Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek - 18 Days

Dhaulagiri · 18 Days

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek - 18 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 5,360m (17,585 ft) at French Pass · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

18 Days

Max Altitude

5,360m (17,585 ft)

at French Pass

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Tented camping + 3-star hotels in cities

Overview

The Dhaulagiri Circuit is one of Nepal's most committing teahouse-less expeditions. Over 18 days you walk a complete loop around Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m) - the world's seventh-highest peak - crossing the dramatic French Pass (5,360m) and Dhampus Pass (5,230m) into Hidden Valley before descending into the Kali Gandaki gorge at Jomsom. There are no teahouses above Boghara. We carry a full kitchen crew, dining tent, sleeping tents and mule team for two weeks.

What makes Dhaulagiri Circuit special is its scale - you walk past three different base camps (Italian, Japanese and Dhaulagiri I), spend a night at the foot of one of the world's most striking ice walls, and cross from Magar farming country to the trans-Himalayan rain shadow in a single trek. This is not a beginner's expedition. You need real Himalayan experience, real fitness and real comfort with multi-day camping at altitude.

Highlights

  • Cross the French Pass (5,360m) and Dhampus Pass (5,230m) on consecutive days
  • Camp at Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750m) at the foot of the world's 7th highest mountain
  • Three base camps in three days: Italian (3,585m), Japanese (3,810m), Dhaulagiri (4,750m)
  • Walk through Hidden Valley - a vast high-altitude basin invisible from below
  • Descend into the apple-growing village of Marpha in the Kali Gandaki
  • Cross from Magar farming country to Trans-Himalayan rain shadow in 14 days
  • Views of Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak, Dhampus Peak, Nilgiri and Annapurna I
  • Fully supported camping expedition with full crew
  • Visit Marpha's apple orchards and Bon culture on the descent
  • Kathmandu-based, small-group, senior local guide

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

🍽 Welcome dinner

Airport pickup and trek briefing.

Day 2

Half-day Kathmandu sightseeing

🍽 Breakfast

Visit Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath with a guide.

Day 3

Kathmandu to Pokhara by tourist bus

⏱ 7-8 hours ↔ 200 km 🍽 Breakfast

Scenic drive along the Trishuli river to the lakeside town of Pokhara.

Day 4

Pokhara to Dharapani (1,560m) via Darbang

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ Drive 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long jeep drive to the trailhead. First night camping.

Day 5

Dharapani to Muri (1,840m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 12 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek through Magar villages and across suspension bridges.

Day 6

Muri to Boghara (1,990m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 13 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross terraced fields and follow the river.

Day 7

Boghara to Dobhan (2,400m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 12 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Enter steeper, rockier valley. Real wilderness starts here.

Day 8

Dobhan to Sallaghari (2,820m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk through rhododendron and bamboo forest.

Day 9

Sallaghari to Italian Base Camp (3,585m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 9 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Cross the lateral moraine of the Mayagdi glacier. First mountain views.

Day 10

Italian Base Camp to Japanese Base Camp (3,810m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 8 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend onto the glacier, walk the moraine to Japanese Base Camp.

Day 11

Japanese Base Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750m)

⏱ 4-5 hours ↔ 7 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Glacier crossing to the main Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Tukuche Peak (6,920m) directly above.

Day 12

Rest day at Dhaulagiri Base Camp

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Acclimatisation. Explore the upper moraine, photograph the south face.

Day 13

Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley (4,900m) via French Pass (5,360m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 10 km ▲ 5,360m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

The first big pass. Steep moraine climb, panoramic views from the top, descent into the wide Hidden Valley basin.

Day 14

Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka (3,990m) via Dhampus Pass (5,230m)

⏱ 7-8 hours ↔ 14 km ▲ 5,230m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

Second high pass. Long descent into the Kali Gandaki drainage and Yak Kharka camp.

Day 15

Yak Kharka to Jomsom (2,720m) via Marpha

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 13 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend into Marpha's apple orchards, then walk down the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom. Hot shower for the first time in two weeks.

Day 16

Jomsom to Pokhara by domestic flight

⏱ 20-min flight 🍽 Breakfast

Spectacular morning flight down the Kali Gandaki gorge.

Day 17

Pokhara to Kathmandu

⏱ 7-8 hour drive or 30-min flight 🍽 Breakfast

Return to Kathmandu and farewell dinner.

Day 18

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer for your onward flight.

Ready to walk this?

Enquire now →

What's included

Included

  • All ground transfers (tourist bus Kathmandu-Pokhara, private jeep to/from trailheads)
  • Jomsom-Pokhara domestic flight
  • 3 nights' Kathmandu and 2 nights' Pokhara accommodation (3-star, BB plan)
  • Half-day Kathmandu sightseeing with guide
  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
  • Dhaulagiri Restricted Area Permit
  • Senior government-licensed English-speaking guide
  • Full kitchen crew (cook + kitchen helpers)
  • Mule team for baggage
  • All camping equipment (tents, dining tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent)
  • Three meals a day throughout the trek
  • Group first-aid kit
  • HHT company duffel bag
  • All applicable government taxes

Not included

  • Nepal visa fee
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance covering trekking to 5,500m with helicopter rescue (compulsory)
  • Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara outside BB plan
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Hot showers, charging, sat-phone calls
  • Alcohol and bottled drinks
  • Tips for the camping crew
  • Any cost arising from flight delays or weather

Trek guide

The Seventh 8,000m and Its Circuit

Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m) was the highest known mountain in the world for 30 years before Kanchenjunga was measured higher in 1808. It is one of the most isolated 8,000m peaks - the closest comparable peak (Annapurna I, 8,091m) is 34 km away across the Kali Gandaki gorge. The circuit trek runs anti-clockwise around the entire massif.

Why Anti-Clockwise

We run the trek anti-clockwise (Beni-Boghara-Italian Camp-Dhaulagiri BC-French Pass-Hidden Valley-Jomsom). This builds altitude gradually over 10 days before the pass crossing. The reverse direction would start with the pass cold and is rarely done by commercial operators.

The Three Base Camps

  • Italian Base Camp (3,585m): Used by Italian expedition teams. First glimpse of Dhaulagiri's north-east face.
  • Japanese Base Camp (3,810m): Used by Japanese teams attempting the south-east ridge.
  • Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750m): The main climbing base camp. Direct view of the mountain's south face and Tukuche Peak.

French Pass and Hidden Valley

The French Pass (5,360m) was named by the 1950 French Annapurna expedition (Maurice Herzog) that crossed it during reconnaissance. On the other side lies Hidden Valley - a vast 4,900m basin invisible from below, ringed by Tukuche Peak and Dhampus Peak.

Acclimatisation

Built-in rest day at Dhaulagiri Base Camp (Day 12) before the French Pass on Day 13. Pulse-oximeter every morning above 4,000m. The slow climb profile from Pokhara to Italian Base Camp gives a good acclimatisation arc.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • Dhaulagiri Restricted Area Permit (USD 10/week)

Both arranged in Kathmandu before departure.

Best Season

  • Late spring (April-May): Warmer at altitude, stable weather
  • Autumn (September-October): Clearest visibility, drier passes

Monsoon (Jun-Aug) is dangerous - landslides on the lower section. Winter is impossible - passes snowed in.

Fitness

Strenuous. 18 days of walking, two 5,000m+ passes back to back, full camping conditions. Prior Himalayan trekking experience to 5,000m+ strongly recommended. 6 months of focussed training.

Packing list

Clothing: Heavy down jacket -20C, fleece mid-layer, soft-shell jacket, hard-shell waterproof, soft-shell trousers, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermal base layers, 7 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, balaclava, neck buff, insulated and liner gloves

Footwear: Stiff-soled waterproof trekking boots, gaiters, instep crampons or micro-spikes for the passes, camp shoes

Accessories: 40L daypack, 80L duffel for mule, -20C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, polarised sunglasses cat 4, 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank (15,000+ mAh)

Documents: Passport, Nepal visa, insurance, 4 passport photos

Medical: Diamox 250mg, painkillers, antihistamines, antibiotics (doctor advice), blister care, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, rehydration salts, personal medications

Frequently asked questions

How does this compare to Manaslu or Annapurna Circuit?
Dhaulagiri is significantly harder than both. No teahouses for most of the route, two 5,000m+ passes back to back, fully camping-based. Manaslu and Annapurna Circuit are lodge-based with more comfort.

Do I need crampons?
Micro-spikes or instep crampons are strongly recommended for the two pass crossings, especially in early spring or late autumn.

How fit do I need to be?
Strenuous. Capable of 7-8 hours daily at altitude with a daypack, comfortable with multiple nights at 4,500m+. Prior Himalayan trekking experience to 5,000m+ essential.

How cold does it get?
-15 to -25C at night in Hidden Valley. -20C sleeping bag essential.

What if a pass is closed by weather?
We build flexibility at Dhaulagiri Base Camp. If French Pass is closed for multiple days we can retreat down the same route - your safety is the priority.

Are showers possible?
No. 14 days without a shower. First shower at Marpha on Day 15. Baby wipes are your friend.

How are the camping conditions?
Two-person tents, foam pads, dining tent, dedicated toilet tent. Daily boiled drinking water. The cook prepares Western-Nepali-Tibetan fusion meals.

Can I do just half the circuit?
Not really - the trek is a loop. The shorter alternative is the Dhorpatan Trek or Gurja Khani Trek (9-12 days) which explore the same region without the high passes.

Is there mobile signal?
Patchy on the lower section, none above Boghara. Sat-phone carried by guide for emergencies.

When is the best season?
Late April-early May (warmer passes) or October (clearest views).

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $2595

per person

WhatsApp Enquire