Langtang Trek Difficulty
Langtang trek is a moderate difficulty trek with beautiful scenic views of the mountains and glaciers along the way. Filled with landscapes of the traditional lifestyle of the people there along with various ancient Buddhist monasteries, the Langtang trek gives you a peaceful trekking experience.
Langtang trek difficulties can be considered less to none as it is a short trek on the north of the Kathmandu valley. It is the closest trek to Kathmandu valley with the best views of the high peaks and the beautiful sights of the valley.
You can have many options for trekking in the Langtang region. You can have a simple short trek of the Langtang region or opt for a Langtang valley trek with a helicopter return package.
Every package you choose will have a certain amount of difficulties you may have to face. At an altitude of 3540 meters, the Langtang village has fewer chances of altitude sickness. However, as we move on to the Kyanjin Gompa and Tsergo Ri at the highest altitude of 4985 meters, there are chances of acute altitude sickness.
The Langtang trek difficulty may be from the weather or other natural reasons but they may also be caused due to your lack of preparations. So make sure to be fully prepared before venturing on this trek. The difficulty of Langtang trek is based on how you handle the matters and your preparedness.
Langtang Trek Highlights
- Magnificent views of the mountains of the Langtang Region
- Ancient Buddhist monasteries along the way
- Exquisite views of the glaciers in the Langtang region
- Exposure to the Tibetan- Buddhist culture, lifestyle, and tradition
- Exotic vegetation and biodiversity
Langtang Trek Difficulties
Langtang weather and temperature
The weather and temperature of the Langtang region play an important role in determining whether the trek is difficult or not. Langtang weather and Langtang temperature depend on the time of the year you choose to visit.
The summers are too hot and have high chances of precipitation. The winter, however, experiences minus degrees temperature and is freezing cold as it is near to the mountains. The autumn season is comfortable for hiking as the average day temperature is around 15 degrees. But the nights can get freezing cold in autumn. The spring season has an average temperature of 20 degrees and the lowest is 0 degrees.
The weather of the Langtang region also affects the Langtang trek difficulty. With extremely hot weather or extremely cold weather, your trekking experience is ruined. Also with the rainy season and heavy rainfall, the roads get slippery making the trek more difficult.
Langtang Routes and trails
As mentioned earlier, you can always choose among various routes in your Langtang trek. Your difficulties may increase or decrease based on your choice of routes. The trails of the standard Langtang trek are mostly moderate and even but there are some points where the trek routes and trails are steep and require a significant amount of physical stamina.
Altitude sickness
Unlike the other high altitude treks, Langtang Trek is a moderate difficulty and altitude trek. This trek is less likely to get severe altitude sickness. But still, if proper acclimatization measures are not taken, you can face some acute altitude sickness as you venture into the higher altitude points of the trek.
Mental and Physical conditions
Another situation that may pose difficulty during your Langtang Trek is your physical and mental condition and preparation during the trek. If you are not capable of walking for 5-6 hours a day, you should probably opt for other options like the helicopter tour.
Before your trek, you should prepare yourself physically and mentally. Lack of physical and mental preparation on your behalf may act as a Langtang Trek difficulty. The main difficulty arises when trekkers carry too much baggage making it harder for them to carry along with them on the trek.
Langtang Trek Route Difficulty
Short Standard Langtang Trek Route Difficulty
The short and standard Langtang trek is of 11 days. The standard Langtang route takes you through to the highest altitude of 4985 meters at Tsergo Ri. This route requires you to walk through the steep trails for 5-6 hours a day. Trekking from Syabrubesi to Langtang in days is not a difficult task. However, the trek from there on to the Kyanjin Gompa and Tsergo Ri is considered a difficult part of this Langtang trek route.
The only difficulties you may face in this Langtang Trek route is the physical difficulty to climb if you do not have enough stamina or the one related to the weather. The monsoon season may cause slippery roads while winter causes freezing cold temperatures not favorable for the trek.
Langtang trek with Helicopter return difficulty
With the Langtang trek with a helicopter return route, you can get to Langtang and after venturing the best attractions of the region, you can return by helicopter to Kathmandu. This trek requires less physical strain on your body while providing you panoramic views of the mountains and the valleys surrounding it.
The only difficulty you may face during this trek with a helicopter return route is that of weather changes. The helicopter return can be compromised if there are extreme weather changes like heavy rainfall. So make sure to check the weather before opting for this choice.
Alternative Langtang Trek Routes Difficulty
Other alternative routes of the Langtang Treks include the Langtang Gosainkunda trek route which takes a total of 19 days. It is a long trek with a moderate difficulty level as well. However, with the higher altitudes and longer days, the trek difficulties include altitude sickness along with the physical conditions of the trekkers. Also, the weather and temperature of the region also pose difficulty in this trek route as well.
Food and Accommodation
While in Kathmandu, you get to experience a wide range of food choices along with accommodation options. The range of food in Kathmandu valley ranges from street food to junk food to lavish continental cuisines to traditional Nepali cuisine. Also, the accommodations in Kathmandu Valley are topnotch and range from cheap motels to 5-star hotels. You can get the best out of your trip here.
However, as we reach the actual trekking location, the number of hotels decrease and you are left with tea houses and lodges for accommodations. The accommodations during your trek may be limited to tea houses and lodges or guest houses but they provide you with the best services. You will be provided with proper clean beds and mattresses with twin beds with an attached bathroom.
Also, you will get breakfast in the tea houses or lodges. The food you can get there is mostly traditional Nepali cuisine or Tibetan cuisine influenced by the dense population of Gurungs with Tibetan culture.
The only difficulty you will face regarding food and accommodation in your Langtang trek is the issue of limited number of accommodations in the peak period. The time period of Autumn and Spring season has many trekkers resulting in crowded and overbooked lodges and guesthouses. So it is better to pre book your accommodations at peak times.
Choosing the best time for Langtang Trek
Before starting your Langtang trek you must learn about the best time for Langtang Trek. Choosing the Langtang Trek best time helps you in getting rid of some of the difficulties you may face in your trek.
Choosing the best time for Langtang Trek means choosing the time duration with the best weather and temperature conditions suitable for trekking. As winter is too cold with freezing temperatures below minus degrees and summer and monsoon is either too hot and dry or heavy rainfall making the roads unsafe, these are out of the question.
This leaves us with spring and autumn. Spring season provides you with the best views of the exotic flora and fauna and biodiversity of the region. Also, it has favorable climate and weather conditions. Also, the autumn season is the one with the least chances of precipitation. These are the reasons, the best time for Langtang Trek is Spring and Autumn seasons.
Choosing this time period during the months of March to May and September to November saves you the hassle of facing so many weather and route difficulties. So choose your Langtang Trek best time wisely and have a safe and easy trek.
You can also choose from including various attractions around the area in your trek like:
Outline Langtang Trek Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel
Day 2: Kathmandu Attractions Sightseeing and Trek Preparation
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi
Maximum altitude of 1450m
Day 4: Trek From Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel
Maximum Altitude of 2480m
Day 5: Trek From Lama Hotel to Langtang
Maximum Altitude of 3540m
Day 6: Trek from Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa
Maximum Altitude of 3817m
Day 7: Tsergo Ri and trek back to Kyanjin Gompa
Maximum Altitude of 4985m
Day 8: Trek from Kyanjin to Rimiche
Maximum Altitude of 2450m
Day 9: Trek from Rimiche to Syabrubesi
Maximum Altitude of 1450m
Day 10: Drive to Kathmandu
Day 11: Farewell and final Departure
Tips for reducing the trek difficulty
Acclimatization
One of the major tips to avoid or reduce the Langtang Trek difficulty is by taking proper acclimatization measures. One of the major difficulties you may face is acute altitude sickness. This can be avoided with proper preparations and precautions. With properly planned acclimatization days, you can completely avoid any chances of you getting altitude sickness.
Proper trekking equipment
Langtang trek can also be made easier and safer with proper quality trekking equipment. Langtang trek is not a technical trek so you do not need any experienced trekking equipment. However, having quality trekking boots and hiking boots along with trekking poles help a lot in reducing the difficulties of the trek.
Professional guides and porters
Another major important tip is to get professional guides and porters for your trek. This helps in going through the best routes and avoiding any damaged or dangerous roads. Always stay on the safe side by hiring professional guides with proper knowledge of the roads and your language.
Apart from hiring a professional guide, hiring a porter also helps with reducing your trek difficulties. Hiring porters mean you don’t have to carry your heavy luggage yourself throughout the trek. Sometimes, your capability of trekking is highly reduced due to the luggage you are carrying. So hire a porter to life the weight off your shoulders.
Mental and physical preparation
Yes, the weather conditions and altitude is the biggest difficulty you will face during your Langtang trek. However, these difficulties mainly affect you when you are mentally and physically not prepared for the trek. With proper mental preparation before the trek regarding your accommodation and food, you can control things that cause the altitude sickness hence avoiding the altitude sickness.
Also physical preparation like general cardio exercises to boost your stamina along with some short treks would help you endure the Langtang trek difficulties and accomplish your trek easily. So if you are planning for a trek make sure you are mentally and physically prepared for the task.
Proper hydration
The key to having a safe and healthy trek or any trip is to stay properly hydrated. Proper hydration is important for accomplishing the trek successfully. The trek requires 5-6 hours of walking every day. The long walks make you dehydrated. If you are not properly hydrated, you may get cramps as well as acute altitude sickness in higher altitudes.
FAQs
Can I do the Langtang Trek solo?
Yes, Langtang trek is not a difficult trek so you can complete the trek solo as long as you are following the trail and are prepared mentally and physically.
Do I need any previous trekking experience for the Langtang Trek?
Having previous trekking experience is a good idea and helps reduce trek difficulties. However, the Langtang trek route is an easy trekking route suitable for beginners as well. So no you do not need any prior experience for the Langtang Trek.
What is the best time for minimizing the Langtang Trek difficulty?
The best time for minimizing the Langtang trek difficulty is the Spring season and Autumn season. Spring and autumn season helps in reducing the Langtang trek weather difficulties by providing the best weather and temperature for trekking. The months from March to May and September to November is the best time for Langtang Trek.
Is the Langtang Trek technical in nature?
No, the Langtang trek is not technical in nature. It is a simple trek north of Kathmandu Valley. This being said, it is easy for beginner trekkers as well as providing you with the best scenes and views.
What is the highest altitude we will be reaching?
During the Langtang trek, the highest point you will be reaching is the Tsergo Ri peak at the altitude of 4983 meters.
Is there a chance of me getting altitude sickness?
There is less chance of you catching altitude sickness during the Langtang trek if you take proper precautions. However, there may be acute altitude sickness. So try your best to stay hydrated and take proper acclimatization.
Can I complete the Langtang trek without a guide?
Completing the Langtang trek without a guide is not a difficult task as long as you are careful and prepared. However, having a professional trek guide helps you navigate through the difficult routes and also a porter helps you carry your luggage. This makes your trek a lot easier. So, hiring a guide and porter is completely up to you.
What does the estimated standard Langtang Trek cost?
Langtang trek cost depends on your preferences of food, accommodation and travel days. However, the standard Langtang Trek cost ranges from USD 750 per person. This cost includes the food, accommodation throughout the trek along with porters and professional guides for the trek.
So, if you are searching for a short trek not too far from the Kathmandu Valley with beautiful sceneries of the mountains, hills and the civilization’s culture to explore, Langtang Trek is the one for you. Choosing the best package for the company to travel with is the best way to get rid of all the difficulties. With our company, you will only have to enjoy the trek that is planned for you.
We, at Exciting Nepal, will do all the worrying and the planning for you to make the trek any difficulty proof for you. So you can go ahead and enjoy your trek to the fullest without worry.
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