Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking

On arrival at Kathmandu International Airport, a representative from Vertex Holiday will receive you and assist you to your hotel. After checking into your rooms, you will meet other trek members at the hotel lobby for a briefing regarding the wonderful adventure Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking. A representative from Vertex Holiday will lead you to a welcome dinner program with folk dance and music.

The morning after breakfast, enjoy a tour of Kathmandu, where our city guide leads you on a short drive and walks to visit famous historical and religious monuments with old palaces. Most of them are listed as world heritage sites by UNESCO. After sightseeing, head back to the hotel for the final meeting and preparations for the Around Mt. Dhawalagiri trekking.

Drive to Pokhara either in private vehicles or in a tourist coach which departs every morning. Drive follows the Trisuli River for some time, then diverts west following the Marshyangdi River of Nepal. As the ride continues, the view of the Nepalese countryside with snow peaks of Manaslu, Lamjung, and Annapurna Himalaya can be seen.

After reaching Pokhara, transfer to the hotel then is time for a short walk around the Phewa Lakeside. Pokhara is a renowned tourist destination blessed with beautiful natural surroundings of the high Annapurna Himalaya range with serene lakes. (Option for a scenic flight to Pokhara from Kathmandu takes only 30 minutes but is not included in the cost of this itinerary)

Depart from the hotel in Pokhara after breakfast for another exciting drive that takes you west on a scenic highway to Beni, a confluence of the Kaligandaki and the Myagdi rivers. The drive offers grand views of the Annapurna range. From here, the off-road journey follows the Mygdi River to reach Darbang for our overnight stop. Check into the best available local lodge.

The first day of the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking begins following the raging Mygdi River. The walk leads through several smaller farm areas and hamlets and into the deep mixed forest to reach the bank of Myagdi River, a suitable spot to set our overnight camp. Then our guide and kitchen staff will provide afternoon tea followed by dinner in large dining tents, as per the group size.

From this isolated camping spot by the river, start the trek after breakfast. Route follows back into farm areas and smaller villages to reach Jugepani for a possible hot lunch stop. After lunch, a long afternoon walk starts with a steep climb for an hour to reach the high hill covered in thick forest.

Then the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking descends on a gradual winding path with downhill to overnight camp at Bagar, the village where the camp is set near a primary schoolyard. After setting up tents, exploring the village to catch a glimpse of the local traditional simple farm life and culture of western Nepal is optional.

After breakfast, walk further from this last village for a week till Marpha is reached. The climb passes through dense tree lines and vegetation, leaving the Myagdi River below. After an hour of the steep climb, head downhill on a small path to reach Dovan for overnight camp. An isolated spot surrounded by tall trees, a place with small tea shops and shades that provides shelter for some travelers, as well for our porters.

From here, the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking journey heads into the complete wilderness with some temporary shades of cow herders, crossing an unstable small bridge over a tributary stream that joins with the Mygdi River. After crossing, we head into dense forest pines, oaks, hemlock, fir, and rhododendron trees.

As the walk progresses on a pleasant forest path, reach a small hut of cattle herders at Chartare or Bhainse Kharka, also called Jungle Camp. Tents are pitched on a small clearing amidst dense forest surroundings, and enjoy the night with the sound of the forest.

Resume the trek on a nice pleasant trail within dense vegetation and tall tree lines. The forest ends up reaching an open area of moraine, rocks, ice, and glaciers called Italian Camp. From here, a path leads to crossing a vague glaciated path with a short climb to reach the other end with grassland, Pakhaban, or Japanese Camp for overnight camping.

After setting up the camp, it’s time to enjoy a view of Mt. Dhawalagiri South Face flank, Putha Hiunchuli, Manapathi, and a huge wall of Tsaurabong Peak. Way down below lies the glacier, which forms the raging Myagdi River that we had been following for many days.

From here, the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking passes through the fields of ice and glaciers to reach the base camp. The walk starts on an easy path for a while and then follows the rocky moraine route. After a strenuous day’s walk over the glacial section then finally reached Dhawalagiri base camp overnight, one of the highlights of the adventure.

Tents are set to find good level ground on this rocky area and in the close shade of main Mt. Dhaulagiri-I (8,167 m) and Ice Fall, which includes Tukuche peak close to Dhaulagiri. From the base camp views of the west peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m.), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m.), and Dhaulagiri IV (7,618 m.)

In the morning, after breakfast, head north walking on moraine and glaciers with a climb to reach on top of a ridge, which Is called the French Pass at the height of 5, 360m. It offers the view of a grand panorama of close surrounding peaks with Dhaulagiri North Face and Tukuche peaks.

After a scenic view and rest, we head down to the wide Hidden Valley for overnight camp. It is a walk of a few hours with an easy descent. Hidden Valley is a large summer pasture field for Yaks.

A well-deserved rest day, after many days of challenging and adventurous trekking, enjoy the free day exploring the grand surrounding scenery of peaks. Take a hike around for a few hours to catch more exciting views of the surrounding landscapes as well as a great mountain range that encircles the Hidden Valley.

After a wonderful time and refreshing rest day at Hidden Valley, the trek leads on a gradual path for a few hours towards the last high pass, Dhampus pass, at 5,250 m high. A short climb to reach the top offers grandeur views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche at a near distance with Annapurna range and Nilgiri peaks towards the east on the far side of Kaligandaki River Valley.

Enjoying the beautiful view, we head downhill to Yak Kharka, also known as Alu bari, where Yak herders often stay around this area during grazing seasons growing potatoes (Alu) and other high-altitude vegetables. Overnight at tented camp.

From Yak Kharka, start the trek with a long descent of 1,200 m to reach Kaligandaki river valley, where our adventurous trek ends at Mustang. After a long downhill, we reach Marpha, a charming village with white-painted houses, neatly paved streets, and well-maintained lodges.

At Marpha, celebrate the successful Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking with local apple products, including cider, brandy, and juice, as this region around Lower Mustang is famous for delicious apples.

The next day takes a short ride in local vehicles to reach Jomsom airport for a flight to Pokhara. Jomsom is the headquarters town of the Mustang region, with a small airstrip above the Kaligandaki River.

As per the flight schedule for Pokhara, we board a small aircraft for a short scenic flight of 20 minutes to beautiful Pokhara. During the flight, enjoy the view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna peaks. On landing at Pokhara airport, take a short drive to your hotel near the famous Phewa Lake.

The rest of the day is free for individual activities, or enjoy boating on the lake or hiking to Peace Stupa, located on the opposite hilltop side of the lake.

After breakfast, depart from Pokhara for an exciting and interesting drive to Kathmandu, as the journey heads on the main highway past many farm villages and towns. The drive follows the Trisuli River for some hours and then climbs to reach the suburb of Kathmandu valley.

Finally, the ride heads down to enter the hustle and bustle of the city life of Kathmandu and then transfer to your respective hotel. The rest of the afternoon is free for individual activities and shopping for souvenirs or enjoying rest with grand memories of the adventure on the high mountains of Annapurna Himalaya. (Flying options half-hour on-air to Kathmandu with a sweeping panorama of mountains)

Your last day in Nepal. A representative from Vertex Holiday will assist you to the airport for departure as per your scheduled flight.