Dhaulagiri Base Camp

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16 days
Beni / Darbang Mygdi district/Marpha around Mustang district
Moderate To Strenous
Spring and Autumn

Highlights:

The spectacular views of world 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri and its range.
Adventurous trail to Hidden Valley, crossing highest point over French Pass.
Experience dramatic changes of climate, sub-tropical, cooler alpine to arctic cold.
Explore UNESCO heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath.
Walking from lush green forest of Rhododendron, pine to remorseless field of ice and glaciers.

Trip Facts:

Destination: Nepal Far Mid-West around Dhaulagiri Himalaya range.

Starting Point: Beni / Darbang Mygdi district.

Ending Point: Marpha around Mustang district.

Max. Altitude: French Pass (5,360 m)

Difficulty: Moderate to Adventurous and Challenging.

Best Season: Spring (April) & autumn (Sept, Oct)

Accommodation: Tented Camp and lodges where available.
Trekking duration: 11 Nights & 12 Days with drives and flights to Pokhara.

Trip Duration: 15 Nights & 16 Days from arrival to departures.

Introduction:

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek sometimes referred to as the Hidden Valley or Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek, is one of the most favored ‘off all the beaten tracks’ adventures around the Himalayas. It presents a dramatic change of elevation, great remoteness, and adventurous walks. However, pleasures outweigh the toughness encountered towards the Hidden Valley crossing over the high French Pass.

Beginning from the Darbang village, a sub-tropical farm area located close to the Mygdi Rivers flowing from the glacial source of Dhaulagiri peaks. From here the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek takes place. The trail meanders through low alpine woodland to cooler mid hills before emerging into remote Himalayan regions, where hikers can get close to the beautiful Dhaulagiri Himalayas.

Steady climb leads to isolated and remote Bagar, the final village on the way to Marpha in the Kali-Gandaki valley. The alluring grassland of Dovan under the open sky, will provide you with a fantastic camping experience.

Through the grassy land and deep forests of Chartare and Pakhaban, ascend to snow fed terrain of Dhaulagiri Base camp, ringed by towering peaks of Dhaulagiri I 8,167 m
-II (7,751 m), III (7,715 m), and IV (7,618 m), etc. Few ups and downs from here will lead to the French Col, the highest point of the adventurous treks.

Spending a day in a hidden valley, trek to Yak Kharka via Dhampus pass. Leaving the higher elevation behind, descend through charming village of Marpha and to Jomsom.
The headquarter town of Mustang district from here a scenic short flight brings to a scenic city in Pokhara. You may explore nature or experience the modernity of bustling streets in Pokhara. A flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu concludes our adventurous Dhaulagiri Circuit trek, with ample time to explore Kathmandu heritage sites.

Itinerary

DAY 1

Welcome to Kathmandu (1,400 m / 4,593 ft) and get transferred to the hotel.

On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our staff will receive and transfer you to your respective hotel. After checking into your nice rooms, and getting refreshed from jet lag, join in with another fellow trekker for a briefing about the upcoming trip. You’ll be directed about dos and don'ts during your stay in Nepal and regarding the trek. Overnight in a hotel.
In the evening have a delicious dinner in a nice authentic Nepali restaurant with a folk cultural program as an introduction to Nepalese cultures and customs.

DAY 2

Drive or fly to Pokhara (30 min) - 06 hours drives.

Take an early morning drive of 6 hours to scenic Pokhara city, an abbot of serene Phewa and Begnas lakes. On reaching Pokhara transfer to a lovely hotel, located near the beautiful Phewa Lake. In the afternoon enjoy a short walk around the lakeside that reflects the view of high Annapurna Himalaya.

DAY 3

Drive to Darbang via Beni (900 m) -05 hours.

Beni is reached after another 3-4 hours of scenic drive from Pokhara. Beni is a large town and the administrative center of the Mygdi district. The journey continues on the dirt road, passing through several towns and farm villages before arriving at Darbang.

Darbang is located near the raging Mygdi River, which flows from Dhaulagiri Base Camp and its glaciers. Flows all the way to join with the large Kaligandaki River way down to Terai belt. Today’s camp will be set by the bank of a river near to rural farm village.

DAY 4

Trek to Riverside (1,560 m) - 05 hours.

Today's first day walk of the adventure starts walking past farm villages following a pleasant trail along the Mygdi River. After a gradual walk, head towards overnight camp by the river. In the afternoon, enjoy the cool splash on the river or relax.

DAY 5

Trek to Bagar (2,375 m) -05 hrs.

The morning walk follows a river towards a farm village of Jugepani, where you'll stop for lunch. From here, climb above a ridge and descend through the forest to Bagar.
A moderate rural farm village and the last one till our walks join at Marpha, a charming village around Lower Mustang.

DAY 6

Trek to Dovan (2,600 m) - 06 hrs.

On leaving Bagar hamlet, as the walk continues on a narrow, undulating trail above the Mygdi River towards a ridge top. From here the path descends steeply, through a dense tree line and vegetation, reaching Dovan. A small temporary settlement with a few stone-made huts of a cattle herder. Here you can find small tea-shops, and scant accommodation for travelers. It is located in open grassy clearing amidst beautiful rhododendron and pine forest.

DAY 7

Trek to Chartare / Bhainsi Kharka (3,000 m) - 05 hours.

Today, the trek starts crossing a shaky wooden bridge over Kanoban Khola.
After taking a careful steps across the bridge entering the other end within a dense forest, the walk leads through another log bridge over a stream once again.

While descending from the forest, you’ll face occasional views of the Dhaulagiri range, peeping through closely packed trees. Before straying too far from the Konaban River, the climb begins on the gradual uphill forested path leading to reach the tableland of Chartare. Overnight camp in Chartare also called Bhainsi Kharka, amidst tall tree lines, the camp is set on a grassy meadow.

DAY 8

Trek to Pakhaban (Japanese Camp) (3,750 m) - 06 hrs.

Morning on leaving the campsite, proceed further along the trail to Italian Base Camp, located beyond woodland. From here onwards within glacial and moraine area, the trail enters a rocky area just beneath South-West wall of massive Dhaulagiri Himalayas.

Walk on glaciated valley, within moraine of ice and glaciers. Prepare yourself
for another ascend to a grassy narrow valley of Pakhaban, also known as Japanese Camp. Pakhaban is a lovely campsite facing spectacular views of Dhaulagiri-I, and its West Wall. Includes massive stone walls of Tsaurabong Peak right in front from the campsite.

DAY 9

Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750 m)- 06 hours.

From Pakhaban, walk down the right side of the valley blanketed with snow and fallen rocks. Carefully walk uphill along the undulating glacier surface as the valley bends to the right bank route. After short ups and downs, reaching Dhaulagiri Base Camp, the camp is set on a clearing away from rocks.

From the camp overlooking towering peaks of Dhaulagiri-I, (8,167 m), with D-II
(7,751 m), III (7,715 m), and IV (7,618 m) to the west. Where massif Ice Fall drops from the col between Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak. One can look up at the majestic North Face of Dhaulagiri-I at closest distance. The rocky moraine clearing will be the site of the overnight camp.

DAY 10

Trek to Hidden Valley (4,900 m) via French Pass (5,360 m)

Today’s journey is initiated along the moraine and the glacier to a rocky terraced hill. Passing a few ups and downs through the right side of the valley, climb up the French Col. The pass is not only summited for the adventurous purpose but also for spiritual enhancement. You’ll notice the Buddhist prayer flag or Lungta, raised by fellow hikers and climbers on the pass.

Cherish the view of Sita Chuchura, the Mukut Himal, and Tashi Kang (5,386 m), all of which surrounds the Hidden Valley. Tukuche Peak West lies to the right, and in the distance is the enormous Dhaulagiri-I. A gentle descent along the snow-covered landscape finally leads to the overnight halt at the wide Hidden Valley for overnight camp.

DAY 11

Rest day at Hidden Valley

Today is the much-required rest day when you’ll get to explore the Hidden valley. Empty your exhaustion in the midst of massive mountains. An ideal environment for blue sheep, you might get the opportunity to encounter rare species of mountain animals. Depending upon the weather condition, might opt to descend towards lower camp at Yak Kharka.

DAY 12

Trek to Yak Kharka (4,915 m) - 06 hrs.

After a fantastic day at Hidden Valley, the expedition moves on to cross over 5,250 m high Dhampus / Thapa Pass. The walk begins on a wide path with a short ascent per hour continued by a narrow lane for next few hour. You’ll finally reach the high pass at Dhampus Pass at 5,250 meters, which offers views of the Kali Gandaki Valley's deep gorge and the Annapurna ranges beyond.

At Dhampus Pass' summit ridge, Mukut Himal is seen in the distance as the Hidden Valley is hidden behind the Col. Up until the campsite at Yak Kharka, the mountainside is steeply descending and covered in rocks. Set your camp at the summer pastureland of Yak Kharka, accompanied by Nilgiri and the western end of the Annapurna massif.

DAY 13

Trek to Marpha (2,630 m) - 05 hrs.

This morning's stroll leads to a steep descent along a winding mountain trail that ascends to a ridge from which Dhaulagiri-I and the Tukuche Peak are once again discernible. To go to Marpha Village today, take the left bank of the Kali Gandaki River. Then, take the winding mountain trail that descends to the right side and crosses a stream to get to Alubari, a small settlement of yak herder with a few small stone huts. Continue through the winding trail remaining to the right and descending steeply along the slender mountainside.

The final downhill eventually leads to the center of Marpha, one of the loveliest village on this trip, where you can spend the night in the comfort of a nice lodge.
Marpha is known for its juicy apple and its product.

DAY 14

Drive to Jomsom and fly to Pokhara (860 m)

Take a 30 min short drive from Marpha to Jomsom, early in the morning. Jomsom is the headquarter town of Mustang with a small airstrip above Kali Gandaki river.

From Jomsom, taking an early morning scenic flight of less than 30 min to Pokhara, viewing the amazing Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range. On landing at scenic Pokhara, a short ride to the hotel by the lakeside. Rest of the day at leisure for individual activities.

DAY 15

From Pokhara fly to Kathmandu

An early-morning trip from Pokhara to Kathmandu takes around 30 minutes, depending on the flight time, offers a panoramic view of the snow-capped mountains.
On arrival at the domestic terminal in Kathmandu, our staff will meet you and transfer you back to the hotel. Rest of the afternoon at leisure for individual activities or enjoy shopping spree.

DAY 16

Final Departure.

After the last breakfast in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to the airport for final departure. Depending upon your time schedule for international flight to respective countries, after an amazing adventure on Dhaulagiri Base Camp & Hidden Valley Trekking.