Langtang Valley Trek

We must have heard about rich culture and tradition of Kathmandu that will be coming true today. Initially after having our early meal, meet our tour guide and he shall take you around major UNESCO world heritage sites around Kathmandu valley. Our sightseeing tour day might start with visit to Kathmandu durbar square, Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath temple and Boudhanath stupa. After completion of sightseeing program, meet our professional and trained trekking guide who will give you brief introduction on trekking days, gears and equipments required and will be acquired if any is missing. Later you stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu. Meal includes breakfast.

Trek to Langtang valley begins after we take a bus/jeep drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. This 6 to 8 hours of drive consists many offroad segments, however, mountainous views, greenery and quick stop interactions/food at local sites makes this drive worth memorable in good terms. We see the raging Trisuli river, terrace farmlands and spotted views of Ganesh Himal. City surrounding gradually changes into village and remote atmosphere as we cross Dhunche. After reaching at Syabrubesi first thing we do is get fresh at our local lodge and stroll around the site enjoying local bakery, cheese items and may be a cup of tea/coffee. We stay overnight at local lodge in Syabrubesi. Meal today includes breakfast lunch and dinner.

Today our trekking activity begins. Initially we have an early morning breakfast followed by getting ready for a day’s walk. Then we walk crossing Bhote Koshi river, Langtang Khola. In this way, we have gradual ascend to a site called Bamboo making our every step careful while crossing landslide prone area. Most of the lunch sites are next to riverside; here we shall have our lunch at Ramche and further push ourselves to Lama Hotel. This Langtang valley trek gives us wonderful opportunity to spot rare flora, fauna and most probably we could see red pandas, langur monkeys. Later we stay overnight at local lodge. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Total walking hours would be approximately 5 hours.

The route then follows most affected site by 2015 earthquake. Whole Langtang village was destroyed by the disaster. Now however, Langtang Village is reconstructed and we can see tea houses in operation. We shall stay at Langtang village to take an extra step to walk little further towards Mundu village and stop there for today. From mani stone walls to excellent views of Langtang Lirung, Changbu and Kinshung peak is visible. Therefore because of more spectacular views than from Langtang village, we prefer to stay here tonight at local lodge. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Total walking hours today would be 5 hours.

Leaving behind Mundu, we push ourselves towards Kyangin Gompa. Walk from Mundu to Kyangin Gompa is just 2 hours of gradual ascend via beautiful grazing lands, crossing small river streams over wooden bridge. There used to be a cheese factory here which is now not in operation and famous monastery over here is also under reconstruction. Your physical fitness, capability and interest also comes into play today, as if you prefer, you can hike from Mundu to Kyangin Ri (4300m/14107ft) and return to Kyangin gompa today. Or else simply arrive at Kyangin gompa today and plan for Kyangin ri or Cherkuri hike for next day. We stay at local lodge in Kyangin Gompa today. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Kyangin Gompa can be compared to Gorakshep during Everest base camp trek. As we extend to either Kalapathher or EBC and return to Gorakshep for night halt. We hike up to Kyangin ri or Cherku ri and return to Kyangin gompa for overnight stay during Langtang valley trek. Gorakshep is more remote and at higher altitude however.

Among couple of climbing options like towards Cherku ri via Kyangin ri and towards Langtang glacier; ascend to Kyangin ri is most popular among trekkers as it offers amazing Himalayan sceneries and surrounding with less effort and time compared to hike upto Cherku ri. If you chose to ascend Cherku ri, we need to carry packed lunch as there are no other lunch sites along remote route nearby 5000m. Enjoy spectacular views of Langtang Himalayan range (Langtang Lirung, Yala Peak, Langtang II), snowy surroundings with tumbling glaciers and return down to Kyangin gompa for overnight stay. Overall it would take 7 to 8 hours walk today. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

After absorbing plenty of Himalayan settings and surroundings yesterday, from now mostly, we descend downwards via same route. Regardless being the same trail, change in direction gives us different perspective to landscape views, cultural settings, and more. Crossing the Ghodatablea,walking through river side of Langtang Khola, finally we arrive at tea house in Lama hotel for overnight stay. We walk for more or less 5 to 6 hours today. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Every beginning has its ending. As a sense of which today will be our last walking day in Langtang Valley Trek. From Lama Hotel we pass through culturally rich Sherpa village of Sherpagaun, views becomes more greener on the side with wide valleys, more local settlements and more options to explore ethnic group of Tamang people too. Across our Langtang trekking trail, at western side we have a route that takes us for Tamang heritage trail to Gatlang; while at eastern side crossing the Laurebina pass takes us to pilgrimage site of Gosaikunda. Considering these available options to extend our trek -for few extra days, we shall take 7-8 hours drive to Kathmandu tomorrow that completes our standard 11 days of Langtang Valley trek. We stay overnight at local teahouse in Syabrubesi. Meal includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Today we simply take a morning drive from Syabrubesi to Kathmandu concluding our Langtang trekking adventure. As we arrive Kathmandu after 7 – 8 hours of drive, our office representative will assist you in checking into your hotel. Enjoy free time until end of the day. Overnight stay at hotel in Kathmandu. Meal includes breakfast.

You shall be ready with all your packing done for international departure. We will surely assist you in transferring from your hotel to Tribhuwan International Airport approximately 3 hours prior scheduled international flight. And finally we hope that we have been successful in organizing a wonderful Langtang valley trek for you. See you again in near future. Farewell friend.

Langtang was one of the most unfortunate sites triggered by devastating earthquake last year on April 28, 2015. Many lives were lost; landslides and tremors just worsened the case. Trekking was the only source of their income that was greatly affected since natural disaster took place. It was most popular destination after Everest and Annapurna.

Many reputed media highlighted only the negative part of the story only, the devastation caused. But there is the positive side of the story too, with local efforts, the trekking route is now open and Langtang valley trek is 100% open for business. Local people are literally begging and looking forward to welcome the tourist from all over the world. They anticipate that good days will come after tourist starts to arrive. So, if you wish to support local communities, please take a note that Langtang is absolutely SAFE after earthquake then now is the best time for Langtang Valley Trek.

You can make an positive impact on poor local inhabitants by volunteering in local projects ( let us know of you are interested, we can arrange), you can also buy local products, items as souvenir, avoid buying products built from wildlife parts, and by recommending your friends that Langtang is open for business. By choosing Icicles as you trekking partner, you will be creating local jobs for porters. In this way there are many ways you can help and support, the main thing is are you willing to?

Basically there are two season spring and autumn as the best season for trekking in Nepal. During the spring season in the months of March, April and May days start to become warmer with blossoming rhododendron and other trees while during the autumn months of September, October and November enjoy crystal clear views of Langtang range that will strike in your memories forever. But remember that it is always best time to plan and book Langtang Valley Hike.

Langtang Valley is different in many terms compared to Everest and Annapurna treks. The major difference is, it is less crowded that other popular ones but still blessed with extremely beautiful Himalayan views like from no other. Culturally rich places, with more of flora and fauna, where we can see blooming rhododendron flowers during spring. Langtang is also nearby Kathmandu making the trekking days shorter and is at less altitude at 4350m at Kyangin ri. If you have been to Everest and/or Annapurna, then Langtang is must for you.

You will be traveling through wilderness, rough terrains trekking across the valleys. Trekking with guide will not only make you feel safe, but it will also make your trip more enjoyable. Our guides are expert, and have good knowledge about local flora fauna, cultures and traditions. Also only few local people speak English. No matter how much you feel confident on traveling solo; our guides can only enhance your experience.

Of course you can. Langtang trek is also highly recommended trip for first timer trekkers as the maximum height attained during the trek is 4350m at Kyangin ri which is not considered as high altitude trek like Everest base camp and Annapurna circuit. Therefore, the chances of AMS is also very less with less average day walking activity. Therefore, if you have no prior trekking experience, Langtang valley trek would be the perfect way to turn on your adventure button.

Everyone have their own traveling style and we respect that thing. If you prefer group travel with other like minded members, then contact us send an enquiry, if there are other similar people looking forward to embark in for group travel, then we will definitely inform you. Also you can book via our fixed departure dates, when the same date is suitable for two or more people; your Langtang valley group trek is 100% on.

In the similar way, we do run private group departures, where you will be joining with your own group members only, no strangers. So, kindly send us a quick enquiry, let’s see how we can assist.

We say YES to travel solo also. Traveling solo with our guide is an excellent way to explore the site that gives full control on your hands. You have the authority. Authority means, you can choose your own transportation style (private jeep or local bus), stop at the beautiful site you just see, take a perfect picture, stroll around for a while, you don’t have to follow other members, you will be walking at your own pace enjoying the natural and cultural highlights, you choose the menu and above all, you will be more than friend, i.e. best friend with our guide. He will also take special care of you and provide exclusive attention and guide you through Langtang valley.

Preparations are vital for Langtang Valley Trek too. Even though you won’t encounter alluring altitudes, you need to be physically and mentally fit. For preparations, do you workout on gym? If yes, then you must be familiar with cardio exercises, take or sweat out on inclined treadmills , step staircases, keep your speed above 30 kmph in cycling and do make a specific exercise routine that you follow daily. Also, during the weekends, go for a day hike to nearby hill with backpack and your trekking boots on. It will give you an idea about your stamina, how much you can walk and what it would be during the trekking days.

We have prepared standard 11 days itinerary of trekking Langtang Valley suitable for most of the travelers. However there is also an option to go eastwards towards Gosaikunda Lake, a famous religious site with multiple high altitude lakes and lots of cultural exploring opportunities. If you wish to opt in for Gosaikunda, Helambu regions then you are requested to allocate extra 4 to 5 days more.

You must have known that getting insurance policy from your home country is mandatory before joining any of our Nepal trips. For Langtang valley trek, your insurance policy needs to cover the helicopter rescue operation from Langtang region to Kathmandu. In case of medical emergencies, our professional guide will call helicopter that will airlift you rescue to hospital in Kathmandu.

If you have your own sleeping bag, sleeping mat, air bag, down jackets and trekking boots, we recommend packing and using your own items during the trek. However, we provide full gears and equipments required for Langtang valley trek. We will hire at store in Thamel, Kathmandu. For extensive trekking in Nepal packing list, we have made a separate packing list page with detail information included.

Every trekkers need to acquire TIMS card and Langtang National Park permits from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu. You need to bring couple of pp size photographs for those. All of these permits and documents will be arranged by our company. You just need to focus on enjoying the trip while we focus on making it worthwhile experience.

For Langtang valley trek, you need to be able to walk average 5 to 6 hours a day with light backpack that contains few cash, dried fruits like cashew nuts, raisins, chocolate energy bars, water bladder and few layers of clothing. There are very less or negligible chances of high altitude sickness. Still you need to be fit and have that passion towards completing the trip successfully. If you have any illness regarding respiratory, cardiac or other let us know beforehand.

There are two options available while taking a drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. Either you take a local bus or we arrange the private jeep. We recommend private jeep as it will be quite an off road journey and it will be more comfortable in jeep than in private bus. However the choice is yours; let us know what you prefer. It will be approximately 7 hours road trip from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. You will return the same way unless you take excursion to Gosaikunda and Shivapuri National Park that takes you to Sundarijal from where it’s only an hour drive to Thamel, Kathmandu.

We use our temporary porter staff from local community that creates local job opportunities which is one of our company’s responsible tourism policies. And of course while driving; your vehicle carries the load.

Langtang valley trek is a full tea house trekking where you will be staying at different tea houses (locally owned lodges) at end of the every trekking day. You see earthquake impact turning the houses into rubble. But there are still quite a number of tea houses that can accommodate you. Tea houses are rather basic compared to Everest and Annapurna regions. If you are on for an adventure, support local community and enjoy the best of nature and culture rather than luxury, then Langtang is definitely for you.

Langtang region is close to Nepal- Tibet border. So, local culture including food and meals and Tibetan influenced. Usually you will see Tibetan menu with giant momo, syabale, yak cheese, butter milk, soup, noodles, Dal Bhat Tarkari (rice, lentil & veggies) along with tea and other local drinks. Cheese is the specialty over there.

Kyangin RI at 4350 meters above the sea level is the highest point of Langtang valley trek. Or if you put an extra day effort then you can go high up to Cherkuri above 5000m. Both of these viewpoints offer excellent views of Langtang Lirung, Yala Peak, Langtang II and other neighboring snow capped Himalayas.

There are negligible chances of injury and AMS during Langtang Valley Trek. However during the contingency situations and medical emergencies, you will be airlifted by rescue helicopter to Kathmandu. Our professional experienced and trained trekking guides take the best decision for you and ensure you are safe during entire period of Langtang trek.

Yes this trek can be tailor made as per your need and requirement.  Kathmandu sightseeing, Kathmandu hotel, transportation and other factors determine the cost which can be customized to meet your budget and style.