The rugged Dhaulagiri Circuit

In May 2010, Grand Asian Journey's Chief Adventure Officer, Jwalant Gurung, scouted the Dhaulagiri Circuit for a Seattle-based outdoor club, The Mountaineers. They were planning a trek around Dhaulagiri and he wanted to make sure that it could be done safely, in addition to familiarizing the guides and staff with the route. Jwalant now ranks The Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek among his favorites! Needless to say, Dhaulagiri is now a featured Grand Asian Journeys trek, and we're one of the few trekking companies to offer this rare opportunity.

How is this trek different than other treks in Nepal? We asked Jwalant, and here's what he had to say:

"Firstly, the views are unprecedented! Dhaulagiri I is a very majestic mountain, and you have the rare opportunity to actually touch the main massif."

"Secondly, this is NOT a tourist-highway like some other popular treks have become. And because of this, the flora and fauna are very pristine, not to mention that this is also prime snow-leopard country."

"Thirdly, while the trek is similar to other Nepal treks in that it begins in the sub-tropical region with thick oak and rhododendron forests and ascends into alpine country, there are very few ‘Zion-like' canyon landscapes in Nepal. That is what it's like on the stretch that leads up to the Base Camp."

Grand Asian Journeys would love to share this pristine journey with up to 12 adventurous people. Please join us from October 9-27, 2011 for a trek around Dhaulagiri with an optional climb of a 6,000+ meter peak. As an added bonus, mountaineer Craig Anderson will be joining us on this trek. Craig was on the first American teams on the Dhaulagiri I and K2 expeditions. He will inspire and delight you with his rich experience and incredible stories. Craig also has the first ascent of Hiunchuli (6,441m), one of the most difficult of Nepal's trekking peaks.

Visit our website at www.grandasianjourneys.com or call 888-586-7750 for more information.