Langtang Valley Trek- 10 Days

Best Time

The Langtang Valley trek is one of the shortest, easiest, and nearest trekking tours in Nepal. Therefore, you can take this trek in any season your time permits. However, the most favorable seasons for this trek would be fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) due to the mild seasonal weather and beautiful mountain scenery. Especially in autumn although the average temperature is only 5°C, at night it can be a bit chilly. The average daytime temperature is about 15 °C in spring.

During these seasons, you can trek in shirts and shorts in lower villages, but in the evening and at higher altitudes, prepare an extra jacket to protect against the cold.

During summer (June to August), Langtang Valley experiences hot weather and soon the monsoon also begins to operate, causing widespread heat. On days with wet weather conditions, you may encounter bugs, earthworms, and leeches on the trails. Nature lovers will find summer a magical time in the Langtang region.

Likewise, Langtang Valley experiences winter from December to February. Daytime temperatures in the area during this period range from 6°C to 9°C. In the winter months, you may face snowfall, strong winds, and unpleasant weather conditions.

Since this is the low season for climbing in this area, you will find that the trails are less crowded and there are fewer hikers. Therefore, trekking in the Langtang region in winter is a better choice for those who want to learn more about nature and take photos alone.

What to expect?

Although much less popular than Everest and Annapurna, the Langtang Valley trek is no less attractive. All along the route to the Langtang Valley, we will be surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains in the world.

The highlight of the trip is arrival at Kyangjing Gompa which has its own monastery. The next day is dedicated to climbing Tsergo Ri which is a great vantage point to view Yala peaks, Langtang Ri, Langtang Lirung, Naya Khang, and Gyanghempo.

From the summit, we can also view the entire Langtang Valley like it is in your palm surrounded by an exceptional number of prayer flags. Periodically, we can hear chants come out in rhythm with a gong.

Apart from the natural exploration, this trek also allows you to witness the traditional lifestyle of local people. We will spend nights in their stone houses with stairs, wooden frames, and wooden roofs. Through the streets, we can witness the simple life that takes place in these parts: children carry bundles of firewood for the stoves at home, women spin and weave, men spread out grains to dry, bring the animals, and tend the fields.

With glimpses of the great Himalayas, rare wildlife, and unique lifestyle, the Langtang Valley trek literally takes you to heaven on Earth.

Elevation and distance

The Langtang Valley is located in the North central part of Nepal. It lies to the north of the capital of Nepal. Positioned at a distance of 51 km from Kathmandu, the Langtang Valley trek follows a circular route. We will begin and end our journey on the same path. The Langtang Village itself is perched at an altitude of 3500 m while we will reach the highest altitude of 5033 m at Tsergo Ri.

This remarkable trek can be completed within a week to ten days covering an average distance of 6 to 7 km per day on foot. With an approximate duration of 5 to 6 hours of walking each day, we will have plenty of opportunity to immerse ourselves in the breathtaking landscape and mountain views.

Maximum/Minimum walk per day

The Langtang Valley trek offers you not only the pristine nature but also the inner peace so hard to find in any other part of the world that too walking only for 5 to 6 hours a day at a leisurely pace. On our ten-day trip to Langtang, we will indulge in hiking only for six days.

The shortest, and easiest trekking day will be on the fifth day when we trek from Mundu Village to Kyanjin Gomba for only 2 hours. This has been deliberately planned so you will have plenty of time to acclimate before climbing the Tsergo Ri the next day.

We ascend the Tsergo Ri and climb down to Kyanjin Gomba taking us approximately 6 to 7 hours which will be our toughest challenge in our entire journey.

Difficulty and Acclimatization

The difficulty level of the Langtang Valley trek is considered moderate. As mentioned above, this trek is often regarded as a pre-acclimatization trip by most of the trekkers who aim to undertake the Everest Trek or Annapurna trek in the future. The trekking trail is pretty easy but the challenge lies in the increase in altitude as the day progresses.

In the first two days, you will reach more than 2,000m and there are many sudden and long slopes on the route. Until day 3, the trail goes through lush forests with many climbing sections. From day 4, you will be at an altitude of more than 3500 m, which can be challenging for newbies.

Additionally, you must be able to walk approximately 6-7 hours per day with a light backpack. The Langtang Valley Trek route is much faster than the Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Circuit although the terrain is somewhat similar.

However, we have planned the travel program considering the gradual increase in height. On the day preceding the climb of Tsergo Ri, you will walk only for 2 hours so your body can well adapt to the high-altitude atmosphere. There will be ample time to acclimatize along the entire route.

Can a beginner do this trek?

Yes, the Langtang Valley trek is a good beginner trek in Nepal but we remind you it’s not that gentle. The major complexity lies in increasing altitude. The ascent is quite fast and some days it reaches over 500m in altitude. This trekking journey is quite tiring and requires the body to quickly adapt.

However, the level of comfort is no less than in Everest or Annapurna regions. It is completely a teahouse or lodge trek and you will spend nights in comfortable lodges with warm meals.

For your comfort, we provide a guide who will offer any assistance that you may require along the route. Our porter will also accompany you who will carry your luggage allowing you to carry a light backpack when hiking.

You can bring your children or seniors to enjoy this trek together. But they should be in perfect health with no contradictory health issues.

Preparation and Training

There is no denying that this trek is one of the easiest trek in Nepal but it will also take you to an altitude of 5000 m at Tsergo Ri. You will spend two nights at 3800 m altitude at Kyangjin Gompa and you will walk for approximately 5 to 6 hours each day.

Therefore, pre-training and physical preparation before joining this trek would be helpful. Walking, running, cycling, push-ups and pull-ups, squats, and weight lifting are some of the helpful exercises you can take on to build your strength and muscle endurance.

However, if you are one of those who already live an active life, are a regular gym goer, and enjoy perfect health, a preparatory training session may not be needed at all.

Altitude Sickness

The highest altitude of the trip is 5,000m and at this point, some people may experience altitude sickness up there. Dizziness, sleep and appetite loss, headache, nausea, and vomiting are some of the discomforts you may feel at this height. However, our guide will take care of you and administer the first aid treatment immediately to relieve these discomforts.

Overall, you should pay attention to staying hydrated and eating warm meals to avoid feeling tired quickly on the mountain. You should also concentrate on climbing slowly at a steady pace and not hurry if your members are ahead of you.

Alternate Routes

The flexibility of the Langtang Valley trek lies in its ability to combine multiple other treks in the Langtang and Helambu regions of Nepal. Such as you can integrate the Ganjala Pass trek, Tamang Heritage trail, Helambu trek, Gosaikunda Lake trek, and Pangsang Pass with Ruby Valley Trek.

If you are a daring adventurist, you can include the Ganjala Pass trek. This pass rises at an altitude of 5130 m separating the Langtang Valley from Helambu. You will follow the same route till Kyanjing Gompa and trek to Nyengang Kharka, cross the pass, and hike to Keldang. Then making your way through Tarkeghyang, Sermathang, you trek to Melamchi and return to Kathmandu.

Adding five more days to your trip, you can merge the Tamang Heritage Trail as well. The starting point will be Suabrubesi rm where you will traverse to Tatopani, Thuman, Briddim, and then to Lama Hotel and Kyanjing Gompa.

If you like to participate in the Helambu trek as well, you can hike to Shin Gompa from Kyanjing Gompa. Then you will walk to Gosaikunda Lake and cross the Lauribina Pass to Tharepati, Tarkeghyang, and Sermathang.

For the incredible Ruby Valley trek, you will start hiking from Syabrubesi to Gatlang, Parvati Kund, and Somdang, cross the Pangsang Pass, and trek to Tipling. Then hiking through Chalis Gaon, Barang, and Dhading, you will return to Kathmandu.

Transportation, Meals and Drink for Langtang Valley Trek

As your reliable travel and trekking partner in Nepal, we offer to take care of all your logistics of the trip including your accommodation, transportation, meals, and drinks.

We begin our service as soon as you arrive at Kathmandu Airport from where we will receive you in a private vehicle (the type of vehicle depends on group size) and take you to your hotel. We will be at your hotel three hours before your return flight to take you to the airport for your safe departure.

As our hiking adventure begins, we will drive to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu in a comfortable bus. At an additional price, we can also arrange for a private vehicle transfer.

In terms of meals, a delicious breakfast will be offered to start your morning in Kathmandu. Lunch and dinner service is excluded due to the availability of multiple options in the city. During the trek, breakfast, lunch, and dinner with tea or coffee will be given in the lodge along the route.

From traditional Nepali dishes and Tibetan dishes to some international dishes, you can easily find them while trekking to Langtang Valley. It can be Soup, momos, porridge, Dal Bhat, thukpa, chowmein, pizza, pasta, Dhindo, Gundruk, Sel Roti, etc.

Communication, Gadgets charging, and Internet/wifi

The Namaste SIM card and NCELL SIM card work perfectly fine in all Langtang regions for constant communication with your loved ones. You need to present your passport copy and photo for purchasing these Sims and some balance to activate the service. The same SIM cards can be used to activate the data plans for internet usage.

There are also WIFI connections available in almost all accommodation along the route. Be ready to pay the minimal charge for the WIFI connections.

Since the valley has been rebuilt after the devastating 2015 earthquake, the newly built lodges have all those amenities needed for a good night’s rest. So you can charge your mobiles, cameras, or any other devices easily in your room.

Permits

The Langtang region is an abode to the restricted zone of Langtang National Park. Almost all the time, we will walk in the protected zone of the National Park so we need to obtain the Langtang National Park permit. The second permit we need is TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) which will help the authorities to keep track for any urgent evacuation. Worry not as you don’t have to go through the hassle of obtaining these permits. Our team will issue these permits for you in Kathmandu.

Trip Extension

Nepal is a paradise for travelers, climbers, and trekkers so spending just ten days here is really a sin. After all, it is a once in a life trip so why not take in all that this country has to offer? For example, spend at least two days to visit Kathmandu Valley.

The other essential tours you must take when in Nepal include the enchanting tour to Sarangkot to see the sunrise over the Himalayas, a trip to a rarely visited tourist gem of Nuwakot, visit the authentic birthplace of Budhha Lumbini, or Tharu Village of Chitwan.