Ascent of Dhaulagiri VIP service by helicopter

PAYMENT POLICY
A deposit of $5,000 is due at time of registration to reserve a space on the expedition.
A full payment is due 60 days prior to the expedition start date.

CANCELATION POLICY
Refunds will not be issued for cancellations made less than 60 days prior to the scheduled date.

Nepal, Dhaulagiri (8167m), Mountaineering

Trip overview

Kathmandu - Pokhara - Base Camp - Pokhara - Kathmandu

Why go there?

Dhaulagiri has 5 ridges, south and west sides, most climbers use the first route, which is known as the “Normal Route”. The northeast route is also considered a common route. The first ascent was accomplished by a team of Swiss-Austrian climbers led by Kurt Diemberger, who were the first to reach the summit on May 13, 1960. All routes are designed for climbers with extensive mountain experience. The base camp is established at around 4,750m, followed by three camps before reaching the summit. The first camp is at an altitude of 5850m, camp 2 is at an altitude of 6400m, and the last camp is at an altitude of 7400m.

Tips guidelines (important information!)

You entrust your life, health, your time and money to the guides. And the guides take this responsibility for you and for the success of the whole trip. They are doing this 24 hours per day. 15-20 USD per day is expected as the normal amount of tips for the Guides and the staff of the program. If you liked everything about the trip, please don't forget to thank them. You can give the tips directly to the Main Guide and he will distribute it among the staff; additionally, you can thank specific staff members.

Necessary travel papers (documents)

- Expedition members need to provide a copy of their passport
- Digital passport photograph
- Nepal Visa

By air and by land

- Airfare Kathmandu - Pokhara - Kathmandu
- Helicopter Pokhara - Italian Base Camp - Base Camp Dhaulagiri - Pokhara
- All land transfers in Kathmandu
- Porters and Yaks to transfer personal equipment for each team member
- Porters and Yaks to transfer team gear, supplies and equipment

Accommodation

- 5* Hotel accommodations in Kathmandu, 3 nights, double occupancy, breakfast included
- 4* Hotel accommodations in Pokhara, 2 nights, double occupancy, breakfast included
- Base Camp accommodations: 1 tent per each member
- High Camps accommodations: 1 tent per 2-3 members

Meals

- Breakfasts in Kathmandu and Pokhara (lunches and dinners are not included)
- Full catering during the trekking and climbing (starting from BC)

Staff

- Nepalese liaison officer
- Nepalese cook
- Nepalese kitchen assistants
- High Altitude Sherpas: 1 Sherpa per each team member

Health and medical insurance

- Conducting search and rescue, and transportation operations
- Comprehensive Medical kit
- Each team member requires to have a Mandatory medical insurance with the emergency evacuation coverage for 500,000 USD
- Climbing Dhaulagiri is very physical due to the long distances between each camp and we, highly recommend start the training routine for many months prior to the expedition
- You must be able to efficiently climb ice, snow and rock terrain multiple days in a row. Climbers need to be familiar with basic rock climbing, be advanced in cramponing on snow and ice, and have strong rope skills such as rappelling and ascending
- Prior ascents of 6,000-7,000m peaks are required.

Extra expenses

- Gratuities for guiding team and personal
- Gratuities for high altitude sherpa ($1,800)
- Meals that are not included in the program
- Single occupancy in hotels upon the request

Internet, phone

- Satellite phone
- Walkie talkies

Personal gear

GEAR LIST
General Information

Each item on the list below is required unless specified to be optional
If seasonal fluctuations impact the requirement for an item on your list, it will be specified
All other items are required regardless of the forecast to ensure your well-being, as weather and conditions can change quickly in the mountains


TRAVEL ITEMS

Backpack

45 - 55 L
This pack can be used as a carryon bag for the trip and then for the expedition.

Expedition Duffel Bag

An approximately 150-liter expedition-ready duffel bag used to transport all gear. All items need to fit securely into the duffel bag.

Casual Travel Clothes

We recommend wearing clean clothing while traveling and before and after your trip. It's a good idea to pack a comfortable variety of outfits, including some t-shirts, swimsuits (optional).


TECHNICAL CLOTHING

Baselayer Bottom

2-3 pairs of thermal bottoms: lightweight and heavy weight. Fabric: wool, wool blend, synthetic or polyester. No cotton.

Baselayer Tops

2 thermal long sleeved tops: one light weight and one heavy weight. Fabric: wool or synthetic. No cotton.

Trekking Pants

A pair or two of lightweight trekking pants. Zippered pockets are good and thigh vents can be useful. We also recommend synthetic fabrics.

Softshell Pants

Non-insulated, stretchy softshell pants that should fit comfortably with or without your baselayer bottoms.

Hardshell Pants

These must fit over your thermal under layers and softshell pants. These must be non-insulated, lightweight, waterproof and have full zips on the side to get on and off over your climbing boots and crampons.

Insulated Synthetic Pants

Fabric: Synthetic or Down. Medium weight is ideal. These should fit over both your thermal under layers and your climbing pants. These must have full zips on the sides to get them on and off over your climbing boots and crampons without taking your boots off.

Midlayer Top

A midweight, lightweight fleece layer for use over baselayers. Hoods are optional but recommended. Very light down jackets can also suffice as a midlayer.


Softshell Jacket

This breathable, wind-and-weather resistant jacket is a key part of a mountaineering layering system. A hooded model is highly recommended. This layer must fit well over your midlayer top and baselayer top.

Hardshell Jacket

A non-insulated, fully waterproof shell jacket with a hood. This layer must fit comfortably over your baselayer, midlayer, softshell, and potentially a lightweight insulated layer. Helmet-compatible hoods are required.


Lightweight Insulated Jacket

You may use this as a layering piece or as stand-alone insulation when appropriate. Down or synthetic insulation. Down is more packable and lighter weight, and synthetic insulation will retain warmth when wet.

Insulated Synthetic Puffy Parka

Insulated parka with hood. Synthetic insulation is better for dealing with wet weather.

Expedition Down Parka

An 8000 meter rated, expedition ready parka.

Expedition Down Pants

Must be heavily insulated and must fit over all other layers, with a weather proof outer shell fabric.

Down Suit instead of Expedition Down Parka and Expedition Down Pants

Expedition down suit can be used instead for down parka and down pants.


HANDWEAR

Lightweight Liner Gloves

Lightweight wool or synthetic liner gloves.

Softshell Gloves

Midweight, lightly insulated gloves. Leather-palm construction is recommended.

Insulated Shell Gloves/ Climbing Gloves

One pair of warm shell gloves with insulated removable liners. We recommend models with a durable leather palm.
These need to have room in the fingers to not be constructive and cut off warmth and circulation to your fingers. More room in the gloves is better than less. You must have enough dexterity to use your technical gear (ascender, carabiners, rappel device) while wearing these gloves. It is important to be very familiar with these gloves and get used to using them with your gear before your climb.

Expedition Mittens/ 8000 mitts

These must fit over your medium weight liner gloves and your heavy weight climbing gloves without constriction. Larger is always better than smaller. These down mitts serve as a backup in case you drop a glove or your hands are simply too cold in the heavy weight gloves and need a warmer option (gloves plus mitts).

Hand Warmers and Foot Warmers (Optional)

Bring enough pairs to get you through the expedition but not more as they are heavy to carry up the mountain. If you are bringing the Hotronics electric foot warmers you will likely not need the chemical warmers. Note: chemical hand warmers use oxygen to burn so do not work well at high altitude and the foot warmers in the boots do not really work at all on summit day.


HEADWEAR

Buff Neck Gaiter
2 Balaclavas: one heavyweight and one lightweight
Sunhat
Wool or Synthetic Ski Hat
Facemask
Glacier Glasses
These must be the high quality darkest lenses you can buy (Cat 4) and have full coverage around the eyes to block all light.

Sunglasses (Optional)
These must be high quality dark lenses.

Ski Goggles

High-quality goggles for sun and wind protection at altitude.
These must be the darkest lenses you can buy (Cat 4). If your goggles accept multiple lenses, bring one super dark lense and one clear or high light transmission yellow for low-light/high wind conditions.

Note: If you need prescription Glacier Glasses contact the manufacturer for options well in advance of your trip.

Headlamp

200-300 lumens and extra batteries.

FOOTWEAR

Liner Socks

4-5 pairs of liner socks.

Wool or Synthetic Socks

4-5 pairs of medium to heavy hiking socks. These must fit over your liner socks if you plan to wear liner socks.

Light Hiking Boots or Trekking Shoes

For any approaches across dry trails. Light weight, high comfort, plenty of room in the toe box, and good ankle support.

High Altitude All In One Boots

Boots rated for 8000 meter


Down Booties

Down or synthetic insulated camp booties for use inside the tent and sleeping.

Base Camp Boots (optional, but recommended)





CLIMBING EQUIPMENT


Alpine Ice Axe

12 Point Crampons

General mountaineering crampons. We recommend modern steel 12-point crampons with anti-balling plates.

Trekking Poles
Locking Carabiners 5 items
Climbing Helmet



Belay Device With 1 Locking Carabiner
Ascender
Rappel Device

We do highly recommend a figure 8 style rappel/ belay device.


PERSONAL EQUIPMENT


-40 F Down Sleeping Bag

Sleeping bag should be rated to -40°F and must be down-filled, not synthetic.

-20 F Down Sleeping Bag (Optional, but recommended)

This bag will remain at BC and you will take your -40 F bag above basecamp,

Inflatable Sleeping Pad

Foam Pad

Water Bottles

2 one-liter wide-mouth hard-sided water bottles.

Water Bottle Parkas

2 insulated water bottle parkas that fully cover your water bottle with closing lids.
We recommend the Forty Below Bottle Boot or the Outdoor Research Water Bottle Parka.

1 Liter Stainless Steel Thermos

One Insulated Mug
Spoon


0.5 Nalgene Bottle (Optional)
Pee Bottle

Collapsible or hard-sided 1 liter Nalgene models.


Pee Funnel For Women

Optional. Practice is needed for the use of this item.

Sunscreen

Should be with a high zinc content and sweat resistance. This must be 30 spf or higher.


Lip Balm with SPF 30+


Water purification: Iodine tablets, filter or UV treatment

Water on the upper mountain is usually just melted, not boiled. It is very important to have a way to purify your drinking water up high.


Altitude Watch (Optional)

Small Pocket Size Camera (Optional)

Solar Panel (Optional); Power Bank

Medical Kit

Should include: blister kit, low dose aspirin, Band-Aids, wound closure strips, triple antibiotic ointment, basic repair kit, scissors, Diamox (acetazolamide, 125mg) for AMS, nifedipine (for pulmonary edema, time release), dexamethasone (for cerebral edema, 4mg), antacids, NSAIDs such as aspirin or ibuprofen, anti-diarrheal, duct tape, ear plugs, Antibiotics (upper respiratory such as Azithromycin and a gastro-intestinal such as Ciprofloxacin), melatonin, Asthma medication if you use it (Advair), cold and flu medication. Prescription medications in consultation with your doctor.


Toiletry Bag

Should Include: toilet paper, hand sanitizer, toothbrush, toothpaste, wet wipes, shampoo,
trek towel (compact and quick drying), and any personal medications or prescriptions. Choose a quantity appropriate for the length of your trip.


Snacks

We recommend assortments of hard candies; chocolate; dried fruits; special athletic foods such as energy gels (Gu); electrolytes (Nuun); Clif Shot Bloks; energy bars; protein bars; trail mix nuts.

1. We have the biggest record of orginizing many commertial technical and altitude expeditions.
2. Our guides are highly experience with guide work on many serious climbs all over the world.
3. We offer the best accommodation and food conditions. Your personal needs any special kinds of food will be considered.
4. You can contact your personal advisor in the gear issue for free consultation. Plus free delivery of your personal rented gear to base camp.
5. We offer the scheme of discounts for loyal clients.