The great Himalayan is the world's longest trekking trail that covers 4500km through the mighty Himalayan region of Pakistan and Bhutan. The Great Himalayan Trail spans Nepal's Himalayan range through the remote village; you pass over high-altitude mountain passes that cover 1700m from east to west. It is estimated that less than 50 people have completed the hike due to its difficult terrain. The great Himalaya Trail (GHT) is a network of existing trekking trails that traverse the low, mid, and high Himalayan Mountains. The majority of the trails are in Nepal, but the trail stretches into India and Bhutan as well. The GHT is the world's highest and longest trekking trail, covering at least 1700 meters. The trail is not operated by one company, but rather by various organizations and companies who work on the trails and with trekkers.

Nepal's Great Himalayan Trails offer a lifetime opportunity for those seeking the cutting edge of adventure travel. It is the longest and highest footpath on earth, perhaps the most dramatic, traversing the entirety of Nepal from east to west in the shadow of the world's highest peaks. Nepal is well known for its trekking trails and its simple but adequate infrastructure for hikers. Local people have been slicing trails through the slopes and piles of the Himalayas for centuries. Since the mid-twentieth hundreds of years.

Nepal is popular for its trekking destinations with basic infrastructure that is managed by locals for travelers' facilities. When Nepal is open for foreigners in mid 20th centuries trekkers have been explored these trails by organizing camp or staying in the basic tea house throughout the way.No Technical climbing is required even there are multiple high passes above 5,000 miters - but the 150 days is said to be far more difficult than climbing up any single mountain. The Great Himalayan Trail has involved 10 shifting areas from Kanchenjunga on Nepal's eastern boundary with Tibet. It Passes from subtropical wildernesses to high elevations snow-capped biological systems through towns of Buddhists, Hindus, Sherpas, Tibetan evacuees, Loomis, and Shamans, among others.

It is not compulsory to do the whole Great Himalayan trail at the same time as your comfort itis possible to divide it into the various section. Due to seasonal situations, altitudes, most of Nepal is effect by season so better not try to complete the whole section. But it is best if travelers are highly passionate to complete the whole section necessary to encourage them to do it.

The Gret Himalayan Trail in Nepal is divided into multiple sections around the east to the west part of Nepal. All sections cover the popular classic section including Everest, Annapurna, and Langtang region as well as the least explored places of Nepal. The GHT section encompasses east to the west part of Nepal: 

1. Kanchenjunga

2. Makalu Barun

3. Everest and Rolwalinling 

4. Langtang and Helambu

5.Manaslu and Ganesh Himal

6. Annapurna and Mustang 

7. Dolpo

8. Rara and Jumla

9. Humla

10. Far west Nepal

There are two major sections of the Great Himalayan section that follow the high and low routes, also known as the cultural trails and mountain trails. It has many differences between the two routes, as the upper route tends to have more cultural villages and the high route occupies high altitude mountains.

The GHT High Route

Once acclimatized to the altitude, those trekking on higher routes may not find the walking as challenging as those trekking on lower routes. As the high routes pass through more national parks and restricted areas, they require more permits than the low routes. The high route includes parts where trekking with a guide is also essential, such as Kanchenjunga, Upper Mustang, and Upper Dolpo.

In most of the areas in the higher routes, Guides are compulsory in the Everest and Annapurna region that can travel without a guide. It is more expensive to obtain permits and find accommodation and food in these very popular locations.

The Great Himalayan trail can be started either from the east or from the west. The east site begins from Upper Dolpo most of the area in the northwest requires the trekking Guide and has to pay 0 for permits.

The Higher routes cross the highest trail across the Nepal Mountain that covers the 1700km of remote areas of Nepal. During this epic journey travelers connect with an isolated village, high altitudes mountains settlements, by the wild passes this tailor-made adventure journey, prove that nothing could be harder on the globe.

High altitudes pass, dense forest, rolling valley, and glacial river are the demo of your travel there is an unlimited cluster of the challenge throughout the high route. Great Himalayan Trail high route normally takes 120 - 140 days with 11 rest days including four travel days. The whole journey has 18 passes over 5000m and two are over 6000m overall trekking cover the 150,000m+ ascent and descent.

Major attractions of the High Routes

- At least exploring places with pristine trails provides inner peace throughout the Journey

- Authentic villages, delightful culture with genuine people with friendly behaviors

- Trekking with the backdrop of the best scenic mountains on the globe

- The great opportunities to encounter various wildlife such as the Panda, Snow leopard, and Black Beer

- The trail made travel experiences that were only possible to break for many others

Best Time to Explore High Routes

Is the biggest challenge about the Great Himalayan trail high routes is planning the trip based on the weather of east to west. It is so important to seasonality when planning the trip on the High route; Check the weather period of 120 + days to attempt this long Trip, make a list of when is the relatively stable weather? 

High Route Approximate Cost

- For solo Travelers, the minimum cost for 120 days is USD 13, 500.

- Twin-share with partly Guide cost US 7,250 per person

- Fully guiding for twin share USD 22,000 per person

The GHT Low Routes

The Great Himalayan trail considers as travel in the Lower elevation, relevantly shorter than high routes. These trails normally pass the majestic hills Nepalese base of the Himalayas as well as some of the highest passes in the world. The lower began from the Kathmandu valley and take to 9,156 feet above sea level. The great Himalayan trail follows most of the popular trekking regions such as Everest, Langtang, and Annapurna covering 25% of the Nepalese Himalayas region.

Travelers do not have to struggle to get food and accommodation in lower routes. The 75% trail of the lower routes known as the off-beaten path track only countable travelers explored. Lower courses are so jumpering from the Rich rhododendron timberland of the east to the thick forests in the west; the Himalaya is the transcendently wild dabbed with remote networks that have remained somewhat untouched. On these highways, a little journeying gathering can have a genuine effect on experiences that are scarcely meant.

The low courses are the more reasonable of the two courses. This is somewhat because adventurers do not require expensive grants or compulsory guides anywhere on the courses. Nevertheless, it is likewise a result of the trails going through more towns and is nearer to streets, so food and convenience are more straightforward to get to, and in this manner less expensive. The Incomparable Himalayan path low courses should be possible inside the9 to 23 days with assortments of heights. These courses are conceivably done any season with the least wellness level.

Do not be tricked into thinking the low courses are the more straightforward of the two courses. Albeit the heights are for the most part lower than on the high course, there is a ton of all over. Enduring a few hours trudging your direction uphill to observe that your objective town is underneath you at the elevations you began from can be intellectually and Truly messaging? There are also some high passes to traverse. The Lower lands of Nepal can adobe very hot and humid at certain times of the year and can be very draining to walk through.

Major attraction Lower Routes 

- Visit the most popular least visited remote areas of Nepal within a short period.

-  If travelers have enough time to complete the whole GHT but so the short trip is your time available.

- The entire journey is authentic, wild, and comfortable can be complete with creature comforts.

- Find out about Nepal, fabricate your find out concerning Nepal, and assemble your fieldcraft abilities over the long run.

- There is somewhere to go whenever, which makes arranging a lot more straightforward.

Low Route Approximate Cost 

- Time: 3- 5 months 

- Accommodations: Guesthouse and camping 

- Budget: 1000 USD/ month average 

- Guides and permits: Some regions require guides, most don't. Permits are required in most regions.

Trip costs vary upon the type of service. If you traveling through a travel agency costs may increase but make your travel much easier.

Challenges of the Great Himalayan Trail

Organizing food drops is not easy. Backpacking food must be brought from home, stored in resupply bags in Kathmandu or Pokhra, and then taken by bus or plane back to the city when resupplied. There are local shops in the mountains, but they have little variety of food besides noodles, cookies, and coke.

Provides the food in local teahouse doesn't carry enough calories so easily can lose the weight.

More often than not you need to eat Dal Bhat which accompanies rice, vegetable, and Lental however it's difficult to come by green vegetables in high heights districts, so it's a test to buy the calories according to you consistently consuming.

The sanitation system is not up to par with western standards. Regular diarrhea is to be expected. You must bring your soap since there won't be any soap available for you to use after using the toilet. Toilet runoff may drain into water sources. Keeping healthy is difficult.

-Navigation is a challenge. There are so many tiny, intersecting trails through the mountains and so signs.

The abundance of trails is because most locals walk everywhere they need to go. Choosing the correct path is often a guessing game. There are many paths to choose from in the jungles, but choosing the correct one is often a guessing game. The jungle is dense and full of plants that can cause severe allergic reactions. The Alpine regions are characterized by cliffs and accessible paths.

It is exhausting to use the local transportation system. A bus ride into the city often takes a full day. If there's bad weather, domestic fights are called off. There's no organization involved.

The continual and dramatic changes in elevation are exhausting, especially when on a low-calorie diet. On the routes, there is always either a steep uphill to a pass or a steep downhill to a river. Trekking on the high route is always either steeply uphill or steeply downhill to reach a river. It is significantly more difficult to trek with a heavy pack at altitude. Sometimes the air is so thin, you can only walk for a few minutes between breaks.

There's no such thing as being ultra-light on the Great Himalayan Trail. More stuff and dress than expected are required. Besides, the more food you convey the more you can remain out between returning to the city to resupply. 

 The monsoons come in the summer. They move from the East to the west, It is better time way to do the Great Himalayan Trail. The hope is to hike fast enough to stay ahead of them to avoid the afternoon rain and leeches.

Tips and Tricks for GHT

Most sections of the GHT can be journeyed freely, without an aide or watchmen. Except if you are exceptionally capable of journeying in the Himalayas and communicating in Nepali 9 or any neighborhood language), however the assistance of a nearby aide and additionally doorman is smart, essentially on certain pieces of the path.

They can promise you to have the right permits to enter public stops and restricted areas, secure accommodation in the more notable or more remote parts, and all things considered gatekeeper you.

The most serious perils journeying in the Himalayas are ecological: high height, snowfall, rainstorm downpours, seismic tremor hazard, avalanches, and dangerous street travel to arrive at the trailheads. Genuine wrongdoing focusing on outsiders in the Himalayas is uncommon. All sensible insurances ought to be taken, and it's never fitting to travel alone, however there,s no should be excessively worried about an attack or brutal wrongdoings

While not impossible, trekking the GHT in one go would require walking in the off-season. In Nepal, these are the winter (the higher in altitudes, the harsher the conditions), and the wet monsoon, when views are obscured by rainclouds and some trails may be washed out. If you are determined to do the GHT in one go, make proper preparations for off-season trekking, and consult a proper tour operator with experience in the GHT.

Certain parts of the Himaya are off-limit to foreigners( sometimes even locals), and or require an extra permit to travel. Border areas tend to be most sensitive, particularly at the India - China, and India - Pakistan borders. Heaver Police and army presence in these is usually a good condition that you are nearing a sensitive area.

In Nepal, Upper Mustang and Dolpo require extra permits and fees. Some of these places can only be visited with a guide on an organized tour anyway, but are another reason why consulting tour operators is a good idea when planning a trek on the GHT.

Accommodation along the GHT

You can find tea houses, guesthouses, and homestays in most of the lower parts of the Great Himalayan Trail such as the Everest, Langtang, and Annapurna Region. In the higher section, remote areas such as the Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and western section you have to carry your tent. It is better if you stay in the Tea house as far as possible you won’t have to carry the extra load with you.

Food Available along the GHT 

In most of the teahouses along the Great Himalayan Trail, you can expect typical Nepali food. Dinner is served with rice, lentils, curry, spicy pickle, and sometimes meat in special demand.

Fried noodles, dumplings, Ramen soup, and vegetable soup are the most common food in the Great Himalayan Trail. Meat isn’t always available, but when it is, you’d find chicken, yak, or buffalo meat. But one shouldn’t expect meat to be available at every guest house.

Breakfast will likely be eggs, tea, and roti. Roti is a flatbread that’s cooked in a pan. Don’t expect special coffee but simple coffee and tea are available in most of the places. Coffee available here is almost always instant.

There are varieties of food options available that you can indulge in while trekking through popular destinations. In those places, they even serve pizza and pies.

Carrying your food for extra Supply 

If you visit with the thinking that you would just buy something on the way, you won’t find everything that you like. So, it is advised to carry an extra supply of food to help you on your journey.

Prepare an additional rucksack stacked with your re-supply food, and store it at your visitor house in Kathmandu. Once you've climbed further west on the path, you can move your resupply packs to your lodging area.

Along the GHT, you can reach peak destinations through domestic flights. You can get to Kathmandu from most of the places in about an hour. So, you can easily ask them to transport your supply of food from there to your destination. And, when you walk on the GHT, you can pick a few of the food items for your journey.

You don’t have to carry an extra load of food if you can’t. Your food supply can be delivered from one airport to the next. 

Breakfast

Creating own Meals on the trekking trails is quite tricky be smart, choose food times that should be easy to prepare, and has lots of Calories. These food items will be beneficial for solo travelers as well. We recommend you carry these food items for breakfast.

1. Oat meals: 7 packets Ziplock Bag ( 2 people) 

2. Carnation Instant Breakfast Packet: 80 

3. Dehydrated Milk 

4. Chia Seeds

5. Peanut butter

6. Power Bars

The easiest way to prepare a trail breakfast for independent travelers is to mix multiple items on a good quality bottle and shake it. 

Lunch/ Dinner

Since the GHT is long, try carrying light and easy food items you can easily prepare. That way you don’t have to spend a lot of time preparing your food. Select these food items so you have a backup of food items just in case you need some extra supplies.

- Dried Meat 

- Freeze-dried Cheddar Cheese

- Lipton Rice and Pasta Sides 

- Instant Noodle 

 Checklist for the Great Himalayan Trail

This checklist is useful for the entire GHT and overall trekking of Nepal.

1. Backpack - Choose  Granite Gear Backpack should be comfortable and have lots of back support.

2. Sleeping Bag - Pack two sleeping bags for the summertime and winter season. A feathered sleeping bag for winter camping is a great option, synthetic sleeping bags are cheaper but won’t be last longer.

3. Sleep Mat: Get waterproof both side foam pad is comfortable and last forever. Inflatable sleeping pads; are comfortable and guaranteed.

4. Shelter: There are various options for a sleeping bag, they are good quality and lightweight. For a Lightweight tent that requires trekking poles for set up. 

5. Water Treatment: For long treks carry water purification Drops. Steripen is the best option for lower routes.

6. Water storage: When you trek in the remote area of Nepal you never know how frequently you will come across water sources before starting. Before beginning your day carry at least 4 liters of water with you. 

7. Stove: MSR Pocket Rocket Or Ep Gas 

8. Cooking Pot: GSI outdoors 1.1Liter Boile Pot and small 

9. Food Bag 

Clothing List

- Waterproof Shoes: Began your trek with the Boots that will keep your ankle safe and good for snow as well. In the lower region, you switch to running shoes.

- Shocks - Dran Tough 

- Light Trail Runners 

- Pants: Synthetic and lose Yoga pant 

- Synthetic T-Shirt 

- Hat and Sunglass

Cold Weather Clothes

- Down  Jacket with Hood and synthetic jacket

- Fleece Jacket 

- Rain Jacket 

- Rain Paints 

- Base Layer Bottoms

- Base Layer Top 

- Hat and gloves

- Extra Socks 

- Stuff Sack

- Sleeping Bag and Liner 

Electronics

- Brings cords and Plugs: Phone cord, Universal cord, Us Plug, etc

- Power Bank 

- Extra Battery for your equipment 

- Adapter 

Navigation

- Guide Book: The Great Himalayan Trail Low Route by Linda Bezemer (It’s only available in ebook), Nepal Trekking & The Great Himalaya Trail By Robin Boustead ( Paperback also available).

- GPS: Brings Garmin eTrex 20x GPS and Himalayan GPS Maps. Turn on ahead of time because it took us a few hours to get the maps on the GPS, and it was a pain in the ass.

- Maps: Himalaya Map House

- Compass

Toiletries

- Toothbrush

- Toothpaste

- Baby wipes 

- Soap

- Sunscreen

- Shampo - Sachet is the best option 

- Cob

Miscellaneous

- Head Lamp - Back Dimond 

- Water Bottles - Capacity 3 Liters 

- Journal and Pen - Light Notebook 

- Money Belt 

- Extra Batteries: For the GPS, Stephen, and Headlamps

Gear For High Pass

- Trekking Poles - Balck Dimond Raven Pro 

- Crampons - Petzl Leopard FlexLock are specific and lightweight 

- Carabiners 

- Rope

Conclusion

The Great Himalayan Trail offers a chance to roam in Nepal's least-explored isolated areas. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to walk one of Nepal's Great Himalayan Trails in its entirety on a continuous hike. The 150-day trek begins in the east with the Kanchenjunga region, home to the world's third tallest peak, and ends in the far west with the high highlands on the Tibetan border. The 1700-kilometer adventure takes you through the wildest and most secluded mountain scenery. You'll pass through ten high passes and see all of the 8000m mountains along the way. The entire terrain is moderate to difficult, and you will pass through centuries-old real communities.The Considerable GHT is a physically hard trail that necessitates a great deal of hiking and mountaineering expertise. Travelers must have a high level of physical strength as well as a flexible mindset in order to adjust to changing circumstances throughout the voyage. The complete length of GHT is guaranteed to provide lifelong memories and tailormade adventure experiences.

The GHT has multiple sections that are very rugged so prepare yourself to face all the challenges. It's hard to find the wide campsite you have to limit in the small space in some section. Sometimes may need a change in the schedule at any time based on unfortunate circumstances such as the weather condition, trail situation, river water level, and health conditions. If you are with a leader stay flexible to maintain the situation. The GHT is exploratory travel experiences and creating own story for life long.