Dhaulagiri Trek, Nepal

Arrive in Kathmandu and meet our representative at the airport who will transfer you to your hotel.

A full day of sightseeing around the Kathmandu Valley. In the evening, enjoy the welcome dinner with a live Nepalese Cultural Show.

After breakfast take a flight to Pokhara. The rest of the day is free to do as you please. Stay the night in a hotel.

Drive to Beni (850m) - 4 hrs.
After breakfast at the hotel drive to Beni. The drive should take 4 hours and you'll find it an enjoyable ride offering good scenic views. Beni is the district headquarters and has a police check post where your trekking permits will be examined. Beni is at the confluence of the Myagdi Khola and the Kali Gandaki. Camp overnight.

Trek to Babiachor (950m) - 5 hrs.
From Beni you leave the Kali Gandaki and head 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. Camp overnight.

Trek to Dharapani (1400m) - 6 hrs.
Strike out along a high, winding path leading out 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 walking through fields arrive at Ratorunga. From here the valley narrows again and the terraces disappear on either side of the river. Continue to the village of Dharapani. Camp overnight.

Trek to Muri (1850m) - 5 hrs.
Cross the river to its west bank and head north to Phedi. 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 a ridge, then descend to the Gatti Khola and reach Phalai Gaon (1810m). 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. Camp overnight.

Trek to Boghara (2080m) - 6 hrs.
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 (6465m). Descend to the Myagdi Khola and trek along its west bank to the village of Naura from where you will climb a little before traversing a grassy hill and climbing a steep slope with switch-backs and then descend through a forest and terraced fields to Boghara (2080m). Camp overnight.

Trek to Dobang (2520m) - 5 hrs.
The trail beyond Boghara descends through terraced fields to a small ridge and then through a forest to Jyardan which is the most remote permanent settlement in these parts. After the settlement a high winding path crosses a rocky area and then descends before climbing again to Lipshe where there is a single hut. The trail continues through a forest to Lapche Kharka and then climbs to the level area at Dobang. Camp overnight.

Trek to Choriban Khola (3110m) - 6 hrs.
Crossing a wooden bridge out of Dobang the trail ascends a forested area. Soon the west face of Dhaulagiri I (8167m) becomes visible through breaks in the trees. Descend to the Myagdi Khola and cross it 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. Camp overnight.

Trek to Italian Base Camp (3660m) - 7 hrs.
Follow a trail (which is not very well defined) to the terminal moraine of the Chhonbarban Glacier and enter the glacier from the right. Tukche Peak (6837m) becomes visible straight ahead; while the impressive north flank of Dhaulagiri I (8167m) dominates the skyline to your right. After a short while you will reach Italian Base Camp (3660m), which is also the site of your camp for the night. To the west are the peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715m) and Dhaulagiri V (7618m). Camp overnight.

Rest day for acclimatisation. It is recommended that your body acclimatises to the high altitude so that it is prepared for the even higher altitudes to come. Camp overnight.

Trek to Glacier Camp (4210m) - 6 hrs.
Set up early in the morning when the weather is generally clear. Follow the trail and pass through a narrow gorge. Camp overnight.

Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4740m) - 6 hrs.
Tukche Peak (6837m) becomes much clearer as you get nearer to it and the skyline is once again dominated by the majestic Dhaulagiri I (8167m). After a short while you will reach Dhaulagiri Base Camp (3660m), which is also the site of your camp for the night. To the west are the peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715m) and Dhaulagiri V (7618m). Camp overnight.

Another rest day, but very important for full acclimatisation. Views from your camp are superb and there is plenty to explore isn the surrounding area. Camp overnight.

Trek to French Pass (5100m) & Hidden Valley High Camp (5360m) - 6 hrs.
After the glacier you climb two terraced hills, the first of which runs along the glacier and then cutting across a mountain flank and a moraine you enter a gentle incline on the left from an ablation valley. Climb this gentle slope to the French Pass (5100m). A great vista opens up from the French Pass and you will be able to see Mukut Himal (6328m), Tashi Kang (6386m) and Sita Chuchura (6611m), all of which surround the Hidden Valley. To the south is Tukche Peak (6920m) and beyond is the massive peak of Dhaulagiri I. From French Pass you continue along the right edge of the Hidden valley losing a little altitude to Thapa Pass (5250m) between Tukche Peak and Thapa Peak (6012m). Descending from Thapa Pass you will make a high camp at about 5360m. Camp overnight.

OPTIONAL EXTENDED SUMMIT TREK - Climbing Dhampus Peak (6012m).
Those interested have the option of climbing Dhampus Peak at additional cost (see Availability tab). It will add 2 more days to the regular itinerary and is only a possiblity if there are at least 2 interested people. Extra day 1 - Trek to Dhampus Base Camp.

OPTIONAL EXTENDED SUMMIT TREK - Climbing Dhampus Peak (6012m).
Extra day 2 - climb to the summit of Thapa Peak (6012m) and then descend back to Dhampus Base Camp.

Trek to Yak Kharka (3680m) - 6 hrs.
Continue trek to Yak Kharka. There is a perfect camp site here to enjoy the surrounding area. Camp overnight.

Trek to Marpha (2667m) and Jomsom (2710m) - 3 hrs.
Descend to the village of Marpha, on the west bank of the Kali Gandaki River. Continue northwards up the river valley to the town of Jomsom. Camp overnight.

Flight: Jomsom-Pokhara-Kathmandu. Stay final night in hotel.

Transfer back to airport and fly back to UK.