GHT FAQs

Q. How long is it? And where can I get more information?

The entire length of the Great Himalaya Range is 2,400km as the crow flies, and depending on which route you take, the GHT is over 4,500km, making it one of the longest walking trails in the world. By section:

Bhutan – 500km
China (Tibet) – 600km
India (Northwest) – 1,400km
India (Sikkim) – 155km
Nepal – 1,600km
Pakistan – 125km

I am planning a guide book from Trailblazer Publications for release Easter 2010 in the UK and a few months later in the USA. The Dutch non-governmental organsiation, SNV, have built a promotional website for the GHT in Nepal, www.thegreathimalayatrail.org which is hoped will highlight tourism and development opportunities along the Himalaya.

Q. Can I walk the Nepal section in one go?

It could be possible to do the Nepal GHT in one continuous push but it would require a serious rest break from mid-February to mid-March while the winter storms close the high passes. It would be physically and logistically tough and expensive depending on how many were trekking, but possible. You would need to start mid-September (during the monsoon) to reach Kanchenjunga Base Camp by the beginning of October. Not including rest and re-supply delays you could do the following:
From KBC head over to Makalu (2 weeks), over the high passes and through the Everest region (10 days), through the Rolwaling and Langtang (3 weeks), around the southern flanks of the Ganesh Himal (1 week) and then around the Manalsu and Annapurna Circuits to Jomsom (3 weeks) where you could stop and rest. From Jomsom head thru Upper Dolpo via Chharka Bhot to Pho (2 weeks) then to Gamgadhi (2 weeks) and up to Simikot and to the border behind Api and Saipal (2 weeks). All up I think you could do this route in about 130 days but that leaves very little time for bad weather or other delays, which always seem to happen in Nepal. the big issues would be cost. You'd need food dumps along the route as most of the villages are barely subsistence and you would have to have some porters or pack animals to carry supplies. Unfortunately, Nepal crew don't like eating dehy for months on end!

Q. What to take?

That depends on where you are walking and at what time of year. Much of the GHT requires full camping equipment for snow conditions, but the lower valleys are normally very warm, even in the cooler months. And if you want to do teahouse sections your gear list is very simple, here's an example:

CLOTHING		GENERAL EQUIPMENT
QTY	Description	QTY	Description
1	Trekking Boots, well broken in, with spare laces	1	Pack of about 40 litres
1	Sandals or campshoes and a bag to store them in	1	Kit bag or suit case to leave in Kathmandu with a clean set of clothes
4	Liner socks	1	Kit bag to take on the trek – check with your agent if this is provided
2	Warm weather walking socks at least 50% wool	1	Pair of trekking poles
2	Cool weather walking socks at least 40% wool	1	Sleeping bag rated to at least -10°C for treks to over 5,000m.
1	Cold weather walking socks at least 30% wool	1	Sleeping bag liner sheet, preferably silk.
2	Warm weather T shirt (lightweight synthetic)	1	Inflatable sleeping mat - optional
2	Long sleeve shirt with pocket (lightweight synthetic)	1	Pillow - optional
1 ea	Long sleeve thermal shirt and long johns	1	Head torch with spare batteries
1 ea	Long sleeve heavy weight thermal shirt, long johns are only necessary for high altitude or if you especially feel the cold.	1	Selection of waterproof bags to organise your gear
2	Lightweight walking shirt with pockets (ideal for travelling to and from the trek)	1	Toiletries
2	Lightweight walking pants, detachable legs are not essential.	1	First aid kit
1 ea	Fleece pullover or lightweight jacket	1	Repair kit
1 ea	Warm fleece or soft shell jacket and pants	1	Reading material, note book, pens, etc
1 ea	Waterproof jacket and pants	1	Camera, spare batteries and memory cards
1	Sun hat
1	Warm hat	SPECIALITY GEAR
1	Warm and weather proof gloves	1	Gaitors if going above the snow line
1	Lightweight liner gloves	1	Pair of crampons to suit trekking boots
1	Trekking scarf	1	Ice axe
		1	Harness, 2 locking karabiners and descending device

Q. What do you eat?

The national dish of Nepal is dhal bhat, a rice and lentil combination, which is common throughout the Himalaya. In Tibet you will more likely find tukpa, a noodle and vegetable soup. If you have a full kitchen crew then it’s possible to carry other foodstuffs around with you, and for longer treks dehydrated meals are ideal.

Q. Can I live off the land?

Many of the places you pass through on the GHT are subsistence based, so it is necessary for you to carry all of what you need to complete your trek. Sometimes you can purchase a chicken or goat but you must be prepared to slaughter and prepare it within your group.

Q. How much does it cost?

Hiking the main trails in Nepal or India can be inexpensive on the condition you eat the local food and minimise luxuries. Food and lodging in a tea-house in the Everest region costs about US$40 per person per day on average but you also need to add your transport to and from the trek, which is normally a few hundred dollars.
However, trekking for long periods or in remote areas is more expensive, the average for most camping treks costs about US$80 per person per day for groups of 6 trekkers or more. The less paying trekkers you have, and the more remote you want to go, the more expensive it becomes. Then you must add your transport costs to and from the trail, so the total cost can run into many thousands of dollars.

Q. How fit should I be?

Your fitness level may not help you avoid the effects of altitude it can have a direct bearing on how well your body copes with the continuous physical exercise of trekking. The fitter you are, the faster and more easily you will become ‘trail fit’ and the more likely that you will enjoy every day in the mountains. Ideally you should concentrate on cardiovascular fitness, build stamina and undertake a bit of strength training to add muscle tone.

Q. Can I just do sections?

Certainly, in fact this is probably the best way of attempting longer sections of the GHT.

Q. Do I have to camp? Or are there tea-houses or shelter I can use?

As the GHT follows local village to village trails for much of it's length there are plenty of local lodges and shelters along the way. Most villages throughout the Himalaya offer some form of shelter to the passing traveller, but don't expect much and it is essential that you can speak the local dialect - remember there are over 20 ethinic groups along the trail in Nepal alone! The main areas that offer some form of accomodation are:

Kanchenjunga - from Suketar/Taplejung to Pangpema (the last few days are in herders huts)
Makalu - from Tumlingtar to Tashigaon, then check if the tea-shops are open to Base Camp
Everest - extensive tea-houses throughout the region
Rolwaling - the Eco-Himal lodges in the lower valleys and basic tea-houses as far as Na
Langtang - tea-houses throughout Helambu and the Langtang valley as far as Kyangjin Gompa
Ganesh Himal - Tamang Heritage Trail has basic tea-houses and there are some simple lodges in the Tipling valley
Mansalu - tea-shouses to Samdo, there is a simple lodge being built beside the emergency shelter before the Larkye La which should be open in 2010
Annapurna - extensive tea-houses throughout the region
Mustang- simple tea-houses to Lo Monthang
Dolpo - tea-houses from Juphal to Ringmo and in larger villages in Upper Dolpo

If you trek during the yarsagumbha colection season (April/May) you will find thousands of Nepali people in the hills using simple shelters and nomadic traders who sell staple foodstuffs to them.

It is always recommended that you carry your own emergency shelter, at least 5 days of food and a satellite phone and/or emergency beacon.

Q. Do I have to use a trekking agency or can I just trek alone?

You certainly have to use a trekking agency to process your permits and TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card. Beyond that it depends on where you are going, your language skills and field-craft, and the level of risk associated with your route. Personally, I enjoy long treks in wilderness areas that inevitably requires some sort of support crew: a guide/translator, a climbing Sherpa to carry ropes, etc, and a cook to carry essential food. If we are going to be away from vilalges for a days then I'll also take a local porter or two to carry food supplies and lighten all loads. In the main trekking areas you only really need a guide for communication. In many remote areas there is a minimum group size of two 'tourist' trekkers, thus preventing truely independent trekking. But then it is always safer to trek with at least one other for both altitude and security reasons.

A great idea is to try and team up with nomads through the remoter sections, Sorrel Wilby did a similar thing when she traversed Tibet. At the moment this method is frowned on by authorites for travellers to Nepal, but it would certainly be an option for resident Nepali to explore their country.