Langtang Valley & Ganja-la Trek - 19 Days

Introduction:
Great Adventurer Treks & Expeditions trekking invites you to a great classic adventure towards central Himalayan region Langtang & Ganja-la trekking and traversing in between high peaks of Langtang region.

Great Adventure Treks & Expeditions starts from Kathmandu by bus to Syabrubesi, to begin this grand adventure towards Langtang Himal area, taking the direct approach via the Langtang khola, then trekking for days on gradual winding path through the dense forest of oaks, birch, pines and rhododendron, to reach at Kyangjin Gompa 3,749m. Kyangjin is a perfect base for acclimatization in a beautiful surrounding of high snow covered mountains and plan explorations and climbs of the upper valley. Good acclimatization days are spent exploring the upper Langtang valley, first explored by Tillman, when he was scouting routes into Tibet. These upper meadows are grazing for Yaks and home to large herds of thar, the valley ending in a massive wall of mountains, forming the border with Tibet.

After a good time in Kynagin at Langtang Valley our route leads to the Chimsedang Lekh and the Kangjal Himal, to set a high camp below the Nayakanga peak and Ganja La 5,121m. From this pass a possible way to cross from  Langtang valley towards Helambu region with stunning views of  the great mountains flanking the Langtang valley, including Ganchenpo (6387m), Dorje Lakpa (6990m), Pemthang Karpo Ri (6830m), Langtang Lirung (7245m) and across the border in Tibet rises the huge bulk of Shishapangma (8046m). After the pass of Ganja-la adventure leads to the charming villages of Helambu before ending the tip near Kathmandu. A scenic drive leads to Kathmandu completing this adventurous trip of a life time with Great Adventure Treks & Expeditions to Langtang Valley & Ganjala.

Trip Highlights: “Crossing of high Ganja-la pass in midst of towering Himalayan mountains & stunning alpine valley, perfect natural harmony & tranquility, central Himalayan location, traditional culture & Buddhist religion, pristine forest, area of the red pandas, and in the close backdrop of the high Langtang Himalayan range.”

 

Outline Itinerary
Detail Itinerary
Cost Include
Cost Exclude

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu 1,300m. and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu half day guided tour.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi 1,460m. 7 hours.
Day 04: Trek to Riverside 2,240m. 5 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Ghoretabla 3,020m. 5 hours walk.
Day 06: Trek to Langtang village 3,430m. 3 hours walk.
Day 07: Trek to Kyangin Gompa 3,850m. 3 – 4 hours.
Day 08: Rest-Day for acclimatization at leisure for hike around.
Day 09: Trek towards Naya Kanga at Branchen Kharka 4,100 approx. 4 – 5 hrs walk.
Day 10: Traverse Ganja-la 5,121m. descend towards Keldrong Kharka.
Day 11: Trek to Kharka before Dukpu. 4,023m.
Day 12: The Kharka before Dupku to Tarkeghyang 2,560m. 6 – 7 hrs.
Day 13: Rest Day at Tarkeghyang.
Day 14: Trek to Sermathang 2,621m. 4 – 5 hrs.
Day 15: Trek to Melamchi Pul 840m. 5 – 6 hrs.
Day 16: Drive to Dhulikhel Mountain Resort 2 hrs journey.
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu from Dhulikhel.
Day 18: Free day in Kathmandu.
Day 19: Transfer to Airport for International departure.

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport meet our staff with GA complimentary transport transfer to relevant Hotels, our guide will give you breifing of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking, and related information that you might require while in Nepal with Great Adventure Treks & Expeditions.

Day 02: Half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest if booked in advance.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu – Syabrubesi 1,460m. 7 – 8 hours.

Early morning drive to Syabrubesi, the ride to the winding uphill and downhill road, passes many rural town and farm villages the bigger town on route Trisuli Bazaar, this place lies in the sub-tropical climatic zone the road, the ride leads uphill to a cooler region leaving the rice paddy behind to maize and millet terraced fields as the weather changes with the culture and the people as well, passing at Dhunche 1,965m, a major town of the Langtang area and Rusuwa district. From here, journey continues further downhill for 1-2 hours to Syabrubesi village for the overnight stop.

Day 04: Trek to Riverside 2,240m. 5 – 6 hours.
The route from Syabrubesi is quite pleasant with the uphill climb for a while but the rest of the walk is gradual on the winding trail through the terraced farm fields and villages, as the trail descends and joins the path coming from upper Syabru at the Riverside Lodge near the place of Bamboo, an ideal spot for camping with ample time to go for a refreshing splash in the nearby river of upper Trisuli River.

Day 05: Trek to Ghoretabla 3,020m. 5 hours walk.
The walk from here leads to a cool forest inside the gorge following the torrent glacial Trisuli River upstream, the path from here leads to gentle up hill in the cool shade of rhododendron and oaks forest after few hours walk, arriving at Lama-Hotel, where there is facilities for camping and staying in one of these local teahouses serving as lodges for the trekkers.

From this place another two to three hours reaches you at Ghoretabla for the overnight stop. Ghoretabla located is in the middle of the forest of pines, hemlocks and rhododendron from here onwards you can feel the altitude also. Ghoretabla in Nepali means the “Horse-Stable”, as this an ideal place for the cattle’s and horses to graze on the meadows with numerous creeks around for watering.

Ghoretabla has a lodge and a Park Warden’s barrack where your permits are checked.

Day 06: Trek to Langtang village 3,430m. 3 hours walk.
Trek continues for few hours on the road to Langtang village and to its beautiful valley, the walk leads through the alpine forest for an hour, on reaching a small stream and then leaving the tree line behind.

From here the trail follows  uphill for an hour, then the walks get better on the gradual winding path with few ups and down till Langtang Village is reached for the overnight stop and as well for lunch with ample time to visit the villages with a glimpse of Langtang Himal peeping in the north on top of the great rock wall.

Day 07: Trek to Kyangin Gompa 3,850m. 3 – 4 hours.
From this wonderful village, morning walk leads through the gradual path for a short while, then the path winds uphill for few hours through the prickly Burberry and high alpine shrubs, and encountering “mani-prayer wall” where walking on the clockwise direction is the positive way of respecting the local culture and religion, as our walk leads to farther east the valley opens up and then walking on the grassy meadow with views of numerous snow capped peaks in the distance. The walk is more pleasant and can be vigorous due to altitude gain as we come to our destination at Kyangin Gompa. Kyangin Gompa, a scenic charming spot, with peaks looming from all direction, the closest peak that you can see is the Langtang Lirung of over 7,000m and its icefall just at leisurely distance from the campsite, Kyangin Gompa, a small monastery located on the top of the ridge formed by glacial moraine of rocks and boulders, within Kyangin Gompa area there are 6-7 lodges and a cheese factory.

Day 08: Rest-Day for acclimatization at leisure for hike around.
At leisure a rest day for a short walk at the nearby hill called Kyangin Ri 4,700m. To add more heights on this adventure which offers panoramic view of the surrounding snow capped peaks, visit the cheese factory with rest of the day at leisure.

Day 09: Trek towards Naya Kanga at Branchen Kharka 4,100m. approx. 4 – 5 hrs walk.
The walk from Kyangin follows the downhill track towards the Langtang khola (stream) and to a place called Chhona, from here the path climbs the hillside through rhododendron forest towards Ganja-la to camp at Branchen Kharka for Naya Kanga Base Camp at 4,100m/13,451ft this spot provides a good campsite.

Day 10: Traverse Ganja-la 5,121m. and descend towards Keldrong Kharka.
From the high camp on Naya Kanga follow the path towards Ganja-la; traversing steeply from right to left to the cairned summit of the pass. There is a small glacier on the far side; descend to a camp by the second of two small lakes or ponds on the west side of the glacier below the rubble covered site. If time allows a much better camping site at Keldrong Khaka at 4,298m.A little two hours further on. Descending steeply from the glacier through moraines to the Kharka; provides an excellent campsite on the flat valley below the glacier the trail starts off across the steep east –facing hillsides of the Dukpu Danda. Where there is a cave for the porter’s shelter and the first clean water and woods at 4,510m.

Day 11: Trek to Kharka before Dukpu. 4,023m.
A good day trek with a great deal of up and down path through hill sides studded with kharka. There is little water until the last kharka before Dukpu.
The Kharka can be noticed with a large boulder just below the trail and a smoke blackened ‘ rock shelter’ on its north flank. There is a steep ascent to a little col just before it. A steep descent into the ridge and a steep ascents to another little col. This is a reasonable site for the camping, with wood water and good views. It is about six hours walk from Keldrong.

Day 12: The Kharka before Dupku to Tarkeghyang 2,560m. 6 -7 hrs.
From the Kharka it is another twenty minutes to Dupku at 3,993m. A final ridge is crossed, marked with chortens at about 4,054m   which is reached after nearly two hours of hard walk, from here a long descent into Helambu. After an hour from the last ridge at 3,627m there is a small clearing on the narrow ridge crest after a long diagonal descent on the western side of the ridge, passing wooden water troughs on the way then with a steep descent to the campsite just above the Tarkeghyang village. This is quite a long and hard downhill day.

Day 13: Rest Day at Tarkeghyang.
A well deserved rest day free from the hassle of packing, today local visit around the village and its Monastery, and energetic short hike around on top of the nearby hills for more great view of the snow capped peaks and landscapes.

Day 14: Trek to Sermathang 2,621m. 4 – 5 hrs.
After a lovely morning we head towards another important village of the area to Sermathang, the walk leads on the gradual winding path offering excellent views of the surrounding landscapes all the way to our overnight stop at Sermathang after a good four hours walks.

Day 15: Trek to Melamchi Pul 840m. 5 – 6 hrs.
The last day of the trek is more or less down hill all the way to Melamchi Pul Bazaar, road head for the drive to Kathmandu. The trek passes through mid hills villages of Kakani and Thimbu before heading towards the subtropical region back to the rice paddy fields. On arriving at Melamchi Pul which is a busy bazaar, where people from the rural villages from the hills comes here for the marketing and to catch a bus to Kathmandu city. Here we will have our last camp of this wonderful trek away from the main busy bazaar of Melamchi.

Day 16: Drive to Dhulikhel Mountain Resort 2 hrs journey.
The drive from here is on a dirt road for few hours until it joins the main Tibet-Nepal Arniko Highway. From here a pleasant scenic hour drive brings to the mountain resorts at Dhulikhel for the overnight.

Dhulikhel an old Newar town situated beyond the eastern rim of Kathmandu Valley enroute Tibet and to Jiri the classic gateway to Everest.  As Dhulikhel offers panoramic view of the central and eastern Himalayan ranges it is one of the popular tourist spot with comfortable lodge and resorts.

Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu from Dhulikhel.
A short scenic drive of an hour brings back to Kathmandu through the town of Banepa and Bhaktapur.

Day 18: Free day at leisure in Kathmandu.
A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our Great Adventure Trek staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley.

Day 19: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, Great Adventure Trek staff will transfer you to the International airport for your final departure from Nepal, the land of high Himalayas.

  • Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel
  • Accommodation in kathmandu  as your Budget.
  • Kathmandu valley sight seeing and prepare for trek
  • An  professional Sherpa Guide with Government License
  • Sherpa porter who will carry your baggage(2 person 1 sherpa porter)
  • Food in Trekking(Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner  )
  • All Accommodation during Trekking(Tea House/ Camping)
  • Necessary Trekking permits
  • TIMS (Trekkers Information Management system card)
  • Necessary Equipment( sleeping bag and Down Jacket)
  • All programme as per Itinerary
  • Necessary flight Ticket/ Land Transport(Domestic only )
  • Food , salary  Transport, clothing for Guide and Porter
  • Insurance for Guide and Porter
  • Rescue  Help
  • Lunch and dinner in kathmandu.
  • Any kinds of Drinks( soft and Hard Drinks)
  • Visa, international flight ticket
  • Personal Nature expenses
  • Tips for Staffs
  • Rescue and Evacuation cost

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu 1,300m. and transfer to Hotel.
Day 02: In Kathmandu half day guided tour.
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi 1,460m. 7 hours.
Day 04: Trek to Riverside 2,240m. 5 hours.
Day 05: Trek to Ghoretabla 3,020m. 5 hours walk.
Day 06: Trek to Langtang village 3,430m. 3 hours walk.
Day 07: Trek to Kyangin Gompa 3,850m. 3 – 4 hours.
Day 08: Rest-Day for acclimatization at leisure for hike around.
Day 09: Trek towards Naya Kanga at Branchen Kharka 4,100 approx. 4 – 5 hrs walk.
Day 10: Traverse Ganja-la 5,121m. descend towards Keldrong Kharka.
Day 11: Trek to Kharka before Dukpu. 4,023m.
Day 12: The Kharka before Dupku to Tarkeghyang 2,560m. 6 – 7 hrs.
Day 13: Rest Day at Tarkeghyang.
Day 14: Trek to Sermathang 2,621m. 4 – 5 hrs.
Day 15: Trek to Melamchi Pul 840m. 5 – 6 hrs.
Day 16: Drive to Dhulikhel Mountain Resort 2 hrs journey.
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu from Dhulikhel.
Day 18: Free day in Kathmandu.
Day 19: Transfer to Airport for International departure.

Detail Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.
On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport meet our staff with GA complimentary transport transfer to relevant Hotels, our guide will give you breifing of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking, and related information that you might require while in Nepal with Great Adventure Treks & Expeditions.

Day 02: Half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu.
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest if booked in advance.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu – Syabrubesi 1,460m. 7 – 8 hours.

Early morning drive to Syabrubesi, the ride to the winding uphill and downhill road, passes many rural town and farm villages the bigger town on route Trisuli Bazaar, this place lies in the sub-tropical climatic zone the road, the ride leads uphill to a cooler region leaving the rice paddy behind to maize and millet terraced fields as the weather changes with the culture and the people as well, passing at Dhunche 1,965m, a major town of the Langtang area and Rusuwa district. From here, journey continues further downhill for 1-2 hours to Syabrubesi village for the overnight stop.

Day 04: Trek to Riverside 2,240m. 5 – 6 hours.
The route from Syabrubesi is quite pleasant with the uphill climb for a while but the rest of the walk is gradual on the winding trail through the terraced farm fields and villages, as the trail descends and joins the path coming from upper Syabru at the Riverside Lodge near the place of Bamboo, an ideal spot for camping with ample time to go for a refreshing splash in the nearby river of upper Trisuli River.

Day 05: Trek to Ghoretabla 3,020m. 5 hours walk.
The walk from here leads to a cool forest inside the gorge following the torrent glacial Trisuli River upstream, the path from here leads to gentle up hill in the cool shade of rhododendron and oaks forest after few hours walk, arriving at Lama-Hotel, where there is facilities for camping and staying in one of these local teahouses serving as lodges for the trekkers.

From this place another two to three hours reaches you at Ghoretabla for the overnight stop. Ghoretabla located is in the middle of the forest of pines, hemlocks and rhododendron from here onwards you can feel the altitude also. Ghoretabla in Nepali means the “Horse-Stable”, as this an ideal place for the cattle’s and horses to graze on the meadows with numerous creeks around for watering.

Ghoretabla has a lodge and a Park Warden’s barrack where your permits are checked.

Day 06: Trek to Langtang village 3,430m. 3 hours walk.
Trek continues for few hours on the road to Langtang village and to its beautiful valley, the walk leads through the alpine forest for an hour, on reaching a small stream and then leaving the tree line behind.

From here the trail follows  uphill for an hour, then the walks get better on the gradual winding path with few ups and down till Langtang Village is reached for the overnight stop and as well for lunch with ample time to visit the villages with a glimpse of Langtang Himal peeping in the north on top of the great rock wall.

Day 07: Trek to Kyangin Gompa 3,850m. 3 – 4 hours.
From this wonderful village, morning walk leads through the gradual path for a short while, then the path winds uphill for few hours through the prickly Burberry and high alpine shrubs, and encountering “mani-prayer wall” where walking on the clockwise direction is the positive way of respecting the local culture and religion, as our walk leads to farther east the valley opens up and then walking on the grassy meadow with views of numerous snow capped peaks in the distance. The walk is more pleasant and can be vigorous due to altitude gain as we come to our destination at Kyangin Gompa. Kyangin Gompa, a scenic charming spot, with peaks looming from all direction, the closest peak that you can see is the Langtang Lirung of over 7,000m and its icefall just at leisurely distance from the campsite, Kyangin Gompa, a small monastery located on the top of the ridge formed by glacial moraine of rocks and boulders, within Kyangin Gompa area there are 6-7 lodges and a cheese factory.

Day 08: Rest-Day for acclimatization at leisure for hike around.
At leisure a rest day for a short walk at the nearby hill called Kyangin Ri 4,700m. To add more heights on this adventure which offers panoramic view of the surrounding snow capped peaks, visit the cheese factory with rest of the day at leisure.

Day 09: Trek towards Naya Kanga at Branchen Kharka 4,100m. approx. 4 – 5 hrs walk.
The walk from Kyangin follows the downhill track towards the Langtang khola (stream) and to a place called Chhona, from here the path climbs the hillside through rhododendron forest towards Ganja-la to camp at Branchen Kharka for Naya Kanga Base Camp at 4,100m/13,451ft this spot provides a good campsite.

Day 10: Traverse Ganja-la 5,121m. and descend towards Keldrong Kharka.
From the high camp on Naya Kanga follow the path towards Ganja-la; traversing steeply from right to left to the cairned summit of the pass. There is a small glacier on the far side; descend to a camp by the second of two small lakes or ponds on the west side of the glacier below the rubble covered site. If time allows a much better camping site at Keldrong Khaka at 4,298m.A little two hours further on. Descending steeply from the glacier through moraines to the Kharka; provides an excellent campsite on the flat valley below the glacier the trail starts off across the steep east –facing hillsides of the Dukpu Danda. Where there is a cave for the porter’s shelter and the first clean water and woods at 4,510m.

Day 11: Trek to Kharka before Dukpu. 4,023m.
A good day trek with a great deal of up and down path through hill sides studded with kharka. There is little water until the last kharka before Dukpu.
The Kharka can be noticed with a large boulder just below the trail and a smoke blackened ‘ rock shelter’ on its north flank. There is a steep ascent to a little col just before it. A steep descent into the ridge and a steep ascents to another little col. This is a reasonable site for the camping, with wood water and good views. It is about six hours walk from Keldrong.

Day 12: The Kharka before Dupku to Tarkeghyang 2,560m. 6 -7 hrs.
From the Kharka it is another twenty minutes to Dupku at 3,993m. A final ridge is crossed, marked with chortens at about 4,054m   which is reached after nearly two hours of hard walk, from here a long descent into Helambu. After an hour from the last ridge at 3,627m there is a small clearing on the narrow ridge crest after a long diagonal descent on the western side of the ridge, passing wooden water troughs on the way then with a steep descent to the campsite just above the Tarkeghyang village. This is quite a long and hard downhill day.

Day 13: Rest Day at Tarkeghyang.
A well deserved rest day free from the hassle of packing, today local visit around the village and its Monastery, and energetic short hike around on top of the nearby hills for more great view of the snow capped peaks and landscapes.

Day 14: Trek to Sermathang 2,621m. 4 – 5 hrs.
After a lovely morning we head towards another important village of the area to Sermathang, the walk leads on the gradual winding path offering excellent views of the surrounding landscapes all the way to our overnight stop at Sermathang after a good four hours walks.

Day 15: Trek to Melamchi Pul 840m. 5 – 6 hrs.
The last day of the trek is more or less down hill all the way to Melamchi Pul Bazaar, road head for the drive to Kathmandu. The trek passes through mid hills villages of Kakani and Thimbu before heading towards the subtropical region back to the rice paddy fields. On arriving at Melamchi Pul which is a busy bazaar, where people from the rural villages from the hills comes here for the marketing and to catch a bus to Kathmandu city. Here we will have our last camp of this wonderful trek away from the main busy bazaar of Melamchi.

Day 16: Drive to Dhulikhel Mountain Resort 2 hrs journey.
The drive from here is on a dirt road for few hours until it joins the main Tibet-Nepal Arniko Highway. From here a pleasant scenic hour drive brings to the mountain resorts at Dhulikhel for the overnight.

Dhulikhel an old Newar town situated beyond the eastern rim of Kathmandu Valley enroute Tibet and to Jiri the classic gateway to Everest.  As Dhulikhel offers panoramic view of the central and eastern Himalayan ranges it is one of the popular tourist spot with comfortable lodge and resorts.

Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu from Dhulikhel.
A short scenic drive of an hour brings back to Kathmandu through the town of Banepa and Bhaktapur.

Day 18: Free day at leisure in Kathmandu.
A free day in Kathmandu, please inform our Great Adventure Trek staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley.

Day 19: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket, Great Adventure Trek staff will transfer you to the International airport for your final departure from Nepal, the land of high Himalayas.

Cost Include

  • Pick up from airport and transfer to hotel
  • Accommodation in kathmandu  as your Budget.
  • Kathmandu valley sight seeing and prepare for trek
  • An  professional Sherpa Guide with Government License
  • Sherpa porter who will carry your baggage(2 person 1 sherpa porter)
  • Food in Trekking(Breakfast, Lunch , Dinner  )
  • All Accommodation during Trekking(Tea House/ Camping)
  • Necessary Trekking permits
  • TIMS (Trekkers Information Management system card)
  • Necessary Equipment( sleeping bag and Down Jacket)
  • All programme as per Itinerary
  • Necessary flight Ticket/ Land Transport(Domestic only )
  • Food , salary  Transport, clothing for Guide and Porter
  • Insurance for Guide and Porter
  • Rescue  Help

Cost Exclude

  • Lunch and dinner in kathmandu.
  • Any kinds of Drinks( soft and Hard Drinks)
  • Visa, international flight ticket
  • Personal Nature expenses
  • Tips for Staffs
  • Rescue and Evacuation cost
Enquiry

Trip Facts

  • 5,121m. at Ganja-la
  • Moderate, adventurous to Challenging
  • Tea-House / Lodge & camping
  • mid April to May mid September to November
  • low lands Hindu Brahmins, Chhetries, Dalit upper region Gurung-Magar-Manangs-Thakalis of Tibetan Bud

Gallery

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