Dhaulagiri Trek is quite possibly the most difficult and challenging trek in Nepal, if not all of the world. The trails are often non-existent and certain parts of the trek may require the use of safety rope. Since only a handful of trekkers embark on this journey each year, you will be able to see and experience a side of Nepal that trekkers on more popular routes may have a difficult time witnessing. Dhaulagiri Trek brings you close to the nature and people of the region and is a truly rewarding experience. If you are up to the challenge, this route offers you some of the most unspoiled and dramatic scenery in Nepal. This difficult trek takes you around the Dhaulagiri Massif and ultimately Dhaulagiri 1 (8167m), the seventh highest mountain in the world. You will pass through awe-inspiring farmland and foothills before ascending several days through untouched rainforest, meadows and glacial moraine. After departing Dhaulagiri Base Camp, you will cross the challenging French Pass before sleeping in the Hidden Valley. The Hidden Valley is an arid valley situated above 5000 meters and is perhaps one of the most challenging and surreal locations visited on this trek. After departing the Hidden Valley, you cross the Dhampus Pass and begin the long descent down to Marpha via the grazing fields of Yak Kharka. This trek is graded as very hard and recommended (by Mountain Ram Adventures) for trekkers who have previous experience trekking over 5000m.
The Dhaulagiri trek is one of the isolated trekking routes of Nepal with less to none human interference making it one of the best available camping treks in the Himalayas for the trekkers. The trek can also be considered to be an ideal option for trekkers searching for intimidating views of the High Himalayas with challenging routes. The stunning views and the demanding trek makes it one of the must visit destinations for adventure and thrill seekers from all around the world. The Mountain Ram Adventures team ensures the trekkers have an unforgettable journey which will be enjoyable and comfortable as we will be assigning capable team members to the trekkers who will assist the trekkers throughout the entirety of the trek.
Namaste and welcome to Nepal, upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu the representatives of Mountain Ram Adventures team will be ecstatically waiting for you at the terminal. After exchanging some pleasantries the team members will help load your luggages in a private vehicle and will be transferring you to your designated hotel in the Thamel area. Freshen up and explore the vibrant city of Thamel where you can experience the fusion of the local and western culture.
On our second day the clients will be meeting with the Mountain Ram Adventures team and the guides and porters who will be accommodating you during the strenuous trek. We will be exploring the Thamel area purchasing the essential camping gears and supplies as the Dhaulagiri trek is a camping trek with not even teahouses or any accommodation sites in some of the points during the trekking. The trekkers are also suggested to purchase any personal gear essential for the trek in the Thamel area as good quality trekking gears can be found at a highly affordable rate.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast in our hotel we will be heading towards Beni which is around 300 KM away from Kathmandu and takes us around 10-11 hours in a Bus. The journey is filled with windy and curvy trails filled with scenic views of the lush green mid hills filled with occasional glimpses of the Snow capped peaks. After a long journey we will reach the town of Beni which is the administrative head of the Myagdi District even though the town is divided into two parts by the Kali Gandaki River. The eastern half of the town falls in Myagdi district whereas the western half falls in Parbat district. The town is built at the junction of the Myagdi River and Kali Gandaki River.
After enjoying our breakfast and enjoying the views of the surrounding hills we will be having a short ride to Dharbang. The road to Dharbang is quite bumpy but is filled with scenic landscapes of the farmlands of the local villagers. After unloading our gears from the vehicle and stretching for a bit afterwards, we will be crossing the Myagdi Khola via a suspension bridge marking the beginning of our trek in the Dhaulagiri region. We will be heading towards Beni where we will be spending our night.
On our fifth day we will be heading towards Sibang. About 1 hour into our journey we'll be greeted by the sight of Mount Dhaulagiri and surrounding peaks of the Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range. After trekking for 2-3 hours we will reach the village of Dharapani where we will be resting for a bit and having our lunch. The village of Dharpani is filled with beautiful houses built in old traditional ways. After replenishing our energy at Dharapani we will be heading towards Sibang where we will be spending our night. The trekking trail on our fifth day will mostly be in the offroad motor trail.
Our trek from Sibang begins with a descent towards the river and crossing the river via a suspension bridge after which we will begin our ascent towards the other side of the valley. We will pass through beautiful scattered settlements and farmlands surrounded by intimidating and beautiful green hills on our way to Jugapani. During our beautiful hike we will be greeted with the site of majestic views of waterfalls as well. After an unforgettable journey we will reach Jugapani where we will set up our camp and rest for the night.
The hike from Jugepani begins with the scenic views of the farm lands of the locals after which we begin our ascent towards Lipshe Village where we will be having our lunch. After our lunch we will be trekking through the dense Alpine forest for a couple of hours which leads us to Bagar. We will be greeted by the spectacular views of the west face of Dhaulagiri 1 and Gurja Himal from Boghara.
The trek from Bagar to Dovan is stunning as we trek first through the farmlands of the locals after which we will pass through the narrow zigzag passage along the cliff face. The trek from Bagar to Doban is a challenging one as due to the 2015 earthquake the route to Dovan was damaged in some parts making it more challenging. During our trek we will be crossing rivers and streams quite a few times as well. The trek in total takes around 5 hours filled with inclines and scenic views.
After having our breakfast we will be heading from Dovan towards Sallaghari. We will be crossing through many rivers and landslide areas during our trek. The views seen during the trek are just magical. After trekking for a while we will reach Talitre where we will be having our lunch. After regaining our energy we will be heading towards Sallaghari. Sallaghari in English literally means a grove of pine forest, after reaching Sallaghari we will set our tent for the night.
The trek from Sallaghari to Italian Basecamp is filled with the scenic and imposing views of the western face of Dhaulagiri 1 and surrounding peaks. On our way to Italian Base Camp we will cross the sub alpine tree line clearing the views of the Mountain. The hike from Sallaghari to Italian Base camp will take around 4-5 hours while gaining an additional altitude of around 400 M.
On our 11th day we will be taking a day off for acclimatization and will be enjoying the scenic views of the surrounding peaks. We will be hiking up a hill above the Italian Base camp for acclimatization purposes. While enjoying the views make sure to listen for banging sounds similar to thunder which indicates there is an avalanche in the Mountains which are mesmerizing to watch. After enjoying the scenic views we will head back to Italian Base camp where we will relax and have an early night sleep to get proper rest for the days ahead.
The Italian Base Camp to Japanese base camp trek takes us through the Chhongardan Glacier which flows from Mount Dhaulagiri. The trek from Italian Base Camp to Japanese base camp is the most complex part of the trek. We first of all trek through a steep descent then again start a steep ascent towards the opposite side after which the trail takes us through the narrow passing leading to a flat trail alongside the glacier river which we will need to cross in order to reach the Italian Base Camp. After crossing the glacier river we will ascend through the rough offbeat trail of the glacier moraine which leads us to Japanese Base Camp also called the Glacier Camp.
We will begin our day with a nutritious breakfast as we will be heading towards Dhaulagiri Base Camp. There is a beautiful glacier waterfall which we will see as we begin our trek for the day. The trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp is an inclined ascent through the Glacier moraine of the Chhongardan Glacier. The ascent begins directly from the Japanese Base camp all the way to DBC. The steep incline takes us around 4-5 hours in total to cross after which we will reach the Dhaulagiri Base Camp where we will be camping for the night. The intimidating views of the Dhaulagiri 2 (7751M) , Dhaulagiri 3 (7715M) and Dhaulagiri 5 (7618M) will be seen from the Base Camp.
The Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley will be the longest trek of our 13 day journey during which we will be trekking for around 8 hours via the French Pass( 5360 M) which is the highest elevation point of our entire trip. We will be ascending through the moraine of the Chhonbarbang Glacier eventually reaching the French Pass from where we will get a panoramic view of the Tukuche West (6848M), Dhaulagiri 1 (8167M), Mukut Himal (6087M) , Tashi Kang (6386M) and Sita Chuchura (6611M). After crossing the French Pass we will be descending towards the Hidden Valley through the rough terrain. We will be taking breaks during our trek to catch our breath as we will be trekking at elevation over 5000M. We will reach Hidden valley which is a flat barren land with strong currents of wind flowing. We will be camping in Hidden Valley for the night which will also be the coldest night during our trek as temperature drops well below the freezing point.
The trek from Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka is a long one as we will be descending around 1280 M in altitude going from 5120 M to 3837 M. The trek begins with an ascent towards the Thapa Pass also called the Dhampus Pass which is at an elevation of 5240 M. After crossing the pass we head down towards Yak Kharka which comes after the camping grounds of Kalopani and Elevation camp. After reaching Yak Kharka we will be greeted with the imposing sites of the Annapurna Himalayan Range. We will be camping at Yak Kharka where the temperature is much more pleasant than the previous nights.
The trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha takes around 5-6 hours in total and is a steady trek filled mostly with simple descents. The trek takes us to the Apple capital of Nepal, Marpha which is situated within the deepest george of the world, the Kali Gandaki Gorge. The trek to Marpha is filled with the scenic views of the Annapurna Range and the trans Himlayan vista of the Himalayan Region. Marpha village is an ancient settlement which is mostly inhabited by the people of the indigenous Thakali Community.
The trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha was the last stretch of our trek so, after enjoying our breakfast and soaking in the views we will be catching a bus back to Pokhara. We will be covering a total distance of 150 KM for around 5-6 hours. First half of the drive will be through a bumpy off-road trail until we reach Beni, afterwards we will be traveling through smooth black topped road which eventually leads us to Pokhara. You will be dropped off at your designated hotel in the Lakeside area after which you can freshen up and explore the vibrant city of Pokhara. Lakeside is a small town within Pokhara city located beside the tranquil Phewa Lake where the amenities available are usually catered towards the tourists as the city of Pokhara is also considered to be the tourism capital of Nepal. The trekkers can enjoy the views of the Phewa lake while relaxing in the cafes, pubs, restaurants on the Lake shore.
After having our breakfast early in the morning we will be heading towards the Tourist Bus Park to catch our bus back to Kathmandu. The drive will be around 210 KM taking around 7-8 hours. The tourist buses are comfortable and stop in 2-3 places for lunch and refreshment. We will reach Kathmandu by the afternoon time to early evening after which the representatives will drop you to your assigned hotel. You can explore the Thamel area after freshening up. The Mountain Ram Adventures will be hosting a farewell dinner for you and providing you with a certificate of completion of the Dhaulagiri trek with the team. Share with us your feedback and honest opinion of the trek so that we can improve our service and accommodate the trekkers even better. After dinner with the team you can head back to your hotel and rest or explore more.
As your trip with the Mountain Ram Adventures has been successfully completed the representatives will be dropping you to the Tribhuvan International Airport after assisting you with your suitcases and the hotels checkout formalities. The team will be dropping you at the terminal and bidding you farewell. We will be waiting for your next adventure with the team to the Himalayas.
An elevated point of 5416m. You will be mountain climbing in the main on well established trails. Come and join a Great adventure trip.
The Dhaulagiri Trek takes us to the basecamp of the 7th highest mountain of the world Mount Dhaulagiri (8167M). The trek commences from Dharbang, Myagdi and ends in Marpha, Mustang of North-Central Nepal. The total duration of the trip is 19 days including 13 days of trekking (1 day for acclimatization) according to the itinerary developed by the Mountain Ram Adventures team.
Dhaulagiri trek is one of the most challenging treks filled with spectacular views of the Himalayas and lush green midlands of Nepal. The Dhaulagiri trek takes us to the basecamp of the 7th highest Mountain of the world Mount Dhaulagiri. There are no tea houses or accommodations at the higher elevation of the trek so for most of the trekking days we will be staying in tent camps. For travelers seeking challenging adventure and isolation away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Dhaulagiri trek is a perfect option.
During the Dhaulagiri trek the peaks of the Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range will be visible for the majority of the trek and some of the peaks from the Annapurna Himalayan Range will also be visible towards the end of the trek.
Dhaulagiri Himalayan Range: Dhaulagiri 1 (8167M), Dhaulagiri 2 (7751M), Dhaulagiri 3 (7715M), Dhaulagiri 4 (7661M), Dhaulagiri 5 (7618M), Mukut Himal (6087M) , Tashi Kang (6386M) and Sita Chuchura (6611M)Tukuche West (6848M).
Annapurna Himalayan Range: Annapurna 1 (8091M), Mount Tilitso(7136M), Nilgiri(6940M), Bharha Chuli(7647M), Annapurna South(7219M).
The Dhaulagiri trek is a challenging and demanding trek where we will be trekking through mostly offbeat paths. The trekking routes are also filled with landslide zones and we need to trek through them at some places. The trekking trails of the Dhaulagiri Trek were also severely damaged by the Landslide brought by the earthquake of 2015 AD.
The threat of Landslide and Avalanches are there during the trek yet the clients should not worry much as you will be assisted by the guides and porters for your trip who will be aware of the surroundings making the trip much safer. The threat of Landslides and Avalanches are there during the off season (Monsoon/ Spring and Winter Season) and not much during the Spring and Autumn season. We also request the client's to be aware of their surroundings which helps to elevate the risk.
The Dhaulagiri trek is one of the unspoiled trekking destinations with minimal involvement of the locals and government due to this there is a high chance of encountering diverse range of flora and fauna of the region. Animals such as Lynx, Red Panda, Snow leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Musk deer and other wide range of species are found in the region as well as birds including Koklass Pheasant, Cheer Pheasant, Impeyan Pheasant, White Stork, Black Stork, Red-headed Vulture, Indian Vulture etc are found in this region.
Yes, the chances of getting altitude sickness during the Dhaulagiri trek is likely possible as we will be trekking to an altitude of 5360 M (French Pass). The oxygen level is just around 50% of the sea level and the atmospheric pressure is also low so it is normal to feel light headedness during the higher altitude but make sure to inform your group leaders and guides so they can monitor your health and assess the situation. The guides assigned by the Mountain Ram Adventures are well experienced and can handle such emergencies as best as they can. The team members are well equipped with first aid and can mitigate the complication, if the health further deteriorates then the guides will request for a medical evacuation.
There are no health restrictions currently to enter in Nepal yet we suggest the clients carry their vaccination card and necessary documents with them as the policies of the airlines and transit countries might be different. To be up to date with the policies of Nepal you can check the policies at the Department of Immigration.
Dhaulagiri Trek is regarded as one of the most complex trekking routes in Nepal taking us to the base camp of the 7th highest peak of the world. The trek challenges even seasonal trekkers yet can be done by the trekkers who are trekking for the first time. The trek is complex but with the guides and porters assigned by the Mountain Ram Adventures team the trek becomes relatively comfortable. The guides and porters will be assisting you throughout the journey in every step sharing with you tips for walking properly and information of your surroundings. Without the help of the guides and porters the Dhaulagiri trek is near to impossible for the first trek.
The Dhaulagiri trek is one of the few unspoiled trekking destinations within the Himalayan Region providing stunning views of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan Range and the himalayan vista. Even during the peak trekking season the Dhaulagiri trek only witnesses few trekkers as it is quite complex than other treks and as there are no accommodations in the higher region making it an camping trek which is much more complex than the well established trekking routes so even during the peak season there are very few trekkers in comparison to the mainstream trekking destinations like Annapurna Circuit Trek and Everest Base Camp Trek .
During the Dhaulagiri trek clean water is not easily available and the trekkers are suggested not to drink the water directly from the water bodies. The guides and porters will boil the water first of all or use filtration tablets and make it ready for consumption as directly drinking the water from the source can lead to severe health conditions requiring immediate medical attention.
We will be covering a total distance of around 90 KM throughout the trek. We will be trekking for an average of 5-6 hours per day covering around 7.5-8 KM per day. The trek is a strenuous one and presents challenges even to the experienced trekkers, so the trekkers are suggested to trek according to their own pace and enjoy the scenes as fatigue and tiredness can also cause complications during the trek.
Cost of TIMS Permit per person: