Separated from the Annapurna region by the Kali Gandaki the Dhaulagiri massif includes more than 30 peaks over 6000 meters, eight of these surpassing 8000 meters. The area around Tansen is home to the Magar people and capital of the independent kingdoms to become part of Nepal.
From Dhorepatan the panorama of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges is exceptional and this remote area is home to communities of Tibetan refugees who search the area for minerals and medicinal plants.
There is a long, difficult trek around Dhaulagiri (8167m.) that starts from Beni on the Kali Gandaki. Follow the Myagdi Khola westwards to Darbang and turn north on a tiny trail that leads through forests into the high country. Much of the route is on snow and glaciers as it crosses French Col (5240m.), traverses the head of Hidden Valley and crosses 5155m Dhampus Pass. The trek ends with a steep descent to Marpha and a return to Pokhara, either via the Kali Gandaki valley or over the Ghorepani ridge for a panoramic view of the entire Dhaulagiri massif.
Itinerary:
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Beni which takes about eleven hours. As you climb out of the Kathmandu valley, only to quickly descend 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. Having pleasant weather, Pokhara is tourist's paradise with 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 through uphill into zigzag road all the way to Naudanda. It then descends through zigzag road up 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 picturesque road journeys.
Day 02: Trek from Beni to Babichoaur (950m) and it takes about five hours. From Beni you head west along the north bank of the Myagdi Khola through several small villages. You then cross two bridges near the village of Simalchour, and head back to the north bank from where it continues to the village of Babichor. You camp overnight.
Day 03: Trek from Babiachaur to Dharapani which takes about six hours. The trail is wide, smooth and graveled till you reach Darbang. After you pass a small town you cross a suspension bridge. Now you trek flat narrow path passing through terraces, traditional villages and then again you cross another suspension bridge. The trail is gentle ascent from this point through sparse forest of rhododendron, pine, oak. After few hours you get to a ridge quite surrounded by villages, green hills and jungles. To reach Dharapani you need to follow straight leveled path. Dharapani is a quite big village with traditional but big houses made of thatched, wood, tin and other available materials.
Day 04: Trek from Dharapani to Muri and it takes about six and half hours. After descending and walking through villages, crossing a suspension bridge over river the trail turns uphill. The gentle ascent path now passes through villages, sparse forest, terraces you reach at another ridge. Now you trek gently along over straight trail until you reach Muri. This is a small village. If the weather is clear, you can have a glimpse of Manapathi peak, Dhaulagiri range etc.
Day 05: Trek from Muri to Baghar (2080m.). Descend a gentle slope, and cross a rocky stream. Descend a path amid terraced fields to Dhora khola. Cross the river and climb to the right up the mountainside to Ghorban dhara. The view from this pass is fine, for the first time you can see Ghustung south (6465m). Follow the right bank path past Naura where you begin to ascend the mountainside. After climbing for a short while, take a path that traverses the steep grass-covered hill. The Myagdi khola assumes a steep-walled V-shape as the traverse ends and a high, winding path climbs the steep, grassy slope. The steep slope will not tolerate any missteps but the path is well-constructed with a great number of zigzag 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 Myagdi khola. 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.
Day 06: Trek from Bagar to Dobang (2520m.) and it takes about five hours. Here you leave the villages behind and the trial becomes increasingly challenging.
Day 07: Trek from Dobang to Sallaghari (3110 m.) which takes about six hours. Early part of gentle ascent trail moves through forest of bamboo, pine trees, rhododendrons. After trekking for some hours gentle uphill and downhill respectively you reach Sallaghari. This is a camping spot in between forest surrounded by pine trees at the bank of Myagdi river.
Day 08: Trek from Sallaghari to Italian Base Camp (3660m.) and it takes about six and half hours. The trail is covered by bamboo forest all the way to Italian Base Camp. At some places you cross small bridges, jungles and this is quite strenuous and difficult trail. There is an open field at Italian Base Camp. There are two small tea houses providing minimal supply. At this base camp, you catch breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri range, Manapathi peak, Dhaulagiri II among other unnamed peaks and mountains.
Day 09: Trek from Upper Vungini (Italian Base Camp) to Glacier Camp or Glacier camp (4940m.) and it takes about four hours. After crossing the first glacier, probably using a rope in a couple of tricky spots, you climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings are spectacular which makes up for the rough and dangerous trail. You may also use a rope on this section. This is a particularly tough day. You camp on the glacier rubble.
Day 10: Trek from Glacier Camp or French Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4740m.) which takes about five hours. Soon the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white part of the glacier. You climb steadily to the rough and chilling but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Day 11: Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to French Col (5010m.) or Hidden Valley and it takes about four hours. 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 (5300m,) 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 12: Trek from Hidden Valley (5200 m) to Yak Kharka and it takes about seven hours. You traverse avalanche-prone slopes and then take on the steep descent to Yak Kharka. This day you trek through bare land for some distance.
Day 13: Trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha (2670m.) which takes about five hours. More steep descent leads to Marpha. The way is not much covered with trees. En route you can see some yak herds and sheep herds as well. Marpha is a small town mainly inhabited by the mixed community of Buddhist and Hindus as well. You can a visit a monastery. In and around the monastery, you can see the many walls and prayer flags hanging.
Day 14: Trek from Marpha to Ghasa and it takes about six hours. Your trail descends steeply through forests to Ghasa, the last Thakali village and the southern-most limit of Tibetan Buddhism. The beginning part of the trail is stretched at almost flat level up to Kalopani and then your trail begins descending steeply to Ghasa. The first part of the trek passes through the windy area covered with pine forests, rhododendron forests and birches are seen. The surrounding area of Ghasa is famous destination for bird watching and wild Marijuana. Here you are quite amazed at the panoramic view of Mount Nilgiri North (7061m.), Nilgiri Central (6940m.), and Nilgiri South (6839m.), Annapurna I (8091m.), Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) and Tukuche peak (6920m.)
Day 15: Trek from Ghasa to Tatopani (1189 m.) which takes about five hours. The trail descends steeply up to Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall) which is amazing to look at. There is situated the deepest gorge of the world between two mountains Annapurna I (8091m.) and Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) facing each other near Rukse Waterfall. Now the trail ascends slightly to Tatopani through different human settlements. You can enjoy the hot spring at Tatopani as the word Tatopani is termed after the natural hot spring situated at the bank of the Kali Gandaki River. It is popularly 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.
Day 16: Trek from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2853 m.) for about seven hours. Your trail passes through flat level of the land at some distance. Then the trail begins ascending steeply for at least one hour. Now path goes up through different villages inhabited by the people of different caste and agricultural land. The majority of the people here serve Gorkha Regiment and Indian Regiment as well. While trekking you cross through the Kali Gandaki river with panormic view of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. The trail ascends gently all the way to Ghorepani passing through small villages like Phalate, Chitre and so on. While trekking you pass through rhododendron forests and come across the wild life such as monkeys and birds of various species. You are accompanied by more panoramic views of different mountains. Ghorepani (Watering to Horse) is a small pass and the village of Deurali. Although there is time enough to continue, it is better to stay here overnight so that you can make the morning trip to Poon Hill (3180m.) for an outstanding panorama of Dhaulagiri I,II,III,Iv, Tukuche peak, Dhampus peak, Nilgir ranges,Annapurna I, Bahra Sikhar (Twelve peaks or renowned as French Fang),Annapurna South, Himchuli, Fishtail and Mardi Himal. The view you can see from here is probably the best view in the world. Not only this, Poon Hill is crowded by different visitors to enjoy the sunrise and sunset over the snow-capped mountain.
Day 17: Trek from Ghorepani to Tadapani. Wake up early morning and climb up to Poon hill from where you can see Dhaulagiri range to Mustang range. During the Sun rise panoramic views with colorful mountains. Again walk down to hotel and after breakfast walk up hill towards Tadapani. Climb with Mountain views again through Rhododendron forest. After the top path goes along the ridge and Trail descends steeply through dense moss-covered forest rich with bird life. A short early-morning climb to the Deurali pass for a spectacular panorama over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna, and to Tadapani for beautiful sunset views of Annapurna South and Machhapuchhare.
Day 18: Trek from Tadapani to Ghandruk. This is short trek. Trial descends steeply through dense damp forest, where you may see monkeys, and continues down over a series of rock-cut steps that follow a leaping stream. Arrive in Ghandrung and explore the maze like streets of this thriving Gurung Settlement.
Day 19: Trek from Ghandruk to Naya Pul via Birethanti which takes about four and half hours and drive back from Naya Pul to Pokhara and it takes about one and half hours. Walk down after village via Kimche to Shauli Bazaar. Geantal walk rest of the day via Birethati to New Bridge and drive back to Pokhara over night at hotel.
Day 20: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.