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: 1,860 m / 6,102 ft
Driving Time: Approx. 4 hours
Hiking Time: Approx. 3 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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

Altitude: 1,050 m / 3,445 ft
Hiking Duration: Approx. 5 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, we begin today’s trek from Dharapani to Muri. The trail takes us through the charming villages of Takum and Sibang, where trekking permits are checked. These villages are surrounded by beautiful terraced fields, primarily cultivating rice and wheat.

As we hike, we enjoy stunning Himalayan scenery, traditional village life, and distant views of Mt. Gurja and Putha Hiunchuli to the west. About 30 minutes past Sibang, the trail splits—an uphill path to the left leads toward Jalja La Pass and Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, once part of the route to Upper Dolpa.

We stay on the right-hand trail, descending to a suspension bridge. After crossing it, we continue toward Muri, where we set up camp for the night. Muri is a Magar village, and many locals have served abroad, particularly in the British and Indian Gurkha regiments, or work in the Middle East.

Altitude: 2,080 m / 6,824 ft
Hiking Duration: Approx. 7 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After an early breakfast, you’ll begin with a steep descent to a bridge where you cross the Muri Khola river. The trail then winds through a lush bamboo forest and several open farming clearings. As you continue ascending, the landscape gradually changes, leading you to the northern part of the valley where it meets the Myagdi Khola river.

Further north, the valley becomes steeper, and some sections of the trail are quite challenging. Your day ends at Boghara, a small village inhabited by the Magar community, where you’ll camp overnight under the stars.

Altitude: 2,500 m / 8,202 ft
Hiking Duration: Approx. 6 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, we leave Boghara and follow the west bank of the Myagdi Khola river. The trail undulates gently through dense forest, winding along a scenic gorge. On the right side of the valley, you’ll spot spectacular waterfalls and large bee nests clinging to the cliffs, where locals harvest honey.

Along the way, you’ll also encounter numerous buffalo herds with their herders. We pause for lunch at Lipshe (2,080 m / 6,824 ft) before continuing through oak and bamboo forests to reach Dobang. Situated near Dhaulagiri V, Dobang offers a beautiful grassy campsite surrounded by stunning mountain views.

Altitude: 2,280 m / 7,480 ft
Hiking Duration: Approx. 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll leave Dobang and trek toward Sallaghari. The trail winds through dense forests of bamboo and rhododendron, following the scenic banks of the Myagdi Khola river. Along the way, you’ll cross a wooden bridge over a clear mountain stream and pass through peaceful meadows.

The route then climbs steeply, navigating several challenging landslide-prone sections. Just before reaching Sallaghari, enjoy the stunning view of a majestic waterfall. Sallaghari itself offers a small, tranquil campsite shaded by towering pine trees—a perfect spot to rest for the night.

Altitude: 3,660 m / 12,008 ft
Hiking Duration: Approx. 4–5 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, you’ll begin today’s hike to Italian Base Camp along an ascending trail through dense forest. The path then moves through lush vegetation on gentle, rolling terrain. During the trek, you’ll cross the glacier’s terminal moraine several times.

As you gain altitude, the tree line fades away, and the landscape shifts to open terrain filled with heather and juniper bushes. After crossing a few rivers, you’ll arrive at the Italian Base Camp. Here, you’ll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, including the majestic 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: 4,200 m / 13,780 ft
Hiking Duration: Approx. 5–6 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Wake up to breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks. After a refreshing breakfast, you’ll begin today’s hike to Glacier Camp. The trail starts with a steep descent down a lateral moraine to the glacier. You’ll then cross the glacier and continue along the rocky talus of the narrow Chonbarden Gorge, leading to the snout of the Chonbarden Glacier.

From here, you’ll trek across the glacier for about an hour to reach Glacier Camp, where several levelled ledges in the ice provide spots for pitching tents—a unique and unforgettable camping experience.

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
Hiking duration: Approximately 4–5 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
This day is the highlight of the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, as you hike to the base camp of the stunning Dhaulagiri massif. Starting from the glacier camp, you’ll trek up a steep ascent along the central moraine. The trail continues over a rough path along the moraine-covered glacier until you reach Dhaulagiri Base Camp. After a few hours of trekking, enjoy breathtaking views of Tukuche Peak. The valley then opens into a wide T-junction situated between Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks.

A short hike from here takes you across rocky terrain to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. At the base camp, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak, and Little Eiger. To the west, the majestic peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m / 25,442 ft), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m / 25,315 ft), and Dhaulagiri V (7,618 m / 24,984 ft) come into view.

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

Today is one of the longest and most challenging days of your Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek as you cross one of the high mountain passes—French Pass. After an early breakfast, begin trekking along the moraine strip crossing the Upper Chonbarden Glacier. Then, ascend steeply to a lateral moraine ridge leading toward French Pass. This ridge offers rewarding views of Dhaulagiri I and Tukuche Peak.

Next, make the final ascent to French Pass, marked by Buddhist prayer flags and cairns.  From the summit, enjoy mesmerizing views of Sita Chuchura, the peaks of Mukut Himal, Tashi Kang, Tukuche Peak, and Dhaulagiri I. Afterward, the trail descends moderately over snow slopes as you enter Hidden Valley.

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.
Hiking duration: Approximately 9 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Today is one of the most adventurous and longest days of trekking. You will leave the dramatic Hidden Valley behind and hike toward Alu Bari. The trail features challenging uphill and downhill sections. Next, you will ascend a steep path to Dhampus Pass (5,240 m / 17,192 ft.). From the top, enjoy the vibrant display of prayer flags and stunning views of Tukuche, Dhampus Peak, and the Annapurna range. After soaking in the scenery, you will descend to Alu Bari. The final couple of hours involve trekking through woodland before reaching the campsite at Alu Bari.

Altitude above sea level: 2,670 m / 8,760 ft
Hiking duration: Approximately 5 hours
Accommodation: Camping
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

After a hearty breakfast, we trek toward Jomsom. The trail passes through beautiful oak and pine forests. Midway, as you exit the forest, you’ll spot a small settlement. Eventually, you reach Marpha, a picturesque Thakali village nestled in the Kali Gandaki Valley. Marpha is known for its Buddhist monastery, whitewashed houses, and paved streets. The village is famous for its apple orchards, so be sure to stop at a lodge to taste fresh apples and a glass of apple juice. After gaining some elevation, you will arrive at Jomsom, the final stop for the day. Enjoy a hot shower after this long, rewarding trek.

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.