In Nepal fortunately, treks which have been totally off limits to foreign travellers are now very much possible. For many years Annapurna circuit has been widely popular. Dhaulagiri is Annapurna 's neighbor and is very like the Annapurna circuit one of the classic walks of the world. Dhaulagiri , 26,794ft/8,167m, is the seventh highest mountain in the world and its name translated means 'The White Mountain'. It was first climbed by the Swiss expedition in 1960. This is a long trek involving the crossing of two passes in excess of 17,000ft/5,200m, but offers the opportunity for the fit enthusiast to explore some very un-traveled country. Dhaulagiri circuit has a lot to offer to all travellers in search of an adventure among serene landscapes and scenic grandeur in Nepal.

Drive up to Baglung and on to Beni , the center of the district with many buildings including government offices. It will probably be hot and humid as the trek begins west up the left bank of the Mayagdi Khola, past a cable car over the river. You pass many small villages before reaching Singa where you can camp overnight.

Beyond the village, the Mayagdi Khola rambles, passing through many cultivated areas and villages like Tatopani Shiman and Tal Kot. It is a short climb to Babiyachaur and then a high, winding path on a mountainside. Here there are terraced hillsides and paddy fields and the path is an easy walk, being either flat or gently ascending. After Ratorunga the path follows the river. After quite a bit of up and down, you finally reach Darbang (3,650ft/1,113m) where you can camp overnight.

From Darbang, after crossing the Mayagdi River over the suspension bridge, the trail winds up gradually for one hour. After leaving the river behind, a steep climb of 1½ hrs leads to the ridge, then a short pleasant walk will bring you to the village of Dharapani, 1½ hrs, where lunch is taken with stunning views of Putali and Ghurja, the western peaks adjoining Dhaulagiri massif. The path follows along the farm fields to the south of the ridge from where Dhaulagiri Himal is visible before reaching Sibang, 3 hrs, where you can camp overnight.

The track descends towards the Gatti Khola for two hours before a steady climb for a further two hours until the large village of Muri is reached. This place is suitable for an overnight camp. The inhabitants of this village are mostly of the Magar tribe.

Your trek path skirts around and descends to the warm areas of paddy fields partially penetrated by the tributary Dhora Khola. After crossing it, the main path ascends the cultivated valleys, passing rural farmhouses, and goes through a hamlet to a mountain path then skirts around the ridge. The path continues winding steeply uphill for two hours and coming out at the top of the ridge, the path descends gradually to a small farm village at Bagar, the last village en-route before Marpha village is reached at the Kali Gandaki valley. Camp overnight.

The trek from Marpha village begins with a very steep hill then a descent with stone steps cut from the rock. There are cliffs above with massive bees' nests and ropes forcollecting honey. The high winding trekking path follows the village through the grassy area, there is damp and slippery ground, before finally descending as a steep stone path to the river's edge. Following the river for a while, the path follows a gently sloping mountain and continues through a forested area with many highs and lows. Going on further along the grassy area you make the ascent through the forest to emerge to a place where you can camp overnight.

Crossing Konaban Khola, once again you enter the forested area until the ascent becomes a descent, and you can see the west wall of Dhaulagiri I, between the breaks of the trees. You head down to Myagdi Khola side, take the left bank path and climb up towards another river called the Pakite Khola, without ever getting too far from the Konaban river. You will cross this little stream to the tableland of Chartare (Saligare). Another 2½ hrs of climb to a misty, moss-hung leads to a clearing in the forest where you can camp for the night.

Continue following the trail ahead will lead to the forest area and then into a rocky area, then climbs the mountainside with a steep hill at the end. After crossing the steep hill, the path narrows until you cross one glacier and descend to another glacier that originated from the west wall of the Dhaulagiri . You climb the opposite bank to a wide grassy area in a shallow valley of Pakhaban . Pakhaban is a beautiful place with an impressive view of the West wall of Dhaulagiri I and to the rear the huge stonewalls from Tsaurabong Peak press closer. Camp overnight here.

Leaving the glacier you climb a terraced hill on the right bank, which runs along beside the glacier for a while. Cross the moraine entering from a gently sloping incline on the right. You follow this valley to the French Col, 17,585ft/5,360m, 4½ hrs; naturally from here there is an amazing view of Himalayan peaks in all directions, including Sita Chuchura, Mukut Himal and Tahshikang. All these peaks surround the Hidden Valley . To the right you can see Tukche Peak West and to the rear stands Dhaulagiri I. A gentle descent along the snow-covered landscape finally ends at the wide Hidden Valley and grass for camping overnight.

Alubari is much lower than Yak Kharka which is a campsite for most tourists, much warmer and safer if the weather breaks. It is an hour to the bottom of the pass, care needed on easy snow slopes. You then contour very high on north, (left) bank which is a potentially dangerous pass as the path stays above 15,420ft/4,700m for 5½ hrs before dropping very steeply. The ground is featureless with shale slopes. There are superb views of Tukche Peak , Nilgiri and perhaps the Annapurnas behind, Tilicho becomes visible later; there are also stunning views of Jomsom and towards the arid trans-Himalayan zones towards Mustang. The path then goes down to the right and crosses a stream to reach Alubari, comprising several stone huts. Camp overnight.

Follow the path on the left bank along the Kali Gandaki river up to Tukche village. Carry on further through the cultivated areas and then the rocky area up to the settlement of Larjung at 8,399ft/2,560m. You head along the banks of the Kali Gandaki then descend to the tableland of Lete. Once again, you can have excellent views of Dhaulagiri , Tukche Peak , Annapurna I and Nilgiri. Camp overnight here.

Start by going along the narrow valley of the Kali Gandaki without going very far from the river and head up to Kabre where the valley widens. From here you descend along the zigzag mountain path through rocky cliffs to enter the village of Dana , consisting of little villages surrounded by orange groves. From autumn to winter, baskets of oranges are offered for sale to travellers along the way. The path ahead meanders through small villages and finally reaches the village of Tatopani . Camp overnight here.

From here make the long ascent to Ghorepani. After crossing a suspension bridge you carry on downstream along the Kali Gandaki crossing a wooden bridge across the Ghar Khola. You turn left and ascend a steep stone path to Durun Dhara. From here you descend along the rocky path to the Chhetri village of Ghare with its red walled houses. Ascend through terraced fields all the way up to Ghorepani. You can see ahead a panoramic view of the Dhaulagiri range. Camp overnight here.

An early start is needed this morning to reach the highest point on Ghorepani Ridge, Poon Hill, for the close-up view of the south wall of pyramid-shaped Dhaulagiri for the sunrise. It is an easy walk through the main Trans-Himalayan Trade Route through the rhododendron and rain forest, descending to Ulleri and Tirkhedhunga villages, a pleasant spot with waterfalls. Camp overnight here.