Langtang Trek: Trekking Through Nepal’s Scenic Gem
If you are looking for a short trek easily accessible from Kathmandu Valley, then Langtang Treks are for you. The entire region is covered by Langtang National Park, the first national park of the region covered in diverse fauna and flora. It is a less-traveled trekking destination in Nepal. So, the paths are quiet and untamed.
There are various treks you can go on Langtang region, all equally pleasing and adventurous. This region will take you through the traditional Tamang villages where you can dive into the rich culture and traditions of the local people. The locals are kind and are willing to share their cultural history with you. You will also witness the spectacular mountain range, green valleys, streams, and dense rhododendron forests.
Langtang region was severely affected by the 2015 earthquake, and many of its settlements were damaged including Langtang Valley. This reduces the tourist population in the area. But recently, the area is being reconstructed and repaired. All the routes are restored but still, there are some reminders of the incident. But the region is healing and ready to take you on the most unforgettable journey of your life.
Popular treks in the langtang region
The treks in the Langtang region are easily accessible and can be done in a short period. All the treks are equally thrilling with their own set of adventures. The region offers easy, moderate, and even difficult hikes all of which will take you through the serene surroundings and diverse cultures of local people. Below you can find the most popular treks in the Langtang region.
1. Langtang Valley Trek
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Ride to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu
Day 2: Hike to Lama Hotel
Day 3: Ascend to Mundu via Langtang Village
Day 4: Walk to Kyangjin gomba
Day 5: Rest day- Explore Tserko Ri
Day 6: Walk to Lama Hotel
Day 7: Descend to Syabrubesi
Day 8: Ride from Syabrubesi to Kathmandu
Description
It is one of the favored trekking routes in Nepal. This trek takes you to an altitude of 3798 meters and if you want to enjoy the majestic view from Tserko Ri, you can climb up to 5000 meters. It is also a diverse trek that takes you through remote Sherpa and Tamang settlements along with cultural landmarks. Kyanjin Gomba is a famous Buddhist monastery you will visit on this trek. You will also pass through Langtang National Park.
Langtang Valley is also known as the “Valley of Glaciers”. The trek starts with a long seven hours drive to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu. From Syabrubesi, we trek towards the Lama hotel, passing through dense forests and accompanied by the Langtang range along the way. The next stop is Mundu, passing through Langtang village. The next day, we trek towards Kyanjin Gomba, a renowneBuddhistst monastery in the area. You can trek up to Tserko Ri, the highest viewpoint of the trek from there. From there you will slowly descend back to Syabrubesi following the same route on your way back. It is a moderate trek that anyone with strong physical endurance can go on.
However, due to the massive earthquake in 2015, the route was pretty damaged which lowered the popularity of this route. Since, the route has been reconstructed and repaired, and although some damages are there, it is still a lovely trek. Langtang Valley Trek is an offbeat trek that will take you through some of the untamed places of the Himalayas of Nepal.
2. Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
Outline Itinerary
Day 1 – Drive to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu
Day 2– Trek to thulo Syabru from Syabrubesi
Day 3– Trek to Singgomba
Day 4– Hike up to Gosaikunda Lake
Day 5– Trek to Ghopte from Gosaikunda
Day 6– Ghopte to Kutumsang
Day 7– Trek to Chisapani
Day 8– Trek and Sundarijal and drive back to Kathmandu
This 8 days trekking route will take you up to beautiful Gosaikunda Lake which is located at an altitude of 4380 meters. The trek is moderate and you will pass through some rocky trails along the way. You get to witness the amazing view of mountain peaks like Hiunchuli, Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal from the frozen lake. You get to explore 108 small to medium size mountain lakes on this route. The renowned Lauribinayak La pass is also located on this trekking route.
Gosaikunda is a beautiful lake that is located in the Langtang region. It is often referred to as a holy lake by both Hindu and Buddhist mythologies. According to Hinduism, lord Shiva formed this lake by throwing his trident to satisfy his thirst after drinking poison during a fight between demons and gods. It is a beautiful trekking route that takes you through green landscapes, local settlements, dense rhododendron forests, and frozen lakes.
Langtang Gosaikunda trek starts from a seven hours long drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. From Syabrubesi, we ascend towards Thulo Syabru passing through lama hotel, Langtang Village, Kyanjin Gomba, and Tserko Ri Peak. The first part of the trek is similar to the Langtang Valle trek, but from Langtang Valley, we ascend towards Thulo Syabru then Singgomba, and finally to Gosaikunada Lake. The water of this holy lake is said to have healing power. From Gosaikunda Lake, we hike passing Laurebina La high pass, to Ghopte. We descend through dense rhododendron forests to Kutumsang. The next day, we finally reach Sundarijal pass through Chisapani and drive back to Kathmandu.
Autumn and spring season is the best time for this trek. You will feel like you are in paradise while standing on the bank of Gosaikunda Lake surrounded by panoramic mountains. You can witness several glaciers, mountains, lakes, and high passes on this trek. You also get to explore the cultural and traditional significance of the local people.
3. Helambu Trek
Outline Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Sundarijal and trek to Chisapani
Day 2: Chisapani to Kutumsang
Day 3: Kutumsang to Tharipati
Day 4: Tharipati to Tarkeghyang
Day 5: Tarkeghyang to Shermathang
Day 6: Shermathang to Melamchi Pul Baza
Day 7: Drive back to Kathmandu
Langtang Helambu Trek is a lesser-known trek that will take you through all the highlights of the Langtang region. The highest point of this trekking route is Tharepati located at an altitude of 3960 meters above sea level. You can witness the breathtaking views of mountains such as Manaslu, Langtang, Ganesh Himal, Rolwaling, Dorje Lhakpa, and Gauri Shankar.
This is a 7 days low altitude hike that will take you through the dense rhododendron forests, green landscapes, remote villages, and religious landmarks. The trek starts from Shivapuri National Park in Kathmandu. You then pass through various villages and settlements before reaching your destination. You also pass through Shermanthang village, famous for its apple orchards on your way. It is a pleasant and less traveled route that is close to Kathmandu Valley. Langtang Helambu Trek is popular for Buddhist settlement, there are various monasteries on the way.
This trek is not that difficult but still, you have to walk for 7 to 8 hours daily. You should be physically fit to undergo this hike. The best time for this pleasant trek is during the autumn season from September to November or the spring season from March to May. Food and accommodation are fairly basic. You will stay in tea houses and have basic food items. This trek will take you through the most pleasing adventure of your life.
It is one of the most fascinating treks in the Langtang region. You get to walk through pleasant routes covered in dense rhododendron and alpine forests. You also get to explore the rich history and culture of the diverse communities of Tamang and Sherpas. You will also explore various cultural landmarks of the region such as Kyanjin Gomba, Shin Gomba, and other Buddhist monasteries. The Swiss cheese factory is also one of the popular landmarks on this trek.
4. Tamang Heritage Trail trek
Outline Itinerary
Day 1- Drive Kathmandu to Syabrubesi
Day 2- Trek to Gatlang
Day 3– Trek to Tatopani
Day 4- Cross over Nagthali Gyang to Thuman
Day 5- Trek to Briddim
Day 6- Trek to Syabrubesi
Day 7- Drive Syabrubesi to Kathmandu
It is a commercial trek introduced to offer a glimpse into the rich culture of Tamangs in the Langtang region by the tourism ministry in Nepal. Langtang region is not as popular as the Everest and Annapurna region, so to increase the popularity and elevate the tourism of this region, this trail was opened. The best time to explore this trek is during autumn or spring season, as the weather is clear and it is the perfect trekking condition.
This wonderful trek starts with a scenic drive from Kathmandu Valley to Syabrubesi, a beautiful village inside Langtang National Park. Then we trek through a beautiful Tamang village Gatlang, a major highlight of his trek. Passing through the hot springs in Tatopani, we cross over Nagthali Gyang. We can view spectacular mountain peaks from Nagthali Gyang like Mt. Ganesh, Langtang II, Langtang Lirung, and so on. From there we descend passing through Thuman village, Briddim, to Syabrubesi and drive back to Kathmandu
Tamang Heritage Trail takes you through the remote and traditional villages of the Langtang region showcasing the tradition and culture of the Tamang people. Tamangs are originally from Tibet and settled in the Langtang region ages ago. So their traditions and customs are similar to Tbetians. They have a long history and significance in this region. They follow Buddhism as a religion. So, the route is filled with monasteries, Chortens, Gombas, and colorful prayer flags. Tamnags are also well known for their kind nature and hospitality.
The route is beautiful surrounded by scenic views and its rich cultural significance. It is an easy, low altitude 7 days trek. The highest point of the trek is not beyond 2400 meters. This trek is a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and traditions of the local people. You will also get to explore religious landmarks and learn about the life of the Tamang community in the region. Also if you want to expand your trek, you can include Gosaikunda and Helambu trek on your itinerary.
5. Ganja La Pass Trek
Outline Itinerary
Day 01: Kathmandu to Dhunche
Day 02: Dhunche to Syabru village
Day 03: Syabru village to Lama Hotel
Day 04: Lama Hotel to Langtang village
Day 05: Langtang Village to Kyangjin
Day 06: Rest day at Kyangjin gomba
Day 07: Kyanjing gomba to Ngegang
Day 08: Ngegang to Keldang via Ganja La
Day 09: Keldang to Dukpu
Day 10: Dukpu to Tarkeghyang
Day 11: Tarkeghyang to Shermathang
Day 12:Shermathang to Melamchi Pul Bazaar and Drive to Kathmandu
It is the most challenging and dangerous trek in the Langtang region. You have to cross Ganja La Pass at an altitude of 5122 meters above sea level on this 12 days trek. It is really hard to cross this snow-covered high pass because of extreme weather conditions and its tricky location.
Langtang Ganja La Pass trek starts with a scenic seven hours drive from Kathmandu Valley to Syabrubesi. From there the trail heads up to the beautiful Langtang Valley. We also visit Kyanjing Gomba, a popular Buddhist monastery in the Langtang region. From there we hike up to Tserko Ri, which showcases the amazing views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks like Langtang Lirung, Kimshung, Yansa Tsenji, and so on. We cross the difficult Ganja La Pass to reach the Ganja La Phedi. While descending, we pass through Keldang, Dukpu, Tarkeghyang, and Shermanthang to Melamchi Bazar. From there we drive back to Kathmandu
Experienced trekkers should only undergo this trek as it is very demanding. It is also a technical hike, so you need to carry the necessary equipment. The route is less traveled because of its difficulty level, a guide would be really helpful to navigate through the difficult trails. Also, there are chances of avalanches at such high altitudes. The pass is not even accessible during the winter or off-season period, the best time to visit is between October, November, March, April, and May.
Even though the trek is challenging, it is equally captivating. You get to witness the gorgeous views of snow-peaked tall mountains, green hills, lush forests, rhododendrons spread around, and the rich fauna and flora of the region. Along with the breathtaking beauty, the route also showcases the widespread cultural diversity. You get to pass through traditional villages and immerse yourself in local culture and traditions. This route will take you through the unforgettable moments of your life.
6. Naya Kanga Peak Trek
Day 01: Drive to Dhunche from Kathmandu
Day 02 : Trek to Thulo Syabru.
Day 03: Trek to Lama Hotel
Day 04: Trek to Lang tang
Day 05 : Trek to Kyangjin Gomba
Day 06: Rest day in Kyangjin
Day 07: Kyangjin to Ngegang
Day 08: Trek to Base Camp/High camp
Day 09: Summit Naya Kanga; overnight in Base Camp.
Day 10: Trek down to Ngegang
Day 11: Trek to Dukpu
Day 12: Trek to Tarky-Gyang
Day 13: Trek to Sharmathan / Kakani Danada
Day 14: Kakani to Melamchi Pul Bazaar and Drive back to Kathmandu.
Naya Kanga is one of the popular peaks of the Langtang Region, situated to the west of Ganja La Pass. It is also commonly known as Gangachuli. It is at an altitude of 5844 meters. It is a stunning peak that offers panoramic views of Langtang Valley, glaciers, tall mountains, and green landscapes.
Naya Kanga Peak trek is an exciting thrilling adventure to the Himalayas of Nepal. It is 14 days trek that starts with a six to seven-hour-long drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche. From Dhunche you will follow a quiet trail to Thulo Syabru. From Thulo Syabru, you need to ascend towards the lama hotel passing through several forests and streams along the way. Next, you will follow a long trail to Langtang village. From there, you will hike to Kyanjin Gomba, then Ngegang, and finally, you will reach the summit of Naya Kanga. You will slowly descend back, following through Ngenga, Dukpu, Tarky-Gyang, Sarmatthang, and finally to Melamchi Bazar, from where you can drive back to Kathmandu.
You should have some climbing experience for this trek. The route to Naya Kanga Peak is pretty straightforward but you have to pass through some steep paths and cross a challenging Ganja La pass to reach the summit. The best time for this trek is during autumn and spring as the weather will be clear and the trek will be pleasant. From the top of the peak, you can witness several mountains like Pemthan Ri, Shisapangma, Langtang Lirung, and so on.
What do you need to know about trekking in Langtang region?
Although the treks in the Langtang region are pretty accessible, you need to keep some things in mind while you explore this region. The most important is to be on top of all the permits you will require. For the Langtang region, you will need a TIMS card. Also as you will, pass through Langtang National Park for many of your treks in the region like the Langtang Valley trek, Gosaikunda Trek, Ganja La, Helambu etc, you will need a Langtang National Park permit. You will also require a Shivapuri National Park permit for Helambu Trek.
Apart from permits, you should also keep in mind the time, you visit the region. The best time to visit is between the Autumn and Spring seasons. The weather is clear and it is the most favorable time for trekking. Also during the August season, you can witness the major Hindu ritual at Gosaikunda Lake. Millions of Hindus travel to the Gosaikunda river during Janai Purnima full moon to take bathe in the holy water of the lake. You should also keep in mind hiring guides and porters, travel insurance, gear and equipment, and mainly the availability of food and accommodation before your hike.
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