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4,910m
Hotel-lodge-Tea house
Spring- Autumn
14 Days
Strenuous
Trekking
Breakfast - Lunch - Dinner
Private vehicle
Kathmandu
Langtang Valley Trek takes you to Langtang Valley, home to Tamangs, an ethnic mountain community. As the region lies close to Kathmandu, you won’t face any difficulty reaching the trailhead. Explore Langtang National Park, a treasure house of rare Himalayan flora and fauna. Walk past the culturally rich Tamang Heritage Trail. At Kyangjin Gompa, visit a cheese factory and sample yak cheese. When a devastating earthquake hit Nepal in the year 2015, Langtang was the worst affected among the trekking regions. Langtang, after the 2015 earthquake, needs visitors now more than ever. By choosing this trek, you will be contributing directly to the welfare of local mountain communities.
Langtang Valley Trek is best suited for those looking for a short trekking adventure with amazing Himalayan views and unique mountain culture. Lying close to the capital, Langtang Region is easily accessible from Kathmandu. Our short Langtang Valley Trek takes you to the homeland of Tamangs, an ethnic group that migrated to Nepal from Tibet centuries ago. As the region lies close to Tibet, one can view Tibetan peaks en route to Kyangjin Gompa. Visit traditional homes of Tamangs and step inside ancient monasteries. Within days you will be walking along the glaciers tumbling down Langtang Himal. In addition, walk past Langtang National Park and get close to red pandas, langurs, and a host of rare Himalayan flora and fauna.
Langtang Valley faced the full brunt of the earthquake that devastated Nepal in 2015. The village of Langtang was almost wiped up. A trek to this beautiful region not only rewards you with delightful views but also gives you a chance to help boost the local economy. After the 2015 earthquake, local homes, as well as teahouses, have also been rebuilt and now there are many new and modern teahouses dotting the trail. You won’t have to worry about acclimatization issues as most of the time you will be trekking below 4,000 meters.
Join this short Langtang Valley Trek and let our experienced trek leader guide you through this culturally and ecologically rich part of Nepal’s Himalaya.
| Final Departure |
Welcome to Nepal! Once you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport, our representative will be there to meet you and drive you to your hotel. Check-in and take rest. In the afternoon or evening attend a pre-trek briefing where you will meet your trek leader. Check your gears for the final time. If you have missed out on any item on the kit list, buy or rent from any of the stores lining the streets of Thamel (Kathmandu’s tourist hub). Your trek leader can suggest some good stores.
Leaving Kathmandu, drive north towards Syabrubesi. En-route drive past traditional farms, terraced fields, and mountainsides filled with verdant forest. The road winds along pretty hillsides dotted with traditional rust-colored mud houses. Drive past the busy riverside settlement of Trishuli. Climb upwards to Dhunche before arriving in Syabrubesi; once you arrive in Syabrubesi, head to a teahouse and rest for the night.
Today is the first day of your trek. Wake up early and hit the trail. Enter Langtang National Park, one of the oldest and ecologically rich national parks in Nepal. The route goes past the Bhote Koshi River, which flows from Tibet. Walk past a thickly wooded trail filled with rhododendron and oak trees. Watch for monkeys swinging around in the trees while you follow a steep ascent up to Lama Hotel. Once you reach Lama Hotel, make your way to a teahouse and call it a day.
Take an upward trail through a dense forest. After you walk for some time you get a glimpse of Langtang Lirung. Walk slowly as you cross the Ghode Tabela (Horse Stable) at 3,000m. Enjoy the majesty of the Langtang Himal rearing in the background. Past Ghode Tabela, the trail leaves the forest and opens out. Mountains surround the landscape. Hike across Tamang villages and temporary shelters of yak herders, until you reach Langtang Village. The village was completely wiped out by a landslide during the 2015 earthquake. 243 people including 41 trekkers lost their lives. The new Langtang Village has been rebuilt 100 meters above the ruins of the old one. There are new teahouses and lodges offering food and accommodation to trekkers and travelers. Langtang Village, which is now covered with stones and boulders. There’s a ‘Mani Wall Memorial’ dedicated to those who lost their lives during the earthquake. Day your respects to the departed souls.
From Khuldighar, take an easy descent down to Bamboo, your stop for the night. Bamboo is made up of a cluster of teahouses catering to trekkers on the Annapurna trail.
Walk further for about half an hour till you reach the settlement of Mundu. Mundu is a quaint settlement filled with traditional houses and modern teahouses. Take the trail that heads up to Kyangjin Gompa. Take an upward ascent and walk through yak pastures. Walk past glacial rivers and cross bridges. After walking for some time you reach the village of Kyangjin Gompa. Your guide will lead you to a teahouse where your rooms are booked. After a brief rest, you can explore the village. This picturesque settlement lies at the foot of several small peaks and is named after an old Buddhist monastery (Kyangjin Gompa) located in the village. There’s also a cheese factory run by the government. Visit the monastery and the cheese factory. At the cheese factory, sample or buy some yak cheese. If the weather is clear, you can hike to the nearby hill of Kyangjin Ri (4,984m) and enjoy the sunset. Kyangjin Ri, which lies northeast of Kyangjin Gompa, is a popular vantage point in the Langtang Region. Ascend the small hill and enjoy the spectacular sunset over the snowcapped Gang Chhenpo (6,388m), Langshisa (6,427m), and Dorje Lakpa (6,966m).
Wake up early in the morning and head to Tserko Ri. The trail climbs up all the way to Tsergo Ri. Enjoy the mesmerizing mountain views. Savor the inspiring Himalayan panorama of Langtang Lirung, Yala Peak, Naya Kanga, Yubra Himal etc. stretching towards the north and the south. You get to watch the frozen Langtang Lirung glacier tumbling down and the icefall in the middle of the peaks Changbu and Yubra. After enjoying these magnificent sights head back to Kyangjin Gompa.
From Kyangjin Gompa head down to Lama Hotel. Go downhill past ethnic Tamang villages. Having migrated from Tibet centuries ago, the Tamangs share a similar culture with the Tibetans. Follow the Langtang Khola (river in Nepali) and walk past Langtang Village and Ghore Tabela. Soak in picturesque sights of green alpine meadows and yaks grazing before you reach Lama Hotel. Once you reach the village head to a teahouse and take a well-deserved rest.
Leave Lama Hotel and trek to Thulo Syabru. The trail goes down gently and climbs up. As you walk through the forested trail, you are greeted with delightful sights. Langurs scamper around and swing in the overhead branches, rare Himalayan birds Twitter and chirp in the background. If you are lucky you will get a rare sighting of a Red Panda napping on a tree trunk. The Red Pandas are nocturnal creatures and spend the daytime sleeping. A steep ascent through terraced fields brings you to Thulo Syabru. Located on a ridge top, the settlement offers mesmerizing views of the snow-covered peaks (Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal). Make your way to a teahouse where your room has been booked and take a rest.
Trek to Dhunche leaving Thulo Syabru. This is the final leg of your trek. The route dips down all the way to Dhunche. The trail is lined with rhododendron trees and if this trek is done in spring, bright red rhododendron blooms will fill the trail. Once you reach Dhunche head to a teahouse. In the evening celebrate the completion of your trek with your teammates and trekking crew.
Drive back to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, check into your hotel and take a rest. Stroll around Thamel and shop for souvenirs. Attend a farewell dinner (complimentary) to celebrate the completion of your Langtang adventure.
Our representative will drop you to the international airport three hours prior to your flight’s departure. If you wish to explore more of Nepal or other Himalayan nations (Bhutan, India, Tibet) do let us know.
Spring (March to May) and autumn (mid-September to November) are considered the best seasons to trek to Langtang Valley. The weather stays dry and clear during these times, which makes it ideal for trekking and enjoying unobstructed views of mountains. The days are warm and the nights chilly. On the downside, however, these are peak seasons, and the trails get crowded and busy.
The trail to Langtang Valley passes through a pristine forest filled with wildflowers and orchids during spring. Walking past the hills covered with wildflowers against the backdrop of the snowy Himalayas will seem heavenly.
Autumn is the most popular season for Langtang Valley Trek. With the end of the wet monsoon season, which clears the skies of dust and impurities, you can enjoy crystal clear views during this season. Timing your trek around late September or October will allow you to experience the most important festivals of the Nepalese, Dashain, and Tihar. These festivals, celebrated by Hindus, last for several days.
You can also opt for a monsoon or winter trek if you want to avoid the crowds. Trekking during these times will let you enjoy some off-season discounts at teahouses that remain mostly empty. But you should be ready to face some discomforts (rain, leeches, snow, and extreme cold) if you take to the trail at these times. Sonam Losar, the most important festival of the Tamangs living in the Langtang Region, is celebrated in winter (January or February). Losar marks the New Year and is celebrated with great pomp and show.
Trek to Langtang Valley begins with a drive to Syabrubesi, a small mountain town north of Kathmandu. The place is easily accessible, as local and private vehicles drive daily to this town from Kathmandu.
If you are traveling on a budget, you can opt to travel by local bus. The journey takes around 7 to 8 hours. Local buses and jeeps (on sharing basis) depart daily from Gongabu in Kathmandu early in the morning. Private vehicles are also available on hire. The vehicle comes with a driver, and rental charges vary according to the size and type of the vehicle.
As per our itinerary, you travel from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi by private vehicle. The drive is on a pitched highway for the most part. From Syabrubesi, you trek all the way to Kyangjin Gompa and return to Dhunche, from where you will be picked up and driven to Kathmandu.
The permits you need for Langtang Valley Trek are – 1) Langtang National Park Permit, and 2) TIMS (Tourist Information Management System) card.
Both Langtang National Park Entry Permit and TIMS Card can be obtained from the Nepal Tourism Board’s Office in Kathmandu.
To get these permits, you need to provide the following documents and information:
Permit Fees: Lantang National Park Entry Permit: NRS 3000 per person for foreigners, NRS 1,500 for citizens of SAARC countries, and NRS 100 for Nepalese.
TIMS Card: NRS 1000 if you are trekking with a guide. NRS 2000 for free individual trekker (FIT). For SAARC country nationals, NRS 300 if trekking with a guide and NRS 600 for a solo trekker.
You won’t have to worry about queuing up to get the permits as the company, or our guides will arrange all the permits for you.
Langtang Valley Trek involves walking under the foothills of the Langtang Range, which is made up of several 7,000 and 6,000-meter peaks. The highest point of your trek is Tserko Ri (4,984m). Altitude sickness won’t be much of an issue as you will be walking and spending your nights at elevations less than 4,000 meters. But it’s always better to take precautions and follow safety measures to ensure you have a safe trip in the mountains.
To let your body get used to the thin air, you need to walk slowly, steadily and keep your body hydrated. If you try to hasten and walk fast to reach your destination in less time, chances are you may suffer from AMS or Acute Mountain Sickness.
AMS symptoms like dizziness, headache, nausea, shortness of breath, fatigue, etc., are seen at elevations above 2,000 meters. Taking Diamox and a good night’s rest may work for mild cases. Drinking plenty of fluids (water, tea, soup, etc.) and keeping your body hydrated will also help keep the sickness at bay.
One should take necessary precautions to ensure that the condition does not worsen. But if the symptoms worsen, one may have to return to a lower elevation and get medical help. In the worst-case scenario, an air evacuation will be arranged, where the patient will be flown to Kathmandu to receive medical aid. AMS, if untreated or ignored, can take your life.
Experts and veteran guides have designed this itinerary. The trek is well-paced and allows your body to gradually get used to low oxygen levels in the mountain air.
The chart given below will give you a rough idea of the oxygen level in the atmosphere on the trail.
|
Altitude |
Oxygen Level |
|
1,000m/3,281ft |
88% |
|
2,500m/8,202ft |
73% |
|
3,000m/9,843ft |
68% |
|
3,500m/11,483ft |
64% |
|
4,000m/13,123ft |
60% |
|
4,500m/14,764ft |
57% |
|
5,000m/16,404ft |
53% |
It is important to keep your body hydrated on the trail as dehydration also causes AMS. One should drink at least 3-4 liters of fluid.
Though bottled water is readily available at teahouses, we dissuade you from buying it as it adds up to the thrash problem in the mountains. Moreover, like everything else, bottled water is also expensive in the mountains.
We highly recommend you to carry a reusable water bottle with you, one that can hold hot water. You can use one with a steri pen or an inbuilt filtration system like LifeStraw. You can also use water purification tablets to treat the water. While the water in the mountains tends to be pure and without impurities, it’s better not to take chances and filter or treat the water before drinking.
Using chlorine or iodine tablets to treat the water may alter its taste. You can add flavored electrolyte powder (readily available at pharmacies in Kathmandu) to mask the bitter chemical taste. Adding electrolyte to your drinking water may also be beneficial as the minerals (sodium, potassium, magnesium, etc.) you lose while walking gets replenished.
Teahouses offer boiled and filtered drinking water at an additional cost. Like bottled drinking water, it can cost anywhere between 1 USD to 3 USD. Charges vary according to altitude (the higher you reach, the more expensive it will be) and quantity
Internet connection (though erratic and irregular at some places) is available in the Langtang Region. You can connect with your loved ones while trekking, post updates, and upload pictures on social media.
Wi-fi is available at all teahouses. Teahouses charge extra for using their Wi-Fi hotspot. A local internet provider offers paid internet access on the trail. You can purchase the username and Wi-Fi password at any of the teahouses or shops along the trail.
You can also get a mobile sim card in Kathmandu and use it to keep in touch with your family and friends.
As opposed to popular belief, you don’t need much-complicated gear and equipment for this adventure. Here’s a basic checklist of the essential items that you should not forget to bring with you during your Langtang Valley Trek:
Most of the trekking equipment is available on hire in Kathmandu. You can keep your baggage light by only packing the essential items and renting or buying the rest in Kathmandu. Shops in Thamel offer branded as well locally made gear and equipment.
You can leave your spare luggage in your hotel’s storage room. It is completely safe and free. But do make sure to lock your luggage before leaving it at the storage unit.
Langtang Valley Trek takes you to the foothills of Langtang Himal, which is made up of peaks rising well above 7,000m. Having an experienced local guide accompanying you will enrich your trip in so many ways. Trekking with a person who has in-depth knowledge of the mountain will also keep you safe and secure.
When you book a trek with us, we pair you up with one of our local guides. All our guides have experience of more than 10 years and have a vast knowledge of the area you are visiting. They have completed the trekking guide course and have the required government license to work as mountain guides. They can communicate in English and have received training on wilderness first aid and crisis management.
A chief guide or trek leader will lead the trek. For every 4 trekkers, there will be an assistant guide assisting them personally. One porter will carry the luggage of 2 clients. Make sure that your luggage does not exceed 15 kg, as the porter can only carry a weight of 30 kg.
We believe in the ethical treatment of our staff. All our Guides and Porters are provided with weather-appropriate gear and clothing to battle the harsh weather in the mountains. Before the start of a trek, we ensure that our mountain guides are fully insured. They are given fair wages and treated with respect.
We seriously follow the guidelines set by IPPG (International Porter Protection Group) and offer assistance to porters to develop other skills. A portion of the booking fee goes to fund the education of our field staffs’ kids.
For Langtang Valley Trek, you need a good travel insurance policy that offers you coverage for all activities and altitudes included in your itinerary. The highest altitude you reach is 4984 meters, and your travel insurance should offer you suitable coverage up to this elevation.
Though we take your safety as our number one priority, we cannot rule out mishaps and emergencies that may occur at this altitude. There is less oxygen in the environment, and trekkers usually suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness, proving to be fatal if not treated on time.
Walking in a treacherous mountain environment also exposes you to physical injuries. Therefore make sure that your insurance covers the cost of all injuries and emergencies that you can possibly face during this trekking adventure.
Your insurance policy should especially cover the cost of helicopter evacuation and hospitalization in case of an accident or medical emergency, as these happen to be quite expensive. Check for vaccination requirements as some travel insurance policies makes it mandatory to immunize yourself before you leave your country.
Before you decide on a policy, be mindful and don’t forget to read the fine print. It would be advantageous for you also to choose a company that offers insurance cover on domestic and international flight cancellations and lost or stolen baggage.
We ensure the safety of our clients by following all safety protocols during the trip. This itinerary has been designed by travel experts and veteran guides who have trekked on this route innumerable times.
To prevent AMS, the required number of rest days have been added to the itinerary. Our guides always carry a first-aid kit and pulse oximeter (to measure the oxygen level in your blood) with them. The guides assigned to you have more than 10 years of experience and know what steps to take during an emergency. They are well-trained in wilderness first aid and crisis management.
If a client shows symptoms of AMS and needs to descend to a lower elevation, an assistant guide will escort them and will follow the safety protocol. He will closely monitor the client’s condition and take the required steps needed for the client’s well-being.
A typical day on the trail begins with a wake-up call at around 6 AM by your guide. Freshen up and get ready. Pack your belongings and head to the dining area for breakfast by 7 AM. Check your luggage for the final time and fill your water bottle before you hit the trail by 8 AM, along with your guide.
To avoid walking in the heat and enjoy clear mountains’ views, you make an early start. En route, there will be short breaks to enjoy the views and take photographs. You stop for lunch at a local teahouse around noon or mid-day. After a quick rest of about an hour or 40 minutes, you get back on the trail and continue till you reach your overnight stop.
Upon reaching the stop for the night, you head to your teahouse, check in, and have some rest. Tea with some light refreshments (cookies or biscuits) will be served at 5 PM. As the rooms are not insulated, you can warm yourself by the heater or stove in the communal area.
Exchange stories or play cards with other trekkers till dinner is served (around 7 PM). After dinner, your guide will brief you about the next day’s trek – the route you will take, difficulty, where you will stop for lunch, etc. Afterward, retire for the night and have a well-deserved rest.
On average, you may have to walk 6 to 7 hours daily. The toughest days will be Day 3(hike from Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel) and Day 6 (hike to Tserko Ri). There will be plenty of stops en route to take pictures and enjoy the scenery.
Travel responsibly and try to limit any negative impact on the environment. Limit the use of plastic and be mindful about throwing waste in the mountains. When you trek with us, you will be supporting local communities (from the guides and porters to teahouse owners). We, as a company, support sustainable tourism and patronize local businesses. We partner with service providers who work towards saving the environment. As an active member of KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project), we make sure that our trips are environmentally friendly.