21 days
30 Pax
Moderate
Hotel / Lodge
5360m
Summer
The Dhaulagiri, along with another eight thousander, the Annapurna, carves the world's deepest gorge of Kaligandaki. The trek also crosses two high passes - the French pass (5,240m/17,192ft) and the Thapa pass (5,155m/16,913ft). Moreover, we will also experience snow and glacier walking, especially around Italian Base Camp and Dhaulagiri North Base Camp. Along the way, we enjoy spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Thorong peak, Annapurna and Kali Gandaki River with the world deepest gorge. On the trail, we may also encounter semi-wild yak herds, mountain sheep in the remote valleys of this region. Besides the wild nature, we also enjoy the shops, teahouses, and lifestyle of Nepal's ethnic people such as Gurung, Chhetri, and Magars.
Once you arrive at Kathmandu airport our representative will meet you then arrange the necessary transfer. We provide 3-star accommodation in the city and we arrange for a trip briefing with dinner in the evening.
We provide a city tour with a professional tour guide. Today we will be visiting some of the historical palaces of the Kathmandu Valley and the Buddhist monument of Swyambhunath.
As we climb out of the Kathmandu Valley, it is only a quick descent again to the Trisuli River, you follow upstream to its junction with the Marsyangdi River. You follow the Marsyandi gently up through heavily terraced fields and small hill towns to the Seti River that takes you directly into Pokhara. With pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise full of natural as well as cultural heritage sites such as lakes, caves, temples of Buddhist and Hindus along with mountains. You can observe views to the north across the hills and Phewa Tal (lake) to the white peaks of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The drive from here goes uphill along zigzagging roads all the way to Naudanda. It then descends to Nayapul with views of Annapurna South, Fish tail, green hills, terraces and villages. To reach Beni, your drive moves along the bank of Mardi River. This is one of the most picturesque road journeys anywhere in the world.
We leave the town of Beni then walk along the MygdiKhola bank, en route we encounter and visit a real village life of the mid-land people, the rice terrace and occasionally small settlement. Its great to start at the lower altitudes to have a different perspective on the landscape.
Today is quite a long walk; we start early, passing through jungles with varieties of oak and rhododendron forests. You can hear the chirping of the local birds then your trails follow flat lands passing through the stream at one place. The trek is a muddy road crossing villages at some of the places. From here we go along the flat land passing through a jungle with varieties of rhododendrons, oaks and hemlock trees at some distance. After we cross a small stream and the trail suddenly begins to ascend a path until you reach Dharapani.
Today is another long day we start trekking and descend trails for one hour passing through jungle. We follow a steeply ascending path, before approaching Muri we pass along the flat path. Muri is a small village mainly inhabited by Gurung and Rai, one of the ethnic communities of Nepal. We will also have the chance to visit a Buddhist monastery that is quite captivating.
Today we descend a gentle slope and cross a rocky stream amid terraced fields to DhoraKhola. We cross the river and climb to the right up the mountainside to GhorbanDhara. The view from this pass is fine, for the first time you can see Ghustung to the south (6465m). Follow the right bank path past Naura where you begin to ascend the mountainside. After ascending for a short while, we take a path that traverses the steep grass-covered hill. The MyagdiKhola follows a steep-walled V-shape as the traverse ends and a high, winding path climbing a steep, grassy slope. The steep slope will not tolerate any missteps but the path is well constructed with a great number of switchbacked stone step paths. At last the long climb ends, and you enter a traverse to the right, here you must also beware of falling into the gorge of the MyagdiKhola. Soon you descend through a forested area, emerging to a ridge snout where Bagara (2080) is visible. Descend through terraced fields to this mountain village where you camp in people's yards or the terraced fields.
Here you leave the villages behind and the trail becomes increasingly challenging, the view of MygdiKhola is great on this walk, we continue ascending to the village and is terraced.
Today we ascend to nearly 3000 meters; the view is spectacular although the trail ascends steeply. We camp at Sallaghari which means pine forest camp and we are close to the treeline though.
Today we reach 4000 meters; the trek is strenuous and ascends for most of the day. The Italian base camp is one of the most spectacular campsites we visit during our trek. It is a great place to enjoy the view of Dhaulagiri massif. The mountains we view from here are the Dhaulagiri VI(7268m), Dhaulagiri IV(7661m)Dhaulagiri V(7618) and GurjaHimal( 7193m)
Today we spend the day acclimatizing before we continue to Dhaulagiri base camp and then on to the pass. It is essential for our success to complete the trek that everyone is fit and healthy and spending a day at the breathtaking camp will ensure the team's success.
After crossing the first glacier, probably using a rope in a couple of tricky spots, we climb onto the main glacier. It is important to pay attention to the rough and dangerous trail although the surroundings are quite spectacular. We will use ropes at various stages to ensure our safety and success and will camp on the glacier rubble.
Today we trek for five hours until we reach the mountain view of Tukuche Peak (6848m). From the mountain we see the west side of the Dhaulagiri massif.
Today we cross the French pass at 5360 meters. Getting off the glacier above the base camp often requires rope climbing. Once over the steep moraine walls we reach gentler, less strenuous country. After a breathless climb to the top of French Col (5360m) the views of Hidden Valley open up. The broad valley is reminiscent of Tibet and Ladakh and so are the temperatures (at least -20ºC at night) during winter.
On this day we cross another pass the Dhampus pass at 5244 meters, then we continue toward the base camp of Dhampus peak (6012m). We set up our final camp to attempt Dhampus peak for a superb view of the Annapurna chain.
Today we start early around 4:30 am and we have a long strenuous climb at high altitude and will prove to be an exhausting day of trekking. Our Sherpa who has extensive knowledge about climbing and safety will put the ropes on the ice bar for the final 60 meters, the view from the top of Dhampus is wonderful, the 45 kilometer long mountain chain from Annapurna to Dhaulagiri are visible as well as the windy Valley of Kaligandki is spectacular to enjoy. After our successful attempt of the peak we return to the camp then have lunch and drink then we continue descending to Yak Kharka at a relatively low altitude.
We descend today to the river bed of Kaligandaki, and the view is spectacular during the descent. Marpha is very popular with its apple fields where we can have apple brandy, apple pie and other fruit products in this Thakalu Village.
Today we enjoy a long trek in the morning, and after a late breakfast we head toward Jomsom which is just two hours walk from Marpha. We follow the Kaligandakiriver upstream until Jomsom. Jomsom is a large town in this region where we have all basic facilities like medical, communication and shopping. We explore the town all afternoon.
Today we take a short flight in the morning to Pokhara. Pokhara is a lake city in Nepal and is a main tourist destination. Today we take a visit to the lake cities during the afternoon.
We catch a flight from Pokhara to Kathmandu. The short flight takes us over the hills and mountains that glisten below. Once we reach Kathmandu, the rest of the day will be leisure and free for exploration. You are free to go souvenir shopping, spa and more exploration of the city, or extend your trip to include bungee jumping, rafting, mountain biking, Everest mountain flight and other adventurous activities. In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner at MulChowk Restaurant’s cozy and elegant dining ambience.
The trip concludes today. You will be dropped at Kathmandu's Tribhuwan International Airport by our airport representative for your flight departure from Nepal.
Price Details
Please enquire with us for prices
Price Includes
1. All ground transportation by private vehicle for airport and hotel pick up/drop off, sightseeing and transfers
2. All domestic flights (if any)
3. Accommodation in teahouses and hotels
4. All meals during trek
5. Entry permit to parks, monuments and cultural landmarks
6. Trekking guide(s), porter(s) and driver(s) their daily wages, food, accommodation and other expenses
7. Comprehensive medical kit
8. In case of emergency, we can send helicopters for evacuation, manage all paperwork, and deal with related insurance companies (provided the client has valid insurance)
1. International airfare and airport departure tax
2. Travel insurance covering medical treatment and evacuation by ground and air
3. Nepal entry visa, obtained upon arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu
4. Rescue and evacuation
5. Extra road transport/flight cost in case member returns earlier
6. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and if applicable, in Pokhara
7. Items of personal nature like laundry, communication and bar bill
8. Tips for trip staff and driver. (Tipping is appreciated)
9. Other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section
Trekking staff
Whilst on the trek, the Nepali guides and porters will ensure that you are well looked after. Every trek has an English speaking guide, known as the Sirdar, who is in overall charge. It is his responsibility to organize the trek en route and manage the guides and porters and deal with the local peoples and they are experts in trek organization, as well as being able to discuss the local culture, religion, and landscape. In addition there will be other guides, sometimes referred to by the generic term Sherpa, who will be your walking companions on the trek and will assist the Sirdar in organizing the logistic of the trek. On camping treks there will be full kitchen crew who are responsible for all aspects of catering. And finally there will be porters who are the transportation system of the Nepali mountains. They will carry the duffle bags and other equipment as necessary.
Accommodation
Food
On camping treks, all food is prepared by the trek cook - an expert in preparing delicious camp food. And most importantly, special care is taken to provide well - boiled, purified drinking water. On lodge treks, food is provided in the lodge and this ranges from delicious local specialties to common western dishes. If necessary, bottled water can be purchased from the lodges for a small fee, although many trekkers prefer to use fresh water with the added precaution of a purifying agent. You could bring some Chocolate or special energy drinks for yourself as these are hard to get in the Himalayas.
A typical trekking day
A typical day revolves around the Nepal sunrise and sunset. The day starts with an early wake up call. You then pack up your gear and enjoy a rousing breakfast before starting your morning's walk. The Sirdar will already be organized loads to porters and or animals, and your group will then set off on the trail at a leisurely pace, enjoying the view and stopping to take photographs. After 2-3 hours walk you stop for lunch. This lasts for about 90 minutes which gives you time to relax, or explore the local village. The afternoon's walk is usually shorter and we arrive at the campsite or tea-house in plenty of time to relax and savour the surroundings. Later in the evening dinner is served, giving you an opportunity to sample the delicious food, talk over the day's events, and look forward to another special day on the trails of Nepal.
Health and safety on the trek General
High Altitude
Anyone can be affected by Altitude Sickness. However, our itineraries are specifically designed to minimize the risks associated with trekking to high altitudes by building in acclimatization and rest days. In the event of any symptoms we will ensure that the individual descends to a lower altitude to gain a quick recovery.
And finally……….. It must be stressed that whilst trekking in the Nepal Himalaya is challenging and rewarding, you must be prepared for he occasional inconvenience or discomfort. The correct mental attitude to trekking is as important as being physically prepared.
All equipment and food, and your own personal backpacks are carried by the porters or pack animals. It is only necessary to carry a camera or small daypack ! On camping treks all necessary camp equipment is provided - this includes dining tent, dining table and chairs, toilet tent, foam mattresses, and all cooking equipment. The only kit that you will need to bring is your own personal equipment and clothing.
Recommended Trekking Kit
The following is a list of clothing and accessories that we recommend that you take with you. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However we recognize that you may have your own personal preferences for clothing which may be equally as suitable.
Footwear
Leg wear
Body
Head Hands
Other Items
Recommended Mountaineering Kit
In additional to the items mentioned above for trekking the following is a list of the additional specialist items which are required for the trekking peaks.