Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek – 19 Days

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek provides a wilder experience on Nepal’s isolated and off-beaten trails. Dhaulagiri the seventh highest Peak nestled in the Western part of the country is bordered in the south by Tibet. On the East the majestic Annapurna Himalaya range with Annapurna I at 8,091 meters/26,545 feet. The Dhaulagiri I rise at an elevation of 7,000 meters / 22,970 feet. From the Kali Gandaki River 30 km to the southeast. The southern and western peaks rise over 4,000 meters / 13,120 feet. The south face consists of Gurja Himal.

Dhaulagiri comprise the Dhaulagiri II – 7,751 meters / 25,430 feet, Dhaulagiri III – 7,715 meters / 25,311 feet. Dhaulagiri IV – 7,661 meters / 25,135 feet, Dhaulagiri V – 7,618 meters / 24,992 feet. Churen Himal (Main) – 7,385 meters, Churen Himal (East) 7,371 meters, Churen Himal (West) – 7,371 meters, Dhaulagiri VI-7,268 meters/23,845 feet, Putha Hiunchuli (also known as Dhaulagiri VII)-7246 meters, Gurja Himal-7,193 meters/23,599 feet, False Junction Peak-7,150 meters/23,458 feet, Junction Peak-7,108 meters/23,320 feet, Peak Hawley-6,182 meters/20,282feet, Hiunchuli Patan-5,911 meters/19,185 feet.

Dhaulagiri Circuit trek takes you traversing across impenetrable and mysterious jungle, various river networks, high alpine meadows, barren valleys, high mountain passes, glaciers, and moraines with close-up views of several peaks over 8000 meters. A trek where you will sense the entirety of the landscape and then complement that with the people living there.

Overview

The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek is tough, challenging, and strenuous. The trek requires a high-level physical and mental fitness. Capturing your imagination this trek takes you to sections of Nepal, that international tourists rarely explore. Be a part of this adventure with the Alpine Club of Himalaya and bring full experience into trekking.

The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek starts with a scenic flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Upon reaching Pokhara head on a long drive towards Darbang. Next, move towards Sibang traversing across the lush hills covered with deep wilderness. Along this trail witness grand views of the Dhaulagiri massif, Gurja Himal, and Putha Hiunchuli. Following the Myagdi Khola Valley trails, trekking across terraced farms and sparse settlements reach the tiny village of Muri. Then crossing the impenetrable jungle high above the valley reach Boghara Village. Thereafter proceed towards Dobang Village following ridge sections, lush bamboo, and rhododendron forest.

From Dobang following the rapids of the mighty Myagdi Khola, crossing over wooden bridges and uneven trails reach the Italy Base Camp. From the camp witness grand views of the Himalayas. Dhaulagiri II (7,751m), Dhaulagiri III (7,715m), and Dhaulagiri V (7,618m) standing at its grandeur. The following day head for an acclimatization excursion to explore the base camp and visit the American Base Camp from here witnessing the marvelous views of the Dhaulagiri Massif. Next move towards Swiss Base Camp and eventually follow a narrow gorge surrounded by fragile rocky cliffs with sheer drops and head further to Japanese Base Camp.

Dhaulagiri Base Camp

Then, move to Dhaulagiri Base Camp trekking across the lateral moraine of the Dhaulagiri glacier. From the base camp witness extraordinary views of Dhaulagiri, Mana Pathi Peak, and other unnamed mountains and peaks surrounding the area. After exploring around the base camp and soaking in the grand views of the mountains during dawn and dusk head to the Hidden Valley on the other side of Dhaulagiri. The trek takes you crossing a high mountain French Pass providing a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain ranges. The following day crosses another pass of Dhampus Pass leading to Yak Kharka high alpine pastureland of the region.

Thereafter head to Jomsom. An ancient settlement perched on a hill on the banks of the kali Gandaki river basin. Upon reaching Jomsom explore the region and try various cuisines made of apples a delicacy of the region. Next, catch a picture flight to Pokhara and finally to Kathmandu.

Accommodation:

You will be accommodated in 3-star hotels in Kathmandu. During the trek, we will be staying at lodges/ teahouses providing basic facilities. At some locations, you will be staying in makeshift camps.

Meals and drinking water:

Along the Dhaulagiri Trek, you will be provided with various Nepali and Tibetan ethnic cuisines. The region has several tea-house along the trail run by local inhabitants providing basic and minimal facilities.

However, drinking water taps are accessible with natural water supplies all along the trekking trail that are untreated. So direct use of the water is not recommended. You may refill boiling water or cold filter water from any of the teahouses along the trail.

If you buy a water purification tablet, chlorine drops or utilize SODIS (sunlight assisted) filtration procedures for further assurance, saving money, and reducing plastic pollution.

Best Time to Visit?

The best season for trekking in Dhaulagiri Region is during autumn and spring.

The months of September, October, November, March, April, and May are the best time to visit. These months are better in terms of visibility and climate conditions.

During the autumn season, the months of September, October, and November are one of the best times for trekking in this region. The clear weather brings great visibility of the endless mountain ranges and lush green forest with warm temperatures. The nights are clear and are a perfect opportunity for stargazing.

The spring season of March, April, and May is also the best time to visit the Annapurna Region, the end of the winter season brings a change in the region, varieties of colorful blooming trees of the sub-alpine forest, high green pasture lands covered with wildflowers, mild temperatures, and clear weather. In this season you will witness herds of sheep and yaks grazing in the green high lands.

Monsoon season is not favorable as the weather gets harsh and it’s hard to get around the country, with frequent rainstorms and landslides. So, monsoon season is mostly avoided by trekkers.

In the winter season. Manaslu Region receives high snowfall covering most of the trails and making it impossible to travel for this reason.

Travel Insurance:

All clients participating in any activity must have travel insurance. Personal injury, death, hospital expenditures, repatriation fees, helicopter rescue. Any other disease covered by the insurance plan will be given. We highly advise you to acquire a comprehensive insurance plan from a trustworthy insurance company.

Passport and Visa:

Every client must have a valid passport from the return date with a 6 months prior validity by the Nepalese consulate in your country or immigration office at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu.

Important note:

Your safety is of paramount importance to us at the Alpine Club of Himalaya. We have the absolute authority to cancel the trip or change the itinerary, when deemed necessary or when we have reason to believe your safety is at stake. Weather conditions, the health condition of a group member, natural disasters, and such, can contribute to changes in the itinerary when traveling in remote mountainous regions. In these extreme situations, we kindly request that you offer your full co-operation to the trusted leader of the group appointed by the Alpine Club of Himalaya. However, we assure you that we will make every effort to keep to the above itinerary.