Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

18 Days
Moderate

Max. Altitude

5,300m

Best Season

Oct -Dec & March-May

Activity

Trekking

Start / End Point

Kathmandu / Kathmandu

Overview of Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

Mt. Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world. Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek was first discovered by a French expedition team that climbed Annapurna I in 1950.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is the Adventurous Dhaulagiri trekking route of Western Nepal, and this is separate from the Annapurna region though it falls in the same region. The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek provides magnificent views of the whole Dhaulagiri range.

Trekking of the main paths is not only promising but can be enormously worthwhile, where you feel a sense of adventure and an increased ability to deal with astonishing Geography since it is a land of dramatic contrast. The trek route is mostly loved by altitude and wilderness lovers. The root requires excellent physical condition and basic mountaineering skills.

Dhaulagiri trekking starts from Beni Bazar however the road reaches Dharapani. Trekking into Italian Base Camp, there is a basic tea house with a striking Mountain View and terrace. After the Italian Base Camp, trekking through the glacier and snow clips. The final trial over French pass (5,355m), also the highest point of the trek, is not too long an ascent but can be challenging.

Downhill from French pass, we enter the lonely but mesmerizing area known as Hidden Valley, this place is one of the few true wilderness areas accessible in Nepal, and the Hidden Valley stretches away to the north, finally narrowing to a harsh gorge that links to Upper Dolpa.

Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Itinerary

day 01 Drive to Pokhara

We drive early in the morning to Pokhara by tourist bus. We can also fly to Pokhara

Maximum Altitude

900 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodations

Hotel

Transportation

6 hours Drive

day 02 Drive to Beni.

We drive to Beni from Pokhara. Enjoy the natural beauty on the route and Sightseeing around Beni.

Maximum Altitude

829 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodations

Hotel

Transportation

4 hours Drive

day 03 Trek from Beni to Babiyachaur.

Trek from Beni to Babiyachaur through rough rubble and steady slopes.

Maximum Altitude

949 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

5 Hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 04 Trek to Dharapani.

Passing through jungles with varieties of oaks, rhododendron and so on and watching birds we trek from Babiyachaur to Dharapani.

Maximum Altitude

1,499 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

6 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 05 Trek to Muri.

Passing through jungle with varieties of rhododendrons, oaks and Christmas trees at some distance, we teak the narrow path to reach Muri.

Maximum Altitude

1,815 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

5 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 06 Trek to Boghara.

Today we go down trail few hours and climb steep path to Boghara.

Maximum Altitude

2,049 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

6 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 07 Trek to Dhoban.

Today, the path is pretty difficult and sometimes we will need the aid of the ropes. The trail inclines down to a small ridge then crosses forest to Jyardan. As a final point, we cross the rocky part to arrive at Dhoban

Maximum Altitude

2,630 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

6 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 08 Trek to Italian Base Camp.

Today we will reach the Italian Base Camp where we will camp just in front of the West wall of the Dhaulagiri. Passing through stunning forest, we swiftly gain altitude and mountains burst out all around.

Maximum Altitude

3,660 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

7 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 09 Acclimatization day.

Today is the first acclimatization day. You can explore around the valley. Make preparation for high passes.

Maximum Altitude

3,661 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodations

Camp

day 10 Trek to Glacier Camp.

After crossing the first glacier using a rope in tricky spots, you climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings are outstanding which makes up for the jagged and dangerous trail and Reach Glacier Camp. This will be a tough day.

Maximum Altitude

4,199 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

8 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 11 Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Soon the rough debris gives way to the smooth ice of the white chunk of the glacier. You hike progressively to the rough and alarming but immense Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Maximum Altitude

4,619 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

6 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 12 Acclimatization Day.

Today is second day of your acclimatization in Dhaulagiri Circuit trekking; sightsee around Dhaulagiri Base Camp and save energy for next days.

Maximum Altitude

4,619 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodations

Camp

day 13 Trek to French Col.

Getting off the glacier above the base camp often requires rope climbing. Once over the steep moraine barriers we reach calmer, less strenuous country. After a breathless climb to the top of French Col. the views of Hidden Valley open out.

Maximum Altitude

5,299 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

7 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 14 Trek to Alubari.

After ascending the Dhampus Pass, you navigate avalanche-prone hills and then take on the steep descent to Yak Kharka and continue to Alubari

Maximum Altitude

5,200 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

7 hours Trek

Accomodations

Camp

day 15 Trek to Marpha.

More steep down leads to Marpha. The way is not much covered with trees. On the route you can see yak herds and sheep herds as well.

Maximum Altitude

2,640 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

7 hours Trek

Accomodations

Lodge

day 16 Drive through Kaligandaki Valley (Tatopani)

Drive by Jeep or bus following the Kaligandaki valley, crossing Kalapani, the trail descends steeply up to Rukse Waterfall which is astonishing to look at. There lies the deepest gorge of the world between two mountains Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri I facing each other near Rukse Waterfall. The trail again descends to Tatopani through different villages. You can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani. It is believed that taking bath in Hot Spring helps you to get rid of skin diseases. Along this, it gives you physical and mental refreshment as well.

Maximum Altitude

1,190 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodations

Lodge

Transportation

7 hours Drive

day 17 Drive to Pokhara.

Drive by Jeep or bus to Beni Bazaar and continue drive to Pokhara.

Maximum Altitude

900 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek Duration

6 hours Drive

Accomodations

Lodge

day 18 Drive back to Kathmandu.

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus.

Maximum Altitude

1,350 m.

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accomodations

Hotel

Transportation

7 hours Drive

What's Included

All ground and air transportation throughout the trek.
Best available accommodation and full board meals throughout the trek.
One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide, porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and accidental insurance for all staff
TIMS Fee- Trekkers’ Information Management System (Please bring 2 passport size photos for permit)
All national park and conservation areas permit fee.
Government taxes & office service charge

What's Excluded

Meals not quantified in the ‘Meal Inclusions’ in the itinerary’
Travel insurance
International airfare
Nepal entry visa charge.
All beverage and others personal expenses.
Snacks and other personal expenses
Hot shower during the trek.

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Tripadvisor Reviews

EXCELLENT

Based on 210 reviews

Stefano G

Esperienza di viaggio bellissima Ottima agenzia seria e affidabile. Abbiamo fatto un trekking privato upper Mustang abbinato a visita Katmandu. Tutto perfetto. Guida Badri fantastica con esperienza e grande professionalità. Porter Dan bravissimo. Inoltre hanno sempre mostrato una grande empatia. Bravissimi

Sharon D

EBC da sogno + visita Katmandu d’eccezione Grazie a Life Himalaya Trekking, io e mio marito abbiamo potuto realizzare un sogno. Sin dal momento dell’organizzazione dall’Italia, Shiba si è dimostrato estremamente disponibile e celere nelle comunicazioni. E, una volta qui, abbiamo potuto verificare immediatamente quanto efficiente sia l’intera equipe che compone la compagnia. Shiba è di una dolcezza e simpatia infinita, ci ha coccolati accompagnandoci attraverso tutti gli aspetti organizzativi del nostro viaggio, dal trekking al Campo Base dell’Everest alle visite culturali a Katmandu e d’intorni, passando per tutte le tipologie di trasporto di cui abbiamo avuto bisogno. Grazie a lui, abbiamo avuto il piacere di trascorrere il nostro tempo in Nepal insieme a persone uniche, che ci hanno permesso di conoscere da vicino questo meraviglioso Paese e la gente che lo abita. Tika è stato la nostra guida durante l’escursione verso il EBC e, grazie a lui e al nostro porter Podam, abbiamo vissuto un’esperienza meravigliosa ed autentica! Entrambi molto preparati, sono stati bravissimi a prendersi cura di noi, grazie alla loro attenzione anche per le piccole cose, ai consigli e alle nozioni che ci hanno fornito, ma, soprattutto, grazie alla loro simpatia che ci ha permesso di vivere con leggerezza anche le situazioni più difficili. Tika è un intrattenitore eccezionale, nonché ottimo fotografo; è stato la nostra famiglia per più di una settimana e gli siamo molto grati. L’intera esperienza per raggiungere il Campo Base dell’Everest è stata totalizzante, ci ha rapiti sotto ogni aspetto, paesaggistico e umano. È stato emozionante raggiungere la meta attraverso un percorso durato circa una settimana. Ma è stato altrettanto incredibile e commovente volare con l’elicottero da Gorak Shep fino a Lukla, ripercorrendo dall’alto ogni passo conquistato e ogni luogo vissuto durante i giorni precedenti. Ci teniamo a ringraziare anche Promot, Raj, Rajan e, soprattutto, la nostra eccezionale guida turistica Ajya, che ci ha accompagnato attraverso i luoghi più iconici di Katmandu, raccontandone la storia e ogni aspetto culturale. La passione e l’amore per il proprio lavoro ci ha permesso di immergerci in un mondo che, altrimenti, avremmo compreso e vissuto solo a metà. Grazie anche a tutti gli altri membri che hanno collaborato alla riuscita del nostro viaggio. Questo è un arrivederci, non vediamo l’ora di tornare in Nepal!

Inspiration763559

Unforgettable life experience We were extremely satisfied with our Everest Base Camp trek with Life Himalaya Trekking. From the moment we were picked up at the airport, everything was organized perfectly. Due to weather conditions, the company arranged a helicopter flight for us, which made the start of our adventure even more special. Our guide, Rabin, was exceptional. He was kind, caring, and looked after us every step of the way. Whenever we felt unwell, he made sure we were comfortable and helped us recover. His knowledge of the mountains, careful approach to acclimatization, and genuine care for our well-being allowed us to continue the journey safely. Most importantly, he treated us like family, making the entire trek feel like a trip with friends rather than a guided tour. Our porter, Arjun, was equally amazing. He was always cheerful, funny, and incredibly helpful. During acclimatization hikes and challenging moments, he even helped with our backpacks when we were struggling. His positive attitude made every day more enjoyable. Both Rabin and Arjun are true gems and a huge asset to the company. We cannot thank them enough for everything they did for us. A special thank you also goes to Shiba, the owner of Life Himalaya Trekking. He was friendly, professional, and made our experience truly special from beginning to end. I also had a unique experience during this trip as I participated in the Everest Marathon. Rabin and Arjun came to support me, pace me, and cheer me on during the final kilometers, helping me reach the finish line. It meant so much to me and is something I will never forget. Thank you, Life Himalaya Trekking, for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We are incredibly grateful for the memories, friendships, and support we received throughout this unforgettable adventure. With love and gratitude, Dominika

Dawn G

Awesome experience with Life Himalayan I had a wonderful time trekking EBC. Birsha Rai was an awesome guide he made sure I had anything I needed. He made sure my accommodations were good and I had plenty of water and snacks for the trek. Dhan Kajl was my porter and he took extra care of my things my bag was always clean and dry when delivered to my room. He even carried my day pack the last stretch of EBC trek. Life Himalayan took care of me from the moment I landed and was without one bag to making sure I made all my helicopter connections. Someone was there every step of the way. I am so grateful that I chose to travel with Life Himalayan. Thank you! 😊

Roving04696555305

5 Stars! Life Himalaya Trekking gave us an amazing experience! We had the most wonderful guide, Jal Tamang. Not only did he provide amazing conversation, high spirits, and tons of great information about the Everest region, he went above and beyond when a member of our party got altitude sickness. He worked tirelessly to bring food & water to them during their hospital stay, but also coordinated their time in Lukla after they had had to descend. I still made it to Base Camp, and throughout our journey he made the entire experience unforgettable. The accommodations were also truly top notch, with the earlier tea houses offering hot showers, readily available charging, and even heating pads under the mattresses. Highly recommend, thank you Jal!

Cynthia C

Camp de base Everest Quelle belle expérience! Life Himalaya trekking et sont équipe est vraiment super. Notre guide Rabin Ray est un professionnel de la montagne. Il a pris grand soin de nous tout le long du parcours. Notre porteur Tik aussi, toujours là pour nous aider. Shiba le propriétaire est un professionnel et il prend soin de nous rencontrer et s'assurer que tout se passe bien avant notre départ. Les transports, hôtel et autres, tout était parfait. Merci beaucoup à tous

david b

Lifetime Experience! Life Himalaya Trekking took great care of us. We wanted to do Everest Base Camp in as little time as possible and found this company. We found out they are family owned Sheba is the owner and his son Raj were both awesome. Sheba first started as a Sherpa, then became a guide and now owns his own company. Our guide Rabin was so kind to us! Rabin always went out of his way to take care of us every step of the way. Rabin also started as a Sherpa and now is a guide. I would highly recommend this company our shortened trip to Everest Base Camp from 10 to 7 days because of our tight schedule was a success and a trip of a life time that my good friend and I will remember the rest of our lives. What an amazing experience and a spacial thank you to Sheba, Raj, and our incredible guide Rabin for making it happen and bringing us back safe.

akrishnappa

Submitting Mera Peak - thanks to Sagar and Robin for making it happen I had a truly wonderful 11 days trek that culminated in successfully summitting Mera Peak. My guides Sagar and Robin were outstanding. They built rapport with each hiker in the group and understood each persons capabilities. They walked with us every step of the way and were always on hand to make sure we safely crossed tricky and dangerous sections. They encouraged, entertained, and gave us moral support especially during the push to summit. At one point, the going got so tough that I was almost ready to turn back. Sagar gave me the much needed encouragement, confidence, and made sure I didn't give up. I couldn't have made it to the top without them. The views from the top were just spectacular and it was worth every bit of the effort. Thanks to Life Himalaya Trekking for making it possible for me to have this beautiful once in a lifetime adventure!!!

Dhanya J

Excellent team fantastic service My friend and I completed the Everest Base Camp trek with Life Himalaya in April 2026, and it was an exceptional experience from start to finish. Shiba was incredibly prompt with communication and thoughtfully customised the itinerary according to our requirements and preferences, making the planning process smooth and stress-free. We were warmly welcomed at the airport by our guide, Kiran, and from that moment onward he ensured we were well looked after every step of the journey. His care, compassion, enthusiasm, and deep knowledge of the mountains and local culture were outstanding. Kiran consistently prioritised our safety, comfort, and enjoyment, making the trek both rewarding and memorable. Our porters, Dhan Kumar and Asthan, were equally caring and supportive. I wholeheartedly recommend Life Himalaya for their exceptional trekking experience, professionalism, and genuine Himalayan hospitality. Kiran is truly one of the best guides we have experienced, and we look forward to returning for more adventures with Life Himalaya in the future.

Paul D

The best memories and the best of times Life Himalayas were outstanding from the start to finish, every situation catered gor. I especially liked the personal touches from the owners Sheba, he needs every one ate the start of the trip and take toy out for a farewell meal at the end. Our guide Pro and sherpa Arg were both absolute hero's. Would not hesitate in recommending this comany

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