‘an adventure within massive Mt. Dhaulagiri and scenic Hidden valley with French high Pass’
Highlights:
"Adventure on world’s seventh highest Mt. Dhaulagiri within its massive range of peaks From low warm tropical climate to cooler alpine areas and at arctic zone of ice and glaciers On least trekked areas into complete wilderness of mountains-moraines and glaciers Remote farm villages with interesting culture and custom around Far North West Himalaya Scenic views on daily walks within unique and dramatic landscapes of hills and mountains Enchanting alpine forest of rhododendron, pines ending at remorseless fields of ice and snow Exciting walks on glaciers and moraine and over high and scenic French and Thapa Passes”.
Trip Profile:
- Mode of Trekking: Hotels - Lodge and Camping
- Trekking Grade: Adventurous to Challenging
- Trekking Duration: 13 /14 days (with drives-flight and walks)
- Maximum Altitude: At French pass 5,360m
- Total Trip: 17 / 18 days (Kathmandu to Kathmandu)
- Season: April to May & September to November
Introduction:
Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trekking, an adventure on scenic and remote areas of Nepal’s Far North West Himalaya, where few trekkers and adventurer seldom explore and visits around massive range of Dhaulagiri and at its base camp.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trekking leads you to overwhelming adventure, away from main stream trekking trails, at present slowly getting popular due to its pristine wilderness and remoteness with range of peaks that stretches from Kaligandaki valley-Mustang all the way to Dolpo areas.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trekking, a perfect adventure holiday, where walk leads from low warm –sub-tropical climate towards cooler alpine zone and at arctic temperatures and terrain within fields of ice, moraine and glaciers for several days overlooking awesome views of its wilderness surrounding with high peaks of Dhaulagiri Himal.
Starting from scenic and beautiful touristic city at Pokhara and then heading beyond towards further west, where walks leads past many farm villages to enter into cooler alpine zone covered with tall rhododendron-magnolia-pines and fir trees.
Leaving behind green vegetation and tree lines towards remorseless fields of massive glaciers and big block of ice to reach at Base Camp beneath Mt. Dhaulagiri listed as world’s seventh highest mountains.
At base camp time to marvel its picturesque scenery of mountains and then our route leads over a high pass of the adventure above French Pass at 5,360 m offering panorama of peaks and then heading into beautiful Hidden valley enclosed within rocky and snow capped mountains.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp trekking, completes on entering towards Kaligandaki River valley around Mustang areas, after crossing Thapa / Dhampus pass to reach one of the most charming village of Himalaya at Marpha.
From Marpha a short drive to Jomsom, headquarter town of Mustang district where a short scenic flight takes you back at beautiful Pokhara concluding our awesome adventure Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trekking.
Outline Itinerary:
- Day 01 Arrive at Kathmandu 1,300m via respective airlines.
- Day 02 A day in Kathmandu with half day sightseeing tour.
- Day 03 Scenic flight to Pokhara 860 m, and drive to Darbang via Beni - 06 hrs.
- Day 04 Trek to Khamla 925m -06 hrs.
- Day 05 Trek Bagar 2017m – 06 hrs.
- Day 06 Trek Doban 2430 m - 06hrs.
- Day 07 Trek Sallagari 3107m - 05hrs
- Day 08 Trek Italian BC 3,650m - 04 hrs.
- Day 09 Rest day at Italian BC 3,650 m.
- Day 10 Trek to Japanese Camp 3890m – 04 hrs / Upper Swiss BC 3,900 m.
- Day 11 Trek Dhaulagiri Base Camp 4,750 m - 04hrs.
- Day 12 Trek Hidden Valley 5,140m - 06hrs).
- Day 13 Contingency / Reserve day at Hidden Valley.
- Day 14 Trek Yak Kharka 4,930m.
- Day 15 Trek Marpha 2,670 m -04 hrs.
- Day 16 Drive to Jomsom and fly to Pokhara, afternoon sightseeing tour.
- Day 17 Fly Pokhara / Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel.
- Day 18 Transfer to Airport for International departure.
Trip Dossier:
Day 01:
Arrive at Kathmandu 1,300m via respective airlines.
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuwan International Airport received by our staff and then transfer to your Hotel, our guide will brief on Hotel, Kathmandu, trekking programs, do's and don'ts and other related information.
Day 02:
A day in Kathmandu with half day sightseeing tour.
After your first night in Kathmandu, morning with half day guided sightseeing tour in and around Kathmandu at places of interest, Kathmandu valley and the city steeped with historical monuments listed as World Heritage Sites with afternoon time for trek preparation.
Day 03:
Scenic flight to Pokhara 860 m, and drive to Darbang via Beni - 06 hrs.
As per flight schedule for Pokhara, our staff transfers you to Kathmandu domestic airport for short scenic half hour flight to land at Pokhara airport.
On arrival at Pokhara our trekking staff receives you for a short drive beyond beautiful Pokhara city, to start our adventure and first day walk, drive leads past farm villages and towns overlooking views of Annapurna and Machapuchare Himal.
Journey continues on dirt road through rural town and farm village to reach at Darbang, located above raging Mygdi River, fed from the glaciers of Dhaulagiri peaks. Our overnight camp just a away from the main village.
Day 04:
Trek to Khamla 925m -06 hrs.
A moderate day walks to start our first day. From here cross Mygdi river over a suspension bridge, the trails winds up gradually for an hour leaving the river behind a steep climb of one hour reaches to the cooler region at the ridge, then a short easy walk will brings to a farm village and then following a quiet trail along the river side to reach at remote farm village at Khamla for overnight stop and camping.
Day 05:
Trek Bagar 2017m – 06 hrs.
From this serene farm areas morning walk follows past farm fields and scattered hamlets within cultivated agriculture areas of rice terraces and into small patch of cool forested areas to reach the last village at Bagar for overnight camp.
Bagar a small farm village, this will be last human settlement before we reach to other side of Dhaulagiri at Marpha around Mustang areas.
Day 06:
Trek Doban 2430 m - 06hrs.
On leaving Bagar village walk leads to a climbs above Mygdi River, as climb follows a narrow undulating trail to reach a ridge top within dense cool alpine forest, then walk descends steeply in some sections of the trail to reach at stone built huts.
Gradually ascending, encounter the grassy clearings and after 6 hours of exciting walk reaching at a level ground on a grassy field at Dovan for overnight camp.
Day 07:
Trek Sallagari 3107m - 05hrs
From Dovan our route follows to cross a tributary streams that joins Mygdi River, walking on the river bank to cross again over Konaban Khola, depending upon level of the river, whether crossing a bridge a wade through the stream as walk leads into deep forest.
After a peaceful walk of the day heading down to Mygdi Khola and then taking a route towards another khola (stream) Pakite Khola, without ever getting too far from the Konaban river, crossing this little stream -Pakite Khola to the table land of Chartare or Sallagari for overnight stop and camp.
Day 08:
Trek Italian BC 3,650m - 04 hrs.
On leaving the forested campsite, where morning walk follows a trail ahead leading past tree lines to reach at Italian Base Camp, here camp is set for overnights with afternoon free to explore this pristine wilderness on the South West Face of towering Dhaulagiri Himal.
Day 09:
Rest day at Italian BC 3,650 m.
A full rest day on this beautiful and scenic campsite at Italian base camp, where Italian Dhaulagiri Expedition first made the camp here for adventurous climb on top Dhaulagiri I at above 8,167 m high standing as world seventh highest mountains.
At Italian Base Camp, time to relax with short for acclimatization before heading much highest areas to Dhaulagiri Base Camp and over high French Pass.
Day 10:
Trek to Japanese Camp 3890m – 04 hrs / Upper Swiss BC 3,900 m.
From here our route heads into a rocky area with a climbs on a rocky hill side with steep effort to cross within a narrow ridge.
After a tough climb descend to reach a glacier originated from West wall of Dhaulagiri, climb opposite bank to a wide grassy area in a narrow gorge valley and then descend towards upper streams of Mygdi for overnight stop.
Camp beneath Impressive West wall of Dhaulagiri I and to the rear the huge stone walls from Tsaurabong Peak.
Day 11:
Trek Dhaulagiri Base Camp 4,750 m - 04hrs.
Following a lateral moraine from the camp heading to a rocky ridge to enter into glaciated area, walking along undulating glacier surface as this glacial valley of ice and moraine bends to the right bank, and then with short up and down passage to reach at Dhaulagiri Base Camp situated at 4,750 m high.
Looking up at towering North Face of Dhaulagiri I, while to the west peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m.), III (7,715 m.) and IV (7,618 m.) stand soaring towards sky, within its desolate Ice Fall descending forming a Col between Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak.
Overnight camp on best available level ground on a wide field of rocks and moraine with views of Dhaulagiri I and its massif glacier and icefall.
Day 12:
Trek Hidden Valley 5,140m - 06hrs).
From Dhaulagiri Base Camp, journey continues towards moraine and glacier, walk follows close to Tukuche Peak, after glacier climbing on rocky terraced hill entering a gentle slope of the valley and further, where a steep climb reaches you on top French Col at an elevation of 5,360 meters high. This will be the highest point of the adventure decorated with Buddhist colorful prayer flags or Lungta in respect to mountain and natural spirit.
From this vantage point with stunning views of Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal, and Tashi Kang (5,386 m.), all of which surrounds the Hidden Valley. To the right Tukche Peak west and to the rear stands the huge Dhaulagiri I.
A gentle descent along snow covered landscape finally leads to the overnight halt on a wide Hidden Valley. This Valley remained behind Dhaulagiri massif undiscovered, until last few decades.
Day 13:
Contingency / Reserve day at Hidden Valley.
Contingency or reserve day, in case of problem and difficulty on walks specially on glacial sections, if goes well according to our standard program and itinerary, enjoy rest day to explore around this pristine and unexplored Hidden Valley, staying here also depends upon weather condition as well or move down to lower areas.
Day 14:
Trek Yak Kharka 4,930m.
After a wonderful time at Hidden Valley, adventure continues to cross over Dhampus / Thapa Pass at above 5,250 m high. As walk follows on gradual path for an hour with short climb in between and trail gets narrow on scree section for an hour, and then traverse over Dhampus or Thapa Pass overlooking deep cleft of Kali Gandaki River and its Valley with Annapurna peaks beyond.
On reaching top of Dhampus Pass, view of Mukut Himal and then steep downhill along rock covered mountain side reach at Yak Kharka for last overnight stop in tents and camping.
Yak Kharka, a summer pasture, Dhaulagiri I is well hidden by the bulk of Tuckche Peak, but Nilgiri and the western end of the Annapurna massif are visible.
Day 15:
Trek Marpha 2,670 m -04 hrs.
Morning walk leads on steep down along narrow mountain path up to a ridge, where Dhaulagiri I and the Tukche Peak become visible again, following a path on left banks along Kali Gandaki River to reach at charming and attractive Marpha Village, for overnights stop.
Here in Marpha village with time for stroll, this village and around Kaligandaki areas famous for delicious apples and products.
Day 16:
Drive to Jomsom and fly to Pokhara, afternoon sightseeing tour.
From Marpha early morning short drive upstream Kaligandaki River to Jomsom town (headquarter and administrative town of Mustang area) for scenic short flight to Pokhara.
During air-borne panoramic view of snow capped peaks of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna range, on reaching Pokhara transfer to your respective Hotels by the lake Phewa with afternoon free to browse around the lake and shops.
Day 17:
Fly Pokhara / Kathmandu. Transfer to Hotel.
Morning 30 minutes flight back to Kathmandu and then transfer back to your hotel with afternoon free at leisure.
Day 18:
Transfer to Airport for International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, our staff transfers you to airport for final departure homeward bound or to your next port of call on departing from amazing Nepal, country of Himalayan wonders.
Departure
15 April to 02 May | 15 Oct to 01 Nov |
Price
Contact us for the special Price
Price includes following services:
- Accommodation sharing twin at Hotel in Kathmandu for 3 nights and Hotel in Pokhara for 1 night on Bed & Breakfast basis.
- Airport transfers in Kathmandu & Pokhara.
- Half day guided sightseeing tour of Kathmandu with applicable entrance fees.
- Transportation Pokhara / Beni / Darbang by private Non AC Vehicle.
- Internal flight Kathmandu / Pokhara & Jomsom / Pokhara / Kathmandu with applicable airport taxes.
- Trekking & camping arrangement backed by Sherpa crew on full board basis.
- Applicable Trekking Permit & Conservation Fees.
- Insurance for Nepalese crew.
Our price does not include followings:
- International flights to / from Kathmandu.
- Nepal entry visa fees.
- Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu & Pokhara Hotels.
- Travel, Medical and Personal insurance.
- Rescue evacuation in case of emergency.
- Personal clothing and personal trekking gear including sleeping bag & down jacket.
- Expenses of personal nature, i.e. tipping, laundry, bottled drinks, bar bills etc.
- Any expense for early returning member due sickness, injury or any other reason. No refund will be entertained for any unused service.
- Extra expense occurred due to unexpected circumstances like cancellation of internal flights, floods, strike etc.
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