Dhaulagiri Round Trekking

OVERVIEW

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Duration

19 Days

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Activity

Hiking and Trekking

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Best Season

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Difficulty

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Group Size

2-100

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Transportation

Flight/ Private vehicle

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Meals

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Accomodation

Dhaulagiri Round Trekking is one of the adventure, challenging and strenuous trekking destination located in western part of Nepal overhead of Kali Gandaki River which flows between world’s deepest gorge of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range. The trekkers need excellent physical preparation and fundamental mountaineering experience to complete high altitude trek of Dhaulagiri. The trekking trail to Dhaulagiri offers high alpine pasture, higher passes of French (5360m) and Dhampus (5,244m), hidden valleys, glacier moraine, off the beaten path, narrow rocky trail, Crevasses and spectacular view of white Himalayan Peaks. The remote Dhaulagiri round trekking also offers beautiful landscape, dense forest of rhododendron with local Gurung, Magar and Thakali settlement and their unique life style.

The Himalayan sights such as Nilgiri (6,940m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Tilicho Peak (7,134m), Thorong Peak (6,144), Tukuche Peak (6,920m), Dhaulagiri I(8,167m), II(7,751m),III(7,715m), IV(7,661m), V(7,618m), and more silver mountain peaks are the main attraction of Dhaulagiri trek. Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m) is the 7th highest mountain of the world. Dhaulagiri is derived from Sanskrit word “Dhawala” which signifies Dazzling-white-beautiful and Giri means Mountain. This is attractive and most surprising mountain of Nepal. 

The trekking is more tough and challenging from Italian Base Camp due to glacier moraine and snow slides. The French pass is one of the highest elevation of the trek whereas Dhampus Pass is fascinating. The hidden valley is full of narrow rugged gorge which is the nearest border of Upper Dolpa and Upper Mustang.

Dhaulagiri Round Trekking begins after having 4 hour drive from Pokhara to Beni Bazzar of Kali Gandaki and head up to Darbang through local village settlement and forests. It is the less crowded exciting trekking destination of Nepal and the trekking route goes up to Babiachour, Muri, Dhovan, Choriban Khola and Italian Base Camp. Till Italian Base Camp, there are local Tea-houses and trekkers can have food and accommodation there but after we go ahead from here, need full board camping with necessary Porters, tent, Food, and staffs due to no tea houses available until we reach Jomsom via Dhaulagiri Base Camp French Pass, Dhampus Pass and Yak Kharka. After finishing trek, we fly to Pokhara from Jomsom which is the head quarter of Mustang district.
 

Highlights 
  • Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Beni via Pokahra
  • Hike through beautiful dense forest and local settlement of Magar, Gurung and Thakali
  • Trek over adventure French and Dhampus Pass
  • Explore fascinating hidden valley, Glacier moraine, high alpine pasture, off the beaten path with spectacular  Himalayan view
  • Enjoy the view of Nilgiri (6,940m), Annapurna I (8,091m), Tilicho Peak (7,134m), Thorong Peak (6,144), Tukuche Peak (6,920m), Dhaulagiri I(8,167m), II(7,751m),III(7,715m), IV(7,661m), V(7,618m),
  • Fly over world deepest Gorge called Kaligandaki from Jomsom – Pokhara 
     

Itineraries

Your adventure and cultural trip to Nepal begins after your arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu. After you will land, get your hand bag and go to immigration office where you can get your Nepal visa. There must be many people; need fill form before apply for visa and get down to 1st floor where you will wait your suitcase. After getting suitcase, go outside where our office member shows your Name in white paper sheet and transfer to Hotel. We have booked your hotel in Thamel which is the touristic hub of Nepal.

After breakfast, your cultural tour begins where our Guide will brief to you about whole Nepal including history, culture, people, religion, geography and living standard of People. You will visit popular world Heritage sites of Nepal such as Swyambhunath (Monkey Temple) - Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site, Patan Durbar Square – Old King Palace with Beautiful Temples and Houses, Pashupatinath Temple - popular Hindu temple of South Asia and Boudhanath Stupa – biggest Buddhist stupa with monastery around. It is full day guided city tour where you will learn most important historical and cultural things of Nepal. After you will return back to Hotel from sightseeing, meet with your Trekking Guide and brief about trekking program.

After breakfast in Kathmandu Hotel, we drive to Beni Bazaar with our trekking crew via Pokhara city. It takes 6-7 hour drive from Kathmandu with the beautiful scenery of local villages, Mountains, Rivers, forests and attractive landscape. We do not stop in Pokhara because after finishing Dhaulagiri trekking, we will stop here to see beautiful places around. From Pokhara we will have amazing view of Mt. Annapurna, Machhapuchare, Hiunchuli and more silver Himalayan Peaks. We will sleep in local lodge at Beni Bazar which is situated near the bank of Kali Gandakri River which flows from Upper Mustang near Tibet border.

After having breakfast in the Tea House, we drive to Darbang by local Private Jeep about 2 hours and reach to Darbang village which is the beautiful Magar settlement. Then, we begin our first day trekking following Magdi River through beautiful villages of Baguwa, Tatopani and Babiachour. The trekking path is easy and plain with passing through Duk Khola River and cross green grassy field, reach to Dharapani village. Dharapani is the beautiful settlement of Gurung people with the amazing view of Dhaulagiri IV, V, and Gurja Himal.

In the morning, we will enjoy the view of beautiful Himalayan landscape, and begin our second day trekking in Dhaulagiri region. After crossing Local River, the trekking trail goes towards Phedi and again ascend until we reach ridge view point. We cross beautiful village of Sibang from where we can have amazing view of Gurja Himal and Putha Hiunculi. Trekkers can also have beautiful landscape of terrace agriculture field. Then, the trail goes down to Gatti khola and touch to Phalai Gaon. We cross suspension bridge of Dhara Khola River and climb ridge to large settlement of Magar community called Muri village.

After breakfast, we leave Muri village and trek to Boghara through Magdi River Khola and Naura village. First, the trekking trail goes down to terrace field, crossing Dhora Khola River and climb ridge to Ghorban Dhara having beautiful view of Mt. Ghustung (6,465m) with attracting landscape. Then, we follow the path of Myagdi Khola until we reach Naura village and ascend to grassy hill side and again climb steep drop with Zigzag stone while descending forested land. Finally, we reach to Boghara which is situated with an elevation of 2080m. Boghara is also called Bagar too.

After breakfast at Dhovan, we begin our trekking from Bagar to Dhovan through lush green forest of Pine, Rhododendron and Bamboo. The trekking trail goes down to small ridge to Myagdi Khola River. We cross the beautiful settlement of Jyardan and Lipshe and the trail goes steep, and slippery until we reach Dhovan. Dhovan is a small lovely place having some Local Tea Houses near the forest. We sleep in Dhovan today.

The trekking trail today goes from Dhovan to Choriban Khola having beautiful west face of Dhaulagiri (8,167m) today. We descend to the Myagdi Khola from Dhovan through crossing a wooden bridge having some climbing path and reach to Chartare. Again, we walk along with forest and rocky territory, and finally reach to Choriban Khola.

From today, we enter to adventure and challenging section having no Tea Houses during the trekking trail. We must sleep in our Camping tent with own food. In the beginning, we walk through greenery forest and reach to Chhonbarban glacier moraine can have beautiful view of Tukuche Peak (6,837m) and Dhaulagiri I (8,167m). Then, we ascend having steep climbing requires a rope and reach to grass area of Italian Base Camp. We camp our tent and our trekking crew provide soup and dinner to you. Dhaulagiri Ii (7,751m), Dhaulagiri III (7,715m), and Dhaulagiri v (7,618) are standing on the west part.

Today is the rest day in Italian Base Camp to acclimatize in high altitude. But you do not stay in one place rather to move around the beautiful area to adjust with High Mountain. It is also good to make your physical body in balance.

Our adventure trekking goes from Italian Base Camp to Glacier Camp today. The trekking trail goes through narrow gorge with Steep Mountain. We must be clever due to stone fall down so we recommend you to hike early in the morning. We cross the first glacier, need rope to complete it due to complicated rock and climb to the main glacier. It is quite hard to cross rough and dangerous trail and reach to Glacier Camp. It is also known as Japanese Camp.

Today is the most adventure, exciting and challenging day from Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. We walk through slippery glacier path which will be tougher. We ascend through rough rocky trail till we reach to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. We can view Tukuche Peak on the straight and thrilling Dhaulagiri I (8,167m). Even, we can enjoy the beautiful Himalayan Peaks such as Dhaulagiri (7,751m), Dhaulagiri (7,715m) and Dhaulagiri V (7,618m). Even there is attractive icefall which flows from the north-east col.

The trekking trail goes ascend to the French Pass from Dhaulagiri Base Camp having glacier walk. Today is one of the challenging day due to adventure Himalayan Pass which offers beautiful Himalayan sites such as Mukut Himal (6,328m), Tashi Kang (6,386m) and Sita Chuchura (6,651m) In the south part, there is the beautiful view of Tukuche Peak (6,920), and Dhaulagiri I. After finishing French pass, we will continue hike along with the edge of the Hidden valley. The hidden valley is situated under the rain shadow of Dhaulagiri.

Today, we can face another adventure and challenging pass called Dhampus Pass which is situated with an elevation of 5,244 meters. We destination goes to Yak Kharka from Hidden Valley through avalanche prone slopes and we will descend rocky trail. We can have amazing two peaks such as Dhampus Peak and Tukuche Peak. Then, the trekking trail descends steep to Yak Kharka.

In the morning, we can have beautiful landscape of Mt. Nilgiri and Annapurna Massif and trek down to Jomsom for our next day flight to Pokhara. It is all the way down to Jomsom from Yak Kharka. Jomsom is the head quarter of Mustang district having big market, Bank, Government offices, and police station.

We recommend you to fly from Pokhara to Jomsom early morning having scenic Mountain View. From Jomsom, there is also a road drive to Pokhara but it takes 9-10 hour drive.

Fly to Kathmandu from Pokhara by Plane; it takes a 25-minute fly to Kathmandu.

After completing, Annapurna Circuit Trekking, you are free in Kathmandu or you can have shopping as gift of Nepal to your family and friends. You must be very tired after trekking, can also have good body massage in Spa center. You will feel free and explore local markets and also enjoy your time in good restaurant in Thamel.

Our staff help your departure to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to respective destination. Hopefully, we will wait your recommendation and suggestion and also review about Dhaulagiri Round Trekking. Our Guide and Porters can wait for your next adventure journey to Nepal Himalaya. See you again and good bye.

INCLUSION

    • Airport Pickup and drop in Private Transport 
    • Kathmandu Sightseeing with Cultural Tour Guide, Entrance Fees of Hindu/Buddhist Temple
    • 3 star Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara with Twin Share including breakfast only 
    • Pokhara to Beni drive (Before Trek) & Fly from Jomsom - Pokhara (after trek)
    • Flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu
    • Kathmandu to Pokhara drive by private Transport 
    • English Speaking Trekking Guide including his salary, insurance, equipment, Food and Accommodation 
    • Strong Trekking Porter including his salary, insurance, equipment, Food and Accommodation
    • Twin share Tea House Accommodation with Breakfast only during Dhaulagiri Round Trekking & Full Board Camping from Italian Base Camp to Jomsom including Tent, Mattress, kitchen staff, with breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Tea/Coffee
    • Annapurna Conversation Area Project Permit, TIMS and all Documents for Dhaulagiri Trekking
    • Nepal Government Taxes and Office Service Charge

     

EXCLUSION

    • Lunch & Dinner during Kathmandu and Pokhara 
    • Lunch & Dinner during Dhaulagiri Round Trekking till Italian Base Camp where Tea House available 
    • Nepal Visa Fee (30$ for 15 Days and 50$ for 30 Days) 
    • International Flight Ticket
    • Personal Trekking /Travel Insurance 
    • Personal Trekking equipment and Clothes 
    • Hot Shower, Wi-Fi in mountain, Battery Charge and all personal expenses during Trekking 
    • Tips for Guide & Porter
    • Any other things not mentioned 
       

Additional Information

Trekking Difficulty 

Is it difficult to trek Dhaulagiri? You do not need to be a good Football player or Olympic athlete to success Dhaulagiri trek. Sometime, we have many experience of young people failing to reach Dhaulagiri and older people succeeding. So, anyone who is mentally and physically fit can easily completer the journey to Dhaulagiri trek. 

Walking slowly, drink plenty of water, enjoying nature, avoiding cold, eating a balanced diet and mentally daring to reach Dhaulagiri with happy mood are the hallmarks of your successful journey to destination. Though, Dhaulagiri is challenging trekking trail having steep hills with ascending path, sometime with ice but there will be no need any technical equipment or skill.

 

High Altitude Sickness 

If the trekkers have symptoms of headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, rapid pulse with sleeping problem, he/she is suffered by high altitude sickness. The other factors such as changing weather, cold, sun, wind, low oxygen and bad foods are the key component of high altitude sickness. So trekkers need to warm while trekking Dhaulagiri with proper clothes and equipment. It can affect people of any age, sex and physical conditions. 

So, we suggest our clients, do not drink alcohol and smoke, drink plenty of water while hiking to Annapurna, train your body and strength up before trekking, eat energy food, and mentally be happy during your journey. The most common medicine for preventing high altitude sickness is Diamox or Acetazolamide. Even our guide takes Diamox on the route which is easily purchased in Kathmandu. Ascending down is the solution to avoid high altitude as the altitude sickness affects people from the elevation of 2600 meters above sea level. For normal high altitude sickness our guide helps to control by providing medicine and good food and he takes to medication center where available. If the trekkers feel bad, we send private helicopter for rescue, which is covered by your personal travel insurance. So, individual insurance is necessary while trekking to Lower Dolpo.

 

Best Time to Go 

If you are looking trek to Dhaulaigri, must know the best time to visit such as weather and circumstances with other factors that affects in your trip. The best time to visit Dhaulagiri round trek is March – May and Sep – Nov due to clear sky and pleasant temperature. Spring and autumn is considered as the best season to trek Dhaulagiri region. In spring, the days are warmer and longer whereas the autumn has short days. October and April is the peak touristic months having more crowd but the weather is fantastic and amazing.

Pre-monsoon is called spring season that covers the month of March, April and May whereas the lower region of Everest, rhododendron and flower blooms with warm temperature. In higher route, there will be more chance of problematic snowfall with sunny weather. 

Post-monsoon is called autumn season that covers the month of September, October and November whereas the Himalaya is full of blue sky, pleasant atmosphere, moderate temperature with less chance of problematic snowfall. As for the climate, it is neither warmer at day or not freezing cold at night. The Tea houses, cafes are full of tourist and visitors in autumn season.

 

Accommodation 

During the trekking trail to Dhaulagiri, trekkers sleep and eat in Tea house and well as Camping tent. All the places in the route, Tea houses not available so we sleep in camping tent where our trekking crew Camp the tent and also cook food.

Tea houses provide tea and food which is the best possible accommodation available on the route. Tea houses offer very basic accommodation facilities having bed and blanket inside the room and some places attached bathroom too. The tea houses looks very basic and normal but it is neat and clean. Though, tea houses provide us the blanket but it is not enough to reduce cold. That is why, we suggest to bring sleeping bag own self to make warm and safety night.

 

Food and water 

Food and water is very important things during the trekking to Lower Dolpo. Tea houses provide breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tea/coffee. Trekkers can choose the food from Menu list what they like to eat such as Nepali food (Dal Bhat), soups, snakcs, momos, fried Rice, continental and American breakfast, porridge, Bread with Jam and honey, Eggs, noodles, spaghetti, spring roll, fried potatoes, and steak. But during Dhaulagiri trek, there will be basis local food that tea house provides to the clients. 

We recommend to have vegetarian food during trek due to porter and yaks carry meat from lower region which is not refrigerated that may cause stomach problem. Therefore, we would highly recommend to avoid meat dishes on the route with exception of tinned fish and preserved items. So, no need to carry food except chocolates, such as Diary milk, Snickers, Mars and so on. But in low region, if Tea houses can provide fresh meat of Chicken can eat easily. 

Do not drink water from river or water fall; local people can easily drink the running water that is not fit for foreigners as they do not have habit before. So, we recommend to drink bottle water or boiled water for good health that keeps our body safe. Even, trekkers keep purification tablet inside water, kills 99.9% of bacteria, virus and protozoa. Because of the altitude, it is recommend to drink 2-3 liters per day.

 

Hire a Guide 

A person having license from Nepal government, who guides visitor, interprets the cultural and nature, leads the right track to the Himalaya having responsible work recognized by the appropriate authority is known as trekking guide. Guide not only led the way rather he is the ambassador of country explaining People, history, geography, religion and make successful attempt for visitors. But Guide must be experienced during Dhaulagiri trek to find right track if snowfall. So must be good and experienced guide.

Trekking guide is also knows as Trek Leader who makes easy access in Himalayan region to book Tea houses, order food for visitors, manage porters, and lead the right trail to destination. He controls everything during trekking such as Porter, staying Camp, and communication with locals too. If any problem occurs guide need to decide after talking with clients and company.

During trekking, Guide is a good friend, makes entertainment with fun and laughter too. So, Trekking guides has very important role who not only make enjoyable trip but also educate the visitors through interpretation and contribute sustainability of local environment. The trekking agency should choose appropriate guide by providing suitable training time and again though they are government license holder. Guides expected to work to a high level of customer service keeping good reputation of the company and clients.

That is why our Guide has good communication skill, immediately solve the problem, decision making with self-motivation having physically strong and fit. Either the visitor go to Everest region trek, Annapurna region trek, Upper Mustang trek or other trekking trail, our guide makes successful effort to complete the trip.

 

Hire a Porter 

Trekking porters are those people who carry the gear of trekkers from one place to other, lives in village especially from Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung and Rai, community. 

They are very innocent, kind, pleasant and smiling having broken English will be together from beginning to the end of the trip. A trekking porter carries 25 kg to 30 kg of gears who are very fit from mountain altitude. Porters are the transport of the visitors so must be good relationship with Guide and trekkers. 

 

Telephone and Internet 

The internet, telephone and mobile phone is not available all the way to Dhaulagiri. There are multiple option for Internet, mobile network such as NTC and NCELL. Sometimes internet becomes poor during the time of bad weather or snow. NCELL and NTC are cheaper that works during trekking trail as well as Kathmandu too. Even trekkers can purchase WIFI in local tea houses which is chargeable. Due to the exciting geography and sometime bad weather conditions the mobile network has not access in all parts of the trial but the network such as NCELL and NTC works most of the places. The both NTC and NCELL Sim Cards can purchase at Tribhuvan Interantional Airport, Kathmandu or in the street of touristic town Thamel.

There is telephone connection in lower region of Dhaulagiri but in higher region telephone and internet does no work.

 

Toilet and Shower 

Wherever travel in the Himalaya, must know the circumstances of toilet and shower before depart to the destination. During the trekking to Dhaulagiri, most of the places, toilet should be shared by all trekkers due to common Tea houses only with normal beds in the room. Bucket Shower is possible in high altitude. 

But during the time of bad weather for example if heavy snow at that time it is hard to get shower above 4500 meters. We suggest to bring toilet paper during the trail due to very cold water for your safety and protection. Our Guide and Sherpa make toilet camp if you will go for camping trekking all routes of Dhaulagiri.

 

Toilet and Shower 

Wherever travel in the Himalaya, must know the circumstances of toilet and shower before depart to the destination. During the trekking to Dhaulagiri, most of the places, toilet should be shared by all trekkers due to common Tea houses only with normal beds in the room. Bucket Shower is possible in high altitude. But during the time of bad weather for example if heavy snow at that time it is hard to get shower above 4500 meters. We suggest to bring toilet paper during the trail due to very cold water for your safety and protection. Our Guide and Sherpa make toilet camp if you will go for camping trekking all routes of Dhaulagiri.

 

Trek Permit

Trekking permit is mandatory to entry Dhaulagiri region. Need Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit for Dhaulagiri trek. It cost 30$ per person. 

Permits can be purchased in Nepal Tourism Board by our company. During trek, need to show Permit in checking points from our trekking guide and provide permit to you after finish the trek in Pokhara and even in the route. Our company need your passport copy and 2 copy of passport size Photos to make permit at Kathmandu. 

 

Trek Equipment List 

While trekking to Dhaulagiri, need to sufficient trekking gears for your protection and safety. Trekking gears not only make protection for your body, it makes successful trip to Dhaulagiri. The trekking gears also have benefit to remove high altitude sickness and make easy access to destination. The following gears are mandatory towards Dhaulagiri Trek. 

  • Sleeping Bag (-20)
  • Trekking poles 
  • Waterproof hiking boot
  • Water proof warm Gloves 
  • Sport shoes
  • Waterproof hiking Pant
  • Fleece pant
  • Comfortable underwear
  • Warm and thin socks 
  • Duffel Bag, 90L
  • Hand carry bag
  • Water bottle 
  • Hiking Shorts 
  • Down Jacket 
  • Warm Cap & Sun Cap
  • Sun Glass
  • Sun Cream
  • Lip care
  • Headlamp with extra batteries
  • Neck Gaiter
  • Lightweight thermal tops
  • Waterproof jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
  • Rain coat
  • Travel Towel 
  • Camera 
  • Personal first Aid Kit (Though our guide also have First Aid Kit)
duration 19 Days
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