The Dhaulagiri Circuit is a demanding camping trek around Dhaulagiri I, the seventh highest mountain in the world at 8,167 m. It crosses French Pass at about 5,360 m and Dhampus Pass at about 5,240 m, and is for experienced, well-prepared trekkers.
A circuit around the seventh highest mountain in the world
Dhaulagiri rises to 8,167 m and has the reputation of being one of the most demanding trekking routes in Nepal. The circuit goes round the massif from Beni in the south-east to Jomsom in the north, crossing two high passes, the French Pass and the Dhampus Pass, at roughly 5,300 m and 5,200 m. Published pass heights vary by a few tens of metres, so treat them as approximate. The trek is usually run as a camping expedition, with a crew carrying food and tents.
Why it is different
Unlike the Annapurna or Everest routes, there are very few villages above the early days, so you are moving through an uninhabited world of moraine, ice and rock. The walking from the Italian Base Camp to the Dhaulagiri Base Camp crosses glaciers and requires reliable weather. The reward is a sense of isolation that few trekking routes still offer.
The route in outline
From Beni you climb the Myagdi valley through terraced farmland, forest and then the narrow gorges before the Italian Base Camp at about 3,660 m. Above it lies the Glacier Camp, Dhaulagiri Base Camp at roughly 4,740 m, the French Pass, the high plateau of Hidden Valley, the Dhampus Pass and a long descent to Marpha and Jomsom in the Kali Gandaki valley.
Who it suits
The trek is for people with good fitness and previous high-altitude experience. Operators call it strenuous and advise preparation. It is not a beginner route, even though it does not need technical climbing skills. The weeks of camping, long days and rough ground are the challenge.
The two sides of the trek
The southern half is green, steep and often humid. The northern half after the passes is dry, wide and windy, with views toward the Mustang plateau. This contrast is one of the things people remember most.
Plan it
This is a custom expedition-style trek for us. Read the itinerary and the difficulty guide first.
