Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek (GHT)

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,269 ft.

Driving Time: Approx. 30 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative, who will be holding a “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” sign outside the terminal to greet you.

You will be transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle. After checking in and freshening up, our representative will meet you to give a detailed briefing on the upcoming itinerary, along with important safety guidelines and hygiene practices to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trek.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,269 ft.

Tour Duration:  Approx. 8 hours

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Meal: Breakfast

9:00 AM: Guided Cultural Tour of Kathmandu Valley

Start your day with a guided cultural tour around Kathmandu Valley. Explore the vibrant Kathmandu with our expert guides, who will share insights into the area’s rich history.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka Durbar), a royal historical complex filled with temples, palaces, and shrines from the 15th century. Highlights include Kumari Ghar (the home of the living goddess) and Kasthamandap, an architectural marvel built from a single tree.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Next, head to Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple, a sacred site for both Hinduism and Buddhism. Admire the stunning white dome and golden spire, while soaking in the serene atmosphere filled with incense and prayer wheels.

PM: Boudhanath Stupa

Visit the massive Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a spiritual center for Tibetan culture, surrounded by prayer flags, monks, and devotees chanting ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’.

Pashupatinath Temple

Conclude your tour at the Pashupatinath Temple, one of the most sacred Hindu temples, located along the Bagmati River. Here, you can witness profound spiritual rituals, including the moving sight of open-air cremations, which hold deep cultural significance. After immersing yourself in this sacred experience, you will transfer back to your hotel.

Altitude above sea level: 1,860 m / 6,102 ft.-Dharapani
Driving time: Approximately 4 hours
Hiking time: Approximately 3 hours (4.5 km / 2.8 mi)
Ascent: 515 m / 1,689 ft.
Descent: 100 m / 328 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you drive through scenic landscapes to Darbang village via Beni, the gateway to the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. From Darbang, your trek officially begins. You cross a suspension bridge and start a gradual uphill hike toward Dharapani. If the skies are clear, you’ll catch your first view of the mighty Dhaulagiri massif rising in the north.

Altitude above sea level: 1,050 m / 3,445 ft. – Muri
Hiking duration: Approximately 5 hours (9 km / 5.6 mi)
Ascent: 720 m / 2,362 ft.
Descent: 265 m / 869 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you follow a trail that winds through diverse landscapes, including terraced fields, forests, and several rivers. The path begins with a steep uphill climb and switchbacks to a ridge.

You pass through the villages of Takam and Sibang, enjoying views of the Dhaulagiri range and Gurja Himal. The trail then descends to Gatti Khola, where you cross the Dhara Khola via a suspension bridge.

The day ends with a final steep ascent to reach the ridgetop village of Muri. Known for its traditional Magar community, Muri offers a great opportunity to explore local culture and lifestyle.

Altitude above sea level: 2,080 m / 6,824 ft. – Boghara
Hiking duration: Approximately 7 hours (9 km / 5.6 mi)
Ascent: 985 m / 3,232 ft.
Descent: 535 m / 1,755 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, the trail descends steeply from the ridgetop village of Muri down to the river valley floor. Once you reach the valley bottom, the path climbs sharply up the opposite bank, winding through terraced fields and thick bamboo and rhododendron forests.

You cross several streams and rivers along the way. In some sections, the trail narrows as it traverses hillsides and gorges. You pass through the village of Naura and enjoy impressive views of the Dhaulagiri range and the face of Gurja Himal as you move deeper into the gorge.

Altitude above sea level: 2,500 m / 8,202 ft. – Dobang
Hiking duration: Approximately 6 hours (6 km / 3.7 mi)
Ascent: 950 m / 3,117 ft.
Descent: 285 m / 935 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, the trail begins with a descent through terraced fields, followed by a climb up to a ridge. You pass through thick forests, cross the Myagdi Khola River on a wooden bridge, and navigate rocky, sometimes slippery terrain.

Along the way, you pass the remote settlement of Jyardan and the lone hut at Lipshe before making a final climb to Dobang, a small clearing or meadow used as a campsite. As you gain altitude, you may catch glimpses of Mount Dhaulagiri I through breaks in the trees.

Altitude above sea level: 2,280 m / 7,480 ft. – Sallaghari
Hiking duration: Approximately 5–6 hours (5 km / 3.1 mi)
Ascent: 795 m / 2,608 ft.
Descent: 110 m / 361 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you follow a scenic trail that becomes increasingly isolated, offering a true wilderness experience. The path winds through thick forests of bamboo, pine, and moss-covered rhododendrons.

You cross several small streams and wooden bridges along the way. In some sections, the trail narrows, with occasional clearings that reveal rocky cliffs and spectacular waterfalls before reaching Sallaghari.

Sallaghari is a serene forest campsite, known for its tall pine trees and calm riverside setting. This stop also serves as an important acclimatization point before heading into the higher alpine terrain.

Altitude above sea level: 3,660 m / 12,008 ft.-Italian Base Camp
Hiking Duration: Approx. 4–5 hours (4 km / 2.49 mi)
Ascent: 520 m / 1,706 ft.
Descent: 75 m / 246 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll start today’s hike to Italian Base Camp along a gradually ascending trail through dense forest. The route then continues through lush vegetation over gently rolling terrain. Along the way, you’ll cross the glacier’s terminal moraine several times.As you climb higher, the tree line gradually disappears, and the scenery opens up to terrain dotted with heather and juniper bushes. After crossing a few rivers, you’ll reach Italian Base Camp, where you’ll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views of snow-covered peaks, including the magnificent Dhaulagiri I (8,172 m / 26,810 ft.)

Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today is a free day dedicated to acclimatization. You can choose to take a gentle walk around Italian Base Camp to explore the stunning surroundings or simply relax at camp and enjoy the peaceful mountain atmosphere. This rest day helps your body adjust to the high altitude for the days ahead.

Altitude above sea level: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft.-Glacier Camp
Hiking Duration: Approx. 5–6 hours (10 km / 6.2 mi)
Ascent: 540 m / 1,770 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
After breakfast, we drop steeply from Italian Base Camp along a lateral moraine to the glacier. We cross the glacier and follow the moraine along the left side of Chonbarden Gorge, carefully moving over loose rocks. Some years, we cross a fast-flowing stream at the glacier snout. After about an hour on the glacier, we arrive at Glacier Camp, where leveled ice ledges serve as tent sites.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today is an important acclimatization day before your trek to Base Camp tomorrow. In the morning, you can explore the glacier area, enjoying spectacular views of Tukuche Peak and the impressive icefall on Dhaulagiri. As you venture further, you’ll spot small lakes covered in ice and snow.

Spend a relaxing afternoon at camp to help your body adjust to the high altitude and prepare for the challenging days ahead.

Altitude above sea level: 4,700 m / 15,420 ft.- Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Hiking duration: Approximately 4–5 hours (5 km / 3.1 mi)
Ascent: 550 m / 1,804 ft.
Descent: 65 m / 213 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
This day is a highlight of the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek, offering close-up views of the Dhaulagiri massif. The trail crosses rugged moraine and smooth glacier ice, with steep, slippery climbs. At Dhaulagiri Base Camp, you are surrounded by Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m / 26,795 ft), II, III, IV, and V, and Tukuche Peak, with stunning icefalls all around. Proper acclimatization here is essential before tackling the French Pass the next day.

Altitude above sea level: 4,700 m / 15,420 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Today is an important day for acclimatization. Before crossing the French Pass to reach our campsite in Hidden Valley, it’s wise to take a rest day around the base camp area. Your leader will organize a training session on using an ice axe and crampons—essential mountaineering skills needed to safely cross the high passes on the way to Jomsom.

Altitude above sea level: Hidden Valley 5,050 m / 16,568 ft. , French Col 5,360 m / 17,585 ft.
Hiking duration: Approximately 8 hours (12 km / 7 mi)
Ascent: 820 m / 2,690 ft.
Descent: 320 m / 1,050 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today is one of the longest and most challenging days of the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek. The route features extreme altitude, rugged terrain, and stunning panoramic views. The day begins with a steep climb over moraine and icy slopes above the Dhaulagiri Glacier, the most physically demanding section. At French Col, trekkers are rewarded with 360° views of Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak, Mukut Himal, and Tashi Kang. The trail then descends into the high-altitude Hidden Valley, a cold, Tibetan-like plateau where nighttime temperatures can drop to -20°C (-4°F). This section requires caution, with ropes, crampons, or ice axes needed in some areas, and occasional rockfall hazards.

Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today is the final exploration day before crossing Dhampus Pass or leaving Hidden Valley. There are several hiking options around the valley. One popular choice is a trek to a ridge on the western side, offering stunning views of Mt. Dhaulagiri, Nilgiri, and Annapurna. Another option is a day hike to Dhampus Peak (6,060 m / 19,881 ft). If you choose to trek to Dhampus Peak, an early start is necessary. The route ascends moderate snow slopes and scree along a ridge to the summit. From the top, you’ll enjoy commanding views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and the Mustang region. This climb is optional, as some trekkers may prefer to stay back and rest at camp.

Altitude above sea level: 3,480 m / 11,417 ft. Alu Bari
Hiking duration: Approximately 9 hours (10 km / 6.2 mi)
Ascent: 430 m / 1,411 ft.
Descent: 1,400 m / 4,593 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

The day begins with a short climb from the Hidden Valley floor to Dhampus Pass (5,240 m). From the pass, the trail descends steep, rocky, and slippery slopes with loose gravel, transitioning from an arid high-altitude plateau into forested terrain before reaching the lower camp at Alu Bari. Along the way, trekkers enjoy sweeping views of Tukuche Peak, the Dhaulagiri range, Nilgiri, and the Annapurna range across the Kali Gandaki Valley.

Altitude above sea level: 2,670 m / 8,760 ft. Jomsom
Hiking duration: Approximately 5 hours (10 km / 6.2 mi)
Ascent: 165 m / 541 ft.
Descent: 970 m / 3,182 ft.
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, the trail descends from high alpine grasslands into the vast Kali Gandaki Valley, navigating steep, avalanche-prone hillsides before reaching the valley floor. You pass through Marpha (2,670 m), known as the “apple capital” for its orchards and monastery. Along the way, trekkers enjoy expansive views of Mustang, Tukuche Peak, Nilgiri, Annapurna, and the surrounding Dhaulagiri peaks. The trek typically concludes at Jomsom, the district headquarters.

Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Meals: Breakfast

It’s also a spare day in case of bad weather in Jomsom if we could not fly on the scheduled date and time.

Meal: Breakfast

It is time to fly back home, keeping all the terrific experiences of Nepal in mind. The representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to TIA airport, where you should check-in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight.