Langtang Trek

Welcome to the Himalayan country of Nepal. Upon your arrival at the Tribhuvan international airport, our representative welcomes and assists you with transfer to your Kathmandu Hotel.  After time in getting refreshed, we will introduce you to your guide while at the same time provide a trip briefing.  That evening we welcome you to dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant in the heart of Kathmandu.

Kathmandu valley sightseeing & trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

After breakfast, your guided Kathmandu Valley trip will start at the Hindu temple of Pashupatinath.  Next visit is Nepal’s biggest stupa ‘Bouddhanath ‘ followed by a visit to Swoyambhunath Stupa (also known as the monkey temple). After exploring the surrounding areas, we visit the historical Kathmandu Durbar Square temples with its various unique architectures and hopefully a glimpse of Kumari (the Nepalese living goddess).

After breakfast we drive on a highway headed North.  It will often twist and turn and climb over mountain ridges until we get to the Trishuil valley.  The journey, through picturesque landscapes, mountain scenery and local villages, will take about 7-8 hours.  On the way we have magnificent views of the Ganesh Himals, Manaslu and Mt Kerung in Tibet. Overnight we relax at a local teahouse in Syabrubesi. 

We start our walk by ascending for around 2 hours through lush green forests followed by a further 1 hour climb to reach Bamboo village (1,850m/6,068ft).  Here we stop for hot lunch. The forested path we are taking is well maintained following the entire way by a river of rapids.  A wide range of birds can be found here as well as monkeys and on the opposite sides of the river, bee hives hanging on the cliff face.  From here we again climb steeply through bamboo forest to reach the Lama Hotel for our overnight stay. 

Following the river and trail through rhododendron and pine forests, we reach Ghora Tabela. It takes us about three hours and so we make this our lunch stop. The surrounding area is still dense with wild habitat with many small babblers and herbs to be found. After lunch we walk another three hours on a scenic trail which takes us to Langtang village where we stop for the evening. 

Today is a relatively short day with some relaxation planned in the afternoon.  We leave Langtang Village after breakfast and start our leisurely hike for around three to four hours until we reach our stop of Kyanjin Gompa where we will spend the night.  There are beautiful views to been seen here of Mt Ganchempo and Langtang Lirung.  The afternoon gives you time to explore the surrounding area which includes a monastery, local houses, and not to miss a visit at the local Yak cheese Factory.

Today you have the opportunity for a full day of rest and relaxation, to enjoy the views while exploring the local area, to walk around and just take photographs, to play cards with the guide and porters or if you have the stamina and strength, to either climb Cherku-ri at (5,150 meters), the Glacier walk or to Langshisha kharka. 

This morning we retrace our steps somewhat as we head back down the mountain. We have an easy and pleasant downhill walk through Rhododendron forests until reaching the Lama Hotel where we rest for the night.   

Today our trail leads downhill again through bamboo & Rhododendron forests where with any luck we may see some wildlife such as the local wild boar as well as other mammal and bird species. After lunch we start our climb upwards until we reach Thulo Syabru.  The journey takes a few hours but you are rewarded with some marvellous close-up views of the Ganesh Himal along the way. 

Today we walk around 4-5 hours mostly uphill through dense forest of pine and Rhododendrons. Before reaching Sing Gompa (Chandan Bari) our overnight spot, there are some open area’s providing excellent views when looking back the way we have come.  And should you have enjoyed the Yak cheese on Day 6 at Kyanjin Gompa , then you have the opportunity again at Sing Gompa’s cheese factory.  

A wonderful trail is used today passing through Cholagpati to reach your lunch break at Laurebina.  They make Cinnamon rolls here should you want to sweeten up your diet.  This area is the homeland of the Tamangs and Bhotias and even a short time spent here provides an insight into their rural mountain lifestyles and the cultural contrasts between Hindu and Buddhist villages.  Pressing on up the mountain you reach a pass where a small Gompa is located and an ideal stop for a break to look at the splendid mountain scenery behind you.  You start walking beside the mountain and to your right hand side are fantastic views of waterfalls, the Trisuli valley and the dozens of holy lakes that you have come to see.  Arriving in Gosainkund we are greeted once again by another lake even bigger than the previous ones.  Dropping your stuff at our nights stay will give you enough time to explore Gosainkunda lake and the surrounding area.

An early start is important today as Laurebina pass can sometimes get windy.  We ascend 300 meters taking about one hour traversing around the lakes until we reach a plateau.  A little further and you’re greeted with a Buddhist Caine surrounded by dozens of prayer flags.  If you look back from where you came you will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Ganesh Himals, of Manaslu and even of the Annapurna’s. The walk now heads steeply downhill until reaching your lunch spot at Phedi.   The trail from here gets a little rugged as it ascends and descends a number of times but after around 3 hours, you reach Gopte where you sleep the night.

The day starts through lush forests only to be replaced at times with ravines, screes and boulders of old moraines.  After about 2 hours and a short climb, you reach the village of Tharepati which sits on a pass.   We have and early lunch here before descending steeply down to the Sherpa village of Melamchi gaon.  It’s very picturesque here and you are sure to have chats here with their warm and welcoming villagers. 

Today there is little opportunity to sit for lunch and so we have a late breakfast /  lunch and pack some things to eat along the way.  As you descend the mountain you see the Melamchi Khola River below you.  Before getting there, we take a short cut that follows the river for about 1km before finally getting to a suspension bridge that we use to cross.  Now on the other side, we again follow the river often passing small villages unaccustomed to tourism and on the opposite banks of the river, a number of flowing waterfalls. By early afternoon we arrive in Timbu where we stay for the night.  It’s an early night sleep tonight to ensure we catch the early bus to Kathmandu.

Today, you drive back to Kathmandu using the early morning bus that departs at 6am.  It’s a local bus and for a short section of the road is unpleasantly bumpy.  You get views of the Helambu Valley along the way and will notice prices notably cheaper and living standards a little poorer. Not many tourists travel though this region, you may be the only ones.   The bus journey takes 6-7 hours to get to Kathmandu and upon arrival you will need to take a taxi the final distance back to the hotel. 

Today is usually a day spent for last minute souvenir and gift shopping.   A representative is also interested in meeting one last time to understand how your trek went, if there were any problems along the way and or whether we are in any way able to provide you further service or assistance.   That may be with onward transport arrangements, travelling information and or maybe further interest in joining one of our other treks or tours available to you.