Complete Langtang Valley Trek Guide

Get a comprehensive guide to the Langtang Valley Trek before departing from your home for your lifetime experience. 

There is a mysterious Beyul valley in the Himalayas called Langtang that is home to Tamang ethnic groups. The Langtang Valley Trek is all about experiencing the unique living heritage of ancient Tibetan culture.

Along with the rich culture, you might get lost in the wilderness of Langtang National Park. The red panda, snow leopard, and musk deer are just a few of the majestic animals that live in the national park, along with its diverse flora and fauna.

For the main event of the trek, you will be at Kyanjin Gompa. It is a Himalayan town located at the foothills of the mighty Langtang Lirung (7,234 m).

If you are planning to trek in Langtang Valley, don't miss it. Read every detailed guide to Langtang National Park.

Here is the Langtang Valley Trek Overview

Duration: 7–10 days.

Lowest Elevation: 1,440 meters (4,725 feet) (Syabrubesi).

Highest Elevation: 4,773 meters (15,660 feet) (Kyanjin Ri).

Total Trekking Distance: ~65 kilometers/40 miles (Both ways).

Total Riding Distance: 244 kilometers (Both ways).

Transportation: Public bus or sharing Jeep.

Trek Grade: Moderate.

Lodging: Tea houses Guest Houses.

Langtang Valley Trek Highlights

• A perfect paradise for bird-watching
• Home of rare animals 
• Rich in flora and fauna
• Cultural significance of Tamang ethnics
• Great hospitality and kind people
• The sweet and short trek
• Visit ancient Kyanjin Gompa
• Taste world-class cheese

Where is Langtang Valley Located?

Langtang is situated in the northern part of the Kathmandu Valley, sharing the border with Tibet. It is among the nearest trekking routes from Kathmandu.

It is located in Bagmati Province, Rasuwa district. Moreover, in the Gosainkunda Rural Municipality.

Towering peaks encircle the valley just below Mt. Langtang Lirung. The Yala Peaks, Scout Peaks, and many other peaks dominate the valley.

Langtang Valley Trek Guide: How to get to Langtang?

First of all, to reach Langtang, you need to take a ride to Syabrubesi. It can take 6-7 hours to ride. 

As the Langtang Trek is closest to the Kathmandu Valley, getting into the Langtang Valley is also easy. Land transportation will take you to Syabrubesi, and then a couple of days of trekking will take you to Langtang Valley.

When it comes to land transportation, there are two options: public bus or shared jeep. Jeep is the quickest, but it can cost extra bucks compared to the public bus.

Also, you can hire a private Jeep for yourself. Furthermore, you can charter helicopters too, but it is the most expensive choice of all.

Langtang Valley Trek Guide: The best time to visit Langtang Valley

If you are planning to trek Langtang Valley in the perfect season, then the spring and Autumn seasons are the best options. However, Langtang Valley Trek is suitable during winter time also due to no need to cross the high passes, even in heavy snowfall. September to Jun is also a good time for the Langtang trek. 

Unlike spring and autumn, other seasons don’t have clear weather. Although you can enjoy trekking in every season. But you have to tackle some obstacles. 

What is the Difficulty level of Langtang Trek?

Langtang Valley is denoted as an easy trail and perfect for all sorts of trekkers. Somehow, it is also labeled as a moderate trek. 

The first half of the route is intense due to continuous ascending and descending. And the second half is much easier.

Brief Itinerary for Langtang Valley Trek

07 Days Langtang Valley Short Trekking Suggested Itinerary

Day 01: Drive by Bus from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (1,440 m) for -7 to 8 hours
Day 02: Trek Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel (2,470 m) -5 to 6 hours  
Day 03: Trek Lama Hotel to Langtang (3,430 m) -5 to 6 hours
Day 04: Trek Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m) -3 to 4 hours Visit Five Lakes, the airport, and the cheese factory.
Day 05: Visit Kyanjo Ri (4750 m) viewpoint in the morning, Trek back to Rimche  (2,399) -5 to 6 hours 
Day 06: Trek Rimche to Syabrubesi (1,440 m) -5 to 6 hours
Day 07: Drive Back to Katmandu by Bus (7 to 8 hours) and your home destination

The itinerary of the Langtang Valley Short Trek is quite flexible. This is just a normal itinerary; you can even extend it or make it short. 

How do the trails look from Syabrubesi to Kyanjin Gompa?

This itinerary is normal, but our main aim is to show what the trail is going to look like.  Here is the complete Langtang Valley Trek Guide:

Trek Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel

On the first day of the trek, the trek begins after crossing the intersection of the Bhote Koshi River and Langtang River. A few minutes of pleasant walking on the trail will lead to the Tibetan Camp (Tiwari). After crossing the river from there, it will take to the ongoing hydroelectric construction with a small settlement of Domen.

Then, the trail starts to get uphill for a few minutes. As the uphill finish, the trail gets easier up to a place called “Pahiro”. It is just beside the river, with a couple of Tea Houses. Afterward, you will walk in the true wilderness of Langtang National Park.

Also, the walk in the wilderness is not as easy as seems. There are some ascending and descending on the way. About 1 hour of walking from Pahiro takes us to the Bamboo, which will be an ideal place for the lunch break.

Leaving Bamboo after lunch, the trail goes up for a while, leading towards the suspension bridge. A few minutes of ascending will take you to the landslide. Then, from the landslide, it led to Rimche village with two tea houses.

Rimche is also a good place to stay beside the Lama Hotel. This place is quiet and peaceful. Moreover, it has a wilder view of humongous hills.

Just a quarter of a minute downhill from Rimche, it will reach Lama Hotel with lots of Tea Houses. It is located in the middle of the jungle and has a sizable settlement surrounding it.

The first day of the trek but for sure, it is going to be an intense day of walking. You must be physically and mentally prepared. 

Hike Lama Hotel to Langtang Valley

After leaving Lama Hotel, the trail follows the gorge of Langtang River. As you go upward, the subtropical forest changes into an alpine forest. Watch out! You may encounter some wild animals. 

The trail is continuously ascending and descending, but it is not going to be as tough as the previous day. After walking for an hour of ups and downs, you will reach Riverside. On this day, you will see the first glimpse of the mountains.

Enjoying the beautiful scenario along with Gangchempo Peak. Just a few minutes of walking through the dense forest, you will reach Chhunoma with a single tea house. Then, the trail goes up for a while. Again, it goes down towards the bridge.

After crossing the bridge, the trail changes into a steep uphill for a while. As the uphill finishes, it changes into a wide valley. While walking further, you may see some Naks (female yak) farming for milk production. Again, crossing the bridge, you will reach Ghodatabela (stable) in no time.

As mentioned before, after Ghodatabela the trail gets easier. The valley is so wide open you can see Langtang Valley in the far distance. You can have lunch here. Or, if you can continue, you can have it a little further in Thyangsyap.

But before reaching Thyangsyap, you should burn some calories climbing steep uphill for around 15 minutes. Continuing after having lunch, you will be walking on a pleasant trail, enjoying the view of Gangchempo Peak, Langshisa Ri, Dorje Himal, Pangen Dopku, Naya Kanga, and many more.

At this point, you are already above 3,000 meters. So, take your pace and walk slowly.

Just before reaching Langtang Valley, you will pass through a small settlement with a few tea houses. From there, you can see the landslide that the 2015 earthquake caused. It is so massive that it wiped out the entire Langtang Valley, leaving only one building. Rest in peace, all those beautiful souls.

After crossing the landslide, you will be in the Langtang Valley. The new valley looks so promising and represents a new beginning of hope. When you check in to your tea house, you can pay a short visit to the valley and sip a coffee in a nearby cafe.

Trek Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa

On this day, you may take it easy because Kyanjin Gompa is just a couple of hours from Langtang Valley. In the morning, you might enjoy the sunrise and have breakfast below the mighty Langtang Lirung. 

The trek begins with a short ascent, which will be the only challenge of the day. As you finish climbing, the trail will introduce a wider valley along with a panoramic view. You will pass through many Mani Walls inscribed with “Om Mani Padme Hum”.

Furthermore, you will reach Mundu village with some Tea Houses. This village is so beautiful, you might take a break and have some tea. Likewise, you might see many Mani Walls on the way. The trail is easy, although don’t push yourself. Like other days, you will follow the trail with the Langtang River. 

When you walk further, you will see an inscribed, huge stone. The path will split into two after that.

The upper one leads to the hydropower plant and supa. The lower one is much easier and shorter. Also, you will see the towering Kyanjin Ri peak. 

It is better to choose the upper way; you can spend some time in the stupa. After spending quality time, you will be in Kyanjin Gompa in a few minutes. You will not see Kyanjin Gompa until you reach there. And it is the last civilization of the valley. 

You will have lots of spare time when you reach Kyanjin Gompa. In the meantime, you can roam around the town and visit the Cheese Factory and the old Kyanjin Gompa monastery. 

Return to the same trail from Kyanjin Gumba

After spending quality time in Kyanjin Gompa, it’s time to return. While returning, you will be retracing the same trail you came up with. You will be walking through the same towns like Langtang Valley, Ghodatabela, Riverside, and Bamboo.

While returning, it will be easier because most of the parts will be descending. Coming down will be quicker and easier than climbing up. At a minimum, you can come down to Syabrubesi in just two days. If you are an experienced hiker, then you can do it in a single day. 

Or, you may extend a day while returning. You can travel via Sherpa Gaun. You will not regret spending a night in the village. It is so calm and peaceful. It shares the wider view consisting of Thulo Syabru, Chandanbari, and other villages.

If you want to extend more days, then you may continue your trek through the Gosaikunda Trek route or Tamang Heritage Trail. It will add some days more than you expected, but in the end, the trek will end in the Kathmandu Valley. 

Enjoy Langtang Valley Trek throughout the Video

Langtang Trek Ultimate Guide, Kyanjin Gompa, and Places to Explore

Kyanjin Gompa is the unsung destination of the Langtang Valley. Usually, people think of Langtang Valley as the primary target of the trek. But Kyanjin Gompa is the best spot of all. Mountains encircle it in all directions.

Kyanjin Gompa is the last settlement in the Langtang Valley. Surprisingly, it is the most developed town with towering buildings, cafes, Hotels, banks, and Cheese factories. This place is packed with everything you need. 

Not only that but from here, you have lots of options to explore on the exploration day. You might not have enough days to explore them all. Here, we have prepared the spot you might visit during your stay in Kyanjin Gompa.

One of the best views, Pint Kyanjin Ri

Kyanjin Ri is the most visited spot from the Kyanjin Gompa. It has two summits, upper and lower. The height of the upper one is 4,773 meters and the lower one is 4,400 meters. An hour of steep uphill will take you to the Lower peak and an additional 1 hour will take you to the upper summit.

The peak shares the most rewarding 360 panoramic views, consisting of Langtang Lirung, Changbu, Kinshung, Kangtang Yubra, Yala Peak, Langshisa Ri, Gangchempo, Dorje Himal, Pangen Dopku, Scout Peak, and numerous peaks. 

Explore the Tserko Ri from Kyanjin Gumba

Tserko Ri is another loved spot by tourists. Situated at a height of 5,033 meters, it is more complicated than Kyanjin Gompa. You must spend a whole day exploring the summit of Tserko Ri. In addition, you need to carry a packed lunch. It will be too late to return to Kyanjin Gompa for lunch. 

The view is more rewarding than Kyanjin Ri. The higher altitude often provides a majestic view. Likewise, you can witness every peak you can see from Kyanjin Ri, along with Pemzom Himal, Dorothea Himal, Bhemdang Karpu, Pemthang Karpo Ri, and so on. 

Visit the Langshisa Kharka

Langshisa Kharka is a grassland situated at the foot of Salbhachum Glacier on the north and Langshisa Glacier on the south. It can take 3–4 hours to reach Kharka. And like Tserko Ri, you need a whole day to visit the spot. In the monsoon season, stockmen take their Yaks and Naks to graze there.

It is a wide grassland in the middle of glaciers and mountains. It has the iconic view of Langshisa Ri and Gangchempo, among other viewpoints. On the full moon of August (Shrawan in Nepali month), there is a festival of local people, who gather and prepare for the feast. 

Don't forget to Visit Kyanjin Gumba

Kyanjin Gumba is an old monastery situated northwest of Kyanjin Gompa. The place is also named after this monastery. It is just a few minutes away from the town. So, you give a visit in your free time.

Yek Cheese Factory in Kyanjin

The Cheese Factory is just below the Kyanjin Gumba. The cheese is made up of yak milk. DDC Nepal, a government-owned company, established the factory 70 years ago. The factory still uses the traditional way of making cheese in this modern age. You can find the cheese in the godown of DDC in Lainchaur, Kathmandu. 

Small, Beautiful Kyanjin Lake, Must Visit

Kyanjin Lake is the lake above the hydropower plant. It is an artificial lake built for the forceful current to produce electricity. The path is not easy and one has to climb up for an hour. Also, you may have a hard time finding the right way. Once you reach there, you can have a surreal view of the massive mountains and the lake itself.  There are five beautiful small lakes below the town, including the Holy Lake. 

If you Have time, Visit Langtang Base Camp and Padmasambhava Cave

Langtang Base Camp is the technical spot to explore on the list. It is on the northern side of the town, passing through Kyanjin Lake. It can take 4-5 hours to reach the base camp from the Kyanjin Gompa. Only an experienced guide can take you to the base camp. Snow landslides frequently block the route. Meanwhile, you may visit the Lirung Glacier and Padmasambhava Cave. He was a great teacher in the 8th and 9th centuries who contributed to the transmission of Buddhism to Tibet. Just a few trekkers have visited this cave yet, due to only a few guides and porters knowing about it.

Enjoying a walk along the Langtang River Shore

In the entire trail, you followed the Langtang River. Visiting the Langtang River shore is not a big deal. But not in Kyanjin Gompa. Below the town, the river bank is so wide that such a small river is divided into many. The shore is so calm and serene that it is worth exploring. 

let's see Langtang Trek Map

Here is the Langtang Trek Altitude Chart

Basic Essentials Guide to Langtang Valley Trek

You can’t hop directly on the trekking route without knowing what the essentials are. We are talking about the requirements for the trek and what facilities you are getting along the route.

Hire a personal Guide

A trekking guide is not mandatory to trek around Langtang National Park territory. You can travel independently. However, taking a guide is highly recommended because things are uncertain in the wild of the National Park. 

Organize Permits and paperwork

Langtang Trek required two permits: Langtang National Park Permit and TIMS CARDS.

Langtang National Park permit is compulsory. You can either get in the Nepal Tourism Board or at the entry point of the National Park in Dhunche.

TIMS permit is distributed by the Trekking Agency Association Nepal (TAAN) in their head office. Nowadays, there are not any check posts for the TIMS permit. But, better to make one for a trouble-free vacation. 

What kind of Accommodation is Available in the Langtang Trek?

The accommodation you get on the Langtang Valley trek is a basic tea house. Those are the decent standards of hotels in the Himalayas that provide room for sleeping along with food services. 

In Syabrubesi, you can choose wisely because there are plenty of choices for hotels with good standards. Also, Langtang Valley and Kyanjin Gompa Tea Houses are pretty good, with fine lodging and dining areas.

But the tea houses between Syabrubesi and Langtang Valley are at a basic level. There are plenty of choices; you can choose which is suitable for you. 

Are wifi and electricity available in Langtang?

Electricity is available in every place along the route. Some tea houses even have sockets in the room, but not all of them. You can charge your devices and gadgets for free.

WiFi is available only in some limited places. It doesn't cost any for the WiFi in Syabrubesi. But in upper settlements, the wifi available is Everest Link, which is a prepaid internet service.

Can you buy drinking water for the entire trek?

Drinkable water is very vital while trekking in the Himalayas. A single drop of contaminated water can ruin your whole trek.

You can get safe drinking water throughout the trekking route. In addition, you can get mineral water bottles everywhere. And of course, it can cost more than you expect. The higher you go, the higher the price gets.

The best recommendation for drinking water is to bring means of water purification. You can carry a portable water filter, steripen, water purification tablet, and some other items. It can give you safe drinking water as well as save some cash.

Check your Packing list  to make sure the gears for the Langtang Valley Trek

We have provided a complete packing list Guide for the Langtang Valley Trek. You almost need every item on the list but overdo it. The list is like this:

• Lightweight hiking shirt
• Full or half pants or trousers
• Hiking Underwear
• Thermals
• A pair of good-quality trekking shoes
• Wind-cheater Jacket and trousers
• Lightweight down jacket
• A pair of hiking sandals
• Gloves
• Lightweight hiking socks
• Shorts
• Light underwears
• Comfortable Sports Bras (for girls)
• A Sun Hat
• Sunglasses
• Trekking Pole
• Backpack/Day Pack
• Toiletries (sunscreen, face, and body moisturizer, Lip guard, Toothpaste, toothbrush, multipurpose soap, shampoo, hand sanitizer, lightweight towel, toilet paper, deodorant, sanitary pads, nail clippers)
• First aid kit with medicines (for altitude sickness, Diarrhea, sprains, and colds)
• Documents (passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, vouchers, passport-sized photos, maps, change money, permits)
• Miscellaneous (camera, extra batteries, power bank, tripods, journal, pen, books, cards, snacks, bars, reusable water bottle, torch, binoculars, water purification tablets)
• Lightweight hiking shirt
• Full or half pants or trousers
• Hiking underwear
• Thermals
• A pair of good-quality trekking shoes
• Wind-cheater Jacket and trousers
• Lightweight down jacket
• A pair of hiking sandals
• Gloves
• Lightweight hiking socks
• Shorts
• Light underwears
• Comfortable Sports Bras (for girls)
• A Sun Hat
• Sunglasses
• Trekking Pole
• Backpack/Day Pack
• Toiletries (sunscreen, face, and body moisturizer, Lip guard, Toothpaste, toothbrush, multipurpose soap, shampoo, hand sanitizer, lightweight towel, toilet paper, deodorant, sanitary pads, nail clippers)
• First aid kit with medicines (for altitude sickness, Diarrhea, sprains, and colds)
• Documents (passport, visa, travel insurance, air tickets, vouchers, passport-sized photos, maps, change money, permits)
• Miscellaneous (camera, extra batteries, power bank, tripods, journal, pen, books, cards, snacks, bars, reusable water bottle, torch, binoculars, water purification tablets)

See Langtang Valley Trek Cost Detail before booking the trek

Langtang Valley Trek is the most affordable trekking route in Nepal. The cost can depend on different aspects like lodging, food, water, and other services you use. But we will provide a rough sketch of the price so you can spend your money wisely.

Let's start with the lodging. It can be around $2–$5, depending upon the standard of the tea houses. Remember, the higher you go, the price gets higher. In Syabrubesi, you can find a variety of hotels, ranging from the cheapest rooms to deluxe rooms.

Foods may be the most expensive of all. A single meal costs $3–$6 in addition to hot beverages that cost $50–$2. Dal Bhat is the most expensive item on the menu and, at the same time, the best to pick. 

Drinking water is available in every tea house. It can cost in the range of $1–$3 per 1-liter bottle. As usual, it is expensive in higher settlements. As said before, you can save money by using water purification.

Charging electronic devices is free (Other trekking routes take some money). Wifi is free in Syabrubesi and also in Bamboo. Some places don’t even have internet access. However, in upper settlements, prepaid wifi services cost $6 for 600MB.

Talking about the permits, Langtang National Park costs $30 and the TIMS Cards cost $10. Likewise, the bus fee for one way is $10 and $20 for both ways.

If you want a simple calculation, $30 per person will be more than enough for daily expenses. Don’t expect more. It can cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner, along with hot beverages, as well as lodging.

The Home of the Red Panda—Langtang National Park

Langtang (Lamtang) National Park was established in 1976 with the ambition of conserving unique flora and fauna along with distinctive culture.

The Langtang National Park covers 1,710 square kilometers of area, with an additional 420 square kilometers of buffer zone. It covers the majority of Rasuwa districts and some areas of Nuwakot and Sindupalchowk.

It is home to endangered animals like the red panda, the snow leopard, Musk deer, and so on. The elevation of the National Park ranges from 1000 meters to 7,234 meters above sea level to the summit of Langtang Lirung. 

Impact of the 2015 Megha Earthquake in Langtang Valley

The avalanche in Langtang Valley is one of the biggest aftermath disasters of the 2015 earthquake. 310 people were killed; of them, 175 were locals, 80 were tourists, 10 were soldiers, and 100 were never found.

Nepal had a devastating earthquake with a 7.8 magnitude on the Richter Scale. The central and eastern regions of Nepal were heavily affected. Langtang was one of them.

Somehow, a building managed to survive this tragedy. People have restored their hope and established new settlements just above the previous valley.

You must know the alternative routes in Langtang Valley

Langtang region is not only about a single route. It has other unique trails en route to Langtang Valley. Some of them are:

Explore Unique Culture on Tamang Heritage Trail

Tamang Heritage Trail is a hidden treasure of the Langtang region. 

You can either start from or end at Tamang Heritage Trail. We would recommend starting from Tamang Heritage and continuing to Langtang Valley.

The trail goes up from Syabrubesi towards Gatlang village. Later, the path joined the Langtang Valley Trek.

Visit the sacred Gosaikunda Lake

Gosainkunda Trek is another interesting trail located in Langtang. Situated at a height of 4,380 meters, Gosainkunda has significant religious as well as natural values.

Not only is this trail religious, but it also has one of the best panoramic skyline views around Nepal. The view consists of the Manaslu Range, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang Range, along with the Gaurishankar Range and Mahalangur Range.

This trek can be started from Kathmandu ending towards Langtang and vice versa. To finish the trek to Gosaikunda, it is preferable to begin it. Moreover, it will be time-saving.

 All of the above

For the ultimate trekking experience in Langtang, you can include all the treks mentioned above. It can be a pleasant trek with the contrasting religious values of Buddhism and Hinduism as well.

It is better to start from the Tamang Heritage Trail than towards Langtang Valley. And end through the Gosaikunda trek.

Some Important TIPS to remember before the Langtang Trek

Last but not least, here are some points you should know before starting the Langtang trek. Here are some Tips for the Langtang Trek Guide.

• It is not the easiest trek. Remember, the first half can test your limits.
• Always greet ‘Namaste’ by joining both hands. 
• Say no to Pollution.
• Get permission before taking a picture of someone.
• Respect the culture, tradition, locals, and religious values.
• Walk through the left side of Buddhist monuments, chortens, or stupas.
• Be aware of landslide zones.
• You can get safe drinking water throughout the trek.
• Remember to taste the authentic cheese in Kyanjin Gompa. 

Conclusion

So, this was the ultimate guide for the Langtang Valley Trek. We hope it helped plan your next trip. If you have any confusion, you can contact us. We will always be right at your service. Until next time.