Trip Facts
Country:
Nepal
Duration:
17 Days
Max Altitude:
French Pass, 5,360 m (17,585 ft)
Activities:
Remote high-altitude camping expedition
Region:
Dhaulagiri region
Starting Point:
Kathmandu
Ending Point:
Kathmandu
Grade:
Challenging
Group Size:
2 to 12 trekkers (private and custom departures available)
Accomodation:
Full-board tented camps on the trek, hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara
Best Season:
Apr-May & late Sep-Oct
Notice
The Dhaulagiri Circuit is a remote camping expedition, not a teahouse walk. From Italian Base Camp on, there are no lodges. So you sleep in tents with a full crew and a cook.
The route circles Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), the seventh-highest peak on earth. It crosses two high passes: the French Pass (5,360 m) and the Dhampus Pass (5,240 m).
This is one of Nepal’s toughest treks, with glacier travel and long days above 5,000 m. So it suits fit, experienced trekkers only. A guide and crew are required, and Spade Himalaya arranges everything.
Overview of Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek 17-Days
Quick answer: The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a remote, 17-day camping expedition around Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), the seventh-highest mountain on earth. It crosses the French Pass (5,360 m) and the Dhampus Pass (5,240 m), through Dhaulagiri Base Camp and the Hidden Valley. It is a full tented trek for fit, experienced trekkers, and it needs a guide and crew (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-30).
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a 17-day camping expedition around the great Dhaulagiri massif in western Nepal. The name Dhaulagiri means “white mountain” in Sanskrit. So the trek circles a wall of white giants, led by Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m), the seventh-highest peak on earth. This is a wild, roadless route, far from the teahouse trails.
The trek starts low, in the green Myagdi Khola gorge. First, you walk through farms and forest to the last village at Boghara. Then the trail turns raw and remote. You follow the river deep into the gorge, past Italian Base Camp and Glacier Camp, to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750 m). Here you camp below the huge, icy north face of the mountain.
The heart of the trek is the crossing of two high passes. First, you climb the French Pass (5,360 m), the top of the route. So you cross into the strange, empty Hidden Valley, ringed by peaks. Then you climb the Dhampus Pass (5,240 m) and drop down toward Mustang. Finally, you reach the apple village of Marpha, on the Annapurna Circuit, and fly out from Jomsom.
This is a serious, expedition-grade trek. There are no lodges past Italian Base Camp, so you live in tents with a full crew. The passes involve glacier travel, and the guide may fix ropes on steep, icy ground. So you need strong fitness, good gear, and ideally past trekking above 5,000 m. The plan builds in two rest days, at Italian Base Camp and at Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Spade Himalaya runs this trek with licensed Nepali guides. So your guide sets a safe pace, watches the weather, and checks your health each day. You also get a cook and a full mountain crew, because this is a camping expedition. Want a different wild route? Then see the remote Upper Dolpo Trek, the Makalu Base Camp Trek, or the Manaslu Circuit Trek. For a teahouse trek nearby, see the Annapurna Circuit Trek or read our Annapurna region trekking guide.
Trips Highlights
- Circle Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), the seventh-highest mountain in the world.
- Cross the high French Pass (5,360 m) and the Dhampus Pass (5,240 m).
- Camp at Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750 m), below the mountain's huge north face.
- Walk through the eerie, high Hidden Valley, ringed by peaks.
- Trek one of the most remote and wild routes in all of Nepal.
- Live a true tented expedition, far from roads and lodges.
- Follow the deep Myagdi Khola gorge from green forest to glacier.
- See Tukuche Peak, the Dhaulagiris, and, near Marpha, the Nilgiris.
- Finish in the apple village of Marpha, on the Annapurna Circuit.
- Meet the warm people of the Myagdi and Mustang valleys.
Kathmandu (1,400 m) → Pokhara (822 m) → drive to Darbang (1,100 m) → Dharapani (1,560 m) → Muri (1,850 m) → Boghara (2,080 m) → Dobang (2,520 m) → Sallaghari (3,110 m) → Italian Base Camp (3,660 m) → Glacier Camp (4,250 m) → Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750 m) → French Pass (5,360 m) → Hidden Valley (5,050 m) → Dhampus Pass (5,240 m) → Yak Kharka (3,680 m) → Marpha (2,670 m) → Jomsom → fly to Pokhara → Kathmandu.
In short, you drive to Darbang and walk up the Myagdi gorge to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Then you cross the French Pass into the Hidden Valley. After the Dhampus Pass, you drop to Marpha and Jomsom. Finally, you fly to Pokhara and on to Kathmandu.
Trips Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal. A Spade Himalaya guide meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and helps with your bags. Then a private car takes you to your hotel in Thamel. So you can shower and rest after your flight. In the late afternoon, you meet your guide for a full trek briefing. They walk you through the route, the camping life, and the gear you need. So bring your passport, several photos, and a copy of your insurance for the permits. Your guide also checks your kit for the high passes. Then you can rest, ready for the days ahead.
- Duration: about 30 min drive
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Accommodation: 3 Star Hotel (shared)
Today you travel west to Pokhara, the lakeside city. You can take a tourist bus or a short flight, as you prefer. The road follows the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers through green hills. So the drive is slow but scenic, with river and mountain views. By the afternoon, you reach Pokhara and check into your hotel. So the rest of the day is free to rest by Phewa Lake. On a clear evening, Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas glow behind the water. Then you pack for an early start.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs drive (200 km)
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
- Accommodation: Star Hotel (shared)
After breakfast, you drive by jeep from Pokhara to Darbang, in the Myagdi valley. The road is rough and winding, so it takes several hours. At Darbang, the trek begins. So you cross the Myagdi Khola on a suspension bridge and start up the valley. The trail climbs through farms and subtropical forest. You pass small Magar villages, rich with terraced fields. After a few hours, you reach Dharapani, your first camp. So the crew sets up the tents while you rest.
- Duration: 3 to 4 hrs walk (8 km)
- Max Altitude: 1,560 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you climb higher into Magar country. First, the trail winds through fields of millet and maize. Then it dips and climbs along the side of the valley. You cross streams and pass stone villages on the way. As you gain height, you get your first glimpse of the Dhaulagiri peaks ahead. So the sight fires you up for the days to come. By afternoon, you reach Muri, a large Magar village. So you camp here, with wide views over the valley.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs walk (12 km)
- Max Altitude: 1,850 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today the trail leaves the farms behind and grows wilder. First, you descend to the Myagdi Khola and cross it again. Then you climb and fall along the steep, forested valley side. The path is narrow in places, with big drops to the river. So you take care and follow your guide. You pass through oak and rhododendron forest, alive with birds. Late in the day, you reach Boghara, the last real village on the route. So you camp here, on the edge of the wild country ahead.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs walk (13 km)
- Max Altitude: 2,300 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Now you enter the deep, remote gorge of the Myagdi Khola. So the trail becomes rough and lonely, with no more villages. You walk through thick forest, past waterfalls and moss-covered rocks. The path climbs and drops along the steep gorge wall. You cross the river on simple bridges more than once. So your guide leads the way over the rougher ground. By afternoon, you reach the forest clearing of Dobang. So you camp among the trees, deep in the wilderness.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs walk (11 km)
- Max Altitude: 2,520 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you climb steadily up the gorge toward the high mountains. First, the forest thins as you gain height. Then you pass Choriban Khola, where a side stream tumbles down. The trail is rocky and wild, with the river roaring below. So you move slowly and enjoy the raw scenery. Ahead, the icy flanks of Dhaulagiri begin to appear. By afternoon, you reach Sallaghari, a camp among the last trees. So the air is cooler now, and the night is cold.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs walk(10 km)
- Max Altitude: 3,110 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you reach the first of the high camps. So the trail leaves the trees and climbs onto open, rocky ground. The valley opens up, and the great peaks fill the sky. You get your first close view of Dhaulagiri I and its neighbours. So you pause often to take it in. The going is steep in places, but the day is short. By early afternoon, you reach Italian Base Camp at 3,660 m. So you camp here for two nights, below a wall of ice and rock.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs walk (8 km)
- Max Altitude: 3,660 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you rest and let your body adjust to the height. So you take an easy walk up the ridge above camp, then return to sleep low. This follows the climb-high, sleep-low rule. From the higher ground, the views of Dhaulagiri are huge and close. So you take photos and enjoy the wild silence. Back at camp, the crew serves hot food and tea. So you rest, read, and drink plenty of water. Then you sleep early, ready for the glacier days ahead.
- Duration: 2 to 3 hrs walk
- Max Altitude: up to about 3,900 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today the trek turns truly alpine. So you leave the last plants behind and enter a world of rock and ice. The trail follows the edge of the Chhonbardan Glacier, below Dhaulagiri’s north face. The ground is rough, with loose moraine and boulders. So your guide picks the safest line across it. The mountain looms huge and close on your left. By afternoon, you reach Glacier Camp, also called Japanese Base Camp. So you camp on the ice-scoured ground, in a ring of giants.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs walk(10 km)
- Max Altitude: 4,250 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you reach the foot of the great mountain. So you follow the glacier higher, over rock and ice. The walking is slow in the thin air, so you pace yourself. All around, ice cliffs and seracs tower over the route. Then the valley opens to Dhaulagiri Base Camp at 4,750 m. So you stand below the mountain’s vast north face. The camp sits in a raw, magnificent bowl of ice. So you rest here for two nights, ready for the pass.
- Duration: 4 to 5 hrs hike (10 km)
- Max Altitude: 4,750 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today is a vital rest day before the French Pass. So you take a short, slow hike toward the pass, then come back down. This helps your body get used to the thin air. The views from here are among the best of the trek. So you see Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak, and a wall of ice. Back at camp, you rest, eat well, and drink lots of water. Your guide checks everyone’s oxygen with a pulse oximeter. So you sleep early, ready for the biggest day.
- Duration: 2 to 3 hrs
- Max Altitude: up to about 5,000 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
This is the big day of the trek. So you start very early, in the cold and dark. You climb slowly up the glacier toward the French Pass. The air is thin, so every step is an effort. On steep or icy ground, the crew may fix a rope for safety. After several hours, you reach the top of the French Pass at 5,360 m, the high point of the trek. So you stand among peaks like Sita Chuchura and Tashi Kang. Then you descend into the wide, empty Hidden Valley. So you camp here at about 5,050 m, in one of the loneliest spots in Nepal.
- Duration: 7 to 8 hrs walk (14 km)
- Max Altitude: 5,360 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you cross the second high pass and begin the long descent. So you climb from the Hidden Valley to the Dhampus Pass at 5,240 m. The views back over the Dhaulagiris are stunning. Then the trail drops fast down a long, steep slope of scree. So you use your poles and take care on the loose ground. As you lose height, the air grows richer again. You leave the ice behind and reach the yak pastures of Yak Kharka. So you camp here, far lower and warmer than the passes.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs walk (12 km)
- Max Altitude: 5,240 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you complete the circuit and rejoin the trekking world. So you descend a long trail toward the Kali Gandaki valley. The land turns dry and Tibetan, in the rain shadow of the Himalaya. You get grand views of the Nilgiris and Tukuche Peak on the way. Then you reach Marpha, a pretty Thakali village of white stone houses. So you can try the local apple brandy and fresh apple pie. This is a warm, welcome return to comfort. So you spend the night in a cosy lodge, off the tents at last.
- Duration: 5 to 6 hrs (15 km)
- Max Altitude: Yak Kharka 3,680 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you take a short walk down the Kali Gandaki to Jomsom. So you pass apple orchards and windswept trails on the way. At Jomsom, you catch an early flight to Pokhara. The short mountain flight gives grand views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. So you land back in the warm, green lakeside city. Then you check into your hotel and rest. So you can celebrate the trek by Phewa Lake in the evening.
- Duration: 2 to 3 hrs walk
- Max Altitude: Jomsom 2,720 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
- Accommodation: Star Hotel (Shared)
Today you return to Kathmandu, by tourist bus or a short flight. So you retrace the river valleys back to the capital. Then, depending on your onward flight, you rest or head to the airport. A Spade Himalaya guide helps with your transfers. So you leave Nepal with rare photos and the memory of a true expedition. We hope to welcome you back to the Himalaya again one day.
- Duration: Driving or flying
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
- Accommodation: Star Hotel (Shared)
Trips Include
- All airport transfers in a private vehicle
- 3 nights' hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara (3-star, twin share) with breakfast
- Tourist bus or flight between Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Private jeep from Pokhara to Darbang (the trek start)
- Jomsom to Pokhara flight after the trek
- Full-board tented camp accommodation during the trek (tents, mattresses, dining and toilet tents)
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek, cooked by our camp kitchen
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and TIMS card
- A licensed, experienced Nepali guide, plus a cook and full kitchen crew
- Porter support to carry all camp gear and your duffel bag
- Group climbing gear for the passes (rope and basic safety kit), a first-aid kit, and a pulse oximeter
- Trip-completion certificate and all government taxes
Trips Exclude
- International airfare to and from Nepal
- Nepal entry visa (US30 for 15 Days, US50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days)
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory; must cover trekking above 5,000 m and helicopter evacuation)
- Personal trekking and camping gear, such as boots, crampons, and trekking poles
- All drinks, snacks, hot showers, and device charging on the trek
- Tips for the guide, cook, and crew
- Personal expenses and any costs from early departure or itinerary changes
- Anything not listed under Cost Includes
Trips Altitude
Packing List
General
- Four-season (minus 20 degree) sleeping bag.
- Sleeping bag liner and an inflatable sleeping mat
- Puffy down jacket.
- Duffel bag.
- Daypack, 35 to 45 litres, with a rain cover
Upper Body
- Warm hat and a sun hat
- Buff, scarf, or neck gaiter
- Sunglasses and goggles with full UV protection (vital for glacier glare)
- Headlamp with spare batteries (needed for the pre-dawn pass starts)
- Sunscreen (SPF 50) and lip balm
- Technical base-layer tops (light and heavy)
- Fleece jacket and an insulated mid layer
- Waterproof, windproof shell jacket
Lower Body
- Technical base-layer trousers
- Trekking trousers (2 pairs)
- Insulated or soft-shell trousers for the high camps
- Waterproof, windproof shell trousers
Hands
- Wool or technical liner gloves
- Warm insulated gloves or mittens for the passes
Feet
- Sturdy, waterproof trekking or mountaineering boots (well broken in)
- Warm wool socks and sock liners (several pairs)
- Camp shoes for the evenings
- Crampons and gaiters for the glacier and the passes
- Trekking poles
Undergarments
- Quick-drying technical underwear
- Sports bras (women)
- Thermal base-layer set for the cold nights
First Aid Kits
(Your guide carries a full kit, medication, and a pulse oximeter, but a personal kit is strongly recommended.)
- Sunscreen, lip balm, and blister care
- Antiseptic ointment and pain relief
- Personal medication and any altitude medication advised by your doctor
- Water-purification tablets or a UV purifier
- Hand sanitiser and basic cold or stomach medicine
Others
- Passport and several extra passport photos (for the permits)
- Insulated water bottles and a hydration bladder
- Toiletry kit, quick-dry towel, wet wipes, toilet paper
- High-energy snacks (bars, nuts, dried fruit)
- Waterproof or dry bags for documents and clothes
Optional
- Power bank and a solar charger (there is no power on the trek)
- Camera or phone for photos
- Binoculars
- Cards or a book
- Thermos for hot water
Good to Know
This is one of the last great wilderness treks in Nepal. So it circles an 8,000 m peak with almost no roads, lodges, or crowds. You live in tents, cross two high passes, and walk through raw, glaciated country. In short, it is a real expedition, for trekkers who want a serious challenge. The reward is a wild beauty that few people ever see.
This is a full tented trek, so a large crew makes it possible. Your team includes a guide, a cook, kitchen helpers, and porters. So they carry the tents, the food, and the kitchen, and set up camp each day. You sleep in a two-person tent and eat hot meals in a dining tent. So all you carry is a daypack with your day gear.
The French Pass and the Dhampus Pass are the crux of the trek. So you cross them early in the day, before the weather turns. The ground can be icy, so you may wear crampons and rope up in places. Your guide checks the conditions first and will wait for a safe window. The views from the top make the hard work worth it.
The plan follows the climb-high, sleep-low rule, with two rest days. So take those days seriously, and hike high but sleep low. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day, and walk slowly. Skip alcohol up high, and eat the good camp food for energy. If you feel unwell, tell your guide at once. Your guide carries an oximeter and a first-aid kit.
You leave the mountains by a short flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. So the flight depends on clear morning weather, like all mountain flights. If it is delayed, your guide will plan the safest option. So it is wise to keep a spare day before your international flight home. A little flexibility keeps the trip smooth.
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Trips FAQs
Permits, Guide & Insurance
You need two. First, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, which is about NPR 3,000 (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-30). Second, the TIMS card, about NPR 2,000 (Nepal Tourism Board, retrieved 2026-06-30). The Dhaulagiri Circuit is not a restricted area, so no special restricted permit is needed. Spade Himalaya arranges both.
Yes. Nepal requires a licensed guide, and this remote camping trek would be unsafe without a full crew. So Spade Himalaya gives you a licensed Nepali guide, a cook, and a mountain crew. They handle the route, the camps, the food, and your health. This is not a trek to try on your own.
Yes, it is a must. Your policy has to cover trekking above 5,000 m and a helicopter rescue. Many normal policies do not, so check the wording first. This trek is remote, so rescue can be slow and costly. Arrange good cover at home before you fly, and leave a copy with Spade Himalaya.
Trek Difficulty & Altitude
It is graded challenging, and it is one of the toughest treks in Nepal. You walk 4 to 8 hours a day, cross two passes above 5,200 m, and camp in tents the whole way. The passes involve glacier travel, and the crew may fix ropes on icy ground. So you need strong fitness, warm gear, and ideally past trekking above 5,000 m.
This plan is 17 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. That includes the travel, the trek, and two rest days for acclimatization. The trek itself covers about 102 km around the Dhaulagiri massif. We can also adjust the length to fit your time and pace.
Both passes are high and cold, and they cross glaciers and snow. The French Pass at 5,360 m is the high point of the trek. So you start before dawn, move slowly, and follow your guide. On steep or icy sections, the crew may fix a rope for safety. Micro spikes or crampons help, and your guide will tell you when to wear them.
It is a real risk, because you cross 5,360 m and sleep for nights above 4,000 m. So the plan adds two rest days, at Italian Base Camp and Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Your guide checks your oxygen with a pulse oximeter each day. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water daily, walk slowly, and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Going down is the best cure.
Best Time to Trek
Spring (April to May) and autumn (late September to October) are best. Both give stable weather and safe pass crossings. Winter buries the passes in deep snow, so the trek closes. The summer monsoon brings rain, cloud, and leeches in the gorge, so most people avoid it.
Accommodation & Facilities
Yes. Past Italian Base Camp, there are no lodges or teahouses at all. So you sleep in tents, with a full crew, a cook, and a camp kitchen. Spade Himalaya brings all the camping gear, so you only carry your daypack. This is a true tented expedition, far from the teahouse trails.