Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek
Overview
The Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is a challenging and awe-inspiring adventure that takes trekkers into the heart of the Dhaulagiri region in Nepal. This remote and off-the-beaten-path trek also offers a unique opportunity to witness some of the world’s highest and most dramatic peaks, making it an unforgettable experience for seasoned adventurers.
The trek typically spans around 17 to 21 days and starts with a scenic drive from Kathmandu to Beni, where the real trekking journey begins. The trail leads through picturesque villages, dense forests, and cascading waterfalls, immersing trekkers in the region’s natural beauty. As the elevation gradually increases, the landscape transforms, and trekkers are also greeted with breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains.
One of the highlights of the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is reaching the Italian Base Camp, which provides a mesmerizing vantage point for capturing the grandeur of Dhaulagiri I and the surrounding peaks. The journey also continues through challenging terrain, including glacier crossings and high mountain passes like French Pass and Dhampus Pass, which require technical expertise and acclimatization.
Journey into the Hidden Sanctuary: Exploring the Dhaulagiri Trek’s Pristine Wonders
The trek also reaches its pinnacle when trekkers enter the Dhaulagiri Base Camp, a secluded and sacred area surrounded by towering peaks. The pristine environment, snow-capped giants, and serene atmosphere create an otherworldly experience that feels like stepping into a hidden sanctuary.
Throughout the trek, trekkers are also accompanied by experienced guides who provide valuable insights into the local culture, traditions, and natural wonders. Teahouses and lodges along the route also offer basic yet comfortable accommodation and nourishing meals to refuel trekkers for the journey ahead.
The best time to undertake the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons when the weather is stable, and the views are at their finest. However, the region’s high-altitude nature demands proper preparation and physical fitness from participants.
Conclusion and Summary
Overall, the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is also a once-in-a-lifetime experience that rewards adventurers with the majesty of towering mountains, a profound sense of accomplishment, and memories to cherish for years to come. It is a journey into the heart of Nepal’s untouched wilderness, an expedition that promises to leave trekkers in awe of the natural wonders that grace this remote corner of the Himalayas.
Itinerary
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Day 01: - Arrival in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,445ft]
Arrival in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,445ft]
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Day 02 - Fly to Pokhara [827m/2,714ft]
Fly to Pokhara [827m/2,714ft]
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Day 03: - Drive to Darbang and trek to Dharapani [1,550m/5,084ft] 3-4 Hours
Drive to Darbang and trek to Dharapani [1,550m/5,084ft] 3-4 Hours
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Day 04: - Trek to Muri [1,850m/6,068ft]-5-6 Hours
Trek to Muri [1,850m/6,068ft]-5-6 Hours
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Day 05: - Trek to Boghara [2,080m/6,822ft]-6-7 hours
Trek to Boghara [2,080m/6,822ft]-6-7 hours
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Day 06: - Trek to Dobang [2,500m/8,200ft]-6-7 Hours
Trek to Dobang [2,500m/8,200ft]-6-7 Hours
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Day 07: - Trek to Sallagari [3,100m/10,168ft]-5-6 Hours
Trek to Sallagari [3,100m/10,168ft]-5-6 Hours
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Day 08: - Trek to the Italian Base Camp [3,650m/11,972ft]-6-8 Hours
Trek to the Italian Base Camp [3,650m/11,972ft]-6-8 Hours
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Day 09: - Acclimatization and Rest Day-
Acclimatization and Rest Day
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Day 10: - Trek to Glacier Camp [4,200m/13,776ft]-6-7 Hours
Trek to Glacier Camp [4,200m/13,776ft]-6-7 Hours
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Day 11: - Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp [4,700m/15,417ft]-6-7 Hours
Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp [4,700m/15,417ft]-6-7 Hours
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Day 12: - Acclimatization and Rest Day-
Acclimatization and Rest Day
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Day 13: - Cross the French pass [5,360m/17,581ft] trek to Hidden valley
Cross the French pass [5,360m/17,581ft] trek to Hidden valley [5,050m/16,564ft]-6-8 Hours
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Day 14: - Contingency Day / Optional Ascent of Dhampus Peak
Contingency Day / Optional Ascent of Dhampus Peak [6,012m/19,719ft]
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Day 15:- Cross Dhampus pass [5,240m/17,188ft] to Yak Kharka [3,680m/12,070ft]-7-9 hours
Cross Dhampus pass [5,240m/17,188ft] to Yak Kharka [3,680m/12,070ft]-7-9 hours
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Day 16: - Trek to Marpha [2,650m/8,692ft]5-6 Hours
Trek to Marpha [2,650m/8,692ft]5-6 Hours
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Day 17: - Drive to Pokhara [827m/2,714ft]-7-8 Hours
Drive to Pokhara [827m/2,714ft]-7-8 Hours
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Day 18: - Fly to Kathmandu [1,350m/4,445ft]
Fly to Kathmandu [1,350m/4,445ft]
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Day 19: Free day at leisure in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,445ft]
Free day at leisure in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,445ft]
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Day 20: - International Departure
International Departure to Home.
Include / Exclude
Cost Includes:
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- Airport Pick-up and Drop Off,
- Licensed and trained trekking guides,
- potters for carrying goods and supplies,
- Meal on full board (breakfast, lunch, dinner) basis during the trek
- 3 Nights Accommodation in the 3 Star Hotel in Kathmandu with B & B. (Bed & Breakfast) on Twin Sharing Basis.
- All accommodation on Tent during the trek on sharing Basis.
- All meals and hot beverages during the trek.
- Transportation to and from trail head by Private and Sharing Transport
- All necessary documents and permits for trekking (where applicable)
- National Park/Conservation Area entry Permit, Insurance, and
equipment for the staffs. - Coordination of quick Rescue service (Costs covered by your Insurance Plan)
- Trekking staffs wages etc.
- Welcome dinner in a Nepali Cultural Dance restaurant in Kathmandu.
- Trekking Map, T-shirt, and Trekking certificate.
- Exclusive of Medical Kit Bag
- All Government and local Taxes
- International Flight ticket re-confirmation.
- Meals will be Start when your Trek starts.
- Domestic Flights
- Domestic Flights for Trekking Guide.
- Trekking Staff Insurance of $10,000 Per Person
Cost Excludes:
- International Airfares,
- Travel/Trekking Insurance,
- Excess baggage charges More than 16kg and hand bag more than 5 kg in domestic flights.
- Visa fees.
- Airport Departure Taxes.
- Drinks (Cold and Alcoholic) Rescue charge.
- Tips for The staffs.
- Expenses of Personnel nature and Permit and Liaison officer fee (where Applicable.
- Meals during stay in the Kathmandu
- Extra Domestic Ticket of Jomsom, Pokhara etc.
- Extra Hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Price per person
Usefull Information
Difficulty
Dhaulagiri circuit trek or Dhaulagiri round trek is a challenging trek reaching up to a maximum elevation of 5360m at French pass and a maximum overnight elevation of 5050m at the Hidden Valley. This two weeks trek includes crossing two high passes above 5000m and is a fully camping based trek. Physically challenging due to the higher elevation, involves daily trekking of approximately 6–8 hours.
Prerequisites
No previous trekking experience is required but you should be moderately fit and must enjoy walking and adaptable to high altitude conditions.
Meals
All meals are included during the trekking period (Day 02 to Day 18 Breakfast).
We will provide three meals a day (B,L,D) during the trek. Since this is a full camping trek, our kitchen crew will serve freshly prepared meals during the trek. We consider hearty and delicious meals as a key component to the overall success of our trip. You can and is encouraged to bring along comfort food which you enjoy eating – chocolates, power bars, dry fruits, candies, other snacks etc.
If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know in advance and we will be sure to pass your message to your guide. For a gluten-free diet, we highly recommend you bring extra foods especially for breakfast as your options for the breakfast will be limited.
In Kathmandu, only breakfast will be provided to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where what and with whom to eat for lunch and dinner.
Accommodation
Hotel: 5 Nights & Camping: 14 Nights
Kathmandu: Kathmandu Arts Hotel or similar Hotel. In Kathmandu, we stay at Kathmandu Arts hotel, centrally located in Thamel, the hotel also boasts of a beautiful garden where you can relax and enjoy the greenery. Breakfast will be provided in the hotel and your accommodation will be on a twin sharing basis and if you would like to have a single room, upon request you are required to pay a single supplement price as stated in the trip costing. If in case of a single by default, we will arrange a single tent for you at no additional cost.
Regardless of whether you’re coming back from the mountains or touching base from the airport, come and unwind at the hotel, request some fine Italian espresso or a chilled Beer, and escape in the memorable surroundings of Kathmandu’s most adored guesthouse.
Pokhara: 3-star hotel
In Pokhara, your accommodation will be at a 3-star hotel located in the lakeside area. Your accommodation will be on a twin sharing basis and if you would like to have a single room, upon request you are required to pay a single supplement price as stated in the trip costing. If in case of a single by default, we will arrange a single tent for you at no additional cost.
Trekking: Camping your accommodation during the trekking period will be fully tented camping. A tent will be provided for every 2 travelers with a foam mattress. If in case of a single by default, we will arrange a single tent for you at no additional cost. There will also be a kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, table, chairs and more for your comfort.
Best season
The best seasons to trek the Dhaulagiri circuit are Autumn (from October till November) and Spring (April until May). The weather during these months tends to be clear and nice allowing us to enjoy the trekking to the fullest. Since this trip includes high mountain passes exceeding 5000m and remote location, we strictly do not recommend going during poor weather conditions.
Temperatures will drop considerably as you ascend higher every day. The nights are cold (between -10C to 5C) and the days are sunny and hot (between 10C to 20C). Mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up in the afternoon and disappearing at night.
Guides
We possess a deep passion for alpine adventure & the outdoors, and with the small professional group we have on board, we’ve notched up experience that spans almost 3 decades on some of the most isolated trails and highest peaks.
We take great pride in calling ourselves a ‘high-altitude adventure specialist’ and all this is due to our diverse and qualified team of guides. Most of our guides were born in the Himalayan regions of Nepal & have relatives living in other parts of the regions where they were born in. We know that locally born staffs are a vital cog in that wheel of sometimes dangerous adventure where anything can happen.
Group size
Our emphasis is always on maintaining the small group so that it will be easy to coordinate and cooperate with each other. Our group size is small and we only take up to 15 pax in one group. If you opt to join our ‘fixed departure trip’, you are likely to be joining people from different countries of any age group except minors. The size of the group varies, the minimum no of persons required to operate a trip is 2 the maximum is 12 people.
Travel Insurance
It’s mandatory and highly recommended to get travel insurance before embarking on any adventurous trips in Nepal. We advise all our clients to get travel insurance that covers up emergency helicopter evacuation that may be needed in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or any other reasons in high altitudes where there are no other means of transportation available. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision. Carry proof of your insurance with you on the holiday and leave a copy next to your kin. You must ensure that your insurance provides an adequate level of protection and covers you for the activities involved.
More information: Travel Insurance
Drinking water
We provide boiled water for drinking purpose on all our treks and climbs. During mealtime, you can ask the boys to fill the hot water for you. We strongly discourage the use of single-use plastic bottles such as mineral water on all our trips. Carrying a hot water bottle is highly recommended.
Safety measures
Safety is always a priority while travelling with Friendship World Treks. Our Dhaulagiri circuit trek itinerary is devised keeping every aspect in mind, allowing proper acclimatization, rest days, and walking hours. On all our high altitude treks including the Dhaulagiri circuit trek, we send a supplementary oxygen system, satellite phone and a comprehensive medical kit be it a group of 2 or 12 for an emergency purpose. Besides, we also have a high staff to client ratio on all our treks.
Typical day on trek
Daily wake up calls will be between 6.00 am to 7.00 am while on the trek. The wake-up time and breakfast time will be decided the night before during the briefing time. The time table for each day will entirely depend on your walking duration for that particular day.
Tea will be served at your tent as a wake-up call. After a hearty breakfast, we set off on the day’s walk. Before breakfast, you are required to pack your duffel bag as it will be loaded by the porter while you are having your breakfast. After 3-4 hours of walk, we stop for lunch mid-day. The afternoon’s walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. On some days, we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day’s adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.
Will I have to carry my own stuff?
You will only carry your day pack carrying the essential items (Water, Cameras, Extra Fleece, Rain jacket, Sunscreen, Snacks, Valuable Items etc.) that you may need during the walk. Rest of your stuff will be carried by the porter. We provide 1 porter to every 2 participants and we also provide a duffel bag to put your trekking gears.
Travel Insurance for Nepal
Choosing the right travel insurance for Nepal can be confusing but it’s also an important decision. It’s mandatory and highly recommended to get Travel insurance before embarking on any adventurous trips in Nepal with Friendship World Treks.
We advise all our clients to get travel insurance that covers Medical evacuation insurance and Travel protection. Medical evacuation insurance is a must when travelling at high altitudes in a remote part of the world where there are no other means of transportation available in case of the occurrence of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) or any other reasons in high altitudes. Similarly, Travel protection is highly recommended to protect your travel investment from unforeseen circumstances that may occur during or before your trip.
Emergency Medical Evacuation, Travel protection (Cancellation/Interruption), Medical expenses, Baggage loss & delays, and Death & Repatriation are also other important factors to include when purchasing your Insurance. It is advisable to review carefully the insurance and its coverages before making the final decision. Carry proof of your insurance with you on the holiday and leave a copy next to your kin. You must ensure that your insurance provides an adequate level of protection and covers you for the activities involved.
Below you will find some information and recommendation that might help you in getting your insurance sorted before you embark on your adventure.
First thing first:
If you have an annual policy, household insurer or an existing health insurance company, check with them first if they are able to offer you a policy that covers the level of activity that you are undertaking as they are generally cheaper than getting new insurance.
Medical, Rescue and treatment:
Medical evacuation in remote places where there are no other means of transportation available can be really expensive. It’s mandatory for all our clients to have insurance that covers emergency evacuation, medical and treatment. If your own insurance doesn’t provide these coverages, then we strongly urge you to consider it again and get yourself fully insured. It is also important to know how much coverage you have and under what circumstances the medical cover applies.
Travel protection:
Losing the money, you have paid for the trip is worse should you need to cancel the trip after confirmation. Therefore, having Insurance with Travel protection is recommended. Things don’t always go as planned and there may be some unexpected events that require you to cancel or change your trip. All the trip deposits paid are non-refundable in case of any events so having your insurance provide these coverages can be helpful. Similarly, If you miss a flight/connecting flight or your flight is delayed, your policy can help, but only if the delay or missed flight is due to an Insured Event (Severe weather, natural disaster, hijacking, strike). However, this coverage may vary as per the insurance companies so please read the policy wording carefully.
Most travel insurance will cover up to a certain dollar amount. The key lies in knowing how much you are covered for so kindly check with your insurance about the limit.
Level of activities & sports:
It is highly recommended that you check with your insurance if it covers your level of activity, trip style and elevation before purchasing. Kindly ensure that it covers specific activities as per your trip style and the maximum elevation.
Exclusions:
Like most insurance policies, travel insurance has many exceptions. You should make note of any specific events or items that are excluded from your policy.
COVID-19:
We highly recommend purchasing Insurance that covers COVID-19 related expenses too.
Some recommendations:
For worldwide:
For UK Citizens:
For USA/Canada Citizens:
- Travel Guard 2. IM Global 3. Tugo
For Europe:
For Australian/New Zealand citizens:
For Malaysia/Singapore citizens:
Important Note: The above-listed Insurance companies are just a recommendation only. We strongly advise you to consult/enquire with the Insurance company before purchasing any policies. Please ensure that your Insurance policy covers your level of activity with emergency evacuation and medical expenses covered.
Equipment List
FAQs
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Best Seasons March to May, September to November
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Group Size 2-15
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Duration 20 DAYS BOOKING OPEN FOR 2024
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Maximum Altitude 5416M
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Trek Difficulty Challenging
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