8 Days Langtang valley trek is a beautiful multi-day hike in Nepal’s Bagmati province. The trek occurs in the Langtang region, just 51 kilometers north of Kathmandu Valley. The easy and accessible characteristics make this trek suitable mainly for those who love to see the Himalayas up close but have limited time here.
Within just eight days, the trek brings you to the beautiful valley dominated by snow-capped mountain peaks like Langtang Lirung and Kyanjin Ri. These are parts of the Langtang National Park (Nepal’s first Himalayan national park).
The Langtang trek begins in the lush green forest with the possibility of spotting animals like red panda langur monkeys. The trek continues, taking you via the Langtang trails, and ends in the alpine meadows where the yaks normally wander around at the Kyanjin Gompa.
Naturally and culturally, it’s an exciting hike as you pass by numerous multicultural villages mainly inhabited by the Sherpa and Tamang communities. Sherpa, Tamang, and other ethnic groups who call this region their home are of Tibetan origin and follow Buddhism.
During your trip, you will enter one of the unspoiled and best national parks- Langtang National Park, which preserves the region’s rich and rare flora and fauna. The occasional spotting of rare-protected animals like Ghoral, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, and langur monkeys, in addition to the traditional villages with unique Tibetan culture, makes your eight days in the region a truly enriching experience.
The Langtang trek is one of the nearest tea hour treks from Kathmandu Valley, as it brings your closer to th stunning high-altitude peaks in just a few days. Perfect if trekkers are on short time, but if you prefer longer hikes, you can easily combine other treks like Helambu Circuit and Gosainkund Lakes trek at Great Adventure Treks. Here is more about the 8 days Langtang Valley trek below.
Langtang Valley Trek Short Overview
Total Distance– 7 km/48 mi (including Kyanjin Ri peak)
Total Days required – 6 days trekking + 2 days to get to and back
Highest point Reached: Kyanjin Ri at 4773m
The difficulty level of the trek: Moderate-Hard
Starting and Ending Point: Syabrubesi (around 120km far north of Kathmandu)
Permits and fees: TIMS card and national park fees
Accommodation: Teahouses
Optional add-ons: Gosaikunda Trek or Tamang Heritage Trail for a longer trek
How to get to the Trailhead of Langtang trek?
Unlike the Everest region trailhead, i.e., Lukla, there is no airport around the area of Langtang Valley trek trailhead. Therefore the only way of reaching the starting point is to get to Syabrubesi via the road. The road conditions are not in good shape as they are partly gravel and tarred with ongoing road works. Moreover, the bus moves slowly and makes a few stops on the way, and many people get in and get out all the time.
The bus ticket to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu costs around NPR 800 per person one way. The bus departs daily between 6 am and 8 am from the Machha Pokhari or Gangabu (you can view the location on google maps). It takes around 7- 9 hours to reach the trailhead from Kathmandu. To reach the bus station in Kathmandu, the easiest way is to get a taxi and tell the taxi driver where you want to go. The taxi from the Thamel area (the central touristy hub with Abdunat accommodations) to the bus station costs around NPR 7-800.
The bus makes at least two to three long toilets and food stops. And during these stops, you can buy water and snacks. Moreover, they also sometimes play local music very loudly for hours. A pair of earphones or earplugs will be a good idea to avoid sound disturbance.
Consider taking a jeep ride from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi for a faster option. The Jeep option is faster and more comfortable than the bus but will be more expensive. If you travel alone, the price may go up to 100US$ per person. But if you are a group of people traveling together sharing the jeep, then the cost per person will be low.
When is the best time for trekking?
The peak season for 8 days Langtang Valley trek is the same as any other trek, i.e., March-April (spring) and October-November (autumn). Among these peak seasons, April and October are the busiest and most crowded months.
Autumn Trekking
Autumn season is the best time for a Langtang Valley trek. The weather of the season is warm and stable, which brings out the best features like blue skies, clear views, and fresh air. Still, the mornings and nights will be colder, with temperatures ranging from 10 °C-15 ° C (50 °F-59 ° F) during the day.
The region experiences very low precipitation in autumn. Thus the rainfall is low, providing clear views of the tall mountains before you.
Spring Trekking
Spring is another best season for the Langtang Valley trek; You will love the long and warm days with temperatures hovering around 10 °C to 20 °C (50 °F- 68 ° F). The trails of the region are incredible. The forests come to life with the colorful rhododendron blooming in different red, white, and pink hues.
Off Season Trekking
Summer and monsoon seasons occur at the same time in Nepal. Therefore, both summer and rainy season, from June to August, is unsuitable for trekking in the region. Considered an off-season, the monsoon/ summer months bring out a lot of rainfall, which makes roads and trails very muddy. Similarly, many accommodations in the region are close, and in lower areas, many leeches are found on the trail.
Winter months from December running till February experiences the coldest temperatures of the year. In the mid-winter month, guest houses are not back into business yet, as very few tourists are visiting the region. For a better winter trekking experience, taking a Langtang Valley hike in mid-February is possible. Still, the temperature will be cold at night and mornings.
Langtang Valley Trek Difficulty
8 days Langtang Valley trek is generally considered a moderate to difficult-level trek of Nepal. The walking distance is much shorter and easier than other treks, and trekkers won’t be gaining much altitude in a single day. If you hike to Kyanjin Ri or Tesergo Ri, the maximum altitude is around 5000m. And if you decide not to walk to this vantage point, the maximum altitude is nearly 3800m.
Langtang Valley trek is an acclimatization hike for long treks like the Manaslu Circuit trek and other Everest region treks. The trek will be quite challenging due to the elevation gain, as you reach over 2,000m up within two days of the journey. Similarly, there may be many long and abrupt ascents on the route.
Until you reach the third day, the trails take you via the lush forests encompassing a fair amount of climbing routine. From day 4, you will be perched at 3,870 meters, which can be a potentially demanding feat for beginners.
If you are physically fit and prepared enough to trek further above the 4000m elevation, you can aim to take a short hike to the Kyanjin Ri or Tesergo Ri.
Besides the elevation gain, the treks must be mentally and physically fit enough to hike 6-7 hours daily with lightweight backpacks. Although appearing relatively similar, the 8 days Langtang Valley trek is much easier and faster than the Everest base camp or Annapurna Circuit trek.
How much does it cost to go to the Langtang Valley Trek?
There are multiple factors contributing to the overall expense of the Langtang Valley trek. The normal estimated cost of 8 days of Langtang Valley trek run by others is between 800$-1200$. But the same trek can be completed with the price tag of around $710 organized by Great Adventure Treks. The cost includes transportation facilities, a full board meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), guides, porters, trekking permits, and accommodations. However, the cost, like personal expenses and tips, must be managed independently. Trekkers can also get some discounts if they are in groups.
The cost for 8 day Langtang Valley trek can increase if you travel privately. Therefore, trekking in a group can be more budget-friendly and reasonable as you will share the costs with other trekkers. The private Langtang Valley trek is tailored to your interests and preferences. Also, you will not be sharing the services of porters and guides, which further raises the overall cost of the trek.
Permits and Entrance Fee
This fantastic trekking trail of the Langtang Valley lies in the Langtang National Park. Therefore every trekker must know the permits for the eight days Langtang Valley trek. And the permits are the TIMS card and Langtang National Park Entry Permit.
The Langtang National Park Entry Permit will cost approximately Rs 3,000(~$20). If you are staying in Kathmandu, you can get this permit from the Nepal Tourism Board, which is just 20 minutes far from Thamel. Another easiest option to acquire this permit is on your way to Syabrubesi from the first and second checkpoints. Here are the related costs to the Langtang National Park Entry Permit.
- For SAARC Nationals: 1500 NPR
- For foreigners: 3,000 NPR
- Free for children less than 10 years of age.
Besides Langtang National Park Entry Permit, trekkers also need to obtain another permit called a TIMS card. TIMS (Trekker’s Information Management System) must be shown at different checkpoints along the trek. TIMS card is a must as it is a record that helps the trekkers in emergencies, for example, in an earthquake, finding lost trekkers, or in extreme weather. Solo trekkers have been banned in Nepal. Therefore, the TIMS permits, priced at NRS 1000 before now, cost NRS 2000.
The easiest way to obtain both permits is to take the help of a Travel Agency. You only need to provide your travel agency with your passport and 2pc passport-size photographs.
Note- TIMS card and Trekking guides are mandatory for trekking in Nepal, including the Langtang Valley trek, due to the prohibition on solo trekking in Nepal. If any Foreign tourists are found without a TIMS and a trekking guide, then they must pay a heavy fine of NRS 12,000 rupees.
Accommodations during the Trek
Langtang Valley trek is usually a tea house trek. So you will mostly encounter tea houses and small lodges during your trekking journey. Throughout the 8 days, you will be hiking from one village to another, where you can get enough accommodation options for a normal stay in the region. But how are the tea houses around the Langtang region?
These tea houses are tiny houses with small cozy rooms and central dining halls. The dining area will be small and often heated with fire. Here you can enjoy the warmth while cherishing dinner made by locals.
The rooms of the tea houses will have 2-3 small single clean beds with mattresses, a pillow, and some blankets. If traveling in the off-season, you can always ask for an extra blanket with the owners. If you are lucky enough, there may be a small tea table and cupboards. And that’s it.
The accommodation facilities up to the Lama Hotel are pretty good; in fact, you can book yourself a tea house with the facilities of a private washroom hot shower, all at an extra cost. But the accommodation in Kyanging Gompa will be quite basic.
The accommodation costs are normally 6$ to 10$ per night for the basic tea houses, But during the peak trekking season, it’s very difficult to get a room. So you must book the rooms in advance in the trekking seasons- spring and autumn.
Description
Day 01: Drive to Syabrubesi 1,460m. 7 – 8 hours drive.
Total Distance- (122km / 75.8miles)
Accommodations- Teahouses or Hotels
After an early morning breakfast in the Kathmandu hotel, trekkers leave early for the 7-8 hour journey to the trailhead of the trek, i.e., Syabrubesi. We head towards the north out of Kathmandu Valley, where the road climbs over the high ridges indicating the exit from the city.
This short trip to Syabrubesi provides impressive views of the Annapurna Himalayas to the west, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and other tall peaks of the region ahead. The road takes you through the Trisuli River town before driving towards Dunche and the national park. After crossing the town of Dhunche, it takes a downhill hour drive to Syabru Besi and finally to your lodge for the night.
Day 02: Trek to Lama Hotel 2,420m. 5 – 6 hours
Total Distance- 15 kilometers
Trekking hours- 5/ 6 hrs
Altitude Gain- 1070+ M
The first day of the Langtang Valley trek is also one of the challenging days as you gain more than 1000 meters in altitude. The trek starts early in the morning with a delicious breakfast in your lodges. Afterward, it’s a 3-hour climb to the Bamboo village. The village is just about halfway from Syabrubesi and is a great place to rest and enjoy lunch. To reach the bamboo forest, we first reach Rimche (2,400m / 7,874ft) and trek through the dense bamboo fields. Following the Bamboo section, the ascent becomes steeper yet remains manageable if approached flexibly.
Overall the hike will be enjoyable as most of the day will be spent hiking right next to the Langtang River. The trek will take over 7 hours to reach the Lama Hotel from Syabrubesi.
Day 03: Trek to Langtang village 3,430m. 5 – 6 hours walk
Total Distance- 14 kilometers
Trekking hours- 5 / 6
Altitude Gain- 980mT +
The second day of the trekking entails yet another series of long ascents. We begin with an early breakfast and start hiking alongside the river via the lush green landscape, further climbing through the dense forests. The trek’s first half is still next to the river and forests. But after the 3 hours of trek, you leave the forest trails behind and enter the beautiful Langtang valley with dominated snow-capped peaks.
Before reaching the Langtang Valley, we stop at Ghodatabela for lunch. During your stop in Ghodatabela, you can glance at the beautiful panoramas of the snow-capped mountain in the Himalayas.
Langtang Valley used to be the oldest and largest village. It’s mainly famous for its local yak cheese and yak yogurt. Unfortunately, an avalanche swept the village away in a 2015 earthquake. Slowly, a new village was constructed with several lodges and teahouses, including better facilities to stay the night.
Day 04: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa 3,850m. 3 – 4 hours.
Total Distance- 7 kilometers
Trekking hours- 4 hours
Altitude gain- 470 m+
This day of the Langtang Valley is the shortest and minimal increase in elevation day. Still, the ascend may feel more than the previous day as you are now trekking to an elevation above 3000 meters. The trekking may be short, but trekkers may quickly feel tired and out of breath. Therefore take a break between the hike and enjoy every step towards the Kyanjin Gompa.
Kyanjin Gompa is a lively village where many Yaks and horses are seen grazing in the fields, children playing outside, and local women carrying buckets of yak milk. It’s an excellent place to try local yak yogurt or yak cheese. Similarly, the area has a yak cheese factory worth visiting.
Day 05: Rest At Kyngin Gompa for a local hike and exploration
Today is our rest day at Kyngin Gompa. This rest day helps trekkers acclimatize and explore the beautiful Langtang region, which has many things to offer its visitors. If you are fit enough and interested, you can trek to the Higher elevation viewpoints, which provide the best panorama of the Himalayas ranges and glaciers.
Today you will visit the famous Kyanjin Gompa and observe the monks praying, the infamous Buddhist culture, and many more. Visiting the cheese factory is the next best thing you can do during your rest day here. Similarly, for a half-day hike trek can choose between the Kyanjin Ri viewpoint or Tsergo Ri (5,450m/17,880ft) with fresh stunning views of the Kyanjin Ri peak, Tsergo Ri peak, and other tall mountains. Both viewpoints are famous for admiring mountains like Langtang II, Langtang Lirung, and many more.
Day 06:Trek to Lama Hotel 2, 420m. 6 – 7 hours walk
Total Distance- 20 km
Trekking hours- 6 – 7 hours
Altitude Loss – 1440m
Bidding farewell to the lively Buddhist village of Kyanjin Gompa, we will return to the Lama Hotel today. It will be a long day hiking back to Lama Hotel. As we descend, we will come to the open alpine grasslands and familiar yak-herding towns. After some hours of trekking, we reach Ghodatabela, take some time for lunch, and admire the sights we might have missed, like the earthquake memorial. We continue to trek further and reach the Lama Hotel. We check into the teahouses, relax, and marvel at the beautiful scenery.
Day 07: Trek to Syabrubesi 1,460m. 4 – 5 hours walk.
Total Distance- 15 kilometers
Trekking hours- 7 hours
Altitude Loss -1070 m
After breakfast at Lama, Hotel, we will hike back to the Syabrubesi. Our routes from lama hotel return to Syabrubesi (the starting point of our trek) via the pine forest, Bamboo village, and Ramche before finally crossing the Bhote Khola River. This trek will not be much challenging as it mainly includes descending. Once we reach Syabrubesi, we check in to the guest houses and unpack our hefty backpacks.
Day 08:Drive to Kathmandu 6 hrs journey.
On the last day of our Langtang Valley journey, we will drive back from Syabru Besi to Kathmandu. We drive through the different Nuwakot Districts and Dhunche Village settlements to reach Kathmandu. The last glimpse of the mountains, forests, hills, Trishuli River, and green terraced fields along our way add spice to the journey. We reach Kathmandu after a 6 to 7 hours ride and check into our respective hotels.
If you have your visa remaining and want to explore more, we suggest you extend your trip to the main tour hubs like Pashupatinath, Basantapur, Bhaktapur, and more.
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