Arrival in Kathmandu
KathmanduArrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.


Circle Dhaulagiri I (8,167m) on a remote 21-day camping trek crossing French Pass (5,360m) and Dhampus Pass (5,258m). Hidden Valley, Dhaulagiri Icefall, and some of the wildest terrain in the Nepal Himalaya. From USD 2,075.
French Pass (5,360m) is a raw, steep crossing with loose scree and possible snow. The views from the top include Dhaulagiri's north face, the Hidden Valley below, and Tukuche Peak across the Kali Gandaki. The descent into the Hidden Valley is one of the most dramatic alpine transitions on any trek in Nepal.
The Hidden Valley at 5,150m is a flat, silent, glacial basin where you camp surrounded by unnamed peaks. The scale is disorienting: no trees, no buildings, no trails. On clear nights the star visibility is extraordinary. Few trekking destinations in Nepal offer this level of isolation.
The walk beside the Dhaulagiri Icefall between Italian Base Camp and French Pass puts you within 500 meters of active ice. Seracs shift and calve throughout the day. The north face of Dhaulagiri rises 4,500 meters above the trail in a single wall of rock and ice.
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is a 21-day route circling Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), the seventh highest mountain on Earth. The trail crosses two high passes (French Pass at 5,360m and Dhampus Pass at 5,258m), camps in the Hidden Valley at 5,150m, and walks beside the Dhaulagiri Icefall on the north side of the mountain. This is a camping trek with full expedition-style support, not a teahouse route.
The trek starts from Beni in the Kali Gandaki valley and follows the Myagdi Khola through dense subtropical forest to Italian Base Camp (3,660m), where the first views of Dhaulagiri's north face appear. From here the route climbs to French Pass (5,360m), drops into the Hidden Valley (5,150m), then crosses Dhampus Pass (5,258m) before descending steeply through Yak Kharka to Marpha in the Kali Gandaki.
The Hidden Valley is a flat glacial basin at 5,150m surrounded by unnamed peaks. Few trekkers reach it; on most departures you will have the valley to yourself. The descent from Dhampus Pass to the Kali Gandaki drops 3,000 meters in two days, passing through yak pastures, rhododendron forest, and apple orchards.
Permits: ACAP and applicable trekking permits, all included. Camping equipment, cooking crew, and porter team provided.
For a teahouse alternative in the same area, the Jomsom Muktinath Trek follows the Kali Gandaki valley for 15 days. The Annapurna Circuit Trek circles the Annapurna massif in 20 days with Thorong La (5,416m) and passes through the same Kali Gandaki gorge on its western descent.
21 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.
Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.
Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.
Drive to Beni (850 m) by bus, approximately 8 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Babiachor (950 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Dharapani (1,400 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Muri (1,850 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Boghara (2,080 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Dobang (2,520 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Choriban Khola (3,110 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Italian Base Camp (3,660 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Acclimatization and rest day. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Glacier Camp (4,210 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,740 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
A second acclimatization and rest day at Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Overnight at tented camp.
Cross French Pass (5,360 m) and trek to Hidden Valley (5,200 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Cross Dhampus Pass (5,200 m) and trek to Yak Kharka (3,680 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
Trek to Jomsom (2,710 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.
A 35-minute morning flight to Pokhara (900 m) followed by sightseeing the same day. Overnight at hotel.
Leisure day in Pokhara. Overnight at hotel.
Drive to Kathmandu by bus, approximately 7 hours. Overnight at hotel.
Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.
Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.
Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a four or five-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights), breakfast included.
Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel in Pokhara (3 nights), breakfast included.
Guided city tour in Kathmandu and Pokhara by private car, van, or bus.
Full-board meals during camping, prepared by our cook, with tea and coffee.
Tented accommodation and equipment during the trek, including fully waterproof two-person tents, dining tents, kitchen gear, dining table, chairs, toilet tents, and shower tent.
A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, a cook, the required number of porters, and their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and medicine.
Boiled and purified drinking water during the trek.
All trekking permits and fees.
Surface transfer to and from Kathmandu.
Flight cost from Jomsom to Pokhara, including airport departure taxes at Jomsom airport.
Down jacket and sleeping bag provided by Mountain Hawk (to be returned after the trek).
All applicable government taxes.
Tourist service charge and VAT.
Official expenses.
Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Travel insurance (compulsory).
Nepal entry visa fee.
Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and laundry.
Personal trekking equipment.
Tips for trekking staff and driver (tipping is expected).
Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.
Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.
Note: We kindly offer the option of a flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara and back at an additional cost of US$200 per person (US$100 for one way). Additionally, should you require extra accommodation in Kathmandu, including breakfast, the rates are US$60 per person per night for a single room and US$35 per person per night for a double (twin sharing) room.
Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.
Dhaulagiri I (8,167m) from the north side is one of the most dramatic mountain walls in the Himalaya. The scale is almost incomprehensible from the trail.
The Hidden Valley is one of the most remote camping destinations in Nepal. A glacial basin at 5,150m shared with nobody.
Two high passes above 5,200m in 21 days, plus the Dhaulagiri Icefall. This is genuine alpine wilderness, not a teahouse trail.
A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.
You are an experienced trekker looking for a remote, challenging route beyond standard teahouse trails.
You can walk 6 to 8 hours a day for 17 trekking days including two passes above 5,200m and camping above 5,000m for multiple nights.
You are comfortable with camping and expedition-style logistics. No teahouses above Italian Base Camp.
Prior experience above 5,000m is strongly recommended. The Hidden Valley camp at 5,150m requires reliable altitude tolerance.
Budget is USD 2,075 or higher. The premium reflects camping equipment, cooking crew, porter team, and permit costs.
The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.
Duffel bag ( Company provide complementary)
Day pack
Down Jacket and Sleeping bag 4 season ( if you need nice and clean down jacket and sleeping bag company provide which needs to be returned after the trek)
Hiking pants
Waterproof jacket
Full, sleeves shirt
Jumper or pile jacket
T, shirts
Trekking boots (Water proof)
Camp shoes/Sandal
wool socks
Light cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)
Sun hat
Beanie
Gloves
Sun block for lips
Sun lotion
Goggles or sunglasses ( with spare )Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)
windproof pants
Water bottle
Sewing kit
Medical & first aid kit
Flash light ( with spare batteries)
Personal towel
Personal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please.
Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.
Real reviews from real trekkers who have walked this exact route. No curation, no edits.