Langtang Valley Trek

You would find our representative ready outside the Arrivals Terminal with a warm Nepalese welcome. You are escorted to your hotel in Thamel in a private vehicle. You have some time to relax before we meet in the afternoon for an orientation meeting.

After breakfast, your tour guide meets you at the hotel and we start our day tour exploring the World Heritage sites of the Kathmandu Valley.

First off, Basantapur, commonly known as Kathmandu Durbar Square, is a historic plaza in the middle of Kathmandu, Nepal. It is famous for its beautiful architecture, which includes old palaces, temples, and courtyards. The area is a hive of cultural and religious activity, with festivals, rituals, and traditional rites being held there. Basantapur provides tourists with an insight into Nepal’s rich history, art, and architecture. Next up, Swayambhunath, popularly known as the “Monkey Temple,” is a significant Buddhist temple in Kathmandu, Nepal, located atop a hill. This historic stupa is draped with colourful prayer flags and provides sweeping views of the city. It is not just a spiritual destination, but it is also a cultural monument that exemplifies Nepal’s rich past and religious importance.

Furthermore, we visit Pashupatinath- the largest Hindu Temple in Nepal located on the banks of the Bagmati River. The temple complex is famous for its exquisite pagoda-styled architecture, ornate carvings, and religious rites, including the cremation ceremonies held beside the river called ‘Aryaghat’. What more, Pashupatinath Temple also holds tremendous cultural and spiritual value. Finally, the Boudhanath Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal, is one of the world’s biggest Buddhist stupas. With its grand stature, calm ambience, and colourful prayer flags flapping in the breeze, this landmark building draws tourists and serves as a major Buddhist pilgrimage destination and a focal point of Tibetan culture.

We drive back to the hotel and prepare for the trek.

After breakfast at the hotel, we begin the journey towards Syabrubesi on a local bus. Syabrubesi is the start point of the Langtang Valley trek which takes about 7-8 hours’ drive. Enjoy a scenic drive through Trishuli Valley with rural villages, terraced farms, rivers, valleys, and mountains. We have lunch on the way. Eventually, we reach Syabrubesi (1,420m) by late afternoon. Overnight at Syabrubesi.

The Lantang Valley trek commences by crossing the Bhote Koshi River and chasing the trail upstream along Langtang Khola. Then, the trail ascends for around two hours through the forest, followed by a climb of about an hour to reach Bamboo Village (1,850m/6,068ft). Eventually, it climbs gently up to Rimche (2,400m) which lies at the bank of Langtang Khola. Finally, we ascend up through the dense bamboo forest and arrive at Lama Hotel. Overnight at Lama Hotel.

After breakfast, we start with a pleasant walk and follow the trail through rhododendron and pine forest for around three hours. Langtang Lirung appears abruptly, enticing us. The later section of the trail before Ghoda Tabela winds up with moderate steepness. Onward for another three hours, the trail features plenty of ups and downs. Markedly, the sub-alpine landscape takes over with plenty of rocks and pointed cliffs around us. The devastating effects of the 2015 earthquake are quite visible shortly before Langtang, near the old monastery area. Langtang Village (or town rather) appears in front of us over a ridge after a brief trek. The magnificence of the Langtang range to the north and the vastness of the valley behind us is memorable. In the years following the earthquake, the village of Langtang has grown quite significantly. Dinner and overnight at Langtang Valley.

Today after breakfast, we leave Langtang village and start the trek to Kyanjing Gompa. The trail starts with a brief uphill until the villages of Sidhum and Mundu. Later, the journey continues with a delightful walk alongside a long row of exquisite chortens, ‘mani’ walls (rock with intriguing religious writings), and little monuments adorned with prayer wheels. A riverside monastery and prayer wheels driven by a running stream are sure to catch your fancy. The route gradually ascends until we reach the town of Kyangjin Gompa on the opposite side of a small peak by mid-day.

Beautiful views of Ganchempo (6,378m) and Langtang Lirung (7,234m) can be enjoyed from here. We have a free afternoon after lunch to tour the village and the monastery. The Kyanjin Gompa (Monastery), which is claimed to be 700 years old, is worth exploring for its intriguing paintings, scrolls, collection of medieval prayer books, and deity sculptures. Also worth exploring is the Yak Cheese Factory. What’s more, a side trip to the Langtang Lirung Glacier or the Kyanjin Ri viewpoint is another doable option for the more adventurous. Overnight at Kyanjin Gompa.

We set off to scale Tsergo (Tserko) Ri in the morning when the weather is supposed to be more steady and less windy. A packed lunch and water for the day and we’re good to go. The day’s trail starts with a hike east over the field, then crosses a stream and climbs continuously. Prepare for a windy ascent, and bring crampons if the track, especially further up, is coated with ice. As the route swirls against the hills and permeates glacial rocks, the ascent can take three to four hours on average. The viewpoint of Tserko Ri is adorned with prayer flags and provides an all-out view of the magnificent mountains and glacial environment. Langtang Lirung (7227m) stands out, as does the Kyanjin Valley to the northwest.

Dorje Lakpa (6966m), Langshisha Ri (6,427 meters), Ganchenpo (6,387m), Naya Khang (5,844 m), and Ganja Chuli (5863m) are some of the notable mountains that make up the splendid view. The awe-inspiring view of the valley below also adds to the experience. We gently begin our return trek to Kyanjin after enjoying a packed lunch at the peak and taking in the scenery. The return trip takes roughly the same time, if not more as we would be descending more than 1300 meters. Once at Kyanjin, we relax and enjoy dinner.

After breakfast, we trek back to Ghodatabela. The return trek is not as taxing and rather pleasant as we enjoy the return back to greenery and a relatively unchallenging trail. Overnight at Lama Hotel.

The trek down to Syabrubesi goes via Bamboo through the rhododendron forests and alongside the Bhote Koshi River. Evening, we explore around and call it a night at Syabrubesi.

After breakfast, we drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi by local bus. As we reach Kathmandu, we will be taken to our hotel. Take a rest and in the evening you can stroll around Thamel before we enjoy a farewell dinner together at one of the best restaurants in Kathmandu. Overnight at Kathmandu.

This is your last day in Nepal. You may indulge in shopping, and buy some souvenirs for your family and friends until your departure from the airport. Later, we escort you to the airport for your return flight.