Langtang Valley Trek

Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit Swayambhunath, located on a lovely little hill to the northwest of the city centre, which is the most sacred Buddhist site. The self-originated shrine is believed to have been built in its current form around 250 B.C. The stupa, painted with a pair of the Buddha’s all-seeing eyes, stands on a lotus mandala base on all four sides. The site offers a complete view of Kathmandu Valley, its surroundings, and the Himalayas to the northeast.

In continuation, drive to Patan, one of the three medieval cities of Kathmandu valley and one of the World Heritage sites among the seven World Heritage sites of Kathmandu valley, located 7 kilometres south-west of Kathmandu. The city of Lalitpur, the City of Arts, was a renowned Buddhist centre in Asia, with four Ashok-built stupas and a multitude of miniature stupas, monasteries, viharas, and temples. At Patan, we visit its Durbar Square, the Golden Temple, Thousand Buddha, and its museum, among other sites, which explain Buddhism and Hinduism in extensive labels within the living traditions and context.

In the evening, visit Durbar Square in Kathmandu, an example of the urban architecture of the Malla dynasty, with 19-storey buildings, temples and palaces, and the residence of the living goddess Kumari. Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old palace complex that houses a mass of temples and palaces, including the Gaddi Baithak Durbar, constructed in 1908; the Basantapur Durbar, or the old Royal Palace; and the Kumari Chowk, the residence of the Living Goddess. Basantapur is amongst the most attractive sites in the bustling centre of Kathmandu, and a western traveller around two hundred years ago wrote that there were more temples than houses and idols than people in its city. Lying at the heart of Kathmandu, Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see. The individual buildings, palaces, and temples feature intricately carved doors, lattice windows, and struts adorned with mythic and erotic figures.

Finalise with a tour and a rickshaw ride through the old city market centre, the Ason Bazaar, seeing what the Nepalese people buy and sell in their daily lives.

A 5-hour drive in a Jeep and a 2-hour walk.

Breakfast at the hotel in Kathmandu and transfer to Syabrubesi. The overland journey through small towns and villages with views of magnificent mountains, green hills and valleys, jungle and farmland, rivers and streams is an experience of a lifetime. You will also pass through Dhunche, the district headquarters of Rasuwa and the main entrance to Langtang National Park. From Dhunche, it is a one-hour downhill drive through several small towns and the river valley to Syabrubesi. Spend the night in a hostel.

Lunch at Shyabru and the start of the walk on the first day’s trek. Cross the river and climb gently up a slope to the northwest. The trail heads northwest, gaining elevation and passing through tiny settlements. In approximately 4 hours of walking, arrive at Khamjing, a small hamlet with a strong Tibetan lifestyle. Although they are not Tibetan, they understand and speak Tibetan. The village, which lies on the side of a hill facing southeast, has a beautiful view of the snake road that climbs above Syabrubesi towards Ganesh Himal.

A 4-hour hike.

The day begins with a beautiful trek through farmland, offering panoramic views of the valley, including Syabrubesi and Dunche. Then, the trail leads through sparse rhododendron forests to a steep hill, traverses overlooking the dense Langtang River valley through Sherpa Gaun, with only two houses, and then continues to the Lama Hotel. The Lama Hotel, with several teahouses, is set within a dense forest on the bank of the Langtang River, a lovely place to spend the night.

A 6-hour hike.

The morning walk continues along the bank of the Langtang River, heading upstream into the deep forest with oaks, hemlocks, maples, pines, and white and red rhododendrons, enjoying occasional views of Langtang Lirung and reaching the riverside hotel. A lovely resting place with an open space on the bank of the Langtang River, a further walk past a herder’s meadow, and take a steeper trail to Goda Tabela 2970m (Horse Stable), which once served as the Armed Khampa Soldiers’ resettlement site around 1960. Currently, it is a Nepal Army and National Park permit-checking post. From Goda Tabela onward, the scenery is spectacular as the valley slowly widens, and it takes another two hours to reach Langtang village.

In the afternoon, walk another 2 hours to reach the village of Langtang, passing several tiny settlements with basic teahouses. The trail is scenic, with a gradual ascent, and offers imposing glimpses of Langtang Lirung at 7246 meters from many points along the way.

Langtang Village was swept away by the avalanche triggered by the 2015 earthquake, so the village now has many new houses. In the past, homes in Langtang and neighbouring communities had flat Tibetan-style roofs and walled compounds. And the villagers often keep herds of yaks and cattle here and in the pastures above the village.

A 4-hour trek.

Today is a short walk to Kyanjin, your primary destination of the trip. The morning walk begins with a short, gradual climb, passing an impressive mani-wall with a good view of Langtang to your back. Further, continue passing through a tiny settlement and cross a stream to the Mundum and Sindum villages with teahouses. Then a pleasant walk through a beautiful, small, open area with Mani walls with a giant boulder draped in prayer flags. Finally, cross the Langtang Lirung glacial stream and reach a wide and picturesque Kyanjin Valley surrounded by a series of peaks, where you will make three overnight stops.

A day or two of rest, or a busy day to walk in the Kyanjin hills, is recommended, given the valley’s natural environment and the incredible scenery of dazzling peaks. It is an excellent accumulation of high mountains, inspiring one to take a full-day trip or to repeat treks through the same ranges amid changeable Himalayan climates. From Kyanjin Gonpa, you can hike to Langshisa, the region’s last barrier to Tibet or take a day hike to the top of Chyarku Ri or Kyanjin Ri to capture the entire area in an unforgettable memory.

After lunch, in the afternoon, enjoy a scenic hike up to Kyanjin Ri above Kyanjin village. The Kyanjin Ri, adorned with colourful prayer flags, offers heart-stopping scenery of the Langtang Himal range or a 360-degree panorama. The mountains seen from here are Ghengu Liru (Langtang II) 6571m, Langtang Lirung 7425m, Kimshun 6745m, Shalbahum 6918m, Dorje Lakpa 6980m and Chimsedang Himal, which forms a ridge with Naya Kanga or Ganjala Peak at 5,846m, including Gangchempo and the beautiful fluted peak of Tilman.

A 6-hour excursion.

Today, walk to the last mountain barrier with Tibet. The trail up to Langshisa Kharka at 4100 metres is flat and scenic, surrounded by beautiful mountain peaks and valleys. It takes about 6 hours to reach Langshisa and back, with a packed lunch, but the scenery is exceptional. High, beautiful peaks surround you, and the views on the way to Langshisa and back are magnificent and relaxing. Finally, admire the massive natural border wall of mountains, with Dorje Lhakpa and Penthang Karmo, between Nepal and Tibet, and return to Kyanjin.

A 7-hour excursion.

An exciting day to enjoy a scenic walk around its beautiful surroundings. Today you will take a hike to Tsergo Ri, the highest lookout in the region. There are some of the best panoramas with Langtang Himal, Ghengu Liru (Langtang II – 6571m), Langtang Lirung (7,425m), Kimshun (6,745m), Shalbachum (6,918m), towards views of Chimsedang Himal, which forms a ridge with Naya-Kanga or Ganjala peak at 5,846m, including Gangchempo and Tilman’s beautiful Fluted Peak. Magnificent views that extend eastward to Jugal Himal and Dorje Lakpa (6,980m), which form a massive border wall between Nepal and Tibet.

A 6-hour trek.

After a beautiful time in the picturesque Langtang Valley, the trek retraces its route, descending to the Lama Hotel, the distance you covered in two days. Again, the views are wonderfully different, an excellent opportunity to experience all aspects.

A 6-hour trek.

The trek continues down, following the banks of the Langtang River to Syabrubesi. The trail descends through a dense forest, crosses a steel bridge, and follows the river’s northeast bank, where the powerful water rumbles against the rock and the river birds sing on the slippery river rocks! You will find yourself embraced by nature, with wild beehives hanging from cliffs. This part of Langtang is home to several wildlife species, including leopards, monkeys, red pandas, and wild boars. The trail descends further and reaches a junction at Pairo (landslide), branching to Syabrubesi and Gosaikunda. From here, follow the right path down to Syabrubesi and continue down following the bank of the Langtang River through a beautiful forest area full of monkeys. Cross two bridges, and you are back at Syabrubesi, the start and endpoint of the trek.

A 5-hour drive by Jeep.

From Syabrubesi, drive back the same way to Dhunche, then head downhill to reach the warmer areas of Trisuli Bazaar, and stop for lunch. Then a lovely drive through the plains of Trisuli and traverse over a pleasant hill that rims the Kathmandu Valley. Finally, arrive at your hotel in Kathmandu and be distributed to the rooms. The rest of the day is free for you to rest and relax, or you can walk around Kathmandu’s main street, spend your time doing whatever you like, or go shopping for your friends and family as a souvenir of Nepal.

Breakfast at the hotel and drive to Pashupatinath Temple. A pagoda Hindu temple with gilt roofs, carved with silver doors dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated at the bank of the holy Bagmati River, and regarded as among the most sacred temples of the Hindu religion, Pashupatinath is the focus of pilgrimages culminating on the day of Shiva Ratri (the marriage anniversary of Lord Shiva and the goddess Parvati). Pashupati is also the cremation ground in the ghats (cremation group) along the bank of the River Bagmati, where the recently deceased Hindus of the Valley are cremated.

Then take a 13-kilometre drive to Bhaktapur, east of Kathmandu. Its original name is Bhadgaon, or the village of Devotees, which is one of the living museums of Kathmandu Valley. Bhaktapur is filled with the 55-windowed Royal Palace, the Palace of the Kumari, the temple of Taleju, the temple of Pashupati, the main square of Taumadhi Tole, Nyatapola Temple (the most imposing and tallest such architecture in all of Nepal), the temple of Akash Bhairab (the second most important temple of Bhadgaon), the Dha Hateya and the Square of the Potters. UNESCO recognises Bhaktapur as a World Heritage Site.

 In the evening, visit the Boudhanath, the largest Buddhist shrine in the Kathmandu Valley. This ancient Chorten was built in the 5th century A.D. by King Manadeva. A series of three terraces leads up through water, fire and air segments to the pinnacle, symbolic of space and the highest spiritual attainment. The whole is surrounded by a circle of shops which form a small Tibet. Lord Buddha’s four pairs of eyes flash vividly in the cardinal directions, radiating the message of Mahayana Buddhism, known as Lamaism in Sikkim, Ladakh, Bhutan and Tibet.

Breakfast and the rest of the day are leisure on your own. The Representative of Happy Feet Mountaineers will arrive at your hotel with transport three hours before your departure flight time. Get escorted from the hotel to the International Departure Terminal, complete the formalities, and go through immigration and departure.