About DHAULAGIRI ROUND TREK (18 DAYS)

The Dhaulagiri Round Trek is a journey through an undisturbed and rugged region, where the overwhelming presence of the Dhaulagiri massif shapes the landscape in profound ways. This trek, encircling the world’s seventh-highest peak, takes you through a varied and often remote terrain, where the paths are far less traveled and the sense of isolation is palpable.

Starting from the village of Beni, located at the confluence of the Myagdi River, the trek begins in the foothills of the Dhaulagiri range. The initial climb is through the cultivated terraces and villages of the Myagdi Valley, where stone houses sit against a backdrop of slowly rising hills. You will pass through charming villages, such as Darbang, Kalleri, and Sallaghari. These areas are home to communities of Magar and Chhetri people, whose way of life is centered on agriculture, and their presence adds an element of continuity to the region’s otherwise harsh environment. As the trek progresses, the environment begins to transform. The terraced fields fade into thicker forests of oak and rhododendron, and the path climbs steeply, offering occasional vistas of Dhaulagiri’s snow-dusted peaks. With each step, the feeling of isolation intensifies. The higher you climb, the fewer settlements you encounter. The trail increasingly feels like a passage through a hidden world. After trekking for a week, you will eventually reach the Italian Base Camp, where you will rest an extra day for acclimatization. The trek then continues with a challenging crossing of the Dhaulagiri Glacier, a rugged, ice-covered expanse that is both mesmerizing and intimidating. Navigating this icy realm requires careful movement, but it offers a rare opportunity to observe the raw, untamed forces of nature

The most technical aspect of the Dhaulagiri Round Trek is the crossing of the French Pass (5360 meters) and Dhampus Pass (5200 meters). These high passes are not simply physical challenges, but they also offer a different way of experiencing the mountains. The views from the passes, where the expanse of the Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges unfolds in all directions, are unparalleled. On one side, the sharp, jagged edges of Dhaulagiri tower over the landscape, while on the other, the rolling hills of the Kali Gandaki Gorge stretch out like a vast, arid plain. The descent after crossing the passes leads into the more arid regions of the Mustang area, where the landscape changes dramatically. The forests give way to sparse, dry terrain that feels more Tibetan than Nepali. Here, the stark, windblown terrain and the influence of Tibetan Buddhism are unmistakable. The villages are small and isolated, with monasteries and stupas marking the landscape, and prayer flags flutter in the high-altitude winds. This is a place where the Tibetan plateau meets the Himalayas, where the culture, climate, and topography converge to create Jomsom region, a dusty, desolate landscape that sits at the intersection of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Eventually, you will make your way back to Pokhara and Kathmandu by flight or your desired mode of transportation.