Langtang is a narrow valley situated
south of the Tibetan border, an area inhabited
by Tibetans and Tamang who share a similar religion,
language and clothing style. The landscapes
we cross are extremely varied: rice-terraces,
gigantic rhododendron and firs forests and,
in the highest parts, a rock and shrub wilderness
with the fascinating backdrop of snowy peaks.
The route passes by the sacred lakes of Gosaikunda
(4380m), a pilgrimage spot where, during the
full moon festival of August, flow hundreds
of pilgrims. After Gosaikund we continue across
the Laurebina pass towards the Helambu valley
and its numerous and picturesque Sherpa villages.
It is advisable to plan an extra day, which
can be spent in Melamchi Gaon, a Sherpa village,
which is sure to charm you.
| 14
Days |
|
Maximum
Altitude:4380 m |
|
| |
|
|
|
DAY 01
|
Katmandu - Dhunche (1950m) by bus. |
|
|
| |
| DAY
02 |
Dhunche
- Syabru (2130m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
| This
is a fine day of trekking, which traverses
fir tree and rhododendron forests towards
a ridge (2300m). From here we get a panoramic
view all the way from Ganesh Himal in the
west to Naya Kanga in the east and the Tibetan
snowy summits. The trail drops steeply down
towards the Bothe Khosi river towards Syabru,
which is a busy village with its houses
laid out in single file down the hillside.
Sherpas and Tamangs farm this area. |
| DAY
03 |
Syabru
- Lama Hotel (2390m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
| Following
a high trail, we pass through terraces and
bamboo massifs. We cross Syarpagaon to continue
through a fine forest, alive with birds
and the occasional troupe of monkeys. After
crossing the Langtang Khola, we start the
ascent of the valley and soon reach the
shepherds’ huts that are Lama Hotel.
|
| DAY
04 |
Lama Hotel - Langtang (3520m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
| We
now have a spectacular view of the Langtang
Lirung (7246m). After a steep climb through
the Langtang gorge, the ascent eases and
the valley widens out into an area of yak
meadows and rhododendrons. Further up, we
reach Langtang, populated by Tibetans. |
| DAY
05 |
Langtang - Kyangin Gompa (3850m) in 3hrs. |
|
|
| An
easy and pleasant walk through yak meadows.
The village is spectacularly situated in
a glacial amphitheatre dominated by high
peaks. An excellent base for shorter walks
towards the Langtang Lirung glacier, eastwards
to Lagshisa glacier or a tougher ascent
of the northern flank of the valley towards
Yala Peak. |
|
DAY 06 |
Kyangin
Gompa - Ghora Tabela (3000m) in 6hrs. |
|
|
| We
retrace our steps downhill and reach the
army post of Ghora Tabela. |
| DAY
07 |
Ghora
Tabela - Syabru in 6hrs. |
|
|
| The
trail leaves the alpine country and returns
to the deep forest. |
| DAY
08 |
Syabru
- Sin Gompa (3350m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
| We
leave the Langtang valley to climb towards
the sacred Gosaikund lakes. A stiff uphill
climb leads to the ridgeline offering views
north into Tibet and west towards the Annapurnas.
The second leg goes through old hemlocks
and rhododendrons to Sin Gompa,high above
the Trisuli river. |
| DAY
09 |
Sin
Gompa - Gosaikund (4380m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
| Through
a rocky landscape and sparse bushes the
trail follows two glacial lakes before reaching
the main lake--Gosaikund. This site is a
great pilgrimage for Hindus during August,
when thousands come to bathe and make offerings. |
| DAY
10 |
Gosaikund
- Laurebina Pass (4610m) - Ghopte (3430m)
in 5hrs. |
|
|
| We
climb away out of the basin housing the
lakes for a while on to the pass leading
southrs. Then we descend through screes and
moraines. |
| DAY
11 |
Ghopte
- Tharepati (3500m) - Melamchi Gaon (2530
m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
| A
hard climb leads to the ridgeline of Tharepati.
Afterwards we steeply descend through primary
rhododendrons. In spring the area is a mass
of red flowers, doted with white and pink.
Melamchigaon is a picturesque Sherpa village
and you will surely have long chats with
its warm and welcoming villagers. |
| DAY
12 |
Melamchigaon
- Gangjwal (2500m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
| We
plunge into the valley and lose 700m of
altitude before scrambling up the equivalent
height to Tarke Gyang. The ridge walk to
Gangjwal offers nice views of the Melamchi
valley. |
| DAY
13 |
Gangjwal - Kakani (1800m) in 5hrs. |
|
|
| We
continue along the hillside, with open views
in all directions with the southern foothills
of Nepal fading towards the plains of India.
The trail starts now to descend into the
valley. |
| DAY
14 |
Kakani
- Melamchipul (890m) in 3h (trek) - Katmandu
(bus). |
|
|
| The
second leg of this journey is a knee-wobbling
time as we lose altitude rapidly,descending
to the Melamchi Kola river |
