While trekking the 23 days of the Annapurna Circuit in Nepal you should really try to make the side hike to the stunning Dhaulagiri icefall. The Dhaulagiri icefall is a glacier on the south slope of the Annapurna Range between the peaks of Dhaulagiri I and Tukuche. This is a hard day hike but is rewarded with an amazing view of the spectacular icefalls. There are no settlements on the trail so make sure to pack a lunch and possibly a sleeping bag.
The trail to the icefall begins by crossing a tributary and climbing up through lush forested hills before opening up to a yak pasture. This area can be strewn with campsites for trekking parties wanting to give themselves a head start on the ascent the next day. You will pass through more yak fields and herders camps after this. You will enter back into a forest and once you pass out of the forest the climb becomes steeper and more difficult as the gain in altitude gets much steeper. After a traverse and a final steep climb up a grassy gully, the path emerges onto an upper terrace. From the terrace, if it is a clear day the peaks of Dhaulagiri I and Tukuche will span out in front of you. You will hike a little further towards the base of the icefall. If you camp the sites are behind the large boulders. It is set up that way to protect you from any avalanches that may occur.
