Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Highlights
- Less crowded trekking trails
- Magar ethnic villages and their hospitality
- Panoramic views of the Himalayas of Annapurna (8,091m) and Dhaulagiri (8,167m) Himalayan Ranges as well as Mt. Manaslu (8,163m)
- Many peaks over 7000m
- French Pass (5,360 meters) and Dhampus Pass/Thapa Pass (5,244 meters)
- Beautiful landscapes including the Hidden Valley
- Experience of a teahouse, homestay, and camping trekking at the same time
- Scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Overview
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a challenging trek towards the world’s 7th highest peak, Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m). This trek is also known as Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek or Dhaulagiri Circuit trek as well. It takes you as high as the Dhaulagiri North Base Camp (4,750 m).
The trail to Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek was first discovered in 1950 by the team of Maurice Herzog. They had planned to ascend to the top of Mt. Dhaulagiri. However, they ended up climbing Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m), which became the first 8,000 m+ peak ascended successfully!
Nevertheless, the first ascent of Mt. Dhaulagiri took place on 13 May 1960, after a decade of its discovery. An Austrian mountaineer Kurt Diemberger became the first person to mount on the top of this Great Mountain. He was a member of the joint expedition team of Swiss, Austrian, and Nepali climbers, which was led by Max Eiselin.
The Dhaulagiri Massif has extended to 124 kilometers between the Kali Gandaki River and the Bheri River. It is located nearly 34 km west of Mt. Annapurna (8,091 m). The Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world’s deepest gorge lies between Mt. Annapurna and Mt. Dhaulagiri.
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek follows the trail that passes along the ethnic villages of the Dhaulagiri region. Although people from various ethnic groups reside here, the Magar people’s majority is found.
The Trekking trail up to Dhaulagiri North Base Camp (4,750 m) is challenging as it rises above the normal altitude. But the presence of two high passes above 5,000 m has made this trek more difficult. You have to cross French Pass (5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass/Thapa Pass (5,244 m) while descending to the Annapurna region.
Round Dhaulagiri Trek Difficulty
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a challenging trek in Nepal into the Nepalese Himalayas. It leads you to the surroundings of the 7th highest peak in the world. This trek ends up at Dhaulagiri North Base Camp (4,750 m).
How difficult is the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek? To answer this question, we should talk about the important factors that determine the trek difficulty. First, every day Nepal trekking duration plays an important role. You have to walk for about 6/7 hours per day to cover a particular distance.
Until the first 4th day of the trekking in Nepal, the trails run below 2,500 m. It means there is less chance of altitude sickness. From the 5th day onwards, the trails begin to gain altitude, so move higher than the normal height.
As soon as you walk or spend a night above 2,500 m, you should be more careful to avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). From Chariban Camp (3,110 m) until you fly to Pokhara from Jomsom, you spend the time in the high and very high-altitude.
It means you should be fully aware of walking slowly; keeping yourself hydrated; and taking enough food, water, and rest. As soon as you feel any difficulty in breathing or walking, you should talk with the Nepal trekking guide. He will help you minimize the risk of altitude sickness that may sometimes result in death.
Next, the condition of the trails also measures a trek difficulty level. The trails up to the north base camp of Mount Dhaulagiri are well-defined and a bit challenging. But, while descending towards the Annapurna region from the base camp, you have to cross two Himalayan passes above 5,000 m.
To beat Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek difficulty, you should develop a habit of regular exercise and walking. If you have previous Nepal trekking or climbing experience, it will be a bonus point.
Round Dhaulagiri Trek Itinerary
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek itinerary ranges from 17 days to 25 days. The 17-day itinerary takes you to trails of the Jomsom Muktinath Trek. From Marpha, the Apple Capital of Nepal, you trek to Jomsom. You fly to Pokhara from Jomsom in just 25 minutes by enjoying the aerial view of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri regions.
However, if you want to extend it to 25 days, you avoid trekking to Jomsom. Instead, of the Jomsom trek, you divert to Kalopani from Marpha Village. Then, you make the Annapurna Sunrise View Trek and Ghorepani Ghandruk Trek. And finally, you trek to Nayapul and drive to Pokhara.
How Costly is Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a newly opened off-beat trek in Nepal leading towards the world’s 7th highest mountain. The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek itinerary ranges from 17 days to 25 days.
You know, the cost of a Nepal tour or Nepal trek package depends upon many factors. Nepal Trekking itinerary, number of guides and porters, services of food and accommodation, and mode of transportation.
If you fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, the cost is different while if you drive there, it costs something different. Similarly, if you hire a private jeep, it costs more than traveling on a local bus.
The cost of 17 days is different from that of 25 days. Likewise, If you trek to Jomsom from Marpha Village, the air ticket cost is higher. Similarly, if you connect it to the Annapurna Sunrise View trek and Ghorepani Ghandruk trek, you have to pay different costs.
We are always ready to provide you with the best Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek package at the most reasonable cost. Contact us via email, phone calls, WhatsApp, or online portal. Visit the Nepal Trekking Routes website for more info.
Round Dhaulagiri Trek Map
Talking about the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Map, you begin from Beni, the gateway to the Guerrilla Trek or Upper Mustang Trek. You can directly travel to Beni from Kathmandu in a private vehicle or a local bus. Or, you can even fly to Pokhara and then drive there.
From Beni, you cross Darbang, Dharapani, Muri, Bagar and Dobhan Kharka. Moving ahead across Chariban Camp, you pass by the Italian Base Camp, Japanese Base Camp, and then Dhaulagiri North Base Camp. From here, you ascend to the Hidden Valley via French Pass (5,360 m). Enjoying the jaw-dropping view of the soaring peak of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri Himalayan Ranges, you climb down to Yak Kharka via Dhampus Pass/Thapa Pass (5,244 m).
From these passes, you can enjoy the Himalayas as far as Mt Manaslu (8,163 m). Then, from Yak Kharka, you walk along the Kali Gandaki River Valley. By crossing Marpha, the Apple Capital of Nepal, you reach Jomsom. After spending a night at Jomsom, you fly back to Pokhara and then return to Kathmandu. You can extend a day or two to do the Muktinath trek from Jomsom and to explore the most touristic places of Lake City Pokhara.
Food and Accommodation During the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a combination of teahouse, homestay, and camping trek in Nepal. It is best for going camping trekking as there are not many teahouses on the route. For camping trekking in Nepal, you should hire a crew having a team leader, a cook, a waiter, a guide, and a porter. On this trip, you will spend the night at a tented camp while food is prepared by the cook of the crew. You won’t have choices for food items from a large variety of menus.
Similarly, the teahouses and homestays also provide basic facilities for food and accommodation. Due to the lack of transportation facilities, people of this region cannot bring many foodstuffs from outside. Next, the land topography is not very supportive of crops and vegetable production. However, you will get to choose the food items of your appetite until Beni and from Yak Kharka. In the rest of the treks, people provide you with basic facilities due to the lack of commercialization as well. The simple-minded people provide the best hospitality to the people.
