Trekking in Dhaulagiri Region, Nepal

Just west of Annapurna is the 40-mile-wide Dhaulagiri Himal. Dhaulagiri I, the sixth-tallest peak in the world, towers high above the well-trekked Muktinath pilgrim trail up the Kali Gandaki Valley. The vast massif screens the hidden lands of Dolpo to its north, and to the west of it are Nepal's far western hills. Only to the east along the Kali Gandaki Valley can we easily view the mountain close up, so massive Dhaulagiri with its symmetrical peak and four major outliners remains an enigma along much of its perimeter. Like fabled but restricted Dolpo, the complete month-long trek around Dhaulagiri is only for a handful of hikers. This is because much of the route traverses difficult, remote country.

Plan for the Trip:

Day 01: Arrival /pick up transfer hotel / tour briefing /introductory evening meal
Day 02: Full days sightseeing within the Kathmandu valley.
Day 03: Fly Kathmandu / Pokhara / drive to Baglung.
Day 04: Baglung / Maldhunga
Day 05: Maldhunga / Darbang
Day 06: Darbang / Takum
Day 07: Takum / Muri
Day 08: Muri / Bagar
Day 09: Bagar / Dovan
Day 10: Dovan / Upper Vungini (Italian Base Camp)
Day 11: Upper Vungini (Italian Base Camp)
Day 12: Upper Vugini (Italian Base Camp) to Glacier Camp
Day 13: Glacier Camp / Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4750 m.)
Day 14: Dhaulagiri Base Camp / French Col / Hidden Valley
Getting off the glacier above the base camp often requires the use of ropes. 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 out. The broad valley is reminiscent of Tibet and Ladakh and so are the temperatures (at least -20ºC at night).
Day 15: Hidden Valley camp 5000 m.
A rest day for side treks and exploring around the surrounding peaks.
Day 16: Hidden Valley / Yak Kharka After climbing over the 5250 m. Dhampus Pass, we traverse avalanche-prone slopes and then take on the steep descent to Yak Kharka.
Day 17: Yak Kharka / Marpha
Day 18: Marpha / Ghasa
Day 19: Ghasa / Tatopani
Day 20: Tatopani / Ghorepani
Day 21: Ghorepani / Tadapani
Day 22: Tadapani / Ghandrung
Day 23: Ghandrung / Birethanti / Pokhara transfer hotel.
Day 24: Pokhara fly / Kathmandu transfer hotel
Day 25: Transfer airport /Departure for onward destination.