The Great Himalaya Trail- Phase One
The Great Himalaya Trail- Phase One is a 28-day adventure in Eastern Nepal, in the Kanchenjunga and Makalu regions. These two regions are completely off-beat paths that are challenging and physically demanding. However, upon completion, phase one rewards with the exquisite taste of enriched culture, nature, and geography.
The two highest mountains and their base camp make phase one of the GHT Trek special. You’ll trek to the base camp of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third-highest mountain. Following, you’ll also trek to Makalu Base Camp, the base camp of the fifth-highest mountain. Furthermore, you’ll cross two high mountain passes, Lumbasumba Pass at 5,106 meters and Nango La at 4,910 meters.
The Great Himalaya Trail- Highlights of Phase One
- Kanchenjunga Base Camp and Makalu Base Camp
- Off-the-beaten-path trek, best for a peaceful trek
- Close view of the third and fifth-highest mountains
- Cultural experience of Rai, Limbu, and other ethnicity of Eastern Nepal
- Trek to Lumbasumba Pass and Nango La, two beautiful mountain pass in Kanchenjunga
- Physically demanding but highly rewarding trek
The Great Himalaya Trail Cost- For Phase One (East Nepal)
The first phase of GHT runs for 28 days in East Nepal, in Kanchenjunga and Makalu regions.
Here are our updated cost details for phase one in the 2024/2025 season.
|
Pax |
Cost per person (USD) | Availability | Want to book? |
| 2 | 2500 | Available | |
|
3-4 |
2450 | Available | Inquire Us |
| 5-7 | 2400 | Available |
Here’s a cost breakdown showing what the cost includes and doesn’t.
Before we dive deeper into phase one, the 28-day itinerary breakdown, it’s crucial to know a bit about the Kanchenjunga and Makalu region.
Kanchenjunga Base Camp
You’ll start The Great Himalaya Trail trek by trekking to Kanchenjunga Base Camp at 5,160 meters. It’s among the best off-beat-path trek in Nepal, which is now becoming popular among trekkers.
Kanchenjunga region is no less than a hidden treasure of Nepal, bordering Sikkim in India. Trekking here is difficult due to remoteness, off-beat trails, few tea houses, and demanding trek grade. Also, the special trekking permits, themandatory hiring of a trekking guide, and the longer itinerary prevent most trekkers plan and hiking here.
However, in phase one of the Great Himalayan Trail, you’ll trek to this region first. We’ll assign a trekking guide, arrange necessary trek permits, and trek logistics.
Makalu Base Camp
Makalu Base Camp is another popular landmark in The Great Himalaya Trail- Phase One. You’ll first trek to Kanchenjunga and then head to Makalu region.
Makalu Base Camp sits at 4,870 meters, the base camp of the 5th highest mountain. What makes it even more special is that you’ll get the best view of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga, all over 8,000 meters of mountains.
Like the Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, trekking to Makalu is also a beautiful off-beat-path trek. Hence, you’ll be away from the hustle and bustle on the route with loads of trekkers. Instead, you’ll get an opportunity to explore the lifestyles and cultures of the ethnic community of East Nepal, whilst immersing yourself in the diverse landscape full of mountains and serenity.
The Great Himalaya Trail Itinerary- Phase One
Day 2: Full-day Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour (Guided Tour)
As a refresher before starting the trek, you'll get a complimentary Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour. You'll tour popular sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Swoyambhu Stupa, Boudhanath, and Pahsupati.
You'll get a tour guide and private vehicle transfer throughout the day tour.
If you want other options for this day, check out our ten best places to visit in Kathmandu blog.
Day 3: Flight from Kathmandu to Bhadrapur. Drive to Teplejung (1,442 meters, 7 hours)
After breakfast at the tea house, you'll get a private vehicle transfer to the domestic terminal at Kathmandu Airport.
You'll take a flight from Kathmandu airport to Bhadrapur airport for 45 minutes. This flight is so scenic that you can consider it a mountain flight.
After reaching Bhadrapur, you'll board a jeep/bus to Illam. The drive will be 4-5 hours long.
You'll drive along Kanyam, the tea garden of Nepal. Past Illam, you'll drive along the picturesque hillside to a beautiful Taplejung Bazar.
In Taplejung, you'll settle in at a lodge overnight.
Day 4: Drive from Taplejung to Ranipul and trek to Sekhathum (1,650 meters, 6 hours)
After breakfast, for a few hours, you'll take an off-road drive to Ranipul. Depending on the road condition, if it's in good condition, you'll drive further to Handruk.
You'll stop at Lelep for lunch and permit work. Here, your trek guide verifies your Kanchenjunga Conservation Area Entry Permit. After lunch, you'll begin the trek to Sekhathum.
It's a beautiful walking day along the cascading Tamor River and through the lush forest. The route's filled with swirling waterfalls and rushing streams. En route, you'll pass by multiple ethnic settlements.
It's a short trek of 3-4 hours. You'll reach Sekhathum in no time.
Settle in at a tea house in Sekhathum for overnight.
Day 5: Trek from Sakethum to Amjilosa (2,400 meters, 9km, 7 hours)
The actual walking days on The Great Himalaya Trail start from Sakethum. It is also a route to Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. Hence, you can expect some trekkers en route.
After breakfast at the tea house in Sakethum, you'll start the trek along the Gunsa River. You'll trek to Ghayabari, a beautiful place en route.
While trekking, you'll get a panoramic glimpse of a few mountains like Gyanchung Kang, Jannu, and Kanchenjunga.
Following the scenic trail, you'll reach Amjilosa, tonight's overnight stop.
This beautiful small town provides an excellent opportunity to recharge yourself with the serene nature.
Day 6: Trek from Amjilosa to Gyabla (2,730 meters, 5 hours)
The serene walk to Gyabla starts along the cliffs adjacent to the Ghunsa River and pine and oak forest. You'll get an occasional glimpse of the Kanchenjunga mountain range as you walk through the oak, pine, bamboo, and rhododendron forest.
The route to Gyabla is uphill. Hence, in some sections, you may feel fatigued.
The place we'll stay in Gyabla has very few tea houses. However, a further 30-minute walk takes to a large settlement.
Overnight at the tea house in Gyabla.
Day 7: Trek from Gyabla to Ghunsa (3,427 meters, 7 hours)
Trekking from Gyabla to Ghunsa is among the longest days in The Great Himalayan Trail Trek Phase One.
As usual, you'll follow the trail along the Gunsa River and through the serene forests. Four hours of uneven walk from Gyabla takes you to Phole. Here, you'll stop for lunch. Phole once used to be a Tibetan refugee camp.
The Buddhist prayer flags, Gompas, Chhortens, and statues in Phole are the remnants of the refugee camp you'll see.
After lunch, you'll follow the trail to Ghunsa. You'll trek along the helicopter crash site, a popular landmark in Kanchenjunga Circuit Trek. After crossing Gunsa River for the last time of the day, you'll reach Ghunsa.
Here, your trek guide verifies the trekking permits.
You'll settle in for overnight accommodation at a lodge in Ghunsa.
Day 8: Acclimatization at Ghunsa
Along the left bank of the Tamor River sits a beautiful village, Ghunsa. It's a major town among the trekkers to Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek.
Since you'll trek to Khambachen at 4,050 meters, it's necessary to rest well and acclimate well. Thus, you'll rest for a day at Ghunas village as a part of acclimatization on this day.
You'll start the sightseeing hike around the hilltops after breakfast at the tea house. Apart from a few small peaks to the north, most of the surroundings around Ghunsa are the naked hills. However, you can hike for a few hours around the valley to acclimate well.
You'll return to the tea house for lunch, dinner, and overnight accommodation.
