Nepal — Kathmandu
The Great Himalaya Trail is the ultimate alpine traverse, a 1700km expedition across Nepal's entire length. This very challenging route, taking 120-150 days, links remote villages and pristine wilderness from Kanchenjunga to Humla. Expect rugged terrain, high passes, and unparalleled mountain panoramas on this world-class high-altitude walk.
Distance: 1700.0 km
Elevation Gain: 120000 m
Difficulty: Very Challenging
Duration: 120-150 days
The Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) is not merely a trek; it is the definitive mountain journey of the modern era. Stretching approximately 1,700 kilometres across the entire length of the Nepalese Himalaya, it represents the longest and highest alpine hiking track in the world. This is a traverse of an entire nation, beginning in the shadow of Kanchenjunga on the eastern border with India and concluding at the Tibetan border in the far west of Humla. The GHT is a monumental undertaking that crosses 16 districts, traverses two of the world's most restricted mountain regions, and navigates over some of the highest navigable passes on Earth, many exceeding 6,000 metres in elevation. It is a journey that demands months of commitment, exceptional physical fortitude, and a deep respect for the volatile nature of the high-altitude environment.
The Great Himalaya Trail is the "Holy Grail" of thru-hiking. While the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail offer forest immersion and continental scale, the GHT offers verticality and cultural depth that is entirely unique. The trail is generally divided into two main options: the "High Route" and the "Cultural Route" (or Low Route). The High Route, which this guide focuses on, stays as close to the Great Himalaya Range as possible, frequently crossing high-altitude passes that require basic mountaineering skills, ice axes, and crampons. It is a route of extremes, where you transition from tropical jungles at 600 metres to glacial plateaus above 6,000 metres within the span of a few weeks.
Walking the GHT is a lesson in the diversity of the human experience. In the east, you traverse the lush, rhododendron-filled forests of the Kanchenjunga and Makalu regions, where the Rai and Limbu cultures predominate. As you move west into the Khumbu (Everest) and Rolwaling regions, the landscape becomes dominated by granite and ice, and the Sherpa culture takes centre stage. Further west still, the trail enters the arid, Tibetan-influenced landscapes of Mustang and Dolpo, where ancient Bon and Buddhist traditions have remained largely unchanged for centuries. Finally, the trail concludes in the remote, rugged canyons of the Far West, a region so isolated that few Westerners have ever set foot there.
The physical toll of the GHT cannot be overstated. With a cumulative elevation gain of 120,000 metres—the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest from sea level nearly 14 times—the trail tests the limits of human endurance. The logistics are equally daunting, requiring a complex web of permits, food drops, and seasonal timing to avoid the heavy snows of winter and the torrential rains of the summer monsoon. However, for those who complete it, the reward is an unparalleled perspective on the roof of the world and a profound connection to the resilient communities that call these mountains home.
The concept of a continuous trail across the Himalaya is a relatively modern one, though the paths themselves are ancient. For millennia, these routes served as vital trade arteries connecting the Indian subcontinent with the Tibetan Plateau. Salt, grain, wool, and spices were transported by yak caravans and human porters across the very passes that GHT hikers navigate today. These trails were never intended for recreation; they were the lifelines of mountain survival.
The formalisation of the Great Himalaya Trail began in the early 21st century. Robin Boustead, a British explorer and trekker, is widely credited with mapping and documenting the first continuous high-level route across Nepal between 2008 and 2009. His work, supported by the Nepal Tourism Board and various international development agencies, aimed to create a sustainable tourism model that would bring economic benefits to remote mountain communities beyond the traditional hubs of Everest and Annapurna. The GHT was officially launched in 2011, envisioned as a network of trails spanning not just Nepal, but the entire Himalayan range from Bhutan to Pakistan.
Culturally, the GHT is a tapestry of ethnic diversity. Nepal is home to over 125 ethnic groups, and the trail passes through the heartlands of many. From the Kirat people in the east to the Thakali in the Kali Gandaki Valley and the Khas people in the west, the trail provides a front-row seat to the linguistic, religious, and social complexity of the region. The trail also highlights the fragile balance between tradition and modernity, as remote villages grapple with the arrival of road networks and the impacts of climate change on their glacial water sources.
Want more background? Read extended notes on history and cultural context → Learn more
Timing is the most critical factor in a successful GHT thru-hike. Because the trail takes 4 to 5 months to complete, it is impossible to avoid all "bad" weather, but strategic planning can minimise risk. Most hikers choose to start in the spring (March) or autumn (September/October).
Spring (March to May): This is the preferred season for many because of the spectacular flora. The lower hills are ablaze with blooming rhododendrons (Nepal's national flower), and the days are progressively getting longer and warmer. However, spring can bring significant residual snow on the high passes from the winter, sometimes making them impassable until late April. Haze can also obscure distant mountain views in the lower valleys during the pre-monsoon heat.
Autumn (September to November): This is the "golden season" for Himalayan trekking. After the monsoon rains have washed the dust from the air, the visibility is crystalline, offering the most iconic views of the 8,000-metre peaks. The weather is generally more stable, though temperatures drop significantly as November approaches. The main challenge for GHT hikers in autumn is the race against the winter snows; if you are still in the high-altitude regions of Dolpo or Humla in December, you risk being trapped by heavy snowfall.
Monsoon (June to August): Thru-hiking during the monsoon is generally discouraged. The trails become slippery, leeches are rampant in the forests, and clouds obscure the mountains. More importantly, the risk of landslides and floods increases dramatically. However, certain sections of the GHT, such as Upper Mustang and Upper Dolpo, lie in the rain shadow of the Himalaya and remain dry and accessible during the monsoon months.
Winter (December to February): The high passes of the GHT are closed by deep snow, and temperatures at altitude can drop to -30°C. Only the "Low Route" is feasible during this time, and even then, many high-altitude villages are abandoned as residents migrate to lower elevations for the winter.
Stage 1: Kanchenjunga Region (East Nepal)
Stage 2: Makalu Barun
Stage 3: Everest and Rolwaling
Stage 4: Langtang and Helambu
Stage 5: Ganesh Himal and Manaslu
Stage 6: Annapurna and Mustang
Stage 7: Dolpo
Stage 8: Mugu
Stage 9: Humla
Stage 10: Far West (The Final Frontier)
Planning a GHT thru-hike is a full-time job that should begin at least a year in advance. The primary challenge is logistics: coordinating permits for different regions, arranging food drops in areas without shops, and hiring a qualified support team for the technical sections. Most hikers base themselves in Kathmandu for at least two weeks prior to departure to finalise paperwork and purchase supplies.
Physical preparation must be rigorous. You should be comfortable walking 15–25 kilometres a day with a significant pack weight for months on end. Training should include high-altitude experience and basic mountaineering skills (self-arrest with an ice axe, glacier travel, and fixed-line ascending). Mental resilience is equally important; the GHT involves long periods of isolation, physical discomfort, and the constant need to adapt to changing conditions.
Accommodation on the GHT varies wildly depending on the region. In popular areas like Everest and Annapurna, you will stay in well-equipped tea houses with menus, hot showers, and even WiFi. However, for approximately 60% of the High Route, you will be self-sufficient.
Types of Accommodation:
The permit requirements for the GHT are the most complex of any trail in the world. Because you cross multiple protected areas and border zones, you cannot simply buy one "GHT Permit." You must acquire them sequentially or all at once in Kathmandu.
Mandatory Permits Include:
Important Note: Regulations in Nepal change frequently. It is highly recommended to use a reputable trekking agency in Kathmandu to process these permits. Attempting to do it yourself can result in weeks of bureaucratic delays.
Detailed route notes, maps, logistics & tips for the Great Himalaya Trail (PDF).
Precisely traced GPX for the Great Himalaya Trail, ready for your GPS or favourite mapping app.
Given that the GHT starts and ends in Kathmandu, and passes through Nepal's most famous regions, there are numerous ways to augment the journey:
The Great Himalaya Trail is a high-risk environment. The combination of extreme altitude, remote geography, and unpredictable weather means that help is often days or weeks away. You must be self-reliant.
Altitude Sickness (AMS, HAPE, and HACE): This is the primary killer on the GHT. You will spend months above 4,000 metres. It is vital to follow acclimatisation protocols: never ascend more than 300–500 metres of sleeping altitude per day once above 3,000 metres, and take a rest day every 1,000 metres of gain. Carry Diamox and know how to recognise the symptoms of pulmonary and cerebral oedema.
Weather Extremes: Blizzards can occur at any time of year on the high passes. Whiteout conditions make navigation impossible without a GPS. Conversely, the sun at high altitude is incredibly intense; snow blindness and severe sunburn are constant threats.
Remote Rescue: Helicopter evacuation is available in Nepal but is extremely expensive (US$5,000–$10,000). You must have specialised travel insurance that covers search and rescue up to 6,000 metres. Carry a satellite communication device (Garmin inReach or Zoleo) as mobile signal is non-existent for 80% of the trail.
Water and Hygiene: Gastrointestinal issues are common. Practise strict hygiene: wash hands frequently and treat all water. A single bout of severe dysentery can end a thru-hike attempt.
The GHT is a "spine" from which many incredible side trips branch off. If you have the time and energy, these are highly recommended:
Everest Base Camp (EBC) and Kala Patthar: While the GHT passes through the Khumbu, a 2-day detour to EBC allows you to stand at the foot of the world's highest peak. The view from Kala Patthar (5,545 m) at sunset is arguably the finest mountain panorama on Earth.
The Tsum Valley: Branching off from the Manaslu Circuit, this "Hidden Valley" is a sanctuary of ancient Tibetan culture where the practice of non-violence (Shagya) is strictly observed. It adds about 6–8 days to the itinerary but offers a profound spiritual experience.
Tilicho Lake: Located near the Annapurna Circuit, this is one of the highest lakes in the world (4,919 m). The GHT High Route can be modified to pass by its turquoise waters, though the "Mesokanto La" pass required to exit the lake area is notoriously difficult and prone to rockfall.
Shey Gompa and the Crystal Mountain: In Upper Dolpo, this 11th-century monastery is the spiritual heart of the region. Every year, pilgrims circumambulate the Crystal Mountain, a peak rich in marine fossils that proves the Himalaya were once at the bottom of the sea.
The Himalayan environment is one of the most fragile on the planet. The "Pack it in, pack it out" philosophy is mandatory. In remote areas of the GHT, there is no waste management infrastructure; anything you leave behind will remain there for decades.
