Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek 16 Days

Dhaulagiri Circuit terrain and Length

The Dhaulagiri Circuit trek, measuring 101.06 kilometers, journey through a variety of terrains from the popular area of Pokhara, deep jungles, beautiful waterfalls, steep gorges, and alpine landscapes, to the universe of glaciers and snow.

As you journey around the grand Dhaulagiri mountain, you will be surrounded by the Himalayan amphitheater, with peaks over 7000 to 8000 meters. The trek will have the Hidden Valley as your highest sleeping height at 5200 m while the maximum height this trip will take you will be on the French Pass at 5400 m.

Weather and best time for Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

The Dhaulagiri region endures more rainfall of June, July, and August than many other parts of Nepal. While the winter days of December, January, and February bring thick snow and fierce winds with heat often falling below minus 30 degrees.

Therefore, the ideal timeframe for the Dhaulagiri circuit trek 16 days journey is the autumn months of September, October, and November. The dry refreshed air with the likelihood of experiencing clear days and transparent Himalayas will truly reveal the hidden wonders of the region.

Springtime through March, April, and May are another delightful time to see the awakened wildlife and the charming landscape. Both spring and autumn the clear track to the Passes is devoid of snow and humid.

Dhaulagiri circuit trek difficulty

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is frequently rated 3 out of 5 stars regarding its level of difficulty. The entire trekking track of the circuit is long, technical, and orientation ally quite difficult. For at least 5 days, you will have days above 4000 m with chilly nights in simple tent setups.

Each day, the trek involves  5 to 7 hours of walking across diverse and rugged terrain. You will also cross the two high Mountain Passes: the French Pass and the Dhampus Pass which compete in height with many other mountains in the world. In the highest parts of the circuit track, there is often the presence of thick layer of snow.

However, the route will allow you to get to know the wild, high-mountain valley of Myagdi Khola, surrounded from the south and west by one of the highest peaks in Nepal – Dhaulagiri.

Who is this trip made for?

The Dhaulagiri circuit trek 16 days journey is a demanding, strenuous and difficult trek. Before starting, you should be in good physical condition and familiar with high exposure and altitude.

We do not recommend this trek as a first trek in Nepal. It is a good trek for those looking for something new in the Himalayas after having done most of the easy treks first such as Everest Base Camp, Ghorepani, Annapurna, and so on.

Altitude Sickness and Acclimatization

The Dhaulagiri circuit trek is focused around high-altitude trekking, with several days spent above 3,500 meters. Reaching these heights can lead to altitude sickness, a bodily reaction to the thin atmosphere, often resulting in symptoms such as frontal headaches, reduced appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, malaise, insomnia, and lower physical performance.

This simple form of altitude sickness is self-limiting, lasting 1-3 days. But the manifestations can reappear if you climb to higher elevations. Therefore, you mustn’t at all ignore or deny the symptoms and continue the ascent. In fact, you must stay at the same altitude until the symptoms disappear and rest.

For headaches, you can use paracetamol or ibuprofen, and for nausea, an antiemetic – promethazine. To give time to your body to get accustomed to the new environment of Dhaulagiri we have planned several rest days in between the travel days.

You will have your rest days at the Italian Base Camp, Dhaulagiri Base Camp, and Hidden Valley which will offer you plenty of time to rest and adapt before you face the high passes. In addition, almost an entire exploration day at Pokhara will grant you the necessary time to relax following your trek.

In order to accelerate acclimatization, you can also take Diamox at the beginning of the ascent to prevent altitude sickness, and after the symptoms appear, it can help reduce them.

In addition, you should avoid sustained physical exertion during trekking followed by small and frequent meals, rich in easily digestible carbohydrates, and consume an additional 1-1 ½ liters of water, for proper hydration.

Accommodation Food and Drink

Your stay in Pokhara will be at a comfortable 3-star hotel, featuring all the necessary amenities in cozy double rooms. While trekking, you will spend the nights in delightful tourist shelters or homestays in the villages. For camping, our team will set up tents on a twin-sharing basis.

Concerning meals, breakfast will be served in Pokhara. During the trekking and camping part, we will provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with a hot cup of tea or coffee. Treated drinking water will also be supplied during the trekking portion.

Kindly note that the accommodations in this region will be fairly basic in comparison to those on the neighboring Annapurna trail. The food selections will also be limited to Dal Bhat, noodle soup, and fried rice, because of the remoteness of the area.

Transportation, Communication, Electricity, and Internet Facilities

During our Dhaulagiri circuit trek 16 days journey, private transportation will be available to meet all your travel needs. We will arrange a drive to Pokhara, followed by transportation to Darbang at the start of the journey.

While returning, an internal flight will also be organized to travel from Jomsom to Pokhara. Depending on your preference, we will organize either the flight or the driving option from Pokhara to Kathmandu.

As for communication and the internet, please note that the Dhaulagiri circuit trek will take you to a world where the familiar comfort of tourism fade away. You will find yourselves away from the constant buzzing of your mobiles.

However, do not stress if you want to relay your safety message to your home. The NTC and NCELL connectivity will be present till Bagar Village. Our team will also carry satellite phones allowing you to converse at the base camps.

As for WIFI, some mountain lodges offer internet but be ready for steep prices and unpredictable reliability. You can recharge your devices at these lodges using a standard adapter, though this may also cost you additional fees.

For the campsite stay, however, we advise you to power up with extra batteries and power banks whenever possible.

Travel Insurance

It is important to note that without adequate travel insurance, you will not be able to join our Dhaulagiri circuit trek. The permits required for this trek require the compulsory submission of your insurance policy number; without it, permits will not be granted.

In addition, the Dhaulagiri region is a remote area in Nepal that is still relatively new to tourism. While the landscape is stunning, it can also pose challenges, and unexpected situations may arise. Sudden weather changes, natural disasters, accidents, illnesses, altitude sickness, and injuries can occur, requiring urgent air ambulance services, which can be quite expensive, often costing thousands of dollars.

Having insurance will remove this financial burden and provide peace of mind during your journey. Additionally, please ensure that your policy covers extreme sports at altitudes over 5,500 meters, as well as theft, flight cancellations, trip cancellations, extended stays, and baggage loss.

Trip Preparation, Health, and Safety

If you have any health issues related to the circulatory, respiratory, lung, or kidney systems, please ensure you seek medical advice from your physician before taking part in our Dhaulagiri circuit trek 16 days journey. Such conditions can deteriorate at higher elevations in Dhaulagiri, and immediate evacuation may not always be readily available.

In addition, the route is demanding, so it is wise to prepare by establishing an active routine for 3 to 4 months in advance. Aim to improve your lung capacity to absorb more oxygen through deep breathing techniques.

Build your endurance through running, biking, or stair climbing, and start with an easy trekking journey in Nepal through Ghorepani, Annapurna, or Mera Peak. This will introduce you to the real mountain trekking adventure and you will learn the basic skills of rope walking and using ice axe.

Please be ready to let go of comfort for a few days and prepare to fully immerse in the raw nature.

Permits, rules, and regulations

Please remember that in the past, independent trekking in Nepal, including areas like Dhaulagiri, was allowed. However, starting in April 2023, all foreign visitors must now trek with a licensed local guide, and their trips must be organized through a registered travel agency like ours. This policy is designed to enhance your safety and ensure immediate emergency assistance when required.

As for permits, the Dhaulagiri circuit trek 16 days journey does not need any special permits. We only need to buy an entry ticket to the Annapurna protected area known as ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit) and have a TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) trekking card.

We will pay NPR 2000 for TIMS and NPR 3000 for ACAP fees at the NTB (Nepal Tourism Board). Our guide will take care of these formalities in either Kathmandu or Pokhara.