Max. Elevation
Great Himalayan Trail
Overview
Great Himalayan Trail: A 5-Month Adventure Across Nepal
We begin our journey in Simikot, trekking through the remote Humla region to the beautiful and peaceful Rara Lake. Along the way, we pass through small villages of Chhetri, Brahmin, and Takhuri communities. This part of the trek is at a lower altitude, helping us acclimatize for the high mountains ahead.
Next, we head to the Mugu Valley and into the mystical region oF UPPER Dolpo, known for its ancient monasteries and untouched villages. We continue to Lomothnag, crossing five high passes over 5,000 meters.
We then tackle the famous Sarebung Pass at 6,200 m on the Annapurna Narphu Valley and the Larkya La on the Manaslu Circuit, reaching snowy, glacier-filled landscapes. Villages like Lho and Sama welcome us with Tibetan culture and traditions. As we descend slightly, we pass through Ganesh Himal and cross the Pangsang Pass (3,830 m).
Our next challenge is the remote Rolwaling Valley, where we cross the difficult Langtang Tilman Pass (5,300 m), surrounded by stunning alpine lakes like Tin Phokari and Panch Phokari. If Tilman Pass is too risky, we have a backup route over Gyanja La (5,100 m).
To reach the Everest region, we must climb the technical Tashi Lapsa Pass (5,730 m), requiring mountaineering gear like crampons and ice axes. We then arrive in Thame and continue through the Khumbu region, crossing Renjo La, Cho La, and visiting Kala Pattar (5,545 m) and Gokyo Peak (5,360 m) — with unforgettable views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and more.
The adventure gets even more intense as we take on the challenging Three Passes Expedition: Amphu Laptsa (5,850 m), West Col (6,143 m), and Sherpani Col (6,135 m) — using fixed ropes and rappelling in icy, high-altitude terrain, finally reaching Makalu Base Camp.
From there, we continue on a rare trail to the Lumbasumba Pass, traveling through the Arun Valley near the Tibetan border.
In the final stretch, we trek through diverse cultural villages of Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tamang, and Tibetan communities. The trail leads us to the majestic Kangchenjunga North Base Camp at Pangpema (5,140 m). After circling the eastern face of this giant mountain, we conclude our once-in-a-lifetime journey across the entire length of Nepal.
Itinerary
Expand AllWe start our adventure in Simikot, trekking through the stunning Humla region to reach the breathtaking Rara Lake. This part of western Nepal is rarely visited, offering a peaceful and unique experience. Along the way, we walk through traditional Chhetri, Brahmin, and Takhuri villages, getting a glimpse of local life. Since this section is not very high in altitude, it’s perfect for helping us adjust before the more challenging stages ahead.
Number of days: 15 days
Accommodation: in a tent
Difficulty: moderate
This stage takes us from the peaceful and little-known areas of Rara Lake and the Mugu Valley, into the remote and mystical land of Dolpo, and finally to the edge of Mustang. We explore ancient monasteries and traditional villages untouched by time. Then, we trek over more than five high mountain passes (all above 5,000 meters) to reach Lo Mothang, connecting us to the famous Annapurna Saribung and Narphu.
Number of days: 20 days
Accommodation: in a tent
Difficulty: difficult
Continue to Sarebung Pass at 600 meters on the Annapurna Narphu Valley, trekking through high mountain glaciers and snowy landscapes. After that, we reach the Tibetan-influenced villages of Phu and Meta where prayer flags, monasteries, and chortens show the local culture.
we continue toward the Manaslu region crossing the Larkye la pass 5163meter. The Manaslu massif includes three big peaks: Manaslu (8,163 m), Himalchuli (7,893 m), and Peak 29 (7,871 m), located between the Budhi, Gandaki, and Marsyangdi rivers.
Number of days: 20 days
Accommodation: in a Tent + lodge
Difficulty: difficult
Next, we trek through many villages home to different ethnic groups, enjoying a peaceful journey away from the crowds in a beautiful high mountain setting. After walking around the Ganesh Himal range, we cross the Pangsang Pass at 3,830 meters. From there, we descend to a comfortable altitude below 4,000 meters
Number of days: 10 days
Accommodation: in a tent
Difficulty : moderate
This is a legendary and rarely traveled route. We cross the entire Rolwaling Valley, with the main highlight being the challenging Tilman Pass at 5,300 meters. Along the way, we visit stunning high-altitude lakes like Tin Pokhari and Panch Pokhari. We then reach the Bhote Khosi River, known as the Tibetan River, and the old road that once led to Lhasa.
Since Tilman Pass is difficult and not often used, there is an alternative route through Gyanja La (5,100 meters) if conditions make Tilman Pass too hard.
For detailed daily plans, see the technical sheet: “From Langtang to Rolwaling via Tilman Pass.”
Number of days : 15 days
Accommodation: in tents and lodges
Difficulty: difficult
To get from the Rolwaling Valley to Khumbu via the high road, we have to take a difficult pass that requires technical knowledge and equipment such as crampons, ice axe and harness, the Tashi Lapsa. In a high mountain atmosphere, we flirt with peaks at 6,000 m and more! We arrive in Thame and find the Khumbu lodges. See details and day by day in the technical sheet "The Rolwaling Crossing via Tashi Lapsa".
Number of days: 15 days
Accommodation: in tents and lodges
Difficulty : difficult
At the heart of Sherpa country are the highest peaks in the world. On this itinerary, we will first meet this endearing population, its villages and monasteries, then gain altitude and cross two passes at more than 5,000 meters above sea level, Renjo La, Cho La, and also climb Kala Pattar (5,545 m) and Gokyo Peak (5,360 m). A beautiful immersion in high altitude to reach Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Lhotse, Pumori, Cho Oyu and of course, Everest. A very beautiful itinerary where we never take our eyes off the high Himalayan peaks. We sleep in lodges in the villages we pass through. See details and day by day in the technical sheet "Everest by the High Passes".
Number of days: 15 days
Accommodation: in a lodge
Difficulty: difficult
We are setting off on a legendary and difficult-to-organize expedition that brings us closer to mountaineering than trekking. We are committed to "climbing the 3 passes": Amphu Lapsa (5,850 m), West Col (6,143 m), first climbed by Shipton in 1951, and Sherpani at 6,135 m (easier than East Col), which leads to Makalu Base Camp. We sometimes have to use fixed ropes and abseil. We are moving through a glacial and snowy landscape and flirting with the high peaks. See details and day by day in the technical sheet "From Everest to Makalu via Amphu Lapsa and Sherpani Col".
Number of days: 15days
Accommodation: in a tent
Difficulty: difficult to very difficult
We set off on a unique trek from Makalu Base Camp (8,463 m) to Lumbasumba. We progress to the Makalu lookout, which offers a view of Everest (8,848 m) and Lhotse (8,516 m). An extraordinary adventure that takes us to a rare and unique passage: Lumbasumba, the Arun Valley, and the Tibetan border. See details and day-by-day in the fact sheet "From Makalu to Kangchenjunga via Lumbasumba."
Number of days : 15 days
Accommodation : in a tent
Difficulty : difficult
We set off on a wild trek in an exceptional high mountain setting. Rai, Limbu, Sherpa, Tamang, and Tibetan villages are dotted along the route. We progress in a beautiful high mountain atmosphere to the North Base Camp of Kangchenjunga (8,586 m) at Pangpema (5,140 m), then after skirting the entire mountain range to the east, the South Base Camp. An extraordinary adventure. See details and day by day in the fact sheet "At the foot of Kangchenjunga on the borders of Nepal."
Number of days : 15 days
Accommodation : in a tent or lodge
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