The Langtang valley lies just north of Kathmandu and Langtang National Park was designated Nepal’s first national park in 1971. Trekking here offers the opportunity to explore Tamang villages, to climb small peaks and to see glaciers at a relatively low elevation. This trek takes you up to Kyanjing Gompa, over the Ganga La Pass (5109m) and then down part of the Helambu Circuit. Although the start and finish of the trek are through well-trodden areas with tea houses, trekking over the Ganja La pass is a serious undertaking and requires the use of some technical equipment and an experienced guide. This part of this trek passes through an area without settlements, so you will be camping and fully self-sufficient with food and fuel.
Trek Grade: This trek is a grade 4 as although most of the trek is not at high altitude, it involves some technical knowledge of mountaineering as the Ganja La Pass sometimes can be covered in ice and snow. You climb to a maximum altitude of 5109m and trek several days above 3000m.
Inspired? Have a look at other treks Royal Mountain Travel offers in the Langtang region:
| Days | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Kathmandu |
| Day 2 | Kathmandu sightseeing: Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Patan |
| Day 3 | Kathmandu – Syabrubesi (1420m, 7 hrs) |
| Day 4 | Syabrubesi – Lama Hotel (2380m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 5 | Lama Hotel – Langtang Village (3500m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 6 | Langtang Village – Kyanjing Gompa (3700m, 3 hrs) |
| Day 7 | Acclimatization day |
| Day 8 | Trek to Ngegang (4000m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 9 | Trek to Keldang via Ganja La pass (5109m) (4270m, 6 hrs) |
| Day 10 | Trek to Dhukpa (4040m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 11 | Trek to Tharkeghyang (2600m, 5-6 hrs) |
| Day 12 | Trek to Shermathang (2590m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 13 | Trek to Melamchi Bazaar (870m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 14 | Drive Melamchi to Kathmandu (1350m, 5 hrs) |
| Day 15 | Departure |
Royal Mountain Travel is a Nepal-based sustainable tourism operator. We specialize in curating once-in-a-lifetime experiences to showcase indigenous and community based tourism projects. We work with travel agents and tourism companies to help plan travel experiences that highlight authentic, local lifestyles throughout some of the most unique landscapes on earth.
Arrive in Kathmandu
Your first impression of arriving at Tribhuvan International Airport is an experience in itself. But don’t be worried by the apparent confusion as your airport representative will be waiting to welcome you with your name written on a placard. Depending on traffic, you will be at your hotel within 20 minutes or so.
Kathmandu sightseeing: Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Patan
The day is spent visiting some of the major World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu. More…
You will have plenty of time in the afternoon to prepare for your trek and check that you have everything you need. You might want to visit Thamel, the tourist hub of Nepal where you can easily find all you need for trekking. Or if you just want to relax, there are many cafes and bakeries serving excellent local tea and coffee. It is best to avoid the street food, however, unless you have a very strong stomach. It is recommended that you have an early night as you will have an early start in the morning.
Kathmandu – Syabrubesi (1420m, 7 hrs)
You have driven the scenic route up to Syabrubesi, an interesting village on the banks of the Bhote Kosi River. You arrive in the late afternoon and have time to explore the village.
Syabrubesi – Lama Hotel (2380m, 5 hrs)
You start the trek by crossing a suspension bridge and the hike through a forest where you might see languor monkeys. From the village of Doman (1680m) the trail climbs steeply over a rocky ridge to Paira Lodge (1810m), going up more gently to Bamboo Lodge (1960m). You then go up more steeply as you follow the trail to Rimche (2400m), finally descending slightly to the small village of Lama Hotel (2380m).
Lama Hotel – Langtang Village (3500m, 5 hrs)
Continuing upwards through a forest of hemlock, oaks, maples and rhododendron, at Ghora Tabela (3000 m) your trail emerges from the forest and you see mountains on either side of the valley. The trail continues gently up 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. Langtang Village was badly damaged by the earthquake in 2015, but the local people have done a lot to reconstruct their lives and we stay here to help them in their recovery from the devastation.
Langtang Village – Kyanjing Gompa (3700m, 3 hrs)
Just up from Langtang village is Mundu where the old houses are a reminder of what all the villages once looked like in this valley. The trail climbs gently up to Sindum and Yamphu, and after crossing the Laja Khola, you climb the glacial moraine to a viewpoint from where Kyanjing Gompa and the dramatic icefall flowing from Langtang Lirung and Kinshung are visible. The trail then descends to Kyanjing Gompa.
Acclimatization day
Kyanjing Gompa is the highest village on this trek and has a monastery from which the village is named. There is also small a cheese factory that was started by the Swiss in 1955. The day here can be spent relaxing and enjoying the scenery or climbing a small peak from where you can enjoy a view of the entire Langtang Lirung.
Trek to Ngegang (4000m, 5 hrs)
Crossing the Langtang Khola below Kyanjing Gompa, the trail climbs steeply through a forest of rhododendron and juniper. You then reach the yak pasture of Ngegang where you are likely to see yaks peacefully grazing.
Trek to Keldang via Ganja La pass (5109m) (4270m, 6 hrs)
Today you trek to Keldang via the Ganja La pass. The trail continues south, following streams and moraines and then climbs steeply towards the pass. The Ganja La pass trail is narrow and steep, and you need to be alert for the possibility of rocks falling. You have views of the Langtang range as well as Shisapangma. Climbing equipment may be required and you should know how to use it. From the pass, the trail descends steeply and enters the Yangri Khola Valley. You follow the trail by a stream down through grassy meadows to Keldang.
Trek to Dhukpa (4040m, 5 hrs)
The trail descends a long ridge, going up and down before heading down to the valley. Following the ridge line through small settlements, you reach Dhukpa.
Trek to Tharkeghyang (2600m, 5-6 hrs)
From Dhukpu, the trail continues to descend before you climb to a pass where you have a stunning view of the Himalayas. The trail then continues to descend through pine and rhododendron forest before it drops steeply to Gekye Gompa. You continue your steep descent to the large Sherpa village of Tharkeghyang.
Trek to Shermathang (2590m, 5 hrs)
The trail leaves Tharkeghyang to pass the pretty Sherpa village of Gangyul (2520m). You drop down a little before climbing back up through deep forests, crossing a number of streams to reach Chumik. It is then a gentle climb to arrive at the attractive Sherpa village of Shermathang.
Trek to Melamchi Bazaar (870m, 5 hrs)
The trail drops down to go through the smaller settlements of Nigale and Gyalsha, going down further to Raithani Gyang (2290m). Descending through the chair, pine forest you pass the large village of Dubha Chaur before finally descending to Melamchi Bazaar.
Drive Melamchi to Kathmandu (1350m, 5 hrs)
You are driven back to Kathmandu. You have the rest of the afternoon free. In the afternoon you might like to try out one of the many cooking classes or workshops on offer, go for some more sightseeing or do some last minute shopping. Ask your guide for suggestions.
Departure
You transfer to Tribhuvan Airport to connect with your onward flight. Please note that you should check in three hours prior to your flight time.
