Trip Overview
The Langtang Valley has so much to offer, vast forests, abundant wildlife, alpine meadows, wild flowers, glaciers and several 7000m peaks, and all within driving distance of Kathmandu. This trek can be done in slightly less time but for safety and to really enjoy the experience it is advisable to ascend more slowly.
Day one of your adventure is a jeep or coach ride along the Trishuli River towards the Tibetan border and the village of Syabrubesi. The road is being improved all the time, much of it now two lanes. There are two options for the first day’s trek to Lama Hotel. A lower trail that follows the river or a high trail that climbs steeply but then contours above the forest, both have their merits. On day two some push on from Lama Hotel to Langtang village at 3430m but the safe option is to break the ascent with a night at Ghoratabela (3030m). Above this point you will leave the forest; the valley opens out and the peaks come into view! Having crossed the massive rock-slide caused by the earthquake in 2915 you will arrive at the newly constructed Langtang village with its impressive stupa, modern lodges and shop. From Langtang the valley opens even more, with even more amazing views and by lunchtime you will have reached Kyanjin Gompa at 3830m. Here it is time to rest for a day allowing the body to acclimatize to the rarefied air. To aid this process a short walk to the Gompa, Nak cheese factory and the coffee shop is recommended!
The high points of the trek are reached over the next two days. Firstly, an acclimatizing ascent of Kyanjin Ri (4300m) before the main objective, Tserko Ri at just under 5000m. Tserko Ri is not to be rushed, bistari, bistari (slowly, slowly). At summit the relative oxygen level is close to 50% compared to sea level! You may be puffing a little but the Himalayan vista is well worth it. To the west you will see snow-capped Langtang ll (6596m) and the seldom climbed Langtang Lirung (7227m); to the north Changbu (6251m), Yubra (6264m) and Dagpachen (6567m) and to the south Baden Powell Peak (5826m), and many others!
The route out, all downhill, takes just a couple of days but the scenery is no less spectacular; time to relax in Syabrubesi before the return journey to Kathmandu. Langtang is a truly beautiful Himalayan valley, I am sure you will love it.
