Trip Reports

Dhaulagiri Circuit 2023 report

Written by Leader Anthony Halliwell (Tony), November 2023

A number of pre-trip cancellations meant that it was a small, strong and satisfied team that returned from the Circuit of Dhaulagiri trek just to the south of the Mustang region of Nepal. We had a wide range of experience amongst our group, on different continents and from alpine up to (one) 8,000m summit

This trek is described as having “an expedition feel” and the Hidden Valley is described as “remote”. These things are certainly true and one of the trip’s greatest appeals is just the variety of terrain you travel through as part of this exceptional journey; lowland valleys, bamboo jungle, rain forest, a high mountain pass with stunning views of Dhaulagiri and many other peaks in the Annapurna range, a high mountain plateau and, if you choose the Damphus option, a 6,000m peak. We heard and caught glimpses of monkeys. We did not see snow leopards, but we saw their tracks.

In all of this we were supported by a tight-knit and effective team of Sherpas, cooks and porters, directed superbly by Dawa, who knows this route like the back of his hand.

After crossing the amazing French Pass (a worthwhile objective in itself) our summit attempt of Damphus was defeated a little over half way by deep, untracked snow, but we were reward with open views towards the Annapurnas on our 2 day descent towards Marpha, before the return to Jomsom and then Kathmandu.

Thanks to Alex, Brian, Ken and Tao who made this a very companionable and enjoyable experience. Thanks to Dawa and to Krishna. Thanks too to Sitra, our cook, whose food drew constant praise and thanks to his cook team and all the porters who helped us make our very enjoyable journey. For me, this was a most enjoyable return to this trek; it’s worth doing again and again.

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