Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Via French Pass

19 days

Duration

Extreme

Trip Level

Min 2 person

Group Size

5360 m

Max-altitude

Are you ready for an adventure of a lifetime? If so, then the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is calling your name! This spectacular trek through the Himalayan Mountains in Nepal will take your breath away.

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek takes you on a journey around Mt.Dhaulagiri (8167m), one of the highest peaks in Nepal and the seventh tallest peak in the world. It’s also known as “White Mountain” because its snow-covered slopes are visible far away. On this trek, you’ll experience breathtaking views from high-altitude passes such as French Col (5240m) and Dhampus Pass (5258m). Along with that, there will be plenty of opportunities for exploration along riverside villages, lush green forests, and alpine meadows full of wildflowers – all providing an unforgettable experience!

During this 15-day journey, you can expect to encounter several challenges, including steep ascents/descents over rocky terrain while carrying heavy backpacks; however, these obstacles only add more excitement to your trip.

In addition, the route offers diverse cultural experiences by taking us through various ethnic communities living on both sides of Kali Gandaki Valley, which makes it even more enjoyable! The locals here are amiable & welcoming towards tourists who visit their homeland & they love sharing stories about their culture & traditions with them.

So if you want to embark upon an epic adventure that combines physical challenge with stunning natural beauty, don’t hesitate any longer – book yourself a ticket today for a fantastic trip!

What To Expect

Either Beni or Jomsom are the starting points for the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek. It passes the distant villages and beautiful passages from Beni. The route takes us through dense forests, alpine meadows, and pastures, with a spectacular view of Mount Dhaulagiri. After passing through the glacier, the trail leads to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Furthermore, the Dhaulagiri Base Camp ascends to the French pass at 5360 meters to access the hidden valley through the French col. It allows for exploring stunning mountain views since you approach the Thapa pass (5250m), where you will be treated to a magnificent view of Annapurna I.

Trek to Dhaulagiri Circuit allows discovering the green lush terraced hillsides and typical villages. However, wandering through the twisted trail next to glaciers and climbing high snowy passes can be challenging. If you seek a peak climbing experience, Dhampus Peak is ideal for the soft adventurer. On the other hand, the Mount Dhaulagiri expedition will be worth it for an extreme adventurer. But you should have excellent physical condition and technical skills whichever mountain you climb.

Dhaulagiri Trek: Highlights

The Dhampus Peak (6,060 m) ascension alternative for experienced mountaineers.

Due to the isolated aspect of the walk, it’s for an ‘expedition’ sense.

Crossing over 5000 meters of the French and Dhampus pass.

Diverse landscapes from typical green villages to rugged snowy mountain vistas.

Trekking into the calm, cool alpine forest to remorseless ice fields and glaciers.

Trekking Around Mount Dhaulagiri, Close-up view of Mount Dhaulagiri itself and other sister peaks over 7000 meters plus.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek at a Glance

Min. Duration	12 days
Max. Altitude	5300Meters
Difficulty	Demanding
Trek Starts/Ends	Beni/Jomsom
Accommodation	Camping

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Map

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek itinerary

Days	Destinations	Altitude in Meters	Distance
1.	Fly to Pokhara, drive to Beni, then trek to Tatopani	900	at 6h30
2.	Trek to Dharapani	1560	5h30
3.	Dharapani to Muri	1700	4h00
5.	Trek to Bagar	2375	6h30
6.	Bagar to Dobang	2600	6h00
7.	Trek to Chatere/Bhaisi Kharka	3000	5h00
8.	Bhaisi Kharka to Japanese Base Camp	3850	6h00
9.	Acclimatization day!
10.	Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp	4750	7h00
11.	DBC to Hidden Valley via French Pass (5360 m)	4900	7h00
12.	Contingency Day!
13.	Trek to Yak Kharka via Dhampus Pass (5250 m)	4920	7h30
14.	Yak Kharka to Jomsom	2800	6h00
15.	Fly Back to Pokhara
16.	Drive to Kathmandu

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Permits and regulations

You will need to purchase TIMS and ACAP, respectively. Your trekking company will arrange these, or you may buy them independently in Kathmandu or Pokhara. This trek is not very popular; the checkpoints are widespread, especially on the way down when you reach the Annapurna circuit.

You can do it independently without a guide because this area is not restricted. It is strongly discouraging, however, due to the trek’s difficulty and the weather conditions. It requires bringing tents and supplies, and walking and sleeping on snow are spent some days.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Difficulty

Dhaulagiri Circuit is a strenuous trek—one of the toughest in Nepal. The optional ascent of Dhampus Peak (6,060 meters) requires the requisite mountaineering skills, such as knowledge of ice axes and crampons—at least three days in a row need to spend without getting comfortable over snow above 5,000 meters. The cold adds to the challenge—because this is a camping trek, there are no cozy lodges to stay in overnight. The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is not ideal for beginners, but the rewards are high for those with more experience.

Day 1: Arrival day (1,300 m)

Upon arrival at Kathmandu, you will greet and welcome by our agency’s representative in front of the Arrival gate with a Display board of Himalayan Exploration Treks then transfer to your Hotel.

Day 2: Free day and trek preparation.

During the free day in Kathmandu, you may have a chance to visit the heritage site of Kathmandu valley, followed by a pre-trip departure meeting regarding upcoming trekking peak climbing where you meet trek guide and other team members. They will brief you about the team formation, equipment and nature of peak climbing and other necessary information

Day 3: Fly Pokhara (45 Min.), drive Beni (3h00), Trek Tatopani (900m) 3h00 walk.

We will have breakfast at the hotel, followed by a transfer to the domestic terminal to get a flight to Pokhara. Then, pack off all the backpacks and 3 hours drive to Beni road through the Annapurna Foothills. Then, 3 hours walk to Tatopani along the bank of Myagdi Khola.

Day 4: Trek to Dharapani (1560 m) 6h00 walk.

The trail leads you Dharapani along the bank of Myagdi Khola. There might be a disturbance in the path in several places during the monsoon season due to landslides that leads to several ups and downs. The trail goes passing by several settlements along the trail to Dharapani.

Day 5: Trek to Muri (1700 m) 4h00 walk.

Today is a short day’s walk to Muri. The trail leads climb up above the river with magnificent views of Dhaulagiri and a long descend to another stream named Ghatte Khola, the climbs up to Muri for the night.

Day 6: Trek to Baghara (2375 m) 6h00 walk.

Initially, starts trek descends with a bridge of Dhola Khola. Then, across it, the pretty trail downs through the cultivated land, rice fields, and isolated villages and gradually climb up to get to the village of Naura, which is the larger settlement of Baghar.

Day 7: Trek to Dobang (2600 m) 6h00 walk.

Initially, the trail goes down to Jyardan, this is the last village of the valley and another village we will meet until we arrive at Marpha. The trail goes gradually climbs up, passing through the forest as we find some shepherd huts in someplace. It is called Kharka, where cattle graze the grass. Finally, we arrive at Bobang. It is also Kharka.

Day 8: Trek to Chatare/ Bhainsi Kharka (3000 m) 5h00 walk.

Once again, we enter the forest area after crossing Konban Khola, climb to the top where we can see the west wall of Dhaulagiri I, and descend to Myadgi Khola, cross it takes a path to the east bank of the river to get a summer grazing camp, Bhaisikharka.

Day 9: Trek to Japanese Camp (3850 m) 6h00 walk.

The trail leads forested area well known as Italian Base Camp in the rocky area, passing a steep slope and ascending to cross the moraine of Glacier, which falls from Dhaulagiri. Continue to walk along glacier encounter a spectacular grassy campsite called Japanese Camp.

Day 10: Acclimatization Day!

Majestic views of Dhaulagiri hike around for proper acclimatization.

Day 11: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base camp (4750 m) 7 – 8h00 walk.

Today, early start-up the trek due to a long day walks in the mountain through the glacier. Finally, we reach the Dhaulagiri Base Camp. From the Base Camp, I can see the majestic view of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, and IV and an amazing view of Icefall in front of Campsite, which falls from the pass between Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak.

Day 12: Acclimatization Day!

Today is the second day of Acclimatization, before crossing the pass of Hidden Valley. There is an opportunity to walk around for good views.

Day 13: Base Camp – French Pass (5360 m) – Hidden Valley (4900 m) 7h00 walk.

We will continue our adventure journey along the Chhondarban Glacier on the north side and continue climbing the stairs above the glacier with zigzag trails across the moraine of the glacier to the easy snow slope which leads up to French Pass (5360 m). We can see 360° stunning mountains range the pretty descend across the easy snow slope that takes us to the Hidden Valley.

Day 14: Contingency Day!

This is considered an extra day in case of any problems that affect our schedule. If it is not required, the day can be used for the exploration valley.

Day 15: Hidden Valley – Dhampus Pass (5250 m) – Yak Kharka (4920 m) 7h00 walk.

Today, we climb another adventure Dhampus pass with an altitude of 5250 m. lesser than French Pass, which overlooks the deep gorge of Kali Gandaki Valley and Annapurna range. A steep and rocky descent to Yak Kharka.

Day 16: Yak Kharka – Jomsom (2800 m) 6h00 walk.

Today, a long day descends more than 2000 m to the edge of Kali Gandaki River. We can see Dhaulagiri I once descend a couple of hours. Then, gradually, Descending to Marpha village with zigzagging slope trails and walking along the bank of Kali Gandaki River to Jomsom.

Day 17: Fly to Pokhara.

Early morning, take a short and exciting domestic flight to Pokhara. The rest of the day at leisure and have a chance to explore the lake and city.

Day 18: Fly to Kathmandu

In the morning, we transfer to the airport and board the flight back to Kathmandu. Reminders of the day at leisure.

Day 19: Final departure

You will be transfer to airport 3 hours before your scheduled flight to your home country

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION

Kathmandu International Airport

DEPARTURE TIME

Please enter at least 2 hours before the flight.

INCLUDED

All domestic flight, Hotel/Airport transfer

Accommodations in Kathmandu with breakfast

All accommodations in tents and all meals during the treks

All necessary documentation and permits

All ground transportation (as per mention in itinerary)

Professional guide and porters

A First Aid Kits

Applicable Government Taxes

NOT INCLUDED

International Airfare

Nepal Visa fee (advice to take accurate amount)

Meals in Kathmandu (except breakfast)

Personal Expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills & extra porters

Travel Insurance

Guide and Porter gratuity

Prices are quoted in (US$ dollars) and payable in any convertible currency. All prices published on our website are set as low as possible. The Prices may vary at any time due to currency fluctuation, fuel prices, and unforeseen economic circumstances. But, we guarantee our prices which already signed up for your tour. Please consult us for a custom quote.

Is the water at Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek safe to drink?

No, you are not allowed to drink water from the direct tap or streams on the Dhaulagiri Trek. But you can also use a purifier or SteriPen. It is expensive to buy water (maybe ten times the cost of purchasing water in Kathmandu).

Am I going to be sick on my trek at altitude?

Be conscious. This trek will be over 3500 m in elevation. The possibilities of having an altitude illness usually begin at this altitude. But to prevent this, we have planned the itinerary to give you time to acclimatize as much as possible.

How can I conquer the altitude sickness?

There’s nobody who’s going to suffer from altitude sickness. The younger and fitter people do not experience high altitude illnesses when they feel older and less fit. It’s not related to fitness or age. Speak to your private practitioner. Prescription medicines are available to help avoid the symptoms of altitude sickness. But go gently and listen to the body and be mindful of any changes and listen to your guide if he thinks that you have symptoms (which might not be apparent).

What happens if an emergency evacuation is required while I am trekking?

We will be able to collect your travel insurance policies and details before your trip. In case of emergency, we will be able to coordinate with your insurance company and helicopters company for emergency evacuation.

What about simple medication during the trek?

There is no doubt only be a First aid. We take a first-aid kit on every trip. We always advise you to make your own. Here’s a checklist of items you can bring, recommended. Vaccinations are not compulsory in Nepal; however, we suggest that you keep this checklist if necessary.