Nature Travel Nepal: Great Himalaya Trail

You arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on the official start day of the programme. After you have been picked up from the airport by a transfer service of our partner, you will be taken to a guest house in the city.

You will spend the second day of the programme in fascinating Kathmandu and can explore a number of cultural sights in more detail. In the evening you will have an equipment check and a short presentation before the trekking tour along the Great Himalaya Trail starts the next morning.

The first trek section leads through the magical Kanchenjunga region of Nepal, in the far east of the country. On the way to Kanchenjunga Base Camp, you will pass through old mountain villages, and alpine forests and cross the Nango La Pass.

Those who follow the full trek will continue to hike up at the end of this section. Those who only attend section 1 will descend and follow the Tamor Nadi River southwards.


Information for participants of the individual section:

• Duration: 24 days (17 days trekking)
• Highest points: Kanchenjunga Base Camp (5160m), Nango La (4776m)
• Overnight stay while trekking: mostly camping, with some very few exceptions of staying in tea houses when necessary
• Overnight stay in Kathmandu: Hotel

This section of the Great Himalaya Trail is certainly the most difficult, but it also offers some of the most breathtaking views. On the way to the Everest region, you can enjoy unparalleled views as Everest and Lhotse rise to the west.

This superb scenery awaits you after you have passed some small mountain villages, the passes of Kogma Danda, Sherpani Col, West Col, Amphu Laptse and Cho La, Lake Gokya, and finally Renjo La Pass. Before descending again via Thame and Lukla, the last highlight of this section is the view of Ngozumpa, Nepal's longest glacier.


Information for participants of the individual section:

• Duration: 34 days (30 days trekking)
• Highest points: Sherpani Col (6190m), West Col (6180m), Amphu Laptse (5849m)
• Overnight stay while trekking: mostly camping, with some very few exceptions of staying in tea houses when necessary
• Overnight stay in Kathmandu: Hotel

The journey now continues from the Everest region over the Tashi Laptse La Pass to the remote Rolwaling Valley.

To do this, you start from Lukla to the Gokyo Lakes and cross Gokyo Ri, where a fabulous view of Ngozumpa awaits you. A last view of Mount Everest from Renjo La Pass follows before you descend again towards Thame. Over the Tashi La Pass, past Tso Rolpa Lake, and after a challenging trek, you finally reach the Rolwaling Valley.

The Bhote Koshi River, which you come across after your hike through ancient villages and magical rhododendron forests, marks the end of this section.


Information for participants of the individual section:

• Duration: 28 days (23 days trekking)
• Highest points: Renjo La (5360m), Tashi Laptse La (5770m)
• Overnight stay while trekking: mostly camping, with some very few exceptions of staying in tea houses when necessary
• Overnight stay in Kathmandu: Hotel

In section 4, you and your group follow the footsteps of famous British mountaineer Bill Tilman. Your destination is the upper Langtang Valley which will be reached after crossing the Tilman Pass. On the way, you will pass the impressive mountain lake system of Panch Pokhari, known as a famous Hindu pilgrimage site, with snow-covered mountain roads, and challenging moraine terrain.

Those who follow the whole trek will continue to walk up at the end of this section. Those who only attend section 4 descend and walk through old forests to the culturally rich Tamang village of Syabru Besi.


Information for participants of the individual section:

• Duration: 18 days (13 days trekking)
• Highest points: Tilman Pass (5308m)
• Overnight stay while trekking: mostly camping, with some very few exceptions of staying in tea houses when necessary
• Overnight stay in Kathmandu: Hotel

Section 5 combines the picturesque Manaslu Circuit with the famous Annapurna Circuit – and this combination is just thrilling. The trek takes you past the mighty Manaslu, over the Larkye La Pass, and into the Bhimtang Valley, which can be described as a true amphitheater of peaks.

Over the Thorong La, you will continue to Kagbeni, the border of Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo. Whether it's your first, second, or third time here, this trekking section will always amaze you with its magnificent views.


Information for participants of the individual section:

• Duration: 26 days (20 days trekking)
• Highest points: Larkye La (5115m), Thorong La (5416m)
• Overnight stay while trekking: mostly camping, with some very few exceptions of staying in tea houses when necessary
• Overnight stay in Kathmandu: Hotel

Section 6 includes a visit to the medieval village of Chharka Bhot, the nomad camps around Dho Tarap, and the deep blue, breathtakingly beautiful Phoksundo Lake.

Your way leads you over the plateaus and through the valleys of Upper Dolpo, past herds of yaks, old monasteries, and over six mighty passes. On the descent to Jumla, you will reach Lower Dolpo, crossing picturesque forests and enchanted mountain villages.

The highlights of the Upper and Lower Dolpo are wonderfully combined during this trek and provide enriching memories.


Information for participants of the individual section:

• Duration: 26 days (20 days trekking)
• Highest points: Jungben La (5550m), Charka La (5378m), Numala La (5309m)
• Overnight stay while trekking: mostly camping, with some very few exceptions of staying in tea houses when necessary
• Overnight stay in Kathmandu: Hotel

Trekking in the west of Nepal feels like stepping back in time.

The road from Dolpo is still a frequently used trade route by Nepalese and Tibetans and leads directly to the beautiful Rara Lake. Passing peaceful meadows with herds of sheep and goats, through deep green forests and old villages you will hike to Humla, the largest and most remote district of Nepal.

No solid roads have been built into this remote region, so you share your path with mule caravans carrying their loads. From Simikot, you continue to climb through the spectacular Yari Valley until the landscape slowly changes into the arid Tibetan Plateau.

After crossing your most recent pass, Nara La, you reach Hilsa on the border to Tibet in – the westernmost point of the Great Himalaya Trail. Congratulations, you’ve successfully mastered your adventure!


Information for participants of the individual section:

• Duration: 26 days (20 days trekking)
• Highest points: Nara La (4507m), MargorLek, Banjyang (4075m)
• Overnight stay while trekking: mostly camping, with some very few exceptions of staying in tea houses when necessary
• Overnight stay in Kathmandu: Hotel

One day before the programme officially ends, you will start your return journey to Kathmandu by plane or car. Here you will spend another night in one of the city's guest houses before you finally go on your home or onward journey the next day.

Requirements
We would like to point out that this trek, whether in its entirety or as a single section, is intended for those participants who have experience in alpine trekking, who are healthy and fit and moreover able to adapt to shifting circumstances, patient and open-minded.

Partly extreme climate and often extremely rough terrain can be physically quite challenging. Due to suddenly changing circumstances (weather, road conditions, water levels, etc.) there may be short-term changes in the schedule. Your group leader will inform you about this as soon as possible.

Whole trek vs. individual sections
The details given in sections 1-7 are mainly for those participants who only want to run one individual section. The route and in-between stops of participants of the full 153-day trek differ slightly as they stay on the Great Himalaya Trail without interruption. However, the following applies to all participants: They start and end their journey in the capital of Kathmandu.

Further information on the itinerary
Would you like to know more about the daily stops of the full trek or of a particular section? No problem! Just contact us and we will send you the exact itinerary.