Autumn Update: Manaslu and Dhaulagiri Expeditions Progress Toward the Summit

Autumn is one of the busiest and most rewarding climbing seasons in the Himalaya, and this year our teams on Manaslu and Dhaulagiri are both making steady progress toward their summit goals. Both mountains sit among Nepal's eight thousand meter peaks, and both climbs demand patience, careful acclimatization, and respect for the mountain's own timeline. Here is a detailed look at how each team has progressed so far this season.

Manaslu Expedition Update

Our Manaslu expedition team has reached Base Camp after a steady approach through the Manaslu region, one of the most scenic and culturally rich trekking areas in Nepal. On arrival, the team held the traditional Puja ceremony, a ritual performed at the start of nearly every Himalayan climb to seek blessings from the mountain gods for a safe and successful expedition.

With the ceremony complete, the team turned its attention to preparation. A dedicated training day at Base Camp gave climbers and guides the chance to review technical climbing skills, refresh safety protocols, and check equipment before moving higher onto the mountain. This kind of preparation is a routine but essential part of every expedition we run, and it helps the team move with confidence once the real climbing begins.

From there, the team began its acclimatization rotation, a critical stage in any 8000 meter climb. Moving up in stages allows the body to gradually adjust to lower oxygen levels at altitude, reducing the risk of altitude sickness later in the climb. The Manaslu team pushed up to Camp 2 during this rotation before descending back to Base Camp to rest and recover, a pattern climbers often describe as climb high, sleep low.

The team is now settled at Base Camp, where the focus has shifted to something no amount of preparation can control: the weather. Climbers and guides are closely monitoring forecasts and mountain conditions, waiting for the summit window, a stretch of stable weather that allows for a safe push to the top. Once that window opens, the team will begin its final summit push on Manaslu, the eighth highest peak in the world at 8,163 meters. Trekkers curious about this region can also explore the Manaslu Circuit Trek, which passes through many of the same valleys our expedition teams travel on their approach.

Dhaulagiri Expedition Update

Our Dhaulagiri expedition team has also reached Base Camp this season, following an approach through the remote and rugged Dhaulagiri region. Like the Manaslu team, they marked their arrival with a Puja ceremony, a moment of reflection and spiritual grounding before the technical climbing begins.

With the ceremony behind them, the Dhaulagiri team is now in the preparation phase, getting ready to begin their acclimatization rotation as soon as weather and mountain conditions allow. Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest peak in the world at 8,167 meters, has a reputation among climbers for sudden and sometimes severe weather changes, which makes timing especially important on this mountain.

Rather than rushing onto the slopes, the team is using this waiting period productively, checking gear, reviewing route conditions, and staying ready to move the moment a safe opportunity presents itself. This kind of disciplined patience is often what separates a successful expedition from one that runs into trouble higher on the mountain. Those interested in experiencing this dramatic region on foot can also look at the Dhaulagiri Circuit Trek, which offers close up views of the mountain without the technical demands of a full expedition.

Why These Stages Matter

For climbers unfamiliar with the structure of an 8000 meter expedition, the sequence our teams are following, arrival, Puja, training, rotation, and waiting for a summit window, can seem slow. In reality, each stage plays a specific role in keeping the team safe and improving the odds of a successful summit. Skipping or rushing any one of these steps significantly increases risk at extreme altitude, which is why our guides on both Manaslu and Dhaulagiri are following this process carefully rather than pushing ahead of the mountain's own conditions.

What Comes Next

Both expeditions are now at important and distinct stages of the climb. The Manaslu team has completed its rotation and is watching closely for the summit window to open, while the Dhaulagiri team is preparing to begin its own rotation cycle in the days ahead. Both teams remain in close contact with Base Camp support and are adjusting their plans as conditions on the mountain evolve.

Anyone interested in these mountains beyond the climbs themselves can also browse our full range of expeditions and trekking routes across Nepal, including nearby options in the Annapurna region and Everest region.

We will continue to share updates as the season progresses on both mountains. Stay tuned for more from Base Camp as our Manaslu team pushes for the summit and our Dhaulagiri team begins its rotation.