Trekking In Nepal

Dhaulagiri trek (18 days)

Separated from the Annapurna region by the Kali Gandaki the Dhaulagiri massif includes more than 30 peaks over 6000 meters, eight of these surpassing 8000 meters. The area around Tansen is home to the Magar people and capital of the independent kingdoms to become part of Nepal.

From Dhorepatan the panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges is exceptional and this remote area is home to communities of Tibetan refugees who search the area for minerals and medicinal plants.

There is a long, difficult trek around Dhaulagiri (8167m.) that starts from Beni on the Kali Gandaki. Follow the Myagdi Khola westwards to Darbang and turn north on a tiny trail that leads through forests into the high country. Much of the route is on snow and glaciers as it crosses French Col (5240m.), traverses the head of Hidden Valley and crosses 5155m Dhampus Pass. The trek ends with a steep descent to Marpha and a return to Pokhara, either via the Kali Gandaki valley or over the Ghorepani ridge for a panoramic view of the entire Dhaulagiri massif.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Drive from Kathmandu to Beni which takes about eleven hours. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The drive from here goes through uphill into zigzag road all the way to Naudanda. It then descends through zigzag road up to Nayapul with views of Annapurna South, Fish tail, green hills, terraces and villages. To reach Beni, your drive moves along the bank of Mardi river. This is one of the picturesque road journeys.

Day 2
Trek from Beni to Maldhunga (1300m.) which takes about six hours. Start Soon the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white part of the glacier. You climb steadily to the rough and chilling but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Day 3
Trek from Maldhunga to Darbang and it takes about five and half hours. This day you trek gently ascend for early one hour passing through jungles with varieties of oaks, rhododendron and so on. You can hear the chirping of the local birds then your trails follow quite flat land passing through stream at one place. The way you trek is muddy road crossing villages at some of the places. Darbang is a small village mainly inhabited by Magar and Limbus. There is a beautiful camping site. You can find small local shops with minimal supply.

Day 4
Trek from Darbang to Takum which takes about five hours. This day also you trek ascend through narrow path for early one hour. Now you go along the flat land passing through jungle with varieties of rhododendrons, oaks and Christmas trees at some distance. After you cross a small stream, your trails suddenly begin to follow ascend path until you reach Takum. There is a government school before you enter Takum, a small village. Here you camp behind the school located in central Takum. You find a Hindu temple where the villagers go to submit their offerings.

Day 5
Trek from Takum to Muri and it takes about six hours. You start trekking to descend trails for early one hour passing through jungle. Then you follow steeply ascent path and before you approach Muri you pass along the flat land until you reach Muri. This is a small village mainly inhabited by Gurung and Rai, one of the ethnic communities of Nepal. There are situated beautiful hotel offering attractive services to tourists guests who visit this particular area. You are here quite captivated by a Buddhist monastery.

Day 6
Trek from Muri to Baghar (2080m.). Descend a gentle slope, and cross a rocky stream. Descend a path amid terraced fields to Dhora khola. Cross the river and climb to the right up the mountainside to Ghorban dhara. The view from this pass is fine, for the first time you can see Ghustung south (6465m). Follow the right bank path past Naura where you begin to ascend the mountainside. After climbing for a short while, take a path that traverses the steep grass-covered hill. The Myagdi khola assumes a steep-walled V-shape as the traverse ends and a high, winding path climbs the steep, grassy slope. The steep slope will not tolerate any missteps but the path is well-constructed with a great number of zigzag stone step paths. At last the long climb ends, and you enter a traverse to the right-here you must also beware of falling into the gorge of the Myagdi khola. Soon you descend through a forested area, emerging to a ridge snout where bagara (2080) is visible. Descend through terraced fields to this mountain village where you camp in people's yards or the terraced fields.

Day 7
Trek from Baghar to Dobang (2520m.) and it takes about five hours. Here you leave the villages behind and the trial becomes increasingly challenging.

Day 8
Trek from Dobang to Upper Vungini or Italian Base Camp (3660m.)

Day 9
Rest day for acclimatization.

Day 10
Trek from Upper Vugini (Italian Base Camp) to Glacier Camp and it takes about four hours. After crossing the first glacier, probably using a rope in a couple of tricky spots, you climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings are spectacular which makes up for the rough and dangerous trail. You may also use a rope on this section. This is a particularly tough day. You camp on the glacier rubble.

Day 11
Trek from Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4740m.) which takes about five hours. Soon the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white part of the glacier. You climb steadily to the rough and chilling but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Day 12
Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to French Col (5010m.) - Hidden Valley and it takes about four hours. Getting off the glacier above the base camp often requires rope climbing. Once over the steep moraine walls we reach gentler, less strenuous country. After a breathless climb to the top of French Col (5300m,) the views of Hidden Valley open out. The broad valley is reminiscent of Tibet and Ladakh and so are the temperatures (at least -20ºC at night).

Day 13
Trek from Hidden valley (5200m.) to Yak Kharka (3680m.) and it takes about seven hours. You traverse avalanche-prone slopes and then take on the steep descent to Yak Kharka. This day you trek through bare land for some distance.

Day 14
Trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha (2670m.) which takes about five hours. More steep descent leads to Marpha. The way is not much covered with trees. En route you can see some yak herds and sheep herds as well. Marpha is a small town mainly inhabited by the mixed community of Buddhist and Hindus as well. You can a visit a monastery. In and around the monastery, you can see the many walls and prayer flags hanging.

Day 15
Trek from Marpha to Kalopani (2530m.) which takes about six hours. Your trail stretches at almost flat level through forests to Kalopani, a Thakali village and the southern-most limit of Tibetan Buddhism. En route, you find Larjung which is situated near Dhaulagiri Glacier. The first part of the trek passes through the windy area covered with pine forests, rhododendron forests and birches are seen. At Kalopani, you are quite amazed at the panoramic view of Annapurna I (8091m.), Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) and Tukuche peak (6920m.).

Day 16
Trek from Kalopani to Tatopani (1189 m.) which takes about six and half hours. The trail descends steeply upto Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall) which is amazing to look at. There is situated the deepest gorge of the world between two mountains Annapurna I (8091m.) and Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) facing each other near Rukse Waterfall. The trail again descends slightly to Tatopani through different human settlements. You can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani as the word Tatopati is termed after the natural hot spring situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki river. It is popularly believed that taking bath in Hot Spring helps you to get rid of skin diseases. Along this, it gives you physical and mental refreshment as well.

Day 17
Trek from Tatopani to Beni and it takes almost five hours and drive from Beni to Pokhara by bus which takes four and half hours.

Day 18
Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.