Backpackers, rejoice…the Great Himalayan Trail will be open for business starting next year! Well, part of it, anyway.
The idea behind the Great Himalayan Trail was to be able to hike straight from the western boundary of the mighty mountain chain at Nanga Parbat mountain in Pakistan all the way to Namche Barwa in Tibet. The completed trail will pass through 5 countries: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal and Pakistan. It will be 4,500 kilometers long-just 50o kilometers shorter than tthe US Continental Divide Trail.
However, the trail is still under construction, and so far only the section in Nepal is ready for travelers. World Expeditions will begin offering guided hikes along the 1,700 kilometer section of the trail in Nepal in February 2011.
In a press release, Brad Atwal, World Expeditions’ UK Manager, explained why the Great Himalayan Trail is good news not only for backpackers, but for Nepalese communities as well:
“While each section of the Great Himalaya Trail offers something distinctive and different, the entire traverse is united by the cause of exploring the paths less travelled and benefiting the most remote communities. In line with World Expeditions’ ethos, the financial benefits from these treks will be injected directly back into the host communities, many that never see a penny from tourism, through the ethical use of local guides, porters and carriers, as well as travellers’ purchase of food, drinks and authentic hand crafted artefacts.”
To hike the Great Himalayan Trail, you’ll need more than strength and stamina. First, you also need time- 157 days for the entire trek, although you can break it up into chunks if you don’t want to thru-hike.
You’ll also need money-the trek costs £20,500, not including the cost of airfare to get to Nepal.
American citizens also need a US passport and a Nepal visa, as well as a trekking permit. You can apply for your visa at the airport when you arrive in Nepal or you can apply ahead of time. Here’s what you will need to get the visa:
- Your US passport
- A Nepal visa application
- 1 passport photo
- Visa fees: a three-month multiple entry visa is $100
RushMyTravelVisa can help you fill out the necessary paperwork to make sure your trip goes smoothly. Plus, we’ll review your itinerary to make sure that nothing is overlooked, and that you have all the required visas, (including transit visas) to complete your journey. After all, when you’re spending £20,500 on a trip, you absolutely don’t want to risk having your trip messed up due to improper paperwork.
Let us help you apply for your Nepal visa today!
Tags: backpacking, Great Himalayan Trail, hiking, Nepal, Nepal visa
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