The 66th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mt. Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh-highest mountain, is being celebrated with special programs in Mudi village of Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality–4, Myagdi. For the first time in history, the Dhaulagiri Ascent Day is being observed in the mountain’s own geographical region, aiming to strengthen the iconic Himalayan peak’s identity and promote tourism in the surrounding communities.
Standing at an elevation of 8,167 meters above sea level, Mount Dhaulagiri is one of Nepal’s most challenging and adventurous mountains. The mountain lies within the territory of Mudi village, a remote settlement that serves as a gateway to the Dhaulagiri region and the famous Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek.
According to Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality Chairperson Prem Prasad Pun, previous editions of the day were celebrated mainly in Kathmandu and Pokhara due to limited access and coordination within the region. However, local representatives and tourism stakeholders had long demanded that the event be held in the actual area connected to the mountain.
“We wanted to spread the message that Dhaulagiri belongs to Myagdi and that the mountain should be promoted from its own homeland,” said Pun. “Organizing the event in Mudi is a historic step toward preserving local identity and promoting mountain tourism.”
Remembering the First Ascent
Mt. Dhaulagiri was first successfully climbed on May 13, 1960, by an international expedition team led by Swiss-Austrian climbers. Austrian mountaineer Kurt Diemberger became one of the first climbers to summit the peak along with Peter Diener, Ernst Forrer, Albin Schelbert, Nima Dorje, and Nawang Dorje.
The successful ascent marked a historic achievement in global mountaineering history, as it had long been considered one of the most technically demanding mountains in the Himalayas. Even today, climbers regard the mountain as a highly risky expedition due to its unpredictable weather, steep terrain, avalanches, and rapidly changing climate conditions.
Celebration Begins in Mudi Village
The celebration program has been organized jointly by the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) Gandaki in coordination with Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality. The event is supported by the Nepal Tourism Board, Gandaki Province Office, and the Ministry of Tourism and Industry of Gandaki Province.
Tourism and Industry Minister of Gandaki Province Yashoda Rimal, Provincial Assembly Member Resham Bahadur Jugjali, Dhaulagiri Rural Municipality Chairperson Prem Prasad Pun, Malika Rural Municipality Chairperson Beg Prasad Garbuja, Vice Chairperson Resham Pun Magar, Tourism Ministry Under-Secretary Tikaram Poudel, Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Chief Mani Raj Lamichhane, and TAAN Gandaki Chairperson Krishna Acharya were among the distinguished guests welcomed by residents with traditional music and cultural performances.
Ward Chairperson of Mudi, Yam Prasad Gharti, said the guests traveled by vehicle up to Muna and then completed a trekking journey to reach Mudi village. He added that locals were extremely happy that the long-standing demand to celebrate the day in the actual mountain region had finally been fulfilled.
Honoring Climbers and Promoting Adventure Tourism
As part of the celebration, an interaction program and felicitation ceremony for Dhaulagiri climbers is scheduled to take place in Mudi on Wednesday. Organizers believe the event will help raise awareness about the importance of mountain tourism and encourage both domestic and international travelers to explore the mountain region.
TAAN Gandaki Chairperson Krishna Acharya described Dhaulagiri as one of Nepal’s most adventurous climbing destinations. “The geography and weather patterns here are unique,” he said. “The weather can change dramatically within half an hour, which makes Dhaulagiri one of the most challenging mountains in the mountaineering world.”
Tourism stakeholders also emphasized the need to promote the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, which passes through remote Himalayan landscapes, glaciers, traditional villages, and high mountain passes. Compared to other trekking routes in Nepal, the Dhaulagiri region remains relatively unexplored despite its immense tourism potential.
Government Earns Over Rs. 13.4 Million in Royalty
According to the Department of Tourism, the Government of Nepal has collected Rs. 13.45 million in royalty fees from Dhaulagiri climbing permits during the current spring mountaineering season. Department Director Nisha Thapa Raut stated that a total of 30 climbers, including 18 men and 12 women from four expedition teams, have received permits to climb the mountain this season.
Last season, 36 climbers had obtained climbing permits for the mountain. Official records from the Department of Tourism show that more than 700 climbers have successfully summited Dhaulagiri over the past 66 years.
Need for Greater Tourism Promotion
Speaking at the event, Nepal Tourism Board Gandaki Chief Mani Raj Lamichhane stressed that Dhaulagiri has not yet been utilized to its full tourism potential. He urged all stakeholders, including government bodies, tourism entrepreneurs, and local communities, to work together to promote the mountain and nearby villages.
“The objective of celebrating the 66th Dhaulagiri Day in Mudi is to connect the mountain with local tourism development,” Lamichhane said. “There is tremendous opportunity to promote not only mountaineering but also trekking, culture, and rural tourism in this region.”
He further emphasized the importance of infrastructure development, promotion of local homestays, and international branding of the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek to attract more adventure travelers in the coming years.
The celebration of the mountain Ascent Day in its native region has been viewed as a milestone moment for Myagdi, symbolizing both pride in mountaineering history and hope for future tourism growth in western Nepal.
