Trip difficulty

Most of the trekking companies and trekkers tend to under estimate this trekking being similar to Round Annapurna or Everest Base camp trek in terms of difficulty level and that leads the trip to the failure and sometimes it becomes dangerous. Dhaulagiri Trek is the most difficult trekking of Nepal and should not under estimate it. On a standard Dhaulagiri Trek ,the wilderness begins first with a small difficult trail, set in a beautiful virgin forest and then the trail becomes very rough from the alpine grasses of Italy base Camp. We will need to use a fixed rope to cross the difficult rubble-covered glacier and then after some rock fall danger, the trail climbs onto the main glacier. The trails are ill defined and traverses knife-edged ridges on loose rock where a slip means loss of life. The trail becomes easier past Army Base Camp heading up French Col and then drops into Hidden Valley, broad and open with rich hued rocks and barely a blade of grass. Here, at 5000 m it is perpetually cold, at least -15C° in October and -20C° in November at night.
We attain the maximum altitude of 5,300m ( 17,384ft) at French Col. Most important concern in this trek is the risk of acute mountain sickness. This itinerary is the standard one and goes in clockwise direction and is good for a very experienced and confident party only. The trekkers as well as the support crews should be in excellent condition, well trained and experienced and well equipped. Everybody should be properly acclimatized and prepared for glacier walking and intense cold. If support crews and porters are not experienced, well equipped or prepared for the hardness of the trip, they will end up getting sick, abandoning their loads and running back down.
In order to run this trip safe, we ensure that our Trekking Leader, Sherpas, Cook and Porters have been there at least a couple of times. All our crews will be prepared for the intense cold; they will have warm cloths, wind-proof jacket and trekking boots. We will provide them with tents, blankets or sleeping bags and food. All crews will be ensured against any possible accidents including the risks of high altitude.
Every trekker must have boots with crampons on for glacier walking and an ice axe. Our trekking leader will bring fix ropes. And do not forget to protect yourself by a good insurance that covers the emergency medical transportation or helicopter evacuation in case of need.
All camping gears and supplies are carried by Porters or pack animals leaving trekkers free to carry a light daypack, only. Before you go, we provide you with extensive pre-departure information, including clothing recommendations, suggested reading lists, up-to-date health advice, and other details from procuring visas to advice on local customs.

A Typical Trekking Day

Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. All we need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of our gear for us.
After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.
After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

Fully Organized Camping Trip

Camping is a traditional and in true sense the real way of trekking in Nepal Himalayas. We will be accompanied by a number of Sherpas with camping gears, kitchen utensils, cooking gas and food supplies, transported by pack animals or local porters. The camping gears include two person sleeping tents, dinning tent, kitchen tent, toilet tent, shower tent, dining table and chairs. Shower tent will be set up only if water source is in easy access.

Meals

We will have daily 3 hot meals, cooked by our cook. Our cook is experienced and trained to prepare western dishes as well as local delicacies and pays utmost attention to maintain balance of diet and hygiene.

To start the day, breakfast consists of a choice of porridge, muesli and cereal followed by omelet, fried or scrambled eggs with chapattis or bread. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate, coffee etc. Lunch is generally a selection of salad, cooked vegetable dishes, pasta and traditional breads. After a long day on the trail, dinner is a hearty 3-course meal - soup, followed by a variety of vegetable, meat, rice and pasta dishes and completed with a simple dessert. Tea, coffee and hot chocolate are also provided at all meals. We use as much fresh produce as possible and our cooks and kitchen crew maintain exceptional standards of cleanliness and food preparation hygiene. Special dietary requirements can always be catered with prior arrangement. Normally, our cook provides you with set menus with multiple choices but you can also add your expertise!
Its also advisable that you bring supplement vitamins, energy bars and dry fruits.

Guide and support staff.

An experienced and certified trekking guide will lead your trip. The guide also will be trained by KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project) on first aid, environment, conservation and biodiversity and licensed by Nepal Government’s Tourism Authority. The guide will be well conversant in English, professional, helpful and always willing to provide you with personalized care and services. Your guide escorts you on the trail, checks the trail condition, trains you on technical knowhow of using equipment and fixes rope for climbing. There will be a Sherpa staff to select the camping site, pitch the tents and break down for you. There will be an experienced and trained cook for you to cook 3 meals a day. The cook is supported by 3-4 aides for kitchen works. Besides, there will be a number of porters or pack animals to transport the camping gears, supplies and your personal clothing and gears.
For your personal gears and clothing, we will provide one porter for each two trekkers with limitation of 15 kg/33 pounds of pack per porter, in compliance with the standards set by International Porters Progress Group (http://ippg.net/) and we strongly stand on porter’s rights and discourage any form of exploitation. All crews are insured against any trekking related risks.

A Typical Trekking Day

Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. All we need to carry is a small day pack containing water bottle, camera, sun cream, hat, rain jacket and warm jumper, just in case. The porters will carry the rest of our gear for us.
After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free.
After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

Checklist

To join the Dhaulagiri Trekking, you must have the following specialist climbingequipment including trek equipments:

Climbing Gears
1. Crampons
2. Harness
3. Ice Axe
4. 2 x Tape slings
5. 2 x Screwgate Karabiners
6. Descender / Abseil Device
7. Prussic Loops
8. Plastic Mountaineering Boots

Head gears:
1. Sun hat or scarf
2. Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
3. Sunglasses with UV protection

Clothing:
1. T-shirts (2).
2. Light and expedition weight thermal tops.
3. Fleece jacket or pullover.
4. Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional).
5. Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket.
6. Down jacket [Highland Asia will provide]
7. 4 seasons sleeping bag [Highland Asia will provide]
8. Lightweight gloves.
9. Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer.
10. Underwear (6)
11. Hiking shorts (2)
12. Lightweight cotton long pants
13. Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
14. Fleece or wool pants
15. Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants
Footwear
1. Thin, lightweight inner socks (4)
2. Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4)
3. Hiking boots with spare laces
4. Camp shoes (sneakers or sandals)
5. Gaiters for hiking for climbing sections

Accessories:
1. Sleeping bag rated to zero degrees F [Highland Asia will supply]
2. Headlamp with spare bulbs and batteries
3. Small pad or combination lock-to-lock Highland Asia trek bag
4. Basic First Aid Kit
5. Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry inside trek bag
6. Day pack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
7. Thermarest sleeping pad
8. Water bottles (2)
9. Small wash towel (2)

Some optional Items
1. Binoculars
2. Reading book
3. Trail Map/Guide book
4. Journal Pen
5. Walkman
6. Pencils and small notebooks
7. Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble

We provide

Highland Asia provides down sleeping bags (4 seasons) and a Jacket for each trekker; good for - 20 Celsius/ -4 Fahrenheit and it are suggested that to bring your personal liner from home. You will also be provided Duffel (kit bag) up on arrival in Kathmandu.
Note: In order to limit the weight, please bring only essential items listed above and you can leave the rest of your belongings at your hotel in Kathmandu

Note on Itinerary

Although we will do our very best to adhere to the itinerary schedule as listed; it is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control.

Booking and Cancellation

When you are sure you are traveling, please don't delay in booking. The internal flights are the key factor in determining whether your trip can be realized or not. A deposit of US$200 on land plus the cost of internal airfares is requested along with complete trip application form and passport copies.

Balance payment is due 60 days prior to your departure. Depending on the number of applicants, we may set an early payment date. Credit card payment attracts additional fee.

Cancellation Fee

• 90 days prior departure: Administrative fee US$ 50 per person.
• 60-89 day's prior departure: US$ 250 or 25% of the land cost whichever is higher.
• 45 days to 59 days prior departure: US$ 450 or 50% of the land cost whichever is higher.
• <30 days to 44 days prior departure: US$ 600 or 75% of the land cost whichever is higher.
• Less than 30 days: 100%

Nepal Visa

You can obtain Nepal visa beforehand from any Nepali embassies or consulates abroad or wait until you arrive at Kathmandu airport or any other port of entry to Nepal. You will need to complete visa application form and attach a passport size photograph. Visa fee costs US$ 25 for 15 days and $45 for 30 days multiple entry.

Highland Asia Travel

We are an active adventure travel company, based in Minneapolis, USA with destination management offices in Kathmandu, Thimphu and Lhasa. We are BBB acredited business and an active member of American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). We have set the standard for adventure travel and have a strong reputation for excellence that we do everything we can to maintain. Our managers and guides have more than 15 years of experience in organizing and leading adventure trips in the highlands of Asia. For us travel is not just a business, but a way of life.

Travel Protection Plan

While we plan and do our best to make your trip smooth and seamless, there may be chances of unforeseen events and conditions such as illness, accident, inclement weather, and flight cancellation or missed connection or loss of baggage etc. that may cause interruption or delay or total cancellation of your trip putting your hard earned travel investment in jeopardy. It’s also possible that you may need medical assistance, emergency evacuation or medical transportation when you get ill or involve in an accident when you are traveling in remote areas. Highland Asia’s Tour cost does not cover any of these expenses or losses and so we strongly recommend you that you should protect yourself and your travel investment against those unfavorable conditions.