KATHMANDU: For trekking enthusiasts and adventure seekers, The Great Himalayan Trail (GHT) will unveil trekking routes which promise rare walks into the remote of Himalayas and meeting with communities there. GHT is
a trekking route that is being developed from eastern border to western border. “The launch of GHT is being planned for January – February
2011, targeting Nepal Tourism Year 2011, with the participation of International Summiteers,” said Ang Tshering Sherpa, chairman of Asian Trekking (P) Ltd and immediate past president of Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA).
The Great Himalayan Trail is being developed with two different routes that is Higher GHT and the other is Mid Hill GHT.
“Higher GHT will be above 5,000 metres with more than 21 different trails for tourists willing to experience adventure while another trail that is Mid Hill GHT will be for all types of tourists,” informed Sherpa.
“We have asked for help from Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), NTY 2011 committee, and different NGOs for the promotion and publicity of the Great Himalayan Trail not only for the tourism year but also for trekkers eager to make adventurous treks in Nepal,” said Sherpa.
The Great Himalayan Trail is an extreme trekking trail for over 162 days with more than 1,50,000 metres of climbing and descending, a proposition sure to tempt adventurous trekkers. According to Sherpa, Australian Trekker Robin Boustead after years of research completed the trek.
Starting in September 2008 in Kanchenjunga and ending in July 2009, Boustead crossed the entire length of the Nepal Himalaya. Nepal has three main trekking regions that are Annapurna, Everest and Langtang that attract more than 60,000, 30,000 and 10,000 tourists annually.
According to the trekking agencies, two-third of mountain regions are normally considered off-the-beaten-track. From the lush rhododendron forests of the east to the dense woodlands of the west, the regions are relatively untouched.
Indeed, a small trekking group in these regions can make a real difference to the lives that are barely above subsistence. According to Sherpa, different programmes are going to be organised at Kathmandu which will help in the publicity and promotion of mountaineering in Nepal.
UIAA General Assembly 2011(World Climbing and Mountaineering Federation General Assembly) is scheduled for October 5-8 while Union of Asian Alpine Association General Assembly 2011 (Asian Climbing and Mountaineering Federation) will be organised on October 9 in Kathmandu. |
