Langtang Valley Trek – 11 Days

Elevation and distance

Your journey in Nepal will begin at an elevation of 1,324 meters in Kathmandu, the capital city. From here, you will be transported to Syabrubesi Village in the Langtang region, which is located at an elevation of 2380 meters (7810 feet). This is where you kick off your trekking adventure in the mountains.

On the following day, you will hike to the Lama Hotel at 2,500 m (8202 ft) from Syabrubesi Village. Likewise, Langtang Village is 3,430 meters (11,253 feet) above sea level.

Then you’ll make your way to Kyanjin Gompa, which stands at 3,870 meters (12,697 feet). From here, you will rise to the Tserko Ri, the highest point, at 5,033 meters (16,512 feet), where you may take in the breathtaking natural environment and mountains.

Also, while exploring the Langtang region in the course of 11 days, you will have to walk the distance of approximately 74 kilometers (46 miles). The trip to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu City is roughly 122 km (76 miles). The distance from Syabrubesi Village to Tserko Ri is roughly 42 kilometers (26.1 miles).

From Kyanjin Gompa, you will walk 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to Tserko Ri in a round trip. On the return journey, you will cover 32 kilometers from Kyanjin Gompa to reach Syabrubesi Village to end your Langtang Valley Trek excursion.

Difficulty and altitude sickness

This 11-day Langtang Valley Trek is a moderately arduous hiking adventure in the mountains of the Langtang region. Whether you are a novice trekker or an experienced trekker, this trek is perfect for both. However, you need an average level of fitness to walk at least five to six hours each day.

Although the Langtang trekking trail doesn’t require technical climbing or specific gear for hiking, the trails despite contain uneven and steep sections that make the journey tough and challenging, especially for people who are not physically fit. The seventh day, when you hike from Kyanjin Gompa to Tserko Ri at 5033 meters, will be the most challenging.

The increasing altitude above 4000 meters and steep inclination paths make it very hard and exhausting for trekkers to ascend Tserko Ri. Regarding the other trekking days, the trail is below 4,000 meters, which decreases the chance of getting acute mountain sickness (AMS) due to the thinner oxygen level.

Nonetheless, altitude sickness can occur above 3500 meters, making it more difficult to breathe. You may feel lightheaded and dizzy and have an urge to vomit if your body is not able to adapt to a higher altitude. The highest risk of altitude sickness occurs when trekking to Tserko Ri, which is located at 5,033 meters above sea level.

Thus, when hiking, it is essential to take care of your body by drinking enough water to keep it hydrated. Additionally, take short breaks while trekking to avoid exhaustion. You should also wear comfortable clothes to make walking easy and overcome the difficulty of the Langtang Valley trek excursion.

Maximum and minimum walk per day

The average hike time on this Langtang Valley Trek will last about five to six hours on secluded Langtang region routes.  This climb demands ordinary fitness, allowing you to walk easily on uneven routes, rocky terrain, and steep sections without overworking your legs.

Out of an 11-day journey, you will trek six days in the mountains of the Langtang region of Nepal. The minimum walking time will be on the sixth day, for four to five hours, as you travel from the remote Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa. So, this allows you to explore and rest more in Kyanjin Gompa.

In the same way, the maximum hiking time will be on the seventh day, for up to seven to eight hours, as you hike uphill to Tserko Ri at 5033 meters and come back again to Kyanjin Gompa. To avoid weariness and altitude sickness while walking for lengthy periods of time, remain hydrated and take pauses.

Accommodation, Food and Drink

Upon arrival in Nepal, you will stay in a tourist-standard hotel in Kathmandu city, which is approximately 20 to 25 minutes away from Tribhuvan Airport. The hotel offers comfortable facilities and services. Similarly, you will lodge on a twin-sharing teahouses in the trekking trails of the Langtang region.

Teahouses in the mountains of Nepal are typically run by families as their primary source of income. These teahouses offer a glimpse into Himalayan life, allowing you to learn about their culture and way of life. The rooms in the teahouses are neat and clean with basic amenities due to their secluded location.

When it comes to meals, teahouses serve freshly prepared local Nepali typical meals like dal bhat, momos, dhindo, noodles, flatbread, porridge, curries, eggs, toast, and many more. In some lodges, you may find Western dishes on the trekking trails for your lunch. These meals will provide you with enough energy and all the required nutrients for your body.

Similarly, for the drink options, you will have the choice of tea or coffee with breakfast. Apart from this, teahouses all sell hard and soft beverages, which we don’t recommend drinking when trekking, especially at higher altitudes. These drinks are not covered in the Langtang Valley Trek package.

Can beginner join this trip?

Absolutely, beginners can join this 11-day Langtang Valley Trek. This journey is not that challenging compared to the other mountain treks in Nepal, like the Annapurna Circuit Trek, Gokyo Valley Trek, Renjo La Pass Trek, Manaslu Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, and many others.

But you need a good level of fitness to navigate through steep and uneven paths while trekking. Good fitness will help you walk faster and make you less exhausted. Before embarking on the trip, you can start the training right from your home, focusing on leg exercises and strength building.

If you are well-trained and packed for the trek, then even if you are a beginner, you will walk in the mountains like a pro, completing the journey successfully. This journey is the best choice to kick off your trekking excursion in Nepal and prepare yourself for more challenging treks in Nepal than this.

Gadgets charging and Internet

The majority of teahouses and mountain lodges on the way in the Langtang Valley provide the facility of charging cameras, phones, or power banks, a service for which they usually charge 100-200 Nepalese rupees per device (or per hour), and these facilities are generally located in the dining area or the dormitory.

However, these places often lack sockets, and long power cuts are quite frequent, so it might be useful to have a high-capacity power bank or a solar charger to satisfy your energy needs, even on the busiest days of trekking without access to a plug.

The majority of lodges in the Langtang region has Wi-Fi. In most cases, the connection is not very reliable: it is slow, intermittent, and offered on a usage-based rate (300-500 rupees per hour).

If you require a more solid network, you can get a local SIM card that supports a 3G/4G network.  To minimize annoyance, make sure you download the map, music, and all necessary paperwork before leaving Kathmandu, as internet connections are often sporadic along the trail.

Transportation

You don’t have to worry about transportation costs in Nepal when traveling with us. As your transportation cost is already included in the 11-day Langtang Valley Trek package, we will take care of everything related to it while traveling to destinations as per the itinerary of this journey.

On your first day in Nepal, you will be picked up by our company staff at the airport and driven to your three-star hotel, located in the vibrant Thamel area of Kathmandu. The following day, we will provide you with an expert guide for a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu Valley in our company’s private, comfortable vehicle.

Similarly, you will travel to Syabrubesi Village by local bus from Kathmandu on the third day of your trip. If you prefer a jeep or a private vehicle over a local bus, you can choose these more comfortable options with an extra money increment in the package.

Similarly, you will return to Kathmandu from Syabrubesi via local bus. On your final day in Nepal, we will come to pick you up at your hotel and drop you off at the airstrip, ending the journey with a nice farewell.

Travel Insurance

It is clearly essential to get complete travel insurance for the Langtang Valley trip. A mishap in these secluded mountains can be a delicate and expensive situation if you are not accompanied by someone to help. Your insurance policy should ideally not only provide coverage for doctor’s visits and hospital stays but also include hill and mountain rescues, such as helicopter lifts, if you are stuck at high altitude.

Also, ensure that your travel insurance plan specifically covers high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation when trekking to Langtang’s heights of over 4,000 m. Then, you will be able to enjoy the views and meet the locals without any worries and still have a phone call away to seek help from professionals at any time without incurring any unexpected bills.

Our company, Adventure Walkway, will also assist you by suggesting the best travel insurance for trekking in the mountains of Nepal. We will provide a variety of options that align with your interests and preferences, covering all potential risks while traveling.

What to expect from this trip?

The Langtang Valley Trek is the right place to go if you want to see the Himalayan mountain range in its entirety, experience the gentleness of the rhododendron forests, take in the stunning scenery, and hear the sound of pure rivers as you make your way up to isolated Tamang communities.

This trip’s warmth is evident in its accommodations, which range from comfortable teahouses to basic lodges where hearty meals are provided and you can meet locals.  Furthermore, you can immerse yourself in the Tamang culture, learning about their rich customs and mountain lifestyle.

On the upper side, daily exertions of 4 to 7 hours of trekking are required on well-defined trails, and the areas where hiking is to be done are usually snow-free. The journey is best suited for both experienced individuals and beginners. So, you can expect a mix of thrilling adventure with some challenges and rewarding vistas.

Further moderate altitude gain leads to the 5,000 m summit of Tserko Ri, renowned for its awe-inspiring sunrise views over Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu. Along the way, you’ll encounter ancient mani walls, yak cheese farms, and colorful mountain villages that have been thoughtfully reconstructed after the 2015 earthquake. So, prepare to be amazed on this 11-day excursion that will exceed your expectations.

A typical day in the trek

Starting the Langtang Valley Trek on a typical day means you’ll wake up early, eat a nutritious breakfast at the very mountain teahouse where you slept, and have a strong tea or coffee. The mountains presenting a picture-perfect view will be a wonderful backdrop for breakfast as you whiff the clean and fresh air.

The hike will begin at 7 to 8 a.m., taking you through magnificent, diverse landscapes.  The path will be picturesque, with lush jungles, river basins, and alpine meadows, all complemented by breathtaking Himalayan views.  Along the walk, you’ll encounter friendly villagers who will greet you with a warm ‘Namaste’ as a sign of friendliness.

You’ll hike for three to four hours and eat a hearty lunch at a trailside teahouse or lodge.  Here, you’ll take a break and refuel for the rest of the journey. Late afternoon or evening, you will arrive at a new place on your schedule for an overnight stay. Here, you will settle and leave your gear and bags in the room and then explore the village.

In the evening, the teahouses will serve you a fine dinner, lighting a fire to keep you warm. After dinner, you can chat with your fellow trekkers, share experiences, and discuss tomorrow’s plan with your guide. By 8 or 9 PM, you can fall asleep with beautiful dreams in the mountains. This is how your typical day in the trek goes.