Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek

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Accommodation Upgrade Option in Kathmandu and Pokhara

The Himalayan Adventure Treks have organized for you double rooms in an atmospheric three-star hotel in Kathmandu and Pokhara. However, if you want the treatment of exquisite luxury and privacy, then you can also choose to stay in single deluxe rooms or shift your accommodation to four or five-star hotels in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

With unparalleled comfort, you will also get a tranquil atmosphere, furnishings, staff service, and amenities that rival international tourist standards.

We urge you to inform us if you would like to upgrade your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara while registering for our Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek. You should also note that an additional charge will be applied based on the hotel you choose to stay at.

Upgrade your Transportation via Private Transfer or Flights

We have organized a fleet of local bus transport for your transportation between Kathmandu and Beni, as well as from Marpha to Pokhara and back to Kathmandu.

However, public transportation can often be time-consuming, long, and exhausting due to the rough, off-road mountain routes in Nepal. Therefore, you can also consider using a private jeep, bus, or van (either shared or private) according to your preference.

This choice will give you more freedom, comfort, and a shorter travel time compared to local bus transport. Additionally, you can also choose to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara with a quick thirty-minute flight.

Another alternative would be to stay for an extra night in Jomsom and then fly from Jomsom to Pokhara and to Kathmandu. Whichever traveling type and mode you like, we can make it happen provided you inform us in advance about your travel mode preferences.

Please understand that a minimal surcharge will apply based on your selected option.

Best Season for Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek

March, April of spring, and October, November of autumn are the best travel periods for the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek in Nepal. Please note that these are also the most expensive times for trekking in Nepal.

These intermediate travel times offer a greater chance of a clear view of the Dhaulagiri massif with a pleasant temperature and heavenly landscape.

March and April are particularly special as the rhododendrons bloom, and tourist crowds are relatively smaller. However, as April progresses, the temperature starts to rise gradually, and till May, the monsoon rain shower begins to wet the area, but they often lead to crystal-clear mountain views the following morning.

In September, October, and November, the lower trails of the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek remain dry, and the weather is stable. The routes to the French and Dhampus passes are generally free of snow, making traversing easier.

On the other hand, December, January, and February bring a new pile of snow in Dhaulagiri with the temperature gradually decreasing to minus 30 degrees Celsius.

Camping during these months can be quite harsh and nearly intolerable, thus turning the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek into an extreme adventure. Likewise, June, July, and August shower Dhaulagiri with heavy monsoon rain, turning the lower region’s roads into flooded rivers and causing landslides.

Difficulty Grade of the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek 17 Days Trip

The Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek 17 days trip, is a category III hard and strenuous mountain expedition in Nepal. This trek is often rated three out of five stars by the already engaged hikers for its difficulty level.

The altitude during the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek exceeds 5000 m most of the time, while the entire trail is long, extensive, tiring, and a bit technical.

Additionally, for nearly five long continuous days, nights of the trekkers will occur inside a basic tent at an altitude towering above 4000 m. The daily hiking time also remains quite long, often spanning 7 hours a day, covering a distance of 12 to 15 kilometers.

And not to forget, two high, massive mountain passes named the French and Dhampus Passes also stand en route. Their heights are often compared to some of the tallest mountains around the world.

Likewise, there will be a massive pile of snow present around the year at the base camps of this trek. The weather will also be quite unstable with the possibility of snowfall, particularly in the late afternoon.

Thus, our Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek, rotating around the seventh tallest Himalayan pyramid in the world is nothing but an extraordinary and quite hard journey suitable for experienced backpackers.

Is the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek Itinerary suitable for beginner hikers?

The Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek 17 days adventure, is an arduous, formidable, and very demanding trek that asks for excellent physical conditioning, along with an acquaintance with the high altitudes of the mountains.

The obstacles that new hikers encounter on the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek include high altitudes, remote environments, glacier crossings, and high passes, higher physical exertion, camping needs in harsher cold climates, and demanding sections, especially in the stretch between the Italian Base Camp and Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Therefore, this trek is exclusively meant for seasoned travelers who have already engaged in some high-elevation trekking journeys. It is also an ideal journey for those who want a thrilling, adrenaline-rushing, raw mountain adventure.

If you are new hikers and travelers, we strongly advise you to first navigate the terrain of easier and moderate trails such as Annapurna, Ghorepani, Everest Base Camp, etc.

How high is the concern of Altitude Sickness in the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek?

The high altitude mountain expedition of the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek has a higher concern of altitude sickness. The common name for this altitude-related physical condition is Acute Mountain Sickness, aka AMS, which results from the inadequate amount of oxygen in the air that generally happens once you cross the 3000 m elevation.

In our Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek itinerary, several relentless days will be spent above 3500 m, which thus provokes AMS that manifests as headaches, malaise, dizziness, nausea, reduced appetite, insomnia, and decline in physical activity.

These are regarded as the early signs of the AMS, which persist only for a few hours to three days. However, they may reappear if appropriate remedies are not taken and trekkers keep on proceeding to higher elevations.

Therefore,  it is important for the trekkers to stop their ascent and remain where they are, emphasizing hydration, rest, and sleep. As for therapeutic measures, you can opt for the symptomatic treatment by taking Ibuprofen or Aspirin for headaches and promethazine for nausea and vomiting.

Diamox will also help you prevent the onset of AMS and aid in your timely adaptation to the heights of the Dhaulagiri region.

From our side, our Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek has given importance to gradual progression throughout the journey. Each day trek will conclude early in the afternoon, thus giving you ample time to rest and acclimate.

Himalayan Adventure Treks’ accompanying guides are also well trained in managing the AMS, who will keep on monitoring and evaluating your physical and mental condition throughout the trip.

What are the training required for the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek?

Since the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek is demanding in nature, so you can not neglect the training part even if you are a seasoned backpacker. If you desire your Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek to be an adventurous but easy feat, then we recommend that you prepare yourself physically minimum 4 months before the trip departure date.

Engage in the physical activities that you love that can be simple yet very effective. Some of the activities that we suggest include running, stair climbing, biking, and hiking excursions.

Begin with short-distance running, gradually increasing both the distance and the type of terrain. You can first practice on the flat surface, which you can then change to more challenging inclines.

Stair climbing will also assist you in adapting to the frequent ascents and descents that you will encounter throughout the journey. Additionally, you can also integrate weight lifting, rock climbing, stretching, planks, pull-ups, push-ups, and Pilates into your routine.

If you love sports, practice football, tennis, or basketball, any one you like, which will also help in increasing fitness, heart and muscle strength, and stamina.

In Nepal, you should first walk the easy to moderate trails of the Annapurna, Ghorepani Poon Hill, or Everest Base Camp.

Extension Options of the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek

Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek is undeniably a tiring journey, yet it is also a motivating one, which may urge you to take on other treks in Nepal that can be extended with the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek itinerary. Such treks include:

Annapurna Circuit Trek

You can either walk the trail of the Annapurna Circuit trek in the initial leg of the journey from Dharapani and then move on to the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek.

Or, from Marpha, you can move on towards the Annapurna circuit trail, which will again present yet another challenge of overcoming the Thorong La Pass, known in the world for being the tallest trekking peak.

Upper Mustang Trek

The Upper Mustang trek is another option for you to go after the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek. From Marpha and Jomsom, you can simply continue towards Upper Mustang, but an additional permit will be necessary.

Upper Dolpo Trek

Upper Dolpo trek is yet another very promising raw nature trekking trek like Dhaulagiri. Walking its route at first, you will reach up to Hidden Valley from where, in an anticlockwise direction, you can then proceed towards Dhaulagiri Base Camp.

Ascent Dhampus/Thapa Peak (6012 m)

Dhampus Peak lies after the enormous height of the Dhampus Pass that you will navigate over on your way from Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka on the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek itinerary.

From the Dhampus Pass, you can reach up to the High Camp of this peak and then, using the basic climbing gear, ascend the summit. After the summit, your return route will be the same as the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek itinerary.

Sleeping, Meals, and Travel Arrangements

When you are staying in Kathmandu and Pokhara during our Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek 17 days expedition, you will be sleeping in very atmospheric three-star hotels in double rooms.

During the trek, you will overnight in simple teahouses up to the village of Sallaghari. From the Italian Base Camp up to Hidden Valley, you will overnight in the two-person camps supplied by the Himalayan Adventure Treks.

The separate durable tents will be set up by our crew for sleeping, cooking, dining, and latrine.

As for your meals, the cost of our Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek 17 days trip covers all meal costs during the trek, while meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara will be excluded except for breakfast.

Dining in Kathmandu and Pokhara is inexpensive, with numerous appealing options available near your hotel. During the trek, you will dine at the tea houses, and when camping, our crew will prepare meals three times a day.

Regarding your travel arrangements, Himalayan Adventure Treks will offer you our own exclusive vehicle for all your transfers between the airport and hotel.

For all the ground transfers during the journey, a local bus will be utilized for an added thrill and original touch. Please also explore our transportation upgrade options.

Cellular Service and WiFi/Internet During Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek Itinerary

Please understand that the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek is not about the usual tourist comforts that you will often get in the Annapurna or Everest treks. This trek is about raw adventure in the midst of the wild, untamed mountains and nature.

Therefore, the usual cellular service may be absent on the trek, but there will be a good signal of NTC or NCELL up to the Boghara Village. For the safety messages and urgent communication, our crew will have satellite phones, which you can use at some tiny extra sum.

As for WiFi, some tea houses in the Dhaulagiri villages may serve you with their WiFi connection, but be prepared to pay the high cost and inconsistent service due to the remoteness of the location.

At the campsites, solar power will be supplied, but it is recommended to equip yourself with a solar charger, spare batteries, and a power bank.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a mandatory necessity for participation in our Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek. Without your proper travel insurance policy papers, the compulsory permits for the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek will be denied by the responsible authorities.

This compulsion is in place because the Dhaulagiri region is not only remote but also wild and untamed. The trail of the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek is strenuous, the stages are also long, and most days of the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek itinerary will occur at high altitudes.

Therefore, this adventure, along with the excitement and adrenaline, also comes with the concern of certain unpredictability, such as AMS, injuries, slips, accidents, or weather changes.

All these circumstances can sometimes necessitate the rescue management by helicopter, which, without travel insurance support, can be highly pricey.

Thus, for the Dhaulagiri Base Camp trek, we request you to integrate the mountain hiking coverage with helicopter rescue up to the elevation of 5500 m. Incorporating additional protection with the coverage for flights and trip postponements, expanded stays, theft, or damage to the gear and personal belongings will also be wise.

Permits for the Dhaulagiri Base Camp Trek

Because the Dhaulagiri Conservation Area is not formally acknowledged, a permit for this area will not be needed, but of course, we will be needing the entry ticket for the Annapurna Conservation Area and the Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS).

Our guide will be getting these official permits from the tourism department in either Kathmandu or Pokhara, paying 3000 NPR per person for Annapurna and 2000 NPR per person for the TIMS.