Dhaulagiri, the White Mountain was first climbed by the Swiss in 1960. Its name is derived from Sanskrit “dhavala- means white” and giri is mountain – The White Mountain. It is an enormous Himalaya massif located in the North Central Nepal. It was first sighted by the British surveyors in India in the early 1800s and it remained as highest peak in the world till 1848 AD. Later it was mapped by one of the secret Indian surveyors in 1873 AD. But the region remained largely unknown until a Swiss aerial survey in 1949. The French Annapurna Expedition , led by Mr Herzog in 1950, had permission to climb either Dhaulagiri or Annapurna but decided on Annapurna after a reconnaissance of Dhaulagiri. A Swiss team failed to climb in 1953 as did an Argentine group one year later.

After four more expeditions, an eight member of a Swiss expedition reached the summit in 1960. The climb followed a circuitous route around the mountain from Tukuche, over Dhampus pass, French col to approach the summit from the North – East col. The peak was then climbed by two Japanese in 1970s, the American in 1973 and the Italians in 1976. There has been many attempts made by various mountaineering expedition team and recently an Italian team has successfully climbed the mountain during spring season 2006. The Indian climbers have many grand successful climbing to Nepal Himalayas peaks in the recent past but they have not climb Dhaulagiri as yet.

This is the perfect trip for those who want a more intense experience of the mountains. We will trekking deep into the dhaulagiri region, providing more spectacular views of Mt Dhaulagiri, Throng Peak, Annapurna I and Kali Gandaki, the world?s deepest gorge. We may encounter semi wild yak herds, Mountain sheep or the elusive snow leopard in the remote valleys of this region.

After a short flight from Kathmandu, Pokhara & Jomsom, we will spend the first few days of our walking through cultivated fields connecting mountain villages, enjoying the shops, tea houses and lifetime of the Gurung, Chhetri, Magar peoples. We will walk alone cobblestone paths, over suspensions bridges and through dense forests, taking in the vistas of some of the world?s most beautiful mountains. We will continue to explore and fully absorb the beauty of the surrounding peaks. We will climb over the glaciated French pass and Dhampus pass and then descend a winding trail to Yak Kharka. We will continue through mountain villages, enjoying the Hot Springs at the Tatopani and views of the majestic peaks of the Annapurna (26539?) and Machhapuchhare (22937?) as we make our way toward Pokhara, visiting several Monasteries and religious sites en route. 

Itinerary 01:

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu Internation Airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Preparation day for expedition. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.

Day 04: Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom. Stay overnight in Jomsom

Day 05: Trek from Jomsom to Kagbeni. Stay overnight in tea house.

Day 06: Day hike to Muktinath, back to Jomsom. Stay overnight in tea house

Day 07: Trek to Yak Kharka/Alu bari. Camping

Day 08: Trek from Yak Kharka to Kalo pani. Camping

Day 09: Trek from Kalo Pani to Hidden Valley. Camping

Day 10: Trek from Hidden Valley to Dhauligir Base camp. Camping

Day 11-13: Base camp

Day 14 - Day 52: Mt. Dhaulagiri climbing period

Day 53: Trek back to Hidden Valley - camping

Day 54: Trek from Hidden Valley to Yak Kharka. Camping

Day 55: Trek from Yak Kharka to Jomsom. Camping

Day 56: Fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara

Day 57: Rest day in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 58: Rest day in Kathmandu. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 59: Fly out from Kathmandu.

Itinerary 02:

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport and transfer to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Preparation day for expedition. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Beni and it takes almost ten and half hours.
Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 04: Trek from Beni to Tatopani. Stay overnight at camp.

Day 05: Trek from Tatopani to Ghasa/Lete.

Day 06: Trek from Ghasa/Lete to Tukche/Marpha.

Day 07: Rest day.

Day 08: Trek from Tukuche / Marpha to Yak Kharka

Day 09: Trek from Yak Kharka to Kalopani

Day 10: Trek from Kalopani to Hidden Valley

Day 11: Trek from Hidden Valley to Dhaulagiri Base Camp

Day 12: Rest day

Day 13: Preparation for climb

Day 14-52: Climbing period.

Day 53: Base camp

Day 54: Clearance of Base camp

Day 55: Trek from Dhaulagiri Base Camp to Hidden Valley

Day 56: Trek from Hidden valley to Yak Kharka

Day 57: Trek from Yak Kharka to Jomsom

Day 58: Fly back to Kathmandu via Pokhara

Day 59: Rest day in Kathmandu

Day 60: Fly out from Kathmandu.

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