Strenuous

Dhaulagiri Hidden Valley Trek

Duration: 17 Days
Difficulty: Strenuous
Max altitude: 5,360 m
Starting from: USD 1,780

Every angle of the route

Photo gallery

At a glance

Overview

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Camping Trek is one of Nepal's wildest, most remote, and physically demanding alpine expeditions. Circling the massive Dhaulagiri massif (8,167 m)—the seventh highest mountain in the world—this true wilderness camping adventure takes you across rugged glaciers, pristine high-altitude valleys, and formidable high mountain passes including French Pass (5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass (5,240 m), offering raw Himalayan grandeur far off the standard tourist trails.

Trip highlights

+Conquer formidable high-altitude alpine passes including French Pass (5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass (5,240 m)
+Traverse raw glaciered terrain and camp directly beneath the towering walls of Dhaulagiri and surrounding peaks
+Explore the surreal, wind-swept expanses of Hidden Valley and remote trans-Himalayan landscapes
+Experience authentic fully supported wilderness camping adventure led by professional mountain crews
+Descend through dramatic shifts in terrain from deep sub-tropical gorges down into the charming Marpha apple valley

Know before you choose

Why this journey stands out

The defining experiences, trail character and route rhythm that make Dhaulagiri Hidden Valley Trek distinctive.

Signature experience

Conquer formidable high-altitude alpine passes including French Pass (5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass (5,240 m)

Traverse raw glaciered terrain and camp directly beneath the towering walls of Dhaulagiri and surrounding peaks · Explore the surreal, wind-swept expanses of Hidden Valley and remote trans-Himalayan landscapes

Trail character

Strenuous · 5,360 m

A 17 days journey with a strenuous trail profile, paced around the route's key elevations and experiences.

Sense of place

Dhaulagiri, Nepal

Travel through the landscapes and communities that define Dhaulagiri, supported by locally led interpretation throughout the journey.

Best suited to

Travelers ready for a strenuous adventure

Ideal for guests who value conquer formidable high-altitude alpine passes including french pass (5,360 m) and dhampus pass (5,240 m) and traverse raw glaciered terrain and camp directly beneath the towering walls of dhaulagiri and surrounding peaks and can commit 17 days to the experience.

Route rhythm

Your journey at a glance

17 planned stages

01 · The openingArrival in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu, meet your Shailung Trails team, review permits and gear, and rest before the trekking route begins the next day.
02 · The heartAcclimatization at Italian Base Camp
Use this slower day for acclimatization, local exploration, and recovery before continuing higher or farther along the route.
03 · The finaleDrive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Return from Pokhara to Kathmandu by road, closing the trekking program with time for onward travel arrangements.

Day by day

Your itinerary

01Arrival in Kathmandu

Arrive in Kathmandu, meet your Shailung Trails team, review permits and gear, and rest before the trekking route begins the next day.

Hotel in Kathmandu

02Drive from Kathmandu to Beni

Leave Kathmandu by road and follow the Prithvi Highway toward the Kali Gandaki corridor, reaching Beni for the first overnight stop near the Dhaulagiri approach.

Lodge in Benibreakfast, lunch, dinner

03Drive to Darbang and Trek to Dharapani

Drive to the roadhead, then begin walking on the Dhaulagiri Circuit Camping Trek route toward the day's overnight stop.

Tent Camp in Dharapanibreakfast, lunch, dinner

04Dharapani to Muri