Dhaulagiri (8167m) is the sixth highest mountain in the world. This extraordinary route was first discovered by the 1950 French expedition that climbed Annapurna I, and provides stunning views of the whole Dhaulagiri range. It is particularly attractive to people drawn to high mountains and wilderness, and requires an excellent physical condition and basic mountaineering skills.

This rarely frequented itinerary starts in Pokhara and leads, through rice-terraces, up to Beni and farther up through picturesque villages of Tibetan culture along the Myagdi Khola, to the very heart of the Dhaulaghiri massif. After the base camp (4750 m), dominated by the Dhaulaghiri I (8091 m) gigantic mass to the south and the Dhaulaghiri II (7751 m), III (7715 ms), IV (7661 m) and V (7618 m) to the west, the trail crosses the French Pass (5400 m) and the Thapa Pass (5230 m). We will then reach the Kali Gandaki river and head for Pokhara or Jomosom, on the famous Annapurna Circuit itinerary.