Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 2 h | D+: 370 m | Transport: Flight + Private Vehicle

At daybreak, you are transferred to Kathmandu’s domestic airport to board a morning flight to Pokhara. During this short 25-minute flight, don’t forget to look out the window, preferably on the right side: if the sky is clear, the spectacle of the Himalayan range, from Manaslu to the Annapurnas, is unforgettable.

Upon your arrival in Pokhara, the adventure begins without delay. Your local team (sirdar, cook, and porters) will welcome you, and you will set off immediately in a private vehicle. You leave the peaceful atmosphere of Phewa Lake behind to reach Beni, at the confluence of the Kali Gandaki, before taking the track that ascends the wild valley of the Myagdi Khola. The journey immerses you in rural and authentic Nepal all the way to Darbang, the village that marks the end of the road and the beginning of your isolation in the heart of nature.

The trek finally begins at Phedi. You start with a short but intense two-hour ascent through a beautiful pine forest. The trail emerges at the village of Dharapani, perched on a hillside amidst terraced fields. It is here, facing a breathtaking panorama, that you will spend your first night in a tent, for a total immersion before venturing deeper into the Dhaulagiri massif.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 5 h | D+: 550 m | D-: 300 m

Balcony to the Giants

The departure from Dharapani is under the majestic gaze of Gurja Himal (7193 m) and Dhaulagiri III and V. The trail proceeds like a balcony, offering constant panoramic views of these glaciated peaks. This stage is a true immersion into rural Nepal, where the path winds through terraced fields and the typical villages of Takam and Shibang.

Encounters and a Cultural Mosaic

Throughout the day, you will pass through hamlets where different ethnic groups coexist, from Hindu populations to groups of Mongoloid origin like the Magars. This human diversity, combined with the beauty of the landscapes, makes the walk to Muri (1900 m) particularly rich. The arrival at the village marks the end of a balanced stage between culture and the high mountains.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 6 h | D+: 1000 m | D-: 870 m

Descent into the Heart of the Myagdi

The day begins with a crossing of terraced fields before plunging towards the bed of the Myagdi river. This stage is marked by vigorous terrain: after reaching the valley floor, you begin a demanding and gradual ascent. The trail winds between isolated dwellings where corn and millet are still cultivated traditionally, a testament to a preserved rural life.

The Last Village

After a long immersion in the forest, you reach Boghara (also called Bagar). Perched at 2100 meters, this village holds a very special symbolic importance: it is the last inhabited place in the valley and the final trace of permanent civilization before you cross over into the mineral world of high altitude. Starting tomorrow, wild nature will completely reclaim its rights.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 4 to 5 h | D+: 900 m | D-: 450 m

Immersion in the Subtropical Jungle

The trail continues to ascend the Myagdi Khola deep in the heart of dense, humid vegetation. This stage, marked by a series of ascents and descents, plunges you into a tropical setting where numerous waterfalls burst from steep cliffs. Along the way, you’ll encounter the last traces of pastoral activity, including a few herders’ huts watching over their buffalo in this deep forest.

Reward Facing the Giants

The arrival at the Doban campsite offers a striking contrast to the jungle you’ve just crossed. The sky opens up to reveal an exceptional panorama: the peaks of Manapati (6380 m) and Jirbang (6062 m) dominate the horizon, accompanied by the imposing silhouettes of Dhaulagiri IV, V, and VI. This first true immersion into the high-mountain atmosphere is a reward for the day’s efforts.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 5 h | D+: 900 m | D-: 300 m

Transition to the High-Altitude Forest

The day begins with a short, steep descent to cross the Konaban Khola river. You then resume your progress along the Myagdi Khola, using several handmade bridges that testify to the isolation of this region. The trail still winds through the heart of wild vegetation before beginning a significant climb toward the upper reaches of the valley.

The Arrival at Sallaghari

As you ascend, a change in vegetation occurs: the humid jungle gives way to magnificent forests of Himalayan blue pines. The Sallaghari campsite, nestled at 3200 meters, marks your entry into a cooler, clearer climate. Tonight, you sleep among the trees, at the border of the plant world and the approaching mineral kingdom.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 3 h | D+: 550 m | D-: 70 m

Between Forest and Moraine

This deliberately short stage is essential for your acclimatization. After leaving the last of the large trees behind, the trail alternates between moraine fields and pine undergrowth. The trek becomes wilder as you get closer to the high peaks, offering a foretaste of the mineral universe that will define the rest of the journey.

At the Foot of the West Face

A steep climb under the seracs of Manapati leads you to the “Italian Camp.” Located at the upper limit of vegetation, this sunny campsite offers precious comfort and a stunning panorama of the immense West Face of Dhaulagiri. It is the ideal place to rest your body while contemplating the power of the surrounding glaciers.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 3 h (optional) | D+: 600 m | D-: 600 m

Rest and Adaptation

This day is entirely dedicated to acclimatization, an indispensable step before tackling the high altitudes of the glacier. The body takes advantage of this pause at 3610 meters to adapt to the lack of oxygen. It is an opportunity to rest at camp, check your equipment, or simply soak in the majestic silence of the west face of Dhaulagiri, which dominates the bivouac.

Exploring the Foothills

For those who wish to perfect their active acclimatization, a walk on the surrounding foothills is possible. The ascent to a viewpoint located around 4200 meters offers a spectacular perspective on Dhaulagiri II and III. This excursion allows you to gain altitude during the day before descending to sleep lower, thus optimizing your chances of success for the rest of the trek.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 5 h | D+: 740 m | D-: 110 m

The Glacier Crossing

The departure from the Italian Camp is immediate and technical. You will take a narrow path to cross an imposing glacial tongue. This traverse, though quick, requires vigilance before you reach the other side of the valley. It is here that you definitively leave the last grassy terrains for a world of ice and rock.

In the Heart of the Giants

You then ascend a deep gorge, a mineral remnant of the former Chhonbardan glacier bed. This long, stony passage is surrounded by the mythical peaks of Dhaulagiri I, II, III, and Sita Chura (6600 m). The campsite is established around 4300 meters, in an austere and grandiose atmosphere, directly at the foot of the titanic North Face of Dhaulagiri.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 4 h 30 min | D+: 570 m | D-: 100 m

Progress on the Glacier

You continue your ascent into the very heart of the Chhonbardan glacier. The walk now takes place in a lunar, raw, and inhospitable landscape, where the silence is broken only by the cracking of the ice. The terrain becomes increasingly mineral as you gain the highlands, offering a feeling of total isolation amidst the Himalayan giants.

At the Foot of the White Giant

The horizon widens to reveal Tukuche Peak (6970 m), which rises elegantly to the left of Dhaulagiri I. The arrival at Base Camp, at 4660 meters, is a powerful moment of the trek: you will set up your camp at the foot of the “White Mountain,” one of the most aesthetic and imposing summits in the world, for a timeless night at high altitude.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 8 h | D+: 830 m | D-: 650 m

The Crossing of French Pass

An early morning start is required to leave the glacier and reach a ridge leading to the mythical French Pass (5380 m). Arriving at the pass, marked by its prayer flags fluttering in the wind, offers a unique emotion and a plunging view over the Himalayan immensity. This is the key passage that opens the doors to a closed and preserved world.

Descent into Hidden Valley

The trail then drops down towards the Hidden Valley, a high, majestic, and desert-like plateau often covered with a blanket of snow. Along the way, you cross the site of the Tukuche Peak base camp, a vast and wild space dominated by the imposing silhouettes of Sita Chura (6600 m) and Tukuche Peak (6920 m). You will set up your camp at 4900 meters, in the heart of this timeless mineral sanctuary.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: Optional exploration

This extra day is dedicated to rest and essential acclimatization before tackling a summit of over 6000 meters. After the intense effort of the previous day, your body needs to adapt to the extreme altitude.

Take advantage of this break to rest, read, or simply contemplate the grand, mineral landscape that surrounds you. Your guide may also suggest a short walk on the surrounding plateaus to perfect your acclimatization. It is also the ideal time to meticulously prepare your equipment (crampons, ice axe, warm clothing) for the next day’s ascent. A crucial day to recharge your batteries in the heart of this Himalayan sanctuary.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 10 to 12 h | D+: 1250 m | D-: 1250 m

The Ascent of a “6000er”

A pre-dawn departure for this exceptional day. The trek begins with a short ascent to Thapa Pass (5250 m), before setting out on a wide ridge leading to the foot of the summit. The technical passage of a “chimney” (a rocky or snowy bottleneck) provides access to the final slope. The effort is intense, but the reward is absolute: the summit of Dhampush Peak (6012 m) offers a 360° panorama of the Annapurnas, the Nilgiri, Tilicho, and the vastness of Mustang.

Return to Camp

After savoring this victory at the summit, you begin a long descent via the same route. Vigilance remains essential during the chimney passage and the return to the pass. You will finally reach the Thapa Peak base camp (4930 m), exhausted but proud to have accomplished the longest and highest stage of this journey. A well-deserved night of rest awaits you in the heart of this high-altitude scenery.

Accommodation: Tent | Meals: Included | Hike: 3 h | D-: 1030 m

Transition to the Alpine Pastures

After the intensity of the previous days, this stage offers a short but direct descent towards the Kali Gandaki valley. You leave the mineral and icy universe of the high passes to return to more clement altitudes. The trail plunges rapidly, offering new perspectives on the surrounding massifs as the air becomes denser.

The Alu Bari Campsite

You will set up your camp at Alu Bari, a high-altitude pasture site located at 3900 meters. This intermediate bivouac, suspended above the valley, offers a welcome moment of relaxation after the efforts of Thapa Peak. It is a perfect transition stage to readjust your body before returning to the first villages and local life tomorrow.

Accommodation: Lodge | Meals: Included | Hike: 3 to 4 h | D-: 1000 m

The Return to Life

After the mineral silence of the high passes, this morning marks a gradual return to life. The trail descends through alpine meadows then sparse forests, offering breathtaking views of the southern slopes of Dhaulagiri. As the air thickens and warms, the first signs of human activity reappear, creating a striking contrast with the austerity of the previous days.

The Welcome of the Thakali Country

The arrival in Marpha (2670 m) is an enchantment. This emblematic village, with its whitewashed stone houses and impeccable paved alleys, is the heart of Thakali culture. Famous for its monasteries and apple orchards, Marpha offers a warm stopover. You leave the tent for the comfort of a lodge, where you can savor local products—apple juice or brandy—to celebrate the success of your crossing.

Accommodation: Hotel | Meals: Breakfast included (lunch and dinner on your own) | Flight: 25 min

Descent of the Valley

After a final breakfast in the heart of Marpha, you leave the Kali Gandaki valley. The journey by vehicle takes you through contrasting landscapes, alternating between traditional Thakali villages and pine forests. It’s a chance to catch one last glimpse of the massive silhouettes of Dhaulagiri and the Annapurnas that have accompanied your journey.

The Flight Over the Himalayas

Once you arrive in Pokhara, you head to the airport for a domestic flight with Buddha Air. This 25-minute journey is a final grand spectacle: on a clear day, you fly over the Himalayan chain, offering an aerial perspective of the peaks you have been so close to. Back in Kathmandu, you return to the comfort of your hotel for a free evening, perfect for rest or your final memories.