Trek Routes
Our treks offer an authentic village experience and unparalleled mountain panoramas in the Dhaulagiri range of western Nepal. With treks from 3 days to 3 weeks, there is something to suit everyone's time-scale and ability.
Homestay/Teashop Treks
(No Camping Gear Required)
One of the best short treks. Discover isolated, untouched Hidden Village (Gurja Khani), nestling near the foot of Gurja Himal (7193m). Features traditional villages, varied scenery, views of Dhaulagiri 1 (8172m) and Gurja Himal, One moderate pass (3250m) with amazing views. Snow possible Dec-Jan. Sleep/eat in Homestays and Teashops. Return same route. No permits required.
A mini-trek from the roadhead at Baglung to Okhle village and Dhamja Pass Viewpoint, with panoramic views of the snow mountains all the way down to the hot springs at Sinja-Tatopani on the Myagdi river. People, villages, terraced fields, panoramic views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges. Eat/sleep in homestay and teashops, bathe in hot springs. No permits required.
From Dhorpatan, this trek follows a new circuit which combines panoramic mountain views with homestays in high-altitude villages of the little-known Kham Magar people. The circuit begins by crossing Phalgune Pass (3915m), descending to villages along the Ghustung and Sano Bheri kholas, before cutting over a low pass to the fascinating twin villages of Taki and Shera, returning to Dhorpatan up the Uttar Ganga river. Snow possible Dec-Mar. Local teashops and homestays can be found all along this route. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Entry Permit required.
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Variation of Route 1, returning from Gurja Himal via Dhorpatan. The best circular route for Hidden Village. 3 passes with awe-inspiring views. Local guide essential for Rugachaur Pass (3850m). Snow possible Dec-Mar. Features traditional villages, panoramic views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna ranges, alpine scenery, Tibetan settlement and Bonpo Monastery. Sleep/eat in Homestays or Teashops. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve entry permit required.
A gentle trek through pretty villages along the delightful Rahughat Khola which drains the gigantic south face of Dhaulagiri 1 (8172m) Features: steeply-stacked Magar village of Chim Khola; dizzying path cut into marble cliff. Great views of Dhaulagiri. Optional descent to hot springs. Eat/sleep in homestay and teashops. No permits required.
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Variation of route 1. Circular trek to isolated Hidden Village at foot of Gurja Himal, returning via the wild and vertiginous Dhaula Canyon. Local guide essential for canyon section. Features traditional villages, plunging topography, mountain views. Snow possible Dec-Jan. Sleep/eat in Homestays and Teashops. No permits required.
Combines the best of the Dhaulagiri I Valley Loop and Gurja Himal treks. Starts from Beni up the Rahughat khola which drains south face of Dhaulagiri 1 (8170m) and over 2 low passes to connect with either Route 1 or Route 4 to Hidden Village & Gurja Himal. Features terraced fields, traditional villages, marble cliff path, stunning mountain views of Dhaulagiri 1 and Gurja Himal. Eat/sleep in homestay and teashops. No permits required.
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Camping Treks
(Camping gear required for part or all of trek)
This trek combines the best of village homestays plus wilderness camping in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, and stupendous mountain views. Gateway is Gurja Khani village. From GK, trek follows SW ridge of Ghustung Himal crossing high pass to reach junction of glaciers from four peaks:- Pyutha (7246m), Churen (7371m), Dhaulagiri 6 (7268m), Gurja (7193m). Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve is uninhabited and requires 5 nights/6 days camping until Dhorpatan is reached. The circuit crosses 4 passes, all offering awe-inspiring views that shiver your spine. Snow can be expected Dec-Mar. Camping can be organized in Gurja Khani. Trekkers must supply their own tent, sleeping bag and pad. Local guide essential, and Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Entry Permit required.
This high altitude route to Dunai, capital of the trans-himalayan Dolpa district, follows the same route as Trek 12, but curtails it to 10-11 days, by flying out from Dunai airstrip (at Juphal). Juphal has daily flights to Nepalgunj (dependent on weather). It also curtails the permit costs, as the expensive Inner Dolpo Restricted Area Permit is not required. A (cheaper) Outer Dolpo Restricted Area and Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Entry permits are needed. The Dolpa permit is only available by engaging a local trekking agency. Best attempted May-Octrober.
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Extension of Trek 5 (Dhaulagiri I Loop) up to the base camp for the sheer south face of Dhaulagiri 1. The unclimbed 4000m South Face is perhaps the last remaining great challenges in mountaineering - Reinhold Messner failed on two attempts. Splendid waterfalls, villages, stunning views of Dhaulagiri 1. Expect snow Dec-Mar. Local guide essential, trail above Orar treacherous - only confident scramblers should attempt. No permits required.
A spectacular crossing of the Himalayas between the peaks of Dhaulagiri 1 and the rest of the range. This is an established trekking route which many Trekking Agencies offer. Be aware that there is a small avalanche risk on this route; also due to altitude acclimatization needs, many hours are spent in camp at high altitudes. Make sure your porters and yourself are well-equipped for the cold. Annapurna Conservation Area Entry and TIMS Permit are required. The TIMS permit is only available by engaging a local trekking agency. Best attempted May through October.
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This is the ultimate trek – around the whole of the Dhaulagiri range (9 peaks over 7000m), crossing 5 passes over 4500m (highest 5600m), through the extreme topography and wilderness of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve to the arid, trans-Himalayan district of Dolpo and its remote untouched villages with ancient Buddhist/Bonpo monasteries, prayer walls, and chortens. This is how the Round Annapurna Trek used to be before tourists and roads arrived. Due to snow on high passes, best attempted May-Oct. This trek requires a high level of fitness and determination. Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Entry and Inner Dolpa Restricted Area Permits required - the Dolpa permit is only available by engaging a local trekking agency.
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