Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
Duration: 16 Days
Difficulty: Challenging
Accomodation: Hotel/ Lodge/ Tea House
Meal: B-L-D
Best Seasons: Spring (March-April-May) & Autumn (Sep-Oct-Nov)Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
The trek to Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) is not for novices. Your endurance will be put to the test when you ascend up the French Pass (5360m), but it will be simpler if you have acclimated yourself beforehand.
Follow routes into Hidden Valley, which is surrounded by striking white snow-capped mountains and bleakly barren scenery. The Boudha Himal and Himal Chuli in the west, the Ganesh Himal in the south, and the Sringi Himal in the north encircle the Hidden Valley on one side. Because it is separated from Tibet in the north by snow-covered passes and from the southern lowlands by deep gorges and rivers, this region has not changed in millennia.
The trek starts with a rewarding drive from Kathmandu to Beni via the Kali Gandaki Valley and Baglung. Trekking from Beni to Dharapani Village offers breathtaking views of the surrounding terraced farmlands and mountains. After that, we climb to Italian Base Camp, which is west of Dhaulagiri.
The breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV, and V, whose snow-capped peaks overwhelm you, will greet us upon reaching Italian Base Camp. We cross the last pass after taking another day off before descending to the Annapurna Circuit Trail and arriving at the quaint settlement of Marpha.
The last part of our trip brings us to Jomson, where we return to Pokhara via a picturesque flight. We return to Kathmandu via bus from Pokhara. This is mostly a camping trip that will allow you to have a closer-up look at the environment. In the slopes and valleys that surround Mount Dhaulagiri, you will have a good meal and sleep under the stars.
Highlights of the trek
- From Pokhara to Beni and from Pokhara to Kathmandu, the drive is gorgeous.
- At the foot of Thapa Peak (6012 meters) is Thapa Pass.
- At 8167 meters, Dhaulagiri 1 is the seventh-highest mountain in the world.
- Trek into the breathtaking Hidden Valley after over the French Pass (5370m).
- Beautiful views of Dhaulagiri and several other 7000m plus peaks.
Detailed Itinerary - Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek (16 Days)
A tourist bus, hiace, or private automobile can travel the roughly 275–283 km from Kathmandu to Beni. Depending on the weather, the road trip usually takes 8 to 12 hours.
We now follow MyagdiKhola north of Beni. BeniMangalghat will be our first halt before we go to Singa. Finally, we make a break at Tatopani (natural hot water) before entering Simalchour via a suspension bridge. After walking for an additional hour, we arrive at a stunning tea house in Babiyachaur.
We go from Babiyachaur to the broad valley before ascending to Shahashradhara settlement. After that, we go to the Ratorunga after crossing a bridge over DukKhola. We ascend the stairs to Dharapani slowly. Today’s walk might be demanding for many of us.
After a leisurely breakfast, we depart from Dharapani. We then swiftly arrive in Phedi before making a halt at Sibang. You might simply go to Mattim or pause to see the villagers working on the farm. Walking up the ridge will soon take you to another Phalai village before arriving in Muri. You will have a wonderful time because the folks are really friendly.
We intend to continue walking north, passing through Myagdi Khola and arriving at Naura village. The landscape is constantly changing as we continue to ascend. We now descend to a small area before ascending beside the terraced farms. Here, Mt. Ghustung at 6465 mt gives us a charming smile. We continue to trek through a dense forest until we reach Boghara, where we spend the night.
We approach a pretty dense and isolated pine forest as the settlement becomes smaller. We stroll to Jyardan in the morning before entering Lipshe. We are now continuing our walk to LapcheKharka in the open valley. We take a nap and then head into Dobang. We may begin setting up camp on this day.
We are leaving Dobang today to go to Chartare for lunch. We gained over 1000 meters of height in a single day, making it a really difficult day. Thus, keep an eye out for altitude sickness symptoms. Before entering Choriban Khola Camp, we also get to see Dhaulagiri for the first time.
Even more thrilling is the tenth day of our itinerary for the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. You are closer to the Himalayas than you have ever been after Choriban Khola. Additionally, we will begin to see the Tukche Peak and the glacier grinning at us. The Dhaulagiri As we crawl into Italian Base Camp, I look amazing. After arriving, we search for the ideal location for the campgrounds.
For a day of relaxation, Italian Base Camp is a fantastic destination. Rather than hurrying to Dhaulagiri, we allowed our lungs to adjust to the reduced oxygen levels. Enjoy a fantastic view, delicious cuisine, and a campfire while your aching legs heal. As you get ready for the journey ahead, take some lovely photos.
Your hiking experience will be elevated by today’s journey to 4220 meters. We cautiously make our approach to Glacier camp by walking down the narrow gorge. Pay attention to your guide and keep an eye out for the falling stones. The hardest section of the expedition is today, according to our map of the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.
Yes, we’ve all been waiting for this. Early in the morning, we depart from Glacier camp and begin our journey down the narrow ridge. Walking in such difficult terrain for seven hours won’t be simple, but it will also be thrilling. Here, we can see Dhaulagiri I at 8167 meters, as well as Dhaulagiri II, III, and V, all of which are higher than 7000 meters. The ideal location for the camp is Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Another wonderful day to relax at the base of the magnificent Dhaulagiri. What could be more beautiful than a mountain dawn that is too obvious from your tent? It’s the world’s most breathtaking view. We call it a vacation day because we like dancing and listening to music.
We have a big day ahead of us. At 5360 meters in the morning, we set out on a strenuous walk to the French pass. This is our trek’s second-highest point. The view of more than a dozen peaks from the top will undoubtedly be amazing, despite the difficulty. We enter the Hidden Valley after taking a short break. This valley is situated between Thapa Peak and Tukche. At 5200 meters above sea level, we unpack and end the day.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is also becoming increasingly thrilling. Our goal for the day is to ascend the 6,012-meter-high Dhampus Pass, also known as Thapa Peak. We stroll to the summit of Thapa Pass, where additional mountain views become available. A leisurely stroll to the Yak Kharka is the last half of the day. We now embark on the traditional Annapurna Circuit trek path. At 3700 meters above sea level, the landscape is already changing.
We took our time in the morning because we knew that this was the last day of the walk and that the step would not endure the entire day. Sleeping late was pleasant. We didn’t eat breakfast yesterday evening, so it was very energizing. After putting our backpacks on our shoulders, we embarked on our final day, which only had a 1500-meter elevation drop.
Today is the last day of our trip. We travel from Marpha to Pokhara. We enjoy beautiful scenic views throughout our travels and later enjoy night in Pokhara.
What's Included
A complete breakdown of all services covered in the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek package:
Arrival & Departure Transfers
Private airport pick-up and drop-off in a comfortable vehicle.Kathmandu Hotel Accommodation
2 nights in a 3-star hotel with breakfast (Twin/Double sharing).Transportation
All ground transportation as per itinerary, including Kathmandu–Beni–Darbang transfers.Meals During the Trek
Full-board meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) prepared by trekking staff while camping.Camping Accommodation
Tented accommodation with dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, tables, and chairs.Professional Trekking Crew
Experienced, government-licensed Trekking Guide, Cook, Sherpa helpers, and Porters with their salaries, insurance, meals, and gear.Dhaulagiri Restricted Area Permit
All trekking permits including ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit).Climbing & Camping Equipment
All group climbing and camping equipment: tents, ropes, kitchen utensils, cooking fuel, heaters, sleeping mats, etc.Medical Kit
First-aid kit carried by the trekking guide.Staff Insurance
All staff insured for medical and emergency rescue.Company Service Charge & Tax
All government taxes and official service charges.
What's Not Included
These are the items not covered in the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek cost:
Travel Insurance
Mandatory insurance covering high-altitude trekking, helicopter evacuation, and medical emergencies.Personal Expenses
Tips for Guide, Cook, Sherpa & Porters
(Highly appreciated but not mandatory).Emergency Evacuation Costs
Helicopter rescue if required (covered by travel insurance if purchased).
Departure Dates
Route Map & Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions - Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is considered one of the most challenging treks in Nepal. It involves long walking days, steep ascents, high-altitude passes above 5,000m, and remote camping conditions. Prior trekking experience and strong physical fitness are required.
The highest point is French Pass at 5,360 meters, followed by Dhampus Pass at 5,240 meters. Proper acclimatization is essential to avoid altitude sickness.
Most itineraries range between 15 to 21 days, depending on acclimatization days and side trips. A standard trek is usually around 18 days.
This trek is 100% camping-based. Unlike popular routes like Everest or Annapurna, there are no tea houses in the Dhaulagiri region. All tents, kitchen setup, and gear are carried by trekking staff.
Yes. The Dhaulagiri Circuit is suitable for experienced trekkers only. You should have completed at least one high-altitude trek above 4,500m before attempting this route.
You will need:
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Dhaulagiri Restricted Area Permit (depending on route)
Your trekking agency usually arranges all permits.
The best seasons are:
Autumn (Sept–Nov) – stable weather, clear mountain views
Spring (Mar–May) – warmer temperatures, blooming rhododendrons
Monsoon and winter are not recommended due to avalanche and weather risks.
You should be able to walk 6–8 hours per day carrying a light daypack. Cardiovascular fitness, strength training, and long-distance hiking preparation are recommended.
Since the trek crosses multiple high passes above 5,000m, there is a moderate to high risk of AMS. A proper acclimatization plan, slow ascent, hydration, and monitoring symptoms are essential.
Yes, a guide, cook, and porter team is mandatory for safety and camping logistics. The route is remote and unmarked, and self-supported trekking is not recommended.
Absolutely. Your insurance must cover:
High-altitude trekking up to 6,000m
Emergency helicopter evacuation
Medical treatment
Without proper insurance, rescue costs can be very high.
Essential items include:
Duffle bag & daypack
Down jacket & sleeping bag (-20°C rated)
Base layers, fleece, waterproof jacket & pants
Trekking boots, crampons/microspikes
Trekking poles, gloves, warm hat
Headlamp, power bank, personal toiletries
I can also provide a full detailed packing list if you want.
With an experienced guide and proper gear, yes — but it remains a high-risk trek due to crevasses, high passes, rockfall, and potential bad weather. Safety precautions and professional support are essential.
Close-up view of Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m)
Remote wilderness experience
Stunning glaciers and high passes
Adventure-style camping
Fewer trekkers compared to other popular routes
It’s perfect for those seeking an intense adventure.
Useful Info
Difficulty of the trek
It’s not an easy journey to explore the environs of the world’s seventh-tallest peak. The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek has been rated as a “moderate to difficult” adventure. It is one of the most thrilling Himalayan adventures that takes place at a high altitude and crosses several of the most popular routes. To complete this hike, though, you won’t need any technical expertise or prior hiking experience. If you want to participate in this Himlayan expedition, you simply need to practice sufficiently to make the trip more pleasurable because the level of difficulty is much higher than other trekking adventures in the nation.
Fitness required for the trek
Dhaulagiri is a difficult journey that requires you to walk for six to seven hours every day. You must have prior hiking or trekking experience, although it is usually advantageous if you have done any form of trekking. We have encountered individuals who have finished the journey of various shapes, sizes, and backgrounds. The only challenging aspect is dealing with altitude sickness and its potential physical effects. It is good to physically prepare oneself before traveling to Nepal by boosting your oxygen intake and stamina.
Meals during the trek
While all meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be supplied throughout the hike, breakfast is included in your hotel in Kathmandu. Potatoes, oats, buckwheat, Sherpa stew, and Tibetan bread are basic foods in these mountainous areas. When the first potato seedlings were brought to the area in the early 1990s, Sherpas began cultivating potatoes. Higher altitudes have fewer food options, with the exception of several potato recipes. High in carbs, potatoes are a great source of energy that is necessary at high elevations.
Accommodation during the trek
At Kathmandu, you will stay at three-star hotels. We will be lodging at lodges and teahouses throughout the journey. We sleep in a very basic tea house/tent during the trip, and our guides will select the finest camping spot with a lovely view of the Himalaya. You might not find more comfortable and high-quality tea houses.
Book Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek with Confidence
Join Top Trail Nepal, your trusted local trekking agency in Kathmandu, for the journey of a lifetime. Our experienced guides, strong safety record, and personal service make your Everest dream come true.
- $3150 1 people
- $2985 2 people
- $2700 4-7 people
- $2500 8-12 people