Langtang Valley Trek- 8 Days

The Langtang Valley trek is a voyage through the scenic landscape of Nepal, known for its stunning beauty and unique culture. Each step of the trek, from lush forest to snooting river to towering peaks, amazes trekkers. The beautiful Langtang Valley offers something to experience in its majesty. Some of the key things one can experience during their expedition to Langtang are:

Tamang Heritage & Festival

Tamang are the residents of the Langtang Valley and came from Tibetan families. The community follows Tibetan Buddhism and has its own unique culture and heritage. You can experience their local culture up close throughout the journey to Langtang. The region showcases its unique heritage influenced by the Tibetan and Nepalese. The monasteries on the village, prayer wheels, and Mani walls show the village’s cultural beauty. Also, if you get to the town during the festive season, you can experience it.

Kyanjin Gompa

Kyanjin Gompa is one of the prominent landmarks of the Langtang Valley. Located at 3,870m above sea level, it is a beautiful village with mesmerizing mountain views. You can experience the majestic beauty of the town as it has Mt. Langtang Lirung on its backdrop, creating a surreal experience. Trekkers can go for hikes to stunning peaks.

Tserko Ri

The stunning panorama of Tserko Ri is one of the highlights of the trek to Langtang Valley. Located at 5,033 m (16,512 ft), the peak adds to the region’s beauty and lies near Kyanjin Gompa. It takes 6–7 hours to ascend to Tserko Ri from Kyanjin Ri and 3-4 hours to descend. The top of the Tserko Ri offers mesmerizing views of the Langtang mountain range and Shishapangma mountain.

Panoramic View of Mountains & Surrounding

The panorama of mountains is indeed the prominent feature of the Langtang Valley that called thousands of visitors early. Thus, trekkers can experience the crispness of the mountainous surroundings during their journey to Langtang Valley. Eye-catching panorama of Langtang Lirung (7,246 m), Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), Gangchenpo (6378m ), Langtang Ri (7205 m), Porong Ri (7292 m), and Yala Peak (5520 m) are spectacular on your 8 days Langtang Valley trekking.

First Himalayan National Park

On your hike to Langtang Valley, you will experience the freshness of the first Himalayan National Park, Langtang National Park. Established in 1976, the National Park is the fourth protected area of Nepal. With a variety of flora and fauna, it is spread over 1,710 square kilometers.

Beautiful Glaciers

As the Langtang itself is known as the valley of the glacier, trekkers can absolutely witness the stunning glacier during their trek. Glaciers, including Yala, Lirung, Khimsung, and Langtang, are impressive scenes from the trek to Langtang Valley.

Trekkers get meals at the tea house during the Langtang Valley trek. At the lower elevation, trekkers find a vast range of options for food; however, at the higher elevation, food options are minimal and almost the same at every tea house. The tea houses have communal indoor heating in a central dining room. Nepal Alternative Trek provides you with a service of three meals a day: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The options for breakfast include muesli, eggs, porridge, salad, potatoes, Tibetan chapati, bread, pancakes, and soup. Likewise, for lunch and dinner, you have options among:

• Nepalese Food: Dal Bhat ( with plane steamed white rice, lentil soup with local spices,  mix fried vegetable curry with spices, pickle, and meat items if you prefer ),  Chowmin, Momo
• International Food: Spaghetti, pasta, fried rice.
• Local recommended: Potato roll soup, Tngmo momo with curry

Keeping your body hydrated is a crucial aspect of trekking. Thus, drinking 4 to 5 L of water daily is highly recommended. However, buying 4-5 Liters of water daily is expensive; thus, consider carrying a refillable water bottle and water purification tablet.

While the tea houses are the common accommodation during the trek to Langtang Valley, trekkers have options in the lower region. You can find different options, including a Hotel and lodge in the Syabrubesi. However, tea houses are the only option as you trek high. Correspondingly, the higher you go, the fewer facilities are available due to remoteness.

You will find standard hotels with standard rooms at your starting point of the trek to Syabrubesi. There, you’ll get a single room with an attached bathroom. However, the cost is higher in the hotels than in basic ones. On the other hand, as you ascend, the accommodation option becomes basic. The tea houses offer basic rooms on a twin-sharing basis with facilities like foam mattresses, blankets, and pillows in a bed.

Toilets in the trekking trail are squat and may be outside in a separate hut. Bathrooms are also shared. You can get a hot shower to bathe in, but it costs $2-$3 extra. The Langtang Valley doesn’t have an electricity facility, so the locals use solar. Thus, if you want to charge your electronics, it costs $2-$3 per hour. Moreover, some tea houses provide Wi-Fi facilities but cost an extra $2-$3, and the connection could be very slow.

The trek to Langtang is moderate and the easiest in Nepal’s Himalayas. Anyone with decent physical and mental fitness can easily go for this trek. However, it is a moderate-level trek; it can’t be easily completed. It will present you with several challenges along the way, including:

High Altitude:

Langtang Valley lies above 4,000m, and the highest elevation one can reach on the trek is  4,984 meters, so high altitude can lead to significant difficulties during the trip. The air becomes thinner at higher elevations, and problem-related altitude is a major concern. The symptoms of altitude sickness start to seem as you get above 2,500m. Thus, properly acclimatizing is vital while trekking in Langtang Valley.

Unpredictable Himalayas weather

The weather of Nepal’s Himalayas, including Langtang Valley, is known for its unpredictable weather conditions, making trekking and other activities challenging. The sudden change in weather, like strong wind, rainfall, or snow, can cause trouble while trekking. Thus, prepare yourself accordingly and always check the weather before starting the day.

Physically demanding trek

The trek requires a daily walk of 5-6 hours in varied terrain, making it a physically demanding trek. People with joint and knee problems face challenges on the trek due to ascent and descent sections. Thus, a moderate level of fitness is necessary. Exercise regularly, like cardio workouts, hiking, and strength training to prepare yourself.

Varied trails

The trail to Langtang Valley is a mix of gentle, steep uphills and some rocky sections. Trekkers trek through dirt trails with rocky and steep parts. The trail at specific parts of the journey is also narrow, making trekking difficult.

Winter and Summer are not the ideal trekking season in Langtang. During Summer, this region receives heavy rainfall, making it challenging to trek. The trails get muddy, and you will encounter leeches, bugs, etc. The weather becomes unpredictable. The heavy rain increases the possibility of Landslides, making it riskier to trek. The trails get covered with fog, making it challenging to trek. The temperature during the season ranges from 10°C to 25°C (50°F to 77°F) during the day and 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F) at night.

The winter months are the coldest time in this region. The temperature goes negative during winter, and this region receives a huge snowfall, ranging from 5°C to 10°C (41°F to 50°F) during the day and -15°C to -5°C (5°F to 23°F) at night. The trails get covered with snow. Even the locals who run the Tea houses and Lodges migrate toward the lower parts during winter. Thus, finding accommodation was also an issue at the time. Moreover, altitude sickness concerns are very high during winter.

The temperature in Langtang varies with the seasons. So, the temperature variations in Langtang in all four seasons are described below.

Winter (December to February):

Winter is the coldest time in this region. The temperatures range from as low as -5°C to a maximum of 12°C. January tends to be the coldest month, with temperatures varying between -5°C and 10°C. February sees a slight increase in temperature ranging from -3°C to 12°C. December and February have similar temperatures ranging from -3°C to 12°C.

Spring (March to May):

This region experiences warming conditions during Spring. Starting with March, the temperatures range from 0°C to 15°C. April sees a further rise, with temperatures between 5°C and 16°C. By May, the temperatures increase significantly, ranging from 10°C to 20°C. This season sees a steady progression from chilly to mild and eventually to warm temperatures.

Summer (June to August):

The summer months are the warmest period in this region. The temperature in June ranges from 12°C to 22°C, setting the stage for the hottest period. July continues this trend with similar temperature ranges of 12°C to 22°C, indicating consistently warm conditions. The temperature in August slightly dips, ranging from 12°C to 21°C, but still maintains warm weather.

Autumn (September to November):

The temperature in this region is perfect during Autumn. Autumn begins in September when temperatures start to cool. They range from 10°C to 20°C. The temperature in October sees a further drop, with temperatures between 5°C and 18°C. November continues this cooling trend, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 15°C.

A trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card is a mandatory permit for trekking in Nepal. It stores data and information in record books, which helps ensure trekkers’ safety and security. There are two types of TIMS cards: green and Blue. If you’re trekking in a group, you will get a Blue card, but if you’re trekking Solo, you will get a Green card. The cost for a Blue card is Rs 1000, and the cost for a Green card is Rs 2000. For SAARC nationals, it’s Rs 300 and 600, respectively.

The Langtang Valley Trek means the Trek to the Langtang National Park. So, you will need an additional permit for Langtang National Park. This will cost you Rs 3000. Besides that, you should pay for the Shivapuri National Park if you choose to hike via the Helambu trail.

For all these permits, you can contact your touring companies. They can get you with ease. If your travel plan doesn’t cover this permit, you can get it from the Nepal Tourism Board Office or any Trekking agencies in Nepal. Moreover, these permits are also available at the National Park entrance point.

It is one of the nearest trekking destinations to Kathmandu Valley. Your actual hike begins from Syabru Besi. You need to get a bus or a jeep ride to reach Syabru. It is a 4-5 hour journey from Kathmandu. Your trip to Syabru is a mixture of pitch and off-road. Upon reaching the Besi, you will hike up toward the Langtang Valley. The hike will be for 6-7 hours per day.

Between the treks, you will be greeted with numerous beautiful views of the Langtang Himalayas’ mountainous peaks. This region is home to endangered species like the Red Panda and Snow Leopard. You might encounter them in your trekking route. The route offers narrow trails, which might be challenging in several regions. Besides that, the trails are comfortable enough for everyone despite being steep. The hike to Kyanjin Ri is another challenging hike in this trek. It is the highest point on this trek, and it offers panoramic views of the Langtang mountains.

The Langtang Valley offers several alternative trekking routes, each providing a unique experience, taking you through stunning beauty and showing the majesty of nature at every turn. Tamang Heritage Trek, Helambu Trek, and Gosaikunda Trek are popular alternatives around the Langtang Valley, lying within the Rasuwa district.

The Tamang Heritage Trek takes trekkers through traditional Tamang villages and showcases insight into the Tamang culture and lifestyle. Helambu, located south of Langtang, is known for its views of the Langtang range and nature’s beauty. Moreover, the trek to Gosaikunda takes one through the sacred lake of Gosaikunda.

Nepal welcomes every kind of tourist from worldwide. If you are looking for a family-opted trekking destination, Nepal is a perfect choice. For families seeking a trekking journey near the city area, numerous trekking destinations near Kathmandu offer never-to-be-forgotten experiences. The following are some well-known most opted family trekking destinations near the city of Kathmandu:

Nagarkot

Nagarkot is a perfect spot for families to spend time hiking. Located 30km east of Kathmandu, the destination offers well-marked trails for families. The journey to Nagarkot is short yet remarkable. The trek to Nagarkot provides stunning sunrise and sunset views over the mountain peaks.

Chisapani Trek

Located 195km from Kathmandu, the journey to Chisapani is short and thrilling. Starting from Sundarijal, the trek to Chisapana can be completed within two days and is ideal for families on a short adventure. The adventure offers impressive views of the Langtang and Ganesh Himal ranges.

Ghorepani Poon Hill

Lying 272 km away from Kathmandu, the Ghorepani trek is well-renowned among trekkers worldwide. The destination is famous for its spectacular sunrise view over the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. The trek to Ghorepani is easy and perfect for families who want to experience the beauty of Nepal’s Himalayas.

Tamang Heritage Trail

Located near Kathmandu, the Tamang Heritage Trail is near the Langtang Valley and passes through the traditional Tamang villages. The journey provides families with a unique opportunity to experience local customs, architecture, and village life.

To begin the journey to Langtang Valley trek, you must get to Syabrubesi, which is possible only through ground transportation. Bus and Jeep are the two most common transportation options to get to the trek’s starting point.

The bus is a budget-friendly option, especially for the public. It costs around USD 5-8 per person on a bus. It is the cheapest way to reach Syabrubesi. With this option, you can travel with locals and have an excellent experience. However, the bus drive takes more extended hours than Jeep, and the bus stops frequently. Public buses are quite crowded, and seats can be uncomfortable. Likewise, the rough and winding road makes you exhausted on the bus.

For Jeep, you can take either shared or private Jeep. But, shared jeeps are commonly found in the Buspark of Kathmandu. The shared Jeep costs around USD 10-15 per pax. Jeeps are faster than buses, taking 5-6 hours to get to Syabrubesi. The option is more comfortable, and the ride is smoother. Yet, the option is quite expensive and less comfortable than a private vehicle.

The earthquake of 2015 April 25, with 7.3 Richter, caused the loss of more than 8500+ lives in Nepal’s different areas, among which Langtang Valley is the one that was devastated. The Langtang locals gathered on April 25, 2015, to celebrate the Ghawa festival. The villagers were enjoying the festival, but suddenly, the earthquake hit. The earthquake caused significant damage as the glacier above the valley came down and completely wiped off the whole village. More than 300 people died due to the earthquake, including 180 locals, 55 foreigners, 25 porters and guides, and some army personnel. Everything was destroyed then, from trekking trails to local pathways and houses.

The village is still recovering with the support of national, international, and local organizations. The village’s new settlement is about 500 meters from the original. Rebuilding schools, hospitals, homes, monasteries, and trekking trails is still underway. Now, the trekking trails are safe and open, barren fields have turned into green pastures, and new life has started.

Travel insurance is very important for any trekking over 4000m. You must have your travel insurance with you. So, ensure your travel insurance company covers all your safety measures. Ensure that the insurance company provides you with every facility because it has a lot of benefits during the trek. Therefore, make sure your travel insurance covers your injury, medical expenses, repatriation expenses, rescue mission, loss of property, etc. Most importantly, make sure your travel insurance does not expire.

Your day will begin with breakfast at your accommodation. After breakfast, our guide will briefly brief you about our hike for the day. You will start your hike after the break. In general, your daily hike will be around 6-8 hours. Your lunch will be in a tea house in between your hike. There will be a resting period after your lunch, depending on the distance to be covered. You will be stopping at several scenic spots along the way. Finally, your dinner will be at the place where you will be staying.

Langtang Valley Trek is a moderate-level trek, but it can be difficult for new trekkers. So, the safety and security of the trekkers are essential factors for our company. Similarly, we take complete care of our consumers and their property. Similarly, our trip constantly operates, monitoring every area of our travel. So, you should not worry about your belongings while traveling with us. Likewise, our accommodation facility is very safe, so you can enjoy yourself fully.

Langtang Valley Trek is an 8-day long trek. So, you need to be both physically and mentally fit. In addition, it would be great if you had previous hiking or trekking experience. So, we recommend you go on a few short hikes or treks before this trek. Moreover, if you decide to do this trek despite your lack of experience, we highly recommend hiring an experienced guide. Furthermore, you should not have any heart and blood-related diseases. Consult your doctor before leaving for the trek if you’ve any health issues. Most importantly, you should be very passionate about the trek.