Nepal Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek

Dhaulagiri Region, Nepal · Nepal

Expedition Grade18 daysAsia~£3,500 est.

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Overview

The Dhaulagiri Circuit is the connoisseur's answer to the teahouse crowds next door on the Annapurna: a full camping expedition around the world's seventh-highest mountain, with no safety net through its high week. From Darbang the route climbs the Myagdi Khola through terraced villages into an increasingly feral gorge — Italian Base Camp, then the moraine labyrinth to Dhaulagiri Base Camp at 4,750 m beneath the avalanche-raked north face. French Pass (5,360 m) follows, a night or two in the snow-bowl of Hidden Valley, then Dhampus Pass and the enormous descent to Marpha's apple orchards in the Kali Gandaki. The catch is the compressed altitude profile: you gain height faster than the textbooks allow, and the two 5,000 m passes come back to back — weather days are not extras but part of the plan. Crampons, ice axe and glacier-travel competence are required kit, and porters here earn every rupee. April-May and October are the windows. Around £3,500 for 18 days with guide, cook crew, tents and permits. Marpha's apple brandy at the end tastes like a medal.