The Langtang valley is aptly called 'the valley of glaciers'. Here, mountain rise, soaring towards the sky. The valley offers pine forest, swift mountain streams, rugged rock and snowcapped peaks, grassy downs and meadows strewn with daisies and wild primal. A variety of sights including Buddhist monasteries, a cheese factory, yaks, glaciers and mountain lakes make this trek an exciting one. This trek offers the experience of being in a typical Sherpa village and many ancient monasteries. It is a golden chance to learn about life in our villages.

You follow a rugged trail with dramatic views; to the west Himal chuli (7893m) Manaslu (8156mm) and Ganesh Himal (7406m). On a clear day, even the Annapurna range can be seen rising up behind and to the north across the valley is Langtang Lirung. You pass a few huts in the high picture of Laurebina, cross a small ridge and have our first views of the holy lakes. There are about a dozen lakes in the Gosainkunda Basin, the main three being Saraswatikunda, Bhairabkunda, and Gosainkunda. According to legend, Shiva created Gosainkunda when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water to quench his thirst after having swallowed a poison that threatened to destroy the world.

This trek brings you to the Langtang Valley surrounded by Himalayan Peaks. Langtang Lirung-7240m and Ganesh Himal are the highest in the region. Trek upto Kyanjingompa and excursion to Tshergo Ri would acclimatize you well for further trek to Ganja La pass. The trek then turn straight south into the valley of Helambu via the Ganja La pass which is more exciting and challenging as well.

Facts of the Trek:

Duration: 18 Days
Trek Type: Teahouse (Lodge base)
Standard: Hard
Total Treks Distance: .........
Total Trek Time: ..................
Maximum Elevation: 5160m.
Minimum Elevation: 860m.
Mode of Transportation: Land (Bus/Van/Taxi)
Good Season: October – November, March – May
Trek Start Point: Sundarijal (1400m.)
Trek Finish Point: Melamchi Pul Bazaar (860m.)

Detail Itinerary:

Day 01 :

Kathmandu - Sundarijal (1400m.) then trek to Chisopani (2200m).
4 -5 hours, 1064m Ascend, 220m Descend.

The unpaved road from Kathmandu turns into a trail near a small hydroelectric plant. The trail will enter through the Shivpuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve. The first settlement you will come across is Mulkharka with Tamang inhabitants. The route heads down the ridge through a forest of oaks and rhododendron to Chisopani (2200m.) Chisopani is a beautiful place. It has magnificent views from Annapurna to Everest.

Day 02 :
Chisopani(2200m) -  Kutumsang (2400m.)
6 -7 hours, 500m Descend, 1040 Ascend

The trail continues to drop from Chisopani on a good, sometimes level, trail that crosses meadow and fields. You will then descend through Pati Bhanjyang (1750m) then the trail climbs the ridge to Chipling Danda (2600m) then your trails descends to Gul Bhanjyang immediately your trials gradually ascends to Kutumsang. The meadow makes a good camping spot, its downhill to Kutumsang at 2400m, in a saddle atop the ridge.

Day 03 :
Kutumsang (2400m.)  - Tharepati Danda (3600m)
6 -7 hours, 1200 Ascend, 100m Descend

The trek continues north up the Jongin Danda (2550m) ridge and affords views of the peaks. The trail climbs above Kutumsang on a steep, eroded trail mostly through fir and rhododendron forest where there are no permanent settlements. The trail then descends to Magen Goth. Next, you have to climb, steeply at first then more gradually, the trail makes some ups and downs passing through the forest, across flower strewn meadows and crossing streams and finally you reach in Tharepati. Tharepati has four lodges, the first right one is the Himalayan Yak Lodge. From here, there are views east down into Helambu where the tin roofs of capital of Helambu – Tarke Ghyang may be seen in the distance. To the west you can see the Laurebina (Gosainkunda Pass). From the top of this famous ridge. From the top to the ridge, we can see panoramic view of Gangchenpo (6387m), Langshisha Ri (6440m), Dorje Lakpa (6993m), Shisa Pangma (8012m, the 14th tallest mountain in the world.), Cho Oyu (8201m), Gauri Shanker (7145m) and many more…

Day 04 :
Tharepati Danda (3600m) – Laurebina Phedi (3640m)
4 – 4 ½ hours, 535m Descend, 560 Ascend

The first part of your trek is small downs and ups upto Ghopte. Now the trail ascends through the meadow of bushes and some rhododendron forest. The trail gradually ascends to Phedi (3640m.) where is the very basic two Lodges.

Day 05 :
Laurebina Phedi (3640m) – Gosainkunda (4320m)
4 – 4 ½ hours, 1060 Ascend, 380m Descend

The beginning of your trek is steep ascend upto Laurebina La Pass (4640m) with the beautiful views of snow caped mountains  as well as green valley then gradually descend to Gosainkunda. The large lake Gosaikunda is at an elevation of 4320m. There are several small stone shelters for pilgrimage on the north-western side of the lake. Hundreds of people come here to worship and bath in the lake during the full moon festival each August. You will witness some black and white stones in the lake with an individual story about Lord Shiva and his creation.

Day 06 :
Gosainkunda (4320m) – Chandanbari (Sing Gompa) at 3300m.
4 – 4 ½ hours, 1020m Descend, 100 Ascend

The trail gently ascends for a short through different chortens and small Shiva temples. The trail then descends to Laure Binayak to Sing Gompa. The Gompa, which houses a statue of the Green Tara, is one of the famous destinations for the trekkers. You can witness small cheese factories and several lodges here. The trail now will go through the forest and reach Chandanbari.

Day 07 :
Chandanbari (Sing Gompa) at 3300m. – Syabru Gaon (2350m)
4 – 4 ½ hours, 950m Descend, 100 Ascend

The trail descends through the forest; you will come across the Chortens on the route specially built for offering prayers by Buddhist. You will then reach Syabru Gaon which is densely populated by Buddhist people.

Day 08 :
Syabru Gaon (2350m) – Lama Hotel ( 2450m)
4 – 4 ½ hours, 550m Descend, 600 Ascend

The trail descends along the ridge on Syabru's main street and then drop to the Ghopche Khola (2050 m.) and again descends to the Landslide (1810m.). Afterwards, you trek ascends gently to Rimche (2400m.) through Bamboo (1960m.) and at the end your trail is level to the Lama Hotel. En route you could see red pandas, monkey and bear if you are lucky. There are few lodges and shops which provides the trekker supplies.

Day 09 : 
Lama Hotel (2450m.) - Langtang village (3670m.) 
5 hours, 1120m.Ascent, 20 m.Descend.

As you continue climbing there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung(7245m.) between the trees. At Ghora Tabela (3000m) the trail emerges from the forest. Once there was a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now it is a Nepalese army post though it has no permanent inhabitants. 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. There is a monastery which you can visit shortly before arriving at the village of Langtang, the headquarters of the Langtang National Park. The houses of Langtang and its neighboring villages are of the flat-roofed Tibetan style, surrounded by stone walls enclosing fields of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley.

Day 10 :
Langtang village (3670m.) – Kyangjin Gompa (3900m.)
2 – 2 ½ hours, 250m.Ascent, 10m. Descend

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. Here there is a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory. You should arrive at Kyangjin by lunch time allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area. It is a dramatic setting with snowy peaks surrounding you in all directions. You can enjoy panoramic views of Kyangjin Ri (4750m.), Tsergo Ri (5000m.), Ganja la (5160m.), Langshi sa- ri (6427m.), Dorji Lhakpa (6430m.), Naya Kang (5844m.), Yala peak (5500m.) and so on.

Day 11:
Rest day in Kyangjin. It is a day to rest and explore 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.

Note: There is an alternative option to do a side trip to Langshisha Kharka (4,130m.) from Kyangjin Gompa which takes about 7-8 Hours & it covered about 24 Kilometers in Distance.It is 520m.Ascent & 520m Descend.

Day 12 :
Kyangjin Gompa (3900m.)  - Ngegang (4000m)
5 – 5 ½ hours, 100m.Ascent, 100m. Descend

There you can not see any villages. The trail goes on ascending and area is covered with little natural vegetation. Since there are not available any lodge, you need to camp.

Day 13 :
Ngegang (4000m) – Keldang (5106m)
5 – 6 hours, 1100m.Ascent, 100m. Descend

This day is comparatively strenuous as you need to cross the Ganja la pass. On the Ganja la pass, you can find it covered with snowy ice most of the times through out the year. Today you have to camp and sleep in the tent because there is not lodges / teahouses or you can sleep in a summer Yak Hut.

Day 14 :
Keldang (5106m) – Dukpu (4080m)
5 – 6 hours, 500m.Ascent, 450m. Descend

Your camping site will be inside the forest. This day will be long day walking along ridge, grassland with amazing views of Mountains.

Day 15 :
Dukpu (4080m) -  Tarkeghyang (2740m)
5 – 6 hours, 1400m.Descend,  200m. Ascend

The trail descends about 200mtrs, climb the 4100m pass. Views from Pass are spectacular to the Annapurna Region and Mt. Everest region too. From pass trail descends through pine forest, rhododendron forest past tiny herder’s settlement to Tarkeghyang. You can visit one of the oldest Buddhist monastery and Sherpa villages. These villages are well settled where friendly and cheerful people inhabit.

Day 16 :
Tarkeghyang (2740m) – Kakani (1900m) via Shermathang (2600m)
5 – 6 hours, 100m. Ascend, 740m. Descend

You trek along leveled path and somewhere you cross gentle ascent and descent path through the forest with oak and some rhododendron trees. Middle way is situated a small village, Ghangjawal with its distinct culture. There is a beautiful monastery and people are mainly involved in agriculture. From Shermathang, you can enjoy panoramic views of Mt. Rolwaling, Mt. Dochelapcha, Langtang, Shisa Pangma, and also many other snow caped peaks in north-east whereas you can see terraces stretching in south. Moreover, you can visit monastery and chorten to discern into original Sherpa people’s culture. Leaving Shermathang, you trek downhill passing small forest in the early part of trek and later you pass through open terraces. While trekking, you can the scenic beauty of hill surrounded around you. You stay overnight at Kakani. People coming from surrounded villages have made new settlement there. You will be mesmerized by the views of Rolwaling, Mt. Dochelapcha, Gaurishankar, Sesapangma and many unnamed mountains. On a clear day, Kakani is an excellent view point for sunrise and sunset.

Day 17 :
Kakani (1900m) – Melamchi Pul Bazaar (860m)
3 – 4 hours, 1040m. Descend, 50m. Ascend

The trail gradually descends all the way to Melamchi Pul Bazaar through meadows ad cultivated fields. On the way, you come across several old villages with their own particular tradition passing through Dubachour, a dense populated Bramin and Tamang villages. Walking this day is quite pleasant with mountain views and interaction with local.

Day 18 :
Melamchi Pul Bazaar (860m) – Kathmandu (1350m)
Drive from Melamchi Pul Bazaar to Kathmandu which takes about five hours.

You travel through gravel and bumpy road up to Lamidanda (0 KM) and then you follow the pitched road up to Kathmandu by passing Dhulikhel and Banepa.