Sightseeing · Nepal
Dhaulagiri
The seventh-highest peak at 8,167 metres, the white mountain rising west of the deep Kali Gandaki gorge.
Dhaulagiri, at 8,167 metres, is the world's seventh-highest mountain. Its name means white mountain, and its vast snowy bulk dominates the western skyline of the Kali Gandaki valley in west-central Nepal.
Overview
Dhaulagiri is one of Nepal's eight eight-thousanders. It stands across the Kali Gandaki gorge from Annapurna I; the two giants, only about 34 kilometres apart, are split by one of the deepest river gorges on the planet, where the land plunges thousands of metres from snow peak to riverbed. For a time in the early nineteenth century, after early surveys but before Kanchenjunga and then Everest were measured, Dhaulagiri was actually believed to be the highest mountain in the world. The massif forms a great white barrier on the western horizon of central Nepal and is entirely contained within the country's borders.
Height and location
At 8,167 metres (26,795 feet), Dhaulagiri ranks seventh in the world. It sits at roughly 28.70° N, 83.49° E in west-central Nepal, west of the Kali Gandaki and entirely within Nepali territory. The mountain anchors a large massif that includes several subsidiary summits, Dhaulagiri II to VI, strung along high ridges. The standard approach for climbers and trekkers begins from the road head near Beni and follows the Myagdi Khola valley deep into the range.
First ascent and climbing
Dhaulagiri was the last of the fourteen eight-thousanders to be climbed, first summited on 13 May 1960 by a Swiss-led international expedition. The team famously used a small ski-equipped aircraft, the Yeti, to ferry supplies high onto the mountain, an experiment in mechanised support that ended when the plane was wrecked. The summiteers included Kurt Diemberger, who would become one of only a handful of people to make first ascents of two eight-thousanders. Dhaulagiri remains a challenging and serious peak, with avalanche-prone slopes, steep ground and notoriously changeable weather.
How to see it
You do not need to climb to enjoy Dhaulagiri. It is a striking presence from the Annapurna foothills, including the famous sunrise viewpoint above Poon Hill, where it forms half of a vast panorama alongside the Annapurnas. It is also seen well from the Kali Gandaki valley near Jomsom on the way to Muktinath. The strenuous Dhaulagiri Circuit encircles the massif and crosses high passes into the Hidden Valley, home of the long-monitored Rikha Samba Glacier, for experienced, self-sufficient trekkers, while easier viewpoints around Pokhara and the Annapurna Base Camp trek take in its great neighbour Annapurna I across the gorge.
Fast facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Height | 8,167 m (26,795 ft) |
| Rank | 7th highest in the world |
| Location | West of the Kali Gandaki, west-central Nepal |
| First ascent | 13 May 1960, Swiss-led expedition |
| Meaning | White mountain |
| Note | Last eight-thousander to be climbed |
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Frequently asked questions
How tall is Dhaulagiri?+
Dhaulagiri stands 8,167 metres (26,795 feet) high, making it the seventh-highest mountain in the world.
Where is Dhaulagiri located?+
Dhaulagiri rises in west-central Nepal, just west of the Kali Gandaki gorge. Across the valley stands Annapurna I, the two peaks separated by one of the deepest river gorges on Earth.
Who first climbed Dhaulagiri?+
A Swiss-led international expedition made the first ascent on 13 May 1960, the last of the world's eight-thousanders to be climbed. The team used a small aircraft to ferry supplies high on the mountain.
What does the name Dhaulagiri mean?+
The name comes from Sanskrit and means white mountain, after the peak's vast, snow-draped flanks that dominate the western horizon of the Kali Gandaki valley.
How can I see Dhaulagiri?+
Dhaulagiri is a prominent sight from the Annapurna foothills, including the Poon Hill viewpoint, and from the Kali Gandaki valley around Jomsom. The Dhaulagiri Circuit is a demanding high route for those who want to encircle it.
