The Great Himalaya Trail is the longest and highest alpine walking track in the world winding 4500kms through the tallest mountain ranges and most isolated communities from Tibet to Pakistan. The Nepal section of the trail offers a kaleidoscope of experiences.
The trail, which can be undertaken in one continuous trek of 156 days, will traverse the country from east to west. Acknowledging that most of us simply don’t have the luxury of this sort of time for our adventures, seven treks that will interlink to make up the full traverse.
Trek 1: Kanchenjunga Exploratory – 27 days
The Kanchenjunga region is one of the most amazing regions of Nepal. Bordering Sikkim in India, Kanchenjunga is a sight in itself being one of the eight mountains in Nepal over 8000m. The Kanchenjunga Conservation area was originally run in sections by the local villages but now is managed by the WWF. It was on this stage in 2011 that our adventurers saw the very rare and beautiful snow leopard. Trekkers gradually ascend to Kambachen, Lhonak and finally Kanchenjunga Basecamp passing surreal Jannu peak along the way. The return passes through Ghunsa and Olun Chung Gola, some of the more remote parts of Nepal before returning to Tapeljung.
Trek 2: Makalu & Everest Traverse Via Sherpani Col - 34 days
In most challenging trek cross the highest passes in the Himalaya including the Sherpani Col (6200m), West Col (6200m) and Amphu Labsta (5845m) to emerge into the Everest region where we pass by the tourist trails and set our sights on crossing the 5483m Cho La to Gokyo Lakes, the 5400m Gokyo Ri for one of the finest views in the Himalaya and then over the 5400m Renjo La before descending into the Thame valley. This trek is unsurpassed in terms of awe inspiring views of the most famous mountain region in the world and is equally considered to be one of the toughest treks in the world.
The approach to Makalu Base Camp has been compared to the Yosemite Valley, on a grand scale! To reach some of the most amazing mountain scenery in the Himalaya, you first have to cross the challenging Kongma Danda covered in cloud forest draped in hanging orchids. There are few villages along the approach to the fifth highest peak in the world, Mt Makalu (8485m), the summit of which stands 3km above Base Camp. The mountaineering route over the glaciated Sherpani Col (6180m), West Col (6190m) and Amphu Labsta (5845m) to the Everest region involves the highest and hardest passes in the entire Himalaya, however the rewards of such an undertaking are more than worthwhile!
Trek 3: Everest & Rolwaling Traverse Via Tashi Labsta Pass - 28 Days
This is a hidden gem roughly starting where many treks in the Everest region finish. Following the traditional approach to Everest from Lukla and Namche Bazaar, The Everest Rolwaling stage gradually rises through the Gokyo valley to Gokyo Ri (5400m) and then over the 5400m Renjo La before descending into Thame valley and then over the awesome Tashi Labsta pass into the Rolwaling. There stunning views of four of Nepal's 8000m+, Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu and Makalu from high above the picturesque turquoise blue Gokyo Lakes.
This stage of our trek begins on the spectacular trail to the Gokyo valley for views of Mt Everest (8848m) from Gokyo Ri and crossing the stunning Renjo La. The challenging approach to the glaciated Tashi Labsta Pass (5760m) from Thame is as magnificent as it is demanding but the effort is rewarded with fantastic mountain vistas. After crossing two immense glaciers the descent of the Rolwaling valley through picturesque Sherpa villages is a great introduction for the equally hospitable Gurung and Tamang villages. The final challenge is a section of wild ridge-top rhododendron forests before descending to the extensive nunnery at Bigu Gompa and transferring by road to Kathmandu.
Trek 4: Langtang Via Tilman Pass – 18 days
In the footsteps of Tilman we trace the popular pilgrim trail to Panch Pokhari Lakes, make a crossing of the glaciated Tilman Pass (5308m) and descend to the culturally rich Tamang village of Syabru Besi.The Tilman pass section of the GHT is a great place for those wanting to experience a high, but not technically demanding, Himalayan pass crossing. While you will be roped up and wearing crampons, the ascent up to the pass is gradual as is the descent down into Langtang, one of the prosperous areas in Nepal which is usually trekked from the opposite direction. Thousands of pilgrims climb to the sacred Panch Pokhari Lakes during the monsoon, but it will be very unlikely we'll see a soul as we trace their steps. From the bazaar town of Chautara we gradually ascend a long ridge, the Kami Danda, with fabulous views east and west of a chain of mountains that form a natural border with Tibet. W.H. Tilman was the first European to explore this region in 1949, and very few have ever retraced his footsteps. The challenging Tilman Pass leads to Langshisa and the upper Langtang Valley, which offers amazingly photogenic sunsets in the wonderfully diverse National Park. An easy trail down to Syabru Besi follows the third most popular trekking route in Nepal, and ends among the lively and fun-loving Tamang people!
Trek 5: Manaslu & Annapurna – 26 days
This is a marvelous trek combining the immensely popular Annapurna region with an approach from the Manaslu region. Starting in lush green forest, trekkers will follow the river valley through many small agriculture and farming villages, steadily climbing into the sub alpine and over the 5140m Larkye La. Along the way there are stunning views of the pyramid peak of Manaslu, one of the Nepal's eight peaks over 8000m at a height of 8481m. The Manaslu region is largely un-trekked and full of diversity. After a descent into the northern section of the Annapurna Circuit, we trek amongst the company of many other Himalaya enthusiasts through Dharapani, Pisang, Manang and then up and over the 5380m Thorong La and down through Muktinath and into Jomsom, all of which make this section of the Great Himalaya Trail a must do for first time trekkers to Nepal and Himalayan enthusiasts alike.
Combining a true gem of the Himalaya, the Manaslu Circuit, with the region's most famous trail, the northern section of the Annapurna Circuit, to produce perhaps the best trek in the world! Circling Mt Manaslu (8163m) is a trail that will constantly surprise and delight the first time or experienced trekker. Stunning mountain vistas and enchanting cultures lead to the Larkye La (5105m) and on to the Bimtang valley, a vast amphitheatre of peaks. It's then on to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit, where we then follow the iconic trekking route from Manang and over the Thorong La to Khagbeni, and the border of Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo.
Trek 6: Upper Dolpo Traverse – 26 days
This is perhaps one of the most beautiful treks in the Himalaya. Staying relatively high in altitude you start in the arid mountains of Dolpo close to Tibet. You travel up and down tremendous valleys, walk amongst medieval fortified village of Chharka Bhot, the nomad camps in the heart of Dolpo, Dho Tarap, and finally arrive at one of the most fitting finales in the Himalaya - Phoksumdo Lake, perhaps the most beautiful places in the world. The trek will be challenging as there are a number of passes over 5000m in altitude but, you get what you pay for with amazing peaks and valleys, amazing rock formations evidenced where the Indian and Asia tectonic plates collided millions of years ago, brilliant wildflower displays and turquoise blue high alpine lakes.
Until 1996, Dolpo was a forbidden land with an authentic Tibetan culture largely unchanged for the last 1200 years. High, arid plateaus scarred by deep canyons form Upper Dolpo, which is a distinct contrast to the fertile lower valley to the south of the Kanjiroba and Dhaulagiri ranges. This 6th stage of the GHT trail snakes along the natural border of the two regions, at times exploring one and then the other. We'll frequently meet nomads from Tibet and explore ancient Buddhist sites. After the major trading valley of Dho Tarap we cross windswept passes to the astoundingly beautiful Phoksumdo Lake before returning to Kathmandu.
Trek 7: Rara Lake & Yari Valley – 25 days
Trek begins by exploring an area of outstanding natural beauty; Rara National Park and the lake of the same name, Rara Lake, the largest Lake in the Himalaya. We then cross over the Great Himalaya Range through wild-flower covered passes and through the Karnali corridor to the Yari Valley and the Tibetan border. This is remote trekking at its best! It is still used by Nepalis and Tibetans as a trade route but largely remains unaffected by western influences. This part of the trek is a fitting for those on the full traverse with its beautiful but basic villages and emerald green rolling valleys and hills. Trekking in far-west Nepal is like stepping back in time to when the first Europeans began exploring the Himalaya. Locals will first greet you with curiosity before their open-heartedness will engage and delight in every village. The region has an ancient history as the first Malla Empire, stele and architectural remains are tucked away in almost every valley. The trail from Dolpo is still a regular trading route for Nepalese and Tibetans and leads straight to the largest lake in Nepal, Rara. From here we cross the Great Himalaya Range following the Karnali river and crossing stunningly aromatic passes to Humla, the largest and most remote district of Nepal, and finally to the Tibet border and the western end of the Great Himalaya Trail.