The Dhaulagiri Round Trek, also known as the Dhaulagiri Circuit, is a fantastic adventure trekking experience at high altitudes, traversing around the majestic Mt. Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh-tallest peak at 8,167 meters. Also known as the “White Mountain,” it is located in the remote western part of the Himalayas in Nepal. It is considered one of the most challenging trekking routes, but the trekking experience around Mt. Dhaulagiri is a thrilling adventure. This trekking adventure takes you through the untouched wilderness of the Himalayas, traversing through rugged terrain, high passes, and breathtaking alpine landscapes with spectacular views of the mighty Himalayas.
The trek begins with your arrival in Kathmandu, followed by a few days of leisure time to enjoy the cultural delights of the valley. From there, you head south to Pokhara, which is possible either by a short flight or a scenic drive. From Pokhara, the journey heads southwards towards Darbang, which marks the beginning of the trekking adventure. From there, the trekking journey gradually moves through villages like Sibang, Jugapani, Dobang, Soligari, and finally the Italian Base Camp, where the first important day of acclimatization is spent at altitudes above 4,000 meters.
As the journey continues, you traverse through more secluded and rugged landscapes, moving through Chhonbardan Glacier Camp and finally arriving at Dhaulagiri Base Camp. This is where you get to witness the breathtaking beauty of enormous ice formations and towering peaks. The route becomes tougher as you continue to French Col, which is a high-altitude pass located between Tukuche Peak and Sita Peak. Finally, you descend into the secluded region of Hidden Valley through the route of Dhampus Pass.
In the final stretches of the route, you traverse through alpine meadows before finally arriving at Jomsom. From here, you can opt to fly or drive back to Pokhara and then finally to Kathmandu, thus concluding the Dhaulagiri Circuit adventure successfully.
Highlights of the Dhaulagiri Round Trek:
Welcome! To Kathmandu, Nepal. You will be welcomed by an Asian Heritage Travel representative with a nameplate upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, and you will then be taken to your hotel located within the busy tourist district known as Thamel in Kathmandu. You will see some of the highlights of the city while traveling to the hotel, including Pashupatinath Temple, Narayanhiti Royal Palace Museum, and the peaceful Garden of Dreams. Once you arrive at your hotel, a representative will meet you to discuss your itinerary and answer any questions you might have about it. After you check into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore the busy streets, cafés, and shops of Thamel or relax at your hotel.
Includes: Private transport and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites and Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
Start your sightseeing tour by meeting your guide and climbing into your private vehicle. Your first stop will be Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you will walk among centuries-old royal palaces, intricate carvings on countless temples, and traditional courtyard-style buildings indicative of the venerable history of ancient Kathmandu.
Your next destination on your journey is Swayambhunath, commonly referred to as the Monkey Temple. Swayambhunath is a sacred stupa located atop a hill that contains both Buddhist and Hindu cultural influences, and provides fabulous views of the Kathmandu Valley and the distant peaks of the Himalayas.
The next stop on your tour is Pashupatinath Temple, one of the premier Hindu pilgrimage destinations in Southeast Asia. Pashupatinath Temple is built on the banks of the Bagmati River, where you will get a glimpse of the open-air cremation ceremonies and experience the spiritual practices surrounding the temple complex.
The last stop of the day is the incredible Boudhanath Stupa (another UNESCO World Heritage Site), which is one of the largest stupas in the world. The stupa dates back to approximately 600 A.D. and represents the center of Tibetan Buddhist culture, surrounded by local life, monasteries, and prayer wheels.
After an amazing day of cultural experiences, you will head back to your hotel to rest and relax.
Includes: Breakfast, Private Transport, English-speaking Tour guide, and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites and Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast in the early morning, you will embark on a beautiful drive from Kathmandu towards the western part of Nepal. During the journey, the driving route will follow the Prithvi Highway, which runs along the Trishuli River. Along the way, the rivers merge with the Marsyangdi River and the Kali Gandaki River. During the journey, you will witness the beauty of the terraced farmland, the bustling towns, and the villages through which the driving route passes.
After driving through the beautiful landscapes, you will reach the town of Beni. From here, you will take a jeep drive to the village of Tatopani, a peaceful village located on the banks of a river. Tatopani is known for its hot water springs, where you will be able to relax in the evening.
Includes: Breakfast, Dinner, Private Transport, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge in Tatopani.
This morning, you can take a relaxing dip in the natural hot water springs at Tatopani, which are famous for their relaxing and rejuvenating qualities. After this, you will take a jeep ride towards Muri, which is the last significant Gurung village on this route. During the ride, you will pass through fields, forests, and hills, and the majestic Dhaulagiri range will come into view gradually.
Muri village will welcome you with traditional stone houses, well-placed farming areas, and hospitality. Muri is a great place to get a sense of the distinction between the lower hills and the more off-the-beaten-path areas of the trek.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Muri.
Today, your real trekking experience begins as you leave Muri and continue the climb through the lush forests and farmlands. The climb is gradual, and the views of Mt. Dhaulagiri and other peaks are breathtaking. Along the way, you will pass through small villages and cross some suspension bridges over the glacial rivers, which will make the experience more adventurous.
As you continue the climb, the terrain becomes more rugged as you get closer to Bagar, a quiet and less populated place, which has been used traditionally for grazing and farming.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Bagar.
As you leave Bagar, the day’s route takes you deeper into the forested terrain, with the sounds of the flowing streams adding to the serenity of the trekking experience. The route takes you along the Myagdi Khola river bed, moving upwards through the forested terrain of rhododendron and oak trees.
As the route progresses, the trail becomes narrower and steeper, which is characteristic of the transition from the settled to the mountain terrain. Dobhan Kharka is a quiet place surrounded by steep cliffs and forested hillsides, which is often used as a stopover for the night by trekkers as well as shepherds.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Dobhan Kharka.
Today is a tough but rewarding day as you will gain a lot of altitude. The route continues through dense forest, gradually emerging into spectacular views of Dhaulagiri II, III, and V. As you ascend higher, the environment changes from a lush green landscape to a rugged mountainous terrain.
The long climb is well worth it as you arrive at Italian Base Camp, which is situated on a vast grassy meadow at the base of the impressive west face of Dhaulagiri. This is your first high-altitude camp.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Italian Base Camp.
Today is a day of acclimatization, allowing your body to get accustomed to the higher elevation before entering the more remote terrain. Today, you have the option of a short trek around the camp, where you can head towards the ridges for a better view of the Dhaulagiri range. The mountain amphitheater is a great place for photography. Acclimatizing here will help you prepare for the tougher glacier traversals.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Italian Base Camp.
From the Italian Base Camp, the route continues towards the glacier region. The route becomes more rugged as you climb towards the terminal moraine of the Chhonbardan Glacier. The route becomes more spectacular as you get to see the icefall, the rugged terrain, and the towering peaks along the way.
As you cross the glacier, the view of the Dhaulagiri peaks makes the walk worth the effort. From there, you will arrive at Chhonbardan Glacier Camp, which is located at the base of the spectacular Dhaulagiri icefall.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Chhonbardan Glacier Camp.
Today’s trek takes you onto the glacier and further into the heart of the Dhaulagiri range. This is considered to be one of the tougher days of the trek as you will be traversing through the ice, moraine, and rough terrain.
As you near the Dhaulagiri Base Camp, the imposing face of the Dhaulagiri massif comes into view with considerable detail. This is considered to be one of the greatest scenic spots of the Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking route. You will be setting up camp in a breathtaking amphitheater of mountains.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Another significant acclimatization day is spent at Dhaulagiri Base Camp, which will help you acclimatize to the high elevation before crossing the mountain passes. On this day, you can take a short walk on the glacier or simply take a rest and enjoy the breathtaking scenery.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp is one of the most impressive places in the entire range of the Himalayas, with ice formations, snow-covered landscapes, and unobstructed views of the surrounding mountains. This is a rest day, which will help you acclimatize before making the challenging climb over the French Col.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
This is arguably the most thrilling and challenging day of the trek. You will ascend steadily along the glacier, making a final push to the top of the French Col, a high-altitude mountain pass with prayer flags flapping in the wind, surrounded by spectacular views of the Dhaulagiri range. From the top of the French Col, you will be able to see the vastness of the Himalayas.
After viewing the spectacular scenery from the top of the French Col, you will descend into the Hidden Valley, a vast high-altitude plateau with a barren landscape that is reminiscent of the moon.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Hidden Valley.
Today, another significant high point awaits, as you will climb steadily over Dhampus Pass, followed by a steep drop into the lower valley. The views from the top will take in the expansive vistas of the Annapurna and Nilgiri ranges, which look particularly stunning as they rise up from the valley, set beautifully against the Dhaulagiri peaks, which lie behind you.
The trail can be cold and windy, but the views make the discomfort worthwhile. As you drop from the pass, you will arrive at either Yak Kharka or Alu Bari, which are seasonal grazing areas for the locals. This long and worthwhile day ends with a night under the expansive Himalayan sky.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Yak Kharka/Alu Bari.
As you descend from the alpine scenery to the lower Mustang region, the trail gradually becomes easier. Eventually, you will be able to connect to a well-trodden trail to the picturesque Thakali village of Marpha, which is considered to be one of Nepal’s most charming villages.
Marpha is famous for its white-washed houses, narrow stone-paved streets, and its apple orchards. The village is a welcome respite from the high-altitude trekking you have been experiencing, and you can enjoy the comfortable teahouse accommodation, good food, and even the local apple brandy.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Marpha.
Today, you will leave behind the mountain trails and embark on a scenic drive to Pokhara via Kali Gandaki Valley. The scenic drive will take you through dramatic cliffs, waterfalls, green hills, and villages.
As you near the lakeside city of Pokhara, you will find a more relaxing and picturesque environment. The serene and peaceful surroundings of Phewa Lake and other cafes with a view of Annapurna and Machhapuchhre ranges will provide a wonderful opportunity to relax and contemplate after a long trekking adventure.
Includes: Breakfast, private transport, and an overnight accommodation at Hotel Crystal Palace or a similar hotel in Pokhara.
After having breakfast, you’ll take a scenic road trip from Pokhara to Kathmandu, enjoying all of the beautiful scenery during the trip. Upon arrival, our representative will transfer you to your hotel for relaxation after the long trip.
That evening, you will attend a free time activity, where you can wander around Thamel’s busy streets, full of shops, restaurants, and local culture. This is a great time to experience Kathmandu’s bustling energy before concluding your tour.
Includes: Breakfast, Private Transport, English-speaking Tour guide, and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites and Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
Today is the last day of your journey. Three hours before your scheduled departure back to your home or another location, our representative will pick you up in a private vehicle after breakfast and drop you off at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport.
We hope you travel safely and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Includes: Breakfast and private Transport.
Getting to Nepal as an international visitor is easy with the availability of an easy-to-use Visa on Arrival service at Tribhuvan International Airport and almost all the land border crossings into Nepal. Upon arrival at the airport, you will complete the visa form, submit the necessary documents, pay the applicable visa fee online, and then you will be given your visa within a very short time.
With several different types of Nepali visas available for various duration periods, visitors have the choice of whether they want to stay for a few days or months; however, some nationalities must obtain their visa in advance of travelling, so you must check the current visa requirements.
Learn more about visa guidelines and requirements: Tourist Visa Information
Nepal offers a wide variety of accommodation to meet the varying requirements of travelers at every budget level and personal comfort preferences.
Luxury Accommodation
Enjoy the luxury and the comfort of a highly rated hotel, and are looking for a high-end experience. You will find many luxury hotels in Nepal with an array of modern conveniences, such as spa treatments, fine dining, beautiful locations, breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and individual attention from the staff. These types of hotels are perfect for people who want to relax, unwind, and experience luxurious facilities while traveling throughout Nepal.
Budget Accommodation
Travelers who want to experience Nepal without breaking the bank will be happy to know that there are also many inexpensive accommodation options, including guesthouses, boutique lodges, and homestays, which are all clean, friendly, and very good value. Budget accommodation allows a traveler to stay within their budget while experiencing the generosity of local hospitality.
We ensure that your accommodation matches your preference, whether you seek luxury or convenience.
Explore available accommodation categories: Accommodations in Nepal.
Nepal has a lot to offer with its incredible natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. Travelling can also come with risks, which is why anyone visiting Nepal needs to consider purchasing travel insurance, particularly those involved in adventure activities or trekking, as well as those who will be travelling to remote areas of Nepal. A well-rounded insurance policy can provide peace of mind through protection against the following:
Many trekking routes in Nepal are over 3000 meters (9842 ft); therefore, your policy should specifically state that high altitude travel is part of your Insurance plan, as well as the option to be evacuated in the event of an emergency. Choosing the right policy will help you receive the best possible care in your time of need.
Find out more about travel insurance for Nepal: Travel Insurance in Nepal
For hikers traveling to the Nepalese Himalayas, it’s essential to have the correct trekking equipment. Depending on what elevation you’re at, the weather might change drastically, so it’s crucial to use and carry the proper clothing and equipment in order to enjoy a safe and comfortable trip.
If you don’t want to travel with your own equipment, there are plenty of places in Nepal where you can rent or purchase what you need (particularly in Thamel, Kathmandu’s main shopping district). There are also locations within the city where you can find stores that offer a variety of high-quality trekking apparel and equipment at very reasonable prices.
See the complete trekking gear guide: Trekking Gear
