Dhaulagiri Hidden Valley Trekking

Dhaulagiri Hidden Valley Trekking

Trip Grade
Strenuous

Overview

Trexmount Ventures invites you to join us on a remarkable, adventurous, and challenging trek around Dhaulagiri Hidden Valley. Beneath the world’s 7th highest mountain range, on this incredible journey, you can embark on an adventure of a lifetime. Rated as one of the most challenging and beautiful trekking routes in the Himalayas region.

Near Dhaulagiri, The Hidden Valley hike provides spectacular views of the world’s 7th highest peak, Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 meters), as well as the nearby Dhampus, Nilgiri, Tukuche summits, and Vara Shikar / Annapurna Fang.

Annapurna I (8,091m/26,545ft), Annapurna South (7,219m-23,684 ft), Gangapurna (7,455m-24,459 ft), and Annapurna III (7,455m-24,459 ft) are the highest peaks in Nepal (7,555m-24,787ft) Mt. Manaslu 8,163 m-26,781 ft, and Mt. Machhapuchare ‘Fish-Tail’ 6,997 m-22,956 ft, all of which are located to the east of Lamjung Himal.

This incredible journey begins in the warm subtropics, among verdant valleys and hills with breathtaking views. And, continues through friendly traditional hill villages in the land of legendry Gurung, Thakali, and Magar tribes, all of whom are renowned as Gorkha soldiers in various countries.

After leaving the last village of Bagar in complete isolation. In the harmony of the rugged towering mountain range of the massive Dhaulagiri base camp. The adventure continues. Crossing the highest point of this trek over French Pass 5,360 meters high and into scenic Hidden Valley surrounded by high mountains. A summer pasture area for Yaks.

Returning journey through another scenic pass of Dhampus / Thapa at around 5,250 meters with rare views of Annapurna I. And its adjoining peaks with Tukuche and Dhaulagiri close by. Then downhill heading towards human settlement in Marpha village famous for apples and its products located at Kalignadaki River valley.

On the Annapurna Circuit route and the Old Trans Himalayan Salt Trade Route to Tibet through the Upper Mustang area. Then downhill heading towards human settlement in Marpha village famous for apples.

Take a drive to picturesque Pokhara city, passing via interesting villages Tukuche, Larjung, and Kalapani, back into a green forested area. With spectacular views of both Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges of mountains on both sides of this Kaligandaki valley turning into the world’s deepest gorge.

The journey continues in the warm paddy fields area of Tatopani’hot Spring’. And then on the road to Pokhara through Beni town, where this circuit. And around Dhaulagiri concludes, before arriving in scenic Pokhara Valley. Where you will have time to take in the views of the mountains and the serene lake Phewa.

The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, also known as the Hidden Valley Trek, is one of Nepal’s most popular eccentric treks, including obstacles such as elevation, great remoteness, and occasionally difficult walking conditions. However, the rewards outweigh any difficulties encountered during the Hidden Valley journey.

The walk begins in Beni, a tropical oasis nestled between the Kali and Myagdi Rivers. The journey begins by winding through the low alpine forest before ascending to the alpine zone. And then emerging into solitary Himalayan regions where trekkers can touch the majestic Dhaulagiri’s body.

After a fantastic day high in the mountains and valleys, return to Kathmandu’s hustle and bustle of city life. With Trexmount Ventures’ excellent services and courteous personnel and guides.

Itinerary

01Day

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Our representative will come to the airport for transfer to the Hotel. After some refreshment in the hotel, Our Tour leader will make pre departure meeting in the Hotel or at our office. The meeting will cover trip related information & the collecting your Documents (passport copy, 2 passport size photos, Travel insurance).

02Day

Kathmandu: Free day or City Sightseeing (pay Locally for sightseeing).

After morning breakfast, free day for trek preparation. OR, you can do a sightseeing tour in Kathmandu valley with visiting into fascinating heritage and cultural sites. A few places are worth visiting such as the holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), Durbar Square ( One is in Kathmandu, in Patan, and also in Bhaktapur), Museum,  monasteries, old historical Palaces and Gardens. Note:  this tour is optional so you can visit with place of your interest & pay locally.

03Day

Drive to Beni (830 m-2,723 ft) via Pokhara (860 m-2,821 ft) 275 km - 07 hrs.

As time set by our guide who will accompany you throughout this trip, depart from the hotel for an interesting drive on the busy road towards Beni via Pokhara, drive leads through Himalayan foothills and green valleys till Pokhara valley and town, and leaving the main Kathmandu / Pokhara highway towards Beni a large town and headquarter of Myagdi district, located on the confluence of Kaligandaki and Myagdi River.

Overnight at Beni in the comfort of nice hotels/lodges with time to browse this interesting town, the temperature is warm in the subtropical climate with plenty of rice growing fields around this low land of the Himalayas.

04Day

Drive to Darbang and trek to Riverside (1,560 m-5,118 ft) - 05 hrs.

Starting this wonderful adventure, morning little hour drive to the starting point in Darbang village, ride leads through many farm villages following the Myagdi River upstream in this nice river valley area, on reaching at Darbang a small village, slowly turning into a town due to accessibility of motor road. From this warm area following the river for sometimes to set the first camp of this river around rural farm areas with few smaller villages after a nice walk of few hours.

05Day

Trek on route Jugepani (1,700 m-5,577 ft) - 06 hrs.

Our morning walk leads following the river for some time, and then heading higher above the river with a gradual climb through a patch of rain forested area and farmlands, on reaching the higher side of the farm area another hour of good walk brings at Jugepani village a small farming valley. Afternoon time for a splash in nearby clear streams around this isolated village area.

06Day

Trek to Bagar (2,375 m-7,791 ft) - 06 hrs.

Today’s walk leads to the last permanent human settlement and villages at Bagar, walk from this remote little farm area leads through more farm terraces and then follows Dhora Khola (stream), after Dhora Khola, leaving the lush valley, starting to climb on a steep hill side through a small forested area to reach the ridge top.
With few stops to catch the surrounding views, from the top a downhill walk all the way to Bagar a small farm village of Magar people. Overnight camp near primary school premises with time to explore the last village on route Dhaulagiri base camp and Hidden valley till Marpha is reached.

07Day

Trek to Dovan (2,600m-8,530 ft) – 06 hours.

From Bagar onwards heading towards complete wilderness on leaving the villages, morning walk towards forested area with an uphill climb, looking the Myagdi River below from the trail towards Dovan, after few hours steep ascent, then downhill to Dovan a small place with a small shelters serving as tea shop, in the middle of woodland of dense rhododendron, oaks, pines and magnolia trees.

08Day

Trek to Chartare / Bhainsi Kharka (3,000 m-9,842 ft) -05 hrs.

Morning starts crossing a small shaky wooden bridge over a tributary river that joins with raging Myagdi, then walking through a forested area on the pleasant path with dense vegetation of tall trees and slowly reaching Chartare for overnight camp, this small clearing also called Bhainse Kharka (buffalo shelters).

09Day

Trek to Pakhaban (Japanese Camp) (3,750 m-12,303 ft) - 05 hrs.

From this camp with serene forested surroundings, a morning walk follows North leaving the tree lines and vegetation towards a glacier, moraine of ice fields to reach a clearing as the valley opens at Italian Camp beneath the massive bulk of South West Face of Dhaulagiri.

The walk continues over the glacier area with a small climb to reach a grassy path and then reaches Pakhaban also called Japanese Camp, above the glacier that feeds the Myagdi River source, the camp is on a nice field with views of Mana Patti overhead campsite and Dhaulagiri South West Face on the opposite.

10Day

Trek to Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4,750 m-15,583 ft) - 06 hrs.

Today, reaching one of the main highlights of this trip as the morning walk starts with pure adventure walking uphill over glaciers and moraine the trek is quite tough in between finding the right path around huge icebergs and glaciers, and then finally ends the strenuous reaching on the base of world’s 7th high Mt. Dhaulagiri, camp is set on available space after clearing rocks and ice to pitch tents with awesome views of Dhaulagiri I (8,167 m-2,6795 ft) tumbling icefalls and glaciers adjoining west peaks of Dhaulagiri II (7,751 m-25,430.), Dhaulagiri III (7,715 m-25,430.) and Dhaulagiri IV (7,618 m-24,993 ft.).

11Day

Trek to Hidden Valley (4,900 m-16,076 ft) with French Pass (5,360 m-17,585 ft).

From this picturesque camp, the morning leads over glacier and moraine past Tukuche peak base camp. Then a climb leads to the highest French Pass of this trip, where the top is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags and monuments of piles of rocks, offering super views of Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal, Tashi Kang 5,386 m-17,670 ft, Tukuche West Peak and massif Dhaulagiri I.

After a great moment on the top heading downhill to the camp in the huge grassy field in Hidden Valley, another highlight of this awesome adventure.

12Day

At Hidden Valley (Contingency or Spare day).

Trexmount Ventures reserve this day as contingency in case of bad weather which might delay the walk to designated itinerary days, this is a wonderful valley for free day to relax catch up with your diary, orshort hike around to explore the least visited area by other trekkers.

13Day

Trek to Yak Kharka (4,915m-16,125 ft) via Thapa / Dhampus pass (5,250 m-17,224 ft) - 05 hrs.

Our morning walk starts after having a lovely time in this scenic Hidden Valley, heading back to villages and human civilization after being in complete wilderness for many days, as the walk progresses leaving the valley behind to reach another last pass of Thapa / Dhampus with amazing views of Nilgiri’s, Annapurna I. A Fang (Vara Shikar) with Dhaulagiri and Tukuche peaks.

From this pass on the long downhill to reach at Yak Kharka for overnight and last night in tents with camping facilities, as from here in the comfort of a lodge and hotels.

On reaching at Yak Kharka rest of the afternoon at leisure, on this grazing pasture land for Yaks and other domesticated animals of the villages of Jomsom, Marpha, and Tukuche.

14Day

Trek to Marpha (2,630 m-8,628 ft) - 04 hrs.

After being remote and isolated in the high mountains of Dhaulagiri and hidden valley, today will be a dramatic change as the morning walk leads back to tree lines on a long winding downhill with fantastic views of Annapurna and Nilgiri’s peaks, after a few hours of nice trekking on easy path reaching at Marpha, one of the most charming villages probably in whole Himalaya region.

Marpha the country of Thakali people located close to route Jomsom and its small airstrip, a marvelous village with white-washed houses and, a lodge and famous for its delicious apples, apricots, and apple products like cider, juice, dry apples, potent brandy, a wonderful place to be on completing the last leg of this amazing adventure.

15Day

Drive to Pokhara (860 m-2,821 ft) through Beni (899 m-2,949 ft)- 06 hrs.

After an enjoyable time in Marpha and ending the trekking, from here taking a jeep or other options for a drive back to Beni, the ride leads past Tukuche, Kobang, and Larjung beneath Tukuche peak, from Larjung crossing the wide Kaligandaki river valley reaching to green vegetations and tree lines of pines and rhododendrons, with few short ups and on the gradual road to Kalopani another nice village beneath Mt. Dhaulagiri and its tumbling ice fall and glaciers, and with views of Annapurna I with Nilgiri’s peaks, which makes this area as world’s deepest gorge of Kaligandaki river valley.

The drive gets better on the good road overlooking the waterfalls of Rupsi reaching back on rice growing warmer area at Tatopani, a nice village with a hot spring by the bank of Kali Gandaki River.

From here follow the river to Beni where Around Dhaulagiri & Hidden Valley circuit completes, at Beni transfer to another vehicle for a few hours’ drive back to Pokhara on the scenic Pokhara / Beni and Baglung highway. Finally, this scenic journey ends at Pokhara for an overnight stop by the serene Lake Phewa

16Day

In Pokhara at leisure with options sightseeing tour.

A great place in Pokhara for extra free and leisure day, one can relax and marvel at the views of snow-capped peaks with majestic Mt. Machhapuchare and take a boat on Lake Phewa, option hike to Peace Stupa on a hilltop opposite the lake, Pokhara has many options to spend the day, a tour of International Mountaineering Museum, Devis or Pathele Chjhago waterfalls, Gupteswor Cave or take Paragliding, Ultralight flights.

17Day

Drive of fly back to Kathmandu.

With a great time up in the high hills and mountains, morning an interesting drive back to Kathmandu, after a wonderful experience up in the high green hill and mountains of Dhaulagiri, on reaching Kathmandu transfer to respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure.
(For those who wish to fly to Kathmandu transfer to Pokhara airport with 30 minutes of scenic flight to Kathmandu).

18Day

Departure

Breakfast, transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for departing from Nepal.

Clients Review

Everest Base Camp & Muktinath Trail Helen & Mark Dwyer Australia

We had a dream to reach Mt Everest Base Camp since we heard about this. One of my friends recommended Trexmount so we have decided to use them for arranging our trek to Everest Base Camp. The treks were very well organized and the guides were extremely knowledgeable, and friendly and looked after us at all times.

Nothing was too much trouble for them and there was always a smile on their faces. We stayed...

Everest Gokyo Ri Trekking Bridget and Ron New Zealand

Namaste Hari and all at Trexmount Ventures, We have just completed our third visit and a Fantastic trek in Nepal with a four-day trek in the Annapurna area and an 18-day trek to Everest base camp and Gokyo. Noelene joined us for the Everest trek and it was her 9th visit! We can highly recommend Trexmount Ventures as a great company. The guides we had, Ram and Tilak were very well informed and also both able to pace the trek to ensure we all reached our...

Trip Info

Full of excitement throughout this trip from villages, green hills, forest, landscapes and mountains are the main attraction and highlights of this trip, beneath world’s 07th highest Mt. Dhaulagiri at 8,167 m and, trekking around Dhaulagiri massive mountain range, dramatic variation from sub-tropic -Mediterranean, alpine to arctic climatic zone, daily amazing views of world’s 3highest mountains Annapurna-Dhaulagiri & Manaslu, fascinating traditional mid hills Gurung, Thakali & Magar tribe villages, super mountain panorama with and trekking in world’s deepest gorge of Kali-Gandaki River.

Dhaulagiri hidden valley trekking