12 Days / 11 nights

The Langtang valley is aptly called " the valley of glaciers". Here the mountain-scape is spectacular. On either side of valley, mountains rise, soaring into the sky. The valley offers pine forest, slow moving rivers and swift mountain streams, rugged rock and snow-capped peaks, grassy downs and meadows strewn with daisies and wild primulas. In the upper part of valley there are snow bridges spanning angry torrents, high passes enveloped in mist, tiny lakes with icebergs floating on them and water of crystalline brightness. There are also high mountains of solid ice.

Trekking Itinerary Day Location Day 1 Kathmandu Arrival Day 2 Kathmandu – Dhunche Day 3 Dhunche – Thulo Syabru Day 4 Thulo Syabru – Lama Hotel Day 5 Lama Hotel – Langtang Village Day 6 Langtang Village – Kyangjin Day 7 Rest day in Kyangjin Day 8 Kyangjin – Ghora Tabala Day 9 Ghora Tabala – Thulo Syabru Day 10 Thulo Syabru – Dhunche Day 11 Dhunche – Kathmandu Day 12 End of trip

Highlights: 09 days trekking, tent camping or lodges 02 nights hotel in Kathmandu Trek through forests to an alpine valley just south of the Tibetan border. Good alpine views and interesting Tibetan-style villages.   Trekking Profile (click to enlarge)

Langtang Valley Alpine Trek

The beautiful Langtang Valley lies close to the Tibetan border, north of Kathmandu. The lush rhododendron and oak forests of its lower reaches form part of a vast National Park, providing sanctuary for a variety of animals, birds and wild flowers. By contrast, the upper valley is dominated by shimmering glaciers, that tumble off the ice-clad summits of 7000m peaks. Inhabiting the valley are communities whose Tibetan origins are reflected in a distinct style of building and way of life. The local Tamang "Sherpas" are descendents of the cavalry of Ghengis Khan, complete with hardy mountain horses.


Trip Profile:
12 Days Trip
02 Nights in Kathmandu
09 Days in Langtang Trekking

Graded: moderate

ITINERARY:

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu (1200m)

Upon arrival in Kathmandu, you will be met at the airport and brought to your downtown hotel. While in Kathmandu we will take you on a fascinating tour of the city, visiting Buddhist and Hindu shrines reflecting ancient local traditions. There will be time to explore the city's many charms on your own as well. A traditional Nepali welcome dinner will follow shortly after a pre-trek briefing by the trekking staff manager. Overnight in the hotel in Kathmandu.

Day-02: Kathmandu-Dunche (1960m) 6-7 hours driving by van.

After breakfast in the morning, we drive to Dunche and overnight.

Day-03: Dunche to Thulo Syabru (2120m) 5 hours walk

In the morning, we cross the Trisuli Khola (river) and climb steeply through a beautiful forest of blue pine. This day is excellent for seeing wildlife as troops of langur monkeys and red pandas make this forest their home. As we approach Syabru, Langtang valley and the snow peaks of Tibet become visible.

Day-04: Thulo Syabru to Lama Hotel (2480m) 4 hours walk

The trail crosses to the north bank and climbs steeply for a ½ hour up through the Langtang gorge before the ascent eases and the valley widens out into an area of fir and rhododendron.

Day-05: Lama Hotel to Langtang Village (3500m) 6 hours walk

This day starts with a gentle climb, but it soon becomes steeper, climbing through an old growth forest of hemlocks, oaks, maples and rhododendrons high above the Langtang Khola. Tantalising glimpses of Langtang Lirung appear through the trees. The trail ascends gradually , as the valley becomes a classic wide U-shaped glacial valley. After passing through a few old Tibetan settlements, we eventually descend into a valley to cross a stream and climb past several water-driven mills and prayer wheels to the large Langtang village. Many of the beautiful lodges have private rooms and are heated with local wood and yak-dung fires. A shop sells locally made cheese and Italian bread. The houses of Langtang and the neighboring communities have Tibetan-style flat roofs and are surrounded by stone walls enclosing fields of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley. The villagers keep herds of yaks, cattle, and Himalayan horses here and in pastures above the village.

Day-06: Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa (3900m) 3 hours walk

The trail winds through the village and climbs gradually past villages and through yak pastures and long rows of mani-walls. Weave through some rocks to eventually see Kyanjin Gompa and the dramatic icefall flowing from Langtang Lirung and 6781m Kinshung. There is a chees factory started by the swiss Association for Technical Assistance in 1955. It operates during the summer and produces about 7000kg of cheese annually, all of it hauled by porters to the dairy in Kathmandu. You can usually buy delicious cheese and curd here.

Day-07: Rest in Kyanjin Gompa

This day we have to rest or excursion around Kyanjin. This makes an excellent base for side trips either immediately above the Gompa to the foot of the Langtang Lirung glacier, eastwards to Langsisa glacier or a tougher ascent of Tserko Ri (4950m) to the north. From this area there are views west towards Langtang Lirung (7,234m) and the Ganesh Himal. To the south lies the Ganja La Himal and a view of the high pass crossing which leads to Helambu.

Day-08: Kyanjin Gompa – Yala Cheese Factory - Ghora Tabala (3000m)

After visiting Kyanjin Monastery, an excellent look-out can be reached by climbing the slopes immediately behind the Kyangjing Gompa. A visit to Yala Cheese factory (15,800 ft.) and the small lake at 16,000 ft. beyond Yala is worthwhile. Then to Langtang via same route. Overnight in Ghora Tabala.

Day-09: Ghora Tabala to Thulo Syabru (2100m)

Breakfast served in the morning then trek back to Thulo Syabru.

Day-10: Thulo Syabru to Dhunche (1950m)

Today we walk through forests of fir and rhododendron, down to Barku and then walk along the road until Dunche. Overnight in Dunche, high above the Trisuli river.

Day-11: Dhunche to Kathmandu (1350m)
After breakfast, drive back to Kathmandu. O/N in Kathmandu.

Day-12: Free or transfer to the Int'l airport for journey out.

Cost includes:

Two nights hotel in Kathmandu, airport arrival/departure transport services land & air transportation as per trek itinerary, meal three times in a day, guide, porters, entrance permit, insurance for Nepalese staffs, and accommodation in the tents for camping treks and in lodges for Tea House treks.

Cost does not include:

Hard drinks, cold drinks, sleeping bag, tips for guide/ porters, hotel in Kathmandu except two nights offered after upon arrival at international airport and return from the trek, rescue helicopter if used during the trek (travel insurance recommended!), international airfare.

RESERVATIONS

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