What sort of food and accommodation are available en route to the Dhaulagiri Circuit?
Along the trekking route to the Dhaulagiri Circuit, trekkers can stay in teahouses and lodges in the village at lower elevations such as Beni, Babichaur, Muri, Dobang, and Boghara. Although the accommodations are often very basic, with shared twin bedrooms and limited facilities, they are reliable enough for a comfortable night.
As you ascend to a higher altitude area, the options become more primitive, where camping is the only option in that remote high altitude where you will get to spend nights on base camps and beyond up at French and Dhampus at already set tents when choosing our service at Ammonite Adventure.
Trekkers will get to savor the freshly cooked meals in these teahouses, lodges, or tents, usually consisting of typical Nepali-Tibetan dishes and some international cuisines in the lower elevation, which also provides warm, boiled water refillable at various stopping places. Modern facilities such as the charging of electronic devices, internet connections, and hot showers can be very limited and are usually available at some additional cost.
Visitors hence visiting the Dhaulagiri Circuit are advised to have some spare batteries, a high-storage power bank, local SIM cards, and a water purification system for a more embellished experience while we provide you with the best of the best services available on the way to conquer the Dhaulagiri Circuit.
When is the best time to visit the Dhaulagiri Circuit?
Generally, considering the stable weather conditions, comparatively safer and more scenic route, mild temperature, and unobstructed visibility, spring from March to May and autumn from September to November are considered the best times for trekking the Dhaulagiri Circuit.
Packing appropriately and keeping yourself up to date mentally and physically, trekking to the Dhaulagiri Circuit is possible even in the winter and monsoon, which may require extra consideration of hiking equipment and gear, which overall does provide a unique experience that you could be one of the first ones to relish.
Where can you get trekking permits for the voyage to the Dhaulagiri Circuit?
To trek the Dhaulagiri Circuit, you’ll need two specific permits, which are the Trekkers Information Management System Card (TIMS) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), that you can get from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) and the office of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Generally, when you choose the package service from one of the local tour, travel, and trek operators like Ammonite Adventure they will have these necessary permits prearranged for you even before the start of your journey to the Dhaulagiri Circuit, which saves you from the hassle of visiting authorities by yourself, while solo trekkers without a guide are completely banned and not recommended from April 1st, 2023.
Why is the trek to Dhaulagiri Circuit considered moderate to strenuous difficult?
The odyssey to Dhaulagiri Circuit is regarded as moderately to strenuously demanding for a high Himalayan expedition due to several factors, such as the rough, uneven, and less frequented trails, steep ascents and descents, rocky paths, and loose gravel requiring good balance and physical strength.
At certain points, the jaunting to the Dhaulagiri Circuit also includes navigating across glaciers at extreme elevations, requiring the use of crampons and ice axes afar from everyday modern amenities, while the rapidly varying weather adds much to the difficulty level that can be tacked easily with some advanced physical preparation, proper acclimatization, and guidance from one of the professional guides from any trustworthy travel or trekking agencies in Nepal, like Ammonite Adventure.
Must you get trekking guides, porters, and insurance to embark on the Dhaulagiri Circuit Hike?
Yes, absolutely. Given the remoteness, demanding nature of the trekking trail, and high altitude of the Dhaulagiri Circuit, it is wise to hire government-authorized guides and porters, along with purchasing travel insurance covering emergency helicopter evacuation from higher elevations from locally based agents.
Trekking guides help a lot in navigating this remote, less trodden, and difficult terrain safely, having collected years of extensive knowledge of local culture, geography, and wildlife. They also aid you during emergency assistance such as altitude sickness or injuries, where the porters lift up the weight from your shoulder so you get to experience what the Dhaulagiri Circuit has to offer to its fullest.
Similarly, travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation, medical emergencies, and trip cancellations and delays provides you with financial protection. That is why getting trustworthy guides, porters, and travel insurance for the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking is crucial.
Trekking group/single
The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek is one of the most challenging but fun trekking routes in Nepal because it is made for trekkers who want to trek in higher elevation remote wilderness.
This trek is available for individual and group trekking. Solo trekking allows for the most flexibility and provides individual control over the speed or ability to hike. Group trekking is a team approach and experience among a team. If you organized your own group, trekkers can receive group discounts depending on the group size. Group discounts is unavailable if Ammonite Adventure organizes the group
We are able to take groups of any size. If we have a minimum of 12 trekkers, we will have an assistant guide to help coordinate the entire team.
Extra personal expenses on trekking
Our Dhaulagiri Circuit Package includes everything needed for your trek, but for your expenses, you will need to budget appropriately. In Kathmandu, first you will need to budget for your meals and accommodation (either budget guest houses to luxury hotels), and you can pre-book your accommodation online.
You will want to take cash for your personal expenses indicator listed including food and accommodation in Kathmandu, visa fees for Nepal, travel medical insurance, snacks, tea/coffee, and cold drinks, tips for your guides and porters (if applicable), and whatever souvenirs you wish to buy.
You will also want to ensure that you are carrying foreign currency so that you can convert it to Nepali Rupees prior to beginning your trek, because you will be trekking in a remote part of Nepal, and the Dhaulagiri region does not have banks, ATMs, or money exchange services.
Ammonite Adventure Crew
Throughout your trek on the 17-day Dhaulagiri Circuit, you are going to be led by experienced leaders who are all licensed and trained in high-altitude trekking.
When you trek, the local porter/Sherpas will carry your gear and two other trekkers, max 18 kg total gear weight. If you want your porter, you will need to arrange for this ahead of time before the trek.
The crew are from Himalayan communities and are close to calibrated for quality western trekking in extremely conditions. They will also be paid a living wage with insurance, clothing, food, shelter, health care, etc, will ensure they are doing their best service on the trek.
Our trek leaders have also accomplished:
- Wilderness First Aid Certification
- Trekking Certification from the government of Nepal
- Fluency in English and other languages
- An extensive knowledge of proper safety procedures and mountain culture
- A storyteller's ability to bring life to the region of wilderness tourism
- An ability to relate to trekkers from vastly different cultural backgrounds
- A calm, logical approach to problem-solving
- Strong planning and organization skills
- A sense of humour to keep the group's spirits up
- An awareness of individual trekker needs
- A commitment to responsible trekking.
Booking & Payment Method
Ammonite Adventure is officially licensed with the Government of Nepal, as well as a member of the TAAN and NMA. In order to reserve your trip, you are required to make a payment of 10% (a deposit) via bank transfer, Western Union, or online.
Once you arrive in Nepal, you can settle the remaining cost in cash, via card (including 3% credit cost), or bank transfer. Within 1 week of lodging your booking, please send us a copy of your passport (including dependents), current photos, proof of travel insurance, and flight information.
Last-minute booking
We accept last-minute bookings for the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek. All payments must be made in full a minimum of 24 hours before departure. Last-minute bookings can be more difficult, as the Dhaulagiri trek is remote and has pre-arranged logistics.
Trip Extension
After completing the Dhaulagiri Circuit trek, you can extend your visit and add additional trips such as cultural tours in Kathmandu, jungle safari, and exciting sports like paragliding to rafting!
