Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek is one of the challenging and thrilling trekking routes in Nepal that leads to the base camp of the seventh-tallest peak in the world, Dhaulagiri (8167 meters). People barely attempt the Dhaulagiri base camp trip. The route includes difficult hills and a number of tall, icy climbs, including French Pass (5360 m). You will pass through numerous farms, lush forests, and communities as you go to Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
In addition to offering breathtaking views of the entire Dhaulagiri range, the trail takes you the Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge in the world. French Pass, which leads into the deserted region known as Hidden Valley, was founded in the 1950s when the Dhaulagiri Circuit route was found by a French expedition.
Details of Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek
| Name of the Trek | Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek |
| Trekking Region | Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Region in Nepal |
| Trekking Difficulty | Strenuous |
| Trekking Days | 15 Days |
| Maximum Elevation | 5200 meters |
| Accommodation | Tea Houses at first, then camping |
| Best For | Off-beaten trail, lush forests, breathtaking mountain vistas, camping in the secluded region |
Short Itinerary of Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek
| Day 1 | Drive from Kathmandu to Beni | 830 meters |
| Day 2 | Beni to Dharapani | 1565 meters |
| Day 3 | Trek from Dharapani to Muri | 1850 meters |
| Day 4 | Trek from Muri to Boghara | 2050 meters |
| Day 5 | Trek from Boghara to Doban | 2630 meters |
| Day 6 | Trek from Doban to Italian Base Camp | 3500 meters |
| Day 7 | Acclimatization Day | 3500 meters |
| Day 8 | Trek from Italian Base Camp to Glacier Camp | 4250 meters |
| Day 9 | Trek from Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp | 4650 meters |
| Day 10 | Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley via French Pass | 5200 meters |
| Day 11 | Trek from Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka | 4200 meters |
| Day 12 | Trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha/Jomsom | 2715 meters |
| Day 13 | Rest and Visit Muktinath | 3800 meters |
| Day 14 | Drive Back to Pokhara | 822 meters |
Highlights of Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek
- High alpine pastures, lonesome valleys, forests and cultivated terraced hills.
- Breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII and other smaller peaks.
- Views of the Annapurna range from a new vantage point.
- Challenging passes and moraines and the thrill camping in one of the most less-travelled regions in Nepal.
Detailed Itinerary of Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Beni
You travel by bus from Kathmandu to Beni for a total of 8 to 9 hours on the first day. You will travel route of the Prithivi route alongside the Trishuli River to Pokhara and finally Beni.
Another option is to fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara, then drive from there to Beni.
Day 2: Drive and Trek from Beni to Dharapani
After a 4-hour jeep ride from Beni, you must hike for a further 4-hours to get to Dharapani through Darbang. You have to pass multiple bridges while traveling, and you can see Myagdi Khola. Before turning in for the night in Dharapani, you can observe local culture and go on an exploration.
Day 3: Trek from Dharapani to Muri
Today, you will spend about 6-7 hours trekking from Dharapani to Muri via Takum village. While traveling the route, one can see Manapathi Peak and the complete range of Dhaulagiri Peak. You cross many suspension bridges and ridges until you reach the ridge where Muri is. In Muri, you spend the night in a camp. You may discover about the Magar people’s distinctive culture in Muri village.
Day 4: Trek from Muri to Boghara
Today, you walk across a low pass from where you have fantastic views of Mount Ghustung South. The trail winds its way through pine and oak trees before leading to Boghara. Dhaulagiri I and Gurja Himal, to mention just a couple of the mountains, can both be seen from here, perched above the terraced fields. You will spend about 6-7 hours hiking from the village of Muri to Boghara today.
Day 5: Trek from Boghara to Doban
From this point on, the trip gets really difficult. To reach Jyardhan, the trail descends to a small ridge and then traverses a woodland. Jyardhan, a village that is regarded remote in this area, is one of the interesting places we tour. You will arrive in Doban in 5–6 hours after enduring many ups and downs.
Day 6: Trek from Doban to Italian Base Camp
You climb through forests and alongside the Myagdi Khola till we arrive at the banks of the Choriban Khola. For the first time, you get to see glaciers on the way. We feel as though we are in the Himalayas as we stroll along the glacial deposits of Chhonbarban Glacier. The Dhaulagiri Massif and Tukuchen can both be seen from Italian Camp, providing stunning sunrise vistas.
Day 7: Acclimatization Day at Italian Base Camp
We take a day off to acclimatize since the altitude is rising and we want to give our bodies a chance to adjust. Explore the area, get some relaxation, or just take in the scenery while gazing in awe at the mountains.
Day 8: Trek from Italian Base Camp to Glacier Camp
Glacier camp by the name itself means that you are to cross some glaciers today. Today’s trek is more difficult due to the high ups and downs and rocky terrain. We ascend onto the main glacier after navigating the first glacier, maybe with the use of a rope in a few hard places. The breathtaking surroundings more than make up for the difficult and perilous trail.
Day 9: Trek from Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp
You will make a steady ascent today to the challenging, cold, and gorgeous Dhaulagiri Base Camp. The jagged debris is soon replaced by the white glacier’s smooth ice. We make steady progress up to the Dhaulagiri Base Camp, which is breathtaking. Enjoy Dhaulagiri I’s stunning north face as you walk. Dhaulagiri Base Camp offers an unmatched vista of the nearby mountains.
Day 10: Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley via French Pass
We will arrive at the highest point of this trek today. The challenge of the day is presented by the 5,200m-high French Pass. The payoff, though, is an amazing view of mountains like Tukuche Peak, Tashi Kang, and Dhaulagiri I, to mention a few. Rope climbing is necessary to exit the glacier above the base camp. After descending the pass, we arrive at a grassy meadow in the Hidden Valley where we set up camp for the night.
Day 11: Trek from Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka via Dhampus Pass
We move toward Dhampus Pass as we descend from the Hidden Valley. The views from this pass are just as stunning; mountains surround us, and lakes and glaciers spread out in front of us. We cross avalanche-prone terrain before descending sharply to Yak Kharka. Then the trail continues to decline until we arrive to Yak Kharka.
Day 12: Trek from Yak Kharka to Marpha
You have to walk for five hours today. You spend the night at Marpha in a camp or tea house. A steep descent leads to the village of Marpha, which is well-known for its magnificent monastery and apple orchards.
This settlement, which is situated on the banks of the Kaligandaki River, is magnificent in its traditional whitewashed exterior. Not to add that the apples are used to make Marpha Brandy, another well-known beverage that you might like.
Day 13: Rest and Short Visit to Muktinath Temple
You rest your tired legs today and may take a short drive to Muktinath temple. Muktinath temple os one of the most rivered religious sites of the Hindu devotees.
Day 14: Drive Back to Pokhara
Drive back to Pokhara, the city of Lakes.