Trekking in Nepal. Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu Circuit Trek. November 5 21, 2009

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1 Trekking in Nepal Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu Circuit Trek November 5 21, 2009 Join us on another Samsara Journeys trek. With successful treks to the Annapurnas and most recently to Kala Patthar above Everest Base Camp, we have been working hard to find just the right trek for November, A visit to Langtang offers us the change to explore villages, climb small peaks and visit glaciers at a comfortable elevation. By combining Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu, we are afforded the opportunity to get right in among the Himalayan peaks on this circuit. We will see almost the whole Himalayan mountain range from the Annapurnas in the west and Makalu in the east and Shishapangma, the only one of the world s 14 eight thousand meter peaks which lies entirely within Tibet. The trails are nowhere as busy as the Annapurnas and Everest yet we will be provided a wonderful insight into the rural mountain lifestyles of upland Nepal and the cultural contrasts of Buddhist and Hindu villages. Langur monkeys and countless bird species will entertain us as we trek through Nepal s conifer forests, cultivated terraced fields, the grassy open areas of the Langtang Valley and the glaciers above Kyanjin Gompa. As on our past treks, our wonderful camping staff headed by Shyam will take care of our every need. Post monsoon season should offer us clear weather for the fabulous views we look forward to. ITINERARY Thursday, November 5: Arrival in Kathmandu After clearing customs, we will transfer to the Nirvana Garden Hotel. Rest of the day free. O/N Nirvana Garden Hotel Friday, November, 6: Kathmandu After breakfast at the hotel we will have a trek briefing followed by a leg stretching walk to the Swayambunath Stupa with its 365 steps. This is the oldest Buddhist Stupa and commands fine views of the entire Kathmandu Valley. It will also give us our first walk above sea level which is generally where most of us have come from. The rest of the day

2 will be free for personal activities and preparation for the trek. We will have the chance to buy any last minute clothing and equipment such as hiking poles for the trek. O/N Nirvana Garden Hotel (B) Saturday, November 7: Drive from Kathmandu to Syrabrubensi (1550 m) We will drive by bus to Syrabrubensi, an interesting village on the banks of the Bhote Khosi. It is a Tamang Tribesman village and also has a Tibetan camp and monastery. We will eat lunch with provided lunch boxes at a convenient spot enroute. Our Sherpa team will be at our campsite near the village welcoming us with tea, coffee and cookies. O/N Syrabrubensi Sunday, November 8: Trek to Lama Hotel (2470 m) We follow the left bank of the Bhote Khosi for about 15 minutes and then enter a narrow path to the right of the route that leads to Tibet. For the rest of this day and the following morning there are few settlements but the forest is inhabited by countless birds. With luck we might spot a yellow throated martin, wild boar, languor monkey or Himalayan black bear. We cross to the north bank of the Langtang Khola, climbing alongside a series of waterfalls. We end up descending gently to Changtang, popularly named the Lama Hotel. O/N Lama Hotel Monday, November 9: Trek to Langtang (3500 m) Today we enter a forested area from which we occasionally catch glimpses of Langtang Lirung. It is more of a gentle ascent but at times there are some very steep ascents during which the elevation gradually increases. The trail crosses to the north bank of the river and climbs steeply for an hour up through the Langtang Gorge before the ascent eases and the valley widens out into an area of fir and rhododendron. We stop for lunch at Ghortabela (3010 m). From here we cut through cultivated fields and after a short walk, cross a steep hill. The forested zone ends and we now follow a gently sloping path amid low shrubs to emerge to grassy fields. The village of Langtang appears with the outline of Ganchempo (6387 m) behind it. We climb the gently rising grassy area and pass below a monastery to enter Langtang, a large Sherpa village where the houses are enclosed by stone walls.

3 O/N Langtang Tuesday, November 10: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa (3840 m) We set out through the village and after a short climb arrive at a chorten. At this point there is an amazingly long Mani wall, truly a memorable sight. We continue along a gently sloping path atop terraced hills and after passing two villages, the valley widens and becomes U shaped. The trail enters a level, dry riverbed and after crossing the flow from the Lirung Glacier, visible on the left side are the Kimshun (6475 m) and the Yansa Tsenji (6543 m). We cross an old lateral moraine and arrive at Kyanjin Gompa. Here there is the monastery, a government rest house and a cheese factory. From Kyanjin there are breathtaking 180 degree views of the mountains which seem to be eye level. Following lunch you have the option of resting amongst the mountain scenery or climbing the northern flank of the Chair Pooch Peak (4000m). From the peak you can view Langtang Lirung (7245 m) and the Ganesh Himal in the west and Ganjala Himal in the south and a view of the pass crossing which leads to Helambu. O/N Kyanjin Gompa Wednesday, November, 11: Rest Day at Kyanjin Gompa This is a rest day but you have the options of trekking to the foot of the Langtang Lirung Glacier or to the Langshisa Glacier. These will be full day options with packed lunches. From Kyanjin Gompa we enter a wide alluvial delta. We cut across the gently undulating surface and cross a stream to arrive at the airstrip from which the entire outline of the Langtang Lirung can be appreciated. We follow the river as Langshisa Ri (6427 m) appears at the far end of the valley while the form of Gangchempo on the opposite bank is transformed. We climb the rocky terraced hills from the river path and arrive at the stone huts of Jatang. Beyond Jatang we carry on to see the terminal moraine of the Shalbachum Glacier pushing into the valley. We climb the terminal moraine for a grand vista directly ahead in the wide mountain valley are Pemathang Karpo Ri (6830 m) Pemathang Ri (6842 m) and to the right is Langshisa Ri. We descend to Langshisa Kharka (4125 m) for views of Kanshurum (6078 m) and Urkinmang (6151 m) at the far reaches of the Langshisha Glacier. We return to camp tired but rewarded! O/N Kyanjin Gompa

4 Thursday, November 12: Backtrack to the Lama Hotel O/N Lama Hotel Friday, November 13: Trek back through the forest across the river to Syrabru (3901 m) O/N Syabru Saturday, November 14: Trek to Sing Gompa (3254 m) This is a hard morning trek up the hill immediately behind Syabru which leads to a ridgeline offering fabulous views north into Tibet and west towards Annapurna, making the hard work most worthwhile. The afternoon walk contours through ancient hemlock and rhododendron forest to the little settlement of Sing Gompa. O/N Sing Gompa Sunday, November 15: Trek to Gosainkund (4310 m) We climb a gentle sloping rhododendron covered mountainside from the monastery while looking down on the steep Trishuli Khola. Ahead are the mountains surrounding Gosainkund as the wide path crosses the ridge summit on the Langtang Khola side. The wide route becomes rockier and continues along the flank of the mountain. As we approach the Trishuli Khola, the slope eases when the first lake appears. At the second lake, we begin a short climb and the third lake marks the arrival into Gosainkund. On the lakeshore is the Kingam and Yoni (the male and female representation of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati) around which are a few guesthouses. O/N Gosainkund. Monday, November 16: Trek to Ghopte from Gosainkund via the Laurembina Pass We cut across a rocky incline and climb a gentle slope between the lakes to Suryakund or Laurembina Pass (4640 m) strewn with cairns. From here we descend a rocky incline and continue along a gentle slope into a wide valley. We soon arrive at Kharka with several roofless stone huts. Just beyond this point the valley deepens into steep cliffs. We follow the up and down mountain path and cross several tributary mountain streams. The slope eases and emerges to a slope covered with juniper shrubs. We climb steeply, cross a branch ridge and arrive at Ghopte (3430 m) with its small bivouac cave.

5 Due to a shortage of water there, we continue on for about 10 minutes to another cave and water source. O/N at Ghopte Tuesday, November 17: Trek to Kutumsang (2460 m) Descending along the ridge, the trail continues to descend steeply through the forest and passes herders huts to the stream and climbs to Tharepati for lunch. After lunch we descend to Kutumsang through a beautiful rhododendron forest. O/N Kutumsang Wednesday, November 18: Trek to Chisapani (2000 m) After breakfast it is about 2.5 hours to Gul Bhanjyang for lunch then we descend further to Bhirkuna Phedi, then Chisapani where we will find a spectacular Himalayan view. O/N Chisapani Thursday, November 19: Trek to Sundarijal (4 hours) and drive to Kathmandu (about 1 hour) After breakfast we trek to Sundarijal via the small village of Mulharka, a small Taman settlement where there a few tea shops where we can enjoy views of the Kathmandu Valley. Here we have our last Sherpa lunch. After lunch we finish our trek with a hike to Sundarijal where we bid farewell to our trekking team and board our bus for the short drive to Kathmandu. Time for hot showers and clean clothes! O/N Nirvana Garden Hotel Friday, November 20 Breakfast at the hotel. Free day for personal activities such as touring/shopping. Farewell BBQ dinner at the hotel.

6 Saturday, November 21: Departure After breakfast check out for international departures. COST (approximate) Twin sharing Single US$1375 US$1670 COST INCLUDES All airport transfers 4 nights at the Nirvana Garden Hotel with breakfast in Kathmandu 13 days camping trek with all meals included Sirdar, Sherpa team, cook, porters etc. 2 man mountain tents with mattresses and inner liner Sleeping bags Langtang Conservation fees Trekking permit and fees Surface transportation in a bus from Kathmandu to Syrabubensi and Sundarijal to Kathmandu Porterages, local taxes, tolls, entrance fees and service charges where applicable All tips including hotel porters and full trek team Farewell dinner in Kathmandu COSTS NOT INCLUDED International flights to and from Kathmandu Visas, departure taxes or airport taxes Meals not specified in the itinerary Personal items such as laundry, drinks at meals, excess baggage, housekeeping tips Emergency evacuation costs, medical expenses, personal insurance DEPOSIT/FINAL PAYMENT The deposit is US$500. Until the deposit is paid, you will not have a confirmed spot on this trip. Final payment is due August 5, 2009.

7 CANCELLATION There will be a $100 fee for any cancellation unless the tour is cancelled by us. In that case you will receive a full refund. Any cancellations made after final payment is made will result in payment of any charges the travel agent imposes. INFORMATION So now that you have read the itinerary please keep in mind, that for any trek, flexibility is key to enjoying the adventure. In all likelihood, we will stick to this itinerary. However if our Sirdar decides that there is something we can t miss, but is not on our original itinerary, then know that it will be worth it! Circumstances beyond our control may also play a part. You must be fun, fit, flexible, and willing to adjust to last minute changes. A sense of humour will clearly come in handy! Equipment and clothing lists will be made available. Please note that all personal gear will be carried by porters. You will only carry a day pack with a water bottle, camera and anything you need during the day while trekking. Our team will be the same one we have used on our trek the Annapurna range and to Kala Patthar above Everest Base Camp in October, The team is outstanding and the food amazing. We felt totally pampered if that is possible when climbing up hill on a daily basis! Razzu Tuladhar owns the travel company we use, Samsara Journeys and he and I have been working together for many years. This will be our 10th Himalayan adventure and many of you already know and appreciate the excellent attention to detail that Razzu brings to our groups. Optional tours in Kathmandu or jungle safaris in Chitwan National Park can be arranged for anyone wishing to spend more time in Nepal. Marian Leighton marianofarabia@yahoo.com marian@samsarajourneys.com samsarajourneys.com