Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek - 20 Days

On arrival at Nepal’s one and only International airport known as ‘Tribhuvan’, where our staff and guide will receive you with a warm welcome with a garland, and then transfer to your hotel in the hub of Kathmandu in Thamel area or near about. After getting refreshed from the flight, our guide will brief with information regarding Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trekking with other norms, dos and don’ts, with evening group dinner in a pleasant Nepalese restaurant with cultural shows as entertainment.

Accommodation : Hotel

A free day in Kathmandu where you will join in for an exciting sightseeing tour led by our city guide, showing you the wonders of ancient history and culture of the Nepalese way of traditional life. Kathmandu city with Patan and Bhaktapur, steeped with World Heritage Sites, our half day lasts for 3-4 hours with lunch breaks, and then back to your hotel, afternoon preparation for the next day adventure to Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trekking.

Accommodation : Hotel

An interesting and exciting morning drive to picturesque Pokhara, the journey lasts for six hours, driving through many towns and farm villages, a great way to witness Nepalese rural life on the way. Finally drive brings you a warm sub-tropical climate at Pokhara with an amazing panorama of the Himalayan series of peaks of Mt. Annapurna with majestic Machhapuchare Himal ‘Fish Tail’. Overnight in a nice hotel by the serene Phewa Lake side, with time in the afternoon to wander around its shops and restaurants along the lakeside in the shade of the Annapurna Himalaya.

Accommodation : Hotel

From Pokhara, enjoying the morning panorama of mountains, taking another overland drive to reach our trekking point at Darbang village, as the morning drive leads past Pokhara valley heading into much countryside with views of Annapurna along the ride. Drive leads further west at Beni, headquarters town of Mygdi district and Dhaulagiri areas, from here continue driving past farm villages and towns to reach a farm village in Darbang. Darbang is a door to many areas Dhaulagiri base camp and as well as towards Dolpo and Dhorpatan areas, with warm semi-tropical temperatures located by the Mygdi River.

Accommodation : Tea House/Lodge

Starting our first day walk of the adventure, walking past many farm areas and small villages on a moderate trail following Mygdi River to our overnight stop and camping near Mygdi River, afternoon free with time to cool and refresh in the glacial river, fed from the glacier of the massive Dhaulagiri mountains.

Accommodation : Tea House/Lodge

Our second day walk follows the Mygdi River to reach a farm village at Jugepani for a lunch stop, and then climbs above a ridge with a long descent into the cool shade of the forest to reach a small Magar people farm village in Bagar, This will be the last village and human settlement before our walk leads to Marpha village on the other side at Kaligandaki River valley.

Accommodation : Tea House/Lodge

Morning walk on leaving farm fields and terraces away from Bagar village, where the route leads into forested areas for an hour, and then with a climb into the cool shade of dense woodland of bamboo, oaks and rhododendron-pine, and fir tree lines. After climbing, then descending to reach Dovan for an overnight camp, a small place in a forest clearing with a temporary small teahouse and shops.

Accommodation : Tea House/Lodge

From Dovan heading towards an unstable wooden bridge over an icy fast stream, one of the tributaries that joins the Mygdi River, after safely crossing the wooden bridge and then back into the forested area, all the way to reach our overnight camp at Chartare, also known as Bhainse Kharka.

Accommodation : Camp

After passing through the last of the verdant, rich vegetation and tree lines for a few days, the walk today leads into the utter wildness above glaciers, ice, and moraine. The night begins in the middle of a lovely, cold woodland. After admiring the views of the nearby peaks, the morning hike leads along the South Face flank of Mount Dhaulagiri, where one can see Putha Huinchuli and Manapathi. From there, one can reach a glaciated location known as Italian Camp. (This is where Italian expeditions initially set up camp on the way to Dhaulagiri peak.) From here, our true journey begins as we trek past glaciers and moraine before climbing over a steep ridge to arrive at Pakhaban, also known as Japanese camp. The camp offers breathtaking views of the South West Face of Dhaulagiri, Manapathi, and Puttha Hiunchuli, along with the massive ice wall of Tsaurabong Peak. This is the location where Japanese expeditions initially set up camp on their way to the top of Dhaulagiri.

Accommodation : Camp

Some of the path is over moraine and icebergs, so morning adventure treks require strong teamwork from our knowledgeable guide, camp staff, and porters to ensure a safe walk over these glaciated areas. A rocky, open location at Dhaulagiri Base Camp, with the main peak rising far above from the overnight camp overlooking its falling Ice Falls and glaciers, was reached after a strenuous walk over glaciers and moraine. Our primary adventure highlight was camping at base camp, which offers the closest views of the world’s seventh-tallest mountain, Dhaulagiri I, at an elevation of 8,167 meters. From there, we could see the falling icefalls, glaciers, and Tukuche peak, as well as the west peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 meters), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 meters), and Dhaulagiri IV (7,618 meters).

Accommodation : Camp

From this scenic and wonderful campsite morning walk heading towards our highest point of the adventure crossing over French pass at 5,360 m high, with seeping panorama of surrounding high peaks with Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks. After crossing the pass leads to a short descend and then on wide open huge grassy field at Hidden Valley for overnight camp, the camp offers views of Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal, and Tashi Kang 5,386 meters, Tukche Peak and Dhaulagiri I.

Accommodation : Camp

A full rest day as contingency in case of bad weather condition broken trail by snow and ice as well to maintain physical conditions of the trekking members, staff and porters. If all is well we can carry on to our next camp to other nice area to make the next day walks much shorter towards Beni and Pokhara. (On this day if not moving just relax and enjoy the views and explore on this least trekked area of Hidden Valley).

After a nice and pleasant stop at Hidden Valley, morning walk on gradual path for few hours to reach the last pass of the adventure over Thapa or Dhampus pass at 5,250 meters high. On reaching the pass offering views of Annapurna Himal, Nilgiris peaks, and then our walk descend to Yak Kharka for overnight camp and back into green vegetation of Juniper, Burberry and rhododendron bushes.

Accommodation : Camp

Morning walk leads to a long descend back into villages and human settlement, after being in complete wilderness for few days. Downhill walk leads into forest of firs, pines and rhododendron trees, after few hours of descend reaching at charming village in Marpha, where all houses are white washed a gem of a village with an interesting monastery. Marpha located in lower Mustang district around Kaligandaki river valley and on popular Annapurna Circuit route, Marpha and Kaligandaki area famous for delicious apples and product like cider, brandy local brew, juices, dry apples and apricot fruits. Enjoy the afternoon in the comfort of nice lodges and explore this beautiful village.

Accommodation : Lodge

From Marpha an enjoyable walk following Kaligandaki river downstream, reaching at Tukuche village, beneath Tukuche peak, Dhaulagiri and Mt. Nilgiris, from here back into tree lines of pines, oaks and rhododendron, walking towards a nice Kalapani village, after a short break walk to another lovely village at Lete offering grand views of Mt. Annapurna I, Nilgiris and Dhaulagiri, a short downhill brings at Lete village for overnight stop.

Accommodation : Tea House/Lodge

From Lete our last day walk of the adventure leads lead to dramatic change in landscapes and temperature, and then entering between two giant peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna which forms as world deepest gorge. From Ghasa village located southern end of Mustang area, dominated mostly by Thakali people and then heading at Tatopani (Hot Spring) village around warm and sub-tropic climate.Tatopani another nice village where you can enjoy in its large hot spring pools just by the bank of the Kaligandaki River.

Accommodation : Tea House/Lodge

After a refreshing overnight stop at Tatopani village enjoying its natural hot-spring, morning getting into a vehicle, a great change from walking for many days where drive leads following Kaligandaki River Modi downstream, entering into warm and green landscapes at busy Beni town. From Beni town which is the end of our adventure as the drive leads to scenic Pokhara by the Phewa Lake, where most of the good hotels located with many shops, stores and excellent restaurants. Pokhara extension: In Pokhara people with time can join in for a day adventure sports activities Paragliding-Zip Flyer-Kayaking-Ultra Light flights with cultural and scenic tour of Pokhara at places of interest.

Accommodation : Hotel

After a wonderful time on Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trekking and on high hills, morning an overland journey back to Kathmandu, on reaching Kathmandu after six hours of exciting drive, then transfer to your hotels with fee afternoon at leisure with last day shopping souvenirs and handicrafts. (Options by air 30 minutes flight back to Kathmandu with great views)

Accommodation : Hotel

Last day in amazing Nepal country full of mountain Seekers, depart from the hotel as per your international flight for homeward bound or to your next destination country, our staff transfer you bidding with farewell gar land or Buddhist silk scarf ‘Khada’ for your safe and good journey.