LANGTANG VALLEY TREK Nepal is a virtual Mecca for backpackers from every corner of the planet. And Langtang valley trek makes up for what you may have missed. The isolated and tranquil trails blend into the glorious holy Gosainkund Lake and you don t have to be bothered about the perils of altitude sickness, because on this trek, the elevations are something you could cope with at a pace that suits you. This is a model trek to Langtang valley which is followed by clambering up the Laurebina La pass which gives us jaw-dropping views right across the Tibetan plateau right into Tibet this trail is not too frequented and we reckon you d love it this way Trek to Langtang valley brings you closer to nature than you would ever expect. Langtang is close-up to the ancient capital of Kathmandu which is just north of the Tibetan border and ironically, despite its proximity with the valley, few trekkers tend to hike its trails; fortunately, Langtang and its natural beauty would have never been known had it not been for Bill Tilman, the famous British Himalayan explorer and mountaineer, who termed Langtang as "one of the world s most beautiful valleys". The trek passes our mountain journey takes us into lush forests that is also home to merry birds and endangered animals like the red panda, the Himalayan black bear and musk deer; and as we hike the heights we pass through alpine growth with lovely views through gaps in the pine trees of the Langtang and Ganesh mountains. As we begin to reach the higher realms of Langtang, we come by Gosainkunda with more lush alpine forests till we clamber up the Laurebina La pass festooned with Buddhist prayer flags fluttering in the wind and seemingly whispering odes of prayers to the gods for the departed souls and from our lodge at Kyangin Gompa we see the stunning glaciated valley ringed in by massive peaks before we drop down into the tranquil Helambu valley where we get wonder views as our eyes travel north of the Himalayas and south towards the forested hillocks that form a protected ring around the old, old capital of the kathmandu valley Its hardly a few days from Syabru Besi before we reach the higher parts of the Langtang valley after some grueling hiking where Mountain Sherpa Trekking has shaped your itinerary in such a way that it gives you time to take a breather and relish some of the most beautiful day walks within the vicinity of Lanshisa Kharka, a great encounter with nature at its original best. Down this part of the fence in Langtang we experience breathtaking views into Tibet and bump into Hindu pilgrims probably returning back from the sacred lakes of Gosainkund. This particular area of the Langtang region is truly famous for its wild rhododendrons that litter the hillsides in spring and the scenic landscapes warm our hearts with some
emotional ridge hikes, the best we d ever experience. Our journey in the sublime wild wraps up with our descending to Kutumsang as we drop further down to chisopani and Sundarijal before we head back to the kathmandu valley after Langtang valley trekking with nostalgic memories of a special holiday that leaves us figuring out when we would like to come back again!!! Activity Levels: Duration: Moderate This involves longer treks (5 to 10 days) on maintained trails.the best way to prepare for a trek in Nepal is to make sure you're fit. 17 days AT A GLANCE A varied route with magnificent views of the high Himalayan Mountains. The serene atmosphere of the high mountains, Monasteries & many villages of Tamang Quick access from Kathmandu Cost Includes Healthy meals during whole trek Lodge Accommodation during whole trek KTM-Syabru Besi private 4W Jeep Sundarijal -Kathmandu by Private CAR Expert Local Sherpa guide Necessary Porters [ 1 Porter for 2 Person basis] Quality accommodation in Kathmandu MSTrekking kit bag and Group medical kit Company T-shirt and Trek Map Private vehicle for ground transportation All park entrance fees and trekking permits Guide and porter pay, Lodge, Insurance Full day sightseeing in Kathmandu on day 2 Cost Excludes International Airfare and Nepal Visa fee Travel & Health Insurance Emergency Helicopter Rescue Insurance Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu Alcoholic Drinks & Mineral Water Gratitudes for Guide & Porters ITINERARY Day 01:: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel If it s a clear day when you are flying into Kathmandu, then your tour begins right from the skies itself. The sights from the windows of our jet shows us glimmering snow-capped mountain peaks spread out down below us, giving us the first thrills of our just begun vacation, sparking off a whole reaction of unforgettable experiences that stay with us for some time to come. As soon as your plane hits the tarmac of Tribhuwan International Airport, Mountain Sherpa Trekking office representative and driver will be on standby to meet and greet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. The rep will help you check into your designated hotel, and after going to our rooms and refreshing ourselves we will be briefed about our daily activities. The rest of your time is free to move around the neighborhood and get familiar with your surroundings. Your first
overnight in the ancient city of temples, probably the most in the world. Breakfast Day 02:: Full Day sightseeing of Katmandu Durbar Square, Swoyambhunath, Pasupatinath and Patan After a good night s sleep and enjoying a hearty b/fast, we proceed for our tour of Basantapur Durbar Square. Recorded by UNESCO as a cultural World Heritage site, Kathmandu Durbar Square is a bunch of medieval temples, palaces, courtyards and streets that date back to the 12th and 18th centuries. within this square we will find Hanumandhoka Palace Museum, Taleju Temple, Kumari Ghar (House of the Living Goddess), Kasthamandap and other temples and buildings as old as the city itself; from here we head for a tour of the famous Boudhanath Stupa {said to be the largest in the world) and a major centre of Tibetan culture in Kathmandu. The stupa is designed to be like a giant mandala (a representation of the Buddhist cosmos). We next drive down to Swayambhunath [popularly known as Monkey Temple] Swayambhu means self-created and refers to the myth that the hill sprung up suddenly from a great lake that once covered Kathmandu Valley. Our next destination is Pashupatinath Temple. This temple is dedicated to Hindu deity Lord Shiva and is said to be the most holy Hindu shrine in Nepal. Hereabouts we see a cremation ritual of Hindus at Aryaghat, the cremation area of the temple. This cremation site is used for the once royal family of Nepal and also for the simple Nepalese people who live within the country. We then wrap up our Heritage tour with a trip to Patan which is one of the three medieval cities in Kathmandu and a destination for connoisseurs of great arts. We take a tour of the Patan Durbar Square - a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the square is the Patan Museum (originally a Malla palace), Krishna Mandir- a stone temple of Lord Krishna with its 21 spires and art that displays scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana epics, this includes the Royal Bath or 'Tushahity' and the nearby Hindu and Buddhist temples. We return back to our hotel, refresh, do some shopping for our trek the next day, have an early supper and retire to bed, most probably. Breakfast Day 03:: Drive to Syabru Besi (1450m) 7-8 hrs After an early breakfast we a scenic drive north from Kathmandu to Syabubesi. Parts of the road are pretty roughshod and the condition of the road often depends upon the monsoon season. We will travel via Trisuli Bazaar where the dam and hydroelectric project was completed by the Indian Technical Mission. Finally we drive on to Syabrubesi where we will make our first camp and final preparations for our trek. While passing along the road on the bank of Trishuli River we catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and rolling green hills. As we pass through Dhunche we feel as if we are heading towards deep land. At the same time, we also realise that the road after Betrawati is still under some construction. We bunk out overnight in a teahouse lodge. B. L. D Day 04:: Trek to Sherpa village (1900m) 6 Hrs Today is when our hiking march really begins. We go by the Langtang Khola River and negotiate the ridge on Syabru Besi s main road and soon reach Ghopcha Khola. Terraced fields and dense forest with a variety of plant species like oaks, maple, alder and bamboo meet our sights on the way. We may get to see yellow-throated martin, wild boar, mischievous langur monkeys, red panda and Himalayan black bear en route. Further on, the trail crosses a stream and a bridge. We stroll by several small bhattis (tea shops). As we continue ascending steeply along the trail, we come across a steel suspension bridge at 2000 meters. The route further crosses to the north bank of the Langtang Khola amid the fantastic vistas of cascading waterfalls and opens into scrub oak forest. On reaching 2748 meters, we arrive at our destination point of Lama Hotel where we conclude the trek for the day. We crash out at a lodge for the night. B. L. D Day 05:: Trek to Langtang Village (3541m) Reckon 6-7 hrs After enjoying b/fast and a few cuppers amidst the sweet chirping of birds that seem to be wishing us a happy morning, we get set for the second day of our venture in the wild. Our trail continues along dense forests. After making a steady climb up through the valley, we leave the tree line behind us. On the way we enjoy great views of Langtang Lirung. We hike on to Pass by water mills, prayer wheels, chortens, with sacred mounds of rocks with inscriptions carved on them. We arrive at
Langtang village after crossing a stream and reaching up a height of 3500m. Langtang village is the headquarters for Langtang National Park and is made up of flat-roofed Tibetan style houses, hotels and cultivated lands yielding buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips, barley etc. we haul up at our teahouse lodge for the night. B. L. D Day 06:: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa (3900m) 3-4 Hrs Our trail meanders gradually through rich yak pastures and interesting traditional villages of Muna to Singdun. We cross a wooden cantilever bridge and reach a wide valley after climbing a moraine. Finally, on ascending the mountain passes, we arrive at Kyangjin Gompa. There is also a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory that we meet up hereabouts. We can sample some of the fresh cheese down here and even buy some of it. With the high altitude we are hiking into, we may experience the first feelings of the thin air at these high elevations. We happily crash out in our teahouse lodges but first order up some hot soup. B. L. D Day 07:: Explore Hidden Valley and Glacier. Trek back to Kyanjin Gompa reckon 7-8 hrs Today it s a day off for acclimatization and a proper rest. This is important for the body but it doesn t mean we remain idle. It s a chance for us to discover interesting places like the monastery, cheese factory etc. We can climb Kyangjin Ri located at 4350m from where amazing views of snow-capped mountains are laid out right before our eyes. We can walk up the moraine to see the spectacular mountain ridges and surging glaciers. At dusk with the setting of the sun we return back to Kyangjin Gompa for a good rest, supper and back to bed. B. L. D Day 08:: Trek back to Lama Hotel (2480m) 4-5 hrs From Kyangjin, we head back the same route to Lama Hotel. As we retrace our steps, we follow the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. We haul up briefly for some lunch and then continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel for the night. B. L. D Day 09:: Trek to Syabru Besi - village (1450m) 4-5 hrs From our base point of Lama Hotel, we make a beeline for Syabru Besi. We can wander around the curving undulating path leading to the village. This gives us great chances to get some interesting insights of the culture and superstitious traditions of the ethnic Tamang community that inhabit these lower mid-hills of the region. We can also simply do some sun tanning while taking in the exquisiteness of the stunning Himalayan Mountains that surround us all over. Overnight lodge B. L. D Day 10:: Trek to Sing Gompa (3584m) 5 hrs The trails from Thulo Syabru to Foprang Danda at (3,200m ) follows a steep ascent path passing through Dursagang (2,660m) along with some lovely views of Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Tibetan Mountains and Hemlock and forests. Now the path gently ascends for a while and then it follows a flat level to Sing Gompa. There is a well managed local cheese factory and a Buddhist Monastery found hereabouts. Sing gompa provides panoramic views, elating nature backdrops and a yak cheese factory. The cheese manufactured here is considered the best in Nepal. We bunk out at our lodge B. L. D Day 11:: Trek to Gosainkund (4381m) 5 hrs The initial section of the trail emerges and we steadily climb up to Laurebinayak. With a steep ascent all the way to Gosaikunda, we follow a rugged trail with vivid views of the Manaslu range, Ganesh Himal range, Tibetan peaks and Langtang Lirung. On a clear day, even the Annapurna range can be seen rising up behind. We pass a few huts in the high pasture of Laurebinayak, cross a small ridge and have our first views of the holy lake of Gosaikunda. There are about a dozen lakes in the Gosainkunda Basin - the three most important ones are Saraswatikunda, Bhairabkunda and Gosainkunda. According to legend Gosainkunda was created by Lord Shiva when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water to quench his thirst after swallowing poison that threatened to destroy the world. This is a good area for us to crash out at our
lodge. B. L. D Day 12:: Cross Lauribinayak pass (4609m) and trek to Ghopte (3430m) 6 hrs After a warm hearty b/fast, we set out where our trail leaves Gosaikund and climbs through rugged country, past four small lakes to the Laurebina La (4,610m), the highest point of this trek. We keep looking back at the amazing views of Manaslu and the mountains of the Ganesh Himal, as well as the now familiar Langtang Lirung. We then descend steeply to our lodge near Ghopte. B. L. D Day 13:: Trek to Tharepati (3600m) 5-6 hrs We climb above Gul Bhanjyang on a steep trail mostly through fir and rhododendron forest where there are no permanent settlements. The trek continues to Yurin Danda with stunning views of the Himalayas. The trail gradually ascends through the enchanting forest enriched with beautiful rhododendron, oak and other trees. Tharepati, in fact is a great view point from where we can get a glimpse of the breathtaking snowcapped mountains such as Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar, Langshisa, Jugal, Numbur and many others. From Tharepati the trail gradually descends through the pine and rhododendron forests with great views down into the Helambu valley and across to Jugal Himal and Numbur in the Solu Khumbu. Finally, we arrive at Tharepati for our overnight stay. B. L. D Day 14:: Trek to Kutumsang (2471m) 6-7 hrs reckoned After enjoying our morning breakfast, we head for a journey to Kutumsang. Our trek today starts with a descent crossing lush green meadows and fields. We enjoy the superb views of the Langtang Mountains. Finally, we arrive at Pathi Bhanjyang and Gul Bhanjyang. From Gul Bhanjyang, the trail climbs the ridge to another pass. Another downhill trek from the pass brings us to Kutumsang for the night. B. L. D Day 15:: Trek to Chisopani (2194m) 3-4 hrs approx From Kutumsang, it is an easy climb to cross a pass at 2492m before descending to Pati Bhanjyang, a large Tamang village. From here it is a 3 hour hike to Chisopani. A short distance above Chisopani is a high knoll which is known as Chisopani Danda, where there is a temple. We get splendid mountain views from here. The landscape spreads from the mountains south of Everest to the Manaslu range. Overnight in our lodge B. L. D Day 16:: Trek to Sundarijal (1463m), and drive back to Kathmandu Hotel 3 hrs approx From Chisopani the trail passes through meadows and cultivated fields then climbs through oak and rhododendron forest to Burlang Bhanjyang. From here there are brilliant views, from Annapurna in the west to Ganesh Himal and Numbur in the east. This ridge marks the northern rim of the Kathmandu Valley. Just after Chisopani there is an entrance to Shivapuri watershed and wildlife reserve. The trail goes through the reserve, moving up to the hill and down to Mulkharka, from which you can already see Kathmandu. From Mulkharka, we descend on endless stairs to the exit from the reserve and to Sundarijal from where we get on to our vehicle for a 45 minute drive back to Kathmandu and a warm soft bed. B. L. Day 17:: Drive to the Airport to head back to that lovely place we call home After b/fast, our rep and office vehicle will be on standby at our hotel to transfer us to the airport for our connecting flight home. Serving you was a wonderful joy and pleasure, we at Mountain Sherpa Trekking will cherish the bonds of our relationship created over the time you spent with us and we thank you for choosing us as your travel partner and for visiting this amazing country Nepal. We are sure that trekking in this beautiful region of Langtang will give you lifetime memories of a vacation well enjoyed. Sayonara friends! Till we meet again. Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION In Kathmandu you will be accommodated in best Hotel based on availability at the time, we use various hotels but all are within a couple of minutes walk from the bustling Thamel (restaurants and shops). Lodge during trekking in Langtang: it is most often decorated houses with private rooms. Comfort often decrease with altitude and insulation, sound and thermal as sometimes poor... shower is possible in lodges, but we suggest to do take a hot shower if water is solar heated and not wood fire. Food The national dish is the "dal bat": literally rice lentils. Almost always decorated with spiced vegetables and sometimes a little meat. A typical day trekking in Nepal starts with the "morning tea" (tea) around 6:30-700. You can select the breakfast from the Lodge Menu that consist Porridge, Toast, Bread, Eggs, Pancakes etc... Then, having put away your things, you take breakfast while Porters are distributed loads and arrange everything. Around noon, you pause for an hour or two for lunch: simple meal or picnic.you arrive mostly to 16 / 17h to step where you generally expect local biscuits and tea (light not to alter your sleep). The menus in the lodges are varied, ranging from traditional Nepalese food to pizza and apple pie.dinner is usually served early (around 18h30 / 19h) curry and rice, pasta, noodles and fried/ mash potatoes etc... If you have "energy bars" favorite, you can bring. Climate and Seasonality: Nepal is subject to monsoon which determines the choice of trekking areas depending on the season: Spring, from March to May is ideal to watch the explosion of vegetation, including rhododendrons, and from around the Annapurna base camp to Everest. The generally clear skies in the morning, marked cloudiness in the afternoon. The more we advance towards the month of May (monsoon), the more clouds rise early. Mid September to November. This is the main trekking season in Nepal. Day temperatures in Kathmandu are approx. above 20degC. Skies are usually clear and days on trek are sunny and mild with clear mountain views. Nights will be colder with temperatures dropping as low as to -5degC at the higher altitudes. Summer Season Starts from June to September. The regions of regions of Dolpo and Mustang of Nepal, and Tibet treks can be done in the monsoon. Winter, from Mid December to late February, the cold is dry, the clear sky, the sunshine... Many benefits without the tourist season. For example, Short trek around Kathamndu Valley, Ghorepani Poonhill, Ghandruk Village trek would ideal for Winter Treks. FAQS How Fit Do I Need to Be to Do the Langtang Valley Trek? Langtang Valley trek is recommended for average people who are reasonably fit. This trek is less demanding than other trek in Nepal, thus no prior experience is required. However, we suggest you to do some physical fitness programs such as running, swimming, hiking before embark on your journey.
Because of ascents and descents walking, the Langtang Valley trek is not appropriate for anyone with knee problems or weak ankles. Anyone with heart trouble or lung problems should check with their doctor. What sort of accommodation can I expect in Kathmandu and in trekking? We use standard rooms at quality hotels in Kathmandu with breakfast included. Along the trekking routes, teahouses/lodges generally provide basic clean facilities with a mattress and a quilt or blanket. We can also offer you sleeping bags if needed (to be returned after the trip) but it is a good idea to always have your own sleeping gear. The lodges in trekking routes generally provide single and double rooms, or seldom a dormitory. At times when possible, dining will be around a bon fire. In tea houses, food will be prepared in the kitchen which you should not enter without permission. The toilet in tea houses provides essential and basic facilities and will be always outside the room. What sort of food can I expect in trekking? Most teahouses (lodges) in Langtang Valley trekking trails cook a delicious range of mostly vegetarian fare. Pasta, tuna bakes, noodles, potatoes, eggs, daal bhat(rice and lentils), bread, soup, fresh vegetables (variety depends on the season) and even some desserts like apple pies, pancakes, and some interesting attempts at custard. You will find a lot of garlic on the menu because it assists with acclimatization eat some every day. In many larger villages you may find some meat items on the menu. You can always get hot chocolate, tea, and hot lemon drinks, as well as soft drinks, and treats like chocolate and crisps. Each day dinner and breakfast will be at a lodge you'll stay at while lunch will be taken on the way to destination. Do your guides have trekking guide license and first aid training for high altitude? Yes, they have all received 45-day training from the Hotel Management and Tourism Center in Nepal. The guides have also received high altitude first aid training from KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Education Project). Please check our Trekking Guides Profiles and Training Certificates. What opportunities will I have for shower along the trek? In major places, we arrange guesthouse with hot shower. And in rest of the places, water in bucket will be provided for shower. Is Mountain Sherpa trekking staff insured? Our company insures all our trekking staff members, including guides, cooks, Sherpas and porters. Please browse though Company Information pages to view insurance details.