Trip Highlights:
“Adventure around 7th world highest Mt. Dhaulagiri and at base camp with super views. Explore remote and isolated farm villages of Magar people the hill tribe of Dhaulagiri region Trekking into the lovely serene forest of tall rhododendron-magnolia-pine and fir trees. From low warm paddy fields to alpine cooler hills towards the arctic zone of ice and glaciers. Walking into green woodland to arid and barren areas and over high and scenic French Pass.Following the raging Mygdi River upstream to its glacial source at Dhaulagiri base camp Within beautiful Hidden Valley and towards the scenic area of Kaligandaki River valley at Mustang”.
Brief Trip Profile:
Mode of Trekking: On Hotels, Lodge and camping on walks.
Trekking Grade: Moderate to Adventurous and Challenging in snow condition.
Highest Altitude: French Pass 5,360 m and Thapa / Dhampus pass at 5,250 m high.
Activities: Sightseeing tour, exciting drive and scenic trekking.
People and Culture: Mygdi area dominated by Magar people with Thakali tribe and Kaligandaki and Mustang district of both Buddhist and Hindu religions with varied culture and custom.
Area of Trekking : Nepal Far North West around Dhaulagiri Himalaya range.
Trekking duration:11 Nights and 12 Days (with drives and flights from Jomsom).
Total Trip : 16 Nights and 17 Days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu).
Season : April to May and September to November months.
Introduction:
Around Dhaulagiri trekking an enjoyable and spectacular adventure with Mountain Challenger Treks and Expeditions, where you will be enclosed within high towering peaks of Mt. Dhaulagiri massive range of mountains. Around Dhaulagiri Trekking leads you far and away from human settlement and villages for some days in the harmony of pristine wilderness within remorseless fields of ice and glaciers and close views of massive Dhaulagiri Ice Falls at base camp. Truly an awesome walk with some challenging section to encounter as route leads into glaciers and a high ridge over French and Dhampus Passes at above 5,000 m with a glorious panorama of peaks that hardly seen from other places of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri areas. Mt. Dhaulagiri stands as world 7th highest at above 8,167 m and 26,795 ft high, which was first climbed by Swiss Expedition in May 13th, 1960, since then the area was least ventured by trekkers and adventurer, at present Around Dhaulagiri Trekking is slowly getting popular due to its scenic close views of peaks, and its remoteness. Starting Around Dhaulagiri Trekking taking a long exciting drive to scenic Pokhara and the further west to start the walks from low warm paddy fields to mid hills within Magar tribes farm villages, and the heading higher on leaving villages and human settlement for complete wilderness. As walk leads into deeply forested areas and vast cattle grazing fields on leaving the tree lines for some days and then heading into the mountainous region of the moraine, ice, and glaciers to reach Dhaulagiri base camp and the source of Mygdi River. After a wonderful time heading backcrossing high scenic French Pass to reach wide green Hidden valley enclosed within high snow-capped peaks, the adventure continues to cross Thapa or Dhampus pass to reach back into green vegetation and tree lines with long descend to Kaligandaki River Valley. Kaligandaki River valley located on old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet, where with time in a charming village at Marpha enriched with Thakali people immense culture and custom of Buddhism religion. From Marpha our walks complete taking a short drive to Jomsom the headquarter town of Mustang district where a short scenic flight brings you back at scenic Pokhara by its calm Phewa Lake with views of Annapurna Himalaya, after a great memorable adventure Around Dhaulagiri Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Day 03: Drive or fly to Pokhara 860 m - 06 hrs ride and 30 mins by air.
Day 04: Drive to Darbang 1,200 m via Beni 900 m -06 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Riverside 1,700 m - 04 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Bagar 2,375m -05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Dovan 2,600m-06 hours.
Day 08: Trek to Charter / Bhainsi Kharka 3,000m -05 hrs.
Day 09: Trek to Pakhaban (Japanese Camp.) 3,750m -05 hrs.
Day 10: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp 4,750m - 06 hrs.
Day 11: Trek to Hidden Valley 4,900m via French Pass 5,360m.
Day 12: At Hidden Valley Rest Day as contingency or spare day.
Day 13: Trek to Yak Kharka 4,915m - 05 hrs.
Day 14: Trek to Marpha 2, 670 - 04 hours.
Day 15: Drive to Jomsom 2,713 m and fly to Pokhara 860 m and transfer to hotel.
Day 16: Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
Day 17: International departure for homeward bound.
Day 01: Reach Kathmandu 1,340 m via respective airlines and transfer to hotel.
On arrival at Kathmandu and Nepal International airport received by our Mountain Challenger staff and guides for short transfer and drive in the heart of Kathmandu city to your respective hotels. After checking into your rooms meet at the briefing hall where our guide or leader will brief you regarding Around Dhaulagiri Trekking. Include information of hotels, lodge and do’s and don’ts with group welcome dinner in a nice authentic Nepalese Restaurant with various Folk programs of Nepal as entertainment.
Day 02: In Kathmandu with a sightseeing tour around world heritage sites.
Morning after breakfast our city guide will take you for an interesting sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu city, where Kathmandu valley steeped with ancient historical, religious monuments which is listed on world heritage sites. Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square (old Malla and Shah Royal courtyard) with resident of virgin ‘Goddess Kumari’ and other places of great interest, from here heading to oldest landmark of Kathmandu and Nepal at Swayambhunath Stupa, believed to be more than 2,600 years old a Buddhist dome shaped with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. After an interesting day and tour back to Hotel with free afternoon preparation for Dhaulagiri trekking.
Day 03: Drive or Fly to Pokhara 820m (220 k.m) - 06 hrs journey (30 mins by air).
Morning taking a tourist coach or smaller vehicle as per group size for an overland drive that leads you away and beyond Kathmandu valley heading low warmer areas with views of snowcapped mountains. As drive continues on busy main highway past farm villages and town then heading Nepal Mid-West to reach at scenic Pokhara city. At Pokhara transfer to nice hotels by the serene lake Phewa with views of Annapurna and Manaslu mountain range with towering peaks of Machhapuchare ‘Fish Tail’. (Options via air 30 minutes of scenic flight from Kathmandu to land at Pokhara airport).
Day 04: Drive to Darbang via Beni 900 m - 06 hrs.
From Pokhara, our journey continues on the drive to Beni town and beyond to a farming town at Darbang after driving past Kusma and Beni town and following Mygdi River all along to reach Darbang, a busy market village and a starting point of Dhaulagiri- Churen Himal, Dhorpatan and Dolpo trekking. Darbang a small farm village slowly turning into a town, after the motor road has been completed from Beni and Pokhara, at Darbang for overnight stop by the Mygdi River in a local simple lodge.
Day 05: Trek to Riverside 1,560 m - 05 hrs.
First day of this adventure starts walking past farm villages and then on the pleasant trail along Myagdi River, following the Myagdi River right to its glacier source at Dhaulagiri base camp. After a good walk reaching our first overnight camp by the river, after noon at leisure with rest or enjoy the cool river.
Day 06: Trek to Bagar 2,375m - 06 hrs.
Morning walk follows the river reaching a farm village of Jugepani for lunch stop, afternoon climb above a ridge and then descend through forest to camp at Bagar, a farm village, Bagar the last village till our walk joins at Marpha village.
Day 07: Trek to Dovan 2,600m - 06 hours.
On leaving the last of farm fields at Bagar village walk into the forest for an hour and then a climb into forested area of bamboo, oaks and rhododendron trees.After climb then descend to reach at Dovan for overnight camp, Dovan a small temporary settlement with small teahouse and shops.
Day 08: Trek to Chartare / Bhainsi Kharka 3,000m -05 hrs.
From Dovan morning walk leads to an unstable wooden bridge over a stream at a confluence of Mygdi river, after crossing walking into the forest all the way to overnight stop at Chartare also called Bhainse Kharka.
Day 09: Trek to Pakhaban (Japanese Camp) 3,750 m - 05 hrs.
After overnight in the middle of dense forest, today walk leads to complete wilderness on leaving the vegetation and tree lines for a few days. Morning walk leads closer to Mt. Dhaulagiri South Face flank, with views of Putha Huinchuli, Manapathi and Dhaulagiri south flank, after good hours of walk reaching a glaciated area on a clearing named as Italian camp. From here adventure begins as the walk leads on the glacier, moraine with a climb over the rocky ridge to reach Pakhaban also called Japanese camp. This camp offers super views of South West Face of Dhaulagiri and Manapathi, Puttha Hiunchuli with huge ice wall of Tsaurabong Peak.
Day 10: Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp 4,750m - 06 hrs.
Morning walk follows moraine and iceberg in some section, this morning climb needs a good team work with guides, porters and fellow members to be on right side of the trail over glaciated sections. After a tough walk over glacial section reaching a rocky open area around Dhaulagiri where base camp is located. Overnight camp at base camp the highlight of this adventure with closest view of world 7th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri I at 8,167 m, includes view of tumbling icefalls, glacier and Tukuche peak with West peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m.), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m.) and Dhaulagiri IV (7,618 m.).
Day 11: Trek to Hidden Valley 4,900m via French Pass 5,360m.
From this unique and wonderful campsite morning walk leads to the highest point of the adventure over French pass at 5,360 meters. After the high pass, a short descend to reach a wide grassy meadow a huge field at hidden valley for overnight camp. Offering views of Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal, and Tashi Kang 5,386 meters, Tukche Peak and Dhaulagiri I.
Day 12: At Hidden Valley for excursion and hike.
Today a rest and spare or contingency day in case of bad weather condition including physical conditions of members, staff and porters. Here enjoy a scenic walk around unexplored areas of beautiful large Hidden valley and marvel the views of Dhaulagiri range of mountains.
Day 13: Trek to Yak Kharka 4,915m via Dhampus /Thapa pass 5,250 m - 05 hrs.
After a pleasant rest, morning starts on a gentle path for a few hours to reach the last pass of this adventure at Thapa also called Dhampus pass with 5,250 meters high. On reaching the pass with grand rare views of Annapurna Himal, Nilgiris peaks, and then our walk descend to Yak Kharka for overnight camp and back into green vegetation of Juniper, Burberry and rhododendron bushes.
Day 14: Trek to Marpha 2,630 m - 04 hrs.
Morning walk with long descend back into villages, after being in the complete wilderness for past few days. Downhill walk into the forest of firs, pines and rhododendron trees, after few hours of easy, descend reaching at one of the charming village at Marpha where all houses are painted white, this gem of a village with an interesting monastery. Marpha located in lower Mustang district around Kaligandaki river valley, this area famous for delicious apples and a product like cider, brandy local brew, juices, dry apples and apricot fruits. Enjoy the afternoon in the comfort of nice lodges and explore this beautiful village.
Day 15: Drive to Jomsom 2,715 m and fly to Pokhara 860 m and transfer to hotel.
Early morning after breakfast transfer for a short drive from charming Marpha village, on reaching at Jomsom airport, where a sweeping short flight of 25 minutes takes you to land at Pokhara, during airborne spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri’s and Annapurna range of mountains with rolling hills dotted with farm villages. On reaching Pokhara airport transfer to respective hotels by the serene lake Phewa, afternoon free for individual activities or just relax and enjoy the views of the Annapurna Himalaya.
Day 16 : Drive or fly back to Kathmandu and transfer to respective hotels.
After pleasant and interesting time on high hills around Dhaulagiri trekking with last overnight at Pokhara, morning taking a drive back to Kathmandu on the same exciting highway where the interesting journey ends on reaching hustle and bustle city life of Kathmandu, afternoon free at leisure for individual activities and shopping souvenirs. (Options via air 30 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu from Pokhara airport).
Day 17: International departure for home ward bound.
Last day in Nepal country of high mountains and varied colorful culture, as per your international flight time, our staff transfer you to the airport for final departure homeward bound with fabulous and unique memories and adventure on Around Dhaulagiri Trekking.
