, sunscreen, sanitary pads, hand sanitizer, nail clippers, a small mirror, toothbrush, toothpaste, glasses, contacts, etc.)
GOOD TO KNOW
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu. During the trek, we will be staying at lodges/ teahouses. You may not find comfort and better quality teahouses - without the attached bathroom at until you reach higher elevations, where the accommodation is more basic with bare necessities.
Meals during the trek
In Kathmandu, your hotel includes breakfast, whereas all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be provided during the trek. A staple food of these regions is potatoes, oats, buckwheat, Sherpa stew and Tibetan bread. Sherpa’s’ started farming potatoes when the first seeds were introduced to the region in the early 90s. There is a limited choice of food at higher elevations and except many potato dishes. Potatoes are high in carbohydrates – an excellent source of energy needed at high altitudes.
Transportation
We use a private car for sightseeing and for the airport to hotel pick and drop off. We use public transportation or local buses during the trek.
Physical fitness
This can be a challenging trek where you often have to walk 6-7 hours a day. You need past experience of hiking or trekking but if you have done any kind of trekking activities then it is always a plus! We have met people from all walks of life, shapes, and sizes who have completed the trek. The only difficult part is when altitude sickness strikes and the effect that it can have on your body. Before leaving for Nepal it is good if you can prepare yourself physically by increasing your stamina and oxygen intake.
Remember – The better prepared – the more enjoyable your trek!
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FAQS
What is the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a challenging and remote trekking route in the Dhaulagiri region of Nepal. It takes you around the Dhaulagiri massif, the seventh highest mountain in the world, and offers stunning views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.
How long does the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek take?
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek usually takes around 15-20 days to complete. This includes trekking through rugged terrain, crossing high passes, and acclimatization days.
What is the difficulty level of the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is considered a challenging trek due to its remote location, high altitude, and steep ascents and descents. Previous trekking experience and a good level of fitness are recommended.
What permits are required for the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?
To trek in the Dhaulagiri region, you will need to obtain the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) from the Nepal Tourism Board. These permits can be arranged through a trekking agency or in Kathmandu.
What is the best time to do the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?
The best time to do the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. These months offer stable weather, clear views, and favorable trekking conditions.
What is the accommodation like during the trek?
Accommodation during the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is in teahouses or lodges along the trail. These are basic but comfortable, providing a bed, blanket, and meals. However, as this trek is less popular than others, the availability of teahouses may be limited in some areas.
Is it possible to do the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek independently?
While it is possible to do the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek independently, it is recommended to hire a guide and/or porter for this trek. The route can be challenging to navigate, and having a guide can enhance safety and provide valuable insights into the local culture and environment.
Are there any altitude-related risks on the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?
As the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek involves crossing high passes, altitude sickness is a potential risk. It is important to acclimatize properly, stay hydrated, and ascend gradually to minimize the chances of altitude-related illnesses.
What equipment do I need for the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?
You will need to pack essential trekking gear, including sturdy trekking boots, warm clothing, a sleeping bag, a backpack, a waterproof jacket, trekking poles, and a first aid kit. It is also advisable to bring a good quality map or hire a guide who knows the route well.
Can I hire a guide and porter for the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?
Yes, it is possible to hire a guide and porter for the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. Hiring a guide can provide you with local knowledge and ensure your safety, while a porter can help carry your heavy backpack, allowing you to trek more comfortably.
Latest Traveller’s Reviews
Travel experiences of our clients who recently returned from their trips.
100%
Based On 21 Reviews
Zutu Ribi
United Kingdom
September 14, 2024
Outstanding Trek
Sherpa Expedition provided an outstanding experience on the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. Their guides were exceptionally knowledgeable and navigated the challenging terrain with skill and confidence. They offered insightful commentary about the region’s geography and culture, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the trek. The support staff was equally impressive, managing logistics seamlessly and ensuring our comfort at every turn. Their meticulous planning and dedication made the trek memorable. For a well-executed adventure, Sherpa Expedition is highly recommended.
Prynce Marius
Canada
August 26, 2024
Exceptional Service and Friendly Team
Our Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek with Sherpa Expedition was exceptional, thanks to their friendly and professional team. The guides were well-versed in the trail’s demands and provided valuable information about the stunning landscapes we encountered. Their friendly attitude and focus on safety made the trek enjoyable. The support staff’s efficient handling of all logistical aspects, from meals to accommodation, ensured a smooth journey. Their dedication to our comfort and satisfaction was evident throughout the trek. Sherpa Expedition truly excels in providing a superior trekking experience.
Eric Wood
Norway
August 5, 2024
Impeccable Organization and Care
Sherpa Expedition provided impeccable organization and care during our Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. The guides were highly skilled and knowledgeable, navigating the challenging route with ease and sharing insightful information about the trek and its surroundings. Their focus on our safety and comfort was reassuring. The support staff handled all logistics, including meals and accommodation, with great efficiency and attention to detail. Their dedication to ensuring a seamless and enjoyable trekking experience made our adventure exceptional. Sherpa Expedition is highly recommended for their excellent service.
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