Dhaulagiri Circuit trek

We provide a comfortable experience on our camping style treks. Our team works hard to support you so that you can relax and enjoy trekking in Nepal. We provide personal tents, mess tent, kitchen tent and toilet tent(s). The camp will be set up and dismantled by the trek crew. We bring along a cook and kitchen helpers to provide the meals.

The day starts with an early morning mug of tea brought to your tent by one of the trek crew. Before heading for breakfast you pack your overnight gear into your duffel bag. During breakfast the trek crew pack away the tents. The porters arrange their loads and set off on the trail in the cool of the morning. After breakfast, between 7am and 8am, we start walking.

The pace of the trek is moderate as there is plenty of time in the itinerary to reach the camp for tonight. There will be plenty of time to enjoy the scenery, take photos and explore the local villages. Lunch will be around midday at a spot by the side of the trail. Our cooks prepare lunch for us and the food is usually ready by the time the group arrives.

After lunch we continue the walk and on most days we arrive to camp by mid afternoon. Some of the trek crew would have gone ahead of the group to set up camp and to put up the tents. On arrival to camp you will get a hot drink and biscuits. In the evening our cook will provide a three course meal in the mess tent around 6pm.

After supper the leaders will discuss the plan for the next day. Afterwards people might stay in the mess tent chatting about the day’s events or playing cards. After a tiring day most people head to their tent quite early for the night. Tomorrow is likely to be very similar as today! The only difference is that if we are crossing a high pass or climbing to a summit we leave camp earlier in the morning.

You can read more about our Camping Treks in Nepal on our Blog. This article explains the advantages of camping versus teahouse lodge treks. It also describes what the campsite set up is like and more about the food provided by our cooks.

While on a camping style trek in Nepal we provide tasty and nutritional food. We make sure there is more than enough quantity to go around as trekkers will be hungry after a long day on the trail. Over the years we have worked on increasing the variety of the menus. We have expanded the list of ingredients provided to the cooks so they have more to work with. Also in 2015 we purchased two food dehydrators with a vacuum sealing machine. We dehydrate a large number of different vegetables in Kathmandu before departure. This has transformed the quality of food especially on longer treks to remote areas.

For breakfast we provide porridge or cereal, toast or chapatis and eggs. There will be hot drinks including tea, herbal teas, hot chocolate and coffee. We provide fresh coffee from our Bialetti Moka coffee machine.

For lunch we stop at a convenient spot with water at the side of the trail. The cook and kitchen walk ahead of the group in the morning and lunch should be ready shortly after our arrival. After lunch we have time to relax before starting to walk again in the afternoon.

On arrival at camp in the afternoon you have biscuits and a hot drink such as tea or coffee. Around 6pm we serve a three course meal in the mess tent. The starter is often soup with popcorn or poppadoms. We have a range of main dishes and carbohydrates including rice, potatoes or pasta.

We cater for a variety of dietary requirements. Our meals are suitable for vegetarians. If there is a meat dish then we also provide vegetarian options as standard. During booking we find out if you have any dietary needs and agree upon meal plans before departure. If you have any questions about the food provided please get in touch with us to discuss further.

We bring a Thuraya satellite phone for logistical, safety and personal use. Personal calls charged at £4 (US$5 or €4.50) per minute and £2 (US$3 €4.50) to send and receive SMS text.

This is the mandatory kit list for the safety of everyone in the group and to ensure a successful trek. You must have the following items tailored for the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek. The group leader will check your gear in Kathmandu before departure for the trek.

As a reminder, the weather on this trek will vary from season to season and day to day as you ascend to higher elevations. At the start of the trek, you will experience hot and humid conditions. The temperatures are often up to 25 to 30 Celsius. You experience the coldest temperatures in Hidden Valley at an altitude of 5,050m. The overnight lows can go down to around -20 Celsius.

You should bring a rucsac or backpack for gear required during the day. Your pack should contain items such as warm clothes, jacket, camera, water bottles, personal first aid kit and snacks. The weight limit is 5kg. A porter will carry the rest of your personal equipment packed in a duffel or kit bag. The weight limit for your duffel bag is 18kg (or 20kg for those climbing Dhampus Peak). Please mark your bag on the outside for easy identification.

Print the kit list and tick items off as you pack them then weigh your kit bag before you come on trek.

Footwear

• Walking Boots. A pair of water repellent boots with ankle support. Boots must be in good condition, the best approach is to get new boots and break in before the trek. Over the years we have had several boots fall apart so you should also bring trail shoes as a backup.
• Trail shoes. Used around camp and as a replacement if your walking boots fall apart!
• Sandals. Enclosed sandals are best to protect your feet during river crossings. Required for river crossings as well as two trekking poles.
• Walking socks.

Clothing

• Waterproof and Windproof jacket (with hood) and trousers (Goretex or similar). For use if it rains or snows during the trek and in windy conditions.
• Trekking trousers.
• Soft Shell Trousers.
• Long-sleeved tops or shirts (not cotton).
• Micro fleece.
• Mid to heavyweight fleece or synthetic/ primaloft top.
• Sleeveless/ gilet or body warmer type fleece / synthetic top. This will help keep your core warm while not bulking when layering up. Gilet is used in combination with base layers, other fleeces and a down jacket. This provides the most warmth and insulation.
• Thermals or base layer for top & bottom (merino wool or synthetic).
• Fleece or synthetic leggings. Worn around the camp or added as a layer when the temperatures start to drop higher up.
• Medium-weight down jacket.

Heads and Gloves

• Fleece gloves.
• Warms mittens and/or gloves.
• Wool or fleece hat.
• Sun hat.
• Bandana or scarf. (eg. Buff Headwear).
• Head torch. Bring extra batteries.
• Sunglasses. They should have side protection or a wraparound design.

For crossing the passes

• Mountaineering ice axe with leash.
• Crampons. The best are universal crampons that you can use with trekking boots. Such as Stubai Universals or Kahtoola KTS crampons.
• Helmet (mandatory as there is a risk of rock fall in Chonbarden Gorge).
• Trekking poles (Black Diamond with “Flick Lock” are best). Having two poles is mandatory. For your safety on steep and loose sections of the trail, river crossings and if there is deep snow higher up.
• Gaiters. A pair of knee-high gaiters is used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet ground.

Climbing equipment for Dhampus Peak

• Climbing harness. Plus two 60cm slings, four screw gate carabiners, Figure 8 belay device and 3m of 5mm static cord for prusiks. [we have a limited number of “Harness packs” for rent. Please contact TMC office for further prices and availability].
• Jumar ascender (eg. Petzl handled ascender).
• Mountaineering boot suitable for 6,000m peak (eg. Scarpa Phantom Guide).

Personal equipment

• Sleeping bag. Overnight lows down to -20 Celsius. It is possible to rent a bag from Shonas Rental in Kathmandu.
• Fleece or silk liner for your sleeping bag. A liner protects your sleeping bag from getting dirty. Also helps by adding extra insulation to keep you warm at night.
• Sleeping mat (eg.Thermarest). On trek, we provide everyone with a foam mat. We recommend two layers for insulation and comfort. We also provide everyone with a pillow.
• Day pack. The recommended size is around 40 litres. You need to have enough space to carry water bottles, a camera, snacks, extra clothing and climbing gear. The pack should have a good waist belt. It is also a good idea to bring a rain cover to keep the contents dry.
• Stuff sacks for keeping your gear dry and organised. Or even better are fold-dry bags such as those from Exped.
• Two water bottles (Nalgene wide-mouth bottles are the best).  You may use a hydration pack lower down but the tube will freeze in the cold so ensure you still have 2 water bottles.
• Pee bottle. Recommended as means you do not have to get up to find the toilet tent at night! For men, you can use an old water bottle for women take a look at SheWee.
• Sunscreen and lip salve with a high SPF.
• Water purification tablets with chlorine dioxide. This kills bacteria, viruses, and cysts including Giardia and Cryptosporidium without leaving any residual taste, odour, or colour.
• Favourite snack food.
• Books and cards etc.
• Camera with spare batteries and memory cards.
• Insurance certificate.
• Earplugs (optional).
• Baby wipes (optional).
• Hand sanitizer. Keep this in your day pack for use after a toilet break during the trek or before eating any snacks. We provide sanitizer for use before meals.

Travelling

• Duffel bag for your personal gear on the trek (carried by a porter). Rugged and waterproof made of a plastic material. Size 100-120 litres. Eg. Mountain Equipment 100l or Rab 120l. Bring a small combination padlock to secure the bag.
• Travel clothes. You will need casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in Kathmandu.
• Toiletry bag with soap, travel towel, toothbrush etc. We provide toilet paper while on trek.

Personal first aid kit

We provide a comprehensive group first aid kit.  Please bring personal medications and other items you might use such as:

• Any personal medications.
• Covid lateral flow test kit (i.e. at least one pack of seven tests). Please test yourself after arrival to Nepal and if at any time you have symptoms of Covid during the trip.
• Blister treatment (Compeed patches are the best)
• Rehydration powder (eg Dioralyte).
• Analgesics (paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin).
• Plasters and zinc oxide tape.
• Throat lozenges.
• Diamox (helps with acclimatisation).

We have performed a threat and risk assessment for this trek. Our trips have a degree of risk. This is part of the attraction of adventure travel and why so many people choose to join this type of holiday. By identifying the hazards on Dhaulagiri Circuit we assess the level of risk. We have control measures in place to reduce this happening or to reduce the impact.

Our risk assessment is available to clients on request. We have listed below a summary of the significant risks and hazards identified by us:

• Falls and trips resulting in physical injury eg. slipping on ice or falling off the path.
• Altitude illness including but not limited to AMS, HACE, and HAPE.
• Getting lost or becoming separated from the group eg. crossing Dhampus pass in a whiteout.
• Severe bad weather and conditions when camping eg. in Hidden valley at 5,000m.
• Climatic injuries (dehydration, sunburn, heat exhaustion, hypothermia, or heat stroke). Please note during the months of April and October it will be very hot and humid for the first three days of the trek.
• Crossing a river with no bridge resulting in drowning and/ or a fall.
• Rockfall and landslides eg walking in Chonbarden gorge.
• Snow and ice avalanches e.g. crossing French and Dhampus passes.
• Lightning strike.
• Wildlife, pack animals (e.g. donkeys or horses), or stray dogs. Pack animals can knock people off the path. Dogs can attack and bite. Discuss rabies vaccination with your doctor.
• Earthquake.
• Risk of fire in the hotel or lodge.
• Endemic local diseases. Discuss vaccinations with your doctor before departure.
• Physiological injury. Such as heart attack, appendicitis, hernia, toothache etc. in a remote area.
• Road traffic accidents.
• Flight accidents. Read paragraph “Internal flight".
• Contaminated food and/ or water.

This trip visits a remote area. You are away from the usual emergency services and medical facilities. Evacuation for a serious injury requiring hospitalisation could take up to several days. This delay could impede your ensuing recovery. Helicopters are the usual means of evacuation. They are not always available or hindered by poor weather and flying conditions.

Flights from Nepal’s Short Take-Off & Landing (“STOL”) airstrips are dependent on weather. Delays often happen if there is poor visibility or high winds. For our itineraries with flights to or from STOL, we include one extra day in Kathmandu at the end of the trip. This is in case of delays flying back. If the delays are longer we will help reschedule your international flights. There is likely to be a fee charged by the airline for this. You also have to pay for costs incurred in Kathmandu as a result of the delay such as accommodation and meals.

You should read the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (“FCDO”) travel advice for Nepal. For their latest advice take a look at their Safety & Security section under Air Travel. There have been some recent air accidents in Nepal. The European Union has banned Nepalese airlines from flying to Europe. For more information on Nepal’s air safety profile take a look at Aviation Safety Network.

Dhaulagiri Circuit trek has a wide range of temperatures. This depends on the season, altitude and time of day. In the mountains between 1,000m and 3,500m the nights will be cool around 5 Celsius. During the day temperatures sometimes rise to 25 Celsius. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 15 Celsius to -20 Celsius.

The trekking season in Nepal is from late September to May. October is generally recognised as having the best weather for crossing the high passes around Dhaulagiri. Spring is a popular time of year with warmer weather than in Autumn. Also there is the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom.

We have written a blog article When is the best time to go trekking in Nepal Himalaya? This has information about the weather and conditions in the Spring and Autumn seasons. It also explains the differences between the trekking regions of Nepal. 

Maps

Dhaulagiri (Nepa Trekking Maps) by Map Himalayan Maphouse 1:87,500. We include this map in your welcome pack when you arrive in Nepal.

Books

Annapurna by Maurice Herzog

The Ascent of Rum Doodle by WE Bowman