Dhaulagiri Circuit with Thapa PeakDhaulagiri Circuit with Thapa Peak

Dhaulagiri Circuit with Thapa Peak Climbing

Trip Facts

    The Dhaulagiri Circuit trip takes you through high alpine meadows, deserted valleys, high windswept mountains, forests, and cultivated terraced gradients. This is a difficult journey that includes the Dhaulagiri Base Camp at 4,740m and crosses two crossings, the French Pass at 5,360m and the Dhampus Pass at 5,200m. The benefits of this climb, with strong stamina and basic mountaineering abilities, include breathtaking views of Tukuche Peak (6,920m), Dhaulagiri I (8,167m), Dhaulagiri II (7,751m), Dhaulagiri III (7,715m), and Dhaulagiri V (7,618m).

    Dhaulagiri is located over the world's deepest gorge, the Kali Gandaki, and the circular path offers breathtaking views of the whole Dhaulagiri mountain. Dhaulagiri, identified in 1808 and being at 8,167m, was regarded to be the highest peak in the world until Kanchenjunga took that honor 30 years later; eventually taken away by Mount Everest!   The Dhaulagiri Circuit path was found in the 1950s by a French expedition, which gave rise to the French Pass, which goes into the isolated Hidden Valley.

    The circuit path passes past communities with landscaped farmland, as well as rivers and gorges, glaciers, and moraine. With plenty of time to acclimate before tackling the high passes, there will be plenty of opportunities to take in the breathtaking mountain scenery.

    Dhaulagiri Circuit with Thapa Peak Climbing Itinerary

    We take a bus from Kathmandu to Pokhara, 200 kilometers to the west, in roughly 7 hours. The route gives amazing views of the Trisuli river valley, then we traverse superb tropical landscapes before ascending to Pokhara and getting our first glimpse of the Annapurnas and Machhapuchhare.

    We follow a trail to Darbang, passing via Naudanda, Kare (1,630 m), from which we get a spectacular view of the Dhaulagiri, and Kusma, a major settlement at the junction of the Modi Khola and the Kali Gandaki. The serene panorama of this valley, made up of rice fields where farmers are hard at work, allows us to catch a glimpse of Dhaulagiri, which is still a long way away! Darbang is the last significant settlement on our journey, and we take advantage of the chance to make our last purchases. We begin our journey here. As we ascend, surrounded by a gorgeous Himalayan pine forest, the cultures change: millet increasingly replaces rice, and the residents take on a more alpine appearance. Dharapani is a Tamang ethnic group settlement.

    The crops are already turning fall hues, with the green competing with the yellow of the stubble and the ocher of the millet fields. Beautiful views of the Dhaulagiri and Churen Himals. Camp near the lovely hamlet of Muri.

    We constantly make sluggish progress. A sudden easy rise leads to magnificent waterfalls on the Myagdi Khola. Canyons and rocky routes lead to Boghara, the last continually inhabited settlement, where 250 people live in near-complete self-sufficiency.

    We traverse the valley, from rises to descents, from clearings to woodlands. A few simple cottages remind us that the forest is home to a few herders who come down as soon as the winter season arrives. Hopefully, we'll be able to observe monkeys and appreciate the remaining orchids. Camp along the forest's edge. A stunning sunset over the approaching Dhaulagiri.

    We gradually ascend, and the height becomes apparent. Crossing the river on a suspension bridge to continue our ascent amid a magnificent pine forest, overlooking Dhaulagiri. Dhaulagiri I, III, V, and VI surround us, as does the Manapati (6,380 m) directly above us and the Tsaurabong (6,395 m) on the other side of the valley. Camp in the woods.

    A reasonably hard ascent at the foot of Manapati (6,380 m) allows us to traverse a rhododendron grove and come against the majestic Dhaulagiri. We must walk slowly in order to fully acclimate ourselves. Beautiful camp in the edge of the forest.

    Day of acclimatization in the Italian camp. We travel to a little belvedere at 4,300 meters for spectacular views of Dhaulagiri II and III. For those who wish to land, this is the ideal opportunity to take a day off and enjoy the camp.

    We advance slowly in a deep ravine at the foot of the Chonbardan glacier that we ascend, a type of tunnel between the mountains, after crossing a glacier tongue. Sita Chuchura, at 6,600 meters, and the north face of Dhaulagiri are in front of us.

    We continue our ascent towards Dhaulagiri's base camp, passing the Tukuche Peak at about 7,000 meters above sea level. We uncover the Dhaulagiri base camp route at the last time, in front of the mountain's fearsome north face. 

    We acclimate at Dhaulagiri base camp, which overlooks the mountain's spectacular north face. Rest is essential for proper acclimatization.

    After a difficult ascent across a moraine, we arrive at the enormous "Col des Français" at 5,360 meters. The vista from Dhaulagiri is spectacular. We gently descend into the Hidden Valley, which is dominated by multiple peaks ranging in elevation from 6,000 to 7,000 meters (Sita Chuchura, 6,611 m, Hongde, 6,556 m, Dhampus Peak, 6,035 m, and Tukuche Peak, 6,920 m).

    We are in the remote Hidden Valley, with stunning views of the Dolpo Alps. We try the 6,012-meter-high Thapa Peak via the south-west face. It is not a tough climb; the only challenge may be the thickness of the snow with which the trail must be constructed. We continue on the path to Thapa Pass. Then you progress over a very broad ridge until you reach a "chimney" that you enter by following the last slope. The view from the peak at 6,012 meters is spectacular, including the Annapurnas, Manaslu, Gangapurna, Dhaulagiris, Tilicho, and Nilgiri...

    We leave the high mountain environment after passing the Thapa pass (5,250 m) to begin our descend into the Kali Gandaki valley, which is dominated by the magnificent Annapurna range. In heavy weather, several crossing crossings can be treacherous.

    We descend while dropping altitude and spend the entire day admiring the Annapurnas in front of us. Marpha is a lovely Takali ethnic group community surrounded by trees and filled with stores. Marpha Brandy and Mustang Coffee are well-known in this village! A majestic Buddhist monastery at the top of the settlement governs the religious lives of the residents.

    A difficult track day along the Kali Gandaki. This prevents us from catching the often canceled Jomosom-Pokhara flight.

    Pokhara to Kathmandu flight. Day at leisure in Pokhara and/or Kathmandu

    This itinerary is made by experience guide but it can be change as per the your preference and environmental situations.

    What's Included
    • Airport/Hotel/Airport pick up and transfer by private car/van.
    • 4 nights' accommodation in twin bed sharing basis with breakfast at 3***hotel in Kathmandu.
    • Sightseeing tour as per above mentioned itinerary and entry fees.
    • All domestic flight tickets and airport tax.
    • Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with Tea & coffee and hot/cold filter water during the camping trek.
    • Camping/Tented accommodation during the trek.
    • 1 experienced, helpful and friendly guide, 1 cook and 1 helper, porters (1 porter  for 2 peoples), their food & accommodation, salary, equipments & insurance.
    • Trekking camping equipments (Tent, mattress, dining tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, kitchen utensils etc.)
    • All transportation by private vehicle.
    • Annapurna Conservation Area Permit.
    • All necessary permits.
    • First Aid Medical Kit box.
    • Tourist service charge,
    • Office Service charge
    • All Government Tax.
    What's Excluded
    • Any meals in Kathmandu other than breakfast.
    • Travel insurance (if you want us to arrange your travel insurance, we would  greatly be happy to assist).
    • International air fare to and from Nepal.
    • Nepal Tourist Visa fee.
    • Items and expenses of personal nature.
    • Any kind of alcoholic drinks, cold drinks, laundry, phone call, internet.
    • Personal Trekking Equipments like sleeping bags, jackets (can all be hired in KTM)
    • Emergency Evacuation (Helicopter Rescue).
    • Any costs which arise due to a change of the itinerary, because of landslides, political disturbance, and strikes etc.
    • Any other costs whatsoever, that is not mentioned in the cost included.
    • Horse renting and additional porters due to natural calamities during the trek.
    • Tips for guide, porters, driver...
    Contact Us on WhatsApp+977 9841340915 (Dhane)
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