GHT Mugu Wild *exploratory

We break trail MAKING the Great Himalaya Trail high route

We explore a high and wild route between Simikot and Mugu as an alternative to the hotter lower route.

Yes, amazing wild high country exploration, more details to come.

Day 1 - Thursday 23 October 2014 - arrive Kathmandu 1350m

2 - fly Nepalgunj

We fly in the afternoon, all permits in hand, and stay at the best hotel.

3 - fly Simikot, trek near Takla

We meet the crew in Simikot and get on the trail, dropping to a warm camp by a river..

4 - trek Lurupya

5 - trek valley exploration camp

6-7 - acclimatize-explore

8-10 trek Phaunya Chaur

11-16 - trek Mugu

17-18 - trek Wangri

19-22 - trek Jumla

The high country isn't over yet...

23 - fly Kathmandu

We fly via Nepalgunj and then continue to Kathmandu.

Day 24 - Saturday 15 November - trip ends (late departure?)

The trip ends today and you are free to fly out of Kathmandu however note the domestic flight out of Jumla yesterday is entirely dependent on good visibility. It is possible to be delayed, and leaving today after 8pm today allows an extra day to cover possible domestic flight delays, or leave tomorrow to be safe, and to have some time in Kathmandu.

Highlights

+ remote, untrekked route

+ true exploration

+ avoids all peak season crowds

2014 Dates

23 Oct-15 Nov, 24 days

start and end in Kathmandu, airport code KTM

Cost US$3980?

trip deposit US$1000

Hotel single supplement included

Leader

Jamie McGuinness

Mobile: (+977) 98021 49789

on trek satellite SMS: +88216 21273393

Arrival hotel

Hotel Shakti, Thamel

tel: 441 0121, 442 9508

Local office contact

Expedition Himalaya

Tel: +9771 400 1066

Nabin Trital: +977 98510 04278

Pasang Nuru: +977 98130 91051

Our service includes

airport transfers

2/3 star hotel in Kathmandu, single with breakfast

domestic flights as needed, local departure tax

group transportation by private vehicle

entrance fees and permits as needed

expedition-style trek:

all meals and hot drinks on trek

roomy single tent on trek

Our service excludes

insurance, Nepal visa, meals in Kathmandu

international flights, equipment rental, alcohol, bottled water and soft drinks, laundry, tipping and other items of a personal nature

Map

For the trek the double-sided GHT map Far West NP110 covers to Simikot, and for the second section the Dolpo & Mugu NP109 covers Mugu, both are readily available in Kathmandu.

Our approximate route is the green dotted line.

Map courtesy TheGreatHimalayaTrail.org and do click on the lower right most control to go full screen, then click on the text to activate. Click to zoom in.

You can buy this map and the GHT series of maps through the links on GreatHimalayaTrail.com

Gear

It is critical to bring the right gear. Most importantly do bring sturdy trekking boots. These must be almost new tough fabric and leather trekking boots, and slightly tougher than the lightest available, or be all-leather trekking boots. As an example, Scarpa make the Mistral GTX, which is their lightest, but the Nangpa La GTX is a bit tougher, but still light. The all leather boot alternative should be tough with real ankle support, such as the New SL M3. You need a 4 season sleeping bag, nothing less.

Fitness

You MUST have a good level of trekking fitness. We don't set out to make the trek tough, but it will be as we are trekking sometimes shorter, sometimes longer days as we don't know in advance exactly where the camp will be for any given day. In 2011 we only had one trek into the evening where everyone had to sleep outside, no room for tents, but these challenges happen.

Trek style

We trek standard Nepal expedition style, with you carrying a day pack, porters carry the gear and we have a kitchen crew to cook for us. So in some ways it is little different from a standard camping trek, the differences are that we won't be able to resupply, and that we are unlikely to meet another trekking group.