About Dhaulagiri Round Trek
Overview
For those forever longing for an exciting, thrilling experience to go on mountain expeditions and have the most adventurous journey of their life, the Dhaulagiri circuit trek is a blend of all the beauty in the world providing you with fun, exciting and challenging trails.
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Dhaulagiri region trek is among the trodden areas that reside quietly among the Himalayan region of Nepal, hiding the best of nature within itself, unspoiled and undisturbed. It is known to be one of the most challenging and strenuous walks towards the mountains that offers you a heart full of beautiful destinations. The trails to this trek lead you through the enchanted lands, small isolated villages, and tranquil valleys that are often overlooked.
Like all other high-altitude treks, this trek also offers you gorgeous destinations leading you to the wonders of nature that unfold as you go along the route. But what makes it different is the off-beaten trek experience it provides you with. Unlike other treks you will not be seeing many tea houses rather you will be camping completely during the trekking period. The thought of living among the soulless snow-capped mountain peaks, far away from the daily chaos of the cities you live in, having only a few people giving you company to sink in all the beauty that the cold rocky mountain ranges provide you is a heavenly feeling that you will actually be living on this trek to Dhaulagiri region.
Dhaulagiri round trek is a trek within the premises of Myagdi district leading you to the foot of the world’s seventh highest snow peak in the world, Mt Dhaulagiri. The route to this mountain range is pretty rough and challenges you to the risky adventure it upholds along the way. The trek is very fulfilling and worthwhile as it is not only a trek to Dhaulagiri base camp but is a compilation of various journeys to various destinations, as during this trek you will be crossing two challenging passes and three wonderful base camps all within the same trail and same expenses. . Majestic mountains, unwavering waterfalls, trickiest of rocky terrains, stony pathways, rivers and glaciers, narrow trails, dense forests, unexplored landscapes and more are what Dhaulagiri trek is all about. Due to these many reasons, the Dhaulagiri circuit trek is a steal as you experience many travel destinations within one journey.
To add to this trek, it is also a junction to different treks such as the Annapurna circuit trek, and Jomsom Muktinath trek, which means not only does it showcases the magnificent Dhaulagiri massif but also the world’s tenth highest mountain peak, Mt Annapurna and the windiest town of lower Mustang. In the entire trek, you wander around the remote trek lines in the Myagdi district coming across hilly terrains, rough boulders, snow-clad glaciers, ice-frozen trekking paths, dense forests, and lush green meadows. As you step forward to this trek you need to prepare yourself to negotiate your way through treacherous trails, climbing massive boulders, ascending narrow paths with loose gravel and stones, and crossing large water streams. A trek that requires you to be courageous to overcome the remoteness and complexity that is essential, as you make your way up to the Dhaulagiri circuit.
Trekking in Nepal often means discovering new cultures and traditions along with the various lifestyles they follow. Likewise, in the Dhaulagiri round trek, you will come across people from varied ethnic groups and beliefs settling down in harmony and peace within the same localities. Among these varied groups of people, you will closely be encountering Magar and Thakali ethnic groups that reflects the diverse traditional and cultural aspect in every context such as food, clothing, architecture, and their ways of life. On this trip, you explore the hidden valleys and villages of the western part of Nepal. Interaction with the locals and their food gives you an authentic Nepalese vibe.
The entire trek ranges from 900 m to 5,360 m including 2 passes namely; French pass and Dhampus pass, and 3 base camps namely; Italian base camp, Glacier base camp, and Dhaulagiri base camp, and walk through the woody forests of an infamous conservation area namely; Annapurna Conservation Area. The Dhaulagiri region trek is a 16 days long trek that begins with a road trip from Kathmandu to Beni of the Myagdi district. The first two days, after your arrival at Kathmandu, you roam around the chaotic city and explore the popular world heritage sites including getting the permit for the Dhaulagiri circuit trek. It is essential that the required preparation for the trek should be done here in the city as every necessity for your trip is found easily here. Thereafter you leave for the trek. The initial hike of this trek actually begins after you reach Beni which takes you about 12 hours ride from Kathmandu. As soon as you arrive in Beni, you drive for Darbang which is at an altitude of 1,180 m by passing through the settlements of Tatopani and Babiya chaur. During this ride to Darbang, you transverse through scenic roads crossing the famous Beni Bazzar and the charms of the towns. The trek begins as you ascend towards Takum from Darbang via Dharapani. Here in Takum, you set up your camp for the very first time and thus begin your camping journey on a trek to Dhaulagiri as well. The next day you head towards Muri village coming across the Magar settlement, an ethnic group of Nepal. During the hike, you come across Sibang village from where an amazing panorama view of the snow-clad Dhaulagiri range and Gurja Himal is seen. On your way, you enjoy the incredible Myagdi Khola and Ghatte Khola.
Bagar also known as Boghara is the destination for yet another day in this trekking. Firstly downhill walk on a steep trail and come across some trails that lead you to climb a ridge and reach a pass. Here on this pass, you witness astonishing views of Mt Ghustung South. And during this hike to Bagar, you walk through the jungles and greeneries, passing through the villages of Mahatala and Naura. Staying at Boghara blesses you with the grand view of Manapathi peak. Following the trails of the Myagdi River with the exciting change in terrains, you continue to an isolated path where you merely see any human settlement as you head towards Dovan. Walking through the routes you encounter numerous waterfalls and beautiful campsites. Continuing on the trek you find yourself surrounded by pine forest by the side of the Myagdi River and finally arrive at Sallaghari. Keep your eyes on the extraordinary flora and fauna that you encounter throughout the woody trail. After the easy walk up until Sallaghari, the temperature slowly starts to drop and you find yourself among the cold mountain region. As the Italian base camp furthers the winds show you the authentic ice-cold weather in the Dhaulagiri region. Reaching the Italian base camp, you advance to Dhaulagiri base camp via Glacier base camp, completing 3 camps journey in a single trek. Furthermore, you will be hiking across the French pass that leads you into the valley which is known as Hidden valley. From here onwards you move on a trail that is Dhampus pass marking Yak Khark as your next camping destination.
Up until Dhampus pass which resides on an elevation of 5,244 m, continuous views of the snow-clad peaks throughout the entire Dhaulagiri circuit trek are expected. The infamous Annapurna massif is the world’s 10th and the Dhaulagiri massif is the world’s 7th highest peak along with other many mountain views such as Mt. Nilgiri, Mt. Machhapuchhre, Lamjung Himal, Gustung South, Tukuche Peak, Mt. Gurja, Manapathi is what you witness. Moving on to the further journey, after camping in Yak Khark you leave for Marpha, in order to reach Jomsom where you catch a flight to leave for Pokhara. Marpha to Jomsom is a whole new exciting experience because you will be walking on the rocky terrains of mustang a very popular vacation destination that experiences local tourism as well as international tourism frequently. This walk among the barren rocky pathways of Mustang holding a religious value will leave a special memory in your heart that you will never forget. Finally, as you arrive at Jomsom, camping is no longer a necessity and you stay at a fine lodge. Pokhara awaits as of the next day. Then you leave for Kathmandu after exploring Pokhara. The journey to the Dhaulagiri circuit trek thus comes to an end. Hereafter you leave for your final departure.
The entire trek to the Dhaulagiri region however can be adjusted according to your plans and the days of the visit, either by extending it or making a short trip.
