Around Dhaulagiri trekking

About the Trip

‘Enjoy grand dramatic adventure trekking around world 7th high mountain range’

Highlights:

  • “Superb panorama of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalaya mountain range Enjoy dramatic adventure walking into remorseless fields of ice and glaciers. From low warm semi-tropical to cooler green hills to arctic freezing temperatures Lovely c
  • oniferous forest of tall rhododendron, oaks, blue pines, and silver fir trees
  •  Walk around the world 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri and crossing high scenic pass.
  •  On and off the beaten tracks away from mainstream trekking trails for a week” 

 Trek Previews:

Accommodation Mode:   Hotels in Kathmandu / Pokhara with camping on treks

Trekking Grade:                  Moderate and Adventurous to Demanding walks.

Area of Trekking:               Nepal Far West around Mygdi and Mustang district.

Highest altitude:                 On top French pass 5,360 m / 17, 585 feet high. 

Trek duration:                     11 nights and 12 days (drives and flight from Jomsom)

Total Trip:                             16 nights and 17 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)

Best Seasons for Around Dhaulagiri Trekking:

April and May and from September to November months, spring, and autumn/fall seasons. Springtime is much warmer and clear for views and walks, however cold morning and night time. 

September and October fine and clear day for views and walks, but cold in the morning and night time at above 2,000 m high. Chances of snow around high altitude beyond Bagar village can make the walk more challenging sometimes.

Introduction:

Around Dhaulagiri Trek, one of the most challenging and exciting adventure where walks takes you from low warm paddy fields to arctic zone landscapes, covered in ice and glaciers.

Mt. Dhaulagiri world 7th highest peaks that tower high above 8, 167 m and 26, 795 feet, Dhaulagiri with series of satellite peaks first ascent to the summit of Mt. Dhaulagiri-I by French and Swiss Expeditions with the support of Nepalese climbers.

Mt. Dhaulagiri a massive mountain range located Nepal Far North West that touches the boundaries of Mustang, Dolpo but the main peaks situated within Mygdi and Mustang districts.

Dhaulagiri can be seen from Pokhara valley also, along with Annapurna and Manaslu Himalayan range, however our adventure begins from scenic Pokhara city with an exciting overland journey to reach further west.

Trek starts from the rural farm town of Darbang, located within the west of Mygdi district on route to Mustang and Dhaulagiri base camp as well direction towards Dolpo via Dhorpatan.

From Dharbang farm village, the walk starts heading north following the Mygdi River upstream past several villages within cultivated farm terraces to reach the last village of Bagar, a small rural farm.

After Bagar adventure into remote corners of Mygdi district entering dense coniferous lined with tall rhododendron, blue pines and fir trees with some thick bamboo grooves.

Trek continues into lovely tree lines past a few temporary cattle herder’s shades and huts, and surprisingly lush green vegetation and tree lines disappear on reaching a vast field embedded with moraine and glaciers.  

The area known as the Italian camp located on the bottom of massif Dhaulagiri Southern flank, adventure carries on through ice-berg and glaciers towards one of our main highlights at Dhaulagiri base camp.

Enjoy glorious views of Dhaulagiri-I with its ice-fall that extends close to base camp where tented camp is set on level ground within rocky moraine, from here route leads to cross the highest point of the adventure over French Pass 5,360 m / 17, 585 feet high.

An exciting area at the world 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri base camp and a great place to experience within complete wilderness surrounded by an array of peaks. 

After a dramatic scenery of remorseless fields of ice and glaciers, continue climb towards French Pass to reach a wide and scenic Hidden Valley, a summer pasture where villagers from Mustang and Kaligandaki River Valley bring their herds of Yaks for grazing.

A beautiful spot for extra days at Hidden Valley enclosed and well hidden by a towering range of high peaks with views of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche in the south, Mane-Patti peaks in the west includes Dhampus / Thapa peaks towards the east.

Adventure slowly nears to an end as walk follows at the valley eastern rim to cross another Thapa / Dhampus pass overlooking fabulous views of the Annapurna Himalaya range in the east.

From the pass a long descend towards Kaligandaki River valley to reach at charming Marpha village, and back into green vegetation and tall tree lines, a pleasant and delightful place Marpha, populated by Thakali people the main tribe of Lower Mustang and Kaligandaki valley.

A perfect spot to complete our trek, next early morning a short drive leads to Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang district for scenic swift flight to reach at beautiful Pokhara, thus concluding our grand adventure and memorable experience Around Dhaulagiri Trek.  

Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.

Day 02: Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.

Day 03: Drive or fly to Pokhara 860 m - 06 hours journey (30 mins by air)

Day 04: Drive to Darbang 1,200 m via Beni 900 m -05 hrs.

Day 05: Trek to Riverside 1,700 m - 04 hrs. 

Day 06: Trek to Bagar 2, 375 m - 05 hrs. 

Day 07: Trek to Dovan 2, 600 m- 06 hrs. 

Day 08: Trek to Chartare / Bhaisi Kharka 3, 000 m-05 hrs.

Day 09: Trek to Pakhaban (Japanese Camp.) 3, 750 m - 05 hrs. 

Day 10: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp 4, 750 m - 06 hrs. 

Day 11: Trek to Hidden Valley 4,900 m via high French Pass 5, 360 m - 05 hrs.

Day 12: At Hidden Valley spare and free day for local hike and exploration.

Day 13: Trek to Yak Kharka 4,915 m vial Dhampus / Thapa Pass - 05 hrs. 

Day 14: Trek to Marpha 2,670 m for overnight stop - 04 hrs.

Day 15: Morning drive to Jomsom 2,715 m and fly to Pokhara 860 m.

Day 16: Drive / Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 17: Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound. 

Overview

Photos & Videos

Day to Day Itinerary

01

Arrival in Kathmandu airport 1,320 m and transfer to the hotel.
On arrival at Nepal international airport in Kathmandu, received by our staff for a short transfer to your hotels. Where hotels are located within the hub of Kathmandu around the Thamel area, an exciting and interesting location, on reaching your respective hotel check into your rooms and get refreshed. Meet a hotel lobby where our guide/leader will brief you with full information on the treks, local cultures, and other necessary details to make your stay in Nepal enjoyable. The evening group welcomes dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese restaurant along with local folk programs to entertain you while enjoying delicious meals.

02

Full day sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest.
In Kathmandu for guided full-day sightseeing tour around interesting old monuments world heritage sites. Where tour takes you to visit old Durbar Square (palace courtyard), ancient Buddhist Stupa of Swayambhunath, and the world largest dome/stupa of Bouddhanath with the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. After an enjoyable and fascinating tour back to the hotel with time for trek preparation for the next morning departure for Pokhara.

03

Drive or fly to Pokhara 860 m - 06 hours journey (30 mins by air)
Morning as given time for departure for Pokhara and as the size of a group board in a private car, coach, bus or taking tourist bus to reach scenic Pokhara city. Drive of 5-6 hours journey on 220 k.m road distance an interesting overland on the main country highway as ride lead past many farm villages and towns to reach Pokhara and then transfer to the respective hotel. Where most of the nice hotels situated by Phewa Lakeside with excellent views of Annapurna with Machhapuchare Himal the Fish Tail peak. Pokhara a renowned tourist city blessed with the natural beauty of high snow mountains of Annapurna and Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’ peak that reflects on the lakes of Phewa and Begnas. (By air from Kathmandu of 30 minutes flight to land at Pokhara airport)

04

Drive to Darbang via Beni 900 m - 04 hrs.
From Pokhara, another exciting drive towards Nepal Far West to reach Beni, headquarter town of Mygdi district where Dhaulagiri Himalaya is located. After Beni follow Mygdi River further west to Darbang, a small farm village located on route to our destination Dhaulagiri base and Hidden Valley, as well the starting point towards Dolpo via Dhorpatan, overnight in the best available local lodge and hotels.

05

Trek to Riverside 1,560 m - 04 hrs.
The first-day trek of the adventure begins following the raging Mygdi River with a short climb past several spread-out farm areas, as walk progress within low warm valley of sub-tropical climate to reach our overnight camp, by the bank of a river with the rest of the afternoon free where one can enjoy refreshing moment in the river or short walk around rural farm villages.

06

Trek to Bagar 2,375 m - 06 hrs.
After overnight camp amid jungle surroundings, as morning follows along the river for some time to reach the rural farm village of Jugepani, spending time here for lunch, where afternoon walks leads to a steep climb for an hour to a reach a high ridge covered within cool forest, and then head downhill to reach at Bagar, a small farm village overnight camp. Bagar the last village and human settlement for a week till our route joins on the popular Annapurna circuit trail at Lower Mustang area around Kaligandaki in Marpha.

07

Trek to Dovan 2,600 m - 06 hours.
Morning on leaving Bagar village, and then uphill walk in a cool rain forest of bamboo, oaks with blue pine trees, as climb heads higher to reach on top of a ridgeline far above Mygdi River. From the top, a steep descend on a narrow path in between dense forested area of rhododendron and pine tree lines to reach at Dovan for overnight camp, a small temporary settlement with few small shades with shops and a teahouse amid a forest surrounding.

08

Trek to Chartare / Bhainsi Kharka 3,000 m -05 hrs.
Enjoying overnight camp in the amidst forest surroundings, morning leads to cross an unstable wooden bridge above a small stream that joins with Mygdi River. And then walk leads within a dense forest of rhododendron, pines, firs, hemlocks, and oaks till you reach a place called Chartare or Bhaise Kharka, located in a small forest clearing within a summer grazing place for local domestic cattle.

09

Trek to Pakhaban 3,750 m - 05 hrs.
From here on into dry and arid mountainous terrain of ice, moraine, and glaciers, morning starts walking into the cool shade of coniferous forest, then reaching a wide glacial valley, where lush green vegetation and tree lines stops. This arctic terrain area called Italian camp, located right beneath the southwest ridge of massive Mt. Dhaulagiri, from here onwards into moraine and glaciers as route leads to a short climb to reach a near level small grassy field to set up overnight camp. This camp offers grand views of Putha Huinchuli, Manapathi, and of Dhaulagiri south flank, Pakhaban also called the Japanese camp facing huge wall of Tsaurabong Peak.

10

Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp 4,750 m - 06 hrs.
Today’s walk leads you on the very bottom of the world 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri base camp, from this camp where the route leads to a faint icy path within rocky moraine and glaciers. Walk cautiously and follow your guide as one has to make a safe route crisscrossing over great boulders of ice and frozen pond to reach finally at Dhaulagiri base camp. A rocky spot right beneath main Mt. Dhaulagiri and its massive ice-fall and glaciers, finding a near level ground and clearing rocks and stones set up the overnight camp with grand views of the towering Dhaulagiri mountain range.

11

Trek to Hidden Valley 4, 900 m via French Pass 5, 360 m.
After an overnight stop in a dramatic location close within ice and glaciers, enclosed by giant snow peaks, the morning walk starts heading close to the Tukuche peak as the route takes you to a steep climb for an hour to reach on the highest point of the adventure at French Pass. The pass at above 5, 360 m high facing super views of Mt. Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), Tukuche peak with Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m.), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m.) and Dhaulagiri IV (7,618 m.), includes Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal and Tashi Kang 5,386 m. From the top, a short descend to the base of French Pass on reaching a wide-open grass field at Hidden Valley for overnight camping.

12

At Hidden Valley spare and free day for local hike and exploration.
Enjoy a leisure day at Hidden Valley after several days of continuous walks, a perfect spot to enjoy a rest day and for a short hike around, a scenic valley enclosed within an amphitheater of snow-peaks.

13

Trek to Yak Kharka 4,915 m via Thapa pass 5,250 m - 05 hrs.
From here onward leaving the glacial valley to reach back into green vegetation and tall tree lines, morning starts heading at the end of Hidden valley eastern rim and then climb over Thapa or Dhampus pass at 5,250 m high. As climb reach on top of the pass enjoy fantastic panorama of Annapurna Himal with Nilgiris peaks in the east direction with Dhaulagiri and Tukuche in the south with Thapa / Dhampus peak right above you. From the pass downhill to overnight camp at Yak Kharka also called as Alu bhari (potato field) during grazing time in summer, Yak herders make their camp here with temporary huts and shades growing potatoes. On reaching overnight camp back into green vegetation of Juniper, Burberry, and rhododendron bushes with views of snow-capped peaks.

14

Trek to Marpha 2,670 m for overnight stop - 04 hrs.
Today our trek ends on reaching a charming village in Marpha, a beautiful place where all houses are painted white, with neat stone-paved streets in the middle of the village with many good lodges for travelers comfort. Morning starts with easy descend heading further down through a forest of pine, firs, and rhododendron tall trees to reach in the center of Marpha village, and then check into a nice lodge. At Marpha celebrate last night dinner among trekking staff enjoying fun with local apple products such as apple cider, brandy, and juice as the Kaligandaki region famous for delicious apples.

15

Morning drive to Jomsom 2,715 m and fly to Pokhara 860 m.
Morning having early breakfast and then a short walk to Jomsom airport to board in a small airplane (Dornier or Twin Otter), where short flight reaches you at a beautiful city in Pokhara. From Pokhara airport, a short drive to your hotel near the Phewa Lake-side with free afternoon for individual activities, while in Pokhara as time permitting one can join in for an hour Para-Gliding, Ultra-Light Flight or Zip-Flyer, or spend the afternoon taking a boat ride on calm serene Fewa Lake.

16

Drive / Fly to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
After a pleasant stop in beautiful Pokhara with fabulous views of Annapurna Himalaya, then having hearty early breakfast travel by overland on the same scenic and interesting highway past farm villages and towns. As the ride continues following Trisuli River for some time and then on winding uphill to reach into Kathmandu valley, and back into hustle and bustle city life after checking into your hotel, with time in the afternoon for individual activities and shopping. Evening enjoy last day farewell group dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurants with folk programs from various parts of Nepal to entertain you. (By air from Pokhara to Kathmandu of 30 minutes scenic flight)

17

Depart Nepal for international departure homeward bound.
Last and final day in Nepal in the country of amazing Himalaya blended with colorful culture, as per your time for international flight our staff, guide transfer you to the airport for final departures home-ward after a memorable experience and adventure on Around Dhaulagiri Trekking.

Included

What is Excluded?

  • Meals while in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
  • Accommodation in Kathmandu & Pokhara.
  • Porter (USD 13 per day) if necessary.
  • Your Travel insurance.
  • All kinds of drinks (Alcoholic, hot and cold drinks).
  • Tips for trekking staff and driver. (Tipping is expected).

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Around Dhaulagiri trekking

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