Langtang Valley Trek - 12 Days

To watch a complete view of mountains from the center of the valley is an amazing experience for everyone hiking in this river valley by the side of Langtang river. This trek will be once in a lifetime experiences; to view the mountain range from the center of the Langtang valley – combined with the local people and their antique (and unique) traditions. Short trek destination near the capital city – Kathmandu, to explore Nepal Himalaya and to involve in the local life, the Langtang valley trek could be a best trekking in Nepal, for you.

Trekking in Langtang valley trail leads to the historic valley of Langtang & Kyanjing Gompa, exploring a variety of flora and fauna, gradually changing atmosphere with the slow increasing altitude. Trekking is fairly easy and at the same time you get to picture many mountains such as Langtang Lirung (7246m), Ganesh Himal (7,600m), Dorje Lakpa and many other unnamed Himalayan peaks.

Why?

Langtang Valley trekking is famous for the reason, that it provides a complete 360 degree view of the mountain all around you, in the short trekking days. The moment when you watch Himalaya range all above & around you is fantastic and inspiring. Apart from the scenic view, Langtang trekkers also get a chance to see various animals and explore their paths on the way, because we trek in the Langtang National park and hence flora and fauna are really conserved here, in the lap of the Himalaya. Langtang Valley is also called as the VALLEY OF GLACIER. Thus, to be in the valley of Langtang is a great chance to get up and close to a glacier, something that is not possible with every trekking package.

On one hand, rhododendron forest coloring the whole jungle as red or white is truly beautiful and on the other hand barren landscape in the higher altitudes is decorated with herds of cattle and yaks grazing. Likewise the nature, local people are also really generous and their warm greeting ” Namaste” makes trekkers smile and reply them with NAMASTE. Those good people are either Hindu or Buddhist and the villages are really culturally diverse. Below is a suggested itinerary for trekking in Langtang valley, but it can be customizedas per your wishes.

Best time for Langtang Valley trek

Spring season (March to May) is regarded as the best season for trekking to Langtang valley. Blossom of Rhododendron in the forest of Langtang with other small flowering plant is the main attraction of spring trekking in Langtang valley. However, with the crystal clear sky, clear weather to see snowcapped mountains – autumn season (August to November) is also regarded as the best trekking season.

But practically Langtang valley trekking is done all over the year. Trekking in Monsoon with frequent rainfall and late winter with freaking cold are not recommended, in general. Whatsoever, if you trek with specific formula in this low season of winter and rainy weather in Nepal – you still can get the best view in fewer crowds of people. If you are trekking in winter – avoid the cold and walk in the sun, for the nights at the non – heated tea houses rooms – keep warm clothes on or use warmer packs. If you are trekking to Langtang valley in Monsoon – start early in the morning and stop before it is noon, in general, afternoon on monsoon expects rainfall.

Langtang Valley Trek vs. Gosaikunda trek

⇒ Physical Requirements/ Langtang Valley Trek Difficulty

Langtang valley trekking trail is along the river, where trekking to Gosaikunda is trek towards the hill top. Thus these two short trekking in Nepal is different in character, from uphill to gradual trail.

Firstly, Langtang valley trek start from a local town of swyapru Bensi, which itself is by the side of the river and a natural hot spring. The trail is along the river and passes through the small jungle, eventually get back to the river and at the end of the trek trail gets to the source of Langtang river. The source of Langtang River is Langtang Lirung Glacier, which is accessible from the last village of Langtang – Kyaning Village.

Secondly, Gosaikunda trek starts from Dhunche Bazzar, right at the middle of ridge of Rasuwa district bordering Sindualchwok. Trail is into the jungle but once it start jungle trail of Gosainkunda – uphill only ends after getting to the top of the trail at Gosaikunda Lake.

Langtang valley trek is gentle uphill walk – whereas Gosaikunda is straight uphill hike.

⇒Scenery

Langtang valley trek by the name itself is a valley view trek. Spiral valley along the river of Langtang has green hill at the starting days and towards the last village of the Langtang valley trail, White Mountains appeared closer than expected. Once we get to the village of Kyanjing, Mt Langtang and its glacier, Mt Dorje lakpa, Mt Yubra, Mt Nayakyang, Mt Ganja la peak and many other names and unnamed mountains will be really close and the view is 360 degree. After the last village of Langtang, 2 options to climb kyanjing ri or Tsergu ri for acclimatization or for the best view is even more interesting. From these 2 climb, you can see the mountains from the Tibet region and range of Langtang Mountain comes even closer.

The scenery of Gosaikunda trek is completely different from the view of Langtang Valley trek. In contrast to the view of Langtang, mountains seen from trekking trail of Langtang are far but wide. In Gosaikunda trek, you not only see Langtang mountain range but also see Mt Manaslu, Mt Ganesh and a wide range of Langtang. Differently than the valley view, Gosaikunda trek has top view of the mountain. However, you do not see any proper glacier and you do not get as closer to the mountains, as you get in Langtang valley trek.

Solo trekking

Solo trekking to Langtang has freedom over trekking in the group. If you have short time for your Nepal visit and if you love your peace or precisely; solo trekking is preferred to those who are introvert and want to utilize Langtang valley trek as a holiday to plan something crucial.

Trekking in the group will also let you be alone of needed, but unlike to solo trekking there are few moments where you cannot keep things under your control. If you want to change the plan – you cannot just change in a way you want. Sometimes you might need to change your plan for other’s unavoidable situation. In solo trek – you can decide and ask your guide to plan the rest of the trip accordingly.

Langtang Valley trek altitude

Trekking to Langtang valley is along the river so the change in altitude is not drastic. Starting of the trek at Syapru Bensi is at 780 meters above the sea level. The last village you sleep is at 3900 meters / 12714 feet above the sea level. In between these start and final destination of Langtang valley trek, altitude of trekking destination do not rise more than 800 meters a day, except the first day.

Interestingly, Langtang Valley trek has its own special feature, feature of rise in altitude to 5000 meter above the sea level. If you are fit and if you want to climb 5000 meter / 16300 ft above the sea level, it is possible. Climbing to Kyanjing ri or Tsergu ri for the view of Langtang range is possible from this short trek of Langtang, Langtang valley trek.

Trek in December

December is winter for Nepal. With saying that, trekking to Langtang in December is going to be very cold. However, the clear sky and White Mountains with abundant snow can be observed in this season. Trekking trail might be full with snow, sometimes blocking the trekking trail itself. Chunk of snow on the trekking trail is not easy to trek, sometimes trekkers need to reschedule the itinerary however snow fill all the hilltop of the Langtang and it looks overwhelmingly beautiful.  Trekkers who love to be in snow or those who want to walk while snowing; will certainly fulfill their wish, trekking in December.

Hiking from Kyanjing gompa to either of the hill top of the view of the mountain is nearly impossible without spikes. So taking spikes with you for trekking in winter is recommended highly. Spikes will also help you trek in the trekking trail from destinations to destinations, especially while descending.

Cost

Number of days, details of cost and activities you are doing matters the amount you need to pay for Langtang valley trek. There are options of vehicle that you can drive from Kathmandu to Langtang valley trekking start point. With saying that, cost for Langtang trekking is never same. You can hire a luxury jeep to ride to get to trekking start point or can accommodate yourself in a shared jeep or can travel by local bus. The accommodation during the trek vary the cost, you can stay in the room with indoor toilets or outdoor toilet. Use of horse in the need and trekking inclusion of food and beverage during the trek, determines the Langtang valley trek price.

Cost for Langtang trekking depends with season, service level and details of price inclusion. If the price you paid for the trip includes everything for the trek, it might come in higher price range, whereas the trekking cost for a service trek will be cheaper. If you are want to find the detailed cost details from Langtang valley trek, click on this link.

Itinerary

In general, illustrated below is the itinerary for Langtang valley trek. But alike to any of the trekking in Nepal, Langtang valley trek itinerary can be customized as per the need and interest. There are few people who want to trek to Langtang for bird watching, someone wants to relax during the trek, some want to finish the trek in shorter number of days possible or some want to challenge themselves – all these factors are responsible for trekking to Langtang. The itinerary for trekking can be customized during the trip planning phase for group trek, whereas solo trekking itineraries are always flexible.

Trekking itinerary is made looking the scenery, accommodation availability, quality of food, distance to the next destination, disaster vulnerability and more. Saying that, itinerary for Langtang valley trekking can be changed by your guide if any circumstances forced him/her so.

General day to day itinerary for Langtang Valley trek

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to SyabruBensi (1450m); 4-6 hours
Day 02: Start of Langtang valley trek from SyabruBensi to Lama Hotel (2480m)
Day 03: Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang (354om); 6 hours approx.
Day 04: From Langtang to KyanjinGompa (3900m); 4 hours
Day 05: Acclimatization
Day 06: Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel (2480m); 7 hours
Day 07: Lama Hotel to Syabrubensi; 5 hours
Day 08: Drive back from Syabrubensi to Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.