Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek – 21 Days

Pashupatinath Temple:
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Though you are not allowed to go inside the temple as it is strictly for Hindus only, you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. It is a square two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier plinth which is famous all over the world.

Boudhanath Stupa:
Boudhananath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. It was built in the 5th century with four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings. You will find Buddhist pilgrims from Tibet going round the stupa spinning the prayer wheels.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square:
Visit the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the Royal Residential Quarter of Bhupatindra Malla, famous five-storied temple of Nyatapola in Pagoda style Batsala temple, Bhairavnath temple, Duttatraya temple, Pujari Muth and Palace of 55 windows.

After breakfast, you head to Beni by Local Bus. You’ll find most of the scenery is very enjoyable along the countryside. Beni is the district headquarters and has a police check post where your trekking permits will be examined. The town is at the confluence of the Myagdi Khola and the Kali Gandaki.

Leaving Beni and Kali Gandaki the trek heads west along the north bank of the Myagdi Khola through the village of Beni Mangalghat to Singa and Tatopani (hot springs). Crossing the bridge beyond the village to the south bank of the river, the trail makes a little half loop before crossing another bridge, near the village of Simalchour, back to the north bank from where it continues to the village of Babichor.

The valley widens and terraced hills develop on both sides of the river. The trail is fairly level and you pass the village of Shahashradhara, cross the Duk Khola and walk through fields arriving at Ratorunga. From here the valley narrows again and terraces disappear on either side of the river. Continue to the village of Dharapani.

After crossing the river to its West Bank as you leave Phedi, the trail starts climbing in earnest and there will be many switch-backs until you arrive at the ridge and the angle of ascent eases. Again the trail climbs steeply to the villages of Muri. Continue your trek to Sibang and Mattim. From here you continue up an incline to the snout of the ridge, descend to the Gatti Khola and reach Phalai Gaon (1,810 m). Cross the Dhara Khola to once again emerge on the west bank of the Myagdi Khola and then climb a ridge to the large Magar village of Muri.

Descend a little, cross a stream and continue through terraced fields before climbing a ridge to reach the pass from where you can see Mt. Ghustung South (6,465 m). Descend to the Myagdi Khola and trek along its West Bank to the village of Naural from where you will climb a little before traversing a grassy hill and climbing a steep slope with switch-backs, then descend through a forest and terraced fields to Boghara (2,080 m).

The trail first descends through terraced fields to a small ridge, then through a forest to Jyardan which is the most remote permanent settlement in this part. After the settlement a high winding path crosses a rocky area which then descends before climbing again to Lipshe where there is one single hut. The trail continues through a forest to Lapche Kharka and then climbs to the level area at Dobang.

After crossing a wooden bridge out of Dobang, the trail ascends a forested area. Soon the west face of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m) becomes visible through breaks in the trees. Descend to the Myagdi Khola and cross via a wooden bridge to the east bank continue to Chartare. Passing through forests again, you cut across a rocky area and cross a stream to Choriban Khola.

Follow a trail to the terminal moraine of the Chhonbarban Glacier and enter the glacier from the right. Tukche Peak (6,837 m) becomes visible straight ahead; at the far end while the impressive north flank of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m) dominates the skyline to your right. After a short walk, you will reach Italian Base Camp (3,660 m), which is also the site of your camp for the night. To the west are the peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m) and Dhaulagiri V (7,618 m).

We will spend a day acclimatizing to the thinning of the air. It is recommended that your body acclimatizes to the high altitude and be adjusted for higher altitudes in the days to follow.

Set up early in the morning when the weather is expected to be clear. This Trail is prone to stone fall, which passes through a narrow gorge. Today we stay overnight near at glacier.

This is one of our adventurous days to Dhaulagiri base camp. From here you can look up at the impressive north face of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m) dominating the skyline to your right. To the west are peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m) and Dhaulagiri V (7,618m). In front of you is the impressive icefall that descends from the north-east col.

Another day to take some rest and more importantly, acclimatize to the lower air pressure. Views from this place are superb and there is plenty to explore.

After the glacier, you climb two terraced hills, the first of which runs along the glacier, then cuts across the mountain flank and the moraine you enter a gentle incline on the left from an ablation valley. Climb this gentle slope to the French Pass (5,360 m). A great vista opens up from the French Pass and you will be able to see Mukut Himal (6,328 m), Tashi Kang (6,386 m) and Sita Chuchura (6,611 m), all of which surround the Hidden Valley. To the south is Tukche Peak (6,920 m) and beyond is the massive peak of Dhaulagiri I. From the French Pass you continue along the right edge of the Hidden valley losing a little altitude to the Thapa Pass (5,250 m) between Tukche Peak and Thapa Peak (6,012 m). Descending from the Thapa Pass you will make it to the camp at 5,200 m.

Descend from the Hidden Valley to the Dhampus Pass and continue to Yak Kharka. There is a perfect campsite to enjoy the surroundings.

Continue on to the village of Marpha, on the west bank of the Kali Gandaki River. Marpha is home to many apple orchards as well as all various food products made from the fruit. Don’t forget to taste the local Apple Brandy a specialty from the region that you may be lucky enough to taste en route. Continue north, up the river valley to the town of Jomsom.

A 30-minute morning flight takes us to Pokhara from Jomsom. Once we arrive at Pokhara airport, we then drive to the hotel. In the afternoon we will have a sightseeing tour around Pokhara valley, which covers Fewa Lake, Devi’s waterfall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave, etc.

It’s also spare day in case of bad weather in Jomsom. If you are in Pokhara, you will do some sightseeing today.