A teahouse journey around the Annapurna massif, from the green Marsyangdi valley through Manang and over the Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath and the dry Kali Gandaki valley.
- Days
- 11 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,416 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Mustang & Trans-Himalaya, Mustang
Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
A remote camping trek from the Myagdi valley to Dhaulagiri Base Camp, over French Pass (about 5,360 m) into Hidden Valley and over Dhampus Pass to Marpha in Mustang.
- Days
- 14-21
- Max altitude
- 5,360 m
- Distance
- about 100 km
- Difficulty
- Challenging
- Best months
- Apr-May, Oct-Nov
- Start / end
- Darbang, Myagdi (by road from Pokhara via Beni) / Marpha and Jomsom (flight or road to Pokhara)
- Sleep in
- Teahouses, Camping
- Permits
- 3 required
Overview
The Dhaulagiri Circuit climbs the Myagdi Khola valley west of the Kali Gandaki to the foot of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), crosses the Chhonbardan glacier to Dhaulagiri Base Camp and then goes over French Pass into Hidden Valley, a high, uninhabited basin between the Dhaulagiri and Mustang ranges. Dhampus Pass leads out of Hidden Valley and down to Marpha in Lower Mustang.
The lower days stay in villages with simple lodges, but from Italian Base Camp onwards there is no permanent settlement: groups camp on glacier and moraine for five or six nights, with tents, a cook and porters. It is a serious trek, suited to people with previous high-altitude experience.
The route ends at Marpha and Jomsom, so it is grouped here with Mustang; most of the approach lies in Myagdi district.
Dhaulagiri Base Camp below the north face of DhaulagiriCrossing French Pass into Hidden ValleyThe Chhonbardan glacier gorgeDescent over Dhampus Pass to MarphaQuiet Magar villages of the Myagdi valley
Why it is rated challenging
- Two passes above 5,200 m (French Pass and Dhampus Pass) and nights at about 4,700-5,050 m.
- Glacier and moraine walking on the Chhonbardan glacier, with rockfall risk near the base camps.
- Five or six nights of camping with no lodges and limited rescue options.
- Long days of 6-9 hours at altitude.
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Darbang | 1,100 m | - |
| 2 | Muri | 1,850 m | - |
| 3 | Boghara | 2,080 m | - |
| 4 | Dobang | 2,520 m | - |
| 5 | Sallaghari (Choriban Khola) | 3,110 m | - |
| 6 | Italian Base Camp | 3,660 m | - |
| 7 | Italian Base Camp (rest) | 3,660 m | - |
| 8 | Japanese Camp (Glacier Camp) | 4,210 m | - |
| 9 | Dhaulagiri Base Camp | 4,740 m | - |
| 10 | Dhaulagiri Base Camp (rest) | 4,740 m | - |
| 11 | Hidden Valley | 5,050 m | 5,360 m |
| 12 | Yak Kharka (Alubari) | 3,680 m | 5,240 m |
| 13 | Marpha | 2,670 m | - |
| 14 | Pokhara | 822 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1, travel dayDrive Pokhara to Darbangsleep 1,100 m
About 6-8 hours by road via Beni and up the Myagdi Khola. Jeeps may now go further up the valley; check current road heads.
Lodge in Darbang
Day 2Darbang to Murisleep 1,850 m6-7 habout 14 km
Up the Myagdi valley through terraced farmland and villages to Muri, a large Magar village with views of Dhaulagiri's southern peaks.
Lodge in Muri
Day 3Muri to Bogharasleep 2,080 m6-7 habout 13 km
Down to the Myagdi Khola and along steep valley sides with narrow trails and landslide sections to the small village of Boghara.
Lodge in Boghara
Day 4Boghara to Dobangsleep 2,520 m5-6 habout 10 km
Through forest of bamboo, rhododendron and fir, past the last seasonal settlements in the valley.
Lodge or camp at Dobang
Day 5Dobang to Sallagharisleep 3,110 m5-6 habout 10 km
Cross the Myagdi Khola and climb through pine and fir forest to a clearing in the trees.
Camp at Sallaghari
Day 6Sallaghari to Italian Base Campsleep 3,660 m4-5 habout 8 km
Above the tree line to a grassy camp under the west face of Dhaulagiri. From here on, camping is the only option.
Camp at Italian Base Camp
Day 7, acclimatisationAcclimatisation day at Italian Base Campsleep 3,660 m2-3 h
Rest and make a short climb above camp. Prepare for the glacier section, where crampons and a rope may be needed depending on conditions.
Camp at Italian Base Camp
Day 8Italian Base Camp to Japanese Campsleep 4,210 m5-6 habout 6 km
Descend to the Chhonbardan glacier and walk up the narrow, rock-strewn gorge. Move quickly through rockfall zones and start early.
Camp at Japanese Camp
Day 9Japanese Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Campsleep 4,740 m5-6 habout 7 km
Up the glacier to base camp below the north face of Dhaulagiri, with icefall and avalanches often audible.
Camp at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Day 10, acclimatisationAcclimatisation day at Dhaulagiri Base Campsleep 4,740 m2-3 h
Rest before the pass. Climb a little above camp for views of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak and return to sleep.
Camp at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Day 11Over French Pass to Hidden Valleysleep 5,050 m7-9 habout 12 km
A long climb to French Pass with views of Dhaulagiri and the Mukut Himal, then a gentle descent into the wide basin of Hidden Valley.
Camp in Hidden Valleyhigh point French Pass, 5,360 m
Day 12Over Dhampus Pass to Yak Kharkasleep 3,680 m6-8 habout 12 km
Cross Dhampus Pass (about 5,240 m) and descend a long, steep slope that can be icy and is prone to avalanches after snowfall.
Camp at Yak Kharkahigh point Dhampus Pass, 5,240 m
Day 13Yak Kharka to Marphasleep 2,670 m3-4 habout 7 km
A steep descent of about 1,000 m with views over the Kali Gandaki to Nilgiri, ending in Marpha's apple orchards.
Teahouse in MarphaAbout Marpha
Day 14, travel dayMarpha to Jomsom, then Pokharasleep 822 m1-2 habout 6 km
Walk or drive to Jomsom for a morning flight, or take a bus or jeep down the Kali Gandaki road.
Hotel in PokharaAbout Pokhara
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Approximate route drawn through the overnight stops.
Permits
ACAP entry permit (Annapurna Conservation Area)Conservation area
Required for the Mustang side of the route (French Pass, Hidden Valley, Dhampus Pass and Marpha); some sources say it covers the whole circuit. Issued in Kathmandu or Pokhara or through your agency.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Check whether a TIMS card is currently required; since 2023 it has been issued through registered trekking agencies.
Local fees in MyagdiLocal
Some rural municipalities in the Myagdi valley have charged local fees; ask your agency what currently applies.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against National Trust for Nature Conservation (ACAP). Guide rule: The National: Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (March 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Apr-May, Oct-Nov
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and early November are the most reliable months; snow can come early on the passes.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is not practical: deep snow on the passes and in Hidden Valley.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- April and May are the second season; snow often remains on the glacier and passes into April.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to mid-September is wet and leech-prone in the Myagdi valley, with landslides and poor visibility; not recommended.
Getting there and back
Getting to Marpha, by mode
Nearest hub: Jomsom. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By airfrom Pokharaabout 0.3-0.6 hJomsomoften delayed or cancelled by weather
Fly Pokhara to Jomsom in about 20 minutes, then continue 6-7 km down-valley to Marpha. The strip is windy and below visual-approach minimums roughly 15 per cent of the year, so delays are common.
When to set off: Flights are scheduled in the early morning, when wind speeds in the gorge are lowest; keep a spare day in the plan.
By busfrom Pokharaabout 8-12 hLocal buses
Local buses and shared jeeps work the Pokhara-Beni-Jomsom road, usually with a change of vehicle at Beni. Services are slower and less certain in the monsoon, when the gorge road is prone to blockages.
When to set off: Buses up the valley start early in the morning; an overnight stop at Beni or Tatopani is common.
By car or jeepfrom Pokharaabout 6-9 h
Sealed as far as Beni, then a narrow mountain road up the Kali Gandaki gorge through Tatopani and Ghasa. The gorge section is prone to landslide and flood blockages in the monsoon and is generally straightforward from about October to May.
Road: Sealed highway to Beni, then a rough and narrow gorge road; a jeep or other high-clearance vehicle is normal above Beni.
When to set off: Leave Pokhara by about 06:00-07:00 to reach Marpha in one day.
By motorbikefrom Pokharaabout 7-11 hExperienced riders only
A well-known ride, but the gorge section above Beni is loose, dusty and exposed, with stream crossings, and the Kali Gandaki valley is known for gusty winds that build after midday.
Road: Rough, dusty and exposed above Beni, with stream crossings and strong afternoon headwinds up the valley.
When to set off: Ride the gorge in the morning; the up-valley wind strengthens through the afternoon.
On footfrom Jomsomabout 1-2 hAbout 6-7 km and 1-2 hours on the Kali Gandaki road or river-bank trail, almost flat.
An easy down-valley stage from Jomsom that most Annapurna Circuit walkers do on foot.
Where people go next
- Jomsomon foot, about 1-2 hBack up-valley to the airstrip and the district headquarters.
- Tatopani (Myagdi)by car or jeep, about 4-6 hDown the gorge road through Ghasa to the hot springs at Tatopani.
- Kagbeniby car or jeep, about 1-2 hThrough Jomsom and north along the riverbed.
Seasonal risks
Typical seasonal exposure along the route, merged from the stops that have a place page. Seasonal patterns only, never conditions today.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Mustang is a rain-shadow district, but its lifeline road from Beni through the Kali Gandaki gorge is prone to landslides and flooding from June to September.
Recorded for Mustang, Marpha. Jomsom, Wikivoyage
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Expect monsoon delays and vehicle changes on the Pokhara-Jomsom road rather than a dependable through service; the dry season from about October to May is far more reliable.
Recorded for Mustang. Jomsom, Wikivoyage
Otherhigh in a typical yearAll year
Jomsom's airstrip is windy and below visual-approach minimums roughly 15 per cent of the year, and flights are scheduled early in the morning before the southerly wind builds.
Recorded for Mustang, Marpha. Jomsom Airport, Wikipedia
Coldhigh in a typical yearDec-Feb
Winter in the upper district falls to around -25 C or lower and many residents move south, so December to February is cold and thinly served.
Recorded for Mustang, Marpha. Upper Mustang, Wikipedia
Altitudemoderate in a typical yearAll year
Most Mustang villages lie between about 2,500 m and 3,900 m, and the Thorong La reaches 5,416 m. Altitude sickness becomes common above roughly 2,500 m. General information, not medical advice: gain height slowly (a common guideline is no more than about 300 m a day in sleeping altitude once high), learn the symptoms, descend if they get worse, see a doctor before travelling, and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation.
Recorded for Mustang. Altitude sickness, Wikipedia
Snowmoderate in a typical yearNov-Apr
Snow lies on the high passes and ridge crossings of the district from late autumn into spring, including the Thorong La and the Upper Mustang passes.
Recorded for Mustang. Upper Mustang, Wikipedia
Check current conditions before you travel
Nothing here describes the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek today. Trail, road, pass and flight conditions change with the weather and with roadworks. Check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal and the local authority or your licensed operator before and during the trek.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Darbang, 1,100 m), highest overnight (Hidden Valley, 5,050 m), end (Pokhara, 822 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Darbang (start)
Forecast for 1,100 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Hidden Valley (highest overnight)
Forecast for 5,050 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Pokhara (end)
Forecast for 822 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
Above about 3,000 m, a widely used guideline is to increase your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a day and to take an extra night at the same altitude every 3 to 4 days (CDC Yellow Book; Wilderness Medical Society). This is general information, not medical advice.
Know the signs of acute mountain sickness: headache with nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dizziness or poor sleep. Do not go higher with symptoms, and go down if they get worse. Confusion, stumbling, or breathlessness at rest are emergencies: descend at once and get help.
Rockfall is a real hazard in the Chhonbardan gorge between Italian Base Camp and Japanese Camp; start early, move quickly and do not rest under loose slopes.
French Pass and Dhampus Pass can be snowbound; the descent from Dhampus Pass can be icy and avalanche-prone after snowfall. Turn back or wait if conditions are poor.
There are no lodges or villages for about six days and no mobile signal on the upper route; your team should carry a satellite communicator, first aid and equipment for glacier travel.
Buy travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking and helicopter evacuation up to at least 5,500 m, and see a doctor before you travel about altitude and any medicines.
What to pack
- Four-season sleeping bag rated to about minus 20 degrees C
- Crampons or microspikes and gaiters, as advised by your agency
- Broken-in waterproof boots
- Down jacket, insulated gloves and hat
- Glacier glasses and high-factor sun cream
- Trekking poles
- Headlamp with spare batteries
- Water purification tablets or a filter
Side trips and alternatives
From Jomsom, add two to three days to visit Kagbeni and the Muktinath temple.
Spend an extra day in Marpha and walk to Thini village and Dhumba Lake near Jomsom.
Dhaulagiri Circuit questions
How difficult is the Dhaulagiri Circuit?
It is a challenging camping trek with two passes above 5,200 m, glacier walking and several nights above 4,700 m. Previous high-altitude trekking experience is strongly advised.
How high is French Pass?
About 5,360-5,370 m. Dhampus Pass, crossed the next day, is about 5,240-5,280 m.
Are there teahouses on the Dhaulagiri Circuit?
Only in the lower Myagdi valley. From Italian Base Camp to Yak Kharka above Marpha you camp.
When is the best time for the Dhaulagiri Circuit?
October to early November and April to May. Winter snow and the monsoon make it impractical at other times.
What permits are needed?
An ACAP permit for the Mustang side, and check whether a TIMS card and any local Myagdi fees currently apply.
Similar treks
A short trek in Lower Mustang from Jomsom via Kagbeni to the Muktinath temple (about 3,760 m) and back through Marpha, with flights from and to Pokhara.
- Days
- 5 days
- Maximum altitude
- 3,762 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
A restricted-area trek north from Kagbeni through the eroded canyons of the former Kingdom of Lo to the walled town of Lo Manthang, returning via Lo Gekar and Dhakmar.
- Days
- 12 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,325 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Dhaulagiri Circuit trek guide (The Longest Way Home), Wikipedia: Dhaulagiri, National Trust for Nature Conservation (ACAP), OpenStreetMap (village and camp coordinates), CDC Yellow Book: High-Elevation Travel and Altitude Illness
Dhaulagiri Circuit · 14 days