Langtang Valley Trek
Thanks to the mesmerizing range of the Himalayas and awesome verdant hills, Nepal is comprised of several hidden valleys. But to your relief, Lantang is a very accessible place with raw beauty and complete naturalness.
Langtang lies in the serenity of Himalayas of Nepal surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Located near the border of Tibet, the region is very much influenced by Tibetan culture and tradition. Everest and Annapurna region are the prime destinations for trekkers in Nepal, however, if you want to trek in tranquil route avoiding the crowd, then Langtang Valley trek will serve you the best.
Keeping aside its natural beauty, Langtang is also very accessible and is only an around a week-long trek. It is the best trek to go for if you have are short in time but still want to have all the amazing experiences.
WHY IS LANGTANG VALLEY TREK THE BEST?
It is peaceful
As mentioned above, the route to Langtang Valley trek receives relatively fewer trekkers than Everest and Annapurna region, it the best to explore the nature in serenity walking along the off the beaten path. Sought by very less number of trekkers, the beauty of Lantang is still intact and raw.
Views of Himalayas
Most of the foreigners visit Nepal to observe the shimmering mountains that sit so majestically in the Himalayan region. It is one of the luring factors. On your way to Langtang, you will see those mountains all along. Langtang Lirung at 7,234 meters that lies in the immediate north of Langtang valley just too magnificent.
No only the Langtang Lirung of Lantang you will get a view of several mountains including Langtang Himal at 6,475 meters, Ganesh Himal I at 7,406 meters, Ganesh Himal II at 7,150 meters, Ganesh Himal III at 7,130 meters, Gangchhempo at 7,246 meters, Manaslu at 8,163 meters, Kimsung at 6,745 meters, Yala Peak at 5,560 meters, Kyungka Ri at 6,979 meters, and many other. Kyangin Ri at 4,250 is a popular peak of Langtang, and if you want to add some more challenge on this trek, then you can go for it.
Tibetan Culture and Tradition
Langtang is very near to the Tibetan border, and its near access has made a huge influence in their culture and tradition. You don’t have to travel to the Tibet to experience their culture; you can have a good bit of it in Langtang itself.
Langtang people mostly belong to Tamang and Tibetan origin. Their culture and practice are ancient that dates back to hundreds of years. You will be in awe looking at their stone built house, traditional dress, extreme lifestyle and warm hospitality. Along with the Himalayan beauty, you will have a good time having a closer insight into the life of these Himalayan peoples.
Glaciers
Located in the lap of Himalayas, there are over 70 glaciers of different size formed by Himalayan water. In the long list glaciers, there is Langtang glacier too, which is the longest glacier river of Nepal. You might not encounter all of them in your journey, but you will certainly pass by some.
Wildlife and vegetation
Langtang National Parks covers a considerable area of Langtang Valley, and the park is rich in rare and endangered species of flora and fauna.
The park has diverse vegetation on different climatic zones from tropical forest to alpine scrub and perennial ice. There are 14 types of vegetation that include oak, maple, pine, varieties of rhododendron and other. Likewise, the wildlife includes Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr, red pandas and rhesus. Your journey to Langtang will be beneficial for your biodiversity knowledge as well.
Suitable for all
One of the best reason to go for Langtang Valley trek is it is suitable for everyone. You can even embark in this trek with your family and spend some quality time in the lap of Himalayas. The trails aren’t so hard to scale, they aren’t slippery and they perfect for nature lovers. There is a very low chance of altitude sickness in this trek.
IMPORTANT INFORMATIONS FOR LANGTANG VALLEY TREK
Difficulty
Langtang Valley trek is an ideal trek from every side; even its difficulty level is moderate and suitable for every trek lovers. Any experience or technical skill is not a particular requirement. However, being a sound physical condition will let you complete the trek easily. The highest altitude you will scale in this trek at 3,870 meters in Kyagjin Gompa.
Best Time
The best time for Langtang Valley trek is in September, October, November, March April, May, and June. The rest of the month falls in winter and monsoon season. However, due to the climate change of recent time, Langtang Valley trek will won’t be so challenging even in winter and monsoon. In overall, this trek is favorable for the whole year.
Permits
For Langtang Valley trek, you will need a TIMS card and a permit for Langtang National Park. The card costs you USD 10, while the permit is USD 34. You can obtain TIMS from Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and permit in Dunche.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT ROUTES FOR LANGTANG VALLEY TREK?
Syabrubesi to Langtang
Langtang Valley trek is already a short trek, and this route is the shortest. The journey lasts for about a week. Starting with a five hour of a bus ride from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, we will gradually move to towards a village called Mundu and to Langtang Valley. Then, of course, our next stop will be the famous Kyangjin Gompa, and we will return the same way we have gone.
Syabrubesi to Langtang to Gosaikunda
This route follows the same path as above until we reach Langtang and make our way towards Gosaikunda. Gosaikunda is one popular Himalaya lake that sits at an elevation of 4,380 altitudes and is a revered site as well. From Gosaikunda, our trek moves towards Sundarijal and back to Kathmandu.
All the way from Tamang Heritage Trail
There is always an option, an option to explore more. Instead of taking the usual route, which is the first one, you can pave way following Tamang Heritage Trail from Syabrubesi. On Tamang Heritage Trail, you pass through some amazing indigenous settlements like Gatlang, Nagthali, and Bridim. Then as Tamang Heritage Trail comes to an end, you will get towards Langtang.
