Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek via the French Pass
Holiday Itinerary
Day 1: Rendezvous at the group hotel in Kathmandu. Complimentary airport transfers are provided. KE Land Only package services begin with the evening meal.
Day 2: We fly to Pokhara then drive to Beni, where we begin trekking, heading west along the course of the Myagdi Khola, to our first camp of the trip at Tatopani. (900 metres (2952feet).
Day 3: We continue our trek along the Myagdi Khola, passing through several villages en route to the ridge-top settlement of Dharapani. Here, we camp at 1560 metres (5118 feet).
Day 4: A shorter trekking day, to the large village of Muri (1700m / 5577ft), at the confluence of the Myagdi and Dhara rivers.
Day 5: We trek northwards, still beside the Myagdi Khola, and through the village of Naura to the larger settlement of Baghara (2375m / 7792ft), where we camp at the primary school.
Day 6: Our walk today takes us to the highest permanent village in the valley, at Jyardan and then on through forest to the open grazing area of Dobang (2600m / 8530ft).
Day 7: Another shortish day, as we cross a number of tributary streams and have views of Dhaulagiri. Overnight at the summer yak grazing pasture of Chartare, or nearby Bhainsi Kharka (3000m / 9843ft).
Day 8: Today, we trek through a forested area known as the 'Italian Basecamp' and cross glacial moraine to reach the ablation valley of Pakhaban (3750m / 12,303ft) where we camp beneath the impressive west face of Dhaulagiri.
Day 9: We are starting to gain height now and it is important that we include a couple of rest and acclimatisation days - this is the first of them.
Day 10: An early start for the long day's trek to Dhaulagiri Basecamp (4750m / 15,584ft) following the north side of the Chhonbardan Glacier. Great views of the Dhaulagiri peaks.
Day 11: After our significant recent height gain, we take a rest day here to help with our acclimatisation.
Day 12: Easy angled snow slopes lead to the French Pass (5360m / 17,585ft) which we cross to reach the 'Hidden Valley' behind Dhaulagiri. Altitude at camp is 4900 metres (16,076 feet).
Day 13: A spare or contingency day in case of delays up to this point.
Day 14: We climb back up to the level of the French Pass and make the high traverse across to the slightly lower Dhampus Pass (5250m / 17,224ft), then descend slightly to our camp at Yak Kharka (4915m / 16,125ft).
Day 15: Today we descend 2000 metres (6500 feet). to the floor of the Kali Gandaki Valley and the pretty village of Marpha on the Annapurna Circuit. A short trek north then takes us to Jomsom, where we stay in a lodge.
Day 16: We take the exciting flight to Pokhara, where we check in at a hotel and have the rest of the day to explore this picturesque lakeside town, with its spectacular Annapurna views.
Day 17: We have a morning flight to Kathmandu, where we check in at our hotel and have the remainder of the day at leisure.
Day 18: KE Land Only package services end after breakfast. Complimentary airport transfers are provided.
