Nepal is set to celebrate the 66th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Dhaulagiri on May 13, honoring a major milestone in the country’s mountaineering history. Standing at 8,167 meters, Dhaulagiri is the world’s seventh-highest mountain and one of the most challenging peaks for climbers worldwide.
On May 13, 1960, a Swiss-Austrian expedition led by Max Iselin successfully reached the summit of Dhaulagiri. The historic team also included two Nepali climbers, Nima Dorji Sherpa and Ngawang Dorji Sherpa, whose achievement remains an important part of Nepal’s mountaineering legacy.
To commemorate the occasion, Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki has organized a special celebration program in Mudi Village, located in Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality. Unlike last year’s indoor academic program in Pokhara, this year’s event will be held closer to the Dhaulagiri Himalayas to promote local tourism and trekking routes.
TAAN Gandaki President Krishna Prasad Acharya said the program aims to promote the tourism potential of the Dhaulagiri region alongside the celebration of Dhaulagiri Climbing Day. The event will also honor climbers who have successfully summited peaks in the Dhaulagiri range.
The celebration is being organized under the coordination of TAAN Gandaki with support from the Gandaki Province Ministry of Industry and Tourism, the Nepal Tourism Board, and the local rural municipality. Gandaki Province Minister for Industry and Tourism Yashoda Rimal is expected to attend as the chief guest.
Tourism stakeholders believe the Dhaulagiri region has strong potential for adventure tourism despite challenges related to infrastructure and international promotion. They see the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek as a promising alternative to the popular Annapurna Circuit.
“By promoting mountaineering anniversaries of Nepal’s 8,000-meter peaks such as Dhaulagiri, Annapurna, and Manaslu, we hope to bring greater attention and development to these remote Himalayan regions,” Acharya stated.
Known for its rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, Mount Dhaulagiri continues to attract mountaineers seeking a demanding and rewarding climbing experience. As Nepal marks the 66th anniversary of the first ascent, the focus remains on preserving the region’s natural heritage while promoting sustainable adventure tourism in Gandaki Province.
