Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel. Meet the AltiPro Adventures team for your welcome dinner and receive a full briefing on the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek 2027 — route overview, permit process, gear check requirements and team introductions.

A full day in Kathmandu for permit processing (ACAP, TIMS Card and Myagdi District entry permit), gear inspection and expedition briefing. AltiPro handles all permit formalities. Free afternoon to explore Thamel or rest before departure.

Fly 30 minutes from Kathmandu to Pokhara (820 m), then drive approximately 2–3 hours by private jeep to Beni (900 m) on the Myagdi River — the gateway to the circuit. Trek briefing and early rest in preparation for the first trekking day tomorrow.

The first day on the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trail follows the Myagdi River north through the subtropical lower valley. The path winds through cardamom plantations, terraced agricultural fields and traditional hill villages. Very few trekkers come this way — savour the quiet of one of Nepal's least-visited valleys.

Gradually ascending through scattered settlements along the Myagdi gorge. Vegetation thickens and the valley narrows as the trail climbs. Bagar is the last section with good lodge facilities before the camping stretch begins — a good opportunity to confirm gear is in order.

The trail enters deep mixed forest as the Myagdi River gorge narrows dramatically. Doban (2,520 m) is the last permanent habitation before Italian Base Camp. AltiPro's camping crew sets up the first expedition camp here. The forest transitions from subtropical to temperate — the change in altitude and air is palpable.

The landscape shifts suddenly from forest to open alpine moraine as the trail climbs steeply above the permanent settlements. The first clear views of the Dhaulagiri massif appear on the upper approach. Italian Base Camp (3,660 m) — named after early Italian expeditions — offers the first full view of the northwest face of Dhaulagiri I above the southern glacier.

A rest and acclimatisation day at Italian Base Camp. A guided ridge hike above the camp provides panoramic views over the Dhaulagiri range and the southern approach valley. Altitude stimulus without heavy exertion prepares the body for the high-altitude terrain ahead. Rest, hydrate and prepare equipment for the glacier section.

Moving deeper into the glacial valley, the route traverses moraine and boulder terrain above Italian Base Camp. Japanese Base Camp (3,870 m) is an intermediate camp used by mountaineering expeditions attempting Dhaulagiri I. The route enters the glacial valley proper — the sound of shifting ice above is a constant reminder of the scale of the mountain above.

Technical glacier crossing terrain begins today. Route-finding requires an experienced high-altitude guide — the moraine and glacier surface is constantly changing. Glacier Camp (4,200 m) sits in a protected bowl below the northwest face. The route above is fully exposed — cold weather gear and layering discipline are essential from this point onward.

The final approach to Dhaulagiri Base Camp follows the glacier directly below the colossal northwest face of Dhaulagiri I. The scale of the mountain at close range is extraordinary. A short acclimatisation walk is taken on arrival for altitude stimulus. This is the remotest camp on the circuit — helicopter evacuation is the only emergency exit option from here.

A critical acclimatisation day before the French Pass crossing. A guided ridge hike above Base Camp delivers panoramic views of the full Dhaulagiri massif and the moraine glacier below. Full rest, route preparation and weather assessment for tomorrow's pre-dawn French Pass departure. The AltiPro guide briefs the team on the crossing ahead.

The highest and most demanding day on the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. Pre-dawn departure from Base Camp with headlamps. A steep glacier ascent leads to French Pass (5,360 m) — the highest point on the route — where Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV, the entire Annapurna range and Tukuche Peak fill the horizon. A careful descent reaches the Hidden Valley (4,900 m), one of the most extraordinary high-altitude environments on earth.

A full rest day in the Hidden Valley — a surreal high-altitude desert bowl enclosed by soaring peaks on all sides. This is recovery time at altitude before tomorrow's Dhampus Pass crossing. The silence, the vast snowfields and the surrounding summits make this one of the most memorable nights on any Himalayan trek. Prepare gear for the Dhampus Pass crossing.

The second major high pass of the circuit. A morning ascent to Dhampus Pass (5,160 m) provides views of Dhampus Peak, Tukuche Peak and the Annapurna range. The long descent through the upper Kali Gandaki valley reaches Yak Kharka (4,036 m) — the relief of lower altitude, the first signs of vegetation below and the transition back toward the inhabited world.

A sustained descent through the dramatic wind-carved landscapes of the upper Kali Gandaki valley. Marpha (2,667 m), famous for its apple orchards, apple brandy and stone-paved lanes, signals the return to civilisation after days of high-altitude isolation. The contrast with the Hidden Valley — just two days ago — is striking and deeply felt.

A short final trekking stage to Jomsom (2,670 m), where the Dhaulagiri Circuit officially ends. Certificate of completion, team photographs and farewell to the mountains. A 20-minute scenic flight returns to Pokhara. Celebrate the completion of one of Nepal's most demanding and rewarding trekking routes.

Morning at leisure in Pokhara — the lakeside, Phewa Lake and Annapurna panorama are all within easy reach. Fly or drive back to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner in Kathmandu and formal presentation of the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek certificate. Final night before international departure.