Self-Launched Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek
20 days · Dhaulagiri Circuit, Nepal
Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. charges £2,950
No-markup version: ~£740 per person
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
A self-launched, independent version of the classic 20-day Dhaulagiri Circuit trek in Nepal — one of the wildest and least-travelled high routes in the Himalaya, crossing the French Pass (5,360m) and Dhampus Pass (5,240m) with nights at Italian Base Camp, Dhaulagiri Base Camp and Hidden Valley. Instead of a fully guided group tour, you organise it yourself: TIMS and ACAP permits direct from the Nepal Tourism Board and ACAP office, a local bus to Beni, teahouse and camping logistics on the trail, and a scenic Jomsom–Pokhara flight out. We recommend hiring a licensed local guide and porter in Kathmandu or Pokhara for the glacier/moraine sections (non-negotiable for safety on this route) — but booking them directly costs a fraction of the packaged tour price. Figures are approximate and based on late-2025/2026 budget-traveller rates.
Day-by-day
Arrive in Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Land at Tribhuvan International Airport, get your visa on arrival (approx. £25-30 for 15 days / £40-50 for 30 days depending on nationality), pick up a Nepali SIM (Ncell or NTC, ~£2-3 for data), and take a taxi or the airport bus into Thamel (~£2-3 taxi). Use the afternoon to sort trek admin: confirm your guide/porter booking, buy or rent gear (down jacket, sleeping bag rated -20°C, crampons, gaiters), and stock up on snacks. Note that the Dhaulagiri Circuit requires camping gear for the upper sections.
🚌Airport taxi ~£2-3
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel (£8-15/night)
- →Visa on arrival
- →Nepali SIM card
- →Gear rental in Thamel
- →Guide/porter arrangement
Permits and Kathmandu Valley sightseeing
Kathmandu
Morning at the Nepal Tourism Board office (Bhrikutimandap) to collect your TIMS card (~£8) and ACAP permit (~£22) — bring passport photos and cash. Then self-guided tour of the Valley's highlights: Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple, ~£2 entry), Kathmandu Durbar Square (~£8), Pashupatinath (~£8) and Boudhanath (~£3). An organised half-day Valley tour via GetYourGuide runs ~£25-35 if you'd rather have a guide. Evening wander and dinner in Thamel.
🚌Walking and local taxis ~£5
🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel (£8-15/night)
- →TIMS + ACAP permits
- →Swayambhunath Temple
- →Kathmandu Durbar Square
- →Pashupatinath Temple
- →Boudhanath Stupa
Kathmandu to Beni to Babiachor
Babiachor
Early public bus from Kathmandu's Gongabu (New Bus Park) to Beni (Dhaulagiri zone) — around 8-9 hours, ~£6-9. Alternatively take a shared jeep from Pokhara to Beni (~£4). From Beni, a shared jeep or local bus continues to Babiachor/Darbang (~£3-5, 1.5 hrs). Overnight in a basic teahouse, meet your guide/porter if they've travelled ahead, and do a final pack check.
🚌Public bus ~£6-9 + shared jeep ~£3-5
🛏Basic teahouse (£5-8/night)
- →Public bus to Beni
- →Shared jeep to Babiachor
- →Teahouse briefing
Babiachor to Dharapani
Dharapani
First trekking day: walk through Shahashradhara village, cross the Myagdi Khola river on a suspension bridge, and pass terraced fields near Ratorunga village. About 5-6 hours at a relaxed pace. Teahouse accommodation and dal bhat at Dharapani.
🚌On foot ~5-6 hrs
🛏Teahouse (£5-8/night, or included in meal plan)
- →Trek through Shahashradhara village
- →Cross Myagdi Khola
- →Terraced fields near Ratorunga
Dharapani to Muri
Muri
Trek through Sibang and Mattie villages up to Phalai Gaon and on to Muri (approx. 1,700m). Roughly 5-6 hours with steady climbing. Muri is one of the last proper villages with shops and a small health post — resupply on snacks here.
🚌On foot ~5-6 hrs
🛏Teahouse (£5-8/night)
- →Sibang village
- →Mattie village
- →Phalai Gaon
Muri to Boghara
Boghara
Climb to a ridge for the first proper views of Dhaulagiri, then traverse to Juge Pani and follow a cliff-edge trail to Boghara village (~2,000m). Around 6-7 hours. Camping or basic teahouse here.
🚌On foot ~6-7 hrs
🛏Basic teahouse or camp (£5-8/night)
- →Ridge viewpoint
- →Juge Pani
- →Cliff-edge trail
Boghara to Dobang
Dobang
Gentle day through cultivated farmland, then into dense rhododendron and bamboo forest past Lipshe village to Dobang (~2,500m). 5-6 hours. This is the last village with regular supplies — from here it's camping country.
🚌On foot ~5-6 hrs
🛏Camp or basic lodge (£5-8/night)
- →Cultivated farmland
- →Lipshe Village
- →Forest trekking
Dobang to Choriban Khola
Choriban Khola
Cross the wooden bridge below Dobang and head through forest, crossing the Myagdi Khola again via a wooden bridge, up to Chartare village with views toward Dhaulagiri I. Overnight camp near Choriban Khola (~3,000m). 5-6 hours.
🚌On foot ~5-6 hrs
🛏Camp (tent + cook team)
- →Forest trek
- →Myagdi Khola bridge crossing
- →Chartare Village
Choriban Khola to Italian Base Camp
Italian Base Camp
A tougher day: cross the Chhonbardan Glacier moraine and step onto the glacier itself, with Tukuche Peak and Dhaulagiri II, III and V ahead. Italian Base Camp sits at ~3,660m. 5-6 hours, but slower going on the moraine. This section is where a local guide is genuinely worth it.
🚌On foot ~5-6 hrs
🛏Camp at Italian Base Camp
- →Chhonbardan Glacier moraine
- →Glacier walk
- →Tukuche Peak views
- →Dhaulagiri II/III/V views
Acclimatisation day — Italian Base Camp
Italian Base Camp
Rest and acclimatise at ~3,660m. Short acclimatisation walks to nearby viewpoints, hydrate heavily, and check gear for the glacier crossing ahead. Optional short hike to spot Dhaulagiri's north face.
🚌Short walks only
🛏Camp at Italian Base Camp
- →Acclimatisation walk
- →Gear check
- →Rest day
Italian Base Camp to Glacier Camp
Near Glacier
Trek through a narrow, dramatic gorge up onto the glacier to camp near the glacier at ~4,200m. Short in distance but demanding in effort — 4-5 hours. Crampons often needed from here onward.
🚌On foot ~4-5 hrs
🛏Camp near Glacier
- →Narrow gorge trek
- →Glacier approach
Glacier Camp to Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Push to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (~4,750m) on the glacier, weaving between crevasses with the full north face of Dhaulagiri I towering overhead. 3-4 hours. Camp on the moraine.
🚌On foot ~3-4 hrs
🛏Camp at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
- →Glacier trekking
- →Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Acclimatisation day — Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Dhaulagiri Base Camp
Second rest/acclimatisation day at ~4,750m before the two high passes. Short walks only, big meals and lots of water. Sleep quality at this altitude is poor — plan for it and stay patient.
🚌Short walks only
🛏Camp at Dhaulagiri Base Camp
- →Acclimatisation walk
- →Rest day
Base Camp to French Pass to Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley
The big day: cross the moraine, climb to French Pass (5,360m) for views over Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas, then descend to Hidden Valley (~5,100m) for camp. 6-7 hours. Start early, watch for wind, and mind altitude symptoms.
🚌On foot ~6-7 hrs
🛏Camp in Hidden Valley
- →Moraine crossing
- →French Pass (5,360m)
- →Hidden Valley
Hidden Valley to Dhampus Pass to Yak Kharka
Yak Kharka
Descend from Hidden Valley, climb to Dhampus Pass (5,240m) and then a long descent to Yak Kharka (~4,300m) on the Annapurna side. 6-7 hours. The Kali Gandaki valley and Nilgiri start to open up ahead.
🚌On foot ~6-7 hrs
🛏Camp or basic lodge at Yak Kharka
- →Dhampus Pass (5,240m)
- →Descent to Yak Kharka
Yak Kharka to Marpha to Jomsom
Jomsom
Descend down the Kali Gandaki — the world's deepest gorge — to Marpha, the apple brandy capital of Nepal. Sample apple brandy and cider at the local distillery (~£1-2), wander the whitewashed village, then continue on to Jomsom for a comfortable night in a guesthouse.
🚌On foot ~5-6 hrs
🛏Jomsom guesthouse (£8-15/night)
- →Trek to Marpha
- →Apple brandy and cider tasting
- →Kali Gandaki valley
Fly Jomsom to Pokhara
Pokhara
Morning scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara (~£20-25 for the standard airfare, book direct with the airline or a Pokhara agent the day before; the flight is often suspended in windy months — if cancelled, use the shared jeep down (~£8-10, 8-10 hrs)). Afternoon on Phewa Lake, lakeside cafés and shopping in Lakeside.
🚌Flight ~£20-25 (or shared jeep ~£8-10)
🛏Lakeside guesthouse in Pokhara (£8-15/night)
- →Scenic flight
- →Phewa Lake
- →Lakeside shopping
Pokhara to Kathmandu
Kathmandu
Tourist bus from Pokhara to Kathmandu (7-8 hrs, ~£7-10) or a cheap domestic flight (~£50-70). Evening back in Thamel — celebrate, laundry and rest.
🚌Tourist bus ~£7-10
🛏Thamel guesthouse (£8-15/night)
- →Scenic highway bus
- →Thamel evening
Kathmandu rest and shopping
Kathmandu
Recovery day: massage, explore anything you missed on day 2 (Patan Durbar Square is worth the ~£8 ticket and is 20 mins by local bus or taxi), pick up souvenirs in Thamel or the Tibetan carpet shops. Optional day hike or a Kathmandu food tour (~£20) if you've still got energy.
🚌Local taxis/buses ~£4
🛏Thamel guesthouse (£8-15/night)
- →Optional Patan Durbar Square
- →Thamel shopping
- →Rest and massage
Departure
Kathmandu
Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight home. Allow 3 hours before an international departure.
🚌Taxi to airport ~£2-3
- →Airport transfer
Self-launched vs. Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.
| This itinerary (self-launched) | Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. | |
|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ~£740 | £2,950 |
| Duration | 20 days | 20 days |
| Who books it | You and your group, direct | Tour operator, guided group |
| Savings | £2,210 per person (75%) | |
Estimate only, not a guaranteed price. Always verify costs independently before booking.
Want to see more Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.-style trips? Check them out here.~£740
estimated per person
You never pay Travel Crew for this — you pay hostels, transport, and activity providers directly, the same as if you'd booked it all yourself.
This publishes your dates so other travellers can find and join you — no tour operator needed.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Self-Launched Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek cost?+
Doing it yourself with this self-launched itinerary costs an estimated £740 per person for 20 days in Dhaulagiri Circuit, Nepal. This is an AI-generated estimate based on typical budget-traveller prices — actual costs will vary by season and how you book.
Is this cheaper than booking with Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd.?+
Yes — Sherpa Expedition & Trekking Pvt. Ltd. charges around £2,950 per person for a similar tour. Doing the same route independently, using the same standard of accommodation and activities, costs an estimated £740 — a saving of roughly £2,210 (75%) per person.
How long is the Dhaulagiri Circuit, Nepal trip?+
This itinerary runs 20 days, covering 20 day-by-day stops through Dhaulagiri Circuit, Nepal.
How do I join this trip?+
You can join an existing open departure using this itinerary if one is scheduled, or launch your own departure with your own dates and invite other travellers to join you — no tour operator required.
Isn't it easier to just use a tour operator?+
Well, yes, a tour operator will book all the individual parts of your travel for you and provide a guide. That's obvious, but doing this has the potential to save the group thousands, which can in turn improve your itinerary substantially or save you huge amounts of money. Also, when you launch a departure, Travel Crew has tools in place to help you book the individual sections of the trip or make it easier for you to do this as a group. Really, you do not need a middle man. If you are more comfortable paying more and using a middle man, then you should certainly do this.
Is it safer to book through a tour operator?+
Arguably, there isn't much difference. A self-launched trip runs on the same principle as a group travel crew: collective responsibility, everyone looking out for each other, the same way it would if a group of friends organised the trip themselves — because that's exactly what's happening. You should always take out travel insurance before you go, self-launched or not; that doesn't change either way. Every open departure is published publicly with real dates and a real trip organiser, so it's never an anonymous arrangement, and our support team is reachable any time you need help, including in an emergency while you're away. Longer-term, we're building direct relationships with ground DMCs in popular destinations, offered as an optional paid add-on for extra on-the-ground support. Ultimately, though, the group is responsible for its own conduct and safety on a self-launched trip, same as on any trip you plan yourself.
What kind of trip is this?+
This is a adventure, hiking, backpacker trip through Dhaulagiri Circuit, Nepal, self-launched rather than run by a tour operator — you organise it with a group you find or bring yourself.
Would you like to name the operator, name the trip, or have any suggestions about how to improve this itinerary?
Drop your comment below — if you've done a similar route, tell us what worked, what you'd add, or what you'd skip.
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