Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek
Trip at a Glance
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Country: Nepal
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Trip grade: Strenuous
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Destination: Annapurna region
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Activities: Camp trek
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Accommodation: Hotels/Tented camps
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Meals: Full-board on trek
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Transportation: Private vehicle/Plane
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Maximum altitude: French Pass (5360m)
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Trip Start / End: Kathmandu - Kathmandu
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Best Season: Mar-May, Sep-Nov
Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is a demanding trek that goes to the foot of Mt. Dhalagiri, the seventh-tallest mountain in the world (8167 meters. Dhaulagiri mountain range is a big chuck of mountain series range that stretches from the Kaligandaki River in the east to the Bheri River in the west, covering an area of around 120 kilometres (70 miles). The range is made up of smaller peaks Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV, V, VI, and VII of which Dhaulagiri I (8167m) is the tallest of them all.
Trekking to Dhaulagiri base camp passes along rugged terrain that provides stunning views of the Dhaulagiri mountain range and surrounding peaks. The prime features of the trek are the spectacular panorama of of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan ranges and the diverse topography one has to trek along which ranges from lush forests to Alpine land devoid of trees. Not to forget the Dhaulagiri Base Camp itself, located at an altitude of 4,750 meters. The base camp gives majestic panoramic views of Mt. Dhaulagiri I including other impressive peaks in the region.
The crossing of French Col (5,350m) to the Hidden Valley, which is located at 5,000m above sea level, is the toughest day of the entire walk. The summit of Dhaulagiri is also reached via The Hidden Valley. Spending a night at the base camp is the best trekking experience camping at the most remote and secluded locations on earth.
One will have a great opportunity to witness the local culture and traditions during the trek since the Dhaulagiri region has numerous indigenous communities residing at it’s remote locations. Their way of life and culture hasn’t changed much for ages.
The trek begins in Beni after a drive from Pokhara and follows the Myagdi Khola river valley. Dhaulagiri base camp trek itinerary then passes along remote villages, beautiful terraced fields, and dense forests. As the trail begins to ascend you will notice the landscape changing dramatically with towering peaks and glaciers becoming more prominent.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is a rewarding Himalayan journey for anyone looking for an adventurous trek in the Himalayas and challenge themselves in a remote and pristine wilderness.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek Highlights
- Enjoy spectacular views of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 meters), Dhaulagiri II, III, and IV, Tukuche Peak & the Annapurna range.
- Trek through remote & less crowded route.
- Crossing over Challenging Passes like the French Pass (5,360 meters) & Dhampus Pass (5,182 meters)
- Witness a variety of landscapes, from lush forests & terraced fields to alpine meadows and glacial mountains.
- Discover traditional villages inhabited by various ethnic groups such as Gurungs, Magars and Thakalis.
- Enjoy the unique blend of culture & landscapes of Annapurna & Mustang regions.
- Sightings of variety of wildlife, including snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, & a wide range of bird species.
- Take joy in discovering rich Cultural Experience with local communities & observing their traditional lifestyle.
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400m)
Day 02: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara & drive to Beni (850m) 20 min flight/4 hrs drive
Day 03: Trek from Beni to Babiachaur (950m/ 5 hrs)
Day 04: Trek from Babiachaur to Dharapani (1400m/6 hrs)
Day 05: Trek from Dharapani to Muri (1800m/5 hrs)
Day 06: Trek from Muri to Boghara (2080m/6 hrs)
Day 07: Trek from Boghara to Dobang (2520m/5 hrs)
Day 08: Trek from Dobang to Choriban Khola (3110m/5 hrs)
Day 09: Trek from Choriban Khola to Italian Base Camp (3660m7 hrs)
Day 10: In Italian Base Camp - Acclimatization Day
Day 11: Trek from Italian Base Camp to Glacier Camp (4210m/6 hrs)
Day 12: Trek from Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4740m/7 hrs)
Day 13: In Dhaulagiri Base Camp - Acclimatization Day
Day 14: Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley (5120m) via French Pass (5360m/7 hrs)
Day 15: Trek from Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka (4000m) via Dhampus Pass (3680m/7 hrs)
Day 16: Trek from Yak Kharka to Jomsom (2736m/5-6 hrs)
Day 17: Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara (830m/20 min flight)
Day 18: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu (6-7 hrs drive)
Day 19: Final Departure
Upon arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, you must complete your entry/visa formalities. You will then be received by a representative from Marron Treks and transferred to your hotel in Kathmandu. Welcome drinks will be served at the hotel, and then we will have a quick pre-trip meeting. You can then spend the remaining time resting or doing as you please. In the evening, you can stroll around the vicinity of your hotel just to get the feel of this wonderful city.
We leave the hotel after breakfast and fly to Pokhara, which is about 20 minute’s flight. Upon reaching Pokhara, drive for about four hours until we arrive in Beni. There are various rest points along the route where we may get food and beverages, as well as pass through several settlements. We spent the night in a Beni guest home.
Beni Mangalghat, Singa, and Tatopani are all places we pass by as we go down the north bank of the Myagdi Khola, leaving behind Beni and the Kali Gandaki River. To go to Simalchour Village, where we spend the night, we cross a bridge over to the south bank of the river.
Today's journey takes us into a valley and along the river's banks for five to six hours. We initially arrive in Shahashradhara, a village. We continue until we reach Ratorunga Village, after which the valley narrows, after which we cross the Duk Khola. Once we arrive in Dharapani, where we spend the night, we continue our ascent up the valley.
Today, we'll hike for about five hours, ascending to higher altitudes through the settlements of Sibang and Mattim before tumbling down to Gatti Khola and Phalai Gaon. As we descend to the Magar village of Muri, where we spend the night, we bridge the Dhara Khola (river) and continue on the west bank of the Myagdi Khola.
Ascending to the ridge to begin the day, we then descend to Juge Pani, where we pause for lunch. After lunch, we hike up a difficult track before emerging high above the valley. After travelling along a cliff edge for approximately an hour, we arrived in Boghara Village and set up a tent for the evening. The journey today took roughly six hours.
Today's trek starts as we ascend to the ridge while passing through farmed fields. As the terrain becomes a little less strenuous, we arrive at Lipshe Village and make a lunch halt there. After two to three hours of hiking through a thick forest, we finally arrived at Dobang Village, where we set up camp for the evening.
We start our five-hour hike today by crossing a wooden bridge and then ascending into a woodland. We soon get a glimpse of Dhaulagiri I's (8167m) west face. The Myagdi Khola is our next point of descent before reaching Chartare Village. We arrive at Choriban Khola after travelling through forests once more, where we spend the night in a tent.
The journey takes almost seven hours today. We go down the path to the moraine at the foot of the Chhonbardan Glacier, where we cross it to the right. Directly in front of us is Tukuche Peak (6837m), and to our right is the stunning north face of Dhaulagiri I (8167m). We arrive at Italian Base Camp after a little hike, where we pitch our tents for the night. We have breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715m), and Dhaulagiri V (7618m) from this vantage point.
Before ascending to higher elevations, acclimatization is crucial for your safety. The acclimatization process might be aided by a little hike around and beyond the Italian Camp. Medical specialists advise staying active during the day. We'll spend the night here.
We rise early because our journey will take six hours. Early in the morning is typically when the weather is most favourable for climbing. Keep an eye out for rock falls because the trail we are travelling today runs through a confined gorge. We spent the night in Glacier Camp.
The hike is significant today as we ascend to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. From here, the skyline is dominated by the north face of Dhaulagiri I (8167 meters), and to the west are Dhaulagiri II (7751 meters), Dhaulagiri III (7715 meters), and Dhaulagiri V (7618 meters). These breathtaking peaks are right in front of your eyes! The impressive glacier that falls from the northeast is just in front of us. Here at Dhaulagiri Base Camp, we set up camp for the night.
It is crucial that we stop here to rest and re-acclimate. Once more, it is advised to be as active as you can. Simply put, the vistas are spectacular.
We have a six- to seven-hour hike ahead of us today, which will be physically taxing because of the greater altitude. To get to the snowy slopes leading up to French Pass, we first have to cross a moraine. On the opposite side of Dhaulagiri, we enter the Hidden Valley after crossing the pass, where we set up camp for the night.
Today we go at a greater altitude to the slightly lower Dhampus Pass before returning to the height of French Pass at the opposite end of the valley. After passing across the pass, we start the descent to Yak Kharka, where we will spend the night.
Today's five-hour hike offers some spectacular views of Dhaulagiri Peak in the southwest, Annapurna and Nilgiri in the east, the distant Mustang in the north, and the Kali Gandaki Valley, the world's deepest gorge. Up until we get closer to Yak Kharka, the track is very easy to follow. Then, it descends quickly to Marpha Village, where we can rest for lunch. We travel to Jomson after lunch, where we spend the night in a lodge.
As we return on a spectacular trip to Pokhara, we soar above the hilly landscape and check into our hotel. Alternatively, we might sit by Phew Tal (lake) and take in the distant Annapurna Mountains, or we can put our feet up and relax while exploring the city's commercial district.
On our return to Kathmandu, which will take about six to seven hours, we can relax and enjoy the view. We will return you to your lodgings after a farewell meal in the evening.
The trip concludes, and our office representatives will take you to the international airport in Kathmandu to catch your onward flight to your next destination or fly back home. You need to be at least 3 hours before your flight time at the airport.
Thank you for visiting Nepal, and we hope your Himalayan holiday has come true. Have a safe flight back home!
If you plan to extend your holiday, then other travel activities like jungle safaris, rafting, mountain biking, bungee jumping, etc. are also on the list.
What is included?
- Airport pick-up and drop-off services
- Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu and Pokhara with breakfast as per itinerary
- Pokhara/Beni transfer by a private vehicle
- All trekking accommodation (in tented camps) with breakfast, lunch & dinner.
- Guide, porters, kitchen staff and helpers' wages for the trekking period.
- Kathmandu/Pokhara & Jomsom/Pokhara flight fares
- Four seasonal sleeping bags (to be returned after trip completion) & Marron Treks duffel bags.
- A comprehensive medical kit will be carried by the trekking guide.
- Personal insurance for crew members
- Permits for Annapurna Conservation Area and TIMS (Trekkers' Information Management System)
- Farewell dinner with a live Nepalese cultural program.
- All government and local taxes
What is not included?
- International airfare.
- Nepal entry visa fee: A visa can be obtained upon your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (USD30 for 15 days)
- Lunch & dinner in Kathmandu or Pokhara
- Personal travel insurance
- Emergency rescue evacuation (to be covered by the client's travel insurance)
- Excess baggage charges (the luggage allowance for domestic airlines in Nepal is 20 kg).
- Other expenses of a personal nature (phone calls, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters, bottles of boiled water, showers, etc.)
- Bar bills, alcoholic drinks, and beverages
- Tips for guides and porters (tipping is expected).
Route Map
Trip Info
Accommodation
While you are in Kathmandu, we opt to accommodate you in 4- or 5-star hotels like Hotel Royal Singhi (4-star), Hotel Manaslu (4-star), Radisson (5-star), Yak & Yeti (5-star), or similar. During the trek, your primary accommodation will be tents. These are typically high-altitude, double-walled tents for better insulation and weather protection. You'll camp in designated campsites along the route. These are chosen for scenic beauty, flat ground, and access to water sources. Your trekking crew will set up tents that include your own personal tent, dining tent, toilet tent and staff tent.
Meals
We never compromise the quality of food or the health of the trekkers as well as the crew members. Expect meals packed with carbohydrates and protein prepared by our trained cook to provide sustained energy for long trekking days. Think along the lines of porridge, pasta, noodles, spaghetti, French fries, soups, and dehydrated meals.
Acclimatization
Altitude sickness is a serious risk while trekking in the Himalayas. It's important to acclimatize properly by spending a few days at lower altitudes before heading higher. By spending time at lower altitudes before pushing higher, your body has time to adjust. Our trekking packages have enough acclimatization days planned where you'll be spending a day or two at lower altitudes, allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude.
Drinking water
You can fill your bottle with boiling water. To make water drinkable, you can use water purification tablets too. But, due to hygienic issues, you should avoid drinking water from taps, rivers, or wells in trekking areas.
Communication
Our office in Kathmandu is in constant communication with your trek guide. In Kathmandu, you can purchase a local sim card for communication purposes. At high elevations, the mobile signal might not be as strong, though.
Luggage
Our porters are paired with one trekker for every two hikers, and one porter can safely carry 30 kg maximum weight. Therefore, we advise you to fill your duffle bag not more than 15 kg with your belongings. You may carry a small backpack with your valuables and informational documents. The things you are not taking along on the trek can be stored in a hotel in Kathmandu free of cost.
Typical Trek Day
Mostly your trek day starts with breakfast at 7-8 am, followed by a 3-4 hour morning trek. Lunch break is around an hour, then you continue trekking to your destination for the day. After reaching the teahouse lodge, you can relax, explore nearby areas, and enjoy dinner at 6-7 pm. Evenings involve socializing, a trek briefing, and leisure activities before bed.
Travel Insurance
It is advised that you arrange your travel insurance before leaving your homeland. The main thing is to make sure that your insurance covers you for both- medical and evacuation costs. Having travel insurance with you makes your trip secure and hassle-free.
Our Guides
Guides play a significant role during the trek. They are the ones who literally decipher the trekking codes for you so that you can actually connect with nature, culture and people along the way. We have helpful and dedicated trekking guides who are very well-versed in the culture, life patterns and every single detail pertaining to the trek region you are traveling in. Thus, in the company of our professional Sherpa guides, your trek becomes not only entertaining but also equally informative.
Porter and Staff Care
When it comes to high-altitude trekking, porters and staff members make up a pivot. Marron Treks ensures that all the porters and staff members going to high altitudes are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. All our field staff are covered by insurance.
