Overview
Langtang trek is one of the shorter hiking routes in Nepal. It offers fantastic scenery from the jungle with banana trees and monkeys at lower altitudes to glaciers and ice peaks at higher elevations. Short doesn’t mean easy the route is quite challenging from the beginning with many long and steep ascents which is a typical thing for Trekking in Nepal. The trek can be done as a single trek, in combination with the Tamang Heritage trek, or as an acclimatization trek before attempting one of the longer and more challenging routes like the Everest Base Camp Trek or the Annapurna Base Camp/ Annapurna Circuit Trek.
Latest Update for the Langtang trek
From the 1st of April 2023, it’s compulsory for all international trekkers to have a licensed guide for hiking most routes in Nepal including the Langtang trek. If you’re planning to do the Langtang trek you can try to find a guide once you’re in Nepal or book the trek through a company and let them arrange a guide and plan your trip.
Langtang Trek Over view
Distance – 77 km/48 mi (including Kyanjin Ri peak)
Days required – Minimum 10 Days
Total ascent – 3925 m/12 877 ft
Total descent – 3925 m/12 877 ft (the same way up and down)
Highest point – 3800 m/12 467 ft on the Langtang trek itself and 4600 m/15 000 ft if you climb Kynajin Ri peak.
Difficulty – Moderate/Difficult
Permits – TIMS card and National Park entrance permit required.
Cost per day – US$ 30 -35 per person including permits and transportation.
Guide – Compulsory
Accommodation – Guest house
How Long is the Langtang Trek?
The Langtang trek is 77 km/48 mi (including Kyanjin Ri peak). It takes 5-7 days on average to complete the route. You can add some side treks to the route which will increase your total distance. If you walk to Tserko Ri peak from Kyanjin Gompa it will add around 8 km to your trek. The trek can be combined with the Tamang Heritage trek, it’ll add 3 extra days to your itinerary. Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough time to do it but from what we’ve heard the Tamang trek is a great cultural experience.
How difficult is the Langtang Trek?
The trek is quite demanding due to elevation gain, in the first two days you go over 2000m up, and there are many steep and long ascents on the route. Still, it’s one of the easier hiking routes in Nepal and a good one for people who have never done a high-altitude trek before. The main reason I considered the Langtang trek as an easier option is the elevation. The maximum elevation on the trek is 3800 m (4600 m if you climb Kyanjing Ri peak) which is much easier than most other popular routes as Annapurna Base Camp or others.
Travel Insurance for the Trek!
The Langtang trek is a high-altitude trek through remote and difficult-to-access areas of Nepal. It’s required when applying for the TIMS card hiking permit to have insurance. Getting injured or sick at isolated locations, especially at altitude evacuation can be very complicated and expensive. You can quickly get a quote for travel insurance. Travel insurance has been designed by travelers for travelers, with coverage for more than 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Do I Need a guide for the Trek?
Yes, for international trekkers it’s compulsory to have a guide for hiking in Nepal. You can hire a guide or join a small group tour. There are several advantages of joining a group tour:
You don’t have to worry about permits, transportation, accommodation, etc. everything is arranged for you.
You don’t have to plan your route.
You have better chances to communicate with locals not many of them can speak good English.
You can get more information about the region, local traditions, lifestyle, etc.
If you’re traveling alone, it’s much more fun to meet new people.
How much does the Langtang trek Cost?
Hiking the Langtang trek cost will depend on standard of trip, Budget trip cost is around US$ 30-35 per person per day including permits, transportation, accommodation, and food.
Permits
As I already mentioned above for the Langtang trek you’ll need the TIMS card and the Park entrance permit. The TIMS card – NPR 2000/US$15. The park entrance permit – NPR 3000 / US$ 23. Total – NPR 5000/US$38 per person.
Guide
Since 1st April 2023 it’s compulsory to have a guide for hiking in Nepal you’ll have to add US$ 35 per day / Porter cost US$ 25 per day. One guide can be shared between several people if you’re a group.
Transport
A public bus from Kathmandu to Syabubesi – NPR1000/US$ 8-9 one way per person. If you take a Jeep, it’ll be more expensive.
A taxi to the New Bus Station in Kathmandu from Hotel cost – NPR 500/US$4. Total
The cost of accommodation
Accommodation on the Langtang trek is very cheap if you eat at your guesthouse. If you don’t eat there, they charge you more for rooms. In season for a double room, charge US$ 10 usually.
The cost of food
Food is the main expense on the Langtang trek. The higher up you go the more expensive it gets which is easy to explain there is no road everything is carried up by donkeys and porters. Prices vary depending on what you order. The average price for a meal is about NPR 900-1000/US$ 7-8 It might be pasta with cheese, Dal Bhat, eggs, fried rice, soup, oat porridge, moms, pizza, etc. Hot drinks (tea, coffee) are between NPR 100-200 / US$ 1-1,5. Snacks (chocolate, chips, cool drinks, etc.) from NPR 250/US$2.
What is the accommodation like on the Trek?
Langtang is a tea house trek every night trekkers stay at guest houses. The facilities can vary from place to place. Most guesthouses have.
Double rooms with two single beds each
A dining room with a stove and tables
An in-door toilet – some have rooms with an attached toilet some have shared facilities, it might be a Western sit-down toilet or an Asian hole toilet.
Electricity – some places have power outlets in the rooms or in the dining area. Some where they charge extra.
Hot shower – usually it’s a solar shower if it’s cloudy it doesn’t get hot. Sometimes it’s a bucket shower, you buy a big bucket of
hot water, NPR 200/US$1,5 (one bucket is enough for two people).
Blankets – every place has thick blankets, but we used our sleeping bags as well.
wi-fi – you must pay extra for using it, some places charge a fixed rate for unlimited usage, but most places sell cards, 200Mb to NPR500/US$4 and 1Gb for NPR 1000/US$8.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : After Breakfast in hotel, head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Dhunche.
After Breakfast in hotel, head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Dhunche. Overnight at lodge.
Day 2 : Trek from Dhunche to Syabru Gaon (2581m.) takes about five and a half hours.
The trek today is very leisurely through forests and terraced hill slopes. As you enter Syabru, you descend to the ridgeline that separates the Langtang Khola from the Trisuli River. You will continue through the village to your campsite about fifteen minutes beyond on the slopes below the village. From here you can enjoy spectacular views of Langtang Lirung (7245m.) and Tibetan Himal ranges. Overnight at lodge.
Day 3 : Trek from Syabru Gaon to Lama Hotel (2470m.) takes about five hours.
The trail descends along the ridge on Syabru's main street and then drops to the Ghopche Khola (2050 m.) and again descends to the Landslide area (1810m.). Thereafter your trek ascends gently to Rimche (2400m.) through Bamboo (1960m.) before going along a level path to Lama Hotel. En-route you can see red pandas, monkeys and bears if you are lucky. Overnight at lodge.
Day 4 : Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang village (3430m.) via Ghore Tabela takes about six hours.
At Ghora Tabela [3000m], the trail emerges from the forest. You can catch a glimpse of white monkeys and local birds. The trail continues to climb gently, and the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during the summer months. Overnight at lodge.
Day 5 : Trek from Langtang Village to Kyangjin (3870m.) which takes about three hours
The trail climbs gradually through small villages and yak pastures as the valley opens out further and the views become more extensive. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. It is a dramatic setting, with snow covered peaks surrounding you in all directions. At this point, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Dorje Larpa (6990m.), Langtang Ri (6370m.), Langtang Lirung (7245m.) and several other peaks. Overnight at lodge.
Day 6 : This is a day for rest in Kyangjin Gompa while you can do some excursions in and around the area.
You can visit the monastery and the cheese factory, walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri [4350m], directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang peaks. Overnight at lodge.
Day 7 : Trek from Kyangjin Gompa to Lama Hotel takes about six hours.
From Kyangjin you retrace your route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch you continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel. Overnight at lodge.
Day 8 : Trek from Lama Hotel to Syabru Besi via Sherpa Gaon takes about five hours.
The upper part of the trail is more beautiful for the panoramic view of mountains and green hill views. This path is broader and remains sunny through the different Sherpa and Tamang villages. The first half of the trail is gradually down and then the trail does a steep descent to Syabru Besi (1600m.). The main inhabitants belong to the Tamang community who has adopted Tibetan lifestyle. Overnight at lodge.
Day 9 : Drive from Syabru Besi to Kathmandu by bus takes about nine hours.
You drive through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Kathmandu. The first part of your drive to Trishuli Bazaar is along a gravel and bumpy road. You then access a well paved road to Kathmandu.Overnight In Kathmandu
Day 10 : Free Day / Sightseeing or International Departure as flight Itinerary.