Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek – 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu, meet your trek team. Following a briefing, you will have some free time to explore the city. There are some local eatery and you can visit some attractions like Boudhanath Stupa or Pashupatinath Temple. Overnight, you will prepare for trekking: the last gear check is done with your guide.

Tips:

• Acclimatize and rest.
• Drink plenty of water and skip alcohol on the first day.
• Essential information and items like passport, camera and money should be kept safe.

Our road trip starts today driving from Kathmandu to Beni. The road curves this way and that through terraced fields and small rustic villages, snow capped peaks a distant backdrop. Upon arriving in the town, you’ll have time to explore the town before starting our trek the next day.

Tips:

• Pack a snack and water for the drive.
• Bring a light jacket, as temperatures fluctuate on the drive.
• Make sure you have your camera on hand as you’ll pass some beautiful scenery en route.

Leaving Beni, the trek starts with a lovely short walk to Babichaur, after breakfast. The trail meanders along the banks of the Myagdi River, through verdant forests and farming communities. You’ll catch glimpses of the Dhaulagiri massif along the way, the changing landscape gradually taking you from subtropical to temperate. The trail is quite simple, providing you with ample time to get used to the pace of the trek. Upon our arrival in Babichaur, we will pitch our tents and have a wholesome meal. It is a wonderful spot to witness the rural Nepalese lifestyle, with homes, farms and community gatherings.

Tips:

• Be sure to take it easy, especially if you aren’t in the habit of moving at trekking speed.
• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day.
• Watch the road – picturesque villages and gorgeous landscapes abound between stops.

We begin our ascent towards Dharapani — the next larger village — through lush subtropical forests and idyllic villages along the way on today’s journey. There are some wooden bridges above the Myagdi River, and we can see breathtaking (When the local guides said we would get sight of rivers valleys, I thought blah… how much beauty there can be? Its a river, right? Not a damn ravine, so it should be less way nice, but blap, I remember the moment, I stopped and arched my neck back and said wow and here all the exhaustion and curse, all are gone.) views of the river valleys. As we walk, the landscape will change, terraced fields and dense vegetation typical of the lower Himalayan foothills. When we arrive in Dharapani, we’ll find a basic teahouse to rest for the night. From here, you’ll also have a great view of the surrounding mountains, and can recover for the days harder climb.

Tips:

• Wear strong comfortable shoes, as the trail can be slippery in places.
• Wear sunscreen, as the high-altitude sun can be punishing.
• If you feel some discomfort, be sure to take it easy so you do not get tired.

Today will be a long, steady climb as we make our way towards Muri, a small village that will be a true taste of rural life. The trail winds and switchbacks through oak and rhododendron forests before slowly ascending into the more remote part of the Dhaulagiri region. Located in the village of Muri, it is a quiet village with a few stone houses, and terraces and gives you the opportunity to meet the local people and experience their hospitality. The villagers are primarily subsistence farmers, so you’ll pass terraced fields of barley, millet and potatoes en route. After a day of rest, when we will prepare for what lies ahead, we will lock things down.

Tips:

• Take it slow to acclimatize to the elevation gain.
• Pack a healthy snack, as some stretches can take longer than anticipated.
• Spend some time relaxing in the local vibe of Muri.

Today we head higher through the forests and up the track to the village of Boghara, at a higher altitude. The difficulty is modest, with rocky sections on the trail that you will have to navigate. As you meander through this remote area, you’ll also notice the change in flora from dense forests to more alpine-type plants, another indicator that you’re steadily gaining altitude. The views of the far-off Dhaulagiri peaks become more spectacular, and we’ll have an opportunity to appreciate the unique Magar culture of the area. We’ll camp in Boghara, after a fulfilling day’s trek.

Tips:

• Watch out for the steep portions of the trail.
• Be sure to rest whenever you find yourself short of breath, especially now that we are gaining altitude.
• Have your camera out for incredible views of the surrounding mountains.

Today we take a bit of a tough day, walking through thick forests and steep parts to Doban. The route swoops through forest, alpine meadow and more. On the way, enjoy the scenic views of Dhaulagiri and its neighboring hillocks. Doban is the last peaceful resting place, and there are a few teahouses here where we will spend the night with a warm meal and prepare for the following ascent to Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Tips:

• Dressing in comfortable, breathable clothes is highly recommended, as the daytime will quickly induce perspiration.
• Don't rush the ascent as it will tire you out.
• Keep your chin up, because the views are worth it when you finally reach the summit.

Today is one of the most exciting day of the trek the way we are heading towards the Italian Base Camp. Hikes rarely exceed 1,000 meters, apart from the more challenging rocky, steep ascents and sections of alpine meadows. The Italian Base Camp is famous for the spectacular views of Dhaulagiri Glacier and the surrounding mountains, including Dhaulagiri I, Tukche, and Machapuchare. The camp is a fantastic place for photography, so bring your camera. We’ll be spending the night here to acclimatize to the high altitude before venturing deeper.

Tips:

• Acclimate to the high-altitude environment, which can be exhausting.
• Make sure you drink enough to not get dehydrated in the dry air.
• Take your time to acclimatize to the altitude.

Today’s hike is one of the amazing parts of the trek: the Dhaulagiri Base Camp. The climb is steep and demanding, but the views that you get along the way are more than worth the effort. When you arrive at base camp, you’ll enjoy an uninterrupted view of the Dhaulagiri Glacier, the surrounding peaks and the rugged landscape characteristic of the high Himalayas. At base camp, we’ll spend some time resting and soaking in the stunning mountain scenery. This is also the highest part of the trek, so be sure to take it slow, and make sure you’re hydrated.

Tips:

• Monitor your breathing as you come to the higher elevations.
• Do short breaks to avoid altitude sickness.
• It gets pretty cold at high altitude so bring plenty of warm clothing.

As such, today is an essential rest day to allow your body time to acclimatize properly at Dhaulagiri Base Camp. You may relax, take an exploration to surroundings, and amazing panoramic views of the mountains on this day. You can also hike further up to get a different perspective of the glacier and nearby peaks. This is a necessary rest day that helps ensure your safety and comfort before continuing with the trek.

Tips:

• Get as much rest as you can before the days ahead.
• Altitude sickness prevention is simple — stay hydrated.
• Take photos and enjoy the views — this is one of the most beautiful spots in the trek!

Today we tackle one of the tougher sections of the trek: the crossing of French Pass. It grants the exquisite views of the Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Tukuche Peak. The trek climbs to 5,360 meters at French Pass then down into the beautiful Hidden Valley where we camp for the night. After the long day of trekking, the Hidden Valley is an awesome place to unwind amongst magnificent mountains.

Tips:

• Be sure to layer up as temperatures can be frigid in the higher altitudes
• Altitude is something to watch out for, as French Pass is a bottleneck and a high point on the trail, which can give you altitude sickness.

Today we cross Thapa Pass, yet another 10000-plus foot mountain pass that gifts us some of the most incredible views of the peaks around. The trail has a steep up and down, but the views above are simply stunning. We continue our journey further down to Yak Kharka, where we will spend the night after crossing Thapa Pass. Yak Kharka is a beautiful spot, where yaks graze and you can see the mountains around.

Tips:

• Instead, take short breaks to acclimatize to the altitude.
• Slippery on the rocky parts!
• Be sure you have enough energy and water for the day’s hike.

We are starting to descend toward Jomsom, a larger village in the Mustang area, after a few challenging days of trekking. The trail climbs down into pretty surroundings of forest, river, and village, gradually descending. When we get to Jomsom, we can rest and rejoice that the hardest part of the trek is over. This is a wrap for the high-altitude trek, and you will have the chance to roam around Jomsom, unique in its Tibetan-influenced culture.

Tips:

• Savor the downfall — it’s easier on your body following those lengthy ascents.
• Despite only descending slightly, this is some fantastic scenery of the river valleys and villages, so keep the camera handy.
• Ensure you stay hydrated, particularly following the higher-altitude trekking.

We fly from Jomsom to Pokhara, where we will conclude our trek. Once you land in Pokhara, relax, stroll the lakeside, and visit the World Peace Pagoda or more. After dinner, you’ll have the evening free to celebrate a successful trek and swap stories with fellow trekkers.

Tips:

• After your trek take some time to bask in the beauty of Pokhara.
• Buy souvenir gifts to remind you of the trip.
• Take a good rest after an intense trek.