Trekking In Nepal

Langtang Cultural Trek (08 days)

The Langtang Himal is a region north part of Kathmandu valley and it lies just south of Tibetan border. The Langtang valley is surrounded by high peaks of great appeal. It has become famous ever since the British mountaineer Bill Tilman described it as the most beautiful valley in the world. The highest peak in this area is Shisapangma or Gosaithan 8027m in Tibet. The course from the Langtang valley to Gosaikund is full of diversity and it is attracting many tourists. The Langtang valley is also known as the treasure house of Alpine plants. The whole valley is covered with flowers during the summer. This high and isolated region is inhabited by Tamangs whose religious practices, language and dress are much more similar to Tibetan.

Outline Itinerary

Day 1
Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi which takes about nine hours. You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Syabru Besi passing through Dhunche. While passing along the road at the bank of Trishuli river you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and green hills. As you pass through Dhunche you feel as if you are heading towards deep land. At the same time, you notice that the road is still under construction.

Day 2
Trek from Syabru Besi (1600m.) to Lama Hotel (2470m.) which takes about five and half hours. The first part of the trail crosses through Bhote Koshi and follows the Langtang Khola. This trail is gradually ascent up to Bamboo passing through Landslide. Afterwards, you trek ascends gently to Rimche (2400m.) through Bamboo (1960m.) which lies at the bank of Langtang Khola. You can have lunch at this place if you like. And at the end your trail is level to the Lama Hotel. En route you could see red pandas, monkey and bear if you are lucky.

Day 3
Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang village (3430m.) via Ghore Tabela which takes about six hours. As you continue climbing there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. At Ghora Tabela [3000m], the trail emerges from the forest. Once there was a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now it is a Nepalese army post though it has no permanent inhabitants. The trail continues to climb gently and the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during the summer months. There is a monastery, which you can visit shortly before arriving at the village of Langtang, the headquarters of the Langtang National Park. The houses of Langtang and its neighboring villages are of the flat-roofed Tibetan style, surrounded by stone walls enclosing fields of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley.

Day 4
Trek from Langtang Village to Kyangjin (3870m.) which takes about three hours. The trail climbs gradually through small villages and yak pastures as the valley opens out further and the views become more extensive. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. Here there is a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory. You should arrive at Kyangjin by lunch time allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area. It is a dramatic setting, with snow-covered peaks surrounding you in all directions such as Langtang Lirung, Ganjala peak, Tserko ri, Langsisa ri and many others.

Day 5
Rest day at Kyangjin Gompa and excursion in and around. This is a day to rest and explore the area. You can visit the monastery and the cheese factory, walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri (4350m.), directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang peaks.

Day 6
Trek from Kyangjin Gompa to Lama Hotel (2470m.) and it takes about six hours. From Kyangjin you retrace your route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch, you continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel.

Day 7
Trek from Lama Hotel to Syabru Besi (1460 m.) and it takes about six hours. This day you trek flat leveled path until you reach Sherpa Gaon (2500 m.) passing through terraces and green hills. This part is really pleasant and picturesque. Sherpa Gaon is a Sherpa village with amazing tradition and Buddhist culture. There are houses made of stone, wood and zinc and few modern houses. The next part of your trek is full of ups and downs till Bhanjyang village. At this point you will be amazed by the views of Ganesh Himal in panorama, Kerung peak of Tibet and many others. Finally, you trek goes steep down to Wangal and then you trek gradually descent path to Kerung river, cross the suspension bridge over it and now it merely takes about 15 minutes to reach your destination, Syabru Besi. There is new settlement as people from far villages have migrated here. You find a small market and few guest houses.

Day 8
Drive from Syabru Besi to Kathmandu by bus, which takes about nine hours. You drive through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Kathmandu. The first part of your drive up to Trishuli Bazaar is through gravel and bumpy road and then well paved road up to Kathmandu.