So you’re thinking about trekking up in the Langtang Valley? Good choice! I’ve been there 4 times and just love it. Since it can be done as one of the shortest treks out of Kathmandu, Nepal, fully equipped with tea-houses and stunningly beautiful, it's one of the most popular treks in Nepal. If you are just going up the valley to Langtang and down again, you don’t really need a map. Or a guide for that matter. But if you’re planning to walk back to Kathmandu from Langtang, a map is a good idea. Not to get lost like that Australian fellow who spent 3 weeks in the wilderness between Langtang and Kathmandu. It’s a bit beyond me how he managed to get that much lost, but surely, you could easily take some wrong turns and unnecessarily prolong your trek.
But for the Langtang Valley alone, the route is fairly simple. Getting to the starting point in Syabru Besi can be a bit of an adventure in itself. From there you just cross the river and head into the eastward valley. Make sure you don’t take the northward valley as this will take you to the Chinese border!
Langtang Valley route points
The tea-house points up the Langtang Valley comes about every 1-2 hours of walking and the order is as follows:
Syabru Besi (~1450 meters) – (lodge at bridge) - Poiro (~1670 meters) – Bamboo (~2000 meters) - (another lodge at bridge) - Rimche (~2450 meters) – Lama Hotel (~2420 meters) – Riverside/Gumna-chowk (~2500 meters) - Ghoda Tabela (~3000 meters) – (various small tea house villages) - Langtang Village (~3400 meters) – Mundo - Singdum - Kyanjing Gompa (~3800 meters).
How long does it take?
Walking up from Syabru Besi, it is possible to reach Langtang Valley in a day. But you need to be fit, walk quickly and start early. It’s 2000 meters up, plus the up-down-up-again factor, which is quite high in the beginning! So I’ll advice you to stay the first night somewhere between Lama Hotel and Ghoda Tabela. Remember, once you’re over 3000 meters, the oxygen level is down to two-thirds of sea level conditions. If you’ve been walking all day, this is likely to be where you get tired!
PS: Watch out for AMS headaches. When you reach Langtang Village, always stay overnight!
Side trips in Langtang Valley
Gosaikunda
Hardly a side trip actually. More of a complete trek in itself. From the Langtang Valley, just below the Poiro settlement, you’ll have to find a little trail leading to Thulo Syabru, and from there to either Sing Gompa or Chalangpati, then Laurebinyak and finally to the Gosaikunda lake. There are a few tea-house lodges along the way. If you are fit, count 2 days to reach Gosaikunda Lake (4400 meters, 14,500 ft) from Langtang Valley. 3 days more average. Just note that it is starting to get really high here, it's the highest (and coldest) trail in this area. At 3000 meters above your starting point, it will be some 20°C colder up here than where you started! And windy too! Make sure you are properly dressed for the occasion:
- Thermal layering underwear for trekking
- Warm trekking jackets
- and tips on Staying extra warm on a trek
Kyanjing Glacier
From Kyanjing Gompa (last settlement in upper Langtang Valley), explore the side valley that goes north from the old Gompa (Buddhist monastery). There’s a huge glacier in there, slowly melting of course…
Upper Langtang Valley
From Kyanjing Gompa you should really try to head further into the valley. It just keeps getting more and more beautiful! But there are no lodges anymore, so it’s either a camping trek or return by nightfall. Personally, I'd say it's totally worth the extra time and effort to spend a couple of days up there. And it's quite simple, you just need 4 things: A tent, a sleeping bag, a cooking stove and some food. Check these links for recommendations on gear:
River Crossing at Shimdu / Mondu
Between Langtang Village and Kyanjing Gompa on the main route, there are a couple of small villages called Mundu and Shimdu. Ask a bit around or just try making your way down to the river. Perhaps an hour’s walk and you should be able to find an old Tibetan-style cantilever bridge. Cross it and explore the other side, it’s like there’s a bay in the cliff walls. Beautiful area!
Rasuwa Gadhi
Ancient fort and a modern suspension bridge marking the border to Tibet / China. Also army check post. From the bottom of the Langtang Valley (Syabru Besi), head up the northern valley for a day.
Tamang Heritage Trail
A 5 day trip that can be done as an extension to the Langtang Valley trek. From Syabru Besi at the bottom of the Langtang Valley, you first head north-west to Gatlang, then north to Tato Pani and then you cross east through the back country, Thuman – Briddim and join up with the main trail around Lama Hotel. It is a new homestay route that is a lot less traveled.
Tsherko (Chhergo) Ri
The Tsherko Ri is a popular trekking peak that reaches 5000 meters / 16,500 feet. Done out of Kanching Gompa in the upper Langtang Valley, it’s best to set off early morning at the break of light. Before sunset. You can reach the cold summit and be back in Kanching Gompa in the afternoon same day.
Ganja La Pass
The Ganja La Pass is more of a mountain expedition than a trek. You will need a local guide to show you the way, as well as snow gear and camping equipment. It is challenging and you need to be ready for some rough conditions.
View Larger Map
Map of Langtang Valley. One of very few Himalayan Valleys that goes East-West in stead of North-South!
You don’t strictly need the Langtang Valley Map if what you want is just to get up and down. But if you plan to explore the side trips it is good to have. It also makes for good ice-breakers and conversations over a cup of tea and besides, if you’re a map addict like me, it can be fun to have anyway. So check the map above or buy your own to bring on your trek from amazon here:
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