Langtang Valley Trek

Flying into Kathmandu, you'll have views over the valley, the Himalaya, and the terraced fields below. After completing customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you outside the airport and to guide you through the initial culture shock of Kathmandu's narrow, winding streets to your hotel.

Once you've settled in, head out and explore the city. Kathmandu Durbar Square is a great place to start your exploration, where you'll walk through narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants. If you want to stretch your legs, Swayambhunath, the white stupa rising above the valley, is the perfect spot to catch the sunset over the valley.

In the evening, the tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to grab your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to chose from offering both Western and local Nepali dishes.

Overnight: Kathmandu

Kathmandu has a special atmosphere during the early morning hours when the city is slowly coming to life yet not too chaotic. It's a great time to walk and explore the streets or have a chai overlooking one of the local courtyards or durbar squares.

After breakfast, there are then a number of ways you can spend your day given the numerous famous sights around the Kathmandu Valley. You can use this as a free day or we can provide a local English-speaking guide who knows the city well and can explain the history and significance of the sights (along with a private jeep to take you around).

After an early breakfast in Kathmandu, you'll begin a 7-8-hour road trip to Syabrubesi. The drive climbs high over ridges as it leaves the Kathmandu Valley, and provides impressive snow-capped views of the Annapurna Himalayas to the west, as well as Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and the minor peaks of the Langtang mountain region ahead. Keep your camera close as you'll also encounter rivers, terraced hillsides, and rustic villages as you head into this mountainous region.

You'll drive through the bustling town of Trisuli before climbing up towards Dunche. From Dunche, you'll head downhill for an hour to get to Syabrubesi for the night.

Driving time: 7-8 hours

Overnight: Syabrubesi

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast in Syabru Besi, you'll begin today's trek that crosses over the Bhote Kosi River—meaning 'Tibet River'—which flows from nearby Tibet.

You'll follow the stone-paved main street out of town over Langtang Khola. After crossing the suspension bridge, the trail gradually ascends up to 'Bamboo' passing a famous old landslide. The trail continues through several sub-tropical forests and then joins the trail from Syabru Besi, before climbing through uninhabited oak and rhododendron forests. Keep an eye out for langur monkeys in the trees, as well as an abundance of wildlife such as yellow-throated martens, wild boars, and red pandas.

The trail to Lama Hotel becomes steep in places but then ascends gently and finally levels off before you reach your overnight stay.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours (7 miles / 11.3 km)

Overnight: Lama Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast at the Lama Hotel, you'll continue climbing through the forest with occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. When you reach Ghora Tabela, the trail emerges from the forest and you'll see snow-capped mountains on either side of the valley. At one time, there was a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now it is a Nepal Army post with no permanent inhabitants.

The trail continues to climb gently as the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during summer. You'll probably get a glimpse of your first yak if you haven’t seen one already.

The next part of the trail is a somber reminder of the 2015 earthquake. Where the village of Langtang and numerous lodges once stood, there is now only a huge rock field. Send a prayer for the Nepalis and tourists who lost their lives here and remember that your trek will help support the survivors.

Mundu is located a bit further on the trail. Check out the area's old houses that are a reminder of what all the villages once looked like in this valley (now they are built in a more modern style).

Trekking time: 6-7 hours (9 miles / 14.7 km)

Overnight: Mundu

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast in Mundu, the trail climbs gradually through yak pastures. Notice how the valley extends even further than before allowing for extensive views. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. This village has a small Tibetan monastery and a government-operated cheese factory—a good place to stock up for lunch and afternoon snacks.

Since you'll likely arrive at your overnight location by lunchtime, you'll have plenty of free time to take it easy in the afternoon. Relax at the village bakery and cafe, or explore the area by foot. If you are feeling energetic, head up the valley towards Langshisha Kharka to see some of the amazing views.

Trekking time: 3-4 hours (3.5 miles / 5.7 km)

Overnight: Kyangjin Gompa

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a rest day in Kyangjin Gompa, so take advantage of this opportunity to sleep in and relax. After breakfast at your teahouse, you can explore more of the area by visiting the monastery and cheese factory if you haven't already. If you are feeling more energetic, walk up the moraine to see spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of the Langtang Lirung.

Day Hike to Kyangjin Ri (12,467 feet / 3,800 m)

Better yet, overachievers can take a hike to Kyangjin Ri, directly behind the village, for a 360-degree panoramic view of the Langtang peaks. This is the highest point most trekkers reach on the Langtang Trek. For the best views on this outing, it's best to get an early start as clouds usually build up in the afternoon.

Overnight: Kyangjin Gompa

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast in Kyangjin Gompa, you'll hit the trail and retrace the route you took through the valley, following the Langtang Khola River to the village of Mundu and eventually Ghora Tabela. Though the trail is flat in certain places, the way down will certainly be faster than your ascent.

You'll stop for lunch en route and then continue heading downhill until you get to Lama Hotel. This ancient area is one of the oldest undisturbed valleys in Nepal. Check out unique flora and fauna, including lush green forests, as well as snow-capped views of the Langtang mountain peaks. Due to the earthquake, there are fewer tourists here so you can expect uncrowded trails. Enjoy the easy downhill terrain and take in the scenery.

For those with limited time, an alternative option is to take a helicopter ride from Kyangjin to Kathmandu.

Trekking time: 5-6 hours (9 miles / 14.5 km)

Overnight: Lama Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you'll continue retracing your steps to the village of Syabrubesi. This easy route lets you enjoy the area's peaceful forested hills. If you're feeling energetic, you can opt for a more challenging route from Rimche via Sherpa Gaon to Syabrubesi; it will take much longer to reach your overnight destination, but it’s a spectacular detour.

Trekking time: 4-5 hours (7 miles / 11.3 km)

Overnight: Syabrubesi

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After an early breakfast in Syabru Besi, you'll begin the 7-hour return trip to Kathmandu. Just like the way you came, you'll experience impressive snow-capped views as well as rivers, terraced hillsides, and rustic villages as you depart this mountainous region and get back to the bustling city.

Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel and will be able to enjoy the rest of the afternoon and evening at your leisure. Explore Kathmandu's streets on foot, bicycle, or rickshaw, perhaps shopping for souvenirs or seeing anything you may have missed at the beginning of your trip.

Other ideas include rewarding your muscles after the trek with a massage service at Seeing Hands (services are offered from the visually impaired), or the more upmarket Kinjalla Spa. You can also take an early evening yoga class at Pranamaya Yoga, with two locations in Thamel and Patan.

In the evening, choose from a selection of Nepali, French, Vietnamese, and Middle Eastern dishes in Kathmandu.

Accommodation: Hotel

Overnight: Kathmandu

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

It's time to say farewell to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a final stroll through the narrow alleys and temples, and some final souvenir shopping. A driver will be waiting for you at your hotel to take you to the airport for your return flight home. It's best to be at the airport at least two hours prior to departure.