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Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Itinerary

A hard camping circuit over French Pass and Dhampus Pass around the seventh highest mountain. A 17-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

17 days

12 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

5,360 m

French Pass

Difficulty

Strenuous

Dhaulagiri

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k6k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startFrench Pass: about 5,360 mDhampus Pass: about 5,200 mDay 1: Beni, about 850 mDay 2: Babiachor, about 950 mDay 3: Dharapani, about 1,560 mDay 4: Muri, about 1,850 mDay 5: Boghara, about 2,080 mDay 6: Dobang, about 2,520 mDay 7: Choriban Khola, about 3,110 mDay 8: Italian Base Camp, about 3,660 mDay 9: Italian Base Camp, about 3,660 mDay 10: Glacier Camp, about 4,210 mDay 11: Dhaulagiri Base Camp, about 4,740 mDay 12: Dhaulagiri Base Camp, about 4,740 mDay 13: Hidden Valley, about 5,200 mDay 14: Yak Kharka, about 3,680 mDay 15: Jomsom, about 2,710 mDay 16: Pokhara, about 820 mDay 17: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m1357911131517Day

4 days climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Beni

    Sleep: Beni · about 850 m7 to 9 h by road

    A long drive to the trailhead town. Beni is the headquarters of Myagdi district.

  2. Day 2

    Beni to Babiachor

    Sleep: Babiachor · about 950 mWalking 5 to 6 h

    Walk up the Myagdi Khola valley. Camps from here are tented.

  3. Day 3

    Babiachor to Dharapani

    Sleep: Dharapani · about 1,560 m (sources: 1,400 to 1,560 m)Walking 5 to 7 h

    Sources give Dharapani between 1,400 and 1,560 m.

  4. Day 4

    Dharapani to Muri

    Sleep: Muri · about 1,850 mWalking 5 to 7 h

    Through forest and gorges to Muri.

  5. Day 5

    Muri to Boghara

    Sleep: Boghara · about 2,080 mWalking 5 to 6 h

    Along the Myagdi Khola on narrow trails.

  6. Day 6

    Boghara to Dobang

    Sleep: Dobang · about 2,520 mWalking 5 to 6 h

    The valley narrows and forest gets denser.

  7. Day 7

    Dobang to Choriban Khola

    Sleep: Choriban Khola · about 3,110 mWalking 5 to 7 hSleeping altitude +590 m

    Climb out of the forest above the tree line.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 590 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  8. Day 8

    Choriban Khola to Italian Base Camp

    Sleep: Italian Base Camp · about 3,660 mWalking 6 to 8 hSleeping altitude +550 m

    A long day onto the moraine and the first views of Dhaulagiri.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 550 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  9. Day 9 · rest day

    Acclimatisation day at Italian Base Camp

    Sleep: Italian Base Camp · about 3,660 m

    Rest or take a short hike and return to sleep here.

  10. Day 10

    Italian Base Camp to Glacier Camp

    Sleep: Glacier Camp · about 4,210 mWalking 5 to 7 hSleeping altitude +550 m

    Walk along the glacier moraine to a basic camp.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 550 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  11. Day 11

    Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp

    Sleep: Dhaulagiri Base Camp · about 4,740 mWalking 6 to 8 hSleeping altitude +530 m

    A tough day on moraine to the base camp beneath the north face of Dhaulagiri.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 530 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  12. Day 12 · rest day

    Acclimatisation day at Dhaulagiri Base Camp

    Sleep: Dhaulagiri Base Camp · about 4,740 m

    Rest before the first pass. Rope is carried for the pass crossings.

  13. Day 13

    Over French Pass to Hidden Valley

    Sleep: Hidden Valley · about 5,200 mWalking 6 to 7 hReach French Pass · about 5,360 m (sources: 5,240 to 5,360 m)Sleeping altitude +460 m

    A very high, exposed day over snow and ice. You sleep at about 5,200 m, so watch for altitude symptoms. Sources give the pass between 5,240 and 5,360 m.

  14. Day 14

    Over Dhampus Pass to Yak Kharka

    Sleep: Yak Kharka · about 3,680 mWalking 6 to 7 hReach Dhampus Pass · about 5,200 m (sources: 5,155 to 5,260 m)

    Cross Dhampus Pass (about 5,200 m) and make a big descent to Yak Kharka.

  15. Day 15

    Yak Kharka to Marpha to Jomsom

    Sleep: Jomsom · about 2,710 mWalking 5 to 6 h

    Walk down the Kali Gandaki valley to Marpha, the apple-growing village, and Jomsom, with teahouses again.

  16. Day 16

    Jomsom to Pokhara

    Sleep: Pokhara · about 820 mFlight about 30 min (morning, weather dependent). By road it takes more than 10 h

    Jomsom flights are often delayed or cancelled by wind.

  17. Day 17

    Pokhara to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 m7 to 9 h by road, or about 35 to 40 min by flight

    Roadworks on the Prithvi Highway can lengthen the drive.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • A TIMS card is listed by operators, and some operators list a Dhaulagiri-specific permit. Confirm the full list with a registered agency

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

The Dhaulagiri Circuit goes around Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), the seventh highest mountain in the world. From Beni the route climbs the Myagdi Khola valley to Italian Base Camp, Glacier Camp and Dhaulagiri Base Camp (about 4,740 m), crosses French Pass (about 5,360 m) to Hidden Valley, crosses Dhampus Pass (about 5,200 m) and descends to Marpha and Jomsom.

This is one of the toughest treks in Nepal. There are almost no teahouses for most of the route, so it is a camping trek with staff and porters, and the passes involve snow, ice and rope work. Walking days are 5 to 8 hours, and several nights are above 4,000 m.

Day-by-day itinerary (17 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Beni. Sleep at Beni (about 850 m). 7 to 9 h by road.
  2. Day 2: Beni to Babiachor. Sleep at Babiachor (about 950 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  3. Day 3: Babiachor to Dharapani. Sleep at Dharapani (about 1,560 m). Walking about 5 to 7 h.
  4. Day 4: Dharapani to Muri. Sleep at Muri (about 1,850 m). Walking about 5 to 7 h.
  5. Day 5: Muri to Boghara. Sleep at Boghara (about 2,080 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  6. Day 6: Boghara to Dobang. Sleep at Dobang (about 2,520 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  7. Day 7: Dobang to Choriban Khola. Sleep at Choriban Khola (about 3,110 m). Walking about 5 to 7 h.
  8. Day 8: Choriban Khola to Italian Base Camp. Sleep at Italian Base Camp (about 3,660 m). Walking about 6 to 8 h.
  9. Day 9: Acclimatisation day at Italian Base Camp. Sleep at Italian Base Camp (about 3,660 m).
  10. Day 10: Italian Base Camp to Glacier Camp. Sleep at Glacier Camp (about 4,210 m). Walking about 5 to 7 h.
  11. Day 11: Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Sleep at Dhaulagiri Base Camp (about 4,740 m). Walking about 6 to 8 h.
  12. Day 12: Acclimatisation day at Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Sleep at Dhaulagiri Base Camp (about 4,740 m).
  13. Day 13: Over French Pass to Hidden Valley. Sleep at Hidden Valley (about 5,200 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h. Reach French Pass (about 5,360 m).
  14. Day 14: Over Dhampus Pass to Yak Kharka. Sleep at Yak Kharka (about 3,680 m). Walking about 6 to 7 h. Reach Dhampus Pass (about 5,200 m).
  15. Day 15: Yak Kharka to Marpha to Jomsom. Sleep at Jomsom (about 2,710 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  16. Day 16: Jomsom to Pokhara. Sleep at Pokhara (about 820 m). Flight about 30 min (morning, weather dependent). By road it takes more than 10 h.
  17. Day 17: Pokhara to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). 7 to 9 h by road, or about 35 to 40 min by flight.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height. The passes are cold, snowy and exposed, and conditions can close them.

Permits

  • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
  • A TIMS card is listed by operators, and some operators list a Dhaulagiri-specific permit. Confirm the full list with a registered agency

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 17 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 12 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is French Pass, at about 5,360 m.

What is the best time for the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height. The passes are cold, snowy and exposed, and conditions can close them.

Do I need a permit for the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek?

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). A TIMS card is listed by operators, and some operators list a Dhaulagiri-specific permit. Confirm the full list with a registered agency. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

Is the Dhaulagiri Circuit a camping trek?

Yes. There are almost no teahouses between Beni and Yak Kharka, so operators use tented camps with staff, porters and a cook. Lodges return near Marpha and Jomsom.

How high are French Pass and Dhampus Pass?

French Pass is about 5,360 m, though some sources give 5,240 m. Dhampus Pass is about 5,200 m, with sources between 5,155 and 5,260 m. Hidden Valley, where you sleep between them, is about 5,200 m.

How hard is the Dhaulagiri Circuit?

It is one of the hardest treks in Nepal, with long days, glacier and pass crossings, and nights above 4,700 m. It suits experienced trekkers who have already done high-altitude walking.