Dhaulagiri Expedition

Dhaulagiri is the seventh highest mountain in the world. It forms the eastern anchor of the Dhaulagiri Himal, a subrange of the Himalaya in the Dhawalagiri Zone of north central Nepal. It lies northwest of Pokhara, an important regional town and tourist center. Across the deep gorge of the Kali Gandaki to the east lies the Annapurna Himal, home to Annapurna I, one of the other eight-thousanders. Dhaulagiri means "White Mountain".

Dhaulagiri was first climbed on May 13, 1960 by Kurt Diemberger, Peter Diener, Ernst Forrer, Albin Schelbert, Nyima Dorji and Nawang Dorji, members of a Swiss/Austrian expedition. The expedition leader was Max Eiselin; they used the Northeast Ridge route which had been reconnoitered one year earlier by an Austrian expedition led by Fritz Moravec. This was also the first Himalayan climb supported by a fixed-wing aircraft. The aircraft, a Pilatus PC-6, crashed during the approach and was later abandoned on the mountain.

The vast majority of ascents to date have been via the first ascent route, which is the "Normal Route" on the mountain. However ascents have been made from almost every direction.

Best Season: Spring is the best but Autumn is good.

Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and hotel transfer
Days 02 – 03: Official formalities and expedition preparation
Day 04: Drive to Pokhara
Day 05: Pokhara-Jomsom by air and walk to Marpha (Marpha over night) (2670 m.)
Day 06: Marpha - Alubari (4100 m.)
Day 07: Alubari - Hidden Valley (5100 m.)
Day 08: Hidden Valley - Dhaulagiri Base Camp (4750 m.)
Day 09 - 36: Climbing period
Day 37: Dhaulagiri Base Camp - Hidden Valley
Day 38: Hidden Valley - Yak Kharka
Day 39: Yak Kharka - Jomsom, Overnight at Hotel
Day 40: Jomsom - Pokhara by air, Overnight at Hotel
Day 41: Rest day in Pokhara, Overnight at Hotel
Day 42: Pokhara - Kathmandu by Bus
Day 43: Free day in Kathmandu
Day 44: Final Departure

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