Lantang Valley Trek Overview
Langtang Valley located within great surrounding of Langtang Himal is the closest mountain range from the capital Kathmandu, a mere air distance of 30 km towards north where one can complete the trek within a week time frame.
Langtang Himal that straddles the borders with Tibet also, situated on an old and present Trans Himalaya Salt and Caravan route of Nepal and Tibet / China, where our trek starts from Syabrubesi village after an exciting drive from Kathmandu.
The area around Langtang Himal falls within district of Rasuwa of Nepal Central Himalaya in between Ganesh Himal in the west with Langtang in the mid north and Jugal range towards east direction.
A fascinating walk that takes you to high hills visiting traditional farm villages of Tamang people the major hill tribe of Langtang Himal and other range of high Himalaya interwoven with strong Buddhist religion and ancient Bon practice of pre Buddhism.
Walk proceeds entering into nice cool forest lined with tall rhododendron, magnolia, oaks and pine with fir trees which makes perfect habitation for some endangered species of wild-life like Red Panda and other animals sometime seen on walks.
Walking into deep woodland within River gorge as route takes you to an open and wide valley of Langtang to reach at Kyanjin, a nice settlement with many good lodges for overnight stop at the height of 3,785 m, the highest night stop of the adventure.
At Kyanjin enjoy rest day with great scenic walks and climb to best view points of Kyanjin-Ri or Tsego-Ri at above 4,000 m high where you can catch breathtaking panorama of whole Langtang Himal range with some peaks of Tiber just across the border.
Enjoy the best time of your life with perfect views of magnificent scenery. Then head back on same scenic route downhill into lush green forest to reach on the road-head at Syabrubesi village for drive to Kathmandu, after a marvelous adventure and experience on Langtang Valley Trek.
Langtang Valley Trek Highlights
- Around first mountainous and Himalayan National Park of Langtang enriched with flora / fauna
- Walk in the land where rare and elusive Red Panda habitats within lovely alpine forest
- Enchanting forest of tall rhododendron-pines-magnolia and fir trees with bamboo grooves
- A scenic, cultural walks visiting nice villages adorned with interesting Buddhism religion
- Beautiful panorama of high snow capped mountains around picturesque Langtang Valley
Langtang Valley Trek Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi village (1,460 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 02: Trek to Lama Hotel (2, 240 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Langtang village (3,290 m) - 06 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Kyanjin (3,785 m) in the middle of scenic Langtang valley - 04 hrs.
Day 05: Rest day at Kyanjin for excursion and short hike.
Day 06: Trek to Lama Hotel - 06 hrs.
Day 07: Trek back to Syabrubesi - 06 hrs.
Day 08: Drive to Kathmandu via Dhunche town - 06 hrs.
Langtang Valley Trek Difficulty
Langtang Valley Trek is not that difficult in comparison to other trekking regions of Nepal. The grade is of moderate walks that include uphill for few hours with some pleasant gradual trail with much downhill after reaching the highlight at Kyanjin.
This trek comprises safe and great enjoyable walks without any problem of catching AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) which occurs around higher areas above 3,000 meters.
On this trek, the altitude rises at gradual step. By the time reaching at highest spot at Kyanjin within Langtang valley, you will be well acclimatized.
Langtang Valley Trek Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi village (1,460 m) - 06 hrs.
Morning drive north from Kathmandu towards high cooler hills past the main town Dhunche and headquarter of Rasuwa district of Langtang Himal area, from Dhunche where Langtang National Park starts and then drive descends on winding road to Syabrubesi village for overnight stop.
Day 02: Trek to Lama Hotel (2,240 m) - 06 hrs.
First day walk from Syabrubesi heads uphill for a while, rest of the walk on gradual, winding path past farm smaller villages, as the trail enters into cool dense forest of tall rhododendron and pines trees to reach an open clearing at Lama Hotel for overnight stop.
Day 03: Trek to Langtang village (3,290 m) - 05 hrs.
From Lama Hotel, morning starts heading towards river gorge as walk follows upper Langtang Khola upstream, then climb within rhododendron and oaks forest to Ghoretabla in the middle of dense forest.
After refreshing stop walk continues for few hours to overnight stop at Langtang village as walk lead into forest crossing few streams on leaving tall trees behind.
Day 04: Trek to Kyanjin (3,785 m) in the middle of scenic Langtang valley - 04 hrs.
From Langtang village within Tamang settlement, as morning walk takes you on gradual path for a short while, then climb for few hour coming across "mani-prayer wall" as walk gets closer to enter wide open beautiful valley of Langtang.
On reaching our highest point of the trek at Kyanjin above 3,785 m located on a huge valley of Langtang enclosed within array of snow clad peaks with overnight stop in a nice and cozy lodge.
Day 05: Rest day at Kyanjin for excursion and short hike.
A free or rest day where you can enjoy and marvel super panorama of surrounding high mountain range, a perfect place for scenic hike to near hill on top Kyanjin-Ri at 4,700m high.
Which will add more heights to your adventure offers fantastic views of wide snow capped peaks, visit local cheese factory with rest of the day at leisure.
Day 06: Trek to Lama Hotel - 06 hrs.
After an enjoyable and great time at Kyanjin, return journey on same trail back to Lama-Hotel; a small settlement in the midst of forest close to Langtang River.
Day 07: Trek back to Syabrubesi - 06 hrs.
Last and final walk of the trip as morning trail follows on the same route through bamboo and rhododendron forest, after leaving the fast running river downhill into farm areas to reach at Syabrubesi for overnight stop.
Day 08: Drive to Kathmandu via Dhunche town - 06 hrs.
The final morning around high Langtang Himal around the region of Tamang people after enjoying great hospitality of local villagers, where interesting overland journey reaches you Kathmandu then transfer to your respective hotels with glorious memories and experience of Langtang Valley.
Langtang Valley after 2015 earthquake
Langtang region of Rasuwa district including Nepal Mid-East and Mid-West was badly hit by April 25th and May 15th 2015 earthquakes that damaged most of the buildings, roads and houses around villages, where some villagers and trekkers lost their life.
Langtang valley area where the worst hit villages were Dhunche onward Syabrubesi, Langtang village and Kyanjin settlement has returned slowly back to normal after four years of natural calamity.
On this Langtang Valley Trek, one can witness traces of wreckage and landslides from 2015 earthquake on route walks.
Accommodation and Meals on Langtang Valley Trek
Accommodation varies from one place to another. Syabrubesi and Kyanjin offer nice standard lodge with large rooms and big dining hall with warm and cozy environment. Whereas, lodges in some area like Lama Hotel and Langtang village will be simple and basic.
During peak and high season, travelers might need to share room with your friends or other guest for people with single private room requirement. Most lodges on route provide common bathroom and toilets. There are only few places with attached bathroom where one needs to pay extra for hot-shower and charging electrical gadgets.
Meals on walks are up to the local standard and much better at Syabrubesi and Kyanjin area. Every lodge provides menu which you can order accordingly where one can get served with seasonal vegetables, fresh meats are scarce on higher area although one can order meat product items also from chicken, mutton to Yak meat (sometimes).
All food served are hygienic where your guide helps you with available food from the menu. Some lodges have more food varieties but serves only few due to high and low season of tourist arrival.
Best time for Langtang Valley Trek
The best time for Langtang Valley Trek is from March to May with September to early December months, except monsoon months from mid June to mid September when days are cloudy which obstructs mountain views. It is not recommended to visit during monsoon wet months unless for botanical people to study flora and fauna.
Best time from March to May where most days are clear for views as well for pleasant walks with moderate temperature, includes long sunlight hours. This is the time for wild flowers in blooming times, especially rhododendron of various species from trees to bush of different colored flowers. However, during March to May late afternoon it can get cloudy with chances of rain and snow in higher altitude.
September to December around autumn /fall and pre winter is also best time for Langtang Valley Trek with clear blue sky and sunny days. It can be cold and freezing during morning and night times above 1,800 m high.
Sunlight hours are short during autumn and winter seasons but most of the morning till late afternoon are clear for views and pleasant walks.
Conclusion
Langtang Valley Trek is for all types of people where one can enjoy pleasant walks with ups and downhill, where every hard effort rewards you with marvelous moment facing grand mountain views and delightful time.
Langtang Valley Trek not only offers beautiful snow-capped peak views but one can also soak into local impressive cultures of Tamang age-old heritage and ancient custom of both Buddhism and pre-Buddhism of Bon sect.
Some of the area and villages are much similar to Tibetan way of life with same traditional living. Besides culture and scenic views, walking within lovely rhododendron forest is equally exciting.
Marvel Adventure organises Langtang Valley Trek with a very well-designed itinerary, professional trekking guides and all the necessary arrangements. We can also customize the itinerary to accomodate your special requirements. Feel free to contact us for any query regarding the trek.