Jaljale-Makalu GHT

A unique camping adventure featuring mountain vistas

Yesteryear no roads wild! We explore along the Jaljale ridge with panoramic views encompassing Everest to Kanchenjunga (the banner photo above) then trek the GHT from Thudam to Makalu BC. To finish, we take a quick exit south on the Makalu trek route (not the mountaineering crossing, although?).

The first week is a gloriously scenic trek along a north-south ridge spine that shows on satellite images as the longest of the Nepal Himalaya and runs south between the Kanchenjunga and Makalu-Everest ranges. We hope for fab sunrises and sunsets as we trek to Topke Gola, a summer outpost, then Tibetan Thudam, one of the most remote villages in eastern Nepal (Yangma is the other).

Now, on the GHT (Great Himalaya Trail), we descend to cross the mighty Arun river for a resupply in warm Chyamtang village. Continuing on the most direct GHT route that we pioneered, we climb from the village to cooler altitudes, and take the most adventurous route in to the brutal Makalu Base Camp area. We escape on the usual Makalu Base Camp trek route, returning to Tumlingtar.

This is one of the few treks in Nepal that has barely changed, at least in its higher reaches and although we pass through a few villages, for the most part this is an alpine wilderness trek. Surprisingly, our route stays entirely below 5000m although we get to ~3500m/11,500ft quickly. There will still be some nippy camps, frost on the tents. The itinerary plan has plenty of shorter trek days determined by where we can find water and camp and also has some built in flexiblity to cope with the unexpected.

Join us for what is truly the trek of a lifetime!

Highlights

+ stunning mountain views

+ Great Himalaya Trail (GHT) route

+ few/no other trekkers

+ peaceful, scenic wilderness camps

+ remote, unconnected villages

Travel basics

30/90 day e-visa before/on arrival*

then pay USD50/125 visa fee on arrival

we handle all other permits & entry fees

understand your health risks

city dengue season: Aug, Sept, October

Grading

max altitude 4870m/16,000ft

max sleeping altitude 4630m

strenuous & remote

occasional challenging trails

flexibility required

insurance: hiking to 5000m

Details USD4980

15 Oct-14 Nov, 31 days

Start and end in Kathmandu, airport code KTM

trip deposit USD1000

max 8 bookings

2-3 bookings surcharge USD1000

Preparation

trek camping gear discussion

Nepal visa

trekking intro

Leader

Jamie McGuinness

guide: Bali Lopchan

Our service includes

all airport transfers

hotel in Kathmandu, single with breakfast

twinshare rooms in guesthouses

domestic flights as per the itinerary

group transportation by private vehicle

entrance fees and permits as needed

group meals in guesthouses and on the road

Kathmandu group dinner

Expedition-style trek includes

all meals, afternoon tea and hot drinks

roomy single tent / double for couples

thin mat to protect your air mattress

our special comfy dining tent

and more Project Himalaya comforts

porter and horse porterage

very experienced crew

Nice touches included

fresh filtered coffee for breakfast

filtered drinking water

Our service excludes

insurance, Nepal visa, other meals in Kathmandu

additional hotel nights due to delays

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

Tips & extra cash

allow approx $40 per day for Kathmandu meals

we suggest 5% of the trip cost per trekker for the crew tips pool (36-40k NPR)

Day 0 - - early arrival

Arrive early to recover from long flights. Note, you will need a 90 day visa if arriving early or staying on after the trip end.

Day 1 - Thursday 15 October 2026 - arrive Kathmandu 1350m

Our staff meet you, take a photo of your visa and entry stamp then we have a briefing this evening.

2 - fly Tumlingtar 400m, drive Chauki 2680m

We fly to languid Tumlingtar then jeep along the Tinjure ridge to Chauki or nearby to start the acclimatization process. This is the famed ridge of rhododendrons and wildlife.

3 - drive Gupha Pokhari 2890m, 2-4?hrs

Gupha is an altitude acclimatization stop too. Once a trek route, we will likely drive the dirt road but stretch our legs up to the 3150m viewpoint an hour or so above. The lake is famed for its views.

4 - trek Milke Danda camp 3580m 6-7hrs

A couple of kilometres from Gupha, finally we leave the rough dirt road for our ridge trekking trail. Where there is water determines where we camp for the next days.

5 - trek Giddhe Danda 3642m

We camp at a similar altitude to yesterday. Fingers crossed for clear views today!

6 - trek tucked in camp ~4000m? via Bhakati Chhirwa 4200m

The ridge climbs higher but still has a small trail along.

7 - trek Rate Dal Camp

We climb over the highest part of the spine. Our itinerary is conservative, of conditions are good. There is a chance we gain a day, or have some easy trek days along this stretch.

8 - trek Lake camp

Perhaps a shorter trek day, we can explore alternate trails for tomorrow.

9 - trek Topke Gola 3720m

We descend to this summer village and see if anyone is still around. If we arrived a day early then we will have a rest day here.

10 - trek Pass Base Camp

Do we trek for the afternoon to base camp for the pass; or cross in a push to camp in the valley over the other side?

11 - trek Thudam 3720m

Over the pass, we descend a pleasant valley to this remote village.

12 - rest Thudam

Full moon. Although in Nepal, the people are truly Tibetan, and as such is a fascinating village.

13 - trek rough forest kharka 2780m

There is only one possible camp for a group, and this can be a long day.

14 - trek Chyamtang 2200m

We drop to cross the Arun River then climb to the village on the other side.

15 - Chyamtang 2200m

We resupply and from here on, it is dal bhaat every second day. Yum!

16 - trek Simbokpa plateau

The more normal GHT route is via Hongon and means a day or two more of villages. We can, and more likely will head directly up from Chyamtang. There is a water trick.

17 - trek Kharka camp

Do we trek a short half day to a kharka with water - or do we push on for a longer day? There is a chance we gain a day along this stretch to Makalu BC.

18 - trek rocky kharka camp

Do we camp at this high grazing area or do we make it to Molun Pokhari?

19 - trek Tin Pokhari

We have time to trek up to the top of the pass to Tibet, the Popti La.

20 - trek overhanging rock

Back in forest, we have several rivers to cross via simple bridges then a climb to the only convenient but small camp.

21 - trek high kharka via Kalo Pokhari

There is only one way - up. Finally after a small pass (4330m?) we traverse.

22 - trek Yangri Kharka 3650m

If we saved a day then a rest day here is deserved.

23 - trek Shershong 4680m

Continuing up the valley, there are a few places that we could camp in preparation for tomorrow.

24 - Shershong 4680m via Makalu BC

In-your-face mountains! Explore to dusty Makalu Base Camp and the prayer flags above, or climb higher to the ~5300m viewpoint that includes Everest.

25 - trek Yangri Kharka 3650m

We begin our escape along familiar territory, easier walking down though.

26 - trek Dobato 3850m

Through plenty of forest, we climb up to the usual lodges used while exiting. Tonight is Tihar's Laxmi Puja.

27 - trek Kongma 3560m / Dhara 2890m via passes

After 1.5 hours, we cross the Keke La 4193m, the Tutu/Shipton La 4250m with expansive views and descend the Kongma Danda (ridge). Watch for pheasants too. We have a choice of places to stay, let's see where we comfortably get to.

28 - trek Seduwa 1600m

Passing through Tashigaon, we continue down to deserved cold beers!

29 - drive Khandbari 1050m

A rough jeep road descends from Seduwa to the Arun River at 740m then grinds up to Num at ~1550m. Can we drive or must we trek that? At the bustling district headquarters, we'll stay in a simple hotel.

30 - drive Tumlingtar, fly Kathmandu

Tumlingtar has a much longer runway and is less affected by weather than Lukla and Jomsom.

Day 31 - Saturday 14 November - depart afternoon/evening

Leaving in the late afternoon or evening gives some contingency time.

*Note with a 30 day visa, you have one day's grace, so leaving today on a 30 day visa is OK, provided you arrived on day 1.

Day 32 - alternative departure

Staying on

Mid-November is a decent time to visit Chitwan or great for middle hills trekking, and we can assist with ideas. Or mountaineers could continue from Makalu BC to Mera over the 2x 6000m passes and down the new trail down the Hongu to Cheskam.