Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek - 21 Days

At Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, received by View Nepal staff with transfer to respective hotels in the hub of Kathmandu city, after a rest and getting refreshed from jet lag. View Nepal guide / leader will brief on Around Dhaulagiri & Hidden Valley Trek including information on hotels, lodges on treks includes welcome dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurant with cultural environment.

Morning, we start this wonderful adventure to Around Dhaulagiri & Hidden Valley taking a scenic overland drive of near 6 hours to beautiful Pokhara city with its serene Phewa and Begnas Lakes where the high Annapurna Himalaya reflects on its pristine lakes. (Flying options of 30 mins panoramic flight to Pokhara)

From Pokhara, our journey continues on the drive to Beni town and beyond to a farming town at Darbang, the starting point of Dhaulagiri-Dhorpatan and Dolpo trekking. At Darbang time permitting we might walk for few hours to another overnight stop by the river to make the next day walk easier, or just stay at Darbang in a local lodge.

The first-day walk of this adventure starts with a climb over a steep ridge, walking past farm villages and then on a pleasant trail along Myagdi River, we follow the river right to its glacier source at Dhaulagiri base camp. After a good walk reaching our first overnight camp by the river, afternoon at leisure with rest or get cooled in the river.

Morning walk follows the river for short while reaching a farm village at Jugepani for a possible lunch stop after a rest then leading to a steep climb above a ridge and then downhill through a forest to camp at Bagar, a farm village. Bagar will be the last village till walk joins at popular Kaligandaki route at Marpha.

On leaving the last of farm fields at Bagar village walk into forest for an hour and then a climb into forested area of bamboo, oaks and rhododendron trees. After climb then descend to reach at Dovan for overnight camp, Dovan a small temporary settlement with small teahouse and shops.

From Dovan morning walk leads to an unstable wooden bridge over a stream at a confluence of Mygdi river, after crossing walking into the forest all the way to overnight stop at Chartare also called Bhainse Kharka.

After overnight in the middle of dense forest, today walk leads to complete wilderness on leaving the vegetation and tree lines for few days. Morning walk leads closer to Mt. Dhaulagiri South Face flank, with views of Putha Huinchuli, Manapathi, and Dhaulagiri south flank, after good hours of walk reaching a glaciated area on a clearing named as Italian camp. From here adventure begins as the walk leads on the glacier, moraine with a climb over the rocky ridge to reach Pakhaban also called Japanese camp. This camp offers super views of South West Face of Dhaulagiri and Manapathi, Puttha Hiunchuli with huge ice wall of Tsaurabong Peak.

Morning walk follows moraine and iceberg in some section, this morning climb needs a good team work with guides, porters and fellow members to be on right side of the trail over glaciated sections. After a tough walk over glacial section reaching a rocky open area around Dhaulagiri where base camp is located. Overnight camp at base camp the highlight of this adventure with closest view of world 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri I at 8,167 m, includes view of tumbling icefalls, glacier and Tukuche peak with West peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m.), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m.) and Dhaulagiri IV (7,618 m.).

From this unique and wonderful campsite morning walk leads to the highest point of the adventure over French pass at 5,360 meters. After the high pass a short descend to reach a wide grassy meadow a huge field at hidden valley for overnight camp. Offering views of Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal, and Tashi Kang 5,386 meters, Tukche Peak and Dhaulagiri I.

Today a rest and spare or contingency day in case of bad weather condition including physical conditions of members, staff and porters. If all goes well we can carry on to next camp to more safe and nice area to make the next day shorter towards Pokhara. On this day if are not moving just relax and enjoy the views and explore on this least trekked area around Hidden valley.

After a pleasant rest, morning starts on a gentle path for few hours to reach last pass of this adventure at Thapa also called Dhampus pass with 5,250 meters high. On reaching the pass with grand rare views of Annapurna Himal, Nilgiris peaks, and then our walk descend to Yak Kharka for overnight camp and back into green vegetation of Juniper, Burberry and rhododendron bushes.

Morning walk with long descend back into villages, after being in complete wilderness for past few days. Downhill walk into forest of firs, pines and rhododendron trees, after few hours of easy descend reaching at one of the charming village at Marpha where all houses are painted white, this gem of a village with an interesting monastery. Marpha located in lower Mustang district around Kaligandaki river valley, this area famous for delicious apples and product like cider, brandy local brew, juices, dry apples and apricot fruits. Enjoy the afternoon in the comfort of nice lodges and explore this beautiful village.

From Marpha an enjoyable walk following Kaligandaki river downstream, reaching Tukuche village, beneath Tukuche peak and Dhaulagiri with Mt. Nilgiris, from here back into tree line of pines, oaks and rhododendron, and then to a nice Kalapani village, after a short stop walk to another lovely village with grand views of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri, a short downhill brings at Lete village for overnight stop.

From Lete onwards leads to a dramatic change in landscapes, walking between two high peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna forming world deepest gorge. From Ghasa village a southern end of Mustang area, dominated by Thakali people and then heading at Tatopani (Hot Spring) village with sub-tropic climate. Tatopani another nice village with large hot spring pools just by the bank of the River Kaligandaki.

Morning walk leads across a bridge over Kaligandaki River and then our route diverts heading uphill on terraced hillside, dotted with farms and villages, after a steep section through dense alpine forest reaching at Chitre and to Ghorepani- village with super views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South and Vara-Shikar also known Annapurna Fang.

Morning an hour hike to Poon Hill at 3,210m, offering stunning sunrise over chain of mountains, including views of Mt. Machhapuchare “The Fish Tail”, after a wonderful time at Poon Hill, walk into rhododendron forest on gradual trail with long descend from Ulleri village to Tirkhedhunga for last overnight stop in the high hills of Himalaya.

From here, ending the last walk of the adventure trekking through farm villages and terraces and into warmer area, walk stops at Nayapul and then few hours’ drives to popular touristic spot of Nepal at Pokhara.

Morning a scenic drive to Kathmandu, after a wonderful memorable trip in the high mountains around Dhaulagiri & Hidden Valley, on reaching Kathmandu transfer to respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure. (option by air 30 minutes scenic flight to Kathmandu)

A free and leisure day in Kathmandu after an adventurous journey and tough trekking, on this day if interested book for sightseeing tour around places of interest in Kathmandu-Bhaktapur or Patan with rest of the day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs.

Today, last day in Nepal with great experience and fond memories of Around Dhaulagiri & Hidden Valley Trekking, as per your time for international flight, View Nepal staff transfer you to airport for your final departure homeward bound or to your next destinations.