Great Himalaya Trail Route & Itinerary
By Nepal Trekking Trail On 29 Sep 2026
Great Himalaya Trail Route & Itinerary
The Great Himalaya Trail High Route crosses the entire Nepal Himalaya from the Kanchenjunga region in the far east to the Tibetan border at Hilsa in the far west. It links nine mountain regions, crosses more than a dozen high passes, and moves between Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Thakali, Dolpo-pa, and Khas communities along the way. This itinerary follows the classic east-to-west direction, starting in spring so that the western rain-shadow regions are reached during the monsoon.
Trip Facts
| Route | GHT High Route, Kanchenjunga to Humla |
| Total duration | Approx. 155–160 days (including rest and buffer days) |
| Distance | Approx. 1,700 km |
| Highest point | Sherpani Col, approx. 6,180 m |
| Grade | Extremely strenuous, with technical glacier passes |
| Accommodation | Mostly camping, teahouses where available |
| Start / End | Kathmandu / Kathmandu |
| Best start time | Late February to March |
| Group size | Minimum 2 (restricted-area permit requirement) |
Route Overview
Section 1 – Kanchenjunga: Fly to Bhadrapur or Suketar and trek into the Kanchenjunga Conservation Area to Kanchenjunga North Base Camp (Pangpema). The route then heads west over the Lumba Sumba Pass into the Walung region.
Section 2 – Makalu Barun: From Olangchung Gola and Thudam, the trail passes through remote Bhotia villages to Hongon and into the Barun Valley, reaching Makalu Base Camp.
Section 3 – Makalu to Everest: The most technical stretch of the GHT, crossing Sherpani Col, West Col, and Amphu Laptsa by way of the Barun Plateau and Honku Valley before descending into the Khumbu at Chukhung.
Section 4 – Everest & Rolwaling: A short Khumbu rest and resupply, then west through Thame to cross Tashi Lapcha into the Rolwaling Valley, continuing down past Tsho Rolpa lake and the villages of Na and Beding.
Section 5 – Langtang & Helambu: Across the Bhote Koshi and the Jugal Himal, over Tilman's Pass into the Langtang Valley, and on to Kyanjin Gompa and Syabrubesi.
Section 6 – Ganesh Himal & Manaslu: Through Tamang villages of the Ganesh Himal, into the Tsum Valley, and around Manaslu over the Larkya La to Dharapani.
Section 7 – Annapurna & Mustang: Through the Nar Phu Valley and over Kang La to Manang, across Thorong La to Muktinath, and on to Jomsom before heading west toward Dolpa.
Section 8 – Dolpa: Into the trans-Himalayan rain shadow via Chharka Bhot, crossing high passes to Shey Gompa, Saldang, and the Crystal Mountain region, then out through Phoksundo Lake.
Section 9 – Mugu & Rara: Through the remote Mugu Karnali valley to Rara Lake, Nepal's largest lake, and on toward Humla.
Section 10 – Humla: From Simikot, the final section follows the ancient salt-trade route through the Limi Valley and over Nyalu La to Hilsa on the Tibetan border, the western end of the Nepal GHT.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Days | Section | Route highlights | Key pass / max altitude |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Kathmandu | Arrival, permits, briefing, gear check | 1,400 m |
| 4–26 | Kanchenjunga | Taplejung – Ghunsa – Pangpema – Lumba Sumba | Lumba Sumba Pass approx. 5,160 m |
| 27–38 | Makalu Barun | Olangchung Gola – Thudam – Chyamtang – Hongon – Makalu Base Camp | Makalu BC approx. 4,870 m |
| 39–52 | Makalu to Everest | Sherpani Col – Baruntse BC – West Col – Amphu Laptsa – Chukhung | Sherpani Col approx. 6,180 m |
| 53–56 | Khumbu | Rest and resupply in Namche Bazaar | 3,440 m |
| 57–68 | Rolwaling | Thame – Tashi Lapcha – Na – Beding – Simigaon | Tashi Lapcha approx. 5,755 m |
| 69–82 | Langtang & Helambu | Bhote Koshi – Jugal Himal – Tilman's Pass – Kyanjin Gompa – Syabrubesi | Tilman's Pass approx. 5,300 m |
| 83–100 | Ganesh Himal & Manaslu | Ganesh Himal villages – Tsum Valley – Samagaon – Larkya La – Dharapani | Larkya La approx. 5,106 m |
| 101–114 | Annapurna & Mustang | Nar Phu – Kang La – Manang – Thorong La – Muktinath – Jomsom | Thorong La approx. 5,416 m |
| 115–136 | Dolpa | Chharka Bhot – Shey Gompa – Saldang – Phoksundo Lake | Multiple passes above 5,000 m |
| 137–145 | Mugu & Rara | Mugu Karnali valley – Gamgadhi – Rara Lake | Approx. 3,000–4,000 m |
| 146–155 | Humla | Simikot – Limi Valley – Nyalu La – Hilsa | Nyalu La approx. 4,950 m |
| 156–158 | Return | Fly Simikot – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu, farewell | 1,400 m |
Rest days, resupply stops, and weather buffer days are built into each section. The exact route may be adjusted for snow conditions, permit rules, and group fitness.
Section Trek Options
Not everyone has five months to spare. Each section above can be booked as a stand-alone trek of roughly two to four weeks, or combined into longer journeys such as Kanchenjunga to Makalu, Makalu to Everest via the high passes, or Dolpa to Humla through the far west.
What's Included
The trek package covers airport transfers, domestic flights on the route, all restricted-area and national park permits, experienced licensed guides and climbing guides for technical passes, porters and full camping crew, all meals on trek, tents and camping equipment, group climbing gear for glacier passes, and resupply logistics. Every trekker receives a complimentary duffel bag, and quality sleeping bag and down jacket hire can be arranged for those who need it.
Important Notes
The Sherpani Col, West Col, Amphu Laptsa, and Tashi Lapcha crossings are technical and involve glacier travel, fixed ropes, crampons, and harness use. Prior high-altitude experience is essential for the High Route. Comprehensive travel insurance covering helicopter evacuation above 6,000 m is mandatory. Kanchenjunga, Manaslu, Tsum, Nar Phu, Upper Dolpa, and Humla are restricted areas requiring special permits arranged through a registered agency.
The day ranges, pass altitudes, and route choices here are representative of the classic High Route, so you'll want to align them with the exact itinerary Actual Adventure runs, especially the Annapurna–Dolpa link and the Rolwaling–Langtang connection, where operators vary. I can write the detailed day-by-day page for any single section next, or a matching itinerary for the Cultural (Low) Route.
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