Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek - 19 Days

Nepal trekking Path’s airport representative will meet you outside the terminal. They will transfer you to your hotel in a comfortable vehicle. If you arrive early, visit our office for the briefing of an upcoming trek but if there’s no time, our guides will provide the briefing during the drive to the hotel. Another perk of arriving early is the opportunity to explore the local market of Kathmandu. If you need to buy any trekking gear, we will help you with that too. Overnight stay at a cozy 3-star hotel.

It’s a long day so we will start early. Post breakfast, we will embark into our journey to Beni. An hour drive will take us out of the Kathmandu valley via Thangkot. Drive on the serpentine downhill road for around half an hour. Drive on the road dotted with small settlements and hotels alongside the Trishuli river. Driving through several villages, terraced farms, small streams, and raging rivers, we will reach Pokhara in around 7 hours. We will keep our option open; we can take rest in the hotel room or chill in the lakeside or explore the colorful local market. A delicious local dinner is followed by a rest in a cozy hotel.

Darbang is 44 KM away from Beni hence takes around 3 hours to reach. We will start by driving through the village then cross a rough road linking the main road. The road is dusty and bit rugged. Drive through small settlements, fields, and streams. We will finally reach our trailhead Darbang. The construction of the road between Pokhara and Beni has transformed this village into a small town with few lodges, shops, and tea houses. We will have lunch then take a brief rest before starting our trek. Follow the trail meandering above the Myagdi Khola, leading to the ridge. We can feel the change in weather right from here as it starts to get cooler. Walking on the ridge and passing a farm village, We will descend down to Myagdi Khola. A brief walk from here will take us to Riverside. The place offers an amazing view of Ghurja Himal and Putali Himal.

Catch the glimpse of snowy mountains while having the breakfast. A brief rest is followed by a walk on the route alongside terraced fields, small settlements, and ancient huts. Throughout the way, we will get a glimpse of mindblowing Dhaulagiri Himal Range. A downhill walk for around an hour will take us to Gatti Khola. Walk for two more hours on the uphill to reach route Bagar village. The village is set nearby the confluence of two raging rivers Dhara and Myagdi. It will take us merely six hours to reach route Bagar. We will spend the remaining time exploring the place.

Have breakfast and be prepared for 6 hours of trek. Start with a gradual descend passing through paddy fields alongside Dhora Khola then walk uphill leading to a small ridge. From the ridge, it’s a downhill walk. The route is dotted with farms, trees, forests, and hamlets. Upon reaching Bagar, check in to the lodge, freshen up then head out to enjoy the serenity the place has to offer.

Leaving behind this beautiful village, we will follow the trail meandering through the lush forest. Climb on the narrow path until reaching a ridge, walk for a bit then walk down the ridge to the open valley with small field amid the colorful forest housing rhododendron, pine, and firs trees. After a short hike from here we will arrive at ou today’s destination Dovan. This is a beautiful nomadic settlement with few temporary hut cartering basic services. Have local dinner cooked using the fresh ingredients before calling it a day.

A sound sleep in the middle of the wilderness of Dhaulagiri region will prepare us for our next day trek. Start the day with a delicious breakfast while enjoying the sound of the mightly flowing Myagdi River. This section of the trek starts with an easy trail before crossing a wooden bridge followed by a thrilling hike onto the woodland. A brief walk on the path meandering through the lush forest will take us to another stream. From here, climb gradually enjoying the vistas of Dhaulagiri I. Walk down to the Myagdi Khola then ascend towards Pakite Khola and cross it to reach Chartare. It will take us around five hours to reach Chartare which is also known as Bhainsi Kharka.

Have breakfast amid the dense forest enjoying the soothing sounds of birds tweeting and calming air. Leaving the dense forest behind, we will head to the open valley with rocky and ice moraine. For a few days, we won’t be able to see the vegetation again. Walking through the moraines and ice, we will reach the Italian Base Camp. A brief rest re-energize us for more steep climb on the rugged icy route leading to a ridge. A few ups and downs from here will take us to Pakhaban also called Japanese Camp. Throughout the way, we will get opportunity to witness the soaring Dhaulagiri, Putha Chuli and Manapathi. The camp is a scenic treat as it offers spectacular views of Tsaurabong Peak, Dhaulagiri along with other peaks.

One of the most important days of the trek has finally arrived. Today’s we will summit the Dhaulagiri Base Camp. A strenuous walk on the terrain of rocky and ice moraines fluctuating up and down will take us to the camp. The six hours walk passes through glaciated sections, rugged and rocky areas. Enjoy the vistas of this heavenly place and get an up-close glimpse of Dhaulagiri I, II, III and IV, Tukuche peak, glaciers, and icefalls. We will set a camp here and spend a night on the lap of sparkling Himalayans.

Wake up early in the morning, enjoy the vistas of beautiful simmering mountains while having hot breakfast. After a breathtaking day in the Base Camp, it time to head to explore another marvel of this region, Hidden Valley. Continue treading on the glacier and moraine in the initial hours. Follow the trail leading to a glaciated valley and the walk to the highest point of Dhaulagiri Round Trek, French Col at an elevation of 5,360 meters. The French Pass is decorated with colorful prayers flags and Lungta. An easy downhill walk from French Pass leads to Hidden Valley. The valley is set on the lap of massive hills and mountains.

After spending a blissful day discovering the Hidden Valley, we will embark into our today’s trek. It will take us around four hours to reach the Thapa Pass treading on the snowy path most of the time. While marching to Thapa Pass from Yak Kharka, we will get a glimpse of Nilgiri Himal and Tukuche Peak. From Thapa Pass at an altitude of 5,250 meters, we can see Annapurna Mountains on the distance. We will take some time to delve into the beauty of this glorious place offering vistas of majestic mountains, snap pictures then descend until reaching Yak Kharkha. After constantly walking on the ice and rocky moraines, it’s amazing to see the green vegetation again in Yak Kharkha. Spend time immersing into the beauty of this spellbinding valley, snap pictures, have dinner and call it a night.

As we leave Yak Kharkha behind, we will get to see the human settlements again. it’s nice to walk through the colorful villages and beautiful people following a distinct lifestyle. The easy trek start with a long descend through green vegetations and forests. Walk down to Kali Gandaki River Valley and take rest in a village Called Marpha. The place is popular for sweet apples and homemade brandy prepared using apples. If you wish, we may go to see the brandy making process. Taste the different products of apple, have a conversation with local and learn new lifestyle.

Walk on the trail alongside Kaligandaki river leading to a small village on the foothill of massif mountains. The village offers the amazing vistas of Nilgiri peaks and icefalls. Leaving the village behind, we will walk on the well-marked trail to Larjung village. It will take us around an hour to arrive Larjung. From here, the trail follows the river bed then dense forest. The river keeps on playing hide and seek with us. The river appears again as we approach Kalapani, a small village surrounded by soaring mountains. A brief hike from Kalapani will take us to Lete.

As we move forward, the arid landscapes slowly changes into green land with terraced farms. After walking for around two hours, we will reach Ghasa village and several small hamlets. The trail is dotted with tea houses, ancient houses, lodges, and beautiful paddy farms. It will take us around six hours to reach Tatopani.

Tatopani is a beautiful village with warm temperature. The village holds several hot spring pools. If you want, you may take a dip into it. It is said that the hot water spring heals a lot of diseases. It will help you relish your tiredness too.

Wake up early, have delicious breakfast, pack your backpack and begin treading on the easy trail. After walking for around an hour, we will come across a large bridge above a raging river. From here, the trail passes through a steep hill alongside villages and fields. Piercing a dense forest, we will come across another village called Chitre. From Chitre, it will take us around an hour to reach Ghorepani.

On this day, we will get to witness one of the most mesmerizing sunrises ever. So wake up before the sun rise and hike on the steep hill for around 45 minutes to reach the ridge of Pooh Hill. Wait till the sun rays hit the glorious mountains. The view is truly breathtaking. Spend a few moments enjoying the grandeur then hike back to Ghorepani and have breakfast. The trail follows the enchanting forests before starting to descend until reaching Ulleri. Cross the suspension bridge to reach Tirkhedhunga.

The last day of trek starts with a gradual walk on the downhill passing through farm villages. The scenic path features captivating waterfalls, mesmerizing green hills, and beautiful villages. We will pass through Birethani. From Birethani, Nayapaul is merely half an hour far. In Nayapul, we will catch a bus to Pokhara.

After spending a blissful night in the hotel beside a tranquil lake, we will drive back to Kathmandu. The six hours drive features amazing views. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you will be transferred to your respective hotels. If you want to stroll around Thamel, you may do so.

Kathmandu is a small city filled with diverse cultural wonders. Every corner, alleys and popular historical sites cast a spell of enchantment. However, exploring the entire city in a single day is not possible, so today we will visit only four cultural heritage listed in UNESCO cultural heritage sites.

Basantapur Durbar Square: An enchanting complex on the heart of Kathmandu has diverse monuments and sculpture on display. Stroll around medieval temples, historic house, captivating palace, museum, statues, and courtyards.

Swayambhunath: A mesmerizing plaza on the hilltop houses monasteries, Buddha statues, Chortens, temples and prayer wheels/flags. Since the plaza is set on the hill, we will get an amazing aerial view of Kathmandu city below. Stroll around the place for around half an hour then head to the next destination.

Pashupatinath: One of the major attraction in Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath is a sea of temples, housing more than 400 small and big shrines. The main temple of Lord Shiva is set on the bank of Bagmati, a holy river. The plaza is surrounded by sparsely populated forest housing monkeys and deer.

Bouddhanath: Set on the middle of the dense market, Bouddhanath has its own charm and significance. The major attraction of this place is the largest stupa in Nepal. Explore gumbas, shrines, temples, and check out the shops selling Nepali and Tibetan handicrafts while performing kora. Concluding our tour, we will drive back to the hotel.

You Nepal tour ends today. We will pick you from your hotel and transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport. We hope to see you again.