Login
Sign UpLoginSign Up
Langtang valley trek is the most trekkers-favorite destination in Nepal. It is a highly anticipated trek route that never seems to disappoint passionate trekkers from around the globe.
Spectacular views of the majestic mountain range, amazing landscapes, meadows, traditional villages, and cultures attract tourists to this place. It is an adventure where the trekkers get to get up close to nature and appreciate it.
Langtang is a region in the north-central Himalayas of the Bagmati province of Nepal. It is renowned for Langtang National Park, which is the first Himalayan national park in Nepal.
The trek to Langtang valley has been a typical trek route for foreigners after the Everest base camp trek and Annapurna base camp trek. According to many, the Langtang valley trek seems to fall under their favorite Himalayan trek as it combines nature and cultural diversity perfectly.
Considered one of the quietest trek routes in Nepal, this valley has many beautiful local villages with different ethnic backgrounds, cultures, and lifestyles that you can witness and learn from. The charming Tamang people take hospitality very seriously and treat their guests with the utmost care. According to trekkers, the locals treat guests as gods themselves. The slogan ”Atithi Devo Bhava,”, meaning to treat the guest as equivalent to god, seems to be thoroughly practiced here, like in many Nepali villages.
The Tibetian Buddhists have also taken shelter in the area for many years. The contrast their culture provides to the Langtang area is highly appreciable. Tamang and Buddhist people’s food, culture, and tradition seem to have greatly enhanced the valley’s beauty. The snow-capped mountains, glaciers, pristine rivers, meadows, and challenging yet exciting trails are what make Langtang Valley Trek more special.
Honestly, a heavenly realm down on Earth, Langtang Valley, will surely give you an experience of a lifetime. From natural resources to cultural richness, this trek has it all.
Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal
Here we have answered all the questions you may have on your mind before jumping into this trekking journey.
Weather plays a vital role when you are out on a trek. In the winter and monsoon, the hike can be challenging as in the winter, the trail gets covered with snow, and during the monsoon, there are constant showers, which can make the trek very tough.
The best time for trekking around these parts is between October and December. This is when the skies are the clearest, and the visibility of the mountains is also extremely clear.
This time is the coldest among the months, and the heavy snowfall in the mountains results in cold temperatures. Daytime can be warm, but the nights can be chilling to the bones. Despite the cold weather, this is the best time to see the snow covered mountains, forests, and the trail itself.
This period is one of the peak seasons for the trek. The weather is very favorable throughout the tour, with no obstacles from the weather. Many of the surrounding mountains, such as Langtang II, can be seen clearly. On the journey, you will pass through lush green and dense alpine forests.
This period is when the monsoon clouds are forming, and rainfall is just around the corner. There is not much rainfall expectancy, but the weather in the mountains can be surprisingly changing from time to time, so be ready for the worst. Besides that, the visibility is clear, and many mountains can be seen clearly during this time.
July to August is the time of the monsoon in Nepal. Heavy rainfall can be expected at this time, which makes the trek much more difficult. There are high chances of landslides, which may be an obstacle for the hike.
September to October is also a perfect time to go on this trek. It is also the peak season as the monsoon comes to an end during this time and the tourist flow is maximum. The clarity is to its maximum with a crystal clear view of the mountains.
Slowly the harsh winter begins in the Langtang region mountains, which makes the trek challenging. The constant snowfall makes the area very cold. At night times, the temperatures can drop up to -5 degrees celsius. Not many tourists visit at this time, and the homestays along the way are mostly empty. The snow tends to cover the mountains while obstructing the view.
The Langtang Valley trek is considered one of the most comfortable and least challenging trek routes in Nepal. But that doesn’t mean it is not a rewarding one. The views and experience one can get from this journey are extraordinary.
We will be doing 3 to 6 hours of hiking every day, taking regular breaks, and enjoying the sites we’ll encounter. The trials will be steep, unpredictable, and even rocky at times. We will walk through lush forests alongside beautiful streams and waterfalls. For any trek, a certain level of fitness and stamina is necessary. Aside from being fit, you also must be comfortable in your walking gears. Try building stronger stamina by walking some stairs or steep roads before jumping into this trek.
Talking about the level of experience you’ll need for this hike, anyone with some little hiking experience can do it. You don’t need to be an expert in trekking to go for the Langtang Valley Trek.
We will be spending some of our time at an altitude above 3500 meters on our eight-day long journey. So without a doubt, acclimatization is a mandatory thing to do at such a height. Some of us will be showing the signs of altitude sickness as soon as we hit the higher altitude. For such trekkers, immediate health treatment will be available.
Your trekking guide and leader are always prepared for situations like these, with the required first aid training. Always inform and update your health situations to your leader as they have all the knowledge and experiences needed. Remember to take it slow and stay hydrated, and drink at least 4 liters of water every day.
For our Langtang Valley Trek, we will be acclimatizing at Kyanjin Gompa, a beautiful local village. We will explore the beautiful monasteries and the famous cheese factories here. There is also an optional hiking route to the viewpoint in Tserko Ri that the interested hikers can go for.
You can purchase a visa on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Another option for getting a visa is by online application. A single entry visa for 15 to 90 days can cost from $25 to-100.
Tourists from SAARC countries get a 30-day free visa on arrival.
To enter any Nepali trekking regions, tourists must have a TIMS card, that is, Trekker’s Information Management System Card. For Langtang Valley Trek, For a group trek, you must bet a blue TIMS card that costs around $10, whereas if you are a citizen of any SAARC country, you have to pay only $6. Another mandatory permit to enter Langtang Valley is the Langtang National Park Permit. This permit costs $30, excluding 13% VAT. It can be collected from the Nepal Tourism Board in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
For citizens of SAARC nations, the permit costs $15 excluding VAT. For kids below the age of 10, the entry is free.
This permit can be purchased at the entry point in Dhunche.
Langtang Valley has been evolving in the cuisine department as it is one of Nepal’s popular tourist destinations. Here you will find all kinds of food options. To hike with the same energy level as the locals in the valley, go for a Nepali staple diet like rice, lentil soup, and veggies. To warm yourself up, you can also find soups and noodles options.
There are lots of tea houses and lodges along the way, where you can rest and enjoy breakfast with warm tea, lunch full of carbs and protein, and a good filling dinner. There are both vegetarian and nonvegetarian options available in most places. For beverages, you can find both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options depending on your preferences.
When it comes to trekking at high altitude, accommodation, services, and comfort changes as the altitude increases, depending on your budget, you can find basic to standard levels of hotels and lodges along the way.
For Langtang Valley Trek, teahouses are the primary option for accommodation, and their services depend on their costs. As you ascend to a higher altitude, the benefits will get basic, but the view will get better.
Langtang Valley Trek is comparatively less expensive than other treks in Nepal. That being said, there are lots of expenses that you must keep in your mind beforehand.
Aside from the cost of permits, meals, accommodation, and transportation, some of the other miscellaneous expenses are: hiring guides and porters, getting phone service and the internet, sim cards, tipping expenses, personal expenses, etc.
Hiring a licensed guide costs around $20-25. You will also pay for their meals and accommodation. For porters, expect to pay $15 to $20 per day along with their meals and accommodation expenses.
You can buy local Sim cards like NCELL or NTC for $1-2. Wifi service per hour costs up to $2. Charging your electric gadgets at the higher altitude costs around $2-5 per hour.
Tipping your guides and porters depending on their level of service is mandatory. For a guide, a tip of $15 to $20 per day is enough. You can tip your porter $10-15 per day.
Aside from these obvious expenses, there are many other small expenses that you will need to think of. It is ideal to carry at least $700-1000 per person for such a trek.
Trekking in a Himalayan region with the risks of getting hurt, and altitude sickness, you must get yourself an excellent travel insurance package. Make sure to choose a package that covers above 5000 meters and one that includes emergency evacuation.
Depending on the duration and the insurance company’s policies, your travel insurance package can cost from $120 and more.
Nepal is a country that depends highly on tourism, so exchanging money is extremely easy in most places. Carrying Nepali currency for your trekking journeys is the best option as it frees you from the hassle of looking for an exchanging service along the way.
Nepali currency is called NRP or Rs. The notes come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 500, and 1000. To exchange your currency into Nepali, you will find numerous money exchange places in the cities. You can also use ATM services available in most parts of the cities.
Langtang Valley Trek is a short and easy trek compared to other treks in Nepal. Since you will be hiking on steep and rocky trails, having the right footwear and clothing is essential. As you ascend to a higher altitude, you will need warmer clothes. Pack some good warm jackets and raincoats too. Wear hiking boots that are lightweight and fit you perfectly.
Pack your toiletries, personal hygiene items, and first aid kits along with necessary medical supplements. Carry some water filtering tablets and good water bottles as staying hydrated is extremely important.
To stay comfortable during your overnight stays in lodges, carry a pair of sandals or flip flops. Wear your trekking thermal socks in cold places. Getting a good tan sounds lovely, but the constant sun on your face will get annoying at some point. So carry a nice cap or fleece hat to stay warm and protect your skiing from sun damage. A nice pair of sunglasses is easy to carry.
Make sure that your backpack is reliable and sturdy. A broken bag is the last thing you want in a high altitude trek. Keep your permits, passports, and visa documents in a smaller bag that you can carry at all times.
Langtang valley suffered a massive loss due to an earthquake in 2015, so the locals try their best to bring it back to its full potential. Be mindful of the locals’ struggles and efforts and treat them the same way you want them to treat you. People in this area are helpful and welcoming, so you will instantly feel a sense of bond with them.
The premises of the National Park is home to all kinds of flora and faunas. The pristine streams and lush jungles are the pride of the locals. So remember not to litter around. Carry a different bag to collect all your waste, like plastic wrappers and bottles.
Always keep your safety on your top priority. Don’t go to areas that are restricted as they are restricted for a reason. If you are a solo traveler, remember to contact your friends and family from time to time. If you are trekking in a group, always stay in the group and not wander off alone in the wild. If any safety or health issues occur, inform your guides and trek leaders immediately. They are trained and experienced enough to help you out.
