Nepal

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

An exciting Trekking experience

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is an adventurous and challenging trek that takes you through some stunning glaciers and high snow-clad passes to the Dhaulagiri Base Camp, which might be a dream of any travel lover. The biggest achievement of Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is the trophy of crossing two high mountains passes, namely French pass at an elevation of 5,360 meters and Dhampus pass at an elevation of 5,234 meters.

The trek is not just about mountain passes and snow-clad peaks, but the richness in flora and faunas is a treasure that it holds within its jungle, hills, and unspoiled agricultural lands.

Our journey starts with a scenic drive to the villages of Darbang. From Darbang we start our trekking to Muri, Sibang to the Italian and Dhaulagiri Base camp. On the route, you pass the high mountain passes like French pass and Dhampus pass from where you descend to the Marpha and join the Annapurna Circuit route.

Destination: Dhaulagiri, Nepal
Trip Routes: Kathmandu - Darbang - Sibang - Naura Bhir - Lapche Kharka - Sallaghari - Italian Base Camp - Japanese Camp - Dhaulagiri Base Camp - Hidden Valley - Yak Kharaka - Jomsom - Pokhara - Kathmandu
Activities: Trekking and Sightseeing
Season: March to May and September to December

Group Size
2 - 12

19 days

5360m

Very Strenuous

Trans Alps Adventure

The Journey Begins Here

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive in Kathmandu (1300m)
Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, we receive you there and drive to the hotel.
Day 2 Kathmandu sightseeing
Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley including Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple and we make permit. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3 Kathmandu to Darbang (1100m)
We fly to Pokhara, then drive down into the Kali Gandaki Valley and up the tributary Myagdi Khola valley as far as Darbang situted at an altitude of approximately 1100 metres. We set up the first camp of the trip at Darbang.
Day 4 Trek to Sibang (1770m, 6/7 hours)
We set off trekking, passing through several villages en route to the ridge-top settlement of Dharapani. We have lunch here, then continue our trek via Takam to Sibang (1770m).
Day 5 Trek to Naura Bhir (1450m,7/8 hours)
Today, we trek to the large village of Muri where we stop for lunch , before continuing our ascent of the Myagdi Khola valley to Naura Bhir (1450m).
Day 6 Trek to Lapche Kharka (2000m, 7/8 hours)
We trek northwards, still following the Myagdi Khola, to the village of Baghara. We descend to the river before climbing again to the herders camp at Lapche Kharka (2000m).
Day 7 Trek to Sallaghari (2500m, 6/7 hours)
The trail continues climbing through forest to the open grazing area of Dobang. After lunch, continue to Sallaghari (2500m) where we make camp.
Day 8 Trek to Italian Base Camp (3660m, 4/5 hours)
Today, we trek through a forested area and across moraine to reach the area known as the ‘Italian Basecamp’ (3660m) where we make our camp below the stupendous west face of Dhaulagiri.
Day 9 Trek to Japanese Camp (4200m, 3/4 hours, 4km)
Continuing our ascent of the Myangdi Khola, we make the short but steep climb to our next camp known as ‘Japanese Camp’ or Chhonbardan Glacier Camp (4200m). There are great views of the Dhaulagiri peaks.
Day 10 At Japanese Camp
We are now above 4,000 metres and our next camp will be at 4700 metres so it is important that we include an acclimatisation day prior to going higher. A good day for resting and catching up with the laundry.
Day 11 Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4748m, 7/8 hours, 8km)
Today, we trek across moraine of the Dhaulagiri West Icefall to reach Dhaulagiri Basecamp (4748m) which we should reach in time for lunch. We set up camp here in a fantastic location completely surrounded by Himalayan peaks.
Day 12 Rest at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
After our significant recent height gain, we take a rest day here to help with our acclimatisation.
Day 13 Trek to Hidden Valley (5120m, 6/7 hours, 9km) via French Pass(5360m)
An early start, crossing moraine to eventually reach a ridge that takes us up to the easy-angled snow slopes leading to the French Pass (5360m). We cross the pass to reach the ‘Hidden Valley’ behind Dhaulagiri where we make camp at 5120 metres.
Day 14 At Hidden Valley
The Hidden Valley is a great place for a spot of exploration. This day also serves as a spare or contingency day in the case of delays up to this point.
Day 15 Trek to Yak Kharaka (3837m, 8/9 hours,14km) via Dhampus Pass
We climb back up to the level of the French Pass at the other end of the valley and then make the high traverse across to the slightly lower Dhampus Pass (5280m). Once over the pass, we descend steeply to our camp at Yak Kharka (3827m).
Day 16 Trek to Jomsom (2736m, 9km, 4/5 hours)
Today we descend 1000 metres to the floor of the Kali Gandaki Valley and the pretty village of Marpha (2667m) on the Annapurna Circuit. A short trek north then takes us to Jomsom (2736m), where we stay in a lodge.
Day 17 Jomsom to Pokhara
We take the exciting flight to Pokhara, where we check-in at a hotel and have the rest of the day to explore this picturesque lakeside town, with its spectacular Annapurna views.
Day 18 Pokhara to Kathmandu
We have a morning flight to Kathmandu, where we check-in at our hotel and have the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 19 Kathmandu Airport
Final complimentary airport transfers to the airport to get your flight back home.

This trip can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste, For more information please e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cost and dates

We do small group trek or private trip as your request.
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Useful Information

Tips & Resources

What's Included

Airport pickup and Departure
Trekking Permit and National Park fees
Teahouse accommodation during the trek
All ground transportation by bus and jeep
English speaking guide and necessary
Porters
Insurance and equipment for guide and porters

What's Excluded

Hotel in Kathmandu (if you like to book hotel by us, we use Nirvana Garden Hotel)
All meals during the trek
Emergency rescue evacuation
Personal expenses (phone calls, internet, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)

Equipment List

Waterproof jacket.
Waterproof trousers.
Fleece jacket.
Down jacket.
Fleece/sweater
Light-weight fleece or wool vests.
Long or short-sleeved shirt.
Warm hiking trousers.
Underwear.
Warm hat
Wide rimmed sun hat.
2 – 3 pairs good quality walking socks.
Warm gloves or mitts.
Large rucksack or Duffel bag.
Rucksack liner or thick bin bag.
Day sack.
Dark sunglasses.
High factor sun-cream.
Lip balm preferably with sun bloc.
Ear plugs.
Head torch/torch and spare batteries.
1 liter 2 water bottle.
Water purification kit.
Toiletries.
Small hand towel.
Toilet paper.

Useful Info

This trek can be redesigned or redeveloped as per your taste, For more information please e-mail us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Useful Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What preparations should I make before trekking?

It is always a good idea to involve yourself in doing physical exercises before trekking. Not that you have to be all athletic and muscular to trek. An average level of physical fitness will make the journey less stressful.

Is drinking water easily available?

Availability of drinking water is not the problem. The problem is the cost of it at higher altitude. As you gain height, the price of water rises up to 2-3$ per liter.An alternative way of getting drinking water is by having your water bottles filled in tea houses. Tea houses will provide you boiled water for about 1$ per liter. They are completely safe for drinking.

What kind of food is available during trekking?

Food is not of any concern while trekking. You will get all kinds of cuisines. For breakfast, tea houses will provide you with eggs cooked in your preferred style along with pan cakes, bread butter, roti, and so on.Various other dishes like pizza, pasta, momo, chowmein and many more are also available. The most preferred dish is Dal Bhaat. It is a typical Nepali meal. Rice is served with vegetable curry, lentils, tomato chutney and meat curry.

What are the risks associated with trekking?

Trekking is an extreme sport and does come with a lot of risks. Some unavoidable risks are avalanche, heavy rainfall, earthquake, landslide and other such natural calamities.You might fall and injure yourself or catch some viral flue. The deadliest risk of trekking is AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness. This sickness occurs when a great altitude is gained and the body fails to adjust to the changing pressures associated with it. Anyone can fall a victim of the sickness and if not treated in time, it can be fatal.

Do I need a guide/porter to trek?

There is no such hard and fast rule that you must have one. But it is highly advisable to travel with them. Some of the treks cannot be trekked without a guide most of them are the restricted ones.

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