TREK OVIERVIEW: Langtang is one of the lesser spoiled national
parks of Nepal. Situated North of Kathmandu valley near the
Tibetan border, it is the most easily accessible highland sanctuary
from the capital. Langtang covers 1,710 sq. km. forming the
upper catchments areas of two of Nepal's largest river systems
- the Trishuli and Koshi.
There is great latitudinal variation, starting at 1,500 m. and
ascending to the top of Mt. Langtang Lirung at 7,234 m. As a
result the park has immense ecological diversity. Some of the
most attractive areas of the park include the Langtang Valley,
the holy lakes at Gosainkund, and the forested hillsides above
the village of Helambu.
Day 1 - Arrive at Kathmandu International Airport. 1350m above
sea level.
Your Bhutanese representative from Raven Tours and Treks will
greet you on arrival and drive you to the hotel where you will
be staying.
Later Sightseeing tour of Swayambunth & Kathmandu Durbar
Square.
Swayambunath is one of the world's most glorious Buddhist Chaitya.
It is said to be 2000 years old. Painted on the foursides of
the spdire bases are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. It
is three kilometeres west of Kathmandu city and is situated
on a hillock about 77 m. above the level of the Kathmandu Valley.
Kahmandu Durbar Square is the historic seat of ty. The Durbar
Square, with its old temples and places, epitomizes the religious
and cultural life of the people. It is here that Kings of Nepal
are crowned and their coronations solemnized. Interesting things
to seek here are; Taleju Temple built by King Mahendra Malla
in 1549 A.D., Kal Bhairav, the God of destruction, Nautalle
Durbar, Coronation Nasal Chowk, the Gaddi Baithak, the statue
of King Pratap Malla, the Big Bell, Drum and the Jagannath Temple.In
the evening welcome meal with Nepali traditional dance.
Later in the evening you will be taken to the typical Nepali
restaurant (Bhojan Grihia) for dinner and will be hosting traditional
dances.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 2 - In Kathmandu
After breakfast proceed for city tour of Kathmandu visiting
Pashupatinath and Boudhanath.
Pashupatinath Temple is situated 5 km east of Kathmandu,
the temple of Lord Shiva, Pathupatinath with two tierd golden
roof and silver doors is considered one of the holiest shrines
of Hindus.
The stupa of Boudhanath lies 8kms east of Kathmandu.
This ancient colossal stupa is one of the biggest in the world
and the center of Buddhism in the world. It was listed in the
UNESCO Heritage Monument in 1979.
Later proceed for city tour of Kathmandu visiting Patan Square,
complex of palaces, courtyard and temples, built between
the 12th and 18th centuries, use to be the seat of the ancient
Malla kings of Kathmandu.
Later stroll around the city of Thamel.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 3 - Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi (1400m.) which
takes about 9/10 hours.
You will depart early for the nine/ten hours drive to your starting
point at the foot of the Langtang Valley. The drive is spectacular,
climbing high over the ridges to get out of the Kathmandu Valley
amidst superb panoramic views of the Himalaya, including the
Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and the peaks of the Langtang
region that you are soon to become acquainted with.
Day 4 - Syabru Besi (1400m) - Lama Hotel (2450m) 4-5 hours.
The trail initially crosses the Bhote Koshi River, flowing down
from Tibet, only a few kilometers away, and then gradually climbs
up through the sub-tropical forests, teeming with bird-life,
to join the trail from Thulo Syabru. You then follow the river
by passing Bamboo & climbing though uninhabited forest of
oak and rhododendron and perhaps catching a glimpse or two of
the langur monkeys up in the trees. You might see the Red Panda
& Himalayan Black Bears, if you are lucky enough. You climb
along a steep trail to your lodge in the forest. There are few
lodges and teashops around this place.
Day 5 - Lama Hotel (2450m.) - Langtang village (3670m.) 5
hours, 1120m.
As you continue climbing you get occasional glimpses of Langtang
Lirung (7245m.) between the trees. At Ghore Tabela (3000m) the
trail emerges from the forest. Once there was a Tibetan resettlement
project here, but now there is a Nepalese army post though it
has no permanent inhabited. 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 where buckwheat,
potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley are planted.
Day 6 - Langtang village (3670m.) Kyangjin Gompa (3900m.)
2 2 hours.
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. There is a small monastery
and a government-operated cheese factory here. 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.), Langshisa-
Ri (6427m.), Dorje Lhakpa (6430m.), Naya Kang (5844m.), Yala
peak (5500m.) and so on.
Day 7 - Exploration day in Kyangjin.
It is a day to 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 Langshisa
Kharka (4,130m.) from Kyangjin Gompa which takes about 7-8 Hours
& it covers about 24 Kilometers in Distance.
Day 8 - Kyangjin Gompa (3900m.)- Lama Hotel (2450m.) 5 hours.
From Kyangjin you retrace your steps, following the Langtang
Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghore Tabela. After lunch
you continue the steep Descend to Lama Hotel.
Day 9 - Lama Hotel (2450m.) - Thulo Syabru (2350m.) 5 hours.
You continue retracing your steps part of the way to Thulo Syabru,
but it branches off to the left up a steep path through forest
to when suddenly a view of Syabru and its extensive area of
terraced fields become visible. An undulating path brings you
to this fascinating village where each house is set above its
neighbor, in a long line up to the very crest of the ridge.
It's a great place to wander about, observing the Tamang way
of life, admiring the beautifully carved wooden windows or simply
relaxing in the sun.
Day 10 - Thulo Syabru (2350m.) Sing Gompa (3330m) 5 hours.
From Thulo Syabru it is a steep climb through forests of oak,
fir and rhododendron to the top of a ridge. From here it is
only a short Descend to Sing Gompa. There is a Buddhist monastery
and a small cheese factory here.
Day 11 - Sing Gompa (3330m) Gosainkund (4320m) 4 - 5 hours.
From Sing Gompa you climb a ridge to the main Gosainkund trail.
There are good views across Langtang valley to Langtang Lirung.
To the west there are spectacular views of the Ganesh Himal
and Manaslu. Eventually, the trail descends from the ridge to
the first of three lakes, Saraswati Kund. The second lake in
the chain is named Bhairab Kund, and the third, Gosainkund.
This lake is particularly sacred and a place of pilgrimage in
the summer. According to legend, this lake was created by Shiva
when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water,
quenching his thirst after taking some poison.
Day 12 - Gosainkund (4320m) Chandanbari (Sing Gompa) at 3300m.
4 4 hours.
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 13 - Chandanbari (Sing Gompa) at 3300m. Dhunche (1960m)
4 4 hours
The first part of the trails descend through pine, silver oak
and rhododendrons forests with marijuana plants up to you cross
suspension bridge over the Sing Gompa Stream. Now the path stretches
at flat level through some human settlements and mineral water
factories up to Dhunche. It is a small town and headquarters
of Rasuwa district.
Day 14 - Drive from Dhunche to Kathmandu by bus and it takes
about eight to nine hours. It is a pleasant drive back to Kathmandu.
Overnight in Kathmandu.
Day 15 - Depart from Kathmandu International Airport.
Early breakfast at the hotel and then drive to the airport to
board the flight. Your escort from Raven Tours and Treks will
assist you with exit formalities and bid you farewell.
“Raven Tours
and Treks” is a member of the following organizations:
Time in Nepal:
