Useful Info
Himalayan Penchant
Dhaulagiri Expedition is one of the biggest achievements that one can have in their life. This expedition will not only take you to the top of the world's seventh highest mountain but also test your endurance and present you an experience unlike anything else. Trekking through the trodden trail, you will discover the hidden corners of the Himalayas that only a few get to discover. The stunning landscapes and panoramic views of the Himalayan mountains will make the journey thrilling.
Enjoying outstanding views of snow-capped mountains like Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m), Annapurna Range (8,091 m), Mt. Fishtail (6,993 m), Mt. Manaslu (8,156 m), Tukuche Peak (6,920 m), Mt. Nilgiri (7,061 m), Gurja Himal (7,193 m), Tsaurabong Peak (6,395 m), Mukut Himal (6,328 m), Tashi Kang (6,386 m), extra, you will reach the summit of Mt. Dhaulagiri.
Mt. Lhotse Expedition landmark
There is a lot to see during the Dhaulagiri Climbing. The villages you will be spending nights will present to you the rich culture of the locals. Then comes the main highlight of the journey, Mt. Dhaulagiri. The trail then drops down to Kaligandaki Valley, where you will see Thakali culture. And, a breath-taking flight from Jomsom will take you to the city of lakes, Pokhara, in a blink of an eye. Not only this, you will cross passes, crevasses, alter moraines, walk on narrow paths, glaciers, and forest during the climbing.
Culture & Ethnic Diversity
The people here are kind and helpful. The lifestyle that they are living in is unique, and something to look into it. Over the centuries, they have preserved their culture and tradition. Begin the remote, the region has not seen any modern developments, which has played a big role to protect the heritage. During your stay in villages, you will get to experience the culture and traditions of the locals.
Natural Aptitude
The trail is wild and remote. Trekking through picturesque farming villages and terraced hillsides, you will reach the Himalayan foothills. During the Dhaulagiri Expedition, you will come across varied climatic zones and vegetation. The trail passes through dense forests, which is home to numerous flora & fauna.
Dhaulagiri Expedition difficulty
Dhaulagiri Expedition is a difficult climbing journey. You have to overcome lots of difficulties and have to survive in one of the extreme environment, where there is no trace of life in miles. There will be several crevasses to cross, ice wall to cross, and steep snowy ascends. You have to have strong physical fitness, endurance, and stamina. Previous trekking and climbing experience is needed to go on Dhaulagiri Expedition.
Altitude Sickness & Prevention
Dhaulagiri is a high altitude journey that involves risks of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness. This can ruin your trip and in the worst case can become life-threatening. Therefore, it is very important to acclimatize your body properly along with gaining elevation.
Following are the things you can do to reduce the chances of getting AMS:
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid alcoholic drinks
- Include an adequate number of rest days in the itinerary
- Carry general medication of AMS
- Drop down to lower elevation if you find yourself getting AMS
- Inform your guide immediately
- Don't push yourself to complete the journey if your symptoms did not get in control
Transportation and Bag Pack
Dhaulagiri Expedition begins with a scenic drive to Beni. From here, you will trke through several beautiful villages and lush forests.
Here is the list of things that you should carry during Dhaulagiri Expedition:
- Pair of hiking pants and casual pants
- T-shirts
- Thermal Wears
- Breathable Underwears
- Trekking shoes/socks
- Rain jacket
- Gloves
- Sun hat
- Sleeping bag
- Trekking Pole
- Harness
- Crampon
- Rope
- Ice Ax
- Ascender
- Climbing Boots
- First aid kit
- Toiletries (toilet paper, hand sanitizer, sunblock, towel, soap, shampoo, sanitary napkins, etc)
- Miscellaneous (camera, extra batteries, journal, cards, bars, snacks, water purification tablets, etc)
Food and Accommodation during Dhaulagiri Expedition
During Mt. Dhaulagiri Expedition, you will be staying in the teahouse as well as camps. The teahouse will give you basic facilities at a higher altitude. In villages at a lower elevation, you can find facilities like wifi, cafes, etc. The teahouse will be basic with limited facilities. Good enough to spend the night.
Likewise, for food, you can find a good variety in the menu from Nepali dishes to Indian, Tibetan, and Continental. Similarly, with the increase in altitude, the menu also gets limited. During your stay in camp, the meals will be cooked and prepared by the porters.
Best Season to go on Dhaulagiri Expedition
Spring (March to May) and Autumn (October to November) is the best time to go on the Dhaulagiri expedition. Moreover, climbers usually prefer to climb this mountain during the springtime than autumn because of a hotter climate during the day. However, it is possible to climb this mountain in both seasons.
Dhaulagiri Expedition cost
Factors like itinerary and the services on the camp determine the cost of the expedition. As you will be traveling in the most isolated part of the world, there is a lot to adjust and prepare. At, Go For Nepal Treks & Expedition, we provide comprehensive services at the camps that will make the journey a little easier. However, all of this drastically increases the price, but the experience you will get, and the view you will see is more than the worth you will pay to summit Mount Dhaulagiri.
Essential Document
Here is the list of things that you have to carry during the expedition:
- Passport & Visa
- Travel Insurance
- Extra Photos
- Permits
- Cash (as per need)
What is done in Base camp?
During your stay at the base camp, you will get trained by your guide. He will brief you about the proper use of gears like rope, harness, ice-ax, etc. You will go on a short hike to acclimate your body and increase your confidence level. You might also climb nearby peaks.
Training and Climbing (Dhaulagiri Northeast Ridge)
Dhaulagiri Advanced Base Camp (4,748m/15,577ft):
Trekking through the Majhangdi Khola, which is a gorge between Dhaulagiri I and Dhaulagiri II, you will ascend towards the advanced base camp. You will see advanced base camp across a steep rock tower that separates the north face of the mountain from the northeast spur. The trail is going to be long that begins from the Eiger and leads to a saddle between Dhaulagiri and Tukche Ri. You will be spending a long time here adapting the environment and acclimatizing your body with the altitude.
Dhaulagiri Camp I (5,450m/21,000ft); 4-5hrs:
The trail from advanced base camp to Camp I is a mixed terrain. The first part of the ridge is a moderate technical climb on limestone and snow. This part is known as Jacob's Ladderand. Before walking on a glacier, you will pass by grassy slopes, moraine, and rock slabs. Your guide will fix the rope for around 200 m at a slope of 35º to 40º.
Dhaulagiri Camp II (6,400m/20,997ft); 2½-3hrs:
The climb from Camp I to Camp II is moderate. Ascending through a mixed climbing path, you will move towards Camp II. After walking on snow for around two hours, you will come across several steep sections of ice at 35º to 40º slope that extends to 50-60 meters.
Dhaulagiri Camp III (7,400m/24,278ft); 4-5hrs:
Camp III is far distant from Camp II. The entire route needs to be fixed with a rope. The climb will be safe, however, the thin air and low level of oxygen make the journey exhausting. Plus, you are exposed to cold and strong wind.
Dhaulagiri Summit (8,167m/26,795ft); 16-17 hrs:
You will begin climbing between 11:00 pm to 01:00 am to reach the summit at around 7:00 am to 10:00 am. It is going to be a long journey to reach the summit and descend back to Camp III or Camp II. Your guide will fix the rope and ladder whenever required. You will be using supplemental oxygen that will help you during the ascend. Also during the returning phase, you will carry all the wastage with yourself to the lower elevation and clean up all the camps. This small act will help to preserve the environment up there.
Extra Personal Expenditure
The extra cost of yours like buying food or drinks out of the itinerary meals and shopping are not included in the package cost. On the trail, you might have to charge your electric appliances or take a hot shower that costs a few extra bucks are also not included in the package cost. Therefore, make sure to carry enough cash with yourself so that you can use it whenever you need it. Also, there are no ATM machines available on the trail, and none of the teahouses accepts the card for payment.
Safety & Precaution in Expedition
Climbing Mt. Dhaulagiri is a real deal that can not be taken lightly. Years of experience of your guides are needed to reach the top of these 8,000 meters above mountains. Any small mistake can lead to huge injury that can be life-taking, therefore it is very important to be careful up there in the Himalayas. From preparing the gears to set the ropes, everything should be perfect because the Himalayas do not accept any mistakes.
Here is the list of things that you can take into consideration for safety & precaution during the expedition:
- Make sure to take out insurance that includes emergency air evacuations
- Make sure to check your gears properly before the beginning of the journey
- Follow the lead of your guide
- Don’t rush, walk slowly & safely
- In case of any problem inform your guide imitatively
- Collect enough information on the weather and temperature
- Drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated
- Take plenty of rest and acclimate your body on the trail
