A hike right across the Himalayas is a dream for many thru-hikers. The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) takes you thru the highest mountain range on the planet and crosses remote mountains, old kingdoms, and diverse cultures. The GHT traverses thru Nepal, Bhutan, and India. Robin Boustead was the first person to complete the entire trail and is also the founder. With the trail, he wanted to show the beauty of parts of Nepal that are lesser known to the public. Additionally, these regions can benefit from tourism and are therefore grateful for any visitors.
The GHT is not just one route. There are several variants and you can easily divide the trail so you can walk different sections when you have the time. In this article, we’ll tell you about the High Route, which is the highest route. This variant is more than 1750 kilometers long, will take around 120-140 days to hike, and brings you to a maximum elevation of 6190 meters!
Kanchenjunga
If you hike the trail from east to west, you start at the bottom of the Kanchenjunga. With its 8586 meters, it’s the second highest mountain in the world. To get here, you start in Kathmandu and fly to Suketar. From Suketar you can either take the car or hike towards the start of the trail. In about 20 days, you will hike to the most eastern district of the Nepalese Himalaya.
Makalu & Everest
In Makalu, you cross the highest point of the trail across the West Col. The altitude here is 6190 meters. You hike towards the better-known Everest region. You can see Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world with an altitude of 8848 meters. Again, in approximately 20 days you hike towards the next region.
Rolwalling Himal
After the famous Everest region, you enter the unknown Rolwalling Himal. This valley only recently opened for hikers and nowadays groups are only allowed to enter with registered trekking organizations. This is the terrain of the sherpas and the Tamangs: the native mountain people of Nepal.
Langtang & Ruby Valley
You continue to hike thru the Langtang and Ruby valley. This area lies next to Tibet and you can find many influences from this country here. You walk in the National Park which is known for its many forests and the area sometimes feels more subtropical than alpine. However, you can enjoy an amazing and constant view of the enormous mountains around you. At the same time, you will experience the kindness of the local people that will invite you for tea in the many houses along the way.
Manaslu
You hike over ancient trade routes and cross the Manaslu range. This area has been closed for tourism for years and is, therefore, one of the more remote regions of Nepal. Some villages have a lively Hindu culture, but also Buddhistic monasteries are characteristic of this area.
Annapurna
One of the most famous regions in Nepal is the Annapurna. Every year many hikers walk the Annapurna Circuit and this is not without good reason: the vast trails, amazing waterfalls, and vistas combined with the many accommodation options make this route almost perfect. In 2015, the area was severely affected by an earthquake and was rebuilt since then. The people will receive you with open arms anyways!
Dolpo and Mugu
Now it’s time to leave the more well-known areas of Nepal behind you. Hidden behind the Dhaulagiri, you can find Dolpo. Hike thru vast and remote landscapes and enjoy the culture that is bound to Tibet. Due to the expensive permits and remote areas, there are not many accommodation options here. From Dolpo, you continue to walk towards Mugu, where you hike alongside the famous Rare Lake. This lake is situated at almost 3000 meters and is the largest freshwater lake in Nepal.
Far West
It sounds as mysterious as it is, the Far West region of Nepal. This is the final part of the GHT and takes you toward India. It crosses an area that is not very well known and is less visited than the previous sections. Remote valleys, ancient villages, and amazing culture are what make this region an incredible way to end your hike. Something you will find here is an adventure!
When to hike the GHT?
If you want to hike the trail in one go, you need to consider the winter and monsoon seasons. During these periods it is almost impossible to hike the trail. The best time is between March and June because then you will avoid the winter and monsoon seasons giving you the best chance of completing the hike in one stretch. The trail is mostly walked from east to west. By doing so you will have the sun behind you making navigation a lot easier.
Good to know
The GHT is only for experienced hikers and alpinists. In many sections, you will depend on your skills, and camping is the only option. However, during the more well-known parts of the trail, like Annapurna, Langtang, Manaslu, and the Everest region, there will be plenty of options for accommodation. When it comes to packing for the trail, we’ve put together a comprehensive packing list here.
Useful links
More info: Great Himalaya Trail
