Langtang Trek: High Altitude Adventure in Kathmandu's Backyard

Nepal is famous for its long-distance hiking trails like Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit, covering lots of mileage and vertical gain. This may not be for everybody. The Langtang Valley Trek is ideal for those who don’t want to commit to a strenuous trekking journey, but still want to experience the very essence of trekking in Nepal.

The Langtang region is located straight north of Kathmandu, geographically the closest Himalayan mountains from the capital. The enormous ridge of snow and ice called the Langtang Himal forms a formidable natural barrier of more than 7000 meters high with neighboring Tibet. The mountains and the valley below are part of the Langtang National Park, the first designated national park in the entire Himalayan Range. It’s a safe haven for elusive animals like the red panda, ghoral (mountain goat) and the snow leopard.

The trek starts in Syabrubesi, at the bottom of the Langtang Valley where you pay your Langtang National Park fee. A skinny trail winds along the banks of the at times raging torrents of the Langtang Khola. The route is mostly in the shade of the rhododendron and pine trees, keeping you a bit cooler in the hot, lower parts of the valley. The landscape opens up as you approach Langtang Village. To the north is the huge wall of Langtang Himal’s highest peak, Langtang Lirung (7234m). Six kilometers further up the valley there’s Kyanjin Gompa, with a 300 years old monastery. This friendly village is a huge contrast to its barren surroundings, and it’s the highest overnight stop on the Langtang trek. From here, there’s the option to climb up Tsergo Ri, more than a 1000 vertical meters up. It’s a long, tough, but non-technical climb to a large buddhist stupa. From the top at 4985m you have panoramic views of Langtang Lirung and the world’s 14th highest peak, Shishapangma (8027m high!). It is in many ways the highlight of trek.

In short, the trek is not that hard. The Langtang Valley elevation is fairly modest compared to for example the Everest treks. The trails up the valley are in good condition, and they ascend gradually along the river Langtang Khola. The distances are very manageable, leaving enough time to enjoy downtime in the villages after the day’s walk. The hardest day is the trek up the 4985 meter high Tsergo Ri from Kyanjin Gompa, which is a bit like ascending a mountain (higher than Mont Blanc!). However, this ascent is optional, as you will come back to stay in the same place at Kyanjin Gompa. You could also go for a slightly lower viewpoint at Kyanjin Ri at 4779 meters above sea level. For those who want to take it easy, you can stick around in Kyanjin Gompa and take in the spectacular mountain scenery while sipping endless cups of tea. All in all, this trek is doable for every reasonably fit hiker.

The Langtang Region, along with most of the other trekking areas in Nepal, has four distinct seasons. Spring, summer, autumn and winter. The months from March to May, pre-monsoon, and from October to early December, post-monsoon, are the most popular for hiking the Langtang Valley trek. Every season offers its own excitement and atmosphere and in principle, you can go trekking year-round. There are good reasons why spring and autumn are considered the trekking season. Below we’ll explain more what each of the seasons are like.

Spring

Spring (March-May) is the prime trekking season and trekkers from around the globe come to the Nepali Himalayas in large numbers. In springtime, the temperature is pleasant, the precipitation is low and the hiking conditions are great. On the trail there’s a lot of excitement to head up to the maximum Langtang Valley altitude of almost 5000 meters at the Tsergo Ri. While temperatures in daytime along the trek are balmy, the temperature higher up in Kyanjin Gompa and beyond can be very cold in the early morning. To prepare yourself for this, check our complete Langtang trek packing list further below in this blog post.

Summer

Summer season falls in the months of June, July and August. Summer is the period with higher temperatures and in that sense it is quite pleasant. However, this is also the monsoon season, and it rains a lot. The chance of seeing the mountains around you is smaller as it is cloudy most of the time. The trail will be wet and slippery and there is an increased risk of landslides. And leeches are very active during these months. On the flip side, it’s almost empty on the route and the traditional villages feel calm and serene.

Autumn

Autumn in the Langtang Valley (September, October, November) is, like springtime, prime trekking season with similar trekking conditions. There is one difference. The air in spring is sometimes a little hazy due to the dust in the atmosphere. Post-monsoon the air is very clear, allowing for stunning views of the surrounding mountains.

Winter

Winter season runs from December to February. This period is the toughest time to trek the Langtang Valley. The sun is low and doesn't get above the mountain ridge lines for a period of time, especially in the lower parts of the valley. Night temperatures drop to -10 degrees Celsius. Add wind and snowfall and you’ve got yourself proper winter conditions. Why do we still run the Langtang Valley hike in winter? We work with some of the best trekking companies in Nepal. Besides trekking trips they also organize climbing expeditions to some of the highest peaks in the Himalayas. Our partners can keep you safe and comfortable, even in these cold conditions. And you will probably have the entire trail to yourself!

The earthquake that struck Nepal in April 2015 was a devastating event, and Langtang was one of the severely affected areas. The earthquake had a magnitude of 7.8 and caused widespread destruction, triggering avalanches and landslides in the Himalayan region.

In Langtang specifically, the earthquake triggered a massive avalanche that swept through the valley, burying entire villages under tons of snow and debris. The aftermath was heartbreaking, with many lives lost, homes destroyed, and families shattered. The remote and mountainous terrain made rescue and relief efforts challenging. The avalanche also caused a glacial lake to burst, compounding the destruction downstream. The entire community of Langtang was essentially wiped out, and the survivors faced the daunting task of rebuilding their lives amidst the ruins. The earthquake highlighted the vulnerability of communities in seismic zones and the need for better preparedness and infrastructure to mitigate the impact of such disasters in the future.

The villages have mostly been rebuilt, albeit in different more safe locations. Also the walking trails have been restored and trekkers have returned to enjoy the Langtang Valley hike.

For trekking in Langtang National Park, you need the following permits:

TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System):

This permit is important for every trekker wishing to trek in Nepal. From the Annapurna Circuit to the trek to Poon Hill, all trekking routes require this permit. This costs NRS 2000 per person. This equals about 17 USD or 15 EUR.

Langtang National Park entrance fee

The Langtang trek leads through the Langtang National Park. This costs an additional 25 USD.

All permits are arranged by your trekking provider.

Experiencing a stay in the traditional villages along Nepal's trekking routes is, in our opinion, an integral and enriching aspect of trekking in Nepal. It represents a harmonious blend of rugged mountain wilderness and a distinctive mountain culture. Staying in these mountain villages provides a genuine glimpse into life in the Langtang Valley.

Each village offers accommodations in a tea house, the local term for a guesthouse. During our trekking adventures in Nepal, we always look forward to reaching the next destination early. Why? Because we cherish the tranquility and simplicity of life in these mountain villages. Enjoying a cup of tea, we can immerse myself in the daily rhythm of life in the Himalayas. Some villages may feature monasteries, and fortunate trekkers might encounter one of the many Buddhist festivals. While the tea houses themselves are generally simple, in recent years, some have undergone improvements, now equipped with flush toilets, warm water, and even WiFi. Fortunately, the delectable dhal bat, a staple in Nepalese trekking cuisine, remains a highlight on every tea house menu. Immerse yourself in Nepal's mountain culture on the Langtang Trek!