Want to walk through a serene destination covered with verdant forest, shiny white glaciers, and glaring snow-capped mountains? Langtang Valley is an exemplary trekking site in Nepal that provides you the experience of a lifetime.
Situated in the central region of the country, North of Kathmandu, Langtang National Park homes the mighty Langtang Mountain Range. Some of its major peaks are Langtang Lirung (7234m), Dorje Lakpa (6966m), and Loengpo Gang (6979m).
Langtang Valley is a narrow area starting from a small village of Syaprubesi (1440m) and stretching far to the Chinese border. The trekking route goes side by side to the Langtang River, which originates from the Langtang Glacier.
In this article, we have provided some insights regarding the Langtang Valley Trek. Read it once before you start packing up your backpack.
How To Reach The Langtang Trekking Area?
The Langtang Region is just 175 kilometers away from the capital city, Kathmandu. You can take a ride to Syaprubesi (1,440m), from where the trek begins. Alternatively, you can ride to Dhunche (2,030m) and start the trek from a different path.
To return back from the valley, you can simply hike back to Syaprubesi and take a ride back to Kathmandu. Or you can extend the trek further around the Langtang Mountain Range, reach Helambu (3,600m) and trek your way down to Kathmandu Valley.
Langtang ValleyTrek Itinerary
Day 1: Syaprubesi to Lama Hotel
Day 2: Lama Hotel to Langtang Village
Day 3: Langtang Village to Kyangjin Gompa
Day 4: Explore Kyangjin Ri
Day 5: Kyangjin Gompa to Lama Hotel
Day 6: Lama Hotel to Syaprubesi
Points of Attraction of Langtang Valley Trek
From the sight of yaks and wild sheep herding on the meadows to the majestic view of mighty Himalayas, Langtang Valley Trek includes all that you can imagine. The vast majority of the area is unspoiled by human settlements. Some of the major points of attraction are:
Langtang National Park: Langtang National Park (1,710 km²) is the first Himalayan National Park in Nepal and is covered with thick forest consisting of Rhododendron, Oak, Maple, and Alder.
Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Ghoral, Wild Dog, and several other species of mammals and 250 types of birds reside in this park.
Kyangjin Gompa: This small village situated beside the Langtang River is resided by Tibetan communities. The village has an ancient monastery of the same name that was built more than 300 years ago.
Kyangjin Ri: The farthest point of this trekking route is Kyangjin Ri (4773m). This peak provides a fascinating view of the Southern face of Langtang Lirung (7227m). You can also view the pristine Langtang Glacier flowing the highest peak of this valley.
Langtang Mountain Range: Among dozens of snow-capped peaks in the Langtang Mountain Range, Mt. Langtang Lirung is the most prominent one ranking 99th in the entire world.
Langtang Valley: This valley homes diverse wildlife creatures of the Himalayas at its dense forest. Surrounded by dozens of summits with height more than 6000 meters, Langtang Valley is a heaven for peace lovers and adventure seekers.
Best Time For Langtang Valley Trek
The best season to visit this trekking area is the Autumn season. Autumn lasts from the months of September to mid-December here. The climate is stable and provides a great view of the Himalayas since they are not covered with fog in this season.
If you cannot plan your travel during the Autumn season then you can still create loads of memories during the Spring season. The days last longer and climate remains warmer during this season. Spring lasts from March to May in this area.
Permits Required For Langtang Valley Trek
To enjoy trekking in this location, you need to get a permit from the government authorities. Langtang National Park permit costs around 34 USD. In addition, you need a TIMS card that costs around 10 USD.
If you’re traveling via an agency, they’ll arrange it on your behalf. If you’re on your own then you need to get the TIMS card in Kathmandu and the national park permit in Dhunche.
Accommodation Options During Langtang Valley Trek
The Langtang region has plenty of guesthouses that provide decent lodging options. Though few houses were destroyed during the major earthquake in 2015, it has not affected most of the villages.
However, it is better to carry your own sleeping bag and possibly a tent as well. This keeps you safeguarded in case you cannot make it to a certain landmark before sunset.
You can enjoy a variety of food items in this region. From the common Dal-Bhat to the steaming hot momo, you will love the delicious items prepared by the locals.
Packing Lists For Langtang Valley Trek
Starting with clothing, you need to wear warm waterproof jackets and thermal inners. Wear comfortable hiking trousers and hiking boots and carry extra pairs. Carry a sleeping bag with a liner waterproof backpack of about 6 liters space.
You may not get drinkable water during the trek, so it’s better if you take a water filtration system with you. Finally, always carry insect repellent and table salts to prevent leeches, earthworms, and bugs at night.
Things to Consider For Langtang Valley Trek
The most important thing to consider is to make sure you don’t get altitude sickness. Even if you get it, you should let your group or the travel guide know about it. Common symptoms are nausea, headache, increased heart rate and difficulty in breathing.
The difficulty level of this trek is moderate. If you’re a solo traveler then you must have previous trekking experience before going on this one. To make sure you don’t get lost in the Himalayas, we recommend you take a travel guide just to be safe.
Final Words
After reading this guide, we hope you’ve gained new insights regarding the trek. Although Langtang Valley Trek is of short duration and is at the proximity to the Kathmandu Valley, it can still get daunting if not taken precautions beforehand.
If you want to add more adventure to your travel then you can hike to the famous Gosainkunda Lake (4,380m) located in the same National Park. This freshwater Himalayan lake is famous for its religious importance and geographical location.