The Wild Side of the Himalayas: Around Dhaulagiri Trek

Free day in Kathmandu in preparation for the trek, or one can join in our tour around Kathmandu at places of interest as Kathmandu city and the valley steeped with World Heritage Sites.

A 30-minute flight.

Leisurely wake-up and breakfast and a short drive to the airport to board a flight to Pokhara. A 30-minute of scenic flight to Pokhara provides a half-day time in Pokhara. Arrive at Pokhara, transfer to the hotel at Pokhara Lakeside, and get your room distributed. The remaining time is free for resting and refreshment. In the evening, we stroll around the lake of Pokhara and choose one of its best restaurants for a hearty dinner.

4 hour drive.

Breakfast and take a drive to Darbang, the trek starting point. The first part of the drive takes over Pokhara city, which offers a complete and beautiful view of Pokhara city and the entire Himalaya range that decorates Pokhara. Next, the road goes down a beautiful valley full of scattered villages and farmland to Beni, the headquarters town of the Myagdi district within the Dhaulagiri region.

The drive continues west to reach a farm village called Darbang, located around low and warm areas on the route to the Dhaulagiri basecamp. On arrival, get greeted by our Kitchen crews; they reached here one day before to organize the start of the trek. We arrive early with time to explore the village around us and prepare our trek for the next day. Darbang is the home of the Magar people, one of the major tribes of the mid-hills of Nepal.

4 hours Trek.

Start the walk following the river upstream past farm villages and terraces by the bank of Myagdi River through a cool shade of the forest and into the gorge till we approach our camping site for an overnight stop by the Riverside, with a small farm village and paddy field.

6 hours Trek.

The trail takes us upstream to reach an isolated small farm village at Juge Pani (leach water), where we stop for lunch. The afternoon walk leads with a steep climb to a ridge top and then downhill through a cool forest until we reach Bagar, the last village on our trek, until we are at Marpha, on the main Annapurna circuit trail.

6 hours Trek.

The morning trek goes into a forest area for an hour and begins with a climb through bamboo, oaks and rhododendron forest. Then, the trail again drops downhill to Dovan, a lovely forest area with a small temporary teahouse and shop.

5 hours Trek.

Cross over a small bridge at the confluence of the Myagdi River and continue into the forested path until at Chartare, also called Bhainse Kharka, situated amid the dense forest, a rich grazing area for local herders.

5 hours Trek.

The morning walk starts through a complete wilderness. Then, we slowly cross the tree lines and bring us to the southwest of the Dhaulagiri massif. The point is also called the Italian camp or Italian base camp.

The views of Putha Huinchuli, Manapathi and Dhaulagiri’s south flank are impressive. After good hours of walking within the glacier, moraine and climb over a rocky ridge to reach Pakhaban or the Japanese camp. From our campsite, there are good views of Dhaulagiri southwest face, Manapathi, Puttha Hiunchuli and the massive ice wall of Tsaurabong Peak.

6 hours Trek.

The trek continues over moraine, glaciers and boulders of the iceberg at some sections on the faint trail, where the route follows over the glaciated area. Finally, after a challenging walk over the glacier, reach the Dhaulagiri basecamp, a rocky open place. The Dhaulagiri base camp offers some of the closest views of Mount Dhaulagiri I, towering above us, its icefalls, glacier and  Tukuche peak, the Western mountains of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m.), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m.) and Dhaulagiri IV  (7,618 m.), one of the great masses of peaks just in your hand reaching distance.

5 hours Trek.

Today we cross the fame-filled French pass at above 5,357 metres. After the French Pass, the descent brings us to a wide grassy field, the famous hidden valley, where we camp overnight. The views of Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal, Tashi Kang 5,386 meters, Tukche Peak and Dhaulagiri I are impressive in their full majesty.

Our body probably requires recharging, a rest day, and our porters. This rest day is decided on the evening of day 11. The camp goes ahead if all are in sound and the weather is appealing. This rest day is spent where we feel more, at Marpha, Jomsom or in Kathmandu.

6 hours Trek.

The morning trail gradually goes up for a few hours until we approach the last high pass of the circuit, the Thapa or Dhampus Pass, at above 5,250 metres. Crossing over with great views of Annapurna Himal and Nilgiri peaks and then descending to Yak Kharka, an open place for Yak Shed, we are back into the green vegetation of Himalayan Juniper, Burberry and rhododendron bushes.

5 hours Trek.

An exciting day for all members to end the trek. The tail is a long downhill. The views of Kaligandaki Valley and across are breathtaking. The trail again enters into the bushes and forest of firs, pines and rhododendron and to the charming village at Marpha, on the ancient salt trade route to Tibet on the famously known Kaligandaki River bank.

Marpha, located in the lower Mustang district around Kali Gandaki River valley, is also known as the apple pie route. Several apple gardens enable them to fame with apple pie, apple cider, apple brandy, juice, dry apples, and apricot fruits. So enjoy the afternoon in the comfort of a lovely lodge and relax for a memorable accomplishment around Dhaulagiri Trek.

30 minutes drive and 20 minutes flight.

We drive to Jomsom airport in the morning and board a small aircraft (Twin Otter / Dornier or similar types). The flight offers fantastic views of the Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna ranges on both sides of the plane. Endless views last till the flight touches the airport at Pokhara. Once we leave the plane, the panorama to the northeast of Pokhara, filled with great mountain rows, greets you back.

Today, visit Pumdikot Shiva Temple and Peace Stupa. You get picked up from your hotel and drive 15 kilometres to Pumdikot. Visit the newly built Shiva Temple on a beautiful hilltop enjoying the grand views of Mount Annapurna, Mount Lumjung Himal, Sarangkot, Pokhara city and its Phewa Lake. Then enjoy a beautiful walk down to where the Peace Stupa graciously stands. Enjoy the site’s views, visit the stupa, explore, and enjoy another lovely short walk down to Phewa Lake. Then cross the lake through a rowing boat across Lake Phewa or down to Fishtail Lodge for Lunch with grand views of the Himalayas and Lake.

 After lunch, visit the International Mountain Museum, a not to miss site. Then, the evening is back to the hotel and around Phewa Lake for a lovely evening walk while selecting a restaurant for dinner. 

After an exciting tour of Pokhara, take an overland journey back to Kathmandu by road or by air (airfare supplement 70$ per person). If you choose to drive, you get to visit Bandipur city on the way with a lunch stop. If taking a flight, you will be in Kathmandu in 30 minutes, and there are several options for touring several not to miss World Heritage sites.

A reserve day to make sure for a trouble-free itinerary. If all goes well, use the extra day to visit some of the medieval towns of Kathmandu, such as Bhaktapur, Patan, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambunath Stupa, some of not to miss sites in the Kathmandu valley when you are already here.

Breakfast and the rest of the day are leisure on your own. The Representative of Happy Feet Nepal will arrive at your hotel with transport three hours before your departure flight time. Get escorted from the hotel to the International Departure Terminal, see off formalities, and go through the immigration and departure.