Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
Code: NPL-TRK-DCT
Description
In the northwestern part of Nepal shouldered by the majestic Himalayas lie the sublime Dhaulagiri Mountain and Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. A boulder of shimmering ice and snow rising to an elevation of 8,167m proclaiming its place as the seventh highest mountain in the world! A trail challenging and mesmerizing in equal parts hidden by the majestic mountain passes away from the congested journeys. The thrill of crossing two of the highest mountain passes in the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, namely French Pass at 5,360m and Dhampus Pass 5,244m is like no other.
Our Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek begins from Pokhara. The city of lakes sitting on the edge of majestic Himalayas gives a perfect teaser for everyone in search of their own adventure. The journey begins with a trek to Sibang from where we make our way towards the hamlet of Naura Bhir. Surrounded by dense forests, we make our way Lapche Kharka and then to Sallaghari. The trek to Italian Base Camp marks our entry to the altitude of 3,000m and we continue our journey towards Japanese Base Camp located at an altitude of 3,890m. Surrounded by the majestic Himalayas including Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), II (7,751m), III (7,715m), IV (7,661m), V (7,617m), Tukuche Peak (6,920m), and Annapurna I (8,091m), we take our first of three allocated rest days. We then head towards the Dhaulagiri Base Camp and although the pathways are arduous, the mesmerizing views erase all our fatigues. Taking the second rest day in the canopy of majestic Himalayas, we begin our journey towards Hidden Valley the next day. Reaching the highest point of the entire trek at French Pass 5,360m, we take our final rest day at Hidden Valley. The journey begins to wind down towards the town of Jomsom after one final ascent to reach Dhampus Pass at an altitude of 5,244m where the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek finally heads to Pokhara and settles there.
A Himalayan adventure like the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek often needs to be planned carefully and minutely with great attention to little detail and so much more in the case of ones that are labeled as arduous. We, here at Epic Adventure Treks, for the last decade, have been accompanying adventurers to the Himalayas with total success and satisfaction.
| DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION | TIA Kathmandu |
| DIFFICULTY LEVEL | Medium/Hard |
| HIGHEST ALTITUDE | 5360 m |
| COST INCLUDES |
|
| COST EXCLUDES |
|
Important Note: Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Epic Adventures. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails traveling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.
Itinerary
1
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft.)
Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, we will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. Overnight at a 3-star hotel.
2
Day 2: Fly or drive to Pokhara (823m/2,700ft) (flight at extra cost): 30 minutes flight.
Today you will leave Kathmandu and proceed towards Pokhara. You have an option to either fly or drive in order to reach Pokhara. On your by-road trail to Pokhara, you will follow two major rivers on your way: Trishuli and Marsayangdi. Similarly, you will pass by many rice fields. On the flight, you will enjoy a 20-minute aerial view of high mountains and hills until you land in Pokhara. Upon reaching Pokhara, feel free to enjoy the natural beauty all around you. Pokhara possesses many lakes and distinct views of the Himalayas. Overnight in Pokhara.
3
Day 3: Trek to Sibang (1770m.)6 to 7 hrs. walk
First, you will drive to Darbang with a view of Kali Gandaki River as you move along the forest. From Darbang, you will start your trek to Sibang. You will gradually ascend on a riverbed, then crossing the bridge over Dang Khola, you enter a forested trail that takes you to the Magar village of Dharapani. Continue the trek through the lush forest with a view of Gurja Himal (7193m) and climb uphill to reach Sibang. First glimpses of Dhaulagiri (8167m) start to appear from Sibang. Overnight in Sibang.
4
Day 4: Trek to Naura Bhir (1450m.) 6 to 7 hrs. Walk
You will descend to Ghatti Khola, leaving Sibang behind. Then you will climb up to the Magar village of Muri where Myagdi and Dhara Rivers meet. Now, you will continue to trek crossing the bridge over Mudi Khola and descend through the terraced farm fields and sparse settlements before arriving in Naura village. Overnight in Naura.
5
Day 5: Trek to Lapche Kharka (2000m.) 7 to 8 hrs. walk
You will follow the trails of Myagdi Khola on a steep trail to reach Bagar, from where you will follow the up and down trail leading to Jetlung. You will then descend through steep stone paths on a ridge above Myagdi Khola to reach Lapche Kharka. The trails although remote provide a beautiful panorama of the Manapathi Himal (6380m) and the Dhaulagiri range. Overnight in Lapche Kharka.
6
Day 6: Trek to Sallaghari (2500m.) 6 to 7 hrs. walk
Today you will walk along a quite trail through the forest. There are no human settlements on the way, so you will be able to enjoy the soothing visual and sound of nature. Continue walking through the forest accompanied by the views of snow-clad peaks and climb along the ridge to arrive in Sallaghari, where Kunaban Khola and Myagdi hola meet. Overnight in Sallaghari.
7
Day 7: Trek to Italian Base Camp (3660m.) 4 to 5 hrs. walk.
Today you will trek through the alpine forests with a view of Jirbang (6062m), Manapathi (6380m), Tsaurabong (6395m), and the Dhaulagiri massif as you head on to Italian Base Camp. Crossing many wooden bridges over glacial streams, you will reach Italian Base Camp (3660m) via Puchhar Base Camp and American Base Camp. Here, you will find yourself surrounded by the Dhaulagiri massif and the peak of Dhaulagiri I (8167m) appears so near and surreal that it’s almost unbelievable. Overnight in Italian Base Camp.
8
Day 8: Trek to Japanese Camp (3890m.) 3 to 4 hrs. walk
Leaving behind Italian Base Camp, you will trek through the rocky area on a steep slope before crossing the glacial moraines. You will then reach a wide grassy area in a shallow ablation valley known as Japanese Base Camp (3890m). From this spot, you will be able to relish the whole range of Dhaulagiri Himal, which looks absolutely breathtaking. Overnight in Japanese Base Camp.
9
Day 9: Rest day at Japanese Camp
You will take this day off trekking for acclimatization. You can explore the base camp area and spend the day relishing the spectacular view of surrounding mountains. Enjoy a hot cup of coffee as you sit amid the spectacular peaks of the Dhaulagiri massif. Overnight in Japanese Base Camp.
10
Day 10: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4748m.) 7 to 8 hrs walk
Today is the most challenging day out of your entire journey as you will be walking on the glacier, sometimes on the lateral moraine and on the undulating surface of Chhongardan Glacier. As it is a challenging climb, you will slowly and carefully make your way up to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4748m). The base camp will give you the freedom to witnesses all the peaks of Dhaulagiri range along with an amazing icefall descending from the Dhaulagiri (8167m) and Tukuche Peak (6848m)ridgeline. Overnight in Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
11
Day 11: Rest at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Today, you will be taking a rest here in the base camp. As you will have gained a lot of altitude in very less period you will need to acclimatize. Enjoy the Himalayan climate and the enticing view of the gorgeous Dhaulagiri Mountains. Overnight in base camp.
12
Day 12: Trek to Hidden Valley (5120m,6 to7 hrs. Walk 9km) via French Pass(5360m)
You will continue to trek on the north side of Chhongardan Glacier, and gradually climb the steep hillside above the glacier. Following the zig-zag trail across moraines, you make your way up to French Pass (5360m) which gives a 360-degree view of surrounding mountain ranges. You then gently descend through snow slopes to finally reach the Hidden Valley. Overnight in Hidden Valley.
13
Day 13: Rest day at Hidden Valley
Rest day in the hidden valley for acclimatization. You can use this day to explore the outskirts of the Hidden Valley.
14
Day 14: Trek to Yak Kharaka (3837m,8 to9 hrs. Walk 14km) via Dhampus Pass (5244m)
You will trek to Yak Kharka via Dhampus Pass (5244m). To reach to Yak Kharka you will need to walk on a steep moraine path to first cross Dhampus Pass (5244m), which is the highest elevation reached during this trek. The pass is situated between Tukuche Peak (6920m) and Thapa Peak (6012m) and offers an alluring vista of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna mountain ranges. Then you will descend to Yak Kharka and camp on a wide pastureland.
15
Day 15: Trek to Jomsom (2736m, 9km, 4 to 5 hrs. walk)
After spending more than a week in the wilderness without a single human settlement, you will now descend from Yak Kharka to the apple capital of Marpha. A steep descend through the meadows and forests will bring you to Marpha, from where you will again ascend through apple orchards to reach Jomsom, which is famous for its strong winds. Overnight in Jomsom.
16
Day 16: Fly to Pokhara from Jomsom (35mins flight)
Today you will leave the windy town of Jomsom as you board your flight to Pokhara. The flight provides you an incredible aerial view of the mountains. The flight also takes you through Kali Gandaki Gorge, the deepest gorge in the world, providing you with a thrilling experience. Upon reaching Pokhara, you can hang out around Phewa Lake and enjoy the evening air. Overnight in Pokhara.
17
Day 17: Pokhara to Kathmandu: 6 hrs. drive
Bidding goodbye to the lake city, you will take an early morning flight to Kathmandu. The flight will give you a bird’s eye view of the different topographies of Nepal. In Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your hotel. Overnight at a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu.
18
Day 18: Departure
You will be escorted back to the airport for your further departures.
Reviews (0)
Related Tours
-
10 Days - 9 Night
Langtang valley trekking is also called the valley of glaciers trek.
-
-
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.