Each of the most popular trails, the GHT High Route, GHT East Nepal, GHT Central Nepal and GHT West Nepal, are fully documented with example day to day itineraries in the Adventures section (content is also available in the guidebook; Trekking Nepal and the Great Himalaya Trail, Trailblazer). However, please note that the GHT is a route network, not a single trail, and so there are no signposts and no specific route itinerary.

Currently, we are working on a way to define activity-specific routes for:

• Alpine GHT – a high technical route up to 6500m which can be combined with trekking and expedition peaks, with camping most of the time.
• Trekking GHT – a mostly non-technical hiking route (includes trails to avoid technical sections) with possible short periods of camping.
• Running GHT – a non-technical running route relying on teahouses every night.
• MTB GHT – a route combining rarely used roads and main walking trails relying on teahouses every night.

We make maps, prepare route notes and GPS files of all the major trails so that you can build your own GHT Adventure. This website is designed to help you understand the risks and challenges that you will face and that you should discuss with a Local Operator. You must have appropriate travel insurance and rescue coverage, and check terms and conditions in case of exclusions for any GHT Adventure.

There’s five alpine (and therefore considered technical) mountaineering passes, where you will need basic mountaineering gear and experience for the Sherpani Col, West Col, Amphu Labsta, Tashi Labsta and Tilman’s Pass. Tilman’s Pass is on the GHT Central Nepal route, while the others are all in GHT East Nepal. We recommend taking a guide for all of these passes unless you have practical mountaineering experience and are familiar with glacial travel at high altitude. You must have appropriate rescue and travel insurance and check terms and conditions in case of exclusions for any GHT Adventure.

That really depends on your chosen route, the time of year and local weather conditions. Even at 3000m there can be large snowfalls and extensive icy patches, so micro-spikes or crampons are useful. If you are considering the more remote trails, then a taking handline for river crossings is also a good idea. Please discuss options with your Local Operator.

Yes of course! You can contact the GHTers who have written GHT Trail Talk blogs and you can contact Robin through this website. You will quickly realise that GHTers are all willing to help and provide advice to anyone who wants to explore the Himalaya!

Yes, in many places this is possible, but there are areas of the Himalaya that require special permits and a minimum group size. You will no doubt read online that some folks have managed to complete solo (unassisted traverses) of Nepal, but you should be aware that this is illegal.

There are some areas of the Indian Himalaya that are open for anyone to trek alone, but not in Bhutan. It is best to discuss possible restrictions and permits with your Local Operator.

No, not always as there are many areas of the Himalaya where you can trek freely. It is best to consult with your Local Operator about local conditions and possible restrictions.

Do not believe websites that say you can avoid having a guide when you need one. We frequently hear of trekkers being turned around and then have a fine waiting for them when they leave the country.

Yes, we are developing a chain of 100 GHT Check-In Points along the most common remote trails, plus there are now many teahouses and lodges along trekking routes in Nepal.

However, in India and Bhutan you will need to camp nearly all the time.

In some areas of Nepal, accommodation is very basic and there are some sections of 1 to 5 days, when you could need camping gear, for example, the technical passes on the high route. You should extensively research your route and discuss options with your Local Operator.

If your chosen route goes through a Restricted Area, National Park or Conservation Area, then you must have the appropriate permits. Permits vary in price (from US$20 to US$500!) and are nearly always for specified dates, which can make logistics challenging unless you have a smart Local Operator working in the background, see Visas and Permits for more information.

All outdoor activities involve an element of risk, which could endanger you and those with you. It is impossible for any information resource (website, guidebook, etc) to alert you to every possible danger or hazard, or to anticipate the limitations of your party. The descriptions of trails, passes, routes, geographical features we share are therefore not in any way a guarantee that they will ensure the safety for you or your party. When you follow our advice and/or route information you do so at your own risk and assume responsibility for your own safety. We strongly recommend that you have comprehensive travel insurance and appropriate emergency rescue systems, see travel insurance and rescue for more details.

Ensuring that you are aware of all relevant factors and exercising good field-craft combined with common sense is the best way to enjoy the mountains. If you feel unsure about your skill level, experience or knowledge base then you should not assume responsibility for yourself or a party.

Also, the political situation in Nepal will change and could affect your plans. It is wise to keep abreast of all developments and check government and relevant agency websites for your own safety. You assume the risk of your travels and the responsibility for those with you. Be safe, be prepared, be informed.

To date, from the many hundreds of trekkers who have attempted the GHT, there has only been one tragic fatality, Milena Piasecka from Poland, who suffered a fall in the Everest Region.

No, we do not organise treks, nor do we take or assist bookings for treks. This website is designed to help you research and design your ideal GHT anywhere in the Himalaya, and we are more than happy to answer your questions!

Visit the GHT Shop on this website and you can order books and maps to your hearts content! There are also many books written by GHTers available on Amazon.

Pre-organised resupply drops are becoming less and less of a necessity, but it does still very much depend on your route. The GHT Local Operators have excellent connections with remote areas so they are able to help identify places to resupply, especially now that we are creating GHT Check-In Points, so that you can resupply as you go.

Not always, but this is becoming much more possible. Always ask the locals where the next possible place to purchase supplies is, and of course, ask your Local Operator about the Check-In Points where you will find food, fuel and communication!

Many trekkers often end up eating locally made instant noodles (WaiWai and Rara are the most common). Protein can be hard to find and often expensive. The most commonly available meal is Dhal Bhat, which is often refillable at no extra cost.

This depends on a number of factors, mostly your preferred route and time of year. In general, it makes no difference in terms of terrain and difficulty, but because western Nepal is more northerly than the east, it does tend to have longer, colder winters. East Nepal conversely, has longer, wetter monsoons. Most GHTers go from East to West so that they can get over the high passes in a specific time window as the longer you trek, the more unpredictable your planning will become.

See Trek Duration and Grade for more details.

This really depends on the speed at which you trek. Runners, who want to cover large distances have the choice of almost any season, whereas slower trekkers must contend with multiple seasons. The most common starting time is from March to then end in June, before the monsoon really gets going. But due to climate change and the increasing dryness or winter months, you can also think about the October-February window, especially as it now mostly snows in March!
More on weather and When to Trek here…

We recommend using several essential navigation sources, and see Guides, Maps and GPX for more details:

• GHT maps – are regularly update in new editions and are the most accurate and detailed maps of Nepal on the market.
• GHT GPS routes – please contact us for the latest route files.
• Gaia GPS app – we are developing an integrated GAIA, maps and GPX app, please contact us for more information.

A Garmin InReach satellite communicator device is highly recommended as it works with the Iridium satellite network, which covers everywhere in the Himalaya without needing mobile coverage. It has three essential functions:

• Allows you to send and receive short text messages.
• Tracks your location on a map, so your logistical helpers can keep track of you and alert the emergency services if you disappear.
• An SOS button that alerts the emergency services if you get in trouble.

WARNING: Satellite communication devices of any sort are highly restricted in India. You should notify the army and all relevant authorities if you are carrying a satellite device, even if you do not intend to use it.

Nepal: Most of the trail now has mobile coverage mostly through Nepal Telecom (NTC or Namaste), whereas urban areas are better served by NCell. There are SIM card shops in the airport after baggage claim.

India: obtaining a SIM card that works in all mountain areas is extremely difficult. We recommend you discuss options with your Local Operator.

Bhutan: there is very little mobile coverage across Bhutan, but satellite devices work well. We recommend you discuss options with your Local Operator.

Nearly every teahouse now offers recharging (at a cost) for phones and low-draw devices but recharging a powerbank can be difficult. We strongly recommend discussing your energy needs with your Local Operator who can confirm with communities what the current situation is. Having said that, it is wise to carry powerbank(s) that offer up to 10 recharges even in cold conditions.

This is almost impossible to estimate as there are so many variables and we have made a dedicated page to help you make a budget, How Much do Treks Cost?

To briefly summarise, here are the major types of cost:

• Permits and Fees: depending on route, totals can vary from US$100 to US$1500 per person.
• Transport and Logistics: varies significantly if you travel by air or land, costs start from US$20 for a local bus trip.
• Guide and support crew: experienced guides cost a minimum US$50+ per day, whereas a local porter is likely to be about US$15/day. Remember that all crew need to be paid to get to and from their home, and not just for when you need them.
• Daily accommodation and meals: prices are expensive in popular tourist areas and can be very inexpensive in remote areas, so it is best to budget an average of US$35-50 depending on your choice of meals – vegetarian Dhal Bhat is the most commonly available, inexpensive and normally refillable at no extra charge.

Robin Boustead was the first person to trek the highest feasible (that others could follow) route along the whole length of the Himalaya (Nepal, Bhutan and India) in 2008-11.

For more information About the GHT