Kathmandu elevation 1,400m. Expedition briefing, document checks, gear inspection, and official permit processing.
Scenic 45-minute flight to Bhadrapur in eastern Terai, followed by scenic overland drive through tea gardens of Ilam to Taplejung.
Rugged 4WD jeep descent to the Tamor Khola river canyon and entry into Hellok, trailhead for the Kanchenjunga conservation sanctuary.
Begin trekking through lush subtropical bamboo forests, rhododendron groves, and roaring river gorges along the Simbua Khola.
Gradual ascent through alpine pine and fir forests, entering glacial valleys with emerging vistas of Kabru and Rathong.
Ascent along the lateral moraine of the Yalung Glacier, surrounded by dramatic icefalls and towering 7,000m peaks.
Spectacular morning hike to Oktang viewpoint for panoramic vistas of Kanchenjunga South Face (8,586m) and Yalung Kang. Return to Cheram.
Cross Sinion La pass with dramatic views across the Jannu massif, descending to the high wilderness camp of Selele.
Traverse Selele La and Mirgin La ridges before descending through fragrant juniper forests into the historic Tibetan-style village of Ghunsa.
Trek north along the Gunsa Khola riverbank, passing dramatic waterfalls and yak pastures beneath the imposing north face of Jannu (7,710m).
Ascend through lateral moraines of Kanchenjunga Glacier across glacial outwash plains to the barren high-altitude outpost of Lhonak.
Hike to Pangpema, the North Base Camp of Kanchenjunga. Unrivalled close-up spectacle of Kanchenjunga's colossal 8,586m north wall. Return to Lhonak.
Retrace trail down the valley to Ghunsa, resting in comfortable community lodges with warm hearths.
Branch west from the main circuit onto remote wilderness trails heading toward Nango La pass.
Challenging crossing of Nango La pass offering sweeping views over the far-eastern Himalayan wilderness into Tibet. Descend to Lagjong Kharka.
Descend to historic Olangchun Gola, an ancient Walung trading hub with 400-year-old Deki Chholing Gompa.
Ascend along the pristine Upper Tamor Khola river through untracked birch and rhododendron wilderness.
Ascend to high alpine Pass Camp beneath the eastern flank of Lumbha Sambha Pass.
Crucial GHT watershed crossing over Lumbha Sambha Pass (5,159m), bridging Kanchenjunga to Makalu. Descend to Yak Kharka.
Trek down remote trails to the isolated, secluded Bhotia settlement of Thudam.
Navigate rugged canyon paths, bamboo brakes, and hanging bridges across the river gorge to wilderness kharka.
Traverse ridge trails of Chyamtang with dramatic views of the Arun River valley below.
Pass through lush terraced hillsides and traditional Sherpa/Tamang hamlets to Hongon.
Steep descent through verdant subtropical cloud forest to the confluence of the Barun and Arun rivers.
4WD jeep ascent out of the Arun gorge up to the ridge village of Num, concluding Stage A.
Traverse forest trails and rolling ridges through Rai hamlets to Chichira.
Trek along rural village ridgelines, passing stone stupas and prayer flags to Mane Bhanjyang.
Scenic 4WD connection to Salpa Phedi at the base of the historic Salpa Pass.
Steep climb through old-growth rhododendron forest to Guranse ridge camp.
Cross historic Salpa Pass (3,350m), the ancient trade link between Rai and Sherpa regions, descending to Sanam.
Descent through temperate forests, apple orchards, and terraced agricultural villages to Brung.
Climb over Surke La (3,058m) and descend through serene pine forests to Najingdingma pasture.
Cross Panggom La into the pleasant Sherpa village of Panggom, birthplace of many legendary climbing Sherpas.
Traverse around hillside contours into Lukla, the primary gateway to the Khumbu region.
Enter Sagarmatha National Park, trekking alongside the turquoise Dudh Koshi river to Phakding.
Cross the iconic Hillary Suspension Bridge and climb through pine forests to vibrant Namche Bazaar.
Acclimatization excursion to Syangboche and Everest View Hotel for first vistas of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam.
Scenic path contouring high above the Imja Khola, ascending through rhododendron forest to historic Tengboche Monastery.
Pass through Pangboche beneath majestic Ama Dablam, entering the alpine stone-walled fields of Dingboche.
Short scenic trek up the Chhukhung valley under the towering South Face of Lhotse. Optional climb of Chhukhung Ri.
First of the Three Passes: cross technical Kongma La (5,447m) with dramatic glacier views, descending across Khumbu Glacier to Lobuche.
Trek to Gorakshep and continue across Khumbu moraine to Everest Base Camp (5,364m) at the foot of the Khumbu Icefall. Return to Gorakshep.
Dawn climb of Kala Patthar (5,545m) for world-famous sunrise panorama of Mount Everest, Nuptse, and Pumori. Descend to Lobuche.
Gentle traverse above Dughla lake and along the base of Cholatse to Dzongla beneath Cho La.
Second of the Three Passes: ascend glaciated Cho La Pass (5,420m), descending across boulder fields to Thanak.
Cross the Ngozumpa Glacier (Nepal's longest) to the tranquil shores of the Third Sacred Gokyo Lake (Dudh Pokhari).
Third of the Three Passes: climb Gokyo Ri (5,357m) and cross magnificent Renjo La (5,360m) with sweeping views of Everest and Makalu. Descend to Lumde.
Descend the remote Bhote Koshi trading valley to Thame, home to Apa Sherpa and historic 17th-century monastery.
Contour past Namche Bazaar and descend through pine forests to the peaceful village of Monjo.
Bypass Lukla airstrip along classic high trading trails down to Paiya.
Cross Kari La pass and traverse lush forested ridges down to the welcoming Sherpa village of Bupsa.
Descend to the Dudh Koshi river crossing and climb through terraced farmlands to Nunthala.
Climb over Taksindu La (2,720m) past Taksindu Monastery, descending to apple-growing village of Ringmu.
Contour around Salung ridge with distant views of Everest, descending into the cultural Sherpa center of Junbesi.
Climb through rhododendron forests over Lamjura La pass (3,530m), followed by a long scenic descent to Kinja.
Climb up to the large Sherpa village of Bhandar (Changma), admiring two large Buddhist stupas.
Cross Deorali pass and descend to classic Jiri Bazar, historically the original trailhead of Hillary and Tenzing.
Overland drive into the Tama Koshi and Bhotekoshi river basins, arriving at Gongar Khola trailhead.
Enter lower Rolwaling trading trails, climbing through traditional Tamang hill settlements.
Scenic ridge walk with sweeping views of Gaurishankar and terraced Himalayan foothills.
Descend to river valleys and cross traditional wooden suspension bridges up to Loting village.
Ascend through tranquil forests to Bigu Gompa, a renowned Buddhist nunnery established in 1933 housing over 60 nuns.
Climb into high alpine meadows beneath jagged limestone crags to Rupthang Kharka.
Traverse high rhododendron ridges with expansive mountain views, descending to the rural village of Yarsha.
Final trek down to the Bhotekoshi highway junction at The Last Resort / Barhabise, celebrating the successful completion of GHT Phase 1!
