Langtang Valley

  • Nepal, Langtang Valley, , Walkopedia
  • Nepal, Langtang Valley, , Walkopedia
  • Nepal, Langtang Valley, , Walkopedia
  • Nepal, Langtang Valley, , Walkopedia
  • Nepal, Langtang Valley, , Walkopedia
  • Nepal, Langtang Valley, , Walkopedia
  • Nepal, Langtang Valley, , Walkopedia

Key information: Langtang Valley

  • Climb the famously beautiful Langtang Valley north of Kathmandu to superb view-points at its head.

Walkopedia rating

(Top 100)
  • Walkopedia rating96
  • Beauty36
  • Natural interest17
  • Human interest12
  • Charisma34
  • Negative points3
  • Total rating96
  • Note: Negs: altitude

Vital Statistics

  • Length: 6-8 days
  • Maximum Altitude: 5,000m
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Langtang Valley: © Hugh Bevan

WALK SUMMARY

The Langtang Valley, which begins due north of Kathmandu, climbs west-east into a vast chancel of peaks, several to the north, on the border with Tibet, are over 7,000m, with the range to the south, separating the Langtang valley from the Kathmandu valley, at around the 6,000m mark.

This superb trail follows this glorious valley up through a forested gorge, then open valley-floor pastures and mountainsides dotted with yak, staying in tea houses in interesting villages, up to high grasslands surrounded by peaks and ice and summits, with extraordinary views from the local peaks of the high Himalayas, a panorama of peaks, glaciers and mountain glory, with a river of ice descending from nearby Langtang Lirung.

This trek runs below the high Himalayan ridge that constitutes the Tibetan border, so you enter the Tibetan Buddhist world as you climb: think prayer flags, mani walls and monasteries.

A plus about the Langtang Valley is that it is accessible by road from Kathmandu, so no internal flights are needed. There are a lot of lodges, although you can camp to avoid the crowds.

You could be up and down in 6 days, but what a waste not to spend time up high with the views. A full 8 day trek would look like this.

Day 1: Syabrubesi to the Lama Hotel (2,480m): The trek starts at this Sherpa village at around 1,300m, and sets off through old forests beside the noisy, glacial Langtang Khola river. The narrow V-shaped valley is impressive, rising thousands of feet on either side. Cross several footbridges decorated with prayer flags. (6-7hrs, 1,000m+ climb.)

Day 2: Lama Hotel to Langtang Village (3,307m): The valley opens up, and you will glimpse the snowy peaks of the high Himalayas. The vegetation changes from rainforest to alpine forest, and then meadows which broaden as the valley widens. You will see signs of the tragic earthquake in 2016, which killed many here and destroyed the old village. (4-5hrs, nearby 1,000m climb.)

Day 3: Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa (3,849m): It is not far to Kyanjin Gompa, the highest settlement on the trek, in a small village with a monastery with huge icy summits all around. But it is a tough slog high up above the Langtang river. A further acclimatization walk is a good idea, to the foot of one of the glaciers or a ridge to soak up some of the views. (2-3hrs, 450m climb; plus side walk.)

There are various options to explore the upper Langtang Valley. You can trek northwards up the Lirung Valley for close-ups of huge peaks and a glacier. An easier option is the 2hrs to and from the Tsona Lakes. You can also climb various peaks. The main choices here, though, are the following.

Day 4: Kyanjin Ri (4,400m): This acclimatization long half day is optional, but a good idea – it would be short-sighted not to spend proper time at the top of the valley, enjoying the huge vistas of the Himalayas. Kyanjin Ri is a small peak overlooking Kyanjin Gompa; you can follow a ridge to Menchhyamsa Ri at 4,600m. Return down a different valley for variety. 

Day 5: Tserko Ri (just under 5,000m) – the big one: You will rise long before dawn for the long climb up towards the summit. Take it very steadily. It is hard to overstate the beauty of the vast array peaks which greets you at the top. Amazing. An alternative is Yala Peak at 5,520m a really tough summit but with even more amazing views. 5hrs up or so.

Day 6: Back down to Langtang Village

Day 7: Back to the Lama Hotel

Day 8: Back to Syabrubesi

This is a tough walk in high, remote mountains with unpredictable weather, where altitude can cause real problems. Come prepared.

Please help us by making suggestions and sending photos! Thank you!

OUR FRIENDS' EXPERIENCES

At the end of September 2022 the Bevan family, two parents, three sons pus a fiancé and a girlfriend arrived in Nepal to walk up the Langtang Valley. Here's how it went.

Day 1: Kathmandu

Having arrived in Kathmandu via Qatar and Qatar Airways we were greeted by our Kandoo Adventures guide, Pimba Tending, a man who had been to the top of Everest three times. We spent our first day in Kathmandu and the holiday would certainly have been a poorer experience if we had not spent some time in the city looking around. Kathmandu is a wonderful bustling Asian city with wonderful medieval Durbar squares and magnificent temples. We also saw the Monkey Temple, a holy goat and a Living Goddess, the Kumari Devi, who is selected for her role at a very early age. And I was treated to a gourmet Nepalese dinner in the smart hotel in town, the Dwarika, to celebrate my birthday.

Day 2: Drive to Syabruesi

We left early in two jeeps with our two guides and four porters and embarked on a bone rattling drive north towards Tibet to Syabruesi, the start point for the walk up the Langtang Valley. The road is not good as the distance is only some 150km and takes some seven hours. Those with vertigo should not look out of the windows for large sections of the trip. We arrived shaken and stirred.

Day 3: Syabruesi to the Lama Hotel

The walk started today at about 1300 metres and we set off walking beside the noisy, glacial Langtang Khola river. The v-shaped valley is impressive rising thousands of feet both sides. A couple of us were munched by small leeches that lived in the rain forest. We crossed several foot bridges decorated with prayer flags and stopped at a small tea.....

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Your comments on this walk, your experiences and suggestions, and your photos are very welcome. Where appropriate, you will be credited for your contribution.

Langtang Valley: © Hugh Bevan

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

We have a lot of helpful practical information and tips about this walk, covering everything from the best books and maps, to timing and weather, geting there, possible problems, whether you need a guide and where to find them, and useful websites. This section is only open to members.

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Safety and problems: All walks have inherent risks and potential problems, and many of the walks featured on this website involve significant risks, dangers and problems. Problems of any sort can arise on any walk. This website does not purport to identify any (or all) actual or potential risks, dangers and problems that may relate to any particular walk.

Any person who is considering undertaking this walk should do careful research and make their own assessment of the risks, dangers and possible problems involved. They should also go to “Important information” for further important information.

Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.

Safety and problems: All walks have inherent risks and potential problems, and many of the walks featured on this website involve significant risks, dangers and problems. Problems of any sort can arise on any walk. This website does not purport to identify any (or all) actual or potential risks, dangers and problems that may relate to any particular walk.

Any person who is considering undertaking this walk should do careful research and make their own assessment of the risks, dangers and possible problems involved. They should also go to “Important information” for further important information.

Langtang Valley: © Hugh Bevan

OTHER ACCOUNTS
share your experiences

Add your experiences, suggestions and photos. We would be delighted to receive your writing and ideas (which will be attributed appropriately where published).

Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.

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