Langtang Valley Trek – 9 Days

Langtang Valley Trek is a Himalayan valley in the mountains of the north- central Nepal known for its trekking routes and natural environment. Langtang Valley lies within the Langtang national park, the first mountainous park around the Nepal Himalayas which was established in 1976 to protect its rare flora and fauna and its pristine environment. The park is well known for its populations of red pandas, Himalayan black bear, Snow Leopard, wild dog, ghoral, serow and more than 250 species of birds. Similarly, the park contains a wide variety of climatic zones, from subtropical to alpine. From this small mountain town, there are several incredible day- hikes with fantastic views. The trek captures all the best of Himalayan trekking with stunning scenery and great culture. It’s most famous for more than 1000 plants and other mammals with birds of 150 species. Nepal’s first Himalayan national park is in Langtang region which is announced in 1971. Comparing Everest Base Camp, Manaslu Circuit and Annapurna Base Camp, Langtang Valley Trek is easy and short trekking trails. The magnificent view from Kyanjin Ri hill is a widely-talked experience of this trek.

Approximately 25% of the park is forested. Trees include the deciduous oak and maple evergreen like pine, and various types of rhododendron. Along the trail, you may encounter wildlife such as musk deer, Himalayan red panda, monkey (Langur) and various species of butterflies and birds. The trek begins with the scenic drive along the Trishuli River north of Kathmandu, through Trishuli Bazaar.  Then, we will reach to Dhunche and finally reach Syabru Bensi, a Sherpa village and farmlands of the people. Langtang valley is popularly known as the valley of glacier trek, is situated at 19 miles north of Kathmandu.

One of the major attractions of Langtang region is its abundant snow glaciers. With over 70 glacier basins, it is one of the richest regions in Nepal for glaciers. Gosainkunda, the famous sacred lake is situated in Langtang region. High mountain passes add more to make trekking trails an exhilarating adventure. Langtang valley is so naturally beautiful and it resembles heaven. The Langtang valley is also known as a treasure house of alpine plants and the whole valley gets covered with flowers during the summer.

Best Time for Visiting the Langtang Valley Trek

The ideal time for Langtang Valley Trek is spring (Mar to May) and autumn (Sep to Dec). During these months, the sky is clear and stable and travelers can enjoy fine mountain views of Langtang Himalayan range, green forest, and traditional Tamang villages. These two seasons are the best time for trekking in Langtang Valley Trek.

• Spring (March to May)
  Spring is one of the best seasons to enjoy trekking in Langtang valley. The trail is lined with colorful rhododendron forests, wildflowers and the fresh mountain air. The temperature remains moderate and enjoyable for trekking and the clear weather provides excellent views of snow peaks such as Langtang Lirung and other Himalayas.
• Autumn (September to November)
  Autumn is the best season to do Langtang Valley Trek. After the monsoons, the mountains are crystal clear and the landscapes are green and vibrant. The weather is dry and stable; excellent for trekking and photography. This time of year is also good because you can catch Nepal’s biggest festivals – Dashain and Tihar – on the trail.
• Winter (December to February)
  Winter hiking is possible in Langtang Valley but much colder, particularly at higher altitudes such as Kyanjin Gompa. Snowfall can cause some trails to be difficult but the mountains are absolutely stunning and the trails are quieter with less hikers.
• Rainy Season (June to August)
  Monsoon causes heavy rain, making trails slippery, and clouds cover most of the mountain views, so this is the least recommended time to do the Langtang trek. But the valley turns lush and green, and the trails see less traffic.

As the skies are clear and the temperature is cool, spring and autumn are still the best time for the Langtang Valley Trek with the most delightful views of the Himalaya.

Difficulty and Fitness Level Required in the Langtang Valley Trek

As per this 9 days Langtang Valley Trek itinerary, it is a moderate trek, which means you don’t have to be an expert hiker, but you still have to have some trekking experience at least the basic level of it. The pace is swinging gradually upwards as you proceed by altitude gain through daily forest walks, walks through villages, walks on mountain trails.

• Trekkers spend 4 to 7 hours per day on natural mountain trails.
• There are frequent ascents and descents, particularly from Lama Hotel until Langtang Valley.
• The highest lodging point is Kyanjin Gompa (3,817 m), with a side trip to Kyanjin Ri (5,150 m), where altitude could complicate the hike.
• The trail is call steep and rocky in parts .
• The high altitude and the weather conditions may bring a bit of exertion for some of you during this trek.

Key points about the Langtang Valley Trek

• The circuit way is less crowded than Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp Trek
• Along the way there are many tea houses where you stay each night with great sleep in bed with blankets, great meals, showers, and can charge your electronics and cameras.
• There is no need to pay expensive domestic flights because the trailhead can be reached by car.
• You can hike up to Kyanjin Ri and Tserko Ri, so we think it is important to base in Kyanjin Gompa at least three nights, you can enjoy fully.

Route Overview of the Langtang Valley Trek – 9 Days

Langtang Valley Trek begins with a scenic 7–8 hour drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1,550 m), the crowded trailhead town is the starting point of one of Nepal’s most popular trekking trails. From Syabrubesi the track ascends slowly as you pass the pretty Tamang hamlet of Briddhim (2,229 m), where you will be welcomed by traditional culture and mountain hospitality at every step. The route then winds through emerald forested slopes to the well-known resting place of Lama Hotel (2,500 m) after about 4–5 hours trekking, the path over this stretch of the trail is surrounded by rhododendron and offers some fine wildlife and river valley vistas. Higher still, the trail emerges into the broad, glacier-carved Langtang Valley (3,455 m), where immense snowcapped summits, grazing yaks and reconstructed Tamang villages form an almost picture perfect  Himalayan vista.

The trail climbs further to Kyanjin Gompa (3,817 m), the spiritual and scenic hub of the entire trek, which has an ancient Buddhist gompa and the renowned local yak cheese factory, amongst other amenities. For higher strivers, an optional ascent to Kyanjin Ri summit (5,150 m) offers a 360-degree view of some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery, dominated by the massive Langtang Lirung (7,234 m). In the return trip we follow the wonderful trail back down through Langtang Valley and Lama Hotel to Syabrubesi over two days, then a last scenic 7-8 hour car ride transports you tranquilly back to Kathmandu — finishing a truly 9-day Himalayan adventure that will leave you breathless.

Langtang Valley Before and After the 2015 Earthquake

The Langtang Valley was considered out of the question as a trekking destination in Nepal for decades – a vibrant, friendly window of traditional Tamang villages, cozy teahouses and age-old Himalayan life. From all over the world, trekkers came here to hike in the shadows of towering peaks, to eat with warm locals, to see a side of Nepal that seemed beautifully unspoiled by the modern age.

Then all changed in a matter of seconds, on 25th April 2015.

The cataclysmic 7.8 magnitude quake — and the avalanche it triggered — buried Langtang Village under slabs of ice and rock, utterly. There were more than 350 casualties just in the valley, including trekkers and residents. Entire villages were destroyed as paths were shattered and one of Nepal’s best-liked trekking regions was plunged into profound darkness.

But silence never lasted long in Langtang

One stone at a time, the local residents of the Langtang village started to rebuilding to their incredible fortitude and unwavering sense of community. Trails were restored, tea houses reopened and the valley gradually revived. With the same warmth and stunning mountain scenery that it has always been known for Langtang is once again open, flourishing and welcoming to trekkers.

Hiking in Langtang today has significance that goes beyond that of most mountain rides. The teahouse where you stay, the meal you eat there and the trail you walk, all are tiny, but potent acts of support for a community that refused to die. This is a valley that has paid for its beauty twice — and that makes walking every inch of it feel really worthwhile.

As you trek Langtang you are not merely hiking along one of the most beautiful valleys in Nepal— you are travelling along its narrative of survival, optimism and revival.

Why Choose this Langtang Valley Trek ?

Choosing the Langtang Valley Trek means choosing the journey in which you can experience big mountains, rich culture and  untouched beauty – all with-in a short drive from Kathmandu. Unlike the crowded Annapurna and Everest trails, Langtang offers a genuinely off the beaten path experience without comprising on dramatic Himalayan scenery.

The trek brings you up close and personal with the finest peaks of Nepal, such as :

• Langtang Lirung (7,234 m)
• Ganesh Himal (7,422 m)
• Dorje Lakpa (6,988 m)
• Yala Peak (5,520 m)
• Naya Kanga (5,844 m)
• Tserko Ri (4,984m)

The side trip to Kyanjin Ri (5,150 m) also offers a jaw-dropping 360-degree view of these giants that is really hard to forget.

Beyond the mountains, the warm Tamang culture, ancient Buddhist monasteries, dense rhododendron forests and roaming wildlife make every day on the trail feel like a completely different adventure. And by trekking here, you are also directly supporting communities that courageously rebuilt after the devastating 2015 earthquake.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Drive to Syabrubesi From Kathmandu (1550 m) (7-8 hrs)
Day 02: Trek to Briddhim (2229 m)
Day 03: Trek to Lama Hotel (2500 m) (4-5 hrs)
Day 04: Trek to Langtang Valley (3455 m)
Day 05: Trek to Kyanjin Gumba (3817 m)
Day 06: Rest Day at Kyanjin Gumba ( hike to kyanjin – Ri (5150 m)
Day 07: Trek back to Lama Hotel ( 6 hours )
Day 08: Trek back to Syabrubesi
Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu