One of the world's classic trekking around the entire Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. Amongst the peaks and high valleys of the Nepal Himalaya there are several long and demanding trekking routes and this real adventure holiday tackles one of the best and most challenging of these; the circuit of Dhaulagiri (8167m.) via the French Pass (5360m.) and the Hidden Valley. This is a classic adventure trekking holiday for those with previous high altitude trekking experience, which includes a taste of all of the trekking environments that Nepal has to offer.
Spending a night in Pokhara and an exciting drive south of Dhaulagiri to the village of Dharapani, this superb trekking route ascends the lovely and unspoiled valley of the Myagdi Khola, which flows southwards from the heart of the Dhaulagiri Himal. We then spend 8 days trekking through an ever-changing landscape, with numerous picturesque villages, to reach Dhaulagiri Basecamp where we have a rest and acclimatisation day in preparation for the crossing of the French Pass. This tough, but technically straightforward pass lies close beneath the northern slopes of Dhaulagiri and the mountain views on our ascent and descent are simply sensational. Our highest camp is in the remarkable Hidden Valley at around 5100 metres and from here we cross the Dhampus Pass with sensational views across the Kali Gandaki Valley to the peaks of the Annapurnas. After a long descent to Marpha village, we drive or trek back to Pokhara and have more time to enjoy this laid-back lakeside town, before returning to Kathmandu. This is an adventure trek at its best, a brilliant trek in a rarely-visited part of Nepal.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1,350m.), meet our staff then transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu, preparation and briefing about trek at evening.
Day 03: Flight/Drive from Kathmandu – Pokhara (915m.) then transfers to Hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Darbang Phedi (1,110m.) then transfer to Teahouse Lodge for Overnight.
Day 05: Darbang Phedi - Sinbang/Khamla Village (1,670m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 06: Sinbang/Khamla - Baghara (Bagar 2,080m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 07: Boghara - Dobang (2,520m. - Dovan Kharka). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 08: Dovan - Salla Ghari (3,445m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 09: Salla Ghari - Swiss Base Camp (3,730m.). O/N at Camping.
Day 10: Swiss Base Camp - Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,748m.). O/N at Camping.
Day 11: Dhaulagiri Base Camp Rest for acclimatization. O/N at Camping.
Day 12: Dhaulagiri Base Camp - French Pass (5,360m.) - Hidden Valley. O/N at Camping.
Day 13: Hidden Valley to Thapa Pass (5,250m.) - Yak Kharka (3,400m.). Camp. O/N at Camping.
Day 14: Yak Kharka – Marpha Village (2,667m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 15: Marpha Village to Pokhara by local Bus or, Jeep then transfer to Hotel.
Day 16: Flight/Drive from Pokhara – Kathmandu then transfers to Hotel.
Day 17: Free day in Kathmandu for rest or shopping, with a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 18: Last minute, transfers to Airport for your onward journey. Final Departure.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport(1,350m.), meet our staff then transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: Free day in Kathmandu, preparation and briefing about trek at evening.
Day 03: Flight/Drive from Kathmandu – Pokhara (915m.) then transfers to Hotel.
Day 04: Drive to Darbang Phedi (1,110m.) then transfer to tea-house Lodge for Overnight.
Day 05: Darbang Phedi - Sinbang/Khamla Village (1,670m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 06: Sinbang/Khamla - Baghara (Bagar 2,080m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 07: Boghara - Dobang (2,520m.) (Dovan Kharka). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 08: Dovan - Salla Ghari (3,445m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 09: Salla Ghari - Swiss Base Camp (3,730m.). O/N at Camping.
Day 10: Swiss Base Camp - Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,748m.). O/N at Camping.
Day 11: Day rest for acclimatization at Dhaulagiri BC and explore hidden valley. O/N at Camping.
Day 12: Dhaulagiri Base Camp – French Pass (5,360m.) - Hidden Valley. O/N at Camping.
Day 13: French Pass – Thapa Pass (5,250m.) – Yak Kharka (3,400m.). O/N at Camping.
Day 14: Yak Kharka – Marpha Village (2,667m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 15: Local Jeep or Bus drive from Marpha Village – Tatopani (1,150m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 16: Trek from Tatopani – Ghorepani (2,830m.). O/N at Teahouse Lodge.
Day 17: Ghorepani – Poon Hill (3,232m.) – descent to Ulleri and drive to Pokhara then transfers to Hotel.
Day 18: Leisure day in Pokhara for rest or to explore the surrounding area.
Day 19: Flight/Drive from Pokhara – Kathmandu then transfer to Hotel.
Day 20: Free day in Kathmandu for rest or shopping, with a farewell dinner in the evening.
Day 21: Last minute, transfers to Airport for your onward journey. Final departure.