Langtang Valley Trek Voyage Tips and guide

The Langtang Valley Trek is in Langtang National Park, Nepal.

See also: Trekking in Nepal

The Langtang Valley Trek is characterised by steep, jungle covered valleys at lower elevations, and wide, barren alpine valleys once the trail climbs to Langtang Village.

It is best to visit the park in October and November, after the monsoons have ended and before winter sets in. The sky is clear and the leaves are colourful, providing a photogenic background. March to May is also a good time to visit as the wildflowers and rhododendrons are blooming.

Langtang Valley was severely impacted by the 2015 Nepal earthquake. The village of Langtang was completely destroyed by an avalanche in which several hundred residents and foreigners perished. Though most of the trail has been repaired, the scars are still visible in the form of damaged bridges, abandoned villages and crumbling structures.

This trek is relatively short and easy, and there are many teahouses along the way to eat and sleep. The path is also well indicated, and you will need a map in any case to be sure. So if you are fit, neither a guide nor a porter is necessary.

You first need to purchase your TIMS card for the trek. Go to the Tourism Board's Tourist Service Centre in Kathmandu. As of 2018, the cost is:

• Independent trekkers, green card, Rs. 2,000
• Trekkers who are part of a group with a guide, blue card, Rs. 1,000

The entrance fee to the Langtang National Park is Rs. 3,000 (2021). You can purchase it at the Tourism Board's Tourist Service Centre (ask for the Langtang National Park office) when you get your TIMS card. Another option is to purchase it when the bus stops at the entrance of the park, just outside Dhunche.

The trek starts at Shyaphru Besi (also spelled Syabru Besi), approximately 120 km (75 mi) north of Kathmandu by road. Depending on the route, the road conditions range from okay to horrible. If you suffer from motion sickness, consider taking along medication.

Buses from Kathmandu leave from Macha Pokhari bus stand (Ring Road, north of Thamel). A taxi from Thamel to Macha Pokhari should cost Rs. 200 - 300.

The bus ride takes 8 - 11 hours, longer if it rains or if Kathmandu traffic is bad. Be prepared for a bumpy/scary/spectacular ride, beautiful scenery as the road turns and crosses the countryside. If possible, try sitting as much in front as possible to have a smoother trip. As of 2023, a regular bus ticket is Rs. 700, a bus ticket with air conditioning is Rs. 1000.

A (much) more expensive option is to take a car/jeep. Jeeps are easy to arrange from any tour agency and will pick you up just outside of Thamel. The driver may take a different route than the bus to avoid the worst of the traffic but will rejoin the bus route at Bidur. Jeeps seat up to 7 passengers and most have racks to tie luggage on the roof. Consider not filling every seat to make the ride more comfortable and to keep gear inside away from the dust. The drive takes 7 - 8 hours and the driver will expect a tip. Expect to pay around USD150 (for an entire jeep) one way.

It is possible to trek to Shyaphru Besi from Dhunche, or even from Kathmandu (via Helambu & Gosainkunda Lake Trek).

28°12′29″N 85°28′30″E

Map of Langtang Valley Trek

The times listed below are estimates. The lower bound is for someone in good physical condition, that has a good walking pace but nevertheless allows himself a break once in a while. The higher bound is an estimate of someone (or a group) who would be hiking more slowly

If you took the bus, it will drop you off in the center of Shyaphru Besi, sometime in the afternoon. If you have booked a guest house, it shouldn't be very far away. If you haven't, you have the choice to get some rest (in one of the many guest houses along the main road) and start hiking the next morning, or head directly to the trail! The first teahouses are only 1 - 2 hours away, so it's a great warming up. A bit higher on the main road there should be a police checkpoint, ask them if it is reasonable for you to reach Domen, Hot Spring, or even Bamboo before it gets too dark.

There are two trails to go up to Rimche:

• the high trail that passes through Wangal, Khanjim and Sherpagaon. It is longer and steeper.
• the low trail that passes through Domen and Bamboo. This is the most common trail, and goes up gently through the valley.

You could go up via the first trail and come down via the other. Either way, you’ll start from 28.16178385.3364511 Shyaphru Besi, also written as Syabru Besi, at 1,460 m. It is a compact roadhead with a handful of guesthouses along the main street, a few shops for last-minute snacks and gas, and a river running below town. The main road continues north toward the Chinese border about 15 km away. It is a practical place to sort permits, grab a hot meal, and choose your ascent route, then loop back via the alternate trail on the return.

This longer and steeper route offers a quieter alternative and works well as an ascent. From Shyaphru Besi, the trail climbs steeply for about 3 hours to 28.1767485.359072 Khangjim hut, a small town at 2275 m with four teahouses. It is then a further 3 hours to 28.16208785.3980343 Sherpagaon hut, which has a monastery, a health center and a teahouse at about 2235 m. Another hour from there reaches 28.15823285.4217184 Rimche hut, with two or three teahouses ideally situated just after a steep passage at around 2450 m.

The gentler valley route is the most common way to reach Rimche. From Shyaphru Besi, it is about 1 to 1.5 hours to 28.15174785.3687395 Domen, a small settlement at 1670 m with a bridge, a few houses, a garden, and a teahouse. A river flows along the village from the right-hand side when heading uphill; you can hear it clearly at night, though it remains pleasantly soothing.

After another 30 to 50 minutes, the trail reaches 28.15228485.3782116 Hot Spring, also known as Pairo, at 1772 m. Two teahouses stand here overlooking the river, which widens into a calm pool below, a refreshing place for a brisk dip if you can handle the icy water.

Continuing for 1 to 1½ hours more brings you to 28.15482485.3994827 Bamboo, at 1970 m. This is the largest settlement so far, with several teahouses clustered between the river and the steep mountainsides. A rocky landslide looms above the village, reminding trekkers of the rugged terrain that defines the Langtang Valley.

From Rimche, it is a short 20-minute walk to 28.16080585.4303058 Lama Hotel, a settlement at 2470 m with around twenty houses and plenty of teahouses offering food, drink, and accommodation. Continuing for about 1 to 1½ hours brings you to 28.18064985.4416419 River Side, also called Gumnachok, at 2769 m. The route passes a few simple houses beside the river, a quiet and pleasant spot to rest.

Roughly twenty minutes farther along is the Woodlands teahouse, followed by the DAV Bridge at 2854 m, where the path divides. Crossing the bridge leads along the main route, while keeping straight ahead soon rejoins it. A steep climb follows through forest into open meadows, and just before reaching 28.20026185.46087710 Ghoda Tabela at 3008 m, the trail crosses the river again so that it flows on your right as you ascend. Ghoda Tabela consists of a small farm and a welcoming teahouse amid wide grassy slopes.

From River Side to Ghoda Tabela usually takes between 1¼ and 2 hours. The next section, from Ghoda Tabela to 28.20780285.47553711 Thangshyap at 3205 m, takes 30 to 50 minutes through a landscape of scattered teahouses and small fields. Another 40 to 60 minutes brings you to 28.2146485.49605212 Gompa, a small village at 3400 m and about 15.5 km from Bamboo, with just a couple of teahouses serving trekkers heading farther up the valley.

You cross the huge landslide that destroyed Langtang village during the 2015 earthquake before reaching 28.21523185.5080813 New Langtang at 3430 m. This is the main village along the trek and the one that suffered most in the 2015 disaster. Reconstruction continues, and at the entrance you’ll find a memorial honoring those who lost their lives. Visitors are warmly welcomed, and even a short stop offers a chance to experience the kindness and resilience of the local community.

From New Langtang, it is a gentle 30-minute walk to 28.21507385.51966714 Mundu at 3550 m, a small village with a few teahouses just beyond New Langtang. Another 15 minutes farther lies 28.21458585.52607315 Singdum at 3555 m, where a single farm and teahouse sit on a quiet stretch of the valley.

The final 1¼ to 2-hour section to 28.2119585.56658116 Kyanjin Gompa rises gradually along a pleasant trail lined with farms, yak tracks, and small stupas. As you near the settlement at 3830 m, the valley widens and the snow-covered peaks of upper Langtang come into view. The village itself is compact, filled with teahouses, a few bakeries, and a monastery overlooking it all. It’s a welcoming place to stay for a couple of days, to rest, soak in the mountain air, and explore the nearby ridges on day hikes.

The hike back down from Kyanjin Gompa to Shyaphru Besi is typically completed in two days, with an overnight stop around Lama Hotel. Those in a hurry or with extra energy can continue to Bamboo or even Domen on the first day, covering about 28 km in six to eight hours, then spend the night at a teahouse and catch an early morning bus to Kathmandu, usually departing at 8 a.m. or around 10 a.m.

Kyanjin Gompa is a good base to stay a few days and explore the surrounding mountains. Depending on the season and the weather, there can be large quantities of snow around and above Kyanjin Gompa. If there is snow, some of the hikes below will be more difficult, and might necessitate a guide.

This is the easiest and most popular hike from Kyanjin Gompa. The trail begins with an ascent above the village to 28.21765385.5707971 Kyanjin Ri at 4300 m, where you can look back over Kyanjin Gompa and the surrounding valley. From there, the ridge continues upward to the main summit of 28.22354385.5757942 Menchhyamsa Ri at 4650 m, offering superb panoramic views of the Langtang range, including Langtang Lirung rising to 7227 m and Yubra at 6264 m. The trail then follows the ridge a little farther before curving right and descending through a sheltered hollow that leads gently back down to the village.

A more demanding day hike from Kyanjin Gompa leads to 28.21349485.6010263 Tserko Ri at 4984 m, a high viewpoint offering sweeping panoramas of the Langtang Valley and the surrounding peaks. The climb is steep and long but rewards trekkers with some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the region.

This trip is usually done over two days from Kyanjin Gompa. It is possible to complete it in a single day if conditions are good and the trekker is very fit.

This day involves a steady ascent from Kyanjin Gompa (approx. 3,870 m) to the meadow where Yala Peak Base Camp is established (approx. 4,600 m).

Climbers begin very early in the morning for the final ascent to 28.22876385.6278484 Yala Peak at 5500 m. After standing on the summit and taking in the sweeping Himalayan views, the descent continues past the base camp and all the way back to Kyanjin Gompa for the night.

The primary danger on the Langtang trek is altitude sickness (AMS). To prevent it, ascend slowly and plan at least one acclimatization day in Kyanjin Gompa (3870 m) before attempting higher viewpoints like Tserko Ri (4984 m). Stay well-hydrated, avoid alcohol, and descend immediately if you or anyone in your group shows persistent symptoms like a severe headache, nausea, or dizziness.

The valley is in a geologically active area and is prone to landslides, a risk that was tragically highlighted during the 2015 earthquake. While the main trail has been rerouted and is generally safe, always be cautious when crossing steep, exposed sections, especially during and after heavy rain. Do not linger in signed hazard zones.

Weather can change rapidly. Be prepared for four seasons in one day by packing layers, including a waterproof/windproof jacket, hat, and gloves, regardless of the season. The sun is intense at altitude, making sunscreen and sunglasses essential. Always purify drinking water or buy boiled/filtered water from teahouses. A comprehensive travel insurance policy that covers emergency helicopter evacuation is non-negotiable.

• Tamang Heritage Trail
• Gosainkunda Lake Trek

• Trekking in Nepal