An exciting Trekking experience
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) is a new and challenging, long-distance trekking route through some of the most breathtaking mountain landscapes on earth. It is made up of a network of existing trails and trade routes that connect neglected valleys and ridges between and beyond the established trekking areas of Annapurna, Langtang and Sagarmatha (Everest). A major objective of the GHT concept is to bring tourism benefits and improve livelihoods in remote mountain communities. Potentially the longest and highest walking track in the world, the long-term aim of the GHT is to link the six Asian countries of Pakistan, China (Tibet Autonomous Region), India, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar, a route that covers more than 4,500km of the Great Himalaya range. Its westernmost point is the world’s ninth highest peak, Nanga Parbat in Pakistan. Winding past the sacred headwaters of the Ganges in India, it traverses Nepal beneath Annapurna, Sagarmatha and Kanchenjunga, through Darjeeling and Sikkim, then Bhutan and eventually to India’s Arunachal Pradesh and Myanmar, ending at Namche Barwa in Tibet.
The Great Himalaya Trail: In Nepal, the 1,700-km GHT spans the entire length of the country from Darchula and Humla in the West to Taplejung in the East. The high-altitude route offers adventure trekking, combining high pass crossings, trans-Himalayan scenery and alpine valleys. Only a limited number of experienced adventurers are likely to undertake the iconic high trail, which takes some 150 days to complete.
GHT History – An Ancient Tradition
The Great Himalaya Trail runs through regions and countries that have cultures dating back thousands of years, and for much of the time they have been trading with each other across the mountains. Salt, wood, grains, wool and livestock, gold and gems are just a few of the products that helped to establish a network of trails from Indochina to Afghanistan, including sections of the famous Silk Route – diversity and communities have always been part of GHT History!
It is easy to imagine local traders plying trails with their yak or donkey trains throughout the region. Over centuries, they explored remote valleys trying to find the easiest trails over the never ending ‘Abode of Snow’, the Himalaya. In the larger valleys small communities sprang up and developed their own unique languages and traditions. For over a thousand years the people of the Himalaya were cut off from the rest of the world as Ladakh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and Tibet all kept their borders closed from prying colonial eyes.
GHT Nepal High Route Trek
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) Nepal Trek crosses the highest possible route across the Nepal Himalaya – that’s over 1700km of remote mountain trails. Linking small, mountain villages by crossing wild passes is the ultimate adventure challenge – there is simply nothing harder, higher or tougher in the world. River crossings, high altitude passes and thick jungle-filled valleys are just a few of the tests you will face.
4 Best Things about the GHT Nepal High Route
- Pristine trails that you don’t have to share with crowds.
- Super-friendly villages that are genuinely delighted to meet you.
- Some of the very best mountain scenery in the world.
- Good chance to spot wildlife, including red panda and snow leopard.
When to do the GHT Nepal High Route Trek?
The biggest decision when planning your GHT Nepal High Route trek is whether to go from East to West or from West to East.
Seasonality is an important consideration – when is there a relatively stable weather period of 120+ days to do the trek? The longest period in the year that avoids winter storms and the monsoon is from March to June, so this fits nicely with a full GHT Nepal traverse of 4-5 months. The post monsoon trekking season from October to January is shorter and much colder.
Navigation is often easier with the sun behind you, which is another vote for the East to West route. Also, some of the passes are a little easier heading East to West, for example the High Passes between Makalu and Everest.
The West to East route is an option for those who want to do a fast trek (under 100 days) or run the route in shorter time, or do the trek in separate stages with a winter break.
Himalayan Seasons
- October to November is a very popular trekking season as the entire country has long spells of fine weather with relatively clean air for photography. Occasional storms can dump large amounts of snow at higher altitudes. The night-time temperature frequently falls below freezing above 4000m (13,123ft).
- December to January boasts the clearest skies for photography and the coldest temperatures, frequently falling below -5°C above 4000m. Many of the locals who live above 4000m in the warmer months begin to move down during December. So it is important to check that you’ll be able to re-stock or find shelter prior to departure.
- February to March is warmer than January but occasional heavy rain and blizzards sweep over the mountains, sometimes closing passes for weeks. In March, early spring rain brings the first rhododendron blooms at lower elevations. Dust from India begins to obscure views towards the end of March and temperatures climb considerably in the lower valleys.
- April to May is renowned for the progressive blooming of rhododendron up to the tree line (some sheltered flowers will continue into June). In May, temperatures start to get very high at lower elevations and haze obscures views of distant mountains. This is a good time to spot migratory birds.
