Dhaulagiri Expedition - 48 days

Arrival in Kathmandu 1310 m,  Welcome you to Nepal. After your arrival in the airport, our representative member will accompany and escort you to your hotel over night Hotel with Breakfast.

Today, we will spend the day sightseeing in Kathmandu Valley with our guide. We will visit Pashupatinath, which is regarded as the holiest Hindu temple in Nepal and where pilgrims worship Lord Shiva (situated on the banks of the holy Bagmati River), Bouddhanath, a Buddhist temple known as ‘Little Tibet’ and then on to Swayambhunath known as the Monkey Temple. From Swayambhunath we drive to Kathmandu’s famous Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site, and located in front of the old royal palace. Upon arriving back at your hotel you may have time to do some last-minute shopping around Thamel – the tourist hub of Kathmandu.

Early morning after breakfast board a bus and drive to Pokhara. It’s a drive of about six hours through lush green forest, meandering road through the hills and graciously flowing rivers. You will cross lively markets and clusters of villages on the road side. Lunch will be taken in one of the road side restaurants on the way to Pokhara. Upon reaching in Pokhara, you will be received and driven to the hotel. Check into the hotel in Pokhara.

Leaving darbang, we ascend uphill today passing through the terraced hills and village of Shahashradhaara. We then cross the Dudh Khola and walk through fields arriving at Ratorunga. From here the widened valley begins to narrow and terraces disappear on either side of the river. The trail is fairly moderate and winding path. We continue our walk up to the village of Dharapani for our overnight stay.

On the following day, we have a steep ascend up to Muri crossing the river and heading towards north of Phedi. Today’s trek will provide you the opportunity to have a clear magnificent view of Dhaulagiri along with other Mountains. In order to reach the west bank of Myagdi Khola, we have to cross the DharaKhola at first and there will be many switch-backs until you arrive at the ridge and the angle of ascent eases. Continuing our trek, we pass through Sibang and Mattim from where we incline up to the snout of the ridge and then descend to GattiKhola and reach PhalaiGaon (1810 m).  Then climb a ridge to the large Magar village of Muri. You may have reached human habitation but the trail is still grotesque. It continues ascending and descending and crossing steep faces with gay abandon to the hamlet of Naura, half a day down. Slightly beyond is a choice between taking the shortcut across the MyagdiKhola to Malimpaa or Khibang or staying on the west bank for the longer but more scenic route via Muri and the delightfully situated village of Takum. Along this stretch are some shops and simple lodges.

Leaving behind Muri, we continue our trek to Boghara through Myagdi River via Naura Village. Today for few hours we’ll have an easy trek before making a steep climb to Boghara. We cross a stream and continue through terraced fields before climbing a ridge to reach the pass from where you can see Mt. Ghustung South (6465 m). Descend to the Myagdi Khola and trek along its West Bank to the village of Naura from where you will climb a little before traversing a grassy hill and climb a steep slope with switch-backs and then descend through a forest and terraced fields to Boghara. Although several grazing areas are named on maps the first village is Jeldung, 20 mins above Boghara (which is occasionally called ‘bugger-this!’). Overnight at Boghara.

Today the trail might be a bit tricky and might even require rope assistance on the way. Here we need to be careful and watch our steps. The trail continues through a forest to LapcheKharka via Jyardan which is the most remote permanent settlement in this part. Pick up the delightfully small trail that wind through pleasant forest. After the settlement a high winding path crosses a rocky area and then descends before climbing again to Lipshe where there is a single hut. After crossing several streams there is a particularly beautiful forest camp among huge cedar trees. Further down are several bridges to the west bank, one of which you should cross. The roller-coaster trail stays on the west side and crosses several streams on flimsy bridges. The trail continues through a forest to LapcheKharka and then climbs to the level area at Doban. Doban is a small clearing amid the forest, and has two simple teahouses that are often open during the trekking seasons.

Today we’ll walk across some beautiful forests and alongside the spectacular mountain views before reaching to Italian base camp. Passing through beautiful forest we rapidly gain altitude and mountains burst out all around. After a steep descent the trail abruptly falls down dangerous moraine to cross the incoming glacier. Groups have often had to make their own trail down using shovels and setting up a hand line. The trail leads to Chhonbarban Glacier and from the right side of the glacier we will be able to see the view of Dhaulagiri. Tukuche Peak (6837 m) becomes visible straight on; at the far end while the impressive north flank of Dhaulagiri I (8167 m) dominates the skyline to your right. Ascending the moraine on the other side is steep and definitely requires a rope and somebody game enough to climb it first without a rope. The grassy area is called Italy Base Camp. There are simple shelters here open during the season. Here we’ll set our camp just opposite the west wall of Dhaulagiri. To the west are the peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7751m), Dhaulagiri III (7715 m) and Dhaulagiri V (7618 m)

Today will be the first day for acclimatization during the trek. It is recommended that your body acclimatizes to the high altitude and be adjusted for higher altitudes in the days to follow. Thus, we will spend a day acclimatizing to the thinning of the air. Taking rest in this day will also help you to prepare for the upcoming trails.

As your trail passes through a narrow gorge, you likely have to experience a stone fall today so we recommend you to set up early in the morning when the weather is expected to be clear. After crossing the first glacier, probably using a rope in a couple of tricky spots, we climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings are spectacular, which makes up for the rough and dangerous trail. After an adventurous walk for about 6 hours, we reach to the main Glacier camp where we will tent for our overnight.

Today you will be reaching the main destination of the trek “Dhaulagiri Base Camp”. Today’s walk will be very exciting as well as very difficult for us. You will have an adventurous walk over the smooth white part of the glacier. Steady climb through the rough and chilling part will give you a spectacular view of Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Tukuche Peak (6837 m) becomes visible straight on at the far end while the impressive north flank of Dhaulagiri I (8167 m.) dominates the skyline to your right. To the west are peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751m), Dhaulagiri III (7,715m) and Dhaulagiri V (7,618m). In front of you is the impressive icefall that descends from the north-east col.

This is climbing period. We set up various camps, acclimatize and attempt climbing. Summit the most majestic peak of the Himalayas and then climb down.

Today we say goodbye to the Fishtail Mountain which towers over Pokhara and to the wonderful Himalayas mountains that have been our home for the past 2 and half month or so.  Then it’s time to say goodbye to your wonderful staff as the comfortable tourist bus gets you back to Kathmandu in time to head off to a lively restaurant for dinner and perhaps some music.