Dhaulagiri Region Trek
The White Mountain
Earth's seventh-highest peak — Dhaulagiri, the "white mountain" — anchors one of Nepal's wildest and least-trafficked trekking circuits. The full circuit crosses two 5,000+ metre passes and the Hidden Valley behind the main range.
Trips Starting from Dhaulagiri Region Trek
Hand-crafted itineraries that start in Dhaulagiri Region Trek — from a single sunrise day-trip to multi-week Himalayan expeditions.
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The Mountain That Was Once Believed Tallest
Dhaulagiri rises to 8,167 metres — the seventh-highest mountain on Earth and the highest peak fully within Nepali borders. The name comes from Sanskrit: Dhawala (dazzling, white) + Giri (mountain). For 30 years between 1808 and 1838 it was thought to be the world's tallest peak, until Kangchenjunga claimed the title (and finally Everest).
It was the last of the 8,000-metre peaks climbed in the great era of Himalayan exploration. A Swiss-Austrian expedition led by Max Eiselin made the first ascent on 13 May 1960 — using a single-engine plane to land supplies high on the glacier. The Dhaulagiri massif has 30 named peaks above 6,000 m, making it one of the world's densest concentrations of high mountains.
The 17-day Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is one of Nepal's most demanding non-restricted trails. Starting from Beni in Myagdi district, it climbs through bamboo forest to the spectacular Dhaulagiri Base Camp, then crosses French Pass (5,360 m) and Dhampus Pass (5,182 m) into the Hidden Valley — a desolate trans-Himalayan basin discovered by the French in 1950 — before descending to Marpha on the Annapurna Circuit.
Things to do in Dhaulagiri Region Trek
Standout experiences hand-picked by our local guides.
- 01Dhaulagiri Base CampAt 4,750 m beneath a 4,000-metre vertical south face. One of the most dramatic base-camp panoramas in Nepal.
- 02French Pass (5,360 m)The trek's high point, named for the 1950 French expedition. Crosses from Dhaulagiri's amphitheatre into the Hidden Valley.
- 03Hidden ValleyA barren glacier-walled basin at 5,200 m — utterly silent, with views to Dhaulagiri II, III, IV, V and Tukuche Peak.
- 04Dhampus Pass (5,182 m)The exit from the Hidden Valley to Marpha and the Annapurna Circuit — a steep descent on scree slopes.
- 05Italian Base CampA lower camp at 3,660 m named for Reinhold Messner's 1985 Italian Dhaulagiri attempt. Spectacular ice-fall views.
- 06Marpha Village & BrandyThe Thakali apple-growing village that ends the circuit. Marpha brandy, apple pie and traditional whitewashed architecture.
- 07Myagdi Khola Trail CampsWild riverside camps on the way in — no teahouses, full camping support required for the entire circuit.
- 08Eagle Nest PassA 4,750 m optional acclimatisation hike from Hidden Valley with vertigo-inducing views back down to the Kali Gandaki gorge.
Best time to visit Dhaulagiri Region Trek
A camping-only circuit. Spring and autumn pass crossings are the only realistic windows; winter closes the trail entirely.
- ★ BEST SEASONSpringMarch – MayStable conditions from mid-April. The Hidden Valley remains snow-bound until early May, so timing the pass crossing matters.-10°C – 15°C
- MONSOONSummerJune – AugustHeavy monsoon closes the lower valleys with landslides. Some camp-based attempts work in late July but only with experienced operators.6°C – 22°C
- ★ BEST SEASONAutumnSeptember – NovemberPeak season. Post-monsoon clarity, stable pass conditions and the warmest pass crossings of the year (still cold).-15°C – 14°C
- MONSOONWinterDecember – FebruaryFrench Pass becomes effectively impassable. The full circuit is closed; only short Dhaulagiri Base Camp out-and-backs feasible.-30°C – 5°C