Cross the remote French Col & Hidden Valley. Technical French 5360m. Spectacular views from the Dhampus Pass. This challenging trek around the Dhaulagiri massif (26,788 ft), the sixth highest mountain in the world, involves snow trekking and glacier walking and therefore requires previous mountaineering experience. The Swiss first climbed Dhaulagiri, the white mountain, in 1960. This is the perfect trip for those who want a more intense experience of the mountains.
You will be trekking deep in to the Dhaulagiri Himal to the Italian and Dhaulagiri North Base Camps, offering you a wonderful view of the gigantic north face of Dhaulagiri I. You will cross two high passes, the French pass (17,581 ft ) and Thapa Pass (17,000 ft) providing more spectacular views of Dhaulagiri, Thorong Peak, Annapurna I and the Kaligandaki River - home to one of the worlds deepest gorges. You may encounter semi-wild Yak herds, Mountain Sheep or even the elusive Snow Leopard while in the remote valleys of this region.
After the short flight from Kathmandu to Pokhara, you will spend the first few days of your trek walking through cultivated fields connected to some of the mountain villages while enjoying the shops, teahouses, and lifestyle of the Gurung, Chhetri, and Magar people. During these days you will walk along cobblestone paths, over suspension bridges and through dense forests, enjoying the vistas of some of the world’s most beautiful mountains.
The climb begins to get tougher after Dobang, as you ascend to the Italian Base Camp with impressive views of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, IV, and V. You will then make your way to Dhaulagiri North Base Camp (15,580 ft), taking a couple of days to rest, acclimatize, explore and fully absorb the beauty of surrounding peaks. The trek then continues on to the Iced French and Thapa Passes which have to be scaled before you descend down a winding trail to Yak Kharka. Once again you will find yourself among mountain people and their villages.
The hot springs at Tatopani offer an excellent retreat after a strenuous trek surrounded by the majestic peak of Annapurna (26,538 ft) and Machhapuchhare (22,937ft). From Tatopani you make your way back to Pokhara, visiting, on the way, several monasteries and sites of religious importance. Once in Pokhara you can enjoy a few bottles of cold beverages while looking back at this unforgettable experience.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Upon your arrival in Katmandu (1000m/3280ft). Himalayan Glacier will officially greet and meet you at Airport & transfer to you Hotel Shanker. Free day & evening welcome dinner at any typical Nepalese Restaurant.
Day 2: Half day guided city tours (tour includes Katmandu Durbar Square, Syambunath Stupa, Pashupati Nath Temple - Hindu Temple & Buddha Nath - The biggest Buddha Stupa in ancent Katmandu). Afternoon pre-trip discussion of next day trek.
Day 3: Kathmandu to Beni by private transport it takes around 8/9 hours on smooth drive. O/N at Beni
Day 4: Beni-Babichaur (1000m). After leaving the Kali Gandaki River you enter in the Myagdi Khola valley.
Day 5: Babichaur - Dharapani (1565m). Tonight you will camp in Dharapani 1565m, and the Dhaulagiri is no more so far.
Day 6: Dharapani - Muri (1850m). The path goes steep up to Muri 1850 m, where the Mt. Dhaulagiri and other mountains appear clearly.
Day 7: Muri - Boghara (2050m). From Muri the trail is easy and goes down for few hours but before to reach Boghara you have to climb a steep path for a couple of hours.
Day 8: Boghara - Dhoban (2630m). Today the path is quite difficult and sometime you will need the help of the ropes. Watch your step.
Day 9: Dhoban - Italien Base camp (3500m). Today you will reach the Italian Base Camp where you will camp just in front of the West wall of the Dhaulagiri. Passing through beautiful forest we rapidly gain altitude and mountains burst out all around.
Day 10: Rest day. A rest day for acclimatization. Since there is little exploring to be had, this is a day to relax because tomorrow we will have a tough day.
Day 11: Italian Base camp- Glacier camp (4250m). After crossing the first glacier, probably using a rope in a couple of tricky spots, we climb onto the main glacier. The surroundings are spectacular, which makes up for the rough and dangerous trail.
Day 12: Dhaulagiri Base camp (4650m). Today you will reach the Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Soon the rough rubble gives way to the smooth ice of the white part of the glacier. We climb steadily to the rough and chilling but spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp.
Day 13: Rest day. Acclimatization day. In the next day you will be constantly at an altitude of 5000 - 60000m, so this day is essential.
Day 14: Dhaulagiri Base Camp French Hidden Valley. Getting off the glacier above the base camp often requires a rope, but once over the steep moraine walls we are in safer and gentler country.
Day 15: Hidden Valley Camp 5000m. A rest day to admire the surrounding peaks and perhaps do some exploring.
Day 16: Hidden Valley - Yak Kharka. After climbing over the 5200m Dhampus Pass, we traverse avalanche prone slopes and then descend steeply to Yak Kharka.
Day 17: Yak Kharka Marpha. More steep descent leads to Marpha and a well-deserved beer over lunch.
Day 18: Marpha - Lete (2438m). We start trek from a lovely village of whitewashed houses and fertile fields, and continue down the Kaligandaki reaching the former Thakali trading centre of Tukche. As the trail continues, the Himalayan rain shadow.
Day 19: Lete - Tatopani (1190m). A beautiful walk, with another transition into sub-tropical vegetation and the return of water buffalo, banyan trees and poinsettias. The trail follows the river through a narrow gorge and descends to cross a bridge.
Day 20: Rest day in Tatopani, enjoy with hot spring.
Day 21: Tatopani - Ghorepani (2819m). Steadily climbing all day, we eventually leave behind the terraced fields and walk through thick rhododendron forest to the village of Ghorepani, meaning (horse water). We camp at the pass for the best views of the sunset.
Day 22: Ghorepani - Tadapani. Being of the early morning 5:30 AM wake up and start to you journey climb to Poon Hill (3195m) around 1 hr. to provides better unobstructed views and sunrise over the high Himalayas. You can see a lots of White Mountain peaks.
Day 23: Tadapani - Landrung. Served the breakfast in the morning and start your journey, 8:00 AM to Landrung, it takes approx.: 6 hours. From Tadapani, the trails descend through the forests then terraced fields, to the Khummu Khola.
Day 24: Landrung - Dhampus from Landrung. It's an easy walk past fields, a school and some unusual oval shaped houses and descends to Tolka a small settlement at 1710 meters, with several lodges along the trails.
Day 25: Dhampus - Pokhara from Dhampus, all the way downhill through the village to Phedi. Starting at an elevation of 1580 meters, in a village and then forests that is so overgrazed that is look like a manicured municipal park.
Day 26: Pokhara to Kathmandu by Private Transport it takes around 5/6 hours. O/N Kathmandu.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
The cost includes:
- Bus, hotel/airport transfer.
- Deluxe Shanker Hotel at Kathmandu.
- All ground transportation by comfortable vehicles.
- All accommodations in tents and all meals during the treks– no extra charge for single travelers.
- Down jacket, seasonal sleeping bag.
- Welcome & farewell dinner.
- All porterages cost.
- All cost for a Himalayan Glacier leader(First Aid and Eco trained English Speaking) and sherpa, a sherpa assistance leader(s) and assistance Trek leader help each individuals while on trek.
- All necessary paper works and permits.
- Travel & Rescue arrangements.
- Exclusive Medical Kit Bag.
- All government and local taxes if necessary.
- Himalayan Glacier Kit Bag.
Also see tour packages in:
Asia
Nepal
Hiking & Trekking
Walking Tours
|
