Everything You Need to Know About Dhaulagiri Trek

Dhaulagiri Round Trekking

Dhaulagiri Round Trek is also known as Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is known to be one of the toughest off-beaten treks of Nepal. Along with difficulty, the trail is equally majestic and pleasing.

This challenging classic trek gives you high-altitude trekking experiences.  Mount Dhaulagiri is the 7th highest peak in the world which has an altitude of 8167m. The Dhaulagiri Round Trek is a combination of wild challenging adventures and beautiful scenic views. This trek takes you into the wild landscape and beautiful high glaciers. The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is not as famous as the other treks in the Annapurna region so the routes are less crowded and will be easy for you to explore.

The Dhaulagiri Round Trek heads you to the exotic areas of the Annapurna Region. This adventurous journey gives you the panoramic views of Dhaulagiri Ranges(8156m), Mt Nilgiri (7061m), Lamjung Himal (6983m), Annapurna Ranges (8091m), Mt Tukuche (6837m), and many more. The region is not highly developed so the accommodations also include camping. Another highlight of the trek is the deepest gorge in the world - Gandaki Gorge.

Trip Highlights

Here are a few highlights of the Dhaulagiri Round Trek:

• Experience a closer view of magnificent Mount Dhaulagiri.
• Panoramic views of Mt Nilgiri(7061m), Lamjung Himal (6983m), Annapurna Ranges (8091m), Mt Tukuche (6837m), and more.
• Off-beaten route and adventurous experience.
• Exploring the unique lifestyles of locals in this region.
• Overnight stays in camps with local authentic foods.
• Since the trekking destination is not very popular the routes are less crowded.
• Experiencing the unique culture and traditions of the locals.

Trip Overview:

Starting Point: Beni

Ending Point: Pokhara 

Maximum Altitude: 5010m

Accommodation: Lodges and Camping

Trek Difficulty: Challenging

Best Time: Autumn and spring

Average Trek per day: 5 to 7 hours

Permits required during Dhaulagiri Round Trek

You will require the following permits before entering this trek if you are not a Nepali citizen:
Trekker’s Information management System (TIMS) costs $10 USD per person. Another permit is Annapurna Conservation Area Permit, which costs $20 USD. This trek does not lie inside the restricted zone. The checkpoint in this area is fewer as the trek route is not popular compared to other destinations. 

Accommodations and foods throughout the Dhaulagiri Round Trek

The Dhaulagiri Round Trek is also known as a camping trek where the trekkers mostly stay in camps during the night. Another main reason for this trek being difficult is no provisions for lodgings. As we trek upwards the number of houses decreases and there are no facilities of lodges and tea houses. You will have to set up tents and camps. The meals will be cooked by the porters who are well trained in cooking.

Until Pakoban you can find tea houses and hotels for the stay. There you can have a private room if you want to or you can share the room with your teammates. 

Route to Dhaulagiri Round Trek

The Dhaulagiri Round Trek starts with a drive to Beni which will take you around 8 hours. After reaching Beni you can rest and see the beautiful Beni Bazaar. The next day our trek will start officially, you will trek to Babachaur (900m) for 5 hours. Then we will head towards Dharapani (1470m) which is 6 hours of trek. From Dharapani you will head towards Muri (1850m) and spend the overnight in Muri. Then you will trek for 6 hours and reach Goghara (2080m). Leaving Boghara, the trail continues towards Dobang (2520m) taking 5 hours of trek. The next day you will head towards Choriban Khola (3110n) which is 5 hours of trek. 

From Choriban Khola, the direction heads towards Italian Base Camp (3660m) hiking for 7 hours. We will take one day to acclimatize to the Italian Base Camp and explore the nearby places. The next day early morning, the trail continues for 6 hours and reaches the Glacier camp (4210m). Then comes the day of reaching the final destination, which is Dhaulagiri Base Camp. After early morning breakfast, the steps continue for 7 hours and reach the Dhaulagiri Base Camp. From here Mt. Dhaulagiri looks spectacular along with neighboring mountains.

We will take another day to acclimatize to the base camp area. Continuing the journey, you will cross the French Pass (5360m) and trek to the hidden valley (5200m). The next day you will have two options; one is to hike nearby the hidden valley and the other is to ascend to Dhampus Peak (6060m). Next morning, you will cross Dhampus Pass (5240m) and trek to Yak Kharka. Then the trailheads to the beautiful Jomsom (2700m) after trekking for 5 hours. Spend a night in Jomsom. Then the journey descends to Pokhara, you can return to Pokhara either by flight or vehicle. You can relax for a day in Pokhara and finally make the end of the journey by returning to Kathmandu.

How difficult is Dhaulagiri Round Trek?

Dhaulagiri Round Trek is one of the toughest trekking routes in Nepal. The trek enhances the journey for those who are in seek of adventures and thrill. But the trekking journey might be difficult for new beginners and physically weak people. The journey takes you above 5000 meters; the oxygen level gets thinner as we go up.

This might cause most of the trekkers to have altitude sickness. The number of trekking days is more and there are many uphill and downhill climbs on the way. The paths are not in well-developed condition. So if you are willing to trek in the Dhaulagiri circuit you must be physically and mentally prepared and strong. Drinking plenty of water and maintaining a healthy diet will help you in reducing sickness.

What is the best time to trek in Dhaulagiri?

Climate is the key factor that affects the trekking journey. Trekking in favorable seasons will enhance the trek. Following are the best time to trek in this region:

Spring and autumn are the most favorable season for this trek. During spring the paths are full of blooming flowers and the weather is clear for great Mountain View. During the autumn many trekkers start trekking as these are the time when you capture majestic views of the Himalayas. 

The temperature stays 25ocelcius during the day and 5ocelcius during the night in the mountains ranging from 1000m to 3500m. When you reach between the mountains higher than 3500m the temperature is 150celcius. 

Essentials equipment during Dhaulagiri Round Trek

Here are a few essentials you might want to carry during the trek:

• Warm wear,
• gloves
• caps
• shades
• woolen socks
• waterproof pants and jackets
• Toiletries
• sleeping bags, anti-bug creams
• mosquito coils,
• first aid kits
• trekking sticks
• torch lights
• power bank
• extra batteries, etc.

FAQs

Do we need guides and porters during Dhaulagiri Trek?

Yes, you will need the porters and a guide for this trek. The routes are clear but difficult and since you are staying in camps you highly need porters for cooking and set-ups.

How difficult is Dhaulagiri Round Trek?

The Dhaulagiri Round Trek is marked as a challenging trek. The trek leads you to higher altitudes which might cause you altitude sickness. Your body should be strong to complete the Dhaulagiri Trek.

Are there hotels during the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?

No, the number of hotels and tea houses decreases as we go up. You will have to set up camps for the night during Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek where there are no lodges.

Has anyone ever climbed Mt. Dhaulagiri?

Yes, many climbers have successfully climbed Mt. Dhaulagiri; it was first climbed on 13th May 1960.

The Dhaulagiri Round Trek is especially for adventure and challenge seekers. This trek brings real struggle and enjoyment in the trekking journey. All the strength used in this trek is worth the relief of the views and fun. Camping adds more adventures to this trek. The whole Dhaulagiri Round trek never lets you get bored. Returning from the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek, you will have immense and remarkable memories.