Great Himalaya Trail Treks

Nepal’s Great Himalaya Trail crosses the entire Himalayan range, linking some of the country’s most remote trekking regions including Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Manaslu and Humla.

Eastern Himalaya Section: The eastern section crosses wild landscapes beneath Kanchenjunga and Makalu through remote mountain villages.

Everest Section: The Everest section links high mountain passes and famous Sherpa settlements within the Khumbu.

Manaslu Section: The Manaslu section traverses remote valleys and the high Larkya La Pass beneath Mount Manaslu.

Dolpo Section: The Dolpo section crosses remote high-altitude deserts and traditional Tibetan Buddhist communities.

Humla Section: The far western section reaches some of Nepal’s most isolated Himalayan landscapes.

The best time to begin and complete the Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) for long-distance trekking is to start in March, heading westward. The full journey typically takes around five months to complete. As you progress through diverse regions, from valleys to high alpine terrain,you’ll be moving just ahead of the monsoon season.

By June and July, the monsoon gradually advances westward across the Himalaya. However, more remote western regions, such as Dolpo, remain accessible for trekking even as conditions deteriorate elsewhere.

In general, the most favorable trekking periods across the Himalaya are April to May and September to October, when weather conditions are more stable. These windows offer the most reliable conditions for extended, multi-week journeys through remote mountain landscapes.

The trail traverses a wide range of environments, from subtropical valleys to high alpine passes. Temperatures can vary significantly depending on altitude and season, typically ranging from -10°C to 20°C (14°F to 68°F).

Spring brings blooming alpine flora and gradually warming temperatures, while autumn offers clear skies and exceptional mountain views. Outside of these periods, heavy monsoon rains and winter snowfall can make certain sections of the trail more challenging or inaccessible.

Nepal is +5:45 ahead of UTC/ GMT

Nepal is a country of high linguistic diversity. 123 different primary languages were reported in Nepal’s 2011 national census—including Nepali (official) 44.6%, Maithali 11.7%, Bhojpuri 6%, Tharu 5.8%, Tamang 5.1%, Newar 3.2%, Magar 3%, Bajjika 3%, Urdu 2.6%, Avadhi 1.9%, Limbu 1.3%, Gurung 1.2%, other 10.4%, unspecified 0.2%

Nepali is Nepal’s official language and also its lingua franca, understood by most in Nepal, and spoken by many living in Bhutan, India and further abroad

Newar (aka Nepal Bhasa; not to be confused with Nepali) is the native language of the Newar people and was Nepal’s official administrative language from the 14th to late 18th centuries, but is now considered by UNESCO to be an endangered language.

English is spoken by many in government, business and tourism sectors, and is part of the core curriculum of Nepal’s education system

In Nepali the local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). The Nepalese Rupee is different to the Indian Rupee, and the Government of Nepal has banned the import, export and use of 500 and 1000 Indian Rupees notes in Nepal.

It is difficult to convert your NPR back to foreign currency, and you will not be able to exchange NPR once back in your own country. There are many money change shops in Thamel and around Kathmandu where you will also be able to change money, however, note that many places will not allow you to change currency back. There are also ATM’s available for use in Kathmandu.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Nepalese traders do not like TORN notes. Most people will not accept them so ensure you check your notes when exchanging and refuse to accept any torn notes

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Electricity in Nepal is 230 Volts, at 50 hertz. The most common pin type is C (two round prong).

All nationalities require a visa for Nepal. You will find visa application forms and detailed instructions in your pre departure information kit and the up to date prices for visas obtained in your home country. Please note that if you are applying in Australia you must fill out the visa form provided and paste or staple your photographs in the top right hand corner. However, please note that THE VISA IS ONLY VALID FOR 6 MONTHS FROM THE DATE OF ISSUE, ie. you must enter and depart Nepal within six months of the date of issue of the visa. If you are American or Canadian you will need to obtain application forms for your visa directly from your nearest embassy/consulate.

It is possible to obtain your Nepal visa on arrival at Kathmandu Airport, however this is not ideal as it can cause long delays to your group. At the time of printing the cost is as follows;

15 day tourist visa US$25

30 day tourist visa US$40

90 day tourist visa US$100

(All are multiple entry)

Although the preferred payment is USD, AUD, CAD and GBP will also be accepted very readily.

You can collect the application form required to obtain your visa on arrival, from your reservation consultant or at the Kathmandu Airport on arrival. You should carry two current passport photographs with you, to obtain the visa. These prices are subject to change without notice, however we will do our utmost to keep you informed prior to your departure.

Your safety is our number one concern. Our safety track record is exemplary thanks to careful management and thorough consultation with local partners. Our industry leading risk management procedures have become a skill that we continue to refine. Our leaders in the field are highly trained and have safety as their number one priority. Expert leaders, risk assessments, quality inclusions and your financial security all come standard when you travel with us.

Please refer to our Travel Advisory page for updates on recent events, travel warnings and advice.

We strongly recommend that all clients take out travel insurance at the time of booking to cover against sickness, accident, loss of baggage, unexpected alterations to travel arrangements and travel disruption, emergency evacuation, cancellations, etc. Insurance information is enclosed with your pre-departure information. Please contact us if you would like to obtain a quote for your trip duration.

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.

Money and valuables should always be stored safely when travelling. Keep your passport with you at all times and do not leave it in your main luggage. You will need it to change money and check into hotels. Where safety deposit boxes are available, we recommend that you use them. Keep jewellery and valuables to a minimum.