Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
Mountain Hawk Trek
Annapurna RegionChallenging

Dhaulagiri CircuitTrek

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.

View Itinerary
21
DaysTotal trek duration
5360m
Max AltitudeHighest point reached
Spring · Autumn
Best SeasonIdeal trekking window
$2,075
FromPer person (twin sharing)
Trip Highlights

The moments that matter most

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.

Trip Overview

A closer look

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.

Route & Elevation

The trail, mapped

Elevation ProfileDay-by-day altitude
TrailPeak
5,200m4,113m3,025m1,938m850mKathmanduBeniBabiachorDharapaniMuriBogharaDobangChoriban KholaItalian Base CampGlacier CampDhaulagiri Base CampHidden ValleyJomsomPokharaKathmandu5,200m
Itinerary

Day by day, on the trail

21 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.

Day01

Arrival in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day02

Pre-trip Meeting & Kathmandu Sightseeing

Kathmandu

Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day03

Drive to Beni

Beni

Drive to Beni (850 m) by bus, approximately 8 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

850m8h trekTented Camp495m
Day04

Trek to Babiachor

Babiachor

Trek to Babiachor (950 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

950m5h trekTented Camp100m
Day05

Trek to Dharapani

Dharapani

Trek to Dharapani (1,400 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

1,400m6h trekTented Camp450m
Day06

Trek to Muri

Muri

Trek to Muri (1,850 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

1,850m5h trekTented Camp450m
Day07

Trek to Boghara

Boghara

Trek to Boghara (2,080 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

2,080m6h trekTented Camp230m
Day08

Trek to Dobang

Dobang

Trek to Dobang (2,520 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

2,520m5h trekTented Camp440m
Day09

Trek to Choriban Khola

Choriban Khola

Trek to Choriban Khola (3,110 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

3,110m5h trekTented Camp590m
Day10

Trek to Italian Base Camp

Italian Base Camp

Trek to Italian Base Camp (3,660 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

3,660m7h trekTented Camp550m
Day11

Acclimatization & Rest Day

Italian Base Camp

Acclimatization and rest day. Overnight at tented camp.

3,660mTented Camp
Day12

Trek to Glacier Camp

Glacier Camp

Trek to Glacier Camp (4,210 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

4,210m6h trekTented Camp550m
Day13

Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp

Dhaulagiri Base Camp

Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,740 m), approximately 7 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

4,740m7h trekTented Camp530m
Day14

Second Acclimatization Day

Dhaulagiri Base Camp

A second acclimatization and rest day at Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Overnight at tented camp.

4,740mTented Camp
Day15

Cross French Pass to Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley

Cross French Pass (5,360 m) and trek to Hidden Valley (5,200 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

5,200m6h trekTented Camp460m
Day16

Cross Dhampus Pass to Yak Kharka

Yak Kharka

Cross Dhampus Pass (5,200 m) and trek to Yak Kharka (3,680 m), approximately 6 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

3,680m6h trekTented Camp1,520m
Day17

Trek to Jomsom

Jomsom

Trek to Jomsom (2,710 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at tented camp.

2,710m5h trekTented Camp970m
Day18

Fly to Pokhara & Sightseeing

Pokhara

A 35-minute morning flight to Pokhara (900 m) followed by sightseeing the same day. Overnight at hotel.

900mHotel1,810m
Day19

Leisure Day in Pokhara

Pokhara

Leisure day in Pokhara. Overnight at hotel.

900mHotel
Day20

Drive Back to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Drive to Kathmandu by bus, approximately 7 hours. Overnight at hotel.

1,345m7h trekHotel445m
Day21

Departure

Kathmandu

Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.

1,345mTransfer
Good to Know

Before you commit

Trek Cost

TierPrice
Per Person
USD 2,075
Package Details

What's in, what's out

What's Included

15

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.

Not Included

8

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.

Add-on

Extra Nights in Kathmandu

Single Room$60per night · breakfast included
Twin Sharing$35per person / night · breakfast included

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.

The Reward

Why you'll love it

Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.

Scenery

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.

Thrill

The Hidden Valley is one of the most remote camping destinations in Nepal. A glacial basin at 5,150m shared with nobody.

Connection

Two high passes above 5,200m in 21 days, plus the Dhaulagiri Icefall. This is genuine alpine wilderness, not a teahouse trail.

Honest Check

Is this trek for you?

A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.

Expectations

Before you book

5

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.

Gear Up

What to pack

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.

Equipment

Packing checklist

25 items

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.

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.

FAQs

The most asked

8
Trail Stories

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