Trekking around Dhaulagiri

Dhaulagiri, in central Nepal, is the world's eighth highest peak and along with Annapurna I, stands as a sentinel over the Kali Gandakhi River, which forms the deepest river valley on earth.

This challenging trek takes you to spectacular wilderness areas as we travel around the entire Dhaulagiri massif and along valleys that are little-travelled by locals, let alone by trekkers.

The contrast of cultures, landscapes and outstanding mountain views as we circle this vast Himal provide the attributes that make this one of the best extended treks in Nepal.

The remote wilderness areas of the Dhaulagiri Himal, the forests and traditional villages, two spectacular high pass crossings and a glacial traverse, will more than satisfy the most adventurous trekker.

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Itinerary / Highlights

DAY 1 Arrive Kathmandu
You will be met by your group leader and transferred to the Radisson hotel. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure. A pre-trek briefing will be given around 5pm where arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag, sleeping bag and down/fibrefill jacket. Evening drinks are held in the hotel for all World Expeditions clients arriving today. Drinks and snacks will generally be served
from 6:30 pm until 7:15pm, and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with your fellow group members before heading out to dinner.
Meals: NIL

DAY 2 In Kathmandu (1330m)
This morning a sightseeing tour takes in the key attractions in and around Kathmandu. In the afternoon you have time to explore Patan, Bhaktapur, and the lesser-known towns that dot the valley on foot, by bicycle or trishaw. The area has an amazing range of fascinating highlights, whatever your interest. Excellent bookshops, extensive markets, and novelty and handicraft shops contrast
with fantastic centres of cultural and spiritual significance - Kathmandu has more World Heritage sites than any other city in the world.
Meals: B

DAY 3 Fly to Pokhara
This morning we take a flight west to Pokhara, Nepal's second largest town (820 m). On arrival you are greeted with sights of the entire Annapurna Range. The rest of the day is at leisure. You may chose to relax in our very comfortable fixed camp, take a stroll to the lake or wonder around the town.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 4 Drive to Baglung Pani, commence trek to Beni (820m). Walk approx.
3hrs.
From Pokhara we follow the newly built road to its end at Baglung Pani. Once porters' loads are organised we trek in a northerly direction, following the Kali Gandaki River upstream. The trekking is easy going, the trail being reasonably level, and our camp is made just before Beni in a pleasant grassy clearing at the riverside. Immediately the beauty of these foothills is apparent and we look
forward to the days ahead.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 5 To Babichor (950m). Walk approx. 7 hrs.
Another gentle day of walking, leaving the Kali Gandaki and following one of its tributaries, the Myagdi Khola (river), to eventually reach its source at the Chombarden Glacier. The trail undulates to cross small streams and leads through small villages. Crossing a bridge to the south side of the river, we recross and continue to our camp just beyond the village of Babichor. These first days
allow us to fine-tune our fitness for more demanding sections ahead.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 6 To Dharapani (1200m). Walk approx. 7 hrs.
It is initially an easy walk as we follow the valley upstream but then we take a steeper route in the afternoon from the village of Phedi. The trail winds through conifer forests and then levels out as we head in to Dharapani. At this busy Magar village time can be taken to explore while camp is set in the schoolyard on the far side of the town. Dhaulagiri dominates to the northeast, while the Gurga
Himal is to the northwest.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 7 To Muri (1800m). Walk approx. 7 hrs.
An ascent of the ridge initially brings us out on to broad hillsides of cultivated fields and an open view of the Myagdi Khola. We traverse down towards it, crossing the Dhara Khola and climbing steeply to Muri, a traditional Mager village. As we approach Miri, numerous valleys open before us to provide vistas of Dhaulagiri I (8167m) and the Gurja Himal (7193m).
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 8 To Bogare (2080m). Walk approx. 6hrs.
A solid day of walking. Dropping first to the Dhola Khola, we climb a ridge to Gorban Dhara. The view from the pass is excellent and Ghustang (6465m) rises from the valley head. We descend to the Myagdi, ascend steeply and descend again to the river as the valley narrows to form a spectacular gorge.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 9 To Dobang (2430m). Walk approx. 7 hrs.
Another excellent walk as we traverse through the gorge with its many short up and downs, the result of parts of the trail regularly being washed away by the monsoonal rains. The trail leads through temperate forests to the beautiful setting of Dobang. There are few villages now and we trek in dense rhododendron forest and across high pastures.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 10 To Solgare (2820m). Walk approx. 7 hrs.
Some steeper climbing today as we head up towards the moraine and barren terrain of the glaciers which originate from Dhaulagiri. Firstly we descend to cross the Choriban Khola and trek through temperate forest. As we descend we enjoy glimpses of the west wall of Dhaulagiri, an inspiration for our efforts so far. We cross the Myagdi Khola and trek high above the river to Chartare.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 11 To Italian Base Camp (3500m). Walk approx. 4 hrs.
Our route takes us through the rhododendron and conifer forest and above the tree line. This is a short and very pleasant day's walk. The southwest face of Dhaulagiri I looms above us and the snow-covered flanks of Manapati (6380m) rise to the south. The huge rock parapets of Tsaurabong Peak (6395m) are to our west and the huge peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715m)
and Dhaulagiri V (7618m) fill the western sky.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 12 Acclimatisation day
A spare day allowed for further acclimatisation. We usually make a side trip from our camp, trekking as high as possible up a nearby ridge, in order to gain maximum benefit.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 13 To Deposit camp (4100m). Walk approx. 4 hrs.
We ascend and cross the glacier to our camp in the moraine. It is quite steep in places and it will be necessary to travel together to ensure a safe and steady passage across. It is a spectacular camp with Manapati, Dhaulagiri and Tsaurabang Peaks surrounding us. The past few days' walk have been short to allow full appreciation of the spectacular views, and to acclimatise well for the tough
day ahead.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 14 To Dhaulagiri base camp (4550m). Walk approx. 4hrs
A very solid day of walking as we trek across the glacier and up towards the pass. The day commences with a gentle walk across lateral moraine to the head of the Myagdi Khola and then on to the Chonbarban Glacier. As we round the bend of the valley, Tukuche Peak West is revealed for the first time. Our camp is spectacularly situated at the end of the glacier with views of Dhaulagiri I, II, III,
V, Tukuche Peaks and the imposing icefall that cascades from the north east col of Dhaulagiri I.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 15 Rest day
An important acclimatisation period prior to crossing the two passes ahead. We also allow for bad weather that may have impeded our progress to date. There are several slopes we can venture upon to gain better views and explore the area.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 16 To Hidden Valley (4860m) via French Pass (5360m). Walk approx. 8/9 hrs.
Our route leads off the glacier and ascends rocky scree to the pass. French pass is named after a French reconnaissance expedition in the 1950s which set out to climb an 8,000 metre peak. Dhaulagiri was chosen but found to be too difficult. Maurice Herzog and his team then attempted Annapurna I. Being the first to reach the summit of an 8,000 metre peak they achieved international acclaim. It was not without a high price though, as retold by Herzog in his book Annapurna I. As we approach the pass the terrain becomes steeper and it may be necessary to fix ropes for a small section, (approx 100m) depending on snow conditions. It will take at least half a day across undulating terrain to reach the pass from the Base Camp. As we reach our goal the mountains
surround us; Sita Chuchura and Tukuche Peak West flank us, Dhaulagiri I is behind, and Mukut Himal and Tashi Kang are to the north. As we descend into Hidden Valley the landscape changes to stark, dry lands with snowy peaks. There is a true sense of isolation here and it is quite possible we might sight the elusive blue sheep.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 17 Rest and exploration
This day is for exploration and to savour this remote and beautiful valley.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 18 To Alubari (3900m). Walk approx. 7 hrs.
Another long day, depending on conditions, to our camp just below Thapa (or Dhumpus) Pass (5250m). It is a short climb to the pass (approx. an hour), followed by a long traverse and descent upon loose scree to our camp amongst vegetation once again. Now on the other side of the pass, we can enjoy frontal views of the Nilgiri range and the broad valley of the Kali Gandaki.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 19 To Marpha (2667m). Walk approx. 3 hrs. Descending towards the Kali Gandaki Valley, the trail through forest is well defined and makes a pleasant change from the high alpine terrain we have been in for the last few days. We descend steeply all day and enter the main trail for trekkers of the Annapurna Circuit. Marpha is a substantial town of the valley and a good stopping off point for trekkers/pilgrims and traders between Muktinath/Jomoson and Pokhara. The paved, winding footway and closely built terracelike
housing makes the town very picturesque. Many apples are grown in the area, there is a good chance we may have apple pie tonight!
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 20 To Jomsom (2670m). Walk approx. 2- 3 hrs.
The final day of our trek takes us north to Jomsom where we will connect with our mountain flights tomorrow back to Kathmandu. On arriving we will stay in a comfortable lodge close to the airport.
Meals: B, L, D

DAY 21 Fly Jomson to Pokhara and on to Kathmandu.
We board the early morning flight to Pokhara savouring magnificent views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. On arrival at Pokhara airport we will have transport on standby to take you into the town. Here you can wander the markets and the lakeside for a couple of hours before returning to the airport for the onward flight to Kathmandu. On arrival we transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: B, L

DAY 22 In Kathmandu.
There are a million things to see in Kathmandu and we recommend you spend this day wandering the town and exploring the valley on bicycle or by taxi. The old Royal Palace, Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath (a major Hindu shrine) and the giant Buddhist stupa at Bodhnath are absolute musts.
Meals: B

DAY 23 Trip concludes in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, arrangements cease unless further ones have been made. Those people travelling by aircraft to other destinations will be transferred to the airport.
Meals: B