Dhaulagiri massif is an impressive mountain barrier nearly 100 km long. On its southern flanks its many high peaks and ridges are exposed to the monsoon and covered with dense vegetation. The northern side of Dhaulagiri lies in the rain shadow, shielding the remote high altitude desert like valleys leading westwards up to Dolpo and on the eastern side continuing toward Mustang and upper Kali Gandaki.
The starting point for the trek is Juphal, from there to Tarakot in Lower Dolpo, and from there east up along Burbung Khola toward Mukut, over Mu La (5700m) and Sangda La (5100m) down to Jomsom.
TRIP FACTS
Duration: 14 Days
Activities: Treak & Sightseeing
Trip Details
Day 01 Arrive in Kathmandu
Day 02 Kathmandu sightseeing
Day 03 Fly to Nepalganj
Day 04 Fly to Juphal (2500m) and trek along Barbung Chu to Tarakot 2600m, the first compact village on the northern side of the High Himalaya with flat-roofed houses characteristic for Dolpo region
Day 04: Trek along Barbung Khola gorge to Terang (3400m)
Day 05: Trek ascending the gorge with spectacular views of the back side of the Dhaulagiri massif formed by Hinchuli (7240m), Churen Himal (7364m), Dhaula Himal IV (7661m), Dhaula III (7715m) and Dhaula II (7751)
Day 06: Trek to Mukut (4000m), the highest inhabited village on this trek, surrounded by 6000m and 7000m peaks of Mukut Himal, a starting point for the Dhaulagiri II expeditions. Villages situated high above the valley bottom have irrigated fields on which barley is grown up to 4400m.
Day 07: Trek crossing Mu La (5700m) and camp at 5300m north of the pass – as you ascend the pass impressive northern wall of Dhaula II comes into view, Daulagiri I (8167m) is further back to the south
Day 08: Trek crossing Sangda La (5100m), camp on a lower saddle at 4500m, see Mustang plateau and the chain of peaks forming the border with Tibet
Day 09: Trek steeply downhill to Sangda (3800m) – entering the narrow Cha Lungpa gorge; Sangda is a compact village with large fortress-like houses
Day 10: Trek descending to Kali Gandaki and Jomsom
Day 11: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara, overnight at Lake Phewa
