Ultimate Guide to Langtang Trek

Whenever someone mentions something about trekking in Nepal, they either mean it as Everest trek or Annapurna trek. It seems that even though being comparatively shorter, cheaper, easier and equally amazing, Langtang trek is somewhat underrated. Have you ever wondered what would you need to know for trekking in Langtang?

Many things strikes your mind instantaneously like firstly is this trek for me? How to prepare, pack? What to do during the trek? And what not to forget even after completion of this trip?

This ultimate guide is all about providing factual, accurate and updated information on Langtang trek and our effort to sum up all those scattered information in one place.

Before trek:

Recommended fitness preparations

In simple words, if you can walk couple of hours for couple of days, probably a week, then this Langtang trek is for you. Actually this trip is perfect one for all those travelers who are first time trekking in Nepal. Being fit and strong helps you out to walk through the hills, forests and make you trek more enjoyable. But you do not need to possess very high level of physical shape like of an athlete. It is recommended to train and do some fitness preparations a month or weeks prior trip departure. Here is the good read on getting fit for trekking.

Basically, you are recommended to get involved in physical activities that bring out the sweat in you. It might sound weird that hiking is best preparation for hiking, but its true that the more you hike more you get fit. Similarly, cardio exercises and specially working out on your legs is highly recommended. Don’t miss your leg day at gym. Just put a little extra effort with positive mindset and you are ready physically and mentally for this Langtang trek.

Best season for Langtang trek

Best time or in other words peak season for most of the treks in Nepal are spring season after chilly winter and autumn season after draining monsoon. Most number of tourists visit Nepal during these peak season and highest are recorded mostly on April and October months. We all know that weather becomes suitable and supportable for trekkers during this high season as the days are warmer, longer with clear skies and less chances of rainfall, clouds.

Being specific on Langtang trek, we would say that best of the best time is spring season during the months of March, April and May. While walking along beautifully blossoming colorful rhododendron forests, playing hide and seek with snow capped peaks, the Langtang trek becomes extra special during this time of the year. You might also find snow at higher elevations and if you prefer to hike up to Tsergo ri across Kyangin ri, you get feel like you are on the top of the world standing eye to eye enjoying panoramic views of nearby peaks. Likewise, due to extreme cold and snowfall, it is not possible to trek Gosaikunda / Ganja la pass during winter months.

Permits required

For any international trekker, one needs to acquire trekking entry permit for Langtang National Park along with TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) card issued by Nepal Tourism Board.  For that it is recommended that you bring at least 2-4 copies of passport sized photographs. These photos can also easily taken at any local concerned photo shops. All of these permits will be arranged by your trekking guide on behalf of trekking company.

Packing checklist and useful things to carry:

Hiring trekking guide and porters

There is no obligation of hiring a guide or porter for Langtang trek, however, trekking with experienced trekking guide from reputed local company only makes your trip much more enjoyable and easier. Professional trekking guide will not only give you the information about Himalayas and places, they will ensure you are safe, take care that you are properly acclimatizing, pre book lodges at high season and most importantly being more like a helpful friend from host country. Use of porters in the same way will not only make you carry less weights, it will also make positive impact on local economy by creating job opportunities at grass root level. We, at Icicles also provide local female guides for female travelers and in family trips upon request.

During Trek:

Transportation

After arriving at Kathmandu, it is only ground transportation we need to take care of. That is drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubensi and vice versa on public bus or private jeep. You have an option of choosing the either of these vehicle. Public bus is cost effective way whereas private jeep is more comfortable way to get at starting point of the trek. Total distance is approximately 6-7 hours drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubensi.

Langtang Trek distance, altitude and walking hours

The most popular Langtang Trek route distance in km, altitude in meters and walking time in hours is represented graphically as follows:

The above graphical representation is explained as follows:

Distance from Kathmandu to Syabrubensi drive on Day 1:

Our Langtang trek begins from day 1 as we take a drive on local bus or private jeep from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi that covers total distance of 145km and altitude variation of just 151m.  Kathmandu 1399m to 1550m at Syabrubesi is also the starting point of our trek. It is nearly 7 to 8 hours drive.

Distance from Syabrubensi to Lama Hotel on Day 2:

Our second hiking day begins from Syabrubensi 1550m to Lama Hotel at an altitude of 2380m with variation of 830m. Total trekking hours are 6 hours today.

Distance from Lama Hotel to Langtang Village on Day 3:

On the third day of this trek, we shall find altitude variation of 1050m from Lama hotel 2380m to Langtang Village at 3430m. It will also be approximately 6 to 7 hours of walking time. On day three we can also pass Langtang village and trek to Mundu at 3543m elevation.

Distance from Langtang Village to Kyangin Gompa on Day 4:

Our fourth trekking day starts from Langtang Village or Mundu to Kyangin Gompa at 3870 m with altitude variation of 440m. It will be a short trekking day with just 3 hours of walk. Later at the end of the day we explore around the attraction.

Acclimatization day: Hike to Kyangin Ri / Tsergo Ri on Day 5:

5^th day is acclimatization day at Kyangin Gompa and the most important day of this trek. Today we go for a climbing Tsergo Ri at 5000m from Kyangin Gompa at 3870m that brings total of 1130m variation in altitude today.  It will be challenging yet worthwhile hiking experience for around 7 to 8 hours that lets us view amazing panoramic views of nearby Himalayas.

Distance from Kyangin Gompa to Lama Hotel on Day 6:

On our day 6 of the trek, we start to return to Lama Hotel (2380m) from Kyangin Gompa which will be nearly 5 to 6 hours of walk.

Distance from Lama Hotel to Syabrubensi on Day 7:

Finally on the last day of Langtang trek, we further descend towards Syabrubensi(1550m) from Lama hotel before taking a drive back to Kathmandu. We shall walk for around 5 hours today.

Visible Himalayan sceneries

The following Himalayan ranges are seen from Kyangin Ri and Tsergo Ri during our Langtang trek.

Accommodation, lodges and teahouses

Even though 2015 earthquake had demolished many tea houses along the Langtang valley trails, now there are adequate number of tea houses many of which severely affected has been reconstructed and ready to offer services to trekkers. These lodges are simple in nature with basic facilities like accommodation and meals on offer. Mostly we shall find the rooms on twin share basis. You will find a pair of bed sheets, pillows, and small table with shared toilet usually at hallway outside bedrooms. We also do find mobile charging sockets at these rooms until Langtang Village where we can charge our phones, cameras or even prepare hot tea. The prices of rooms get higher during the high season and cuts off during low season.

Daily food and meals

The teahouses or lodges at Langtang trekking trails have their own restaurant and the real business local people generate are from meals rather than from accommodation. You may find the price of food higher but actually it is competitive with added transportation cost to bring it on your plate. The portions of meal are quite large however with unlimited rice and lentil in a plate until you are full. Basically, the menu items include rice, lentil, chowmein (fried noodles), syabhale, Tibetan deep fried bread, omelet, mushroom and other soups, fried potato,  pancakes, bread, butter, cheese products with hard and soft drinks.

There are non-veg items on menu too with yak meat, chicken and canned fish too. Also these are beers, alcohol and other hard drinks with local chyang on offer. But these items are comparatively expensive than others. Drink responsibly, however taking alcohol is not recommended as it dehydrates our body not so good thing to try while trekking.

Understanding responsible tourism

While trekking around the foothills of Langtang Himalayas, all of us need to understand and apply the rule of responsible tourism. It basically means traveling in a responsible way without making negative impacts on surroundings and trying to make positive impact as far as possible. From properly disposing the waste materials, plastics to respecting the social, religious and cultural norms come under this. We should ask before taking photographs and most of the monasteries doesn’t allow cameras to click interiors.

As soon as you take the decision of trekking with reputed local company, you have already contributed in developing local economy. The local company hires local professional guides, porters and they are best in what they do when it comes to best quality service in best price. Similarly when you buy locally produced goods and use local services your contribution becomes even more significant.

After  trek:

Langtang trekking map, extensions and alternative options

Here is extended Langtang trekking map. There is couple of extensions that you can add to your Langtang trek. From as less as 7-8 days Langtang valley itinerary to 15-16 days of Langtang Gosaikunda itinerary, choose the one that suits your style, interest, fitness and budget. Our Langtang trekking region page explains and lists the available alternate Langtang routes with outline itinerary.

The art of giving it back

Traveling, trekking, hiking is not simply a trip, vacation or holiday, it is also an art of adventurous journey on the course of which you see, explore and learn something. Therefore, while you receive so much more than a trip, you may consider an art of giving it back. It basically means sharing a word with your friends circle about your trip and service company you chose. Sharing the experiences, consider to write a review on any reputed web platform like trip advisor so that other people just like you can also get help in choosing the right trip and company according to their interest.