Nepal Trekking

DHAULAGIRI TREK

This region is new territory for trekkers. Trekking off the main path is not only possible, but can be immensely rewarding, though you do need a sense of adventure and an increased ability to deal with the unexpected. Geographically, Dhaulagiri region is a land of dramatic contrast. From the near tropical Pokhara valley, steep slopes climb to snowcapped Himalayan giants. Dhaulagiri, the seventh tallest peak in the world, towers high above the well-trekked Muktinath pilgrim trail up the Kali Gandaki valley. The vast rock and ice massif screens the hidden land of Dolpo to its northwest.

Following the rivers upstream, ferns and forests of oak and other deciduous trees and juniper abound. Mountainsides of rhododendron blaze with color in the spring, and other flowers are abundant on the trail. Even on High Mountain passes above the tree line, tiny alpine flowers can be found dotting the windswept ground.

Highlights: A challenging trek, which will reward you with the opportunity to camp on a glacier. The toughness of the terrain is more than made up for by the spectacular scenery and wilderness. The rewards also come when you rejoin the Jomsom trail, where you may have apple cider in Marpha or a hot spring afternoon in Tatopani.

ITINERARY

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu Duration: Height: 1300m

Meet with our representative at the airport. Drive to hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu Duration: 4hrs Height: 1300m

Half day sightseeing O/N at hotel.

Day 03: Kathmandu – Pokhara Duration:

30 minute fly or 6hrs drive Height: 960m Fly or drive to Pokhara and over night at Hotel.

Day 04: Pokhara – Beni-Shinga Duration: 4hrs+trek1 and half hrs:

Drive after breakfast to Beni and start trek. From Beni pass Beni Mangalghat where there is a row of shops then enter a desolate mountainside. Pass Jyanmara which consists of a single teahouse, after the mountain path, follow a wide level path. Houses increase as you approach singa with its shops and teahouses. Camp on the school ground, side of the Myagdi Khola.

Day 05: Shinga - Durbang Duration: 5 hrs

Follow a raised path above the riverbed, pass a hot spring below to the left, and enter cultivated fields to a wide path that leads to Tatopani. Ten minutes beyond this village, cross a suspension bridge to the right bank, pass the tiny village of Bholamza and go through fields to another suspension bridge which returns you to the left bank. Pass by Simarchor a little further on and cross the suspension bridge over the Newale Khola that flows in from the right. Follow the Myagdi Khola left bank path past the small villages of Shisman and Talkot; climb a bit to Babichor with its shops and teahouses. Cross a high, winding path on a mountainside out Babichor. Terraced hills develop in the wide valley, paddies become plentiful and the path is easy to walk, being either flat or gently ascending. Pass stone paved Shahasdara cross Dukh khola and continue amid paddies. After Ratorunga with its shop and tea house the wide terraced hills end. Follow a path along the river pass Bodeni to Chachare with its teahouse. The terraced hills disappear on the opposite bank as well and the left bank of the narrow valley gently undulates up and down as you arrive at the large village of Darbang with its rows of shops. Camp on the school ground.

Day 06: Dharbang - Shibang Duration: 6 hrs

Cross a suspension bridge to the right bank, pass the tributary Ritum Khola to your left as you go to the right through the hamlet of Darbang. Follow the right bank path along the river at the base of stone cliffs to Phedi (1100m) with its two teahouses. Just beyond the phedi, cross the Dang Khola which flows from the left, and begin to climb a ridge on the opposite bank. As you zig and zag up a steep hill, the angel of incline gradually eases, soon you enter a mountainside on the Myagdi Khola side from the pine-covered ridge path to Dharapani, a heavily populated village. Once again climb a steep slope after which you descend a mountain path past Takum where cultivated fields spread over the wide mountain flank. You arrive at the village of Shibang and camp on grassy ground.

Day 07: Shibang - Muri Duration: 6 hrs

From Shibang you pass through a forest and continue past mattim up an incline to the snout of ridge where Dhaulagiri Himal is visible. Descend to the Gatti Khola, and then skirt around the ridge to Phalai Gaon (1810) is on a mountainside partially penetrated by the tributary Dhara khola. To go to Muri, follow the stone-welled path a short way beyond Phalai goun, enter the terraced fields to the right and cross the Dhara khola via a suspension bridge. If it is the dry season, descend the valley next to the school, walk to the opposite bank, and climb the steep hill for a short cut. The main path ascends the mountainside from the suspension bridge, passes below the village of Dhara and goes through a hamlet to an up and down mountain path to join with the shortcut described above. Though this is the long way the path is better. Follow the mountain path and skit around the ridge, emerging once again to the right bank of the Myagdi khola. The mountain path continues, winding uphill, and when you skirt around a ridge, a vista of Dhaulagiri 1 (8167m) and Gurja himal (7193m) opens up. Reach the large village of Muri where the houses of the magar clan closely together, came on the school ground.

Day 08: Muri - Bagar Duration: 7 hrs

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 with 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 09: Bagar - Dovan Duration: 6 hrs

Here we leave the villages behind and the trial becomes increasingly challenging.

Day 10: Dovan – Sallaghari or Upper Vungini (Italian Base Camp) Duration: 4 and Half+3 hrs

Passing through the beautiful forest we rapidly gain altitude and mountains burst out all around.

Day11: Upper Vugini (Italian Base Camp) - Glacier Camp Duration: 4 hrs

After crossing the first glacier, probably using a rope in a couple of tricky spots, we climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings are spectacular which makes up for the rough and dangerous trail. We may also use a rope on this section. This is a particularly tough day. We camp on the glacier rubble.

Day 12: Glacier Camp - Dhaulagiri Base Camp I Duration: 4 hrs

Soon the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white part of the glacier. We climb steadily to the rough and chilling but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Day 13: Dhaulagiri Base Camp - French Col - Hidden Valley Duration: 5 hrs Height: 5000 m

Getting off the glacier above the base camp often requires a rope, but once over the steep moraine walls we are in safer and gentle 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 -20 degree centigrade at night.

Day14: Hidden Valley camp Duration: Height: 5000m

A rest day to admire the surrounding peaks and perhaps do some exploring.

Day15: Hidden Valley - Yak Kharka Duration: 5 hrs

After climbing over the 5200m Dhampus Pass, we traverse avalanche-prone slopes and then descend steeply to Yak Kharka.

Day 16: Yak Kharka - Marpha Duration: 4hrs

More steep descent leads to Marpha and a well deserved beer over lunch.

Day 17: Marpha – Kalopani Duration: 7hrs Height: 2100m

Continue down the Kali Gadaki reaching the old Thakali trading centra of Tukuche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan rain shadow end and open spaces make way for coniferous forest and Kalopani (2500m.) From here there are spectacular 360 degree views of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna high above.

Day 18: Kalo pani - Tatopani Duration: 8hrs Height: 2850m

A beautiful walk, with another transition into subtropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo. Banyan trees and poinsettias. The trail follows the river through a narrow gorge, and descends to cross a bridge near a spectacular waterfall, before winding through the valley to Tatopani. The hot water spring that give the village its name provide the perfect opportunity for a good' scrub.

Day 19: Tatopani - Ghorepani Duration: 8hrs Height: 2850m

The big climb will start after crossing Begakhola leaving the path to Beni if trek want make short to Beni and drive to Pokhara. Day19: Ghorepani - Tadapani Duration: 6hrs Height: 2670m 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: Tadapani - Ghandrung Duration: 4hrs Height: 1950m

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 Ghandruk and explore the maze like streets of this thriving Gurung Settlement.

Day 21: Ghandruk – Birethanti-Pokhara Duration: 4 hrs trek, 2 hrs drive Height: 1100m -960m

Walk down after village via Kimche to Shauli Bazar. Gentle walk rest of the day via Birethati to New Bridge and drive back to Pokhara over night at hotel.

Day 22: Pokhara - Kathmandu Duration: 6hrs

After this trip can join with other trip like, Rafting, Jungle Safari or Pilgrim tour if not fly or drive back to Kathmandu.

Day 22: Depart

Transfer to airport and depart.