Dhaulagiri Circuit and Base Camp Trek - 25 Days

Flying into Kathmandu on a crystal clear day is itself a truly breathtaking experience. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, & begin a whole sequence of memorable experiences that stay with you for a real long time. Upon arrival, a representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Our team will assist you with check-in process and provide an orientation about your daily activities. This will be your first overnight stay in the city of temples.

It is a day for Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley and trek preparation with making permit etc. We will arrange a professional tour guide for you and a private tourist vehicle with a driver to explore between monuments. The tour guide will take you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath Stupa, the historical and cultural sites you’ll visit today.

After completion of your day tour, you will be having meeting with your trek guide at our office/hotel. He will brief you about the Trek and all the essentials. The Thamel has many trekking gear shops, where you can buy missing gear in the late evening and get ready for the driving to Beni.

As you drive uphill out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You then follow the Marsyangdi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Sanctified with pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist’s paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites that include lakes, caves, and temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges.

The drive from here goes through uphill into a meandering road all the way to Naudanda. It then descends through a twisty road up to Nayapul with views of Annapurna South, Fish tail, green hills, terraces and villages. To reach Beni, your drive moves along the bank of Mardi River. This is one picturesque journey by road that most travelers enjoy. Stay overnight in Beni.

From Beni we officially begin our trekking journey, the trek begins by heading west along the north bank of the Myagdi Khola, following an easy trail through terraced fields and several small traditional villages. The route offers pleasant views of the river, surrounding hills, and rural life in the lower Mustang region. Near the village of Simalchour, we cross two suspension bridges and then return to the north bank of the river. From here, the trail continues gently to the welcoming village of Babichaur, where we conclude the day’s walk. Overnight stay at Babichaur.

The trail is wide, smooth and graveled till you reach Darbang. After you hike through a small town you cross a suspension bridge. You then hike a flat narrow path passing through terraces, traditional villages and then again you cross another suspension bridge. The trail is a gentle ascent from this point through sparse forest of rhododendron, pine and oak. After a

Couple of hours; you reach a green ridge surrounded by colorful villages, green hills and jungles. To reach Dharapani you need to follow a straight leveled path. Dharapani is quite a large village with traditional but big houses made of thatched straw, wood, tin and other materials found on the mountain itself. The local people are quite friendly down here. Stay overnight in Dharapani.

After descending and walking through villages, we go over a suspension bridge across the river when the trail leads uphill. The gentle ascending path continues through villages, sparse forest and terraces till you reach another ridge. You then trek gently along over a straight trail until you reach Muri. This is a small village. Should the weather be clear, you will get a glimpse of Manapathi peak and the whole Dhaulagiri range etc. Stay overnight in Muri.

Descend a gentle slope, and cross a rocky stream. Descend a path through terraced fields to Dhora khola. Cross the river and climb to the right up the mountainside to Ghorban dhara. The view from this pass is real good and for the first time you can see Ghustung south (6465m). Follow the right bank past Naura where you start to ascend the mountainside. After climbing for a short while, take a path that traverses the steep grass-covered hill. The Myagdi khola assumes a steep-walled V-shape as the traverse ends and a high, winding path climbs the steep, grassy slope.

The steep slope will need careful walking because it won’t tolerate any missteps but the path is well-constructed with a great number of zigzagging stone step paths. At last the long climb ends, and you traverse to the right-where you must also beware of mis-stepping and falling into the gorge of the Myagdi khola. Soon you descend through a wooded area, emerging to a ridge snout where bagara (2080m) is visible. Descend through terraced fields to this mountain village where you camp in people’s yards or the terraced fields. Its adventurous fun! Stay overnight in Baghar.

The trek from Bagar to Dobang marks a transition into a more remote and rugged landscape as we leave the villages behind. The trail becomes narrower and more challenging, following the river through dense forests and rocky terrain. After a demanding but rewarding walk, we arrive at Dobang. Overnight stay at Dobang.

The early part of the gentle ascending trail moves through forest of bamboo, pine trees and rhododendrons. After trekking for some hours gently where the route goes uphill and downhill respectively, you reach Sallaghari. This becomes our camping spot in between forest surrounded by pine trees at the bank of Myagdi River. Stay overnight in Sallaghari.

Which takes about six and half hours. The trail is covered by bamboo forest all the way to Italian Base Camp. At some points you cross small bridges and jungles and this makes the trail quite strenuous and difficult. There is an open field at Italian Base Camp. There are two small tea houses available hereabouts that provide a minimal supply of trekkers items. At this base camp, you experience breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri range, Manapathi peak, Dhaulagiri II among other unnamed peaks and mountains. Stay overnight at camp in Italian base camp.

After crossing the first glacier, probably using a rope at a couple of tricky spots, you climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings are spectacular which makes up for the rough and dangerous trail. You may also use a rope on this section. This is a particularly tough and challenging day. Stay overnight at camp in Glacier camp.

Soon the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white part of the glacier. You climb steadily to the rough and chilling but magnificent Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Stay overnight at camp in Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Getting off the glacier above the base camp often requires rope climbing. Once over the steep moraine walls we reach gentler, rather less arduous country. After a breathless climb to the top of French Col (5300m,) the views of Hidden Valley open out. The broad valley is evocative of Tibet and Ladakh and so are the temperatures (at least -20ºC at night). Stay overnight in Hidden Valley.

The trek from Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka crosses stark, high-altitude terrain with wide open views. The route traverses avalanche-prone slopes before beginning a steep descent toward Yak Kharka. Much of the day is spent walking through barren, wind-swept landscapes, giving a true sense of Himalayan wilderness. After a challenging day, we reach Yak Kharka for an overnight stay.

More steep descents lead to Marpha. The trail is not much covered with trees. En route you can see some yak herds and sheep herds as well. Marpha is a small town mainly inhabited by a mixed community of Buddhist and Hindus as well. You can visit a nearby monastery. In and around the monastery you can see the many walls and prayer flags fluttering in the mountain winds, whispering odes of prayer for the departed. Stay overnight in Marpha.

Your trail descends steeply through forests to Ghasa, the last Thakali village and the southern-most limit of Tibetan Buddhism. The starting point of the trail is stretched at an almost flat level up to Kalopani and then your trail begins descending steeply to Ghasa. The first part of the trek passes through a windy area covered with pine and rhododendron forests and birch trees are also seen. The surrounding area of Ghasa is a famous destination for bird watching and wild Marijuana. At this point you would be amazed with the bewildering views of Mount Nilgiri North (7061m.), Nilgiri Central (6940m.), and Nilgiri South (6839m.), Annapurna I (8091m.), Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) and Tukuche peak (6920m.). Stay overnight in Ghasa.

The trail descends steeply up to Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall) which is amazing to look at. The deepest gorge in the world is situated here between two mountains Annapurna I (8091m.) and Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) facing each other near Rukse Waterfall. Now the trail ascends slightly to Tatopani through different human settlements. You can enjoy the hot springs at Tatopani as the word ‘Tatopani’ is termed after the natural hot spring situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki River. It is popularly believed that taking a bath in the Hot Spring helps you get rid of skin diseases. Besides this, it also gives you physical and mental relaxation as well. Stay overnight in Tatopani.

Your trail goes through a flat level of the land for some distance. Then the trail begins ascending steeply for at least one hour. The path then goes up through different villages inhabited by people of different ethnic caste and who survive through the agricultural lands that they own. The majority of the people around here serve in the Nepalese and Indian armies as well. While trekking you cross through the Kali Gandaki River with stunning views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna range.

The trail ascends gently all the way to Ghorepani passing through small villages like Phalate, Chitre and picturesque landscapes. While trekking you pass through rhododendron forests and come across wild life such as monkeys and birds of various species. You are accompanied by more panoramic views of different mountains. Ghorepani (Water outlets for Horses) is a small pass near the village of Deurali. Although there is time enough to continue, it is better to stay here overnight so that you can make the morning trip to Poon Hill (3180m.) for an outstanding panorama of Dhaulagiri I,II,III,Iv, Tukuche peak, Dhampus peak, Nilgiri ranges, Annapurna I, Bahra Sikhar (Twelve peaks or renowned as French Fang), Annapurna South, Himchuli, Fishtail and Mardi Himal. The views you get from here are probably the best in the world. Not only this, Poon Hill is usually crowded by visitors from different parts of the world who throng here to enjoy the stunning landscapes seen from the sunrise and sunset over the snow-capped mountains. Stay overnight in Ghorepani.

Wake up early in the morning and climb up to Poon hill from where you can see the vast Dhaulagiri range that stretches right up to the Mustang Himalaya. Again walk down to the hotel and after breakfast walk uphill towards Tadapani. We climb with mountain views again through Rhododendron forest. After the top path goes along the ridge, the trail descends steeply through dense moss-covered forest rich with bird life. We then do a short early-morning climb to the Deurali pass for a spectacular panorama over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna and to Tadapani for beautiful sunset views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare. Stay overnight in Tadapani.

This is short trek. The trail descends steeply through dense damp forest, where you may see monkeys, and continues down over a series of rock-cut steps that follow a leaping stream. Arrive in Ghandrung and explore the maze like streets of this thriving Gurung Settlement. Stay overnight in Ghandruk.

First part of your trek is steeply down following stone staircase to Kimbu (Bee hive). Kimbu or Bee hive is located at the elevation of 1200 meters on the bank of Modi Khola. Now, your trail steeply ascends following the stone staircase up to Landruk. The trail ascends gently for early two hours and again ascends steeply for an hour to Deurali (2150m.) passing through Tolkha village (1850m.). From this point you can see panoramic view of Dhaulagiri I (8167m.), Annapurna South (7219m.), Hiunchuli (6441m.), Fishtail (6997m.), Annapurna III (7755m.), Annapurna IV (7525m.), Annapurna II (7937m.) and Lamjung Himal (6930m.). Now, the rest of the trail descends gently down to Dhampus passing through Pothana village (1900m.).

Your trail descends gradually for at least an hour and follows gravel road for two hours and then steeply descends to Phedi passing through Dhampus village, paddy fields and forest protected by local community. Upon your arrival at Dhampus Phedi, you take a vehicle to reach Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Mugling and Kurintar where Nepal’s first Cable car is operated to reach to the Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people happily engaged in their daily chores. From Naubishe, you climb up to Thankot, gateway to the capital city of Kathmandu. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

In the evening, we visit a well known Nepali kitchen for having a delicious Nepalese cuisine. While enjoying our dinner, we get entertained by a thrilling cultural dance performed by the local belles. This dinner is provided complimentary by Higher Limits Trek & Expedition for the good welfare of our guests. Stay overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.

As we have successfully completed the trip, it is time to return home or embark on your next journey. Even you can join our next adventures trips in the Himalayas if you wish too. If not, our airport team will take care of your airport escort and say you our last goodbye till the next adventure holidays.