Langtang valley passes through the premises of Langtang national park, the first Himalayan national park of Nepal (estd. 1976).Sometimes it is known as “the valley of glaciers” and at other times as “the Yak valley”. Whatever you may choose to attribute it with, the trek leading to this alpine valley and beyond (Kyanjing Gompa ) is and will remain memorable to the travelers for the spectacular snow-capped summits, glacial moraines, mystic gush of rivers, diverse flora and fauna, religious shrines with Tibetan influence, caravan of yaks, beautiful grazing horses etc. Most importantly, all these can be achieved via less strenuous, gradually ascending and a short, 12 days trek including Kathmandu valley sightseeing & culture tours!
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu
As soon as the jet you are flying on lands at the airport of Kathmandu, you will be approached by tour staffs and escorted to your hotel. Later, you may want to enjoy the night-life around the tourist-center Thamel or take an early rest to relax your travel exhaustion.
Day 02 Sightseeing in Kathmandu
After breakfast, your guide will take you to the premises of Syawambhunath- the monkey temple and afterwards, to the national museum of Nepal. Then, you will be guided to the UNESCO heritage of Kathmandu- renowned Durbar Squares. Durbar Square is actually a common name of the heritages in all 3 districts of Kathmandu valley where Malla kings (medieval rulers) dwelled and carried out all their royal duties from. Here, you can observe ancient temples with inimitable structures and architecture. There is also a 500 year old temple built of a single tree trunk – the kasthamandav, after which Kathmandu got its name. The places worth visiting here are Kumari (living goddess) temple, 9-storey palace, Taleju Bhawani temple, Hanuman Dhoka palace, the fierce statue of Kal Bhairabh and several other temples and statues.
From here, you will drive to Baudhanath which is the holiest shrine for the buddhists of Nepal, especially the Tibeto-Buddhists. There are numerous monasteries, shops of handicrafts, bookshops (chiefly comprising books on Buddhism and Nepal) and clean cafes in the area. After spending some time here, you will be guided to the next Durbar Square – Bhaktapur Darbar square. The place is also similar in architecture to that of Kathmandu Dhoka Durbar Square you visited the earlier day, but has its own artistic significance if closely observed. Your guide will provide detailed information before taking you to last sight-seeing spot- Patan Durbar Square. Apart from the temples and museum around Patan Durbar square, you will also visit a 14th century Buddhist monastery which is the center of rituals of Newar Buddhists of that area. Their ritual is quite different than that of Tibetan Buddhists.
Subsequently, you will drive back to your hotel or may instead shop around markets. Since next day you will be heading for your trek, an early bed would be preferable to the late night stay.
Day 03: Katmandu – Syabrubesi (4800 ft)
Estimated time: 8-9 hours
The first day of your trip comprises of an 8 hour ride through the Trishuli highway –road with its major portion black-topped and short portion un-asphalted. The Trishuli market falls along mid-way of the journey with plenty of shops, inns and hotels to have snacks or buy anything (like batteries or few clothes) in case you’ve forgotten to bring from Kathmandu.
Day 04: Syabrubensi – Khanjung – Sherpagaon ( 8466 ft)
Estimated time: 5-6 hours
Estimated height gain: ~3666 ft
Your actual trek commences on the second day from Syabrubesi, passing through the forest of rhododendrons and alders to the Khanjung village, where there are enough inns and small tea-shops to rest for a while. The trek then leads through more dense forest, chiefly of bamboo, pines and rhododendrons where you can have frequent encounters(but a safe one!) with wild habitats like langurs, local boars, partridge , mountain ravens and other species. After about 4 and half hour of trying yet exciting climb, you arrive at the final stop for the day- Sherpagaon for the overnight stay. From Sherpagaon onwards, the places upto Kyanjing Gompa are marked by Tibeto-Buddhist influence.
Day 05: Sherpagaon – Lama hotel – Langtang Valley (11,448 ft)
Estimated time: 5-6 hours
Estimated height gain: ~2982ft
This is the day when the monotony due to repetition of the same scene of forests will segue into a picturesque valley. The trail is relatively easier compared to the preceding day. The first intermediate stop is Rimche after which the path descends gradually until you reach Lama Hotel, which actually is not a particular hotel but a place consisting of few other hotels! After Lama Hotel, you need to do a few hours of climb till Ghoratabela (lit.Horse stable). From Ghoratabela, the splendid view of mountains becomes magnified as you progress along the Lamtang valley, focal point of the trek.
Day 06: Langtang Valley – Kyanjing Gompa (12988 ft)
Estimated time: 4 hours
Estimated height gain: ~1540 ft
Starting early, you can reach Kyanjing Gompa within four hours, walking in a leisurely manner. On the way, you come across various chortens, water-driven Manis that should be always kept right while walking. On the mid-way, you will confront yaks and horses that are very docile and domesticated, contrary to their fierce size and gaze. Kyanjing village is the seat of Kyanjing monastery from where it derived its name and there are plenty of hotels and lodges, most of them having facility of electricity. You can even utilize telephone facility from one of the inns here.
Day 07: Short excursions around Kyanjing Gompa:
Estimated height loss/gain: variable
For more spectacular and closer view of the white summits around, hiking up to the nearby hills or glacial moraine is indispensable. There are 3 hills nearby – Kyanjing Ri ( ~15400 ft) , Tserko-Ri (~16200 ft) and Yala peak(~18000 ft.). The first two peaks do not require any special gears and can be hiked within a day. If you are not physically prepared to scale the hills, there are other places to go or look around like glacial moraine, Kyanjing monastery, and cheese factory.
Day 08: Kyanjing Gompa – Lama Hotel (7675 ft)
Estimated time: 7 hours
Estimated height loss: ~5312 ft
Within 6-7 hours of playful walking, taking time to relax and take some digital snaps, you reach Lama Hotel for the overnight stay.
Day 09: Lama Hotel – Thulo Syabhru (6232 ft)
Estimated time: 6 hours
Estimated height loss: ~1443 ft
Rather than going up of Ramche towards Sherpagaon, you will follow a new route but with similar dense forest, flora and fauna. The sound of river following from the below will help you focus yourself out of the tiredness. You may enjoy hot spring in the place called Pahiro(Nepalese term for Landslide) before reaching Thulo Syabru.
Day 10: Thulo Syabru – Dhunche (5410 ft)
Estimated time: 5 hours
Estimated height loss: ~822 ft
Eventually, the last day of the trek! After about 3 hours of lazing through the forest, you reach Syabrubesi from where you may have a laid-back and nonchalant walk to Dhunche. Dhunche being the headquarter and biggest market of Rasuwa District (the seat of Lamtang National Park), you have the access to new-style restaurants, banks, ATMs, marts and even pool house.
Day 11: Dhunche- Kathmandu.
Estimated time: 7 hours
After a sip of tea and quick nips of anything edible, you will get on the bus early in the dawn that will take you to Kathmandu via same highway within 3-4 PM. You will be transported to your hotel at Kathmandu.
Day 12: Departure or prolongation of stay (as your wish!)
So if you are interested to behold Yaks, horses, birds, mountain peaks, Tibeto-Buddhist culture and heritage in an economical, short and comfortable trek, why not fill out this inquiry form and get a travel information for free!?
