FAQ
Click on a question to see the answer. Feel free to post a new question below in the comments area.
- How much trekking can be done in tea-houses / lodges / homestays etc?
- Who do I go to if want to do the GHT?
- How long does it take to walk the Great Himalaya Trail?
- Can the GHT be walked in sections?
- What permits are required to trek the GHT in Nepal?
- Is there a guidebook for the Great Himalaya Trail?
- Can I ride the Great Himalaya Trail on a mountain-bike?
- What permits are required for trekking in Nepal?
→How much trekking can be done in tea-houses / lodges / homestays etc?
As a generalisation, if you are walking from section to section, you’ll need a tent!
But there are many sections where you’ll find teahouse accommodation. You can walk around Manaslu all the way to Lower Mustang without a tent. You can make a teahouse route through Helambu, Langtang and on to the Tamang Heritage trail. Rolwaling trek has lodge accommodation, but to cross the pass into the Everest region is obviously going to require tents. Everest region has a fantastic network of teahouses.
→Who do I go to if want to do the GHT?
There is a list of companies who can manage logistics for all of the GHT stages on this website, and so far there are just a few. There is already a list of companies who are offering sections of the GHT. But you can certainly approach any reputable trekking company and mention the area you wish to explore, and you should be able to build an itinerary together with them.
→How long does it take to walk the Great Himalaya Trail?
It depends on a few factors. Most people will just choose a section that appeals to them, for instance the Manaslu and Ganesh Himal section, or Humla section and most section treks take from two to four weeks. There is a whole variety of trekking permutations on the GHT and this trek list gives just a few. You can return again and again to complete different sections and so complete the trail over a number of years.
The time taken to hike it all in one go depends on many factors: the weather, your walking speed, route preference, and walking style.
Robin Boustead needed 162 days to walk this trail over two seasons. In the autumn of 2010, Sean Burch travelled from East to West in gruelling 49 days on a mixed route, assisted by the Nepal Trust. World Expeditions ran the first commercial full GHT walk in Nepal starting February 2011 in 157 days. And then Shawn Forry and friend Justin Lichter needed just 47 days of hiking to reach Simikot from Kanchenjunga on a self-sufficient trek.
So there is no straight answer of exactly how long it takes, but start by taking a look at some detailed itineraries to get good idea about how long individual sections might take.
→Can the GHT be walked in sections?
Yes. For most people this would be the best way. An obvious reason is the amount of time it would take – estimates say around 150 days. See Robin Boustead’s comment on this on the main FAQ page.
Another important reason is good weather. The mountains are usually stated to be at their best in April, May and October, November. December is still an excellent time to trek but days are shorter and it’s getting very cold at higher altitudes (see this post about trekking in the Everest Region in winter). Between around February to mid-March winter storms can cover higher trails and block passes. Summer time (June, July, August and early September) is synonymous with monsoon clouds. Many places in Nepal however, such as Humla, Dolpa and Mustang, lie in the rain shadow of the mountains meaning the skies remain clear whereas the rest of Nepal (and the airports) is under cloud.
Each section of the trail has something different to offer in terms of the people and the landscapes. If you are going to get the very most out of your time spent on the Great Himalaya Trail, then its best to make sure you find the best time to enjoy the incomparable views.
For an example of the GHT split up into discrete treks, see the illustration below.
The GHT in Nepal as 7 trekking sections and 3 link sections © Robin Boustead
→What permits are required to trek the GHT in Nepal?
Some of the trekking areas in Nepal do need trekking permits – it’s sometimes slightly complicated to know where park or restricted area boundaries begin and end. It is better to drop a line to ask a trekking agency to organise this for you and most can arrange this for a just small fee. It is worth doing as it will save you a lot of time and make sure you get the right paperwork.
See here for a list of permits required for certain trekking areas in Nepal.
Additionally, for some areas you may need a TIMS card which is US$ 20 for individuals and US$ 10 for members of groups.
Mountaineering permits
Photo of Bhrikuti Sail (6361 m), Mustang Himalaya, Nepal - by Martin Scott - click to read more.
For some groups trekking in remote areas, it may be more sensible to take a permit for a trekking peak. A good example is an exciting, alternative Great Himalaya Trail high route from Phugaon to Lo Mantang and then Lo Mantang to Chharka Bhot (see this on the map of Nepal). then it may be more economical to take trekking peak permits for Bhrikuti Sail and Arniko Chuli.
In all cases it is necessary to buy permits through a registered trekking agent.
→Is there a guidebook for the Great Himalaya Trail?
More info...
Yes. Robin Boustead, who walked the upper route in 2008/9 has written a guidebook to the trail and it has been published by Trailblazer Guides. This guidebook covers the upper route and so helps you get from Kanchenjunga to Humla or Darchula.
Great Himalaya Trail lower route
If you are interested in the lower route, then so far no specific guidebook is available, however, due to the lower elevations, the ease of access and communications, you’ll find logistics much easier to manage. There are people currently planning to walk this route in 2011 with the aim of documenting trail options, places of interest, accommodation possibilities etc.
Section guides
If you are aiming to trek a smaller section of the GHT, then there are many Nepal trekking guidebooks that could help you with planning and background information on Nepal, especially for the more established treks.
→Can I ride the Great Himalaya Trail on a mountain-bike?
Biking in the Kali Gandaki gorge
Can you ride the Great Himalaya Trail on a mountain-bike? Possibly – it just depends how much you like carrying your bike. The Great Himalaya Trail, is a network of walking trails. The upper route, finding its way through the Great Himalaya range, has quite a number of rocky and steep sections – there are many high passes and some snowy and an number even glaciated for which crossing them is described as mountaineering.
You could theoretically take your bike the whole way, but it would be a shame to waste so much time carrying it.
Still, parts of the trail are bike-able. People manage to bike in these conditions. Every year there is the Yak Attack which goes around the Annapurna circuit, over the 5400m Thorung La (which is part of the Great Himalaya Trail) and down the recently completed road to Beni. The maps page tells you just how much is ride-able. But then this is a very well established trekking area with improved trails. Less frequented areas have less developed trails.
There is also the lower route. This has been much less explored but it’s lower elevation offers some promise for the adventurous.
All across Nepal, simple dirt roads are being constructed up into the higher reaches of valleys which are worth exploring. Around the Kathmandu valley there many days worth of excellent single track, forest trails, ridge rides and great views. If you are really keen on mountain biking in Nepal, it is best to contact one of the several excellent mountain biking companies here in Kathmandu and work out where the best places to go would be. In the off seasons, they are often trying out new places and putting together new routes.
See more here about mountain biking in Nepal.
→What permits are required for trekking in Nepal?
A real life trekking permit
Update: a good, printable no-nonsense guide to permits and fees can be found here on the Keep Nepal website:
Biodata form
If you are applying for a mountaineering permit, which may apply for the Tashi Labsta, Saribung or one of many other trekking peaks, then you will need to fill in a bio-data form and pass this to your agency. You can do this online and add signature and photograph to the form when in Kathmandu.
Kanchenjunga
Trekking permit US$ 10 issued to groups of two or more trekkers applying through an agency / outfitter.
NRP 2000 (~EUR 20 / US$ 30) to enter Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. An agent in Kathmandu should be able to organise this too. Otherwise see http://dnpwc.gov.np/. The office is near Babarmahal.
Makalu Barun National Park
NRP 1000 park fee payable ‘on the door’ so to speak, or in advance in Kathmandu via DNPWC.
Everest region (Solo Khumbu)
Sagamatha National Park entrance fee NRP 1000 payable at Monjo on the route from Lukla so better paid in advance if not entering this way i.e. along the GHT route.
Helambu & Langtang
NRP 1000 fee to enter Langtang National Park (payable at checkposts). NRP 250 to pass through Shivapuri National Park if walking in from Kathmandu, also payable at checkposts.
Manaslu region
Here you will enter the Manaslu Conservation Area for which a payment of NRP 2000 must be made.
To enter this area you must trek with a registered guide in a group of two or more. Permit fee is:
- Peak season (Sep, Oct, Nov) – US$ 70 for the first week and US$ 10 per day thereafter.
- Other times – US$ 50 for the first week and US$ 7 per day thereafter.
Nar-Phu
If you take this detour to this ‘hidden-land’ a permit costs US$90 in peak season (Sep, Oct, Nov) or US$70 for other times
Annapurna / ACAP
ACAP permit is NRP 2000 to be paid in advance in Kathmandu or Pokhara. Two passport photos also required.
Upper Mustang
Detouring into the restricted area of Upper Mustang is costly but memorable – if you are interested in different cultures, in nature, in Tibet and really want to travel back in time, then it is arguably cheap at the price. The fee is a minimum of US$ 500 (covers up to 10 days) plus US$ 50 per day thereafter. Additionally the permit is issued for a declared date range so incorporating into a long trek needs to keep this in mind. There are also additional requirements on cooking (take your own fuel and food) and rubbish (bring it out) which means additional logistics and bureaucracy as you must return to the ACAP office after your visit. However, given that tea-house trekking is easy, that the road up to Tangbe means that gas bottles can be purchased along the route, that electricity now reaches Samar and hydro-electricity is available in other villages, it is less of a worry that 18 years before when the rules were implemented. Plus the permit checking is less than rigourous and you can easily leave towards Muktinath. That is not to say you should be attentive of the fragile environment, but it should not put you off grabbing your back packs and heading up there.
Shey Phuksumdo National Park
NRP 1000 entry fee payable at Suli Gaad (near Dunai) or in Kathmandu.
Inner Dolpa
Same fee structure as Upper Mustang
Mugu
US$ 90 for first week then US$ 15 per day.
Rara National Park
NRP 1000 park entrance fee to be paid.
Humla
US$ 50 per week and US$ 7 per day for each subsequent day.
Saipal
US$ 90 for first week then US$ 15 per day.
Restricted area permits
To recap, Humla, Kanchenjunga, Lower and Upper Dolpa, Upper Mustang, Manaslu, Mugu, Nar-Phu are all restricted areas which means you have to get your permits through a trekking agent / outfitter. Permits are issued for groups of two or more so if you are alone then you probably can just double the fees mentioned above and buy two permits.
You can also find resources about trekking permits on the TIMS NEPAL website.
Okay, so if you wanted to do the whole trail at one time, start to end, at a reasonable-but not exhausting-pace, what month could you start it?
[Reply]
Richard Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Monsoon (these days) ends mid-September but October is recommended for Kanchenjunga (It depends how much you like the hot and wet and cloud-covered views). This combined with the need for a tourist visa, for which you can stay only 150 days per year means that this is the ideal, theoretical, time to start. Winter could make things a little tricky however with shorter days, unexpected snowfall, serious cold and closed tea-houses. Best to do in stages of Sept-Dec on year and April-July the following year.
[Reply]
Volker Hetzer Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
As far as I understand it, it’s impossible unless you regularly do ironman contests.
150 days means 5 months. But the hiking season is not 5 months long.
[Reply]
GHT Admin Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
Volker,
Some people have actually just started the trek now but a better time might be February – the World Expeditions team walked the route then. There will always be a compromise on when the best time is. You can always break it down into two halve or more also.
See this regarding iron men:
http://www.thegreathimalayatrail.org/4654/interview-with-ght-hiker-shawn-forry/
[Reply]
Volker Hetzer Reply:
September 28th, 2011 at 6:36 pm
Well, I wish them lots of success!
Regarding Shawn Forry, I take my hat off for him. “routinely gaining and losing 4000-6000m everyday” on the Dolpa part, for nine days is quite an achievement.
Still, I stand corrected, apparently it’s doable in one season.
Also, nice picture of the Simikot airfield. Was there a few years ago on a hike to Mt Kailash!
Comment by Brian Laguardia — October 19, 2009 @ 4:40 am
(as above) and what would you think it would cost including permits?
[Reply]
Richard Reply:
October 19th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
If you have a calculator take a look here at the list of permits required and also Robin’s faq. It really depends on how you travel. For tea-house trekking a minimum of US$20 is, in popular, higher areas, possible, but really not much less. In populated lower areas it can be pretty cheap. But then if you want to make it across the wilderness stretches, you have to think about how you are going to manage and this probably would require a team and Robin gives some indication of the cost of this and it is not cheap. Worth trying to consult with an agent/outfitter in Kathmandu (but this is new so they may not know) and/or waiting for the first guidebook to come out next year (March 2010). This will have the detail you need to make proper calculations.
[Reply]
Comment by Brian Laguardia — October 19, 2009 @ 4:40 am
I think it could be possible to do the Nepal GHT in one continuous push but it would require a serious rest break from mid-February to mid-March while the winter storms close the high passes. It would be physically and logistically tough and expensive depending on how many were trekking, but possible.
You would need to start mid-September (during the monsoon) to reach Kanchenjunga Base Camp by the beginning of October. Not including rest and re-supply delays you could do the following:
From KBC head over to Makalu (2 weeks), over the high passes and through the Everest region (10 days), through the Rolwaling and Langtang (3 weeks), around the southern flanks of the Ganesh Himal (1 week) and then around the Manalsu and Annapurna Circuits to Jomsom (3 weeks) where you could stop and rest. From Jomsom head thru Upper Dolpo via Chharka Bhot to Pho (2 weeks) then to Gamgadhi (2 weeks) and up to Simikot and to the border behind Api and Saipal (2 weeks). All up I think you could do this route in about 130 days but that leaves very little time for bad weather or other delays, which always seem to happen in Nepal. the big issues would be cost. You’d need food dumps along the route as most of the villages are barely subsistence and you would have to have some porters or pack animals to carry supplies. Unfortunately, Nepal crew don’t like eating dehy for months on end!
[Reply]
Comment by Robin Boustead — November 4, 2009 @ 5:45 am
Me and a friend are thinking to plan the full Nepal GHT speed traverse on 2011. But having a closer look to the GHT map I didn’t understand, which exactly is the accurate GHT route. I saw the red/brown line which Robin Boustead took during his trek and some deviations (in yellow). Which was the route Rosie Swale-Pope took and made 68 days back in 2003? And another question: Is the whole GHT route accessible without mountaineering equipment? I mean the high passes like Lapcha La and some others. In this case trail runners must forget any unsupported thought of GHT traverse.
Gongratulations for your job, it’s great!!!
Many greetings from Mt Olympus, Greece
Lazaros Rigos
[Reply]
thehalfhog Reply:
March 22nd, 2010 at 3:24 am
Hi Lazaros,
Thanks for you rcomment.
1) The accurate route – well the brown line has been mostly walked (but not upto the border) and this route was marked as the most feasible way to continue into the Indian Himalaya. However, the true high-alpine route would continue on the yellow line through Humla to the border with Tibet if there was a way found through across the border into India. Still some research needs to be done here. But if you are going to run the Nepal section, then go through Simikot and Humla to the border as this remains closest to the Great Himalaya range.
2) I will try to find out the route Rosie Swale-Pope took. It was not the high route however.
3) There are alternatives to Robin's route, but some would involve quite big detours. Especially around Everest / Makalu regions. Arranging some support would seem to make sense. Otherwise, get some maps of the area and study the options!
Please post any further questions you have here.
Greetings from Kathmandu.
[Reply]
susa Reply:
May 2nd, 2011 at 8:35 pm
Hi Lazaros,
when will you go? I m planning to go with a friend in Septenmber 2011. And would like to find others who want to do the higher route. I met robin and I met someoe who is on the trail right now (I m in Nepal). they say you need mountaineering skills or at least someone who could help you over the high passes. So now I try to figure out for wich parts I really need a mountainsherpa and porter and which part we can do alone, eating dried food!
If you are interested please contact me. I will be in Nepal till June and then in Germany.
Greetings,
susa
[Reply]
Comment by Lazaros Rigos — March 20, 2010 @ 11:18 pm
First of all, my sincere thanks to all individuals involved with this great site. Thank you all for the time, effort and dedication and my utmost gratitude to Robin Boustead for having accomplished and established the route. I have had a great interest to travel across the Himalayas since a very long time now and I am extremely happy about the opening of the GHT in Nepal. However, I am planning to stretch my trek to include North India, Sikkim, Darjeeling Himalayas and Bhutan and Tibet along with of course Nepal all in one go. Therefore, my quest is to figure out the best possible way to organize the expedition and find resources for the matter. Also I am hoping to start the trip from Leh, Ladakh in North India and continue onward from there connecting to Nepal. I am assuming the start time to be by the beginning of June 2011 and finish off by July/August 2012 in Tibet. How would you suggest I should go about this mission?
[Reply]
admin Reply:
May 19th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Hi Dhendup, We’d like to help, but do you have a specific question we can try and answer?
[Reply]
Comment by Dhendup Lama — May 13, 2010 @ 12:38 pm
Thank you thelalfhog for the reply. I was actually wanting to get information on the routes and also wanted to know where I could find the contour maps of the region.
[Reply]
admin Reply:
August 27th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Sorry for taking sometime to reply Dhendup. Information about maps can be found here: http://www.thegreathimalayatrail.org/route-map/maps/
Most maps can be found in Kathmandu in bookshops or in the Maps of Nepal shop in Baneshwor. Let me know if you need more help.
Rich
[Reply]
Comment by dhendup lama — June 6, 2010 @ 12:23 pm
Thank you for the efforts ,
1 the web page all trail are not mention , some are there
2 why not mention the trails
3 Why some agency is recommende ?
4 defenately all the trail is avialable
Simikot / dharma / Rimi / Luma / Rara/ Lumsa (2100 m) / Lumsa – Karnali river Tiyar gompa (2500 m) – Piplari (2500 m) / Mugu (3200 m) /Mugu – Chitai (3150 m) / Dolphu (3400 m) / Jhonpala Bhanjyan (4835 m) / Phophagao gompa (4050 m) / Bhijer (4100 m) / Shey gompa -Shey Gumba (Pack lunch ) Namdo / Saldang / Yanger Gumba / Namdo / Komai / Shimai / Tinje / Yak Kharka / Yark karka /Charka / Camp Kiriphuk / Lanio Lungba / Sangdak / Phalegaon / Jomosom / Kagbeni – Chele (3050 m / – Geling (3570 m) / – Dhakmar (3490 m)- Tsarang (3615 m) Lo Manthang (3750 m) – Dhrie (3360 m) Luri Gompa (4000 m) Ghuma Thanti (4705 m) – Damodar (4975 m) / BC (5235 m)/ moraine camp (5735 m) / Sarebung Pass (6042 m) / glacier (5300 m) / Ngoru (4400 m) / Phu (3995 m) / Jhunum (3695 m) / Naar (4100 m) / Bhimthan / upper Bhimthan (5213m) / Larkyala Pass (5135m) / Yak Kharka / Dharamshala / Samagomapa(3500m) / Lhogaun (3150m) / Ghap (2095m) / salleri / Khorla besi /Khani Gaon / Arughat / Jarlang Gaun / Kimthang / Deurali / Trishuli / Dhunche / Gosainkunda // Laurebinayak pass / Gosainkunda/ Melamchei Gaun 2560m / Tarke Ghyang 2560m / Sermathang 2693m /Melamchi pul 846m / Nawalpur/ kotdanda / Chautara / Balephi / Khadichaur / Barbise / Portali / Bigu Gompa Tisang-Là pass 3375m / Bigu Gompa- Bhotékoshi / Simigoan(2019m) / Dharashala Pati/ Beding(3693m) /Na(4183m) / Tso Rolpa / Tashi Lapsta, 5755m. / Thame, 3800m. / Namche Bazar, 3440m. / Tyangboche / Dingboche / Chhukung / Pasyacyab 5050 / Amptchu laptch pass / Panch Pokhari / Khodingma / West col 6135 / sherpani col 6110m / Baruntse BC / Hillary camp 5475m/ Makalu camp base 4800m / Merak Jate Odar / Barunkhola / Ripuk kharka/ Hatiya / Chyamtang / Thangla pass 4826/ Topke Gola / Mewa khola / serup / Chirwa /Sokathum 1650m / Amjilasa 2480m / Kypra 2690m / Gunsa 3475m / Chhusyar /cross pass Lapsang La 5258m- / Sinion La and Mirin La 4648m / Salele / Tseram 3870m / Simbuwa Khola 3033m / Simbhuwa Khola / Dhupi Danda / Mamankhe 1852m / Kunjari / Lalikharka / Suiketar
just a guess possible above program from Simikot to Suketar
[Reply]
Comment by Sarbendra — September 6, 2010 @ 4:19 pm
can this GHT starting from ganesh himal to far west end be completed within 2 months? and what stuffs would be required to carry along with this traveling? is it ok to travel during august?
[Reply]
Comment by abi awasthi — October 16, 2010 @ 5:32 pm
hi my name is m3 i would like to say that in this programme you should even keep the map of india and other country also.And if we click on the more than three times it appears all white.
[Reply]
Comment by m3 — February 17, 2011 @ 4:13 pm
Who wants to come with me in September 2011 for the Nepal section?And 2nd half next year maybe up to Ladakh?
I dont want to do a big expedition stile (i m more on dried food and Mueslibars if needed), but I guess in some parts we need help, especially over the high passes in the east.
I 43 female and would love to do the trek, but alone its impossible, so I m looking for some like minded people to organise it with me. I m sportive but not a “super mountaineer”. I can carry my own backpack if its not more than 20kg max, and i might not be the best person to find the right way. I dont want to make a big media event or sport competition, I just want to see all of the Himalaya and walk!
I m currently in Nepal, but will be back in Germany in June. I try to organise it as long as I m still here.
If you are interested please send me an Email!
Greetings,
Susa
[Reply]
Dhendup Reply:
July 20th, 2011 at 6:04 pm
Hi Susa, I shall be on my way to Nepal August 1st week to attempt to get trekked in Nepal from the Western end. I intend to start the trek from Darchula sometime by the 17th of August following an itinerary I have developed, which is very close to the GHT. Let me know.
[Reply]
Comment by susa — May 2, 2011 @ 8:53 pm
I’m not a climber nor do I know any climbing techniques, but I have trekked to the EBC. Can I do the GHT, without any technical knowledge of climbing?
Thank you!
Sudhir Kochhar
[Reply]
Comment by Sudhir Kochhar — August 7, 2011 @ 8:51 pm
Hi,
Can anyone help me to send a complete day by day itinerary of The Great Himalayan Trail of Nepal. Its really a great achievement in Terms of Tourism Promotion.
Regards,
Jagadish
[Reply]
Comment by Jagadish — January 2, 2012 @ 8:31 pm