A full circuit around the world's seventh-highest peak, crossing French Pass and Dhampus Pass above 5,200 m — closer to expedition mountaineering than standard trekking.
The most technically demanding itinerary in our catalog: a full circuit around Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh-highest peak, crossing the Chonbarban Glacier and two passes above 5,200 m — French Pass and Dhampus Pass — before descending into the Kali Gandaki valley at Jomsom. This is closer to expedition mountaineering than standard trekking, and we say so plainly rather than softening it.
The approach climbs steadily from Darbang through Muri, Boghara, and Dobang to Italian Base Camp and on to Dhaulagiri Base Camp itself, at the foot of the Chonbarban Glacier. From there the route turns genuinely alpine: French Pass leads into the stark, high-altitude basin of Hidden Valley, and Dhampus Pass leads back out on the far side, descending to Yak Kharka and Jomsom in the Kali Gandaki valley.
Full camping support is required for the entire high-altitude section — there are no teahouses between Italian Base Camp and Yak Kharka — and both passes demand real winter mountaineering conditions: crampons, and occasionally fixed rope, depending on the season's snow. Weather-contingency days are built in at both Dhaulagiri Base Camp and Hidden Valley, since this route has a real history of trekkers being stormbound for several days waiting for a safe window to cross.
Sleep altitude each night — the acclimatization pattern at a glance.
No scheduled dates for this trek yet — we run it on the dates that suit you. If you’re planning a trek for a group of friends or family, talk to our specialist and we’ll build it around you.
Talk to our specialistThe route
11 stops · 3 flights · 9 trekking sections
18 days on the trail, mapped one by one — no need to expand anything.
Day of 18
Arrival in Kathmandu
Overnight: Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. A welcome meeting and orientation follow, with dinner in the evening.
Kathmandu — Preparation
Overnight: Kathmandu
Permit processing and a full equipment check, including technical gear, followed by a detailed briefing on the French Pass and Dhampus Pass crossings.
Fly to Pokhara
Kathmandu → Pokhara (flight)
Overnight: Pokhara
A short flight to Pokhara, followed by final crew and supply preparation ahead of the drive to the trailhead.
Drive to Darbang
Pokhara → Darbang (drive)
Overnight: Darbang
Drive from Pokhara to Darbang, the trek's starting point.
Trek to Muri
Darbang → Muri
Overnight: Muri
Trek to Muri, climbing through terraced hill-farming country.
Trek to Boghara
Muri → Boghara
Overnight: Boghara
Continue trekking through forested ridgeline to Boghara.
Trek to Dobang
Boghara → Dobang
Overnight: Dobang
Trek deeper into the Myagdi Khola valley to Dobang.
Trek to Italian Base Camp
Dobang → Italian Base Camp
Overnight: Italian Base Camp
Trek to Italian Base Camp, the last established camp before the high glacier terrain — the point beyond which the trek turns genuinely alpine.
Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Italian Base Camp → Dhaulagiri Base Camp (Glacier Camp)
Overnight: Dhaulagiri Base Camp (approx. 4,750 m)
Trek onto the Chonbarban Glacier moraine to Dhaulagiri Base Camp, with the mountain's full south face directly overhead.
Base Camp — Acclimatization
Overnight: Dhaulagiri Base Camp (approx. 4,750 m)
Held deliberately as both an acclimatization day and the first weather-contingency point. Rest, and a final technical gear check ahead of French Pass.
Crossing French Pass
Dhaulagiri Base Camp → French Pass (5,360 m) → Hidden Valley
Overnight: Hidden Valley (approx. 5,050 m)
The first of two major pass crossings, and the most exposed single day of the trek: crossing French Pass onto the high alpine basin of Hidden Valley, followed by an overnight camp there.
Hidden Valley — Weather Contingency
Overnight: Hidden Valley (approx. 5,050 m)
Held in reserve for a safe weather window before Dhampus Pass — a rest day, or an additional buffer if weather requires it.
Crossing Dhampus Pass
Hidden Valley → Dhampus Pass (5,258 m) → Yak Kharka
Overnight: Yak Kharka
The second major pass, followed by a long descent: crossing Dhampus Pass and descending to Yak Kharka.
Trek to Jomsom
Yak Kharka → Jomsom
Overnight: Jomsom
Descend into the Kali Gandaki valley, arriving at Jomsom — the return to teahouse country after over a week of full camping support.
Fly to Pokhara
Jomsom → Pokhara (flight)
Overnight: Pokhara
A morning flight to Pokhara, with the rest of the day free for rest and recovery.
Return to Kathmandu
Pokhara → Kathmandu (flight)
Overnight: Kathmandu
Flight to Kathmandu, followed by a farewell dinner.
Buffer Day
Overnight: Kathmandu
Held in reserve for any delays accumulated earlier in the trip — a free day in Kathmandu if the schedule ran to plan.
Departure
After breakfast, depart to the airport for the flight home.
Talk to a specialist who has personally trekked every route we sell — no call center, no script.
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