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Dhaulagiri I (White Mountain) is the 7th
highest mountain in the world
(8,167m/26,869ft) and is separated from
the Annapurna region by the Kali Gandaki
River Gorge, which is also the deepest
in the world. This trek offers views of
fifteen peaks above 7,000 meters with
some of the best views of the Dhaulagiri
range from Magdi Glacier, Dhaulagiri
Base camp (4750m), the French Pass
(5360m, and the highest point of the
trek), Tukuche Peak and Putali Himal.
After crossing the French pass you will
come upon a hidden snow valley, giving
you a heavenly experience of the winter
white world. The Dhampus Pass between
Tukuche peak and Thapa peak is another
taste of heaven on the trek!
This trek is relatively strenuous and
requires high altitude trekking
experience. You will need to wear
gaiters and carry an ice-axe with you
for at least three days of this trek.
Dhaulagiri Trek Itinerary
Day 01 : Kathmandu
Kathmandu guided city tour.
Day 02 : Kathmandu
Spend the day on a guided tour of sacred Tibetan stupas and
monasteries.
Overnight in hotel
Day 03 : Beni (830m)
Fly to Pokhara (35 minutes) and drive 82km (4 hrs) to Beni.
Overnight in Lodge
Day 04 : Babichoaur (950m)
Trek 18km (6.5 hrs) to Babichoaur, getting a glimpse of the
middle hills of Nepal. The trail follows the Myagdi Khola
(river) and passes by terraced fields and villages. Some of
the houses in these villages are painted red with black
windows and doors, indicating a typical Hindu house. The
last three hours of the trek is on relatively flat terrain.
Overnight in stay tents
Day 05 : Dharapani (1,500m)
This 12km (7 hrs) trek continues along the Myagdi Khola to
Darbang Village, where we cross over to the west bank of the
river. Shortly after crossing we begin our 2.5 hour steep
ascent to the ridge, where we can see Mt. Myagumath
(6,273m/20,638ft) and Mt. Jirbang (6,062m/19,944ft).
Overnight stay in tents
Day 06 : Muri (1,815m)
The trek to Muri is 12km/6.5 hrs. From Dharapani to Sibang
it is for the most part a gradual ascent, with intermittent
short but steep ascents. In the wet season the trail
descends to Dara Khola and gradually climbs on the other
side of the river before reaching Muri, a congested village
consisting of wicker-work houses. This area is inhabited by
the Magar ethnic group, a mongoloid race of people who were
formerly Buddhist practitioners. Soon after arrival in these
mid hill regions they were persuaded to convert to Hinduism,
but have maintained their original spoken language (tibeto-bermal).
We will make camp above the village from where you can see
Mt. Manapati (6,380m/20,990ft), Mt. Jirbang
(6,062m/19,944ft), and a few peaks of the Dhaulagiri Massif
including Gurja Himal (7,193m/23,665ft).
Overnight stay in tents
Day 07 : Boghara (2,080m)
The 10km (7.5 hrs) trek alternates between descent and
ascent along the Muri and Myagdi Rivers with a relatively
flat section at Naura Bhir (bhir is cliff). The trail
changes dramatically at this point as we ascend a very
treacherous and narrow section of the trail before
descending on similar terrain to Boghara, the last village
on this route.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 08 : Dobang (2,520m)
Trek 10km (6 hrs) to Dobang. The valley is narrow and deeply
wedged between the peaks of Dhaulagiri massif and Mt.
Manapathi. The trail first goes down and climbs to the ledge
before it comes back to the river bed. We will pass through
some thick woods with occasional clearings for cow-herding
huts. From here the trek to Dobang is gradual.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 09 : Choriban (3,110m)
We trek 9km (4.5 hrs) along the Myagdi Khola through
landslide prone areas and at times thick vegetation.
Attention should be paid while we cross the rivers over the
locally made wooden bridges.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 10 : Pakoban (3,585m)
Cross the Choriban River and than trek 8km (5hrs) over the
high alpine meadows, with Dhaulagiri I (8,167m/26,869ft)
looming in the east. We will go down a slippery and
treacherous path where the glacier and the river join, so
caution is a must! We will make camp on the other side of
the river. The next three trekking days we will be walking
through a perpetual snowline.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 11 : Pakoban
Today is a planned rest day for acclimatization.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 12 : Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750m)
We begin our 13km (8 hrs) trek following the Myagdi River
for 1.5 hours before it see-saws over the glacial moraine.
As we trek across the glacier we will go over many boulders,
avoiding the crevasses. Along the trail, we can see Tukuche
Peak, Mukut Himal, Sita Chuchura and Dhaulagiri I. We will
make our camp on the glacier.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 13 : Hidden Valley (5,180m)
The 9km (6.5hrs) trek to Hidden Valley, a very wide meadow
where the Thakali people bring their yaks in the summer to
graze, passes between Sita Chuchura and Tukuche Peak. After
the first hour of trekking we will climb for 30 minutes to
the top of the ridge. Atop the ridge the French pass
(5,360m/17,634ft) can be seen on the other side of the snow
covered slope. Once on the pass we can get spectacular views
of Hidden Valley surrounded by an ampitheater of peaks
including Dhampus peak (6,035m/19,855ft), Tukuche
(6,920m/22,767ft) and Dhaulagiri I (8,167m/26,869ft).
Overnight stay in tents
Day 14 : Yak Kharka (3,680m)
We will leave by 5:00AM to begin our 14km (6hrs) trek to
cross Dhampus Pass (5,258m/17,299ft) before sunrise. The
view of the entire Annapurna Range being touched by the sun
with the valley resting below in the darkness is amazing.
Overnight stay in tents
Day 15 : Marpha (2,667m)
From Yak Kharka we descend 8km (6 hrs) along the flank of
the mountain to once again reach civilization. We return to
the tree-line, terraced potato and buckwheat fields, and
farmhouses. Marpha is famous for its apple orchards and is
home to two lovely Tibetan Monasteries (Solmi and Rinjin
Gompa). This will be the last night with all of our crew so
we will have a celebration to end our journey together.
Overnight stay in lodge
Day 16 : Jomsom (2,700 m)
Today is by far the easiest of our trekking days. We will
leave at leisure to trek the 6km (2 hrs) to Jomsom, and will
spend the rest of the day relaxing.
Overnight stay in lodge
Day 17 : Pokhara
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara in the early morning and spend
the rest of the day exploring Pokhara or relaxing.
Check into Hotel
Day 18 : Pokhara
Today is a rest day in this lovely lakeside town. You can go
paddling on the lake or take a visit to the Peace Temple
which overlooks the lake.
Day 19 : Kathmandu
Fly or Drive back to Kathmandu.
Day 20 : Kathmandu
Drive to Airport for Departure.
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