The Mt. Dhaulagiri (8167m) trek is not for beginners. Ascending through the French Pass (5360m) will be a test of your endurance, but with well-prepared acclimatization beforehand will make it easier for you.
Follow trails through Hidden Valley set among impressive white snow-capped mountains and ruggedly desolate landscapes. The Hidden Valley is surrounded on one side by the Boudha Himal and Himal Chuli in the west, Ganesh Himal in the south and Sringi Himal in the North. This area has not changed in centuries due to it being cut off from the southern lowlands by deep gorges and rivers and from Tibet in the north by snow-covered passes.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek begins with a satisfying drive from Kathmandu passing Baglung and through the Kali Gandaki Valley to Beni. From Beni you trek to Dharapani Village where you will have superb views of the surrounding mountains and terraced farmlands. We then ascend to Italian Base Camp located west of Dhaulagiri. Each day we trek higher and today reach Glacier Camp (4210m) and then Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4740m), We will stay at Base Camp for a day to acclimatize before climbing to higher elevations. Of course, the higher elevations offer some supremely spectacular views. The most difficult day of this trek is climbing to French Pass (5350m) the highest camping place in the Hidden Valley. Throughout the trek we pass through several villages, each with their own ethnicities, such as Gurungs, Chhetris, and Magars. After arriving at Italian Base Camp we will be blessed with breath-taking views of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV & V whose snow-capped peaks overpower you. After another rest day we cross the final pass and then head down to meet the Annapurna circuit trail and go on to the charming village of Marpha.
We will drive back to Pokhara from Marpha by Jeep.From Pokhara we take a bus back to Kathmandu. This is mostly a camping trek that will give you a more personal feel for the surroundings. You will eat well and sleep well under the stars in the hills and valleys surrounding Mt. Dhaulagiri.
From the time you arrive in Kathmandu, the capital and cultural city of Nepal, we will be there at the airport to greet you and take you to your hotel.
After breakfast at your hotel we drive for eight to nine hours until we reach Beni. The road passes through numerous villages and has several rest stops where we can have meals and refreshments. Tonight we stay in a guest house in Beni.
Leaving behind Beni and the Kali Gandaki (river) we head along the north side of the Myagdi Khola (river) passing by Beni Mangalghat, Singa and on to Tatopani (hot springs). We crossing the bridge over to the south bank of the river and then another close to Simalchour Village where we stay the night.
The five to six hour trek today takes us through the valley along the banks of the river. The first village we arrive at is Shahashradhara. We then cross the Duk Khola and continue until we reach Ratorunga Village from where the valley becomes narrower. We keep trekking up through the valley until we reach Dharapani where we stay the night.
Today we trek for about five hours and climb to higher elevations passing Sibang and Mattim villages before descending to Gatti Khola and Phalai Gaon villages. We then cross the Dhara Khola (river) on to the west bank of the Myagdi Khola and then descend to the Magar village of Muri where we stay the night.
We start our day by ascending to the ridge and then descending to Juge Pani where we stop for a lunch break. After lunch we ascend along a steep trail and then find ourselves high above the valley. The trail follows along a cliff edge and after about an hour we reach Boghara Village where we camp for the night. Today’s trek is about six hours.
The trail today begins as we head through cultivated fields while ascending to the ridge. The trail becomes a little less tiring and then we reach Lipshe Village where we stop for lunch. We then trek through dense forest for about two to three hours until we reach Dobang Village where we camp for the night.
Our trek today is of about five hours and begins as we cross a wooden bridge and then ascend through a forest. Not long after we have views of the west face of Dhaulagiri I (8167m). We then drop down to the Myagdi Khola and continue to Chartare Village. After again passing through forested areas we reach Choriban Khola where we stay in a tent overnight.
Today the trek is of about seven hours. We follow the trail to the moraine at the base of the Chhonbardan Glacier and cross the glacier from the right. Tukuche Peak (6837m) is directly ahead of us and to the right is the magnificent north flank of Dhaulagiri I (8167m). After a short trek we reach Italian Base Camp where we set up our tents for the night. From this vantage point we have extraordinary views of Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715m) and Dhaulagiri V (7618m).
Acclimatization is important for your safety before heading to higher elevations. Medical professionals recommend that you stay active during the day, so maybe a short trek around and beyond Italian Camp will help with the acclimatization process. We will stay here for the night.
We get up early as we have a six-hour trek ahead of us. The weather is usually better suited to climbing in the early morning. The trail we follow today passes through a narrow gorge where rock-falls are not uncommon, hence the need to stay alert. We stop at Glacier Camp for the night.
This is a big day on the trek as we head higher to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. From here the north face of Dhaulagiri I (8167 meters) dominates the skyline, and in the west are Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715m) and Dhaulagiri V (7618m). These enormous peaks are overwhelming and right before your eyes! Directly ahead of us is the in front of you is the imposing glacier that descends from the north east. Tonight we set up camp here at Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
It is essential that we take a break here and again acclimatize. Again, it is advisable to remain as active as possible. The views are simply breathtaking.
A seven to eight hour trek is ahead of us today, and due to the higher altitude will be physically more demanding. We begin by crossing a moraine and then reach a ridge that heads up to the snowy slopes heading up to French Pass. We cross the pass and head into the Hidden Valley on the other side of Dhaulagiri where we make camp for the night.
Coming down from the Hidden Valley we head towards Dhampus Pass. The views from this pass are equally as impressive – lakes and glaciers are spread before us, while mountains surround us. We trek on to Yak Kharka and our tented camp.
The trek of five hours today has some memorable views of Dhaulagiri Peak in the south west, Annapurna and Nilgiri in the east and far off Mustang in the north as well as the deepest gorge on earth – the Kali Gandaki Valley. The trail is fairly easy going until we get nearer to Yak Kharka when it descends rapidly to Marpha Village . After lunch we will have free time for surfing wifi and sharing experience of trip to you family, friends and well-wishers, we stay the night here in a lodge.
Today we head back on a 6 to 7 hour drive to Kathmandu with many fond memories of Nepal and its unique culture and geography. These memories will last a lifetime!
White Himalayan Adventure representative will transfer you to the airport for your final departure from Nepal.
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