Overview
The Langtang Valley Trek is a great option for trekkers who have limited time and can’t go on other popular trekking trails in Nepal like Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, and Annapurna Base Camp. It’s located north of Kathmandu in the Himalayas, bordering Tibet, and passes through the Langtang National Park. Sometimes, it’s known as the Glaciers Valley or the Yak Valley. No matter what you call it, the trek offers breathtaking views of the Langtang range, including Dorje Lakpa and Shisha Pangma, which is Tibet’s highest mountain.
This self-sufficient tea house trek provides basic facilities like heated tents, meals, hot baths, and even local cheese. Travelers will be amazed by the stunning snow-capped hills, glacial moraines, beautiful rivers, diverse flora and fauna, holy shrines with Tibetan influence, yak caravans, and grazing horses. The trek begins with a visit to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu and then a drive to Syabrubesi. From there, you’ll trek to Kyangjin Gompa through charming villages, farmlands, and lush forests. Don’t miss the chance to witness the sunrise over the Langtang ranges from Tserko Ri. Since the trek is in Langtang National Park, you may encounter various animals and birds, with the Red Panda being a highlight. Overall, it’s an unforgettable journey for any traveler.
Highlights of Langtang Valley trek
- You'll see breathtaking views of Dorje Lakpa, Langtang Lirung, and more.
- The area is home to various endangered animals, including the red panda, and diverse plant life.
- You'll have an unforgettable experience trekking across glaciers, a thrilling pass, and through a forest.
- Enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Langtang Lirung, Pemthang Ri, Langshisha Ri, Kangchenpo, and Dorje Lakpa.
- Among the short treks in Langtang Valley, this one is one of the quickest options.
- Witness stunning sunsets and sunrises over the Himalayas from Khynjing Ri (4810m) and Tserko Ri (4998m).
- Experience the unique Tibetan way of life during this short and rewarding hike.
- The trek offers a beautiful walk through Rhododendron woodland.
Itinerary
You will arrive in Kathmandu valley at the Tribhuvan International Airport, and our agents from Gravity Expedition will be there to pick you up. They will take you to your hotel, where you can rest and enjoy a delicious and traditional Nepali meal. In the evening, you have the option to attend a fascinating folk cultural performance.
After enjoying your breakfast in the morning, our guide will come to your hotel and accompany you on a sightseeing tour of the Kathmandu Valley. Your first stop will be the Swayambhunath Stupa, situated on top of a hill. This dome-shaped stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, provides breathtaking views of the beautiful Kathmandu city, surrounded by lush green hills and towering snow-capped mountains.
Once you’ve explored the ancient Swayambhunath, you can proceed to Boudhanath, another impressive stupa often referred to as Little Tibet. Here, you’ll experience a clear representation of Tibetan lifestyle and culture in the area.
Moving towards the eastern part of the Kathmandu valley, you can visit the Pashupatinath Temple. While non-Hindus are not allowed to enter the temple gates, you can still wander around its vast premises and observe the rituals taking place. From across the Bagmati River, you’ll be able to admire the temple’s golden rooftop. Pashupatinath attracts pilgrims from all over the world, especially during Shiva Ratri, a sacred festival honoring the birth of Lord Shiva.
After breakfast, we start our journey and drive for about 7-8 hours through the northwestern hills of Kathmandu. On the way, you’ll be treated to stunning views of snowy mountains like Mt. Annapurna II, Manasalu, Ganesh Himal, and other smaller peaks, along with the lush landscape of hills, rivers, and villages. As we pass through terraced fields and rural settlements, you’ll get to experience the beauty of the Himalayan scenery and culture. We’ll pass by places like Trishuli Bazaar, Betrawati, and Dhunche, which offer picturesque views of foothills and ridges, making you feel like you’re getting closer to lower ground. We’ll take a break for lunch at Trishuli Bazaar before continuing our journey to Dhunche. Finally, we’ll reach Syaburbensi, where we’ll spend the night.
Today, we will continue our journey downhill until we reach a point where the route splits to the east. From there, the path goes steeply down into a dense forest. At the beginning, we’ll walk through mild forests of oak and maple that cover the lower part of the valley. As we ascend, we’ll enter vast areas filled with spruce, fir, and blue pine trees. During the hike, we’ll be careful around steep drops that lead to a river below, and we’ll be surrounded by towering walls.
We’ll cross a bridge at 1960m over a stream called Langtang Khola and then move uphill from the river. After about an hour, we’ll join the old Langtang trail that connects Sherpa Gaon and Syabrubesi. The trail will level off, and within a short time, we’ll reach the Lama Hotel, which is located in the small village of Chon gong. We’ll spend the night at a tea house there. The total walking time for today’s trek is around 6-7 hours.
The day begins with a gentle uphill climb, but it gets steeper as we pass through wild forests of hemlocks, oaks, maples, and beautiful white and pink rhododendrons. As we ascend higher above the Langtang Khola, we start catching glimpses of snow-capped peaks, and we can see a short view of Mt. Langtang Lirung (7244m) through the trees.
Following the trail, we reach a log bridge and continue climbing, leading us to the lush meadows of Ghora Tabela (2992m). The valley opens up into a classic U-shaped glacial region, and we walk across a helipad and yak pastures. After a short climb through rhododendrons and scattered Tamang villages, we cross a stream and pass by several water-driven mills and prayer wheels until we arrive at the large settlement of Langtang (3430m), which is the headquarters of Langtang National Park.
In Langtang village, you’ll notice traditional Tibetan-style houses with flat roofs, and the upper village has beautifully carved windows that are worth exploring. The valley is surrounded by stone walls, and you’ll see fields where crops like buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips, and barley are grown. Keep an eye out for yaks and wild goats roaming around. The trek today takes around 4-5 hours.
The trail goes further from Langtang, taking you through small villages where yaks are herded, like Mundu, Sindum, and Yampha, before returning to Kyanjin Gompa (3870m) along the Langtang Khola path. This hike takes about 3 hours and offers amazing views of mountains and snow-capped peaks. In the afternoon, you can visit the Yak Cheese Factory. The natural beauty and mountain scenery are truly stunning.
Today is a relaxing and adventurous day during the trek. We have several options for exploration. We can visit the monastery and cheese factory, or go on a hike up the moraine to see the stunning ice faces and flowing glaciers of Langtang Lirung. Another option is to climb Kyanjin Ri (4350m) or Tserko Ri (5000m), which is the highest point of the trek. From there, we’ll have an easy hike with breathtaking views of Langtang Lirung, Langtang range, Kinshung, and Yansa Tsenji.
We can also choose to take a side trip to Langshisa Kharka and explore other smaller isolated valleys in the nearby areas to the north. After our adventures, we’ll return to Kyanjin for the night.
Go back the same way you came from Kyangjin, following the Langtang Khola to Mundu village and then to Ghora Tabela. The descent will be quicker than the climb. After having lunch, keep going downhill to reach Lama Hotel.
Return to Syabrubensi by retracing your previous path, and as you walk through the forested hills, savor the serene surroundings. Alternatively, if you’re up for a bit more adventure, you can take a picturesque route from Rimche to Syabru Besi via Sherpa Gaon. Although it will add more time to your journey, the detour offers stunning views and a delightful experience.
After completing your trek, you’ll drive back to Kathmandu from Syabrubesi. The drive is approximately 7-8 hours long and takes you through the scenic countryside of Nepal. You’ll pass through various small towns, villages, and lush landscapes along the way.
The road trip offers you the chance to witness the daily life of locals and the beautiful countryside scenery. You’ll see terraced fields, green hills, flowing rivers, and charming rural settlements as you make your way back to Kathmandu.
While the drive might be a bit long, it provides an opportunity to reflect on your trekking experience and enjoy the changing landscapes. Upon reaching Kathmandu, you can rest, relax, and reminisce about your memorable adventure in the Langtang Valley.
You have a free day in Kathmandu to relax and enjoy yourself. You can request your guide to take you on a sightseeing tour within the Kathmandu Valley. There are various museums you can visit, such as the Narayanhiti Museum, which used to be the residence of the last king of Nepal. Another option is to visit the hilltop of Nagarkot for a scenic view. After exploring the world heritage sites in the valley, you will have a farewell dinner where you can celebrate with your Nepali friends and guide. You may even discuss extending your stay to enjoy activities like a Chitwan jungle safari or rafting with your guide.
The time has come to say goodbye. The staff from Gravity Expedition will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you to Tribhuvan International Airport. We part ways with the hope of seeing you again in the future.
Cost Includes:
- Transportation from the airport to the hotel for 2 nights before and 2 nights after the trek, with breakfast included on a twin-sharing basis.
- Guided city tour of Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, and Swyambhunath, with transportation, entrance tickets, and a tour guide provided.
- Tourist bus transportation from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi and back to Kathmandu.
- National park entrance fee.
- Accommodations in teahouses during the trek, including meals (food).
- Boiled water, tea, and coffee provided, along with all meals during the trek.
- Experienced guides and porters to accompany during the trek.
- Gravity Expedition duffel bag and trekking map.
- Salary and insurance for all Nepali staff.
- Welcome and Farewell Dinners included.
Cost Excludes:
- Meals in Kathmandu (except welcome and farewell dinner),
- Extra night accommodations in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, early return from mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary,
- Beverages and alcoholic drinks on the trek,
- Personal trekking equipment,
- All personal expenses, including Nepal Visa (for country entrance),
- Personal medical and evacuation insurance,
- All other additional charges for additional services, including recommended TIP,
- Additional tips for a tour guide, others as one sees fit,
- Personal purchases.
FAQs of Langtang Valley Trek
A: The Langtang Valley Trek is situated northeast of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, in the northcentral mountain region. It’s about 68 kilometers away from the Kathmandu valley and shares the border with Tibet. This trek takes you through the Langtang National Park.
A: Many people wonder about the difficulty of the Langtang trek, but I’m here with the answer. The Langtang valley trek is considered easy to moderate, and even beginners can successfully complete it without any prior trekking experience.
To do this seven-day trek, you should be physically and mentally fit. On average, you’ll be walking around 5-6 hours a day. The high altitude can make it challenging, especially as you need to wake up early to avoid cold winds. However, with determination and dedication, you can easily complete the Langtang Valley Trek without facing major difficulties.
A: Absolutely! You have the flexibility to personalize the Langtang Valley trek itinerary based on your preferences, budget, and the time you have available. Feel free to get in touch with us, and we’ll help you customize the perfect Langtang Valley Trek itinerary to suit your needs.
A: The wide open grasslands of Langtang serve as a summer home for various kinds of animals like musk deer and Himalayan tahr. The park is well-known for its red pandas, Himalayan black bears, snow leopards, wild dogs, ghoral, serow, and more than 250 different bird species.
A: Gosaikunda Lake holds great significance for religious and spiritual reasons, attracting many pilgrims from Nepal and beyond. Situated at a high altitude of 4,380 meters (14,370 feet), this sacred lake is encircled by majestic peaks within the breathtaking landscapes of Rasuwa District, nestled in the pristine environment of Langtang National Park. The lake’s surface covers an area of approximately 13.8 hectares (34 acres), making it a truly remarkable and awe-inspiring natural wonder.
A: The number of trekkers and mountaineers visiting the Langtang area has been rising quickly, leading to significant improvements in accommodation options. Now, there are plenty of comfortable and well-equipped rooms available in the tea houses and lodges. You can enjoy a delicious menu and excellent hospitality during your stay.
A: The ideal time for the Langtang Trek is during Spring (March, April, and May) and Autumn (September, October, and November). These months provide the best weather and temperature for trekking. The weather is generally stable, and it’s not too hot or too cold.
If you prefer to avoid high altitudes, you can also consider trekking in the Winter season (December, January, and February). However, the choice of when to trek depends on your weather preferences and what you hope to experience during the journey.
A: In the Langtang valley trek, the highest point we hike to is Kyanjin Ri, which is at 4500 meters above sea level. If we add an extra night to our itinerary, we can hike even higher to Tserko Ri, which stands at 5000 meters. Both of these spots provide breathtaking views of the mountains and the valley.
A: The Langtang Trek typically lasts from 7 to 10 days, depending on the route and how fast you walk. If you’re an experienced hiker with a flexible schedule, you might finish it in just 5 days.
A: Absolutely, it’s essential to have travel insurance for any trek in Nepal. This insurance helps protect you from potential losses and difficult situations like snowstorms, landslides, accidents, altitude sickness, and other natural disasters that may occur during your trek. It provides valuable coverage and ensures you’re well-prepared for any unexpected events during your journey.
Yes, you require two types of permits for trekking in Langtang Valley. The first is TIMS Cards, and the second is the National Park Permit. However, the cost of these permits varies depending on whether you are from SAARC countries or other nationalities.
Write a Review
You must be logged in to post a comment.