Overview
Self-exploration is what Langtang trekking is all about. It is a must-do trek if you are a die-hard trekker, and especially if it is to the Langtang glacier. The Langtang trekking, itself, can be accomplished in a week’s time, but your heart will not stop at that. That is, if you want to explore the valley. The trek begins, where you are set to be captivated by the destructive feat of engineering of the road that leads you to the lead and zinc mines of Ganesh Himal. Then there is the unforgiving valley of the Trisuli River that diverts your way to the Langtang Valley.
Two days of yours are spent briskly climbing the gorge of the lower valley that is clustered with oak and rhododendron treks, to suddenly emerge from your ascent to picturesque scenes of old moraine and snow-capped peaks. It is a spectacular view of a U-shaped glacial valley. In the season of spring, it is a massive bed of seasonal flowers, and in the autumn, barberry bushes take on a rustic color.
The upper valley has two Bhotiyas villages in the Langtang region-the first where you get to acclimatize, which is at 3300m, and the second, known as Kyanjin, at 3750m, that is proud to show off their gompa and, along with it, a cheese factory and chalet lodge.
Then, there is Tsergo Ri (Ri small hill) at 5033m, where you get to climb and also explore the upper valley glaciers. One gets the serenity of the white wilderness of peaks, especially that of the 8013m Shisha Pangma.
Itinerary
You will be met at Tribhuwan International Airport by a representative of Green Lotus Trekking holding a welcome placard and token for your overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu and to freshen up. Prior to dinner a briefing will be held. You could spend the rest of the day resting or wandering around the city of Kathmandu sightseeing.
We begin our journey by bus, heading in the northwest direction, reaching Karkani and then heading down to the Trishuli River. On arriving at Trishuli Bazaar, we halt for lunch and then finally head for Dhunche and then Syabrubesi. O/N stay at the lodge.
We start the trek in earnest along the Langtang stream through thick forest. After several locally made bridges and tea houses with a number of ascents and descends, we reach the Lama Hotel, famed for giving reprieve to trekkers who built a small hamlet.
The day’s trek commences through the dense forest of the previous day and the numerous climbs and descends. On entering clear space, the scintillating view of the Langtang peak comes into sight. Here the ground is more open and sights of water mills, chortens, prayer wheels, and mounts of sacred rocks become apparent.
On leaving the village, we head past yak pastures and massive mani walls with prayers in Nepali inscribed on them. We find the air getting thinner as we cross a number of bridges. We finally get to Kyangjin with the Himalayas on four sides.
Today we rest to get used to the altitude we are at with a short climb to Thergo Ri (5000m). Ri, in the local dialect, means small mount, giving you a pictorial view of the surroundings.
We retrace our steps all the way back to Lama Hotel, which will seem short as now most of the hike will be mostly downhill.
We again retrace part of the trek back to Syabrubesi and, along the way, before Doman, we divert to U Kyang and, along a circuit trail, get to Thulo Syabru.
Following in the southern direction, we first get to Gursagang and then onto Danda. Via forest of varied flora and fauna and hopping across a number of streams, finally on an eastern turn, we get to Sing Gompa, on the edge of a ridge in an area of dead forest.
The day’s hike takes us up a number of ridges with views of scrubs and low vegetation on the slop. The trail gives way to a deep forest and emerges at Chalang Pati (3650m). Ascending through a fabulous view of the Langtang Valley, we touch Laurebina from where the trail ascends and then starts the climb first to Saraswati Kund, Bhairav Kund, famed for its Hindu shrines, and then onto Gosaikund, a holy pilgrim site for Hindus.
The day’s trek moves around the Gosainkund Lake and via rugged terrain to a pass and then crosses moraines. Passing through Laurebina La, Phedi, and Dupi Chaur (3630m), we finally get to Gopte, from where the outline of Kathmandu comes into view.
The trek takes off up and down a number of descents past moraines, ravines and boulders to Tharepati on a ridge (3640m) and then descends to Mangan Kharka after a couple of hours.
Descending and walking in reverse, we first get to Panghu, Khutumsang, and finally Gul Bhanjyang.
It does not take much on this trek as it is practically downhill with a few ascends, but the views are breathtaking all the way to Chisopani (cool water in the local dialect).
We finally trek to Sundarijal as the sight of Kathmandu comes more and more into view through the Shivapuri Forest reserve. From here, it is a one-hour drive through the traffic of Kathmandu and onto a hotel for rest.
The trip concludes—our airport representative will drop you off at Kathmandu’s Tribhuwan International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.
US $970 Per Person
Cost Includes
- All airport to hotel to airport transfers.
- Two nights Kathmandu hotel in 3 star category hotel with daily breakfast.
- Pokhara-Kathmandu airfare ($91 per person).
- Local English speaking guide and porter(s).
- Staff/crew insurance
- Use of trek pack (i.e. sleeping bag, down/fiber filled jacket, and duffel/kit bag).
- Langtang Conservation Area and TIMS permit.
Cost Excludes
- International airfare.
- Nepal entry visa fee.
- Travel or trek insurance.
- Kathmandu lunch and dinner expenses.
- On trek meal and accommodations (allow US $20 to $25 per day).
- Gratitude or tips (allow $3 per day per person).
You can find good places to trek somewhere in the Himalayas at anytime of the year. However, for most regions, the best time is from October to May, with October to November having the best weather for trekking. During the autumn, nights are cold in the high Himalaya, but the bright sun makes for a pleasant daytime temperature (20 degrees centigrade to 5 degrees centigrade in the night). Above 3500m, the temperature range goes down to -10 degrees centigrade, and in winter (Dec-Jan), it is about 10 degrees colder.
While you do not need to be super-fit, you need to be fit enough to comfortably walk for 5–6 hours per day in the mountains on reasonable trails. Most of our customers have an interest in walking in the hills or countryside of their homeland and are used to similar daily trips.
We pride ourselves on our small group approach to adventure travel. Small groups allow you to share great company without crowding your experience. Our typical groups range in size from 2 up to 8. One of the attractions of such a trip is the chance to meet people with different backgrounds and personalities.
If this is the case, we can organize a personalized trek for you. Additionally, if you want to spend more time in Kathmandu before or after a trek, we can organize the hotels and quote you a price.
If you are a group of two or more, the trip is guaranteed to run.
Usually, our clients simply bring their existing clothing and equipment and, if necessary, supplement this with some extra items purchased cheaply in Kathmandu.
What gear to bring?
- Passport (with photocopies)
- Photos for Nepal visa on arrival:
- Travel insurance (with photocopies)
- flight tickets (photocopies)
- Daypack for daily personal items
For Trekking:
- Walking boots
- Light sandals or plimsolls to wear in the lodges
- 2 pairs of underwear.
- 2 pairs of walking socks.
- 2 thick fleece or warm shirts
- 1 pair thin thermal underwear
- Long trousers for walking (or a long skirt for women)
- T-shirt
- Shorts
- Gloves (it’s cold on the Thorung La, Laurebina Pass and Cho La)
- A warm hat which covers your ears (for the Kali Gandaki and Thorung La – it’s windy)
- Base ball caps or broad brim hats to keep the sun off (Australian Barmah recommended)
- Sunglasses (vital)
- Sun cream
- Soap dish and soap
- small towel
- Toothbrush and toothpaste.
- Wet wipes or moist towelettes
- Hand sanitizing lotion
- Head torch
- Moisturizer, Lip balm
- Tampons are hard to buy in rural areas.
- Ear plugs for light sleepers
- Toiletries
- Sheet of plastic (use as a poncho if it rains)
- 1 toilet paper rollYou can buy more on the way.
- 2 large plastic bags. One for smelly clothes, one for things that must be kept dry.
- A small, good quality padlock
- Water bottle
- Iodine tablets for water purification
- Protein bars, chocolate, dried fruits, candies, and snack foods.
Notes: All of the trekking items are available in Kathmandu at nominal prices. However, we suggest you bring hiking boots from your home country if you decide to purchase these items in Kathmandu.
Yes, all hotels provide storage facilities for free.
Personal travel insurance is not included in the tour price. It is a condition of booking a tour with Green Lotus Trekking, and your responsibility to ensure the type of tour you are undertaking; the policy must include satisfactory cover for repatriation, high altitudes, trekking and climbing, and helicopter rescue. Please forward your insurance details (e.g. policy number, 24-hour emergency telephone number, and name of insurance company) to Green Lotus Trekking when available.
Yes. You can apply in your home country through the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate or obtain it at the airport on arrival by paying a fee as below:
- Multiple entries for 15 days: $25 USD
- Multiple entries for 30 days: $40 USD
- Multiple entries within 90 days: US $100
Notes: We suggest you bring the exact change. You also need to bring two passport-size photos.
Tourist Visa Extension
The visa extension fee for 15 days or less is US $ 30 or equivalent convertible currency, and the visa extension fee for more than 15 days is US$ 2 per day.
A tourist visa can be extended for a maximum period of 150 days in a single visa year (January – December).
Gratis (Free) Visa
A gratis visa for 30 days is available only for tourists from SAARC countries.
Indian nationals do not require a visa to enter Nepal.
Normally single trekkers have no problems fitting in with a group. Normally single trekkers share rooms or lodges with other trekkers of the same sex, but if we have an odd-number we ensure that a room or lodge is organised accordingly.
To confirm your booking, we will require a deposit of $250 for treks and $300 for peak climbing, which can be made by bank transfer or online through paypal.com (the leading transaction site). The balance is payable on arrival in Kathmandu with cash or traveler’s cheque. Alternatively, the balance can be paid by bank transfer or PayPal shortly before arriving in Kathmandu.
The following details are needed to process your trekking permit, national park permit, flight booking etc.
- Gender:
- First Name:
- Last Name:
- Passport number:
- Expiry date:
- Issue location:
- Nationality:
- Year of birth:
- Occupation:
- Your arrival details (time, date, flight number, airline):
All the above info can be sent electronically via email.
You will typically walk 4–9 miles (5-8 hours) each day. Some days may be rest days for impromptu exploration. In high and steep areas, you may move more slowly. Most people begin to feel the effects of high altitude over about 2000 meters, and your trekking pace is always adjusted to permit safe acclimatization. Our treks follow established trails used by local people. You will probably carry only a light daypack.
You can hike at your own pace, stopping when you wish. There is ample time to cover the necessary hiking distance each day with lots of stops. If you are on a private trek, you may wish to take more or fewer days to cover a given distance, or add in rest days. If you like to hike fast, your guide will be concerned that you acclimatize to high altitude effectively. You may wish to reach camp at a measured pace, but take a side hike after arriving at camp. Your guide is always interested in learning about your personal interests and accommodating those interests as the trip permits.
Altitude sickness, often known as acute mountain sickness (AMS), is a particularly important medical consideration while trekking in Nepal. Altitude sickness means the effect of altitude on those who ascend too rapidly to elevations above 3000 meters. The initial symptoms of AMS are as follows:
- nausea, vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Insomnia or sleeplessness
- Persistent headaches
- Dizziness, light headaches, confusion,
- Disorientation, drunken gait
- Weakness, fatigue, lassitude, heavy legs, slight swelling of hands and face.
- Breathlessness and breathing irregularly
- Reduced urine output
These symptoms are to be taken very seriously. In the event of the appearance of any of the above symptoms, any further ascent should be reconsidered; otherwise more serious problems can occur, which can cause death, sometimes within a few hours. The only cure for altitude sickness is to descend to lower elevations immediately. Acclimatization by ascending to no more than 300 to 500 meters per day above 3000 meters and the proper amount of rest are the best methods for prevention of AMS.
Our itineraries are designed so that our clients ascend at a sensible and safe rate. The effects of altitude are felt by everyone, even the Sherpas, but most people find that gentle acclimatization allows them to reach their high point without any problems.
Accommodation: There are a number of lodges along the popular trekking routes in the Annapurna, Everest, and Langtang regions. These lodges are called “Tea House Lodges” and are managed by local people. Private rooms, dormitories, toilets, shower rooms with hot and cold water, and one attached restaurant are among the basic requirements for overnight accommodation at these lodges.The quality of food offered might vary from lodge to lodge, but most serve simple and hygienic meals. The teahouse trek provides you an opportunity to feel the warm hospitality of friendly Nepali hosts. The money you spend goes to the local community.
Camping Trekking
In a typical camping trip, each pair of trekkers will sleep in a spacious mountain tent with a durable rain fly and full insect netting. The tent is fitted with foam mattresses. When your campsite is near villages or lodges, you may be invited to sleep in the lodges or homes of local people.
Breakfast options include oatmeal,French toast,Chapatti, Tibetan bread, eggs, pancakes, muesli, and for lunch or dinner you can have sandwiches, soups, momo (dumplings), macaroni dishes, pizzas, noodles, steak, dal bhat (rice, lenthal, veg platter), pasta, etc.
Our trekking guides are carefully selected for their ability and are generally from Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung, Magar, and other communities from remote mountain villages. Each guide is trained in eco-friendly trekking methods and safety measures. They help to maintain your health and your happiness as well as the crew members. Our guides are committed to making sure that all our trekkers have an enjoyable trek, come back safe and are overwhelmed by their experience. Your guide will be a friend and companion, who takes pleasure in showing you his country’s specialties and, perhaps, meeting his home and family too.
Services of porters and pack-animals to carry your luggage and equipment are hired at the beginning of a trek to make sure that most of the costs our clients pay go directly into the local community where you trek.
Tipping is at your discretion and always appreciated. A good rule of thumb is anywhere from $2–5 dollars per day for the guide and $1.5–3 dollars per day per porter. The total amount can then be divided among the group.
Please have them contact us at any of the following numbers:
Cells: +977-9841250258, +977-9841269376
We check email frequently throughout the day, so you could also write to our email: info@green-lotus-trekking.com if it’s not urgent.
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