Langtang Valley Trek

Driving time: 7 hours. The first day begins early, driving by 4x4 or bus to the starting point of the trail at Dhunche. Leaving the Kathmandu valley, the road twists and turns along the high hills through remote villages. When you reach the village of Ranipauwa, there is a fine view of the Annapurna range in the west and the Langtang range in the east. Driving to Trishuli Bazaar, then travelling over rough roads, leads us into the Langtang National Park, where you will notice the remoteness of human settlements at higher altitude. Our first night will be spent in the district headquarters of Dhunche.

Trekking time: 7 hours. Our trek begins today by descending through forest, down to the Trisuli River. This water runs from the Gosainkunda Lake, which is holy to Hindus and Buddhists. After crossing a suspension bridge, there is a steep climb beside a stream and up the mountainside to the village of Braccaka, steeped in Sherpa culture and traditions. We continue on, skirting around a ridge leading to fields, climbing at a steady pace. We will stop for lunch in the village of Brabel, where there is a beautiful view of Ganesh Mountain (7,000 m). Moving along the trail leads you to Syabru village, where we will spend the night.

Trekking time: 7 hours. The trail leads north, passing old government buildings, across a suspension bridge and into the settlement of Old Syabru. A pleasant forest trail leads to a side stream, then on to a waterfall, and then climbs up along rocky ridges. We will cross the Langtang River and enjoy a lunch break, listening to the water flowing from the mountain glaciers. After lunch we will cross two bridges along the main path, on a gentle ascent to Gummanchhok. Situated under a steep hill is Lama Hotel, where we will spend the night.

Trekking time: 6 to 7 hours. A gentle climb through the forest brings you to Ghore Tabela, which is located in a wide valley. Situated here is the Nepali Army base camp, where they guard the National Park animals. We stop for lunch before heading towards the alpine meadows and ascending to Langtang. It is the park's headquarters, made up of stone walls with surrounding fields and yak herds. Langtang is an historical and traditional village; the people strongly believe in Tibetan Buddhism.

Trekking time: 3 to 4 hours. The day starts by climbing to a chorten (Buddhist monument) and then down a gentle path, passing mani stones (prayer stones). These stones have carvings of a Tibetan Buddhist chant (Om Mani Padme Hum). The trail continues into a glacial valley where you can see, weather permitting, the Kimshun and Tsenji Himal. It then follows on to Kyanjin Gompa.

Kyanjin Gompa is not a very old village. There is a small cheese factory, run by the government, where many local people work. There are plenty of lodges and the valley here is known as the Garden of Nepal. From here you can explore the glacier and view the mountains of Tsergo Ri (4,700 m) and Chyorkuri (5,200 m).

Trekking time: 5 to 6 hours. The return route to Lama Hotel is mainly flat and downhill via Langtang. We will spend the night here.

Trekking time: 5 hours. We will walk the same path from Lama Hotel back to Bamboo Lodge, where we will stop for lunch. Trekking beside the river to Syabru Besi takes about three hours. We will spend our last night here.

Driving time: 7 hours. After a good breakfast we will return to Kathmandu, stopping at Trisuli Bazaar for lunch.