Top 10 · Compare
Compare Backpacking Trips head to head
Pick any two picks from this list and see specs, current price, pros, cons and reader ratings side by side.
Back to the full Top 10
#8 on this list
Long Range Traverse
Newfoundland, Canada
35 km unmarked route in Gros Morne. Real navigation on tundra plateaus above the fjords.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
#9 on this list
Great Himalaya Trail (sections)
Nepal
The full route is expedition-scale; sections like Manaslu or Kanchenjunga are trip-of-a-lifetime treks.
- Price
- Check current price
- Reader rating
- No reader votes yet
- How we assessed it
- Specification researched
Specs side by side
| Spec | Long Range Traverse | Great Himalaya Trail (sections) |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland | Nepal Himalaya |
| Distance | 35 km | — |
| Duration | 3-5 days | — |
| Navigation | Unmarked, requires advanced skills | — |
| Terrain | Tundra, bog, rocky plateaus | — |
| Permits | Mandatory backcountry permit | — |
| Access | Ferry drop-off via Western Brook Pond | — |
| Typical Duration (sections) | — | 15-25 days |
| Difficulty | — | Strenuous to Extremely Strenuous |
| Highest Point (varies) | — | Over 6,000m on some sections |
| Best Season | — | Spring (Mar-May), Autumn (Sep-Nov) |
| Required Gear | — | Full mountaineering/trekking kit |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Long Range Traverse
- Unparalleled wilderness solitude and isolation
- Stunning panoramic fjord and mountain views
- Exceptional navigation challenge for experienced backpackers
- Abundant wildlife viewing opportunities (moose, caribou)
- Profound sense of accomplishment upon completion
- No marked trail, demanding advanced navigation skills
- Highly exposed to unpredictable weather (fog, rain, wind)
- Significant sections of boggy, uneven terrain
- Mandatory boat tour and permit booking adds logistical complexity
Great Himalaya Trail (sections)
- Unparalleled cultural immersion in remote Himalayan villages
- Spectacular, unspoiled mountain scenery and 8000m peak views
- Fewer crowds than more popular Nepali treks
- Profound sense of accomplishment from a genuine challenge
- Authentic, raw wilderness experience away from tourist hubs
- High altitude sickness is a constant risk
- Logistically complex, often requiring agency support and special permits
- Basic facilities and limited amenities throughout
- Extreme weather changes and natural hazards are common
- High physical demand and previous experience is essential
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.