The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek is a long trek that passes through high alpine pastures, uninhabited valleys, high windswept passes, forests and cultivated terraced hills. Crossing two passes – the French Pass at 5,360m and Dhampus Pass at 5,200m, and including the Dhaulagiri Base Camp at 4,740m, this is a challenging trek which requires a high level of fitness. However, with good stamina and basic mountaineering skills, the rewards of this trek include stunning views of Tukuche Peak (6,920m), Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), Dhaulagiri ii (7,751m), Dhaulagiri III (7,715m) and Dhaulagiri V (7,618m).

Dhaulagiri rises above the deepest gorge in the world, the Kali Gandaki, and the circuit route provides stunning views of the whole Dhaulagiri range. Discovered in 1808, standing at 8,167m, Dhaulagiri was thought to be the highest mountain in the world until 30 years later when Kanchenjunga took that honour; later to be taken away by Mount Everest! The Dhaulagiri Circuit route was discovered in the 1950s by a French team, hence the French Pass, which leads into a lonely area known as Hidden Valley.

The circuit trail makes its way through villages and terraced farm land, along rivers and gorges, and along glaciers and moraine. With time to acclimatize before tackling the high passes there is plenty of opportunity to take in the magnificent mountain vistas.

Outline Itinerary

INCLUDES AND EXCLUDES

Faqs

Days	Itinerary	Altitude	Time
Day 1	Kathmandu to Beni (Drive)	850 m	9 hr
Day 2	Beni to Babia Chaur	950 m	5 hr
Day 3	Babia Chaur to Dharapani	1400 m	6 hr
Day 4	Dharapani to Muri	1850 m	5 hr
Day 5	Muri to Boghara	2080 m	6 hr
Day 6	Boghara to Dobang	2520 m	5 hr
Day 7	Dobang to Choriban Khola	3110 m	5 - 6 hr
Day 8	Choriban Khola to Italian Base Camp	3660 m	7 hr
Day 9	Acclimatization Day	3660 m	3 hr
Day 10	Italian Base Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp	4900 m	6 hr
Day 11	Dhaulagiri Base Camp to French Pass	5300 m	6 hr
Day 12	French Phedi to Thapa Pass (5250m) to Kalopani	5000 m	6 hr
Day 13	Kalopani to Marpha	2667 m	6 hr
Day 14	Marhpa to Jomsom	2743 m	3 hour
Day 15	Jomsom to Pokhara to Kathmandu	1400 m	2 hour

Expand/Close

FAQs

Is it safe to drink the water in Dhauligiri Circuit Trek

No. You cannot drink the water from the tap or streams in Dhauligiri Circuit Trek. Mineral water is not available on the trail. It is expensive to buy (perhaps 10 times more than in Kathmandu). You can use a water purifier or SteriPen.

Am I likely to get altitude sickness on my trek?

Be aware. Elevation on this trek will exceed 3,500m. The possibilities of getting altitude sickness generally start at this elevation. But in order to avoid this, as much as possible, we have designed the itinerary in such a way that it will give you enough time to acclimatize.

Am I at risk and how can I avoid altitude sickness?

There is no knowing who will suffer from altitude sickness. It does not follow that the younger and fitter people will not get altitude sickness where the older and less fit will. It is not related to (general) fitness or age. Talk to your doctor at home. There are prescription medications which help avoid the onset of altitude sickness. But above all, go slowly, listen to your body, be aware of any changes, and listen to your guide if he feels you are showing symptoms (which you might not notice).

What happens if there is need for emergency evacuation while I am trekking?

We will collect your travel insurance policies and details before the trek so that in case of an emergency we can coordinate with your insurance company and the helicopter providers for evacuation.

What about simple medical treatment on the trek?

First aid. On every trek we will carry a first aid kit. We also recommend you carry your own. Here is a checklist recommended by Karen Anderson of things you should bring. Vaccinations are not compulsory in Nepal but to be on the safe side we recommend you comply, where possible, with this list provided by again by Karen Anderson (medical doctor in New Zealand and friend and client of Magical Nepal).

Do I need to buy travel insurance before I come to Nepal?

Yes. Magical Nepal only provides insurance for our own staff. We recommend you buy insurance in your country. Note: Insurance should cover you for the altitudes you are trekking at (not all do). We recommend World Nomads.

Will I need to bring my own sleeping bag or not?

Yes, bring your own or you can rent it or buy it in Kathmandu. Renting a sleeping bag in Kathmandu will cost you $1 or $2 per day. To buy a new sleeping bag in Kathmandu expect to pay around $150 to $200 for one of medium quality.

Will I need to use crampons on this trek?

It is an exploratory trek, and weather conditions can be unpredictable. We might need to use crampons..

What happens if I forget to bring something with me from home?

If you forget something it might be extremely hard to find here. Please check here for an exhaustive packing list for (general) trekking in Nepal. If you are not a frequent hiker, you can rent most of the trekking gear in Nepal when you arrive.

Will we be using tents and mattresses on the trek?

No. There are teahouses along the trek. We will not need tents or mattresses.

Where can I leave stuff in Kathmandu when I am trekking?

Anything you don’t want to take on the trek with you can be stored at your hotel or in our office. We suggest you ensure your bag is lockable.

Who will be my guide?

We use local guides. On each trek our guides have been to the relevant areas numerous times. All are experienced, knowledgeable, flexible and authorized licensed guides with the Government of Nepal.

Will I need a porter for my trek?

This is a camping trek. We will need to carry all the equipment with us. Therefore we will be using porters. The cost of the porters is already included in your trip. Should you like to give your main pack to a porter, please remember to keep the pack as light as possible.

How much can a porter carry?

20kg. On average a porter can carry 22kg including their own backpack. So, they can carry up to 18kg of your gear and equipment. We provide backpacks for porters.

Are your staff insured in case of accidents etc.?

Yes. At Magical Nepal we make sure all our staff are well insured.

I hear incidents when porters do not have proper shoes etc. Is this true?

At Magical Nepal we ensure all our guides and porters have proper gear, are well equipped and protected. This is for their own well being and for the well being of our clients.