overview
The Dhaulagiri circuit trek is a challenging trek on an off-the-beaten-trail that circles Mt. Dhaulagiri, the worlds seventh highest mountain. The trek begins in forested and terraced hills inhabited by the Magar people. Past permanent settlements, the trek continues through thickly forested jungle trails and then through the seemingly never-ending Dhaulagiri moraine for several days until you cross the French Col (5,360m/17,600ft.) to enter the Hidden valley. From here, you have the option to summit Dhampus peak (6,060m/19,850ft.). Cross the Dhampus pass and descend to Jomsom where the trek ends.
From 1808 to 1848, Dhaulagiri was thought to be the highest mountain in the world; from 1848 to 1852 Kanchenjunga; and since 1852 Mt. Everest. Now Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world at 8,167 meters (26,795 feet). The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is like the Annapurna Circuit Trek but without the crowds.
Check out Jim Blomgren's video from his trek/climb around Dhaulagiri in October 2011.
Our Nepal and Tibet treks and climbs are operated by our sister company based in Nepal - Crystal Mountain Treks - managed by our founder's family. Crystal Mountain Treks has been in business for over two decades and employs only the best guides with a minimum of 15 years experience. We treat our staff with the utmost care and respect. Each staff member is provided high-quality equipment and paid higher-than-average wages. Our clients have commented that our treks provide a better value (we provide more for less) than other companies they researched, comparing services, quality and price. We are happy to provide references of people who have journeyed with us in the past upon request.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive Kathmandu. You will be met on arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport. Transfer to Hotel. Day Free. Enjoy welcome dinner. Briefing during dinner. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (Dinner)
Day 02 - Kathmandu
Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu. You will be accompanied by our in-house city guide. In the morning, visit Bodhanath, the Stupa of a million dew drops, to watch monks and devotees circumambulate the largest stupa in Nepal. Then visit Pashupatinath, Nepal's most sacred Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva, with its two-tiered golden roof and silver door. Drive to Patan for lunch in the garden of the Patan Museum Café. After lunch, visit the well-maintained Patan Museum. Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (Breakfast and Lunch)
Day 03 - Kathmandu to Darbang
Morning flight to Pokhara. Continue by chartered bus to Darbang (4 to 5 hours). Your porters and kitchen staff will already have arrived at Darbang and will have set up your tents. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 04 - Darbang to Sibang
Cross the bridge over Myagdi Khola and walk on level trail to Phedi. Slowly ascend switch-back for about 30 minutes to the top of a hill. Beautiful views of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV and V on a clear day. Trek on gently uphill trail to Dharapani where you stop for early lunch (2 to 3 hours).
After lunch, ascend slowly through terraced rice-fields, first to the large village of Takam and then to Sibang (2 to 3 hours) which has about 100 houses. The land here is fertile and is evident from the terraced rice-fields that extend all the way to the river below. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 05 - Sibang to Muri (6,100ft.)Today is a short trekking day of about 2 to 3 hours only. Ascend gently to the ridge and descend to the stream. After crossing the suspension bridge, climb gently for 60 to 90 minutes to the large Magar village of Muri. On the trail, you get your first chance to appreciate the deep valleys. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 06 - Muri to Boghara (6,800 ft.)
Descend steeply through terraced fields to the river. Cross the bridge and ascend steeply to the ridge. Descend through temporary cattle sheds to the village of Juge pani for lunch (2 to 3 hours). After lunch ascend steeply for about an hour. The trail is now high above the river valley, etched along the cliff. In any case, the trail is at least 5 feet wide at the narrowest sections. After an hour or so, you will arrive at the smaller village of Boghara. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 07 - Boghara to Dobang (8,300 ft.)
From Boghara, walk through corn-fields and ascend steeply to the ridge. The trail then becomes a gentle uphill. Lunch is at Lipshe, a small clearing the forest used by cattle herders during the monsoons. After lunch continue through the thick forests for 2 to 3 hours (gentle uphill) to Dobang. Dobang is a largish clearing in the forest with two huts and a large area for tents. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 08 - Dobhang to Italy Base Camp (12,000ft.)
From today, begins the real adventure. The trail isn't very clearly marked and balance and concentration is very important. Past, Dobang, walk along the raging Myagdi khola. Some sections require scrambling on all fours and balancing on fallen logs. Soon, cross the bridge and climb steeply through bamboo and old growth forests. You will cross two sections where part of the trail has been washed away by landslides. Here you may see langurs jumping around in the trees. After walking 3 to 4 hours from Dobhan, you will arrive at Sallaghari, your lunch stop.
Past Sallaghari, continue to climb steeply through thorny aegelia brush. After about 2 to 3 hours, you will arrive at Italy Base Camp used by the Italians for their ascent of Dhaulagiri. Overnight Camp (All meals)
Day 09 - Explore American Base Camp
Acclimatization day at the Italy Base Camp. You have the option to climb a small ridge to the American Base Camp. Though the main summit of Dhaulagiri isn't visible, you do get up-close views of the gigantic massif. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 10 - Italy Base Camp to Swiss Base Camp (12,300ft.)
A short day of 1 to 2 hours hiking to the Swiss Base Camp. As you climb slowly from the Italian Base Camp, you cross several memorials for climbers that have perished on Dhaulagiri. They include three Chinese who fell to their death in the Spring of 2010. Descend carefully into the moraine. A fixed line has been left behind by a previous party which makes the descent on the precarious trail a lot easier. Cross the moraine to the Swiss Base Camp where there is a single hut. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 11 - Swiss Base Camp to Japanese Base Camp (14,100 ft.)
Today, you will be trekking through a narrow gorge. A section (about half an hour of walking) poses constant danger of rock fall and hence it is important to look up as you walk. Soon you will be on the moraine ascending slowly to the Japanese Base Camp (4 to 5 hours of hiking). Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 12 - Japanese Base Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (15,550 ft.)
Ascend slowly through the moraine. The moraine is constantly moving and hence the trail changes every year. Thus trail finding can be a tiresome process. Descend to another moraine adjoining a snow field extending from the Dhaulagiri ice-fall. There is the remains of a helicopter that had crashed several years ago. Walk a little further to camp. (4 to 5 hours of hiking). In the afternoon, you are free to hike to the ice fall. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 13 - Explore
Explore the Base Camp. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 14 - Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley (16,700 ft.)
Today is a grueling day involving walking up to 6 hours at high altitude. A little past camp, the moraine ends. Climb steeply to a small hill and continue ascending gently on a trail on the ridge over which the Tukuche Peak looms to the east. Looking back, the main summit of Dhaulagiri becomes evident. After a few hours of slogging, turn west and climb slowly to the French Col (5,360m/17,600ft.). At the pass, there are several memorials dedicated to fallen climbers. The Hidden Valley is visible to the North East and so are several peaks - Mukut Himal, Dhampus Peak, Hongde Peak etc in the distance. Descend to the valley floor and continue to camp. Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 15 - Hidden valley to Kalopani/Yak KharkaThose climbing Dhampus Peak (6,060m/19,900ft.) will start out at 3:00 am. Climb Dhampus Peak and descend to Kalopani. (10 hours). Overnight Camp. (All meals)
Day 16 - Kalopani/Yak Kharka to Jomsom
Weather permitting, today could be one of the most picturesque days. (Though this section is notoriously popular for whiteouts and strong winds). The Dhaulagiri peak is to the South West, Annapurna, Nilgiri to the East, the Kingdom of Mustang in the distant to the North and the deep Kali Gandaki valley. Most of the trail is level or a gradual descent until near Yak Kharka from where the trail descends steeply into Marpha. After lunch, continue to Jomsom. Overnight Lodge with showers. (All meals)
Day 17 - Jomsom to Pokhara
After breakfast, fly to Pokhara. Free day in Pokhara. Overnight Hotel Fairmount. (Breakfast)
Day 18 - Pokhara to Kathmandu
After breakfast, fly to Kathmandu. Sightseeing in Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in Kathmandu. Overnight Hotel Tibet or similar. (All meals)
Day 19 - Final departure
Transfer to airport for final departure. (Breakfast)
Cost and Inclusions
2 - 4 persons: $3,345 USD per person
5 or more persons: $2,895 USD per person
Single Supplement: $200 USD
Peak permit and climbing Sherpa fees for optional climb of Dhampus Peak are extra
- Expert pre-trip advice and detailed information
- Motivated, well-cared-for staff
- All airport transfers
- Two full days sightseeing in Kathmandu as indicated in the itinerary and entrance fees to monuments.
- Three nights twin sharing hotel accommodation at Hotel Tibet (3 star) in Kathmandu.
- Chartered Bus: Pokhara to Darbang
- Airfare: Kathmandu to Pokhara and Jomsom to Pokhara to Kathmandu
- Meals as indicated in the itinerary
- Camping trekking as indicated in the itinerary
- Tents and camping equipment for the climb portion of trek
- Group climbing gear: Main ropes, snow pickets etc.
- Sagarmatha National Park Fee
- Gamow Bag (High altitude pressure chamber)
- Satellite Phone
Price does not include:
- Your international airfare
- Peak Permit and Climbing Sherpa fees are extra
- Nepal Visa
- Meals not indicated in the itinerary
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal equipment (a suggested list will be mailed to you)
- Travel insurance (Required)
- Other expenses of a personal nature
Dates and Availability
| October 07 - 25, 2012 |
AVAILABLE |
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Grand Asian Journeys
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Indianola, WA 98342
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