Around Dhaulagiri Trek

Overview

Dhaulagiri trek is one of the most happening, adventurous and challenging trekking trail in Nepal. Dhaulagiri with the altitude of 8167m is also known as the white mountain and is the sixth highest mountain in the world which further comprises of fifteen 7000m peaks forming the Dhaulagiri massif and offering the immeasurably gratifying view to every trekkers passing by. Naturally enriched with the diverse geographical variation it is considered as the most remote place of Nepal with mountain peaks, hidden valleys, high passes and feet sweeping vistas. Remaining isolated from the rest of the world the Dhalagiri trekking trail encompasses breathtaking natural scenery, densely forested slopes, blossoming Rhododendron and hamlets settled by people belonging to different ethnic group.

Dhaulagiri trek start from Beni which is also the district headquarter of Myagdi and the trail goes along the Myagdi Khola. The trek comprises of some of the challenging mountain passes such as French pass(5360m), Dhampus pass(5250m) and Thapa pass(5200m) during which you must take extra care of your health.  You will be enthralled with the presence of world deepest gorge of Kali Gandaki which surely will give you an ample dose of adrenaline rush.

Trekking here can be quite strenuous. The trail is ideal for all those who want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience solitude in the wild or those who are really adventure junkies and are ready to deal with something unexpected.

Itinerary Detail

Dhaulagiri Round Trekking Itinerary

Day 1: Kathmandu Arrival
Our local representative will be receiving you in Tribhuwan International Airport and transfer to the hotel room. Get freshen up in the hotel and come to our office to finalize the formalities. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Today we will visit some of the world heritage site located in Kathmandu which includes Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath Temple, Bouddhanath Stupa and Hindu temple of Pashupatinath. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Drive to Beni(830m); 8-9hours
You can either fly to Pokhara and then drive to Beni which is 82km away from Pokhara or you simply can drive from Kathmandu to Beni via Pokhaa which takes about eight to nine. The drive follows the bank of Trishuli River and Marshyangdi River and crossing Seti and Madi River we will reach Pokhara. Leaving Pokhara behind us we will drive deeper into the mountain adorned with the magnificent views of Annapurna. Continuing the drive along the banks of Madi River we will reach to Beni for overnight stay.

Day 4: Trek to Babichaur(1000m); 6-7hours
Today is the first where the real trek starts. We will begin along the Kali Gandaki River and head toward Myagdi Khola. We will cross the suspension bridge and pass the villages of Mangalghat, Singa and Tatopani and finally to Babichaur.

Day 5: Trek to Dharapani(1565m); 7hours
Today the trail goes through the terraced slopes and the village of Shahashadhara and Ratorunga and ultimate to Dharapani for overnight stay.

Day 6: Trek to Muri(1850m); 6hours
From Dharapani the trail steeply goes uphill to Muri which offers the magnificent view of Dhaulagiri along with many others clearly

Day 7: Trek to Boghara(2050m); 7hours
From Muri the trail easily goes down for few hours but just before reaching to Boghara we will climb a steep for about a few hours. The trail goes down before reaching Phedi and then goes uphill to Boghara.

Day 8: Trek to Dhoban(2630m); 6hours
The trail from Boghara is quite challenging and sometimes you will need the help of ropes to walk. The trail goes downhill to a small ridge and further crosses forest to Jyardan. In the end you will walk along the rocky path which ultimately takes to Dhoban.

Day 9: Trek to Italian Base Camp(3500m); 6-7hours
Walking through the dense forest we will rapidly gain altitude and out of the blue the mountains will surround us from all side. Since the altitude gain is very rapid keep yourself hydrated and do not panic. Today we will make our way to Italian Base Camp and camp just in front of west wall of the Dhaulagiri.

Day 10: Rest and Acclimatization day
To cope with the rapid altitudinal variation we will rest here and get acclimatized. Make some small hiking nearby and relax because tomorrow we will have a tough day.

Day 11: Trek to Glacier Camp94250m); 5hours
We will start by crossing a first glacier. We will use ropes in some of the tricky spots and we will climb onto the main glacier. The view seen from here is spectacular. Today's trail is quite rough and dangerous. The glacier crossing requires the use of rope.

Day 12: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp(4650m); 4hours
Watching the breathtaking north face of Dhaulagiri I we will trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. The climb is quite rough and chilling. As soon as you get there the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white part of the glacier.

Day 13: Acclimatization Day
In the following day's we will be constantly in the altitude of 5000-6000m so the acclimatization is must here. Experts say while acclimatizing stay active and keep moving instead of staying idle.

Day 14: Trek to French Col(5010m); 4hours
Walk from Dhaulagiri Base camp to French Col often require rope walking. Once you are over the steep moraines we will be at safer and less strenuous portion of the trail. As soon as we reach the top of French Col the view of Hidden valley and the reminiscent of Tibet and Ladakh will leave you dumbfounded. Overnight stay at camp in Hidden valley.

Day 15: Get Acclimatized at Hidden valley
Stay one more day here and get acclimatized with the altitudinal variations.

Day 16: Trek to Yak Kharka(4200m); 7hours
We climb over the 5200m Dhampus pass and cross the avalanche prone slopes and descend steeply to Yak Kharka. Today we will walk through bare land in certain place. Overnight stay at camp in Yak Kharka.

Day 17: Trek to Jomsom(2715m);7-8hours
From Yak Kharka the trail steeply goes down to Marpha where we will have our lunch. Tackling along the cairns we will continue the walk through the snow and cross the Thapa pass. After a few hours of walk from here we will be at Jomsom. Overnight stay at lodge in Jomsom.

Day 18: Fly to Pokhara and take a rest
Take a morning flight of Pokhara. As you arrive to Pokhara check into the hotel room and get freshen up. In the afternoon you can rest as you have returned from such a long trek. In the evening you can walk around lakeside. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 19: Explore Pokhara
Early in the morning we will drive to Sarankot to witness the magical view of sunrise over the Himalayas. After this we will return to our hotel have breakfast and walk to lakeside to treat ourselves with the magical moment where the reflection of Machhapuchhare Himal is seen in Few Lake. After this we will have the lunch and explore the different site of the city like David's fall, Gupteswor Cave, Bindabasini Temple, World Peace Pagoda and end with the boating in Fewa Lake. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 20: Drive back to Kathmandu
Witnessing the villages, terraced slopes, green hills and furiously galloping Rivers we will retrace our path back to Kathmandu. We will arrive Kathmandu in the evening. In the remaining time you can do some family shopping. Stay overnight at hotel.

Day 21: Farewell
Drive to airport at the time of departure for your onward flight.

Cost Info

The Trip Cost Includes:

• All hotel transfers
• Guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu
• 3 nights accommodation in 3-star hotel in Kathmandu (2 before trek, 1 after trek)
• Camping accommodation enroute
• Breakfast in Kathmandu
• All meals enroute and boiled water in mountain
• Welcome and farewell dinner
• All ground transportation as per the itinerary by private vehicles
• Salary for all expedition staff.
• All necessary paper work, including trekking permits
• Travel and rescue arrangements
• All government and local taxes
• Duffel bag, t-shirt, trekking map

The Trip Cost Does Not Include:

• Nepal Visa fee
• International airfare to and from Kathmandu
• Extra nights accommodation in Kathmandu
• Lunch and evening meals in Kathmandu
• Bottled beverages, including water
• Snacks such as energy bars, candy or chocolate
• Travel and rescue insurance
• Personal expenses such as snacks, laundry, battery recharge, extra porters
• Optional trips and sightseeing
• Tips for guides and porters

Trip Info

Accommodation
Wildpath Adventure has chosen the best accommodation with your comfort and budget in mind. This includes staying in a 3-star hotel in Kathmandu and camping in comfortable, two-person camping tents along the trekking route.

All accommodation is based on twin sharing but we will provide a single supplement if there is an odd number of participants. If you simply prefer a single room, this is available by paying an additional single supplement.

Meals
One of the joys of camping treks is the wonderful food prepared for you at each meal. From the first tea of the morning to the last meal of the day, you will be treated to meals that are nutritious, healthy, fresh and suitable for a mountain expedition.

The experienced and trained cooks will provide meals from a variety of cuisines such as Nepali, Sherpa, Tibetan, Continental, Italian and Indian cuisine. Breakfast and dinner will be taken at camp, while lunch will be prepared at a suitable rest spot along the way.

Note: Before arriving in Nepal, please advise Wildpath Adventure if you have any special dietary requirements or restrictions such that we can accommodate your request.

A Typical Day on the Trek
Soon after dawn breaks, you will be awakened and offered a steaming cup of tea or coffee by your Sherpa. A nutritious and appetizing breakfast awaits you after you dress for the day. Then you will trek for 3 or more hours before stopping for lunch at a scenic spot – often near a river or stream. You will have plenty of time to relax and take photos as you enjoy the lunch meal.

Throughout the day we will take rest breaks as needed and there will always be time to stop and admire the flowers, the scenery, a village or just to soak in the pleasure of being on an adventure in Nepal.

After lunch, we will usually trek for another 2-3 hours before reaching the campsite. On arrival you will have time to rest and enjoy another welcome hot mug of tea, coffee, or one of the trail favorites, hot lemon. There is usually time to explore a village or Gompa or the surrounding neighborhood, write in your journal or simply relax. After a delicious dinner .there will be a briefing on the next day’s program before you head off to the tent for a warm and snug sleep. You may be surprised to find that you are sleeping 10 to 12 hours per night, but that is normal on a strenuous trek.

The Trekking Group
For most treks there will be one guide, one assistant guide per 4 trekkers, one cook, and one Sherpa porter per 2 trekkers. This arrangement ensures that should anybody in the group fall sick, the trip can still go ahead as planned.

The minimum group size is 2 and the maximum is 12. However, if you'd like to make a group booking for more than that, we will be happy to arrange this for you.

What to Know

Fitness Requirements
In order to maximize your enjoyment of this trek, you will need to be in good physical condition and you will need to be prepared for rough conditions. In general, trekking consists of many days of walking for at least 5-6 hours, some of it on rugged terrain. You should also be very comfortable walking with a small daypack and carrying up to 5kg of weight.

In addition to a good level of fitness, we believe you must possess: a willingness to tolerate difficult conditions, a flexible mindset, a sense of humor and good health.

Health & Safety
Your safety and well-being are of paramount concern to Wildpath Adventure. For that reason, the trek leader has the authority to change or cancel any part of the trek if it is deemed necessary for safety reasons. Wildpath Adventure will make every effort to keep to the planned itinerary; however, we simply cannot guarantee it. Changes to the itinerary can occur due to weather conditions, the health of a team member or unexpected natural disasters. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please understand that these events are a possibility.

It is imperative that participants with pre-existing medical problems or conditions make these known to Wildpath Adventure when booking. Medical and evacuation expenses are the responsibility of the participant and must be covered by your personal travel insurance. It is also important that you consult your doctor for vaccinations and other medical requirements for your trip. Wildpath Adventure reserves the right to require a medical certificate prior to booking your trip.

Acclimatization
Any trek to high altitude carries with it the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness, or AMS. This is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness, generally caused by going up too fast. The higher the altitude, the less oxygen there is in the air. For example, at 6500m there is only half the oxygen that there is available at sea level.

Your body needs many days to adapt to this less-oxygen environment. Our itinerary is planned to allow sufficient time for acclimatization, by going up slowly and including acclimatization days as needed. It is not uncommon to experience mild headaches, loss of appetite or nausea when ascending, but these symptoms usually disappear with rest...

Although your appetite may diminish as you trek higher, it is very important to eat enough to maintain a good energy level. Similarly it is extremely important to drink sufficient water to stay hydrated. The trek leader will advise you on what is sufficient food and water and we ask that you follow his advice.

We also advise anyone with known heart, lungs or blood diseases to consult their doctor before traveling. Our itineraries are designed to prevent AMS as much as possible, but it is important to remember that some people are more vulnerable than others.

Our team will check very carefully to determine if anyone has a serious problem. If anyone is showing signs of AMS, they will not be permitted to trek higher and will be required to descend to a safe altitude with a member of the team. If the symptoms disappear at the lower altitude, the person may be permitted to rejoin the trek after a suitable rest period.

Please Allow Extra Time
We strongly recommend that you allow a few extra days at either end of your trip. In addition to the reasons mentioned above, flights in Nepal are notorious for being delayed anywhere from a few hours (common) to one week (rare) due to bad weather. This can occur even in the best trekking months.

If all goes well, you will then have extra days to enjoy in Nepal, taking in activities such as sightseeing near Kathmandu, river rafting, or perhaps relaxing at one of the nearby hilltop resorts.

In the event of bad weather, it may be possible to arrange a helicopter evacuation, which can vary in cost from USD $300 to $3500, depending on the demand.

What to Bring
The following list is a guideline of what you should bring with you for the trek. Please note that clothing for Kathmandu and other non-trekking destinations is not included in this list. While you can bring everything from your home country, it is also possible to rent or purchase almost everything in Kathmandu. Most of the gear for sale in Kathmandu is manufactured locally and thus considerably cheaper. However, it is also possible to buy brand name clothing and equipment at quality and prices that are comparable to home country prices.

At lower elevations on the trek it is likely to be very warm and the lightest of layers can be worn. However, at altitudes above 4000m it may be bitterly cold and windy, particularly after the sun disappears. The secret to staying warm and comfortable is to layer your clothing and to avoid cotton, as it becomes very cold when wet and is slow to dry. Pack with a minimalist view, as the load limit per person for porters and on domestic flights is 15kg.

Treks in Nepal are tough on gear and clothing. We recommend that you bring well-used items that can stand a fair bit of abuse. Many people bring gear that can be given away at the end of the trek to the porters or guides. Please check with Wildpath Adventure if you are uncertain about what to bring – we will be happy to advise you.

During the trek the porters will be carrying most of your gear. On the trail you can expect to carry in your daypack item such as 1 to 2 liters of water, your camera, a jacket for rest stops, sunscreen, tissue paper, a route map and binoculars.

CLOTHING

• T-shirts – 2 or 3, long-sleeved and short-sleeved, quick-drying
• Hiking shorts or capris
• Lightweight Long Hiking pants
• Lightweight thermal inner layer – top and bottom
• Fleece pants and jacket
• 2 pair inner liner socks
• 2 pair outer socks, wool, medium to heavy weight
• Shirt with collar

OUTERWEAR

• Lightweight gloves
• Heavyweight gloves or mittens and waterproof outer shell
• Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
• Waterproof, breathable jacket
• Down jacket
• Waterproof, breathable shell pants
• Warm hat or balaclava
• Gaiters (for high-elevation treks and passes)

FOOTWEAR

• Hiking boots
• Camp shoes such as sneakers or Teva-like sandals
• Down booties (optional, but very nice at high altitude camp)

MISCELLANEOUS

• Camera and extra battery and card
• Sun hat or bandana
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• 4 season sleeping bag (rated to -15 to -20 degree centigrade. Down is preferable)
• Sleeping bag liner (optional, but very useful)
• Trekking Bags/Duffel bag *
• Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
• Small lock
• Basic First Aid Kit (Wildpath Adventure staff will also carry a team First Aid kit)
• Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
• Trekking Poles
• Water bottles (2) or camel back
• Ear Plugs
• Sewing and repair kit
• Sarong (optional, but very useful when washing)
• Energy bars, chocolate, candy
• Water-purifying tablets or water filter pump

TOILETRIES

• Sunscreen with high UV protection
• Lip balm for altitude (e.g. Labazan)
• Face and body moisturizer
• 1 medium sized quick drying towel
• Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
• Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
• Deodorant
• Nail clippers
• Feminine hygiene products
• Small mirror
• Wet wipes
• Toilet tissue
• Ant- bacterial hands wash

FIRST AID AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES
All of the items listed here can be purchased in Kathmandu, however you may prefer to bring trusted brands from home. Note also that Wildpath Adventure will carry an extensive first aid and medical kit, so please bring the minimum required. There are many good books and websites which carry extensive lists of recommended drugs and medical supplies. We suggest that you review this material before making any purchases.

• Plasters/Band aids
• Moleskin
• General-purpose antibiotic such as Cipro
• Headache medicine – (not Codein-based)
• Anti-inflammatory pills
• Antibiotic cream
• Eye drops
• Rehydration salts such as ORS
• Multi-vitamins
• Throat lozenges
• Anti-diarrheal medicine
• Anti-constipation medicine

And if your pack is still light:

• Binoculars
• Journal
• IPOD (note that recharging may not always be possible)
• Reading material
• Travel game or cards
• Photos from home

Travel Insurance
All participants in a Wild path Adventure must have travel insurance. This will protect you against the risk of comprehensive expenses which may result due to medical emergencies or accidents. This insurance should include air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs. Please be noted that we don't arrange or sell insurance and it is best to arrange this in your home country.