Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
Your Dhaulagiri adventure begins in Nepal's vibrant capital. After airport pickup, settle into your hotel and attend a comprehensive pre-trek briefing with your experienced guide. Use available time to explore Thamel for essential trekking supplies and enjoy authentic Nepali cuisine as you prepare mentally for the challenging journey ahead. Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Kathmandu with hot water and reliable WiFi.
Day 2
Kathmandu to Pokhara (820m)
Take a scenic 6-7 hour drive or a short 30-minute flight to Pokhara, Nepal's adventure capital. This lakeside city serves as the gateway to the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Spend the afternoon relaxing by Phewa Lake or visiting the International Mountain Museum to learn about the history of Himalayan mountaineering, including the significant expeditions to Dhaulagiri. Accommodation: Tourist-class hotel in Pokhara with modern amenities.
Day 3
Pokhara to Beni (830m) to Babiachor (950m)
Begin your journey with a 3-hour drive to Beni, where the trek officially starts. From Beni, trek for approximately 4 hours along the Myagdi Khola River through terraced farmland and small villages to reach Babiachor. This gentle introduction allows you to adjust to the trekking rhythm while enjoying the subtropical landscape and rural Nepali lifestyle. Accommodation: Basic tea house or homestay in Babiachor.
Day 4
Babiachor to Dharapani (1,400m)
Today's 6-hour trek follows the Myagdi Khola upstream through a densely forested valley. The trail gradually gains elevation as you pass through small settlements and agricultural terraces. The influence of Hindu and Buddhist cultures becomes evident in the architecture and religious symbols along the way. The day ends at Dharapani, offering your first distant views of the Dhaulagiri range. Accommodation: Simple tea house in Dharapani.
Day 5
Dharapani to Muri (1,850m)
The 5-6 hour trek today involves a substantial climb through mixed forests of pine, oak, and rhododendron. Cross several streams and continue ascending to reach Muri, a traditional Magar village with spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and Gurja Himal. This settlement offers an authentic glimpse into mountain life largely untouched by modern influences. Accommodation: Basic tea house in Muri.
Day 6
Muri to Boghara (2,080m)
Begin with a descent to the Myagdi Khola before climbing again through dense forests for about 6 hours. The trail becomes increasingly remote, with fewer settlements and more pristine natural environments. Boghara marks the transition to higher alpine terrain, with the landscape beginning to change noticeably as you approach the Dhaulagiri massif. Accommodation: Simple tea house in Boghara.
Day 7
Boghara to Dobang (2,520m)
The 5-6 hour trek today follows the west bank of the Myagdi Khola through increasingly rugged terrain. The vegetation begins to thin as you gain altitude, offering more expansive mountain views. The trail occasionally requires careful navigation across landslide areas before reaching Dobang, a small settlement serving trekkers heading to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Accommodation: Basic tea house in Dobang.
Day 8
Dobang to Italian Base Camp (3,660m)
Today's challenging 6-7 hour trek introduces more dramatic mountain scenery as you leave the forested regions behind. The trail follows the glacier's moraine, with impressive views of Dhaulagiri's northwest face. Italian Base Camp, named after the Italian expeditions to Dhaulagiri in the 1970s, offers spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and the Chhonbardan Glacier. Accommodation: Basic camp or tea house at Italian Base Camp.
Day 9
Acclimatization Day at Italian Base Camp
This essential acclimatization day allows your body to adjust to the increasing altitude. Take a short hike to higher viewpoints for magnificent views of Dhaulagiri I and II, Tukuche Peak, and the massive glacier below. The surroundings provide excellent opportunities for photography and appreciation of the high-altitude wilderness. Use the remainder of the day to rest and prepare for the challenging days ahead. Accommodation: Same basic camp or tea house at Italian Base Camp.
Day 10
Italian Base Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,740m)
This demanding 6-7 hour trek traverses the lateral moraine of the Chhonbardan Glacier, requiring careful footing and good balance. The landscape becomes increasingly barren and dramatic, with ice seracs and glacial features dominating the terrain. Reaching Dhaulagiri Base Camp provides an extraordinary close-up view of the mountain's towering north face—a humbling experience in this raw mountain environment. Accommodation: Basic camp with tents at Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Day 11
Acclimatization Day at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Use this crucial day to acclimatize at high altitude and explore the base camp area. Short walks around the camp improve your acclimatization while offering different perspectives of Dhaulagiri and the surrounding peaks. The base camp has historically served as the starting point for summit expeditions, and you may encounter climbing teams during the main mountaineering seasons. The day allows for rest and mental preparation for crossing the challenging French Pass. Accommodation: Same basic camp with tents at Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Day 12
Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley via French Pass (5,360m)
This pivotal day involves an early start for the 7-8 hour trek across the challenging French Pass. The ascent requires physical endurance and careful navigation across snow and glacial terrain. Reaching the pass rewards you with breathtaking 360-degree views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche, Nilgiri, and Annapurna I. Descend to the otherworldly landscape of Hidden Valley, a high alpine basin surrounded by snow-capped peaks. Accommodation: Basic camp with tents in Hidden Valley.
Day 13
Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka (3,680m) via Dhampus Pass (5,244m)
Another challenging day begins with the ascent to Dhampus Pass, a 6-7 hour journey across varied high-altitude terrain. From the pass, enjoy spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Tukuche Peak, and the Annapurna range before beginning the descent toward the more inhabited regions of the Annapurna Circuit. The trail drops significantly in elevation, bringing you to Yak Kharka amid changing vegetation and terrain. Accommodation: Basic tea house in Yak Kharka.
Day 14
Yak Kharka to Marpha (2,670m)
Descend for about 5-6 hours through alpine meadows that gradually give way to pine and juniper forests. Enter the Kali Gandaki Valley—one of the world's deepest gorges—and reach Marpha, a charming whitewashed village famous for its apple orchards and distinctive Thakali architecture. The contrast between the rugged high-altitude wilderness of previous days and this well-established village is striking. Accommodation: Comfortable tea house in Marpha.
Day 15
Marpha to Tatopani (1,190m)
Enjoy a relatively easier 6-hour trek downhill through the dramatic Kali Gandaki gorge. The landscape transitions rapidly back to subtropical vegetation with terraced fields and diverse flora. Tatopani, meaning "hot water" in Nepali, is famous for its natural hot springs—a perfect place to soothe tired muscles after the challenging high-altitude sections of the trek. Accommodation: Comfortable tea house in Tatopani.
Day 16
Tatopani to Ghorepani (2,850m)
This 6-7 hour trek involves a substantial climb through rhododendron forests and traditional villages. The trail ascends steadily, offering increasingly panoramic views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Ghorepani, situated on a ridge, serves as the gateway to the famous Poon Hill viewpoint and offers comfortable facilities after the remote wilderness of the Dhaulagiri Circuit. Accommodation: Comfortable tea house in Ghorepani.
Day 17
Ghorepani to Poon Hill (3,210m) to Nayapul (1,070m)
Rise before dawn for the 45-minute climb to Poon Hill to witness a spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas, including views of Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Machapuchare, and Hiunchuli. After returning to Ghorepani for breakfast, descend through beautiful forests and terraced fields for about 6 hours to reach Nayapul, where vehicles await to transfer you back to Pokhara. Accommodation: Comfortable hotel in Pokhara.
Day 18
Pokhara to Kathmandu
Return to Kathmandu by road or air, bringing your mountain journey full circle. The journey offers time to reflect on your remarkable achievement of completing one of Nepal's most challenging treks. Back in Kathmandu, enjoy the comforts of urban amenities while processing the profound experiences of the past two weeks. Accommodation: Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 19
Departure from Kathmandu
Your Dhaulagiri Circuit adventure concludes with a transfer to Kathmandu International Airport for your departure flight. Depending on your schedule, you might have time for last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Kathmandu before leaving Nepal with memories of one of the world's most extraordinary trekking experiences.