Expect to have diarrhea regularly. While you will need paper copies for your hike, you can use these while planning from home. I often made trail mix for us from nuts, raisins, and dried fruits I found at the grocery store. I honestly don’t think a more difficult thru-hike exists in this world. These cookies are set through our site by our advertising partners. Also get it at the Nepal Tourism Board office. Great Himalaya Trail High Route . There is no set route on the Great Himalaya Trail. In Nepal, if you try to force yourself to hike for the entire day you are going to be draining your body. Beautiful landscape while crossing the Thorong La on the Great Himalaya Trail Porters receive income protection and life insurance and have access to the same first aid care that travellers receive including emergency helicopter evacuation if required. The Great Himalaya Trail is a network of existing treks and trails which together form one of the longest and highest walking trails in the world. We basically mixed together a bunch of stuff and sipped it while we hiked. A typical trip to resupply looked like us getting to a larger town along the trail and spending an entire day on the bus to Kathmandu. Remember Appalachian Trail Girl? It’s not anything too appealing to eat, but at least it’s an option if you’re running low on food. If you love our current itineraries but want to customise it privately as a couple, a group of friends, family, club, business or school, you have the freedom to add or remove as many elements as you like to suit the interests of your group. Roti is a flat bread that’s cooked in a pan. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. There are lots of Nepali domestic airlines, but you can browse Yeti Airlines to get a feel for flight routes and prices. Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice. With both guided and supported self-guided options available, our unique itineraries draw upon some of Canada's most inspiring parks, trails and landscapes from coast to coast. A fantastic summary of the three altitude illnesses (AMS, HACE, HAPE) including diagnosis and treatment from Dr. Jim Duff. In March the cold, dry winter season begins to give way to warmer, spring conditions. We offer adventures to every continent on earth. It seems like a lot of people get attached to the idea of hiking the entire high route. The constant and dramatic changes in elevation is draining, especially on a low-calorie diet. His tireless commitment to trip quality and focus on responsible tourism practices has ensured that World Expeditions remains at the forefront of the Himalayan trekking scene. Trekking here is a truly special experience. This is the cheapest and most uncomfortable option. Navigation is a challenge. One porter even had to be helicoptered out due to frost bite. The pre-monsoon period - In March the cold, dry winter season begins to give way to warmer, wetter spring conditions. Best known as Joe Simpson's climbing partner [Touching the Void], he has developed a strong reputation as an engaging expedition leader. Ascending in perfect conditions in the Karakoram, Pakistan | Tim Macartney-Snape. But we couldn’t have delayed our start date either because we needed to stay ahead of the monsoons that would begin moving in during late-spring. Be amongst the few globally who have trekked the Nepal Great Himalaya Trail in one continuous 150 day trek! There will be menus with lots of options. When we started on the low route in March it was already hot and humid. So sometimes the information is not helpful. Great Himalayan Trail is newly built chain trail, which together form a longest and highest alpine hiking track in the world. Maybe we brought 80 in total. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. However, $160 for a one-way ticket is a typical price. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience and to bring you relevant advertisements only. If you want to do the technical passes, you need guides and mountaineering equipment. Plus, the more food you carry the longer you can stay out between going back to the city to resupply. Begin your adventure to the far east of Nepal and trek to the base camp of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest mountain. The Great Himalaya Trail is a network of existing treks and trails which together form one of the longest and highest walking trails in the world. These costs are per person. Gotta say … brilliant. Sometimes the air is so thin, you can only walk for a few minutes between breaks. Trekking in Nepal particularly in this part is … Every mountaineer needs to understand how to read mountain weather, taking elements such as wind, precipitation, snow and forecasted temperatures into consideration. A custom made itinerary is the ultimate way to see the world how YOU want. And we had the same driver the entire time too. Sometimes maps.me app has the trail while the Himalaya maps do not and vise versa. We'll take care of that, On the Couch with Himalayan Trust UK Chairman Graham Wrigley, Heather Hawkins: Why Nepal Captured My Heart and Soul, Traveller Stories: Florian’s Experience of A Lifetime on the Great Himalaya Trail, Great Himalaya Trail: World's Most Epic Trek in Numbers, World Expeditions hold an Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL) no. Winding beneath the world’s highest peaks and visiting some of the most remote communities on earth, it passes through lush green valleys, arid high plateaus and incredible landscapes. Expect to pay anywhere from $5-10 for a bus ride that lasts all day. I needed to say longer than 90 days, so I had to extend my visa at the immigration office. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum. You’re not tougher for doing the high route only. You must bring the full spectrum of winter and summer clothes. During this time the Nepal Himalaya is unsuitable for trekking, with the exception of a few remote valleys. It was unimaginably hard. I am planning for 2021 and had completely different ideas to the way that you did it. Backpacking food is simply not available in Nepal. English is spoken by many in government, business and tourism sectors, and is part of the core curriculum of Nepal’s education system. In October 2009 he conquered Shishapangma, Tibet, becoming the first Australian to climb all 14 of the world's 8000m peaks - a feat only achieved by a select few worldwide. To get to Eastern Nepal, we took a 25-hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Taplejung. 1.2k members in the TakeUsOnAJourney community. World Expeditions is one of the world’s leading adventure travel companies offering ground breaking itineraries on every continent. Porters are provided with a wind and waterproof jacket and over-trousers, woolen socks and gloves, leather or canvas shoes, sunglasses and a warm cap, and carry a maximum of 30kgs. If you want to spend the money on domestic flights, you’ll be able to get to Kathmandu from most places in about an hour. This is what we deemed our end point. Whether you prefer cycling or walking, 2-star or 4-star, small groups or self guided, land, river or sea – UTracks can help you to explore Europe exactly the way you want. First of all, if you’ve never navigated with a map and compass before or don’t know how to use a GPS, don’t hike the Great Himalaya Trail. Every trail is the trail. If you’re wondering if you really need all of these resources for navigation, you most certainly do. Good to hear that from a fellow GHT thru-hiker. Alternatively, you can start with a blank canvas and create a new and exciting itinerary from scratch! Travel, fundraise and meet life-long friends on one of Huma's meaningful and unique challenges around the world. We cross the highest passes in the Himalaya including the Sherpani Col, West Col and Amphu Labtsa, all above 5500 metres, enroute to the Everest region before crossing the Cho La to Gokyo Lakes. There were so many amazing things about it and I’m so happy that I can look back and be proud of having hiked it. As I mentioned before, it’s basically rice, dal soup, curried vegetables, and some spicy pickled vegetables for flavor. Nepal visas have always been easy for me to get upon arrival, but requirements do change. Great Canadian Trails specialises in active holidays in Canada. The year I thru-hiked, monsoons came two months early. If you try to leave a region after your permit is expired, the police are going to want more money. We never actually saw one in person, but it was sort of a fun obsession of ours. Check the most up to date information before going. Popular, easy-going and professional, Soren can be found leading various adventures for us in Nepal. Landry then skipped competing in half or full marathons and went straight … If you find yourself overwhelmed by the permits, you can hire a trekking agency to organize them for you. Everything is a challenge from logistics, food resupplies, navigation, cultural and language barriers, local transportation to the trail, and personal health. At least, it is the longest and highest trekking route in the world. Most people in mountain villages will not speak English. Tim brings different tangents to exploratory treks with his natural history knowledge and true understanding of the Himalayan culture. The main appeal to the high route is the incredible scenery. Tim is Australia's best known mountaineer and an inspiring leader whose passion is taking small groups into the most isolated and wildest places. In more remote regions (like Kanchenjunga) expect them to charge more. For reference, here are my blog posts I wrote about each section of the trail: I didn’t hike any of the technical passes, so I don’t have any first hand knowledge to offer you. Technical Passes on the Great Himalaya Trail, Budget & Costs for the Great Himalaya Trail, Nepal Trekking & the Great Himalaya Trail, 7 Month Travel Budget: Asia and Eastern Europe. Simply say the name of the next village and point. A great springboard for anyone looking to do the trek in the future! I’ll be referencing people here for sure! Mrs Uma has been with us nearly 20 years and is the driving force behind our Kathmandu office. All porters that we employ receive a good working wage that is regulated by the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal and the Labor Union of Nepal, paying as per their guidelines, which are unionized. While the campsite locations have been handpicked for their location, our commitment to responsible travel ensures our footprint is kept to a minimum. Great Himalaya Trail: New Speed Record For accuracy, the pair tracked their progress live on Red Bull. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. We suggest that you consult your doctor, local government inoculation centre or a travel medical specialist in order to get the most current advice regarding vaccination requirements. There’s lots of species of monkeys along the low route. We brought about 7 gallon ziplock bags of it. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. There is an increasing number of both trekkers and agents that are trying to squeeze trekking itineraries into an ever decreasing number of days. Our guides in the field are the real key to our success on the GHT. I already wrote an entirely different article on this topic. There are so many tiny, intersecting trails through the mountains and no signs. Time your trips to the city for when you reach larger towns along the Great Himalaya Trail that have lots of buses or small airports. His achievements include multiple ascents of Everest, Lhotse & Manaslu, five Australian first ascents and establishment of many new routes. Instead we relied on what was available in Nepal. Coordinating the details of school and private groups and managing our community project works, her skills are as diverse as her knowledge of achieving the best services and prices for our travellers. Experience the medieval fortified village of Chharka Bhot, the nomad camps in the heart of Dolpo, Dho Tarap, and a fitting finale at perhaps the most beautiful place in the entire Himalaya, Phoksumdo Lake. There are no exact statistics, but it’s estimated that less than 50 people have ever completed the hike. Our series of eco-campsites in the Everest and Annapurna regions contribute to the local economy by providing employment and yearly rent and by bringing trekkers into nearby villages to purchase handicrafts. However, I just want you to have realistic expectations about what you’re getting yourself into. Also be aware that planes will not fly during bad weather. Taking a bus or Jeep was not possible because the roads were too flooded from monsoon season. The urge to stay in the city, have hot showers, use WiFi, and eat at nice restaurants was too much. Or sometimes they send you on the local shortcut trail, and you end up lost. The Great Himalaya Trail is one of the highest and longest trails in the world. His helpful, cheerful and efficient manner ensures the beginning and end of your Nepal adventure will be smooth, letting you focus on enjoying Kathmandu and preparing for your trek. Regardless, if the idea of hiking the Great Himalaya Trail has taken hold of you as it once took hold of me, read on. The Great Himalaya Trail is a network of existing wonder treks and tremendous trails which together form one of the longest and highest walking trails in the world. The afternoons were full of torrential downpours and eager leeches. Going the distance – Trekking the full Great Himalaya Trails March 28, 2017. Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Do check the visa requirements on the official government website. Sanitation is not up to par with what Westerners are used to. You can easily avoid the technical passes and take the low route. Most people will not accept them so ensure you check your notes when exchanging and refuse to accept any torn notes. While you’re trekking through more touristic areas, you can really indulge in meals. We look back at Florian's experience of a lifetime when he trekked Nepal's 152-day Great Himalaya Trail. The culmination of Jon's dedication to adventure was his unsupported traverse of Australia in 2001, where he completed the first unsupported walk to the geographic centre of Australia. And it’s going to be logistically difficult to plan resupplies.  |, Trekking through snow on the way towards Ghunsa This is basically a meal of rice, lentil soup, and curried vegetables. Over 3000 meters the daytime temperatures can vary as much as 10 to 20 degrees Celsius, and may be hotter or colder, depending on whether it is sunny or windy etc. If you’re a woman alone you’ll probably have to deal with sexual harassment or worse. You’ll encounter the rich cultures of the isolated communities that welcome you along the way, and forge lifelong friendships with your fellow trekkers and support crew. UTracks are the active European holiday specialists. The term is also used to refer to a subset of those trails spanning the width of Nepal. If you’re not trekking in a region, then you won’t need the permit. The trail on the low route is always either on a steep uphill to a pass or a steep downhill to a river. I’m not immune to these frustrations, but I’ve traveled in Asia enough to be used to them. That sums up most of the information you need to start planning your Great Himalaya Trail thru-hike. One of our most experienced leaders; Soren has summitted many Himalayan peaks as well as completed a six month traverse of Nepal, and attempted Everest solo. Day one of hiking on the Long Range Traverse, Newfoundland, Heading into the great outdoors for a day or week-long trek? Local chef making some yummy momo's | Sally Imber. Bir is one of our most versatile leaders, escorting our trekking groups along challenging sections of the Great Himalaya Trail, our family treks in the Annapurna region, private special interest groups to Everest Base Camp and our Mera and Island Peak Expeditions. This stage of the GHT is undoubtedly the most challenging. Kanchenjunga to the Far West and North Hilsa, Humla Border (Gateway … Other officers didn’t care or notice. Porter – another outstanding South African trailrunner who holds the solo record for the 220km Drakensberg Grand Traverse — did the Great Himalayan Trail on his own. One of our most experienced leaders; Soren has summitted many Himalayan peaks as well as completed a six month traverse of Nepal, and attempted Everest solo. Passing via Indian Himalayan Range of Ladakh a skill that we needed two backpacks to it... Cool to mild and clear days with often very cold nights and clear days often... 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