The delightful Langtang valley lies only a few hours north of Kathmandu and is hence the most accessible trekking area in Nepal. Langtang valley was one of the hardest hit regions of Nepal by the April 2015 earthquake, with Langtang village itself being totally wiped out by a massive landslide. The people of Langtang are extremely keen for trekkers to return to bring them income to help them rebuild. The first part of the Langtang trek takes us up through the thickly forested lower valley – a delight in the spring with all the rhododendrons in flower. We emerge from the trees into the upper valley and pass the site of the destroyed Langtang village and have a day to explore the upper valley beyond Kyanjin Gompa. Langtang Lirung (7426m) towers majestically above.

We then retrace our steps partway down the valley and head out through delightful villages, up past the holy lakes of Gosainkund and across the 4610m Lauribinayak pass to reach the Helambu region. The last few days trekking take us through oak forests and villages of the Sherpa inhabited Helambu district to within a few kilometers of Kathmandu itself.

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Dates & Prices

Itinerary

Days1-2 Depart UK and arrive Kathmandu. Transfer to hotel close to the famous, bustling Thamel district of Kathmandu within easy walking distance of the Monkey Temple with its lovely gardens.

Day 3 Morning briefing, after which the rest of the day is free for you to enjoy the wonders of Kathmandu. Sightseeing tours can be arranged and would include visiting the temples of Bodnath, Swayambhunath (The Monkey Temple), Pashupatinath and Durbar Square. Simply wandering around the huge array of shops, markets, cafes, bars and restaurants in Thamel is a fascinating experience.

Day 4 Leaving the Kathmandu valley we drive northwards to Trisuli Bazaar, and then join the military road which winds above the river valleys, eventually dropping to cross the Trisuli River. Passing the village of Dhunche, which lies just inside the boundary of the Langtang National Park, we reach Syabrubensi, a Sherpa village at 1462m.

Day 5 We begin our trek by following the Langtang Khola, a river we will see much of over the next few days. At first the trail undulates steadily through forests of oak and rhododendron. After passing the Langtang Kholabridge we climb steeply up a winding path finally arriving at Lama Hotel, not far from the rushing waters of the Langtang Khola.

Day 6 Ascending through the forest,we will have glimpses of Langtang Lirung through the trees, before arriving at GhoraTabela (3048m). There was once a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now the only residents are the soldiers of the Nepalese army post. The trail continues to climb up the widening valley, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock here in the summer months. In spring the forests are ablaze with rhododendrons. Shortly before arriving at the village of Langtang (3300m), headquarters of the Langtang National Park there is a monastery, which we might be able to visit. In Langtang the houses here are Tibetan style and are surrounded by fields of wheat, buckwheat and potatoes.
 

Day 7 As we continue our climb beyond the village, the valley opens out to reveal spectacular mountain views.To our left the impressive Langtang Lirung towers directly above us and ahead is the great snow-covered bulk of Ganchempo. At 3850m we come to the monastery of Kyanjin, well above the Langtang River. In the afternoon we can either head up a side valley to the foot of the Langtang and Kyimoshung glaciers, or climb onto some of the
surrounding ridges for close up views of Langtang Lirung and the beautiful so called Fluted Peak.

Day 8 We spend a day at KyanjinGompa with a chance to explore the area. There are various optional day walks around here. The most popular walk is up to KyanjinRi (4350m) and Kyimoshung Ri (4620m). These two viewpoints above Kyanjingompa offer some of the most stunning mountain views in Nepal. An impressive array of peaks surrounds us - Langtang Lirung and Kyimoshung, Dorje Lhakpa, Naya Kanga and the Ganja La pass. For the very energetic there is the chance to climb Tsergo Ri (4984m). This is a full day's walk but worth it for the views from the top.

Days 9-10 We leave Kyanjin and retrace our route westwards, following the Langtang Khola down through Langtang village to GhoraTabela, stopping again at Lama Hotel. After crossing the Langtang Khola Bridge our trail undulates through the forest and finally climbs steeply up to Syabru (2285m).

Day 11 We begin with a long steep climb out of Syabru, passing through scrub forest and the occasional settlement among the fields, and then through magnificent rhododendron thickets, until we reach
the top of the ridge and the small monastery at Sing Gompa.

Day 12 Climbing a little less steeply this morning we follow the ridge for most of the day. We will have fantastic panoramic views of the Annapurnas, Himalchuli, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal to the west and Langtang Himal to the north-east. After crossing to the south side of the ridge, we descend and catch sight of the first of the holy lakes. The third lake, Gosainkund, at 4380m, is particularly sacred and a place of pilgrimage in the summer.

Day 13 The trail climbs gradually through bare and rugged terrain, passing four smaller lakes before we reach the summit of the Laurebena Pass (4610m). There are magnificent views to the north and west, and as we descend there are superb panoramic vistas over the Nepal midlands. After descending we continue along a delightful trail through rhododendron forest, with splendid views to the south.

Days 14 – 15 Two relatively long days follow taking us through the unspoilt and culturally interesting Helambu valley. The villages of Helambu are inhabited by Sherpas whose language, culture and dress are very different from the SoluKhumbu Sherpas. We continue walking through thick rhododendron forest before descending steeply into open landscape. There are fine views back to the Langtang and JugalHimals. We pass through the well maintained villages of GulBhanjyangand PatiBhanjyang. A fairly steep climb brings us to open pastures, more forest and then the summit of the ridge, from which there is a magnificent view of the Himalaya; Annapurna in the
west Everest in the east.
 

Day 16 A short walk brings us to the road, from where we pick up our transport for the short drive to our hotel in Kathmandu. The rest of the day is free for sightseeing in Kathmandu. You may wish to visit Durbar Square in the heart of the old city where the old Royal Palace, with its intricate woodcarving, is located. Outside is Kumari Chowk, home of the Kumari, the young girl who is revered as a living goddess. The whole area is a maze of temples and images. Alternatively, you may wish to visit the monkey temple at Swayambhunath, one of the largest Buddhist Stupas in the world at Bodnath, or the most important Hindu temple in the valley at Pashupatinath.
 

Day 17 Depart Kathmandu. Most flights arrive back in the UK on the same day.

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