By the BriefNepal Travel Desk · Updated September 3, 2026 · Verified for accuracy A glimpse of Dhaulagiri Circuit The Dhaulagiri Circuit is the great expedition trek of central Nepal, a serious, remote and almost entirely tented journey that loops around Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) , the world's seventh-highest mountain, in the Myagdi district of the Gandaki region. This is not a lodge walk. There are no teahouses on the high sections, no road bailout once you commit to the Myagdi Khola, and the route crosses two passes above 5,200 m before dropping into the Kali Gandaki valley. It is widely regarded as one of the hardest of Nepal's mainstream treks, in the same league of remoteness as the Makalu Base Camp trek. Myagdi is also home country for Nepal's most celebrated mountaineer: Nims Dai (Nirmal Purja) was born at Dana in the Kali Gandaki gorge below this mountain, and Dhaulagiri was the first eight-thousander he climbed, in 2014. The classic route begins with a drive from Pokhara to Beni, then follows the Myagdi Khola upstream through Babiyachaur, Dharapani, Muri, Boghara and Dobang, climbing from terraced farmland into dense forest and finally onto glacial moraine. You camp at Italian Base Camp (around 3,660 m), then Glacier Camp, and finally reach Dhaulagiri Base Camp (around 4,750 m) on the Chhonbardan Glacier, directly beneath Dhaulagiri's enormous north-east face. From base camp the trek's crux begins: the crossing of French Pass (Thapa Pass, around 5,360 m) into the remote, glacier-ringed Hidden Valley (around 5,000 m), a high, treeless bowl ringed by peaks. From there you cross Dhampus Pass (around 5,240 m) and descend steeply to Yak Kharka and on to Marpha and Jomsom in the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge on Earth. Most trekkers then fly out from Jomsom to Pokhara. Allow 18 to 21 days for the full circuit including drives and the flight out. It is graded very strenuous and demands real fitness, prior high-altitude experience and a tolerance for camping in cold, exposed conditions. What you gain in return is genuine Himalayan wilderness, close-up views of an 8,000 m giant from all sides, and the deep satisfaction of a true expedition. If you have already walked the Annapurna Base Camp or Poon Hill trails and want a far bigger challenge, this is the next step up. Day-by-Day Itinerary This is a classic Dhaulagiri Circuit itinerary built around the long approach up the Myagdi Khola, careful acclimatisation at base camp and the two high passes. It is an entirely guided, fully supported camping trek, every group travels with a crew of guide, cook, porters and tents. Fit groups can shave a day or two; extra rest and weather-contingency days are always wise on the high crossings. Day 1: Drive Pokhara to Beni (830 m), trek to Babiyachaur (950 m) A morning drive from Pokhara down to Beni at the confluence of the Myagdi and Kali Gandaki rivers, then an easy first walk along the Myagdi Khola to Babiyachaur . (3-4 hours of walking.) Day 2: Babiyachaur to Dharapani (1,560 m) Follow the river upstream through villages and terraced fields, climbing gently to Dharapani , a Magar village with views opening up the valley ahead. (5-6 hours.) Day 3: Dharapani to Muri (1,850 m) A scenic day of ups and downs through forest and farmland to the spread-out village of Muri , with the first proper glimpses of Dhaulagiri and Gurja Himal. (5-6 hours.) Day 4: Muri to Boghara (2,080 m) The trail steepens and narrows as you leave the last large village, traversing landslide-prone slopes high above the Myagdi Khola to the small settlement of Boghara . (6-7 hours.) Day 5: Boghara to Dobang (2,520 m) A wilder, forested day climbing through rhododendron and bamboo, crossing the river on rough bridges, to the herders' clearing at Dobang . From here the route becomes true wilderness. (5-6 hours.) Day 6: Dobang to Italian Base Camp (3,660 m) A long, sustained climb through forest that gradually thins into alpine scrub, emerging at Italian Base Camp beneath the towering west face of Dhaulagiri. The altitude gain is significant, so pace it slowly. (5-7 hours.) Day 7: Acclimatisation day at Italian Base Camp An essential rest and acclimatisation day before the glacier. Take a short hike higher up the moraine to aid acclimatisation and take in the first big views of Dhaulagiri's face and the icefall above. Day 8: Italian Base Camp to Glacier Camp (4,200 m) via Dobang Glacier A demanding day onto the moraine and along the edge of the glacier, with some exposed, rough sections, to the tented Glacier Camp . Conditions underfoot are rocky and unstable. (5-6 hours.) Day 9: Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750 m) A shorter but high day along the Chhonbardan Glacier to Dhaulagiri Base Camp , set on the moraine directly beneath Dhaulagiri's huge north-east face, ringed by Tukuche Peak and the surrounding wall of ice. (4-5 hours.) Day 10: Acclimatisation day at Dhaulagiri Base Camp A vital second acclimatisation day before the highest crossings. Rest, hydrate and take a short walk higher onto the glacier for views, conserving energy for French Pass the next morning. Day 11: Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley (5,000 m) via French Pass (5,360 m) The crux of the trek: a long, cold, high climb over French Pass (Thapa Pass, around 5,360 m) , the highest point of the route, then a descent into the remote, glacier-ringed Hidden Valley for a high, exposed camp. An early start and good weather are essential. (6-8 hours.) Day 12: Contingency / acclimatisation day in Hidden Valley A built-in spare day to absorb the altitude or to wait out bad weather on the passes. The Hidden Valley is a wild, treeless bowl, bitterly cold but spectacular, and this buffer can be the difference between a safe crossing and a forced retreat. Day 13: Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka (3,680 m) via Dhampus Pass (5,240 m) Cross Dhampus Pass (around 5,240 m) , then make a long, knee-jarring descent of well over 1,500 m down loose slopes and into greenery again, reaching the pastures of Yak Kharka above the Kali Gandaki. (6-7 hours.) Day 14: Yak Kharka to Marpha / Jomsom (2,670-2,720 m) Descend through pine forest and apple orchards to the charming Thakali village of Marpha , then on to Jomsom in the Kali Gandaki valley, back among villages, lodges and roads after the wilderness. (5-6 hours.) Days 15-16: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara, drive or fly to Kathmandu Take the short, scenic morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara , then continue on to Kathmandu . Build in a contingency day, as Jomsom flights are weather-dependent and can be delayed or cancelled. Difficulty & Fitness The Dhaulagiri Circuit is graded very strenuous and is among the hardest of Nepal's popular treks. It is suitable only for fit, experienced trekkers who have already completed a high-altitude trek and are comfortable with camping in cold, remote conditions. It is meaningfully harder than the Annapurna Base Camp trek for several reasons. Remoteness. Once you pass Dobang you are in true wilderness, no teahouses on the high sections, no road bailout, and very little phone signal. Everything you eat and sleep in is carried by the crew. Self-sufficiency is total. Camping throughout the high route. You sleep in tents on glacier moraine for several nights, in cold and exposed conditions, with simple camp food rather than lodge comforts. Two high passes. French Pass (around 5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass (around 5,240 m) are both above 5,200 m, exposed to wind and snow, and involve glacier travel and long, sustained effort at altitude. Altitude. You spend several nights between 4,000 and 5,000 m, including a high camp in the Hidden Valley, and reach 5,360 m on French Pass. Proper acclimatisation days are non-negotiable. Long, rough days. Daily distances are long and the terrain ranges from steep landslide-prone forest trails to unstable glacial moraine and big descents of over 1,500 m. You should be comfortable walking 6-8 hours a day on rough trails for two-plus weeks, and ideally have trekked above 5,000 m before. Train with long hill walks, stair climbs and loaded day-pack hikes for several months beforehand, and arrive in good cardiovascular shape. Permits & Regulations The Dhaulagiri Circuit does not lie in a restricted area in the special-permit sense, so you do not need a restricted-area permit. You do need two documents: Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit , around NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals (less for SAARC nationals). Issued by the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu or Pokhara. The route passes through the conservation area as it descends into the Kali Gandaki. TIMS card (Trekkers' Information Management System) , around NPR 2,000, arranged through a registered trekking agency. Since 2023, Nepal requires trekkers on conservation-area and national-park routes to trek with a licensed guide rather than fully independently. In practice this is academic for Dhaulagiri: the camping logistics, tents, a cook, food and porters carried over two passes above 5,200 m, mean that everyone undertakes this trek with a full agency crew. Carry your passport and several passport photos, and keep permits handy for checkpoints. Rules can change, so confirm the current requirements with a registered agency or the Nepal Tourism Board before you travel. The Dhaulagiri Circuit is one of the more expensive standard treks in Nepal, mainly because it is a fully supported camping expedition: a guide, a cook, kitchen and dining tents, sleeping tents, and a team of porters must be carried for the entire 18-21 day route, with all food portered into the wilderness sections. Guided camping package: typically around NPR 240,000-400,000 or more per person depending on group size, standard of service and crew. This usually covers the guide, cook, porters, all camping gear and tents, permits, ground transport, the Jomsom-Pokhara flight and all meals on the trek. Flight out: the Jomsom-Pokhara flight is a notable cost and is weather-dependent; build in a buffer for delays. Permits: ACAP entry (around NPR 3,000) plus TIMS (around NPR 2,000). On-trail spending: carry enough Nepali rupees in cash for the whole trek, there are no ATMs in the mountains, and you will need cash for extras, tips and any purchases in the lower villages and Jomsom area. Because the trek is physically demanding for the crew, a generous tip for guides, cook and porters carrying loads over the high passes is customary. Budget a contingency for delayed flights and extra nights, and remember that smaller groups pay more per head because the fixed camping crew is shared among fewer trekkers. Best Time to Trek There are two trekking seasons for the Dhaulagiri Circuit, and timing matters more here than on lower routes because of the two passes above 5,200 m, which hold snow and can be blocked. Late April-May (spring) brings warming weather, longer days and generally good conditions on the passes once the worst of the winter snow has consolidated, with rhododendron in bloom on the lower trail. October-early November (autumn) offers the most stable weather, the clearest mountain views and firm trails after the monsoon, the prime window for the high crossings. Avoid the monsoon (June-early September): the lower forest is wet, slippery, leech-ridden and prone to landslides, and clouds hide the mountains. Deep winter (December-February) is generally too cold and snowy for the camping route, with French Pass and Dhampus Pass frequently blocked. Because the passes hold snow, the exact timing within the two windows matters, speak to your agency about recent conditions before fixing dates. Packing, Safety & Tips Acclimatisation With several nights between 4,000 and 5,000 m, a high camp in the Hidden Valley, and a high point of 5,360 m on French Pass, altitude sickness is a serious risk. Keep the built-in acclimatisation days at Italian Base Camp and Dhaulagiri Base Camp, ascend slowly, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol high up, and watch for headache, nausea and dizziness. If symptoms worsen, descend, and remember that on this route descent and rescue both take far longer than on busier trails.

Pack for a high, cold camping expedition: a sleeping bag rated well below freezing (think -20 C comfort), an insulated sleeping mat, a good down jacket, full layered clothing, sturdy broken-in boots, trekking poles, gaiters, sun and snow protection, and a headlamp. Because this is a glacier route, microspikes or crampons and the ability to walk on snow and moraine are important. Bring a reliable water-purification method, personal snacks, and a first-aid kit including blister care and altitude medication discussed with your doctor. For the wet lower forest in shoulder seasons, pack leech protection and waterproofs. Communications & money Phone signal is patchy to non-existent for much of the trek; many groups carry a satellite phone for emergencies. There are no ATMs on the route, so carry enough cash for the entire trek plus a buffer for flight delays out of Jomsom. Safety & insurance Buy comprehensive travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking to at least 5,500 m and includes helicopter evacuation , a rescue from the upper Myagdi or the Hidden Valley is both essential and expensive without cover. Trek with a licensed guide and crew who know the passes and the weather, keep contingency days for snow and flight delays, and never push over French or Dhampus Pass in poor visibility. The Hidden Valley high camp is bitterly cold, so good gear and a strong crew matter enormously. Combining with other treks Dhaulagiri is a serious, standalone expedition rather than a trek to tack onto others. It descends into the Kali Gandaki near Jomsom and Marpha, so it can in principle be linked with the Annapurna region, but most trekkers will have used all their energy by the passes. For most people the better progression is to build up through the Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp trails first, then take on the Dhaulagiri Circuit when you want a true Himalayan camping expedition. Base yourself in Pokhara or Kathmandu before and after to arrange permits, flights and gear. Altitude Sickness (AMS) & Trek Safety The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek climbs to 5,360 m , well into the zone where acute mountain sickness (AMS) is a serious, potentially fatal risk, careful acclimatisation is non-negotiable. This section covers how to recognise altitude sickness, prevent it, prepare physically, and stay insured, it is general guidance, not medical advice. Recognise the symptoms Prevent it: the golden rules Ascend slowly. Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than ~300–500 m per day and take the built-in acclimatisation days. Climb high, sleep low. Day-hike higher, then come back down to sleep. Hydrate (3–4 litres/day), eat well, and avoid alcohol, sleeping pills and smoking at altitude. Never ascend with AMS symptoms, and descend at once if they worsen, going down is the only reliable cure. Consider acetazolamide (Diamox) as a preventive/treatment aid, but only after discussing it with your doctor. Start training 6–8 weeks out : build aerobic base with running, cycling or brisk hill walking 3–4 times a week; add stair and hill repeats carrying a loaded daypack (6–8 kg) to ready your legs for long descents; and finish with a couple of back-to-back long hiking days to rehearse multi-day fatigue. Strong quads and good cardio make altitude far more manageable. Insurance & evacuation Buy travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking up to 5,360 m and helicopter evacuation , a rescue from altitude is essential and very expensive without cover. Carry your policy number and your operator’s emergency contact, and keep the booking details of any guide with you. Dhaulagiri Circuit: specific hazards French Pass and Dhampus Pass involve glacier travel with crevasse risk , this is a mountaineering-grade crossing that needs a roped, experienced team. Frequently Asked Questions The Dhaulagiri Circuit usually takes 18 to 21 days, including the drive from Pokhara to Beni, the long approach up the Myagdi Khola, the two high passes and the flight out from Jomsom. Fit groups can trim a day or two, while extra acclimatisation and weather-contingency days are strongly advised on the high crossings. It is graded very strenuous and is among the hardest of Nepal's popular treks. The route is remote with long days, glacier travel, almost entirely camping, two passes above 5,200 m and several nights between 4,000 and 5,000 m, making it considerably tougher than Annapurna Base Camp. It is for fit, experienced trekkers only. Dhaulagiri is the world's seventh-highest mountain at 8,167 metres, in the Myagdi district of the Gandaki region. Dhaulagiri Base Camp sits at around 4,750 m on the Chhonbardan Glacier, directly beneath the mountain's huge north-east face. You need an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit (around NPR 3,000 for foreigners) and a TIMS card (around NPR 2,000). It is not a restricted area, so no special restricted-area permit is required, but since 2023 you must trek with a licensed guide, and the camping logistics mean everyone goes with a full agency crew anyway. A fully supported guided camping package typically costs around NPR 240,000-400,000 or more per person, depending on group size and standard of service. This usually covers the guide, cook, porters, all tents and camping gear, permits, transport, the Jomsom-Pokhara flight and meals. Carry extra cash, as there are no ATMs on the trail. The best times are late April-May (spring) and October-early November (autumn). Autumn offers the most stable weather and clearest views, while spring brings warmer days and rhododendron blooms. Avoid the monsoon for rain, leeches and landslides, and deep winter, when French Pass and Dhampus Pass are often snow-blocked. Yes. Since 2023 Nepal has required trekkers in conservation areas, including the Annapurna Conservation Area, to use a licensed guide. In any case, the Dhaulagiri Circuit is a camping expedition requiring a cook, tents, food and porters carried over two high passes, so everyone treks with a full agency crew. Confirm current rules before you travel. There are simple villages and basic lodges on the lower approach up the Myagdi Khola, but there are no teahouses on the high sections beyond Dobang. From Italian Base Camp through Dhaulagiri Base Camp, the Hidden Valley and the passes you sleep in tents, which is why the trek is run as a fully supported camping expedition. French Pass (Thapa Pass, around 5,360 m) is the highest point of the trek, crossed from Dhaulagiri Base Camp into the Hidden Valley. Dhampus Pass (around 5,240 m) is crossed the following day from the Hidden Valley before the long descent to Yak Kharka and the Kali Gandaki. Both are above 5,200 m, exposed to wind and snow, and involve glacier and snow travel. The Hidden Valley is a remote, glacier-ringed high bowl at around 5,000 m, reached over French Pass and left over Dhampus Pass. It is a treeless, bitterly cold and spectacular place where trekkers make a high tented camp. A contingency day here is wise in case weather or altitude forces a delay. Yes, significantly. You spend several nights between 4,000 and 5,000 m, camp high in the Hidden Valley, and reach 5,360 m on French Pass. Keep the acclimatisation days at Italian Base Camp and Dhaulagiri Base Camp, ascend slowly, stay hydrated, and descend if symptoms worsen, remembering that evacuation from this remote area takes a long time. Annapurna Base Camp is a popular teahouse trek of moderate difficulty with comfortable lodges, while the Dhaulagiri Circuit is a remote camping expedition that is far longer, harder and higher. With two passes above 5,200 m, glacier travel, no high-altitude teahouses and no road bailout, Dhaulagiri is best for trekkers who have already completed a major high-altitude trek. You drive from Pokhara to Beni to start the trek up the Myagdi Khola. After crossing the passes, you descend to Marpha and Jomsom in the Kali Gandaki, then fly from Jomsom to Pokhara and continue to Kathmandu. The Jomsom flight is weather-dependent, so build in a contingency day or two. No. It is one of the toughest mainstream treks in Nepal, with two high passes, glacier travel, camping in cold and remote conditions, and several nights above 4,000 m. It is not recommended as a first Himalayan trek, build up through trails such as Poon Hill and Annapurna Base Camp first. You circle Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), seeing it from forested approach, glacier base camp and the high passes, alongside Gurja Himal, Tukuche Peak and the surrounding wall of ice. The trek passes through Myagdi farmland, deep forest, the Chhonbardan Glacier, the glacier-ringed Hidden Valley and finally the Kali Gandaki valley near Marpha and Jomsom. Compare with Other Nepal Treks How Dhaulagiri Circuit stacks up against other popular Nepal treks, at a glance, to help you choose and plan. Why these grades? Dhaulagiri Circuit 🔴 Strenuous , One of Nepal’s toughest mainstream treks, almost entirely tented camping, crossing French Pass (5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass (5,240 m) with glacier travel and no road to bail out on. Annapurna Base Camp 🟡 Moderate , Tops out at 4,130 m in the Annapurna Sanctuary with comfortable teahouses and gentle, steady altitude gain, making it one of the best first Himalayan treks; the main effort is the long stone staircases. Poon Hill 🟢 Easy , Stays low, peaking near 3,210 m at the Poon Hill viewpoint over just 3–5 short days on well-built stone trails, with comfortable teahouses and almost no altitude risk, an ideal first Himalayan walk for beginners and families. Reviews & Ratings No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience of Dhaulagiri Circuit! Official sources Fees and rules on this page come from the bodies that set them. They do change, sometimes mid-season, so check the primary source before you pay anything. National Trust for Nature Conservation Annapurna Conservation Area (ACAP) permits ntnc.org.np Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal TIMS card rules & fees www.taan.org.np Dept. of National Parks & Wildlife Conservation National park & conservation area entry fees dnpwc.gov.np By the BriefNepal Travel Desk Researched and maintained by our Nepal-based editorial team and reviewed for accuracy. Last updated September 3, 2026. 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