Dhaulagiri Basecamp Trek (21 Days)

Starting out from Beni on Kali Gandaki River, this classic trekking route ascends the lovely and unspoiled valley of the Myagdi Khola which flows southwards from the heart of the Dhaulagiri Himal. After few days of superb walking, through an ever-changing landscape, with numerous picturesque villages, you reach Dhaulagiri Base Camp and prepare yourselves for the crux of our crossing of “French Pass” 5360m. This high but technically straightforward pass lies close beneath the northern slopes of Dhaaulagiri(8167m) and the mountain views on this part of the trek is are simply sensational.

Day 01:

Drive from Kathmandu to Beni and it takes almost ten and half hours.

Day 02:

Trek approximately for six hours from Beni to Maldhunga (1300m.).
This day needs an early start through smooth ice of the white part of the glacier. To reach Dhaulagiri Base Camp you trek this part by climbing steadily to the rough but cold path.

Day 03:

Trek for almost five and half hours from Maldhunga to Darbang.
You trek ascent path for an hour passing through jungles with varieties of oaks, rhododendron and other vegetation. The chirping of local birds eases your journey. The trail is quite flat and sometime passes through stream. The path is muddy crossing villages at some of the places. Darbang is a small village mainly inhabited by Magar and Limbus. There is a beautiful camping site. You can find small local shops with minimal supply.

Day 04:

Trek for approximately five hours from Darbang to Takum. This day also you trek ascend through narrow path for early one hour. Now you go along the flat land passing through jungle with varieties of rhododendrons, oaks and Christmas trees at some distance. After you cross a small stream, your trails suddenly begin to follow ascend path until you reach Takum. There is a government school before you enter Takum, a small village. Here you camp behind the school located in central Takum. You find a Hindu temple where the villagers go to submit their offerings.

Day 05:

Trek for almost six hours from Takum to Muri.
The path goes downhill passing through verdant jungle. After following steep uphill path and passing along the flat land you reach Muri, a small village. The main inhabitants are Gurung and Rai. You find few hotels which offer good services to visitors. Moreover, you can visit a Buddhist monastery here.

Day 06:

Trek for almost four hours from Muri to Bagar (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 07:

Trek for about five hours from Bagar to Dovan (2520m.). Here you leave the villages behind and the trial becomes increasingly challenging. The whole trails are quite steeply ascent through thick jungles providing you the opportunity to observe the flora and fauna of the area. If you are lucky, you can encounter different species of monkeys.

Day 08:

Trek from Dovan to Upper Vungini (Italian Base Camp) (3660m.) which takes about six hours. Passing through the beautiful forest you rapidly gain altitude and mountains burst out all around.

Day 09:

Upper Vungini (Italian Base Camp).

Day 10:

Trek from Upper Vungini (Italian Base Camp) to 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 11:

Trek for about five hours from Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4740m.). 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 12:

Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to French Col (5010m.) - 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 13:

Hidden Valley camp (5000 m.). A rest day to admire the surrounding peaks and does some local exploring.

Day 14:

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 15:

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 16:

Trek for six hours from Marpha to Ghasa. 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 17:

Trek for approximately five hours from Ghasa to Tatopani (1189 m.).
Until you reach Rukse Chhahara (Rukse Waterfall) you trek steep downhill. Here you find the deepest gorge of the world between two mighty mountains, one is Annapurna (8091m.) and another is Dhaulagiri I (8167m.) and they look amazing facing each other near Rukse Waterfall. From here, leaving few villages you trek slightly uphill to reach Tatopani. This is the place where you can enjoy the hot spring. Tatopani is named after the natural hot spring lying at the bank of Kali Gandaki river. The conviction is that taking a dip into Hot Spring (Tatopani) it helps you to get rid of skin diseases. Apart from this, it grants you physical and mental refreshments.

Day 18:

Trek for about six and half hours from Tatopani to Ghorepani (2750m.).
After passing thorough flat path for some distance the trail goes uphill for at least more than half an hour. This section crosses different picturesque villages where people of different cast live in harmony and engaged in farming. However, most of the people serve in Gorkha Regiment and Indian Regiment as well. You can enjoy the panoramic views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges while along the bank of Kali Gandaki. Afterwards, the trail moves gentle uphill all the way to Ghorepani passing through small villages like Phalate, Chitre and so on. 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 Deorali. 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, Nilgiri ranges, Annapurna I, Baraha 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 mountains.

Day 19:

Trek for about five hours 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-20:

Trek from Tadapani to Ghandrung. 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-21:

Trek from Ghandrung 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 22:

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours.