Langtang trek – a 2023 information & itinerary

The Langtang trek is likely one of the shorter mountaineering routes in Nepal. It gives unbelievable surroundings from the jungle with banana bushes and monkeys at decrease altitudes to glaciers and ice peaks at larger elevations. Brief doesn’t imply simple the route is kind of difficult from the start with many lengthy and steep ascents which is a typical factor for trekking in Nepal.

The trek might be performed as a single trek, together with the Tamang Heritage trek, or as an acclimatization trek earlier than making an attempt one of many longer and more difficult routes just like the Everest Base Camp trek or the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Langtang trek overview

Distance – 77 km/48 mi (together with Kyanjin Ri peak)Days required – 5-7 days + 2 days to get to and backTotal ascent – 3925 m/12 877 ftTotal descent – 3925 m/12 877 ft (the identical method up and down)Highest level – 3800 m/12 467 ft on the Langtang trek itself and 4600 m/15 000 ft for those who climb Kynajin Ri peak.Issue  – reasonable/tough Permits – TIMS card and Park entrance allow requiredCost per day – US$23 per individual together with permits and transportationGuide – not obligatory, might be performed independently, with a information/a porter, or in a bunch.Lodging – visitor homes

How lengthy is the Langtang trek?

The Langtang trek is 77 km/48 mi (together with Kyanjin Ri peak). It takes 5-7 days on common to finish the route. You possibly can add some facet treks to the route which can enhance your whole distance. For those who stroll to Tserko Ri peak from Kyanjin Gompa it’ll add round 8 km to your trek.

The trek might be mixed with the Tamang Heritage trek, it’ll add 3 additional days to your itinerary. Sadly, we didn’t have sufficient time to do it however from what we’ve heard the Tamang trek is a good cultural expertise. 

How tough is the Langtang trek?

The trek is kind of demanding resulting from elevation achieve, within the first two days you go over 2000m up, and there are numerous steep and lengthy ascents on the route. Nonetheless, it’s one of many simpler mountaineering routes in Nepal and a very good one for individuals who have by no means performed a high-altitude trek earlier than. The primary purpose I thought of the Langtang trek as a neater possibility is the elevation. The utmost elevation on the trek is 3800 m (4600 m for those who climb Kyanin Ri peak) which is way decrease than on most different fashionable routes such because the Annapurna Base Camp trek or Mardi Himal trek.

Journey insurance coverage for the trek

The Langtang trek is a high-altitude trek via distant and difficult-to-access areas of Nepal. It’s really required when making use of for the TIMS card mountaineering allow to have insurance coverage. No one has ever requested us for any proof although. Getting injured or sick at remoted places, particularly at altitude evacuation might be very sophisticated and costly. You possibly can shortly get a quote for journey insurance coverage. World Nomads Journey Insurance coverage.

Do I would like a information for the trek?

Not. The Langtang trek might be walked independently. For those who’re an inexperienced hiker I might advocate quite hiring a information or becoming a member of a bunch tour.

There are a number of benefits of becoming a member of a bunch tour:

You don’t have to fret about permits, transportation, lodging, and many others. the whole lot is organized for you.You don’t need to plan your route.You’ve higher possibilities to speak with locals not a lot of them can converse good English.You will get extra details about the area, native traditions, way of life, and many others. For those who’re touring alone it’s way more enjoyable to fulfill new folks. Lagtang trek excursions

Langtang trek excursions

How a lot does the Langtang trek price?

Mountaineering the Langtang trek will price you round US$25 per individual per day together with permits, transportation, lodging, and meals.

Permits

As I already talked about above for the Langtang trek you’ll want the TIMS card and the Park entrance allow. The TIMS card – NPR 2000/US$15; The park entrance allow – NPR 3000/US$23. Whole – NPR 5000/US$38 per individual. 

Transport

A bus from Kathmandu to Syabubesi – NPR800/US$6 a technique per individual, NPR 1600/US$12 return. For those who take a jeep it’ll be costlier. A taxi to the New Bus Station in Kathmandu – NPR 500/US$4. Whole – NPR 2100/US$16 per individual.

The price of lodging

Lodging on the Langtang trek could be very low-cost for those who eat at your guesthouse. For those who don’t eat there they cost you extra for rooms. In season for a double room, you pay NPR 500/US$4, normally, for those who’re one individual they cost half. Low season you’ll be able to keep free of charge for those who purchase meals there.

The price of meals

Meals is the principle expense on the Langtang trek. The upper up you go the costlier it will get which is simple to elucidate there is no such thing as a highway the whole lot is carried up by donkeys and porters. Costs range relying on what you order. The common worth for a meal is about NPR500-700/US$4-6. It may be pasta with cheese, Dal Bhat, eggs, fried rice, soup, oat porridge, momos, pizza, and many others. Scorching drinks (tea, espresso) are between NPR 100-200/US$0,7-1,5. Snacks (chocolate, chips, cool drinks, and many others.) from NPR 250/US$2. 

The price of our Langtang trek

We didn’t attempt to save on the trek and just about purchased and ate no matter we wished and didn’t cut price an excessive amount of.

The price of the trek (per individual) for 7 days

Whole: NPR 19 100/US$145 per individual for 7 days or US$21 per individual per day. The price of the trek is considerably lower than the price of trekking to Everest Base Camp the place our price range was about US$58 (together with the return flight to Lukla).

Cash-saving ideas

Convey a LifeStraw bottle or every other water purification system. It saves you some huge cash and helps to cut back plastic air pollution within the area. There are many rivers and streams alongside the route, you’ll be able to refill your water from a faucet at anyplace free of charge.

Convey tea luggage/espresso with you, it’s less expensive to purchase a pot of sizzling water and make your individual tea than to pay for a cup of tea or espresso. 

Pack snacks (nuts, cookies, chocolate, dried fruit, and many others.) it’s clearly cheaper to purchase these in Kathmandu than on the trek.

For those who’re very hungry order Dal Bhat it’s normally bottomless when you end your rice and dal (fried lentils) you’ll be able to ask for extra at no additional price. It’s a very good meal to have if you wish to eat solely twice a day.

Permits for the Langtang trek

For the Langtang trek, you’ll want a TIMS card and a nationwide park allow. Whole price for each NPR 5000/US$38 per individual.

TIMS playing cards might be obtained on the Tourism Board Workplace in Kathmandu, deal with Pradarshani Marg Bhrikutimandap. Open Mon-Fri and Solar from 10am to 5pm. Closed on Saturdays.

To get the TIMS card you’ll want:

PassportFilled type (you get it on the workplace)Two passport-size pictures, colour or black&white (for those who don’t have pictures they’ll take a replica of your passport photograph however I’d advocate bringing pictures with you).NPR 2000/US$15 to pay the price, it may be paid solely in money in Nepalese Rupees. There may be an ATM exterior the workplace the place you’ll be able to draw cash.

Relying on the variety of folks it might take from 15min. to 1 hour. 

For those who don’t have time to get your TIMS card in Kathmandu it’s doable to get it on the first checkpoint on the way in which to Syabrubesi. The worth is similar NPS 2000/US$15. We obtained ours in Kathmandu however we requested on the checkpoint they usually confirmed it. It may be a bit inconvenient for those who go by native bus as a result of the bus should await you. Make sure that to deliver two pictures, there are not any services for taking pictures or making copies.

The Nationwide Park allow you may get on the way in which to Syabrubesi, on the second checkpoint about one hour earlier than the city.

To get the mountaineering allow you’ll want:

TIMS card PassportNPR 3000/US$23 to pay the price, it’s paid in money in native foreign money.

On the identical checkpoint the place you get your allow, they examine your baggage. When you’ve got a drone ensure you put it in your hand baggage they don’t examine small backpacks. In response to Nepalese regulation, you aren’t allowed to make use of a drone with out a particular allow from the native authorities. 

They do examine TIMS playing cards and permits; 3 instances on the way in which to Syabrubesi, 3 instances on the way in which again to Kathmandu, and as soon as on the Langtang trek itself. All buses and jeeps cease at each checkpoint, vacationers need to get out and go to the workplace. It doesn’t take lengthy, they write down your identify and stamp your TIMS card. 

Methods to get to the Langtang trek?

The trek begins and finishes in Syabrubesi, a small city 120 km from Kathmandu. 

There is no such thing as a airport within the space. The highway is the one method of attending to Syabrubesi. The highway is in dangerous situation; partly tarred, and partly gravel, with ongoing highway works. Buses drive very slowly and cease rather a lot on the way in which folks get out and in on a regular basis.

The bus prices NPR 800/US$6 per individual a technique. It takes between 7 and 9 hours. Buses go away every day between 6am and 8am from New Bus Station (on Google Maps it’s marked as Machha Pokhari microbus cease). The simplest method of getting there’s to inform your taxi driver the place you need to go and he’ll deliver you to the best bus station.

Buses make at the very least two lengthy rest room/meals stops the place you should buy water and snacks. Generally they play native music very loudly for hours; taking earphones or earplugs may be a good suggestion.

A taxi from Thamel (the principle touristy district) to New Bus Station prices round NPR 500/US$4.

Taking a jeep from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi is a sooner possibility for getting there. It’s sooner and extra comfy however much more costly. At our lodge, the value was 100US$ per individual however perhaps for those who store round in Thamel you could find a less expensive possibility. For those who’re a bunch of individuals sharing a jeep it’s not that a lot.

Locations to remain in Kathmandu

Thamel is the principle vacationer space in Kathmandu many of the resorts, eating places, journey companies, and outlets might be discovered right here. Thamel is kind of a giant space it’s essential to discover a lodge with a very good location.

There are lots of resorts on the road we stayed at Aryatara Kathmandu Resort many instances. The employees is extraordinarily useful and pleasant. We saved our additional baggage right here each time we went mountaineering free of charge with none downside.

When is the very best time for trekking?

The height season for mountaineering the Langtang trek is March-April and October-November, with April and October being the busiest months. The wet season, June to August is the worst time for trekking. It rains rather a lot, trails and roads get very muddy, many visitor homes shut for the offseason, and at decrease elevations, there are numerous leeches.

Winter months December – February are the coldest and driest months. In January there may be lots of snow larger up within the mountains. Many guesthouses shut for the winter season as a result of there are only a few vacationers and it’s simply too chilly to remain up there. 

We hiked the Langtang trek in mid-February. It was fairly chilly at night time however throughout the day it was heat. We had one wet day, the final day of the trek. There have been only a few vacationers on the route. On the draw back many visitor homes, bakeries, and cafes have been nonetheless closed for the low season, we have been informed they have been going to reopen in March. 

From our mountaineering expertise in Nepal March is the very best time for trekking, as a result of;

it’s the tip of the dry season not a lot rain and clear skies roads and trails aren’t muddy many visitor homes open after the winter seasonthere aren’t too many peoplecomfortable temperatures for mountaineering, not too sizzling not too chilly

What’s the lodging like on the trek?

Langtang is a tea home trek each night time trekkers keep at visitor homes. The services can range from place to put. Most guesthouses have;

double rooms with two single beds eacha eating room with a range and tablesan in-door rest room – some have rooms with an hooked up rest room some have shared services, it may be a Western sit-down rest room or an Asian gap rest room.electrical energy – some locations have energy shops within the rooms or within the eating space. We didn’t pay additional for charging. sizzling bathe – normally it’s a photo voltaic bathe if it’s cloudy it doesn’t get sizzling. Generally it’s a bucket bathe, you purchase a giant bucket of sizzling water, NPR 200/US$1,5 (one bucket is sufficient for 2 folks). blankets – each place has thick blankets however we used our sleeping luggage as nicely.wi-fi  – it’s a must to pay additional for utilizing it, some locations cost a hard and fast fee for limitless utilization however most locations promote playing cards, 200Mb to NPR500/US$4 and 1Gb for NPR 1000/US$8. 

Be ready to not have electrical energy, sizzling water, or wi-fi on the trek even when a spot has all of the services. Typically one thing doesn’t work e.g. there is no such thing as a energy within the village, it was a cloudy day and a photo voltaic panel couldn’t heat water within the bathe, they ran out of Web playing cards, there is no such thing as a working water as a result of pipes are frozen, and many others. I’d advocate asking if the whole lot works wonderful earlier than checking in. 

What’s the meals like on the trek?

Menus in all visitor homes are fairly comparable and never very totally different from menus on the opposite treks in Nepal. Oat porridge, eggs, chapati, pancakes with jam, or peanut butter for breakfast. Dal Bhat, curry, pasta, spaghetti, soups, fried rice, and momos (native dumplings) for lunch and dinner. Scorching drinks – totally different teas, sizzling chocolate, prompt espresso. Each visitor home has a small store the place you should buy snacks and sweets like chips, chocolate, cool drinks, and many others. General meals on the Langtang trek is much like the meals on the Everest Base Camp trek.

Should-try native dishes on the Langtang trek

Tibetan tea – black tea with yak butter (nearly like bulletproof espresso); Sukuti – dried yak meat (it may be beef, fish, or buffalo) like American jerky served fried; Dal Bhat – rice, thick lentil soup, potatoes, and sauce, the preferred meal in Nepal; Masala tea – black tea with Masala spice and milk; Yak cheese and milkBuckthorn juice – a candy juice from native berries.

Langtang trek itinerary – 6 days

Day 1. Syabrubesi (1492m) – Lama Resort (2447m), 15,7 km/9,7 mi

Route: Tiwasi – Pairo – Bamboo – Rimche – Lama Resort

Distance – 15,7 km/9,7 miTime – 5 hours*Ascent – 1247mDescent – 278m

*We normally stroll a bit sooner than a mean individual. I’d advocate including 1-2 hours to our strolling instances.

The Langtang trek begins on the finish of the highway that goes via Syabrubesi in direction of the river. There would be the first signal simply earlier than the suspension bridge. After crossing the bridge take left there will likely be one other signal indicating the way in which to Langtang. After that the route was fairly simple to comply with, it’s only one path that goes alongside the river up.

There was one place at about 5km the place the suspension bridge seemed fairly damaged and we didn’t know at first the place to cross the river however in the long run, it was wonderful to stroll throughout the bridge, it was fairly regular.

It was a really lovely and fairly robust strolling day. The surroundings was unbelievable; all the way in which alongside the river, via the forest, and over a few suspension bridges. There are a number of locations to cease on the way in which for tea or lunch. 

Highlights

Stunning surroundings; the river, a number of waterfalls, enormous boulders alongside the path, small villages, lovely forest.

Challenges

A number of ascents and descents in the beginning of the dayA very steep and lengthy ascent from Bamboo to Lama Resort

Stops on the route

Day 2. Lama Resort (2447m) – Langtang Village (3500m), 14 km/8,6 mi

Route: Riverside Lodge – Ghodatabela – Thyangsyapu – Chyamki – Langtang

Distance – 14 km/8,6 miTime – 4 hoursAscent – 1075mDescent – 155m

One other lovely strolling day with breathtaking surroundings and plenty of locations alongside the path to cease for tea or lunch. The ascent shouldn’t be so long as the day gone by however it was fairly robust because of the larger elevation.

The route is simple to comply with although there are not any route markers it’s only one single path alongside the river. The primary half of the day is thru the forest, the second half is thru a valley with nice views of the mountain vary.

Midway via the day at Ghodatabela, there’s a allow checkpoint.

Highlights

Stunning forestFantastic views of the mountain vary and snow peaks

Challenges

A protracted ascent within the second half of the dayA steep although not lengthy ascent simply earlier than Langtang Village

Stops on the route

Day 3. Langtang Village (3500m) – Kyanjin Gompa (3800m), 6,7 km/4,1 mi

Route: Mundu – Singdum – Yamphu – Kyanjin Gompa

Distance – 6,7 km/4,1 miTime – 2 hoursAscent – 418mDescent – 42m

A really brief and comparatively simple strolling day with the very best surroundings on the trek thus far; snow peaks, turquoise colour river, enormous boulders, bizarrely formed rocks, stupas, many yaks, and nice lookout factors.

Highlights

Unimaginable sceneryTwo lovely stupas about 2km earlier than the townGreat views of the valley from Kyanjin Gompa

Challenges

A few steep however brief ascentsIncreasing altitude makes you drained and out of breath very fast

Stops on the route

Day 4. Kyanjin Gompa (3800m) – Kyanjin Ri (4600m) – Kyanjin Gompa (3800m) – Chyamki (3380m), 13,5 km/8,3 mi

Route: Kyanjin Gompa – Kyanjin Ri – Kyanjin Gompa – Yamphu – Singdum – Mundo – Langtang – Chyamki

Distance – 13,5 km/8,3 miTime –  5h.30min.Ascent – 804mDescent – 1237m

Kyanjin Gompa (3800m) – Kyanjin Ri peak (4600m) – Kyanjin Gompa (3800m), 5 km/3,1 mi

Distance – 5 km/3,1 miTime – 3 hoursAscent – 696mDescent – 696m

It was a troublesome climb to the highest of the mountain. The path shouldn’t be well-marked, there is just one signal, proper in the beginning. Someplace after about 20min. of going up we missed the flip and took an extended path to the highest. On the first break up take proper and comply with a well-walked path all the way in which to the highest.

The surroundings from the highest was really spectacular we have been very fortunate with the climate the sky was clear we might see the valley, a number of snow peaks, and mountain ranges. It’s higher to stroll up within the morning when it’s normally good and sunny, After lunchtime, it typically will get cloudy and also you gained’t have the ability to see a lot. For those who don’t really feel robust sufficient to stroll all the way in which to the height, you’ll be able to stroll to Decrease Kyanjin Ri it’s about midway.

Kyanjin Gompa (3800m) – Chyamki (3380m), 8,5 km/5,2 mi

Distance – 8,5 km/5,2 miTime – 2h30minAscent – 108mDescent – 541m

Our authentic plan was to remain two nights at Kyanjin Gompa we have been considering of going to each peaks Kyanjin Ri (4600m) and Tserko Ri (4800m). We have been a bit anxious about altitude. I didn’t sleep nicely and wakened with a headache. We determined to go as much as the height first after which stroll down and sleep at a decrease elevation.

The Langtang trek is a return route you stroll to and again the identical solution to diversify it a bit we determined to remain at totally different villages on the way in which again. We walked previous Langtang to the following place Chyamki and stayed there.  

Stops on the route

Day 5. Chyamki (3380m) – Bamboo (1970m), 18 km/11 mi

Route: Thyangsyapu – Ghodatabela – Lama Resort – Rimche – Bamboo

Distance – 18 km/11 miTime –  4h30min.Ascent – 198mDescent – 1574m

We walked the final two days in in the future, we arrived at Bamboo round lunchtime and determined to go all the way in which to Syabrubesi and the following morning to take a bus again to Kathmandu. It was an extended strolling day, took us 6 hours with lots of downhill strolling, in whole 2254m down in in the future. Don’t push your self for those who really feel drained or your knees begin hurting quite cease at Bamboo and proceed the stroll the following day.

On the way in which down we noticed many monkeys within the forest we didn’t see them on the way in which up. The stroll, on the whole, was simple however after Bamboo, it began raining and it obtained a bit slippery we needed to stroll extra rigorously.

Stops on the route

There are a few guesthouses and eating places in Bamboo, so it gained’t be an issue to discover a place.

Day 6. Bamboo (1970m) – Syabrubesi (1492m), 9,5 km/5,9 mi

Route: Pairo – Tiwasi – Syabrubesi

Distance – 9,5 km/5,9 miTime –  2h20min.Ascent – 183mDescent – 680m

For those who stroll it on a separate day it’s a really brief and straightforward stroll with lovely surroundings.

Stops on the route

We stayed on the identical place Resort White Palace we arrived too drained to stroll round looking for a greater place (if it exists). It was wonderful, the proprietor organized for us a bus again to Kathmandu for the following morning.

Getting again to Kathmandu

The bus picked us up at our lodge at about 7am and we began the exhausting journey again to Kathmandu. It took between 8-9 hours to get again on the way in which we ran out of petrol, forgot any person at one of many stops and obtained heavy visitors on the entrance to town.

What to pack for the Langtang trek?

For those who’re going to hold your backpack it’s essential to not pack too heavy and take solely the necessities. Right here is our important packing listing for the Langtang trek which is kind of much like our Everest Base Camp trek packing listing.

Gear

Backpack – a 40L backpack will likely be sufficient.LifeStraw – it’ll prevent fairly some huge cash. HeadlampSleeping bag – most locations have blankets however we personally choose sleeping in our sleeping luggage underneath a blanket.Mountaineering poles – on the way in which up we didn’t really feel like they have been needed however on the way in which down ranging from Kyanjin Ri peak, I needed I had the poles. Waterproof pouch for paperwork, cash, cellphone, permits, and many others. Small mixture lock – you need to use it to lock your room in a visitor home.

Garments

Mountaineering footwear – simply earlier than coming to Nepal we each purchased new mountaineering boots, Salomon X Extremely 3 GORETEX. We didn’t have time to put on them the Langtang trek was the primary time we walked in our new footwear we even obtained an opportunity to check them within the rain. The footwear are superior, very comfy, and waterproof, our ft weren’t sweating or getting chilly. We’re tremendous completely happy we purchased these footwear. I actually like my new Salomon footwear.

Mountaineering socks – we at all times put on merino wool socks for mountaineering, they work nice, final lengthy, don’t take up odors and defend your ft from blisters, and many others.

Down jacket – we used ours rather a lot on the trek for carrying inside and out of doors, they’re nice; heat, gentle and pack small.

Trekking pants – Campbell at all times hikes in regular trekking pants I choose carrying yoga pants if it’s heat and fleece trekking pants if it’s chilly.

Mountaineering shirt – Colombia mountaineering shirts are Campbell’s favourite, I like mountaineering in lengthy sleeve working shirts with sports activities bras.

Rain jacket – it may be not essential to pack one for those who pack a down jacket and a rain poncho.

Fleece – a really helpful merchandise to have on the trek for strolling inside and outside.

A cap beanie – we wore them rather a lot within the morning for mountaineering and at night time for carrying inside.

Sun shades

Sleeping garments e.g. lengthy cotton pajama pants and a thermal shirt for sleeping and carrying in guesthouses after the bathe – it’s comfy and heat. Girls’ choices; pants and a shirt.

Mountaineering towel – we had a bathe/a bucket bathe day-after-day on the Langtang trek.

Electronics

Smartphone Kindle Paperwhite. For those who’re an proprietor of Kindle by becoming a member of Kindle limitless program by Amazon you’ll get entry to hundreds of e-books and audiobooks.GoPro HERO10 we used it rather a lot for taking pictures and movies.Garmin Fenix 5X – we will’t think about how we hiked with out this watch (now we each have one), we use it rather a lot for out of doors actions and coaching. Due to this watch we might add elevation profiles, precise distances, stops on the route, and many others. to our submit.

Toiletries & miscellaneous

Beneficial books and guidebooks

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The gorgeous half of Stingy Nomads, accountable for all our land adventures (mountaineering, climbing, strolling the Camino) and following them write-ups. Alya loves strolling since she was a baby, she prefers to stroll 1000 km with a backpack quite than to do a ten 000 km highway journey (really any highway journey). Alya is a giant fan of Latin America, the Spanish language, and dancing. Each time we go away she desperately misses our canine Chile.