MOUNT DHAULAGIRI CIRCUIT TREKKING

The lower hills are populated by the Magar, one of the largest hill ethnic tribes in Nepal. The Magar Hill tribe follows both the Hindu and Buddhist religions,and various interesting cultures. From the last village of Bagar, into sheer mountain wilderness, till the trek leads to Marpha Village. Located around Lower Mustang and the Kaligandaki River Valley, inhabited by the Thakali.Thakali people are of the Tibetan Buddhist religion, like those around theUpper Mustang, which is close to the Tibet border, north-west of Jomsom Town.

The best times for the Mount Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek are late spring and autumn/fall. Spring begins in March and ends in May, and autumn begins in September and ends in November. Springtime, with longer sunshine hours, is one of the best seasons for treks and various adventures. As well as for stunning views of the Himalayan Mountain ranges, cold mornings, within the shade, and at night. Late afternoon can get overcast with light rains and snowfall sometimes. Autumn begins in September and ends in November, one of the best times for treks. Most days are clear, offering pleasant views and walks. But with shorter sunshine hours. It gets dark by 5 p.m. Most days are bright and clear with sunshine, and snowfall sometimes above 3,000 m. Cold mornings, and in the shade, the night times, but with clear starry nights.

Permits and regulations for the Mount Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, where all trekkers must join a Registered local company. Trekkers are not allowed to trek solo or individually. Must be accompanied by a Government-Licensed Guide. The trekking permits are obtained from TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal). The permit is TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems). Once booked with a local or any other agency abroad, the trekking company in Nepal will obtain the trekking permits or TIMS.

To proceed with the TIMS, trekkers are required to send 4 passport-sized photos pictures, a full and detailed copy of the passport. The Passport should not expire before 6 months from the Expiry date.

The food and lodge accommodations on the Mount Dhaulagiri Circuit trek very simple and with basic facilities. Trekkers should remember that this adventure leads to remote and isolated parts of the Western Himalayas. In the first few days at Nauru and Bagar Villages, the food and lodges are simple and of a country style.

Most of the overnights are spent in tented camps, carried by Loong Adventures’s strong and healthy porters. The tented camp will be arranged from Bagar Village onwards until Alu Bhari or Yak Kharka before Marpha and Jomsom Town. Loong Adventures provides all camping facilities, spacious two-man tents, and a dining tent according to group size. Include portable tables and chairs with gas or kerosene lanterns for lighting the dining tent. Similarly, the company provides a separate kitchen unit, with an expert cook, kitchen crews, camping staff, and guides. The camping includes toilet tents with a dugout hole.

The food on trekking and camping will be served and cooked by our cook. From breakfast, lunch, and dinner, it includes morning wake-up refreshment with warm water for washing. Breakfast includes cereal, cornflakes, oats porridge, followed by a loaf of toast with egg variations. Includes tea, coffee, or Hot Chocolate, the lunch is simple, like the Noodle soup or fried with seasonal vegetables, with some canned meats. Includes Tibetan bread or sandwich, boiled or fried potato with fresh and hygienic salads. Sometimes the cook prepares a packed lunch where fresh water is not available. On long walks, from Japanese Camp or Pakhaban, to Alu Bhari/ Yak Kharka. Trekkers will be handed a packed lunch for the day, with refreshing hot drinks and snacks on arrival at overnight camps.

Dinner is served in a dining tent, starting with a variety of soups, popcorn, papadom, followed by the main course, which is either fried noodles with eggs. Vegetables, fried rice, or Nepal Dal Bhat include a mild vegetable curry and pickles as options. Serves Tea or Coffee with desserts of fresh or canned fruits. When the cook has time will bake cakes, pastries, and Pizza also. From Marpha and Jomsom, in the comfort of nice tourist-standard hotels or lodges with a comprehensive and delightful food menu.

For this adventure, Dhaulagiri Circuit, all interested trekkers should be physically fit and in sound health. For trekkers with a medical history and special dietary inform, Loong Adventures. So that the company can make necessary arrangements for your needs. For this adventure, the age groups range a minimum of 15 to a maximum of 70 years old.

The minimum age of under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians, as well as for elderly persons. Stay physically fit with daily exercise before and after booking this trip. Like walking, jogging for an hour, or any other good physical exercise, for a fitness level. It is best to check with your doctor before booking the Mount Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.

Mount Dhaulagiri Circuit Trekking is graded from Adventurous to Challenging, especially in deep snow conditions. The walk is normal and moderate, like many other treks around the Himalayas, with steep climbs and long descents.

The difficulty is on the route from the Japanese Camp or Pakhaban to Dhaulagiri Base Camp. Where walking and climbing follow through a glaciated valley with moraine of rocks and small icebergs, and icy ponds. The path is vague and not defined due to the movements of glaciers every season of the year.

The other difficulty is walking from Hidden Valley to Alu Bhari via Dhampus Pass. The trail is narrow with screes of rocks; in snow conditions, one needs to take extra care. The rest of the walk is moderate to Marpha and Jomsom Town.

All trekkers, when booking, need to obtain Travel and Medical Insurance in case of unfortunate incidents and accidents. Sometimes, treks might have to be re-routed to other safe destinations in case of unfortunate landslides and avalanches. Including heavy snowfall that might obstruct the trekking trail, if this situation arises, the guide will make the right decision. The guide is forced to change the routes to other safe areas of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna Himalayan regions. If you are not satisfied with the options of other safe routes, there will be no refund. Clients need to claim from your Travel Insurance, and the company will issue a letter of explanation.

As for Medical Insurance, where some trekkers might get sick from AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness or from unfortunate accidents. For severe illness or wounds, an immediate evacuation by the fastest means of transportation, using a Helicopter service. To bring the patient to the nearest hospital, either in Pokhara or Kathmandu. If this condition happens to trekkers has to bear all the extra expenses as well as those of the accompanying staff. It should be claimed from the insurance company for the extra expenses incurred. The company and medical doctors will provide a supporting letter so that you can claim reimbursement from your medical insurance.

Preparation for the Mount Dhaulagiri Circuit trek, after your good interest, and staying fit and healthy. Check with the airlines for a direct flight to Kathmandu. As well as prices of respective airlines that fly to Kathmandu from Europe, Asia, Australia, or the USA. After booking with the airlines and obtaining a Nepal Visa from your home country’s Embassies or Consulates. If not possible, you can get the visa at Kathmandu International Airport, which requires valid travel documents to enter Nepal.

The other requirements, preparation, and buying the right gear for the trek, and ask Loong Adventures. The equipment and gear list for the trek is season-wise. Please bring portable solar power to charge electronic items, as you will be away from villages without electricity.