Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking

Dhaulagiri (8167m) is the sixth highest mountain in the world. This extraordinary route was first discovered by the 1950 French expedition that climbed Annapurna I, and provides stunning views of the whole Dhaulagiri range. It is particularly attractive to people drawn to high mountains and wilderness, and requires an excellent physical conditionand basic mountaineering skills. This rarely frequented itinerary starts in Pokhara and leads, through rice-terraces, up to Beni and farther up through picturesque villages of Tibetan culture along the Myagdi Khola, to the very heart of the Dhaulaghiri massif. After the base camp (4750 m), dominated by the Dhaulaghiri I (8091 m) gigantic mass to the south and the Dhaulaghiri II (7751 m), III (7715 ms), IV (7661 m) and V (7618 m) to the west, the trail crosses the French Pass (5400 m) and the Thapa Pass (5230 m). We will then reach the Kali Gandaki river and head for Pokhara or Jomosom, on the famous Annapurna Circuit itinerary.

19 Days Difficulty   Strenuous Maximum Altitude : 4500 m
DAY 01	Katmandu – Pokhara - Baglung by bus (9h) - Beni (817m). 3-hour walk.
The trail follows the Kali Gandaki river.
DAY 02	Beni - Babichor (950m) in 5h.
Pleasant walk through the fields along Myagdi Khola river.
DAY 03	Babichor - Dharapani (1500m) in 6h.
Wonderful panorama over vast terraced field areas.
DAY 04	Dharapani - Muri (1840m) in 6h.
We gradually climb up through fire tree forests.
DAY 05	Muri - Boghara (2080m) in 7h.
The valley narrows and villages become less numerous. Along the trail meadows give way to woods then terraced fields. Great vistas of Dhaulaghiri I (8091m), Gurja Himal (7193m) and Ghustung Sud (6465m).
DAY 06	Boghara – Dobang (2880m) in 6h.
Up and down along the Myagdi Khola in an untamed setting: dense forest and impressive waterfalls.
DAY 07	Dobang - Camp at 3200m in 5h.
We continue up through a gradually-thinning forest.
DAY 08	Camp at 3200m – Italians Camp (3700m) in 3h30.
Our first meeting with the glaciers. A magical panorama: just opposite, the impressive west face of Dhaulaghiri I stares at us, on our right side is Manapati, and behind, the fantastic great wall of theTsaurabong Peak.
DAY 09	Italians Camp.
Acclimatization and rest day.
DAY 10	Italians Camp – Camp at 4300m in 5h.
By a steep trail, cluttered with moraines we approach the Myagdi Khola springs. We then start our progression along the Chhonbardan glacier.
DAY 11	Camp at 4300m – Dhaulaghiri Base Camp (4750m) in 4h30.
The climb is now easier. We establish our campsite opposite an icefall, set between Dhaulaghiri II, II, IV and V on one side and Dhaulaghiri I and the Tukuche Peak on the other.
DAY 12	Dhaulaghiri Base Camp.
Acclimatization and rest day.
DAY 13	Dhaulaghiri Base Camp - French Pass (5400m) - Camp in the " Hidden Valley " (5050m) in 5h.
Splendid view from the pass of Dhaulaghiri I and the peaks surrounding the Hidden valley: Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal et Tashi Kang.
DAY 14	Camp in the " Hidden Valley " - Thapa Pass (5230m) - Yak Kharka (4400m) in 6h.
A short climb takes us up to the pass. Magnificent panorama of the Annapurna massif and the Nilgiris.
DAY 15	Yak Kharka - Tukuche (2591m) in 5h.
The path descends zigzagging along mountainside.
DAY 16	Tukuche - Ghasa (2012m) in 4h30.
We follow the Annapurna circuit route, along the Kali Gandaki river.
DAY 17	Ghasa - Tatopani (1189m) in 4h30.
The trail now high above the Kali Gandaki passes through narrow gorges–regarded as the deepest and steepest in the world– and takes us to Tatopani – literally "hot spring".
DAY 18	Tatopani - Beni (817m) in 5h.
DAY 19	Beni - Baglung in 3h, then bus to Pokhara – Katmandu (9h).
Corn, potatoes, barley and buckwheat fields alternate with meadows and forests.