Langtang Cultural Trek

You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Syabru Besi passing through Dhunche. While passing along the road at the bank of Trishuli River you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and green hills. As you pass through Dhunche you feel as if you are heading towards deep land. Stay overnight at lodge.

The first part of the trail crosses through the Bhote Koshi and follows the Langtang Khola. This trail is a gradual ascent up to Bamboo passing through a landslide. Afterwards, you trek gently down to Rimche (2400m.) through Bamboo (1960m.) which lies at the bank of Langtang Khola. You can have lunch at this place if you like. The end your trail is level to Lama Hotel and while en-route you can see red pandas, monkeys and bears if you are lucky. Stay overnight at lodge.

As you continue climbing there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. At Ghora Tabela [3000m], the trail emerges from the forest. Once there was a Tibetan resettlement project, but now it is a Nepalese army post though it has no permanent inhabitants. 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 of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley.

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. You should arrive at Kyangjin by lunch time allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area. It is a dramatic setting, with snow-covered peaks surrounding you in all directions such as Langtang Lirung, Ganjala peak, Tserko ri, Langsisa ri and many others. Stay overnight at lodge.

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 breathtaking panorama of the Langtang peaks. Stay overnight at lodge.

From Kyangjin you retrace your route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch, you continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel. Stay overnight at lodge.

This day you trek along a flat leveled path until you reach Sherpa Gaon (2500 m.) passing through terraces and green hills. This part is really pleasant and picturesque. Sherpa Gaon is a Sherpa village with amazing traditions and Buddhist culture. There are houses made of stone, wood and zinc and a few modern houses. The next part of your trek is full of ups and downs until Bhanjyang village. At this point you will be amazed by the views of Ganesh Himal in panorama, Kerung peak of Tibet and many others. Finally, your trek goes steeply down to Wangal before becoming a gradually descending path to the Kerung river. After crossing the suspension bridge over the river, it merely takes 15 minutes to reach your destination, Syabru Besi. There is a new settlement as people from far away villages have migrated here. You find a small market and few guest houses.

You drive through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Kathmandu. The first part of your drive to Trishuli Bazaar is along a gravel and bumpy road which then becomes a well- paved road to Kathmandu.