You can travel from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi by different modes of transport like local bus, tourist bus, private jeep or shared jeep.
For many treks in Nepal, like the Tamang Heritage Trail and Langtang Valley, you must first get from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. Syabrubesi is the initial starting point of trekking in the Langtang region. The Langtang trek is one of the most underrated treks in Nepal, among other popular trekking destinations in Nepal, such as Everest and Annapurna, the Langtang trek offers different experiences and adventures.
Some very popular treks in the Langtang region are the Langtang Valley, Tamang Heritage Trek, and the Gosaikunda Trek. During your Langtang excursion, you will have a chance to climb the astonishing Kyanjin Gompa, which offers stunning mountain views.
You’ll also explore mesmerizing Langtang National Park and see all the rare and endangered flora and fauna. You will also see Kyanjin Ri and other small villages during your hike.
So if you are a potential new trekker who wants to trek the majestic Langtang region overland, you must first learn about transportation from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. So let’s get into it.
Kathmandu to Syabrubesi Route
The Kathmandu to Syabrubesti route combines good black-pitch highway roads and bumpy off-trail gravel roads. When you start leaving Kathmandu, the well-maintained black road welcomes you. It takes around 8-9 hours to reach Syabrubesi from Kathmandu.
First, you will travel on the Prithvi Highway till you reach Galchi. Then you’ll start traveling in the off-the-beaten role at the bank of the Trishuli River. It takes about 4-5 hours to reach Syabrubesti from Galchi. During this route, you will get to stunning mountain views with Trishuli passing by on the other side.
During your journey from Kathmandu, you will see plenty of small villages and settlements, lush green jungles, rocky hills, and bumpy and curvy terrains. As you reach close to the place, you will reach different places where you can glimpse places affected by landslides. Once you reach Syabrubesi, you will feel a sense of calmness and beauty.
Syabrubesi is a lovely village in Langtang National Park. It is just 80km from Kathmandu, making it easy to reach the capital. Because all treks start there, it’s the most popular place for trekkers in the Langtang region. Lush green hills surround the village, which is located at an altitude of approximately 2400m. Since you will reach different trekking destinations, Syabrubesi is the gateway to the Langtang region.
During your Langtang trek, you can see the peaks of Langtang and Gosaikunda mountains and beautiful blue lakes.
Kathmandu to Syabrubesi by Bus
One of the common ways to reach Syabrubesti from Kathmandu is via local bus. The Kathmandu to Syabrubesi bus ticket costs around NRS 1,000 per person. You can purchase a bus ticket at the Gongabu bus park. However, this is not the most luxurious way of traveling to your destination.
The local bus from Kathmandu to Dhunche or Syabrubesi departs around 8 AM from Machapokhari every morning. Hence you must wake up early in the morning and have your breakfast. It takes around 8-9 hours to go to Syabrubesi via local bus, as the distance is around 80 kilometers. The bus departs every morning so if you have any problem you can postpone it for the next day.
The bus service is one of the cheapest modes of transportation. If you have a habit of traveling in luxury, then this mode of transport might not appeal to you. Sometimes, there is a bad smell on a bus; the seats are congested, there is not enough room to stretch your legs, and passengers cover the bus as they travel standing. There is no privacy during your travel, and throughout the journey, you will hear the murmurings or talking of other passengers along with loud noises of the music from the speaker and radio.
Due to this unprofessional bus service to Syabrubesi, many trekkers and locals face problems. Trekking companies in Nepal are not responsible for these problems, but they are often blamed on travel sites like TripAdvisor.
There is also another way of traveling to Syabrubesi by bus: by booking a tourist bus. There are many trekking agency in Nepal that book tourist bus for a bit more expensive price than local bus. For a tourist bus, it will cost around NRs 2500 to 3,000.
The tourist bus has some organization and additional features compared to a local bus, like folding seats, stopping only a few times for lunch and toilet breaks, a helpful and experienced jeep driver and helper, and a stunning natural view. If you want complete freedom during your trip, then bus transportation might not be for you.
Kathmandu to Syabrubesi by Jeep
Another mode of transport is the Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, a private vehicle service. Since private cars don’t go to Syabrubesi, you can hire a private jeep or share a jeep with other trekkers. There are several benefits of hiring a private jeep during your excursion:
- Safety: One main reason you should travel in a private jeep is safety. The drivers are highly experienced and have been driving for several years. They are also very familiar with the road conditions, small settlements, and attractions you can explore during your travel.
- Off-Road Condition: The Kathmandu to Syabrubesi road is only black-pitched for a certain distance. For most of your travel, you’ll have to travel in off-road areas, where traveling by jeep is more beneficial. Jeeps have a lesser risk of breaking down during your travel.
- Group Travel: Jeeps are the best transport mode if you have a small or large group with you. You can travel in a shared jeep for small groups, and for large groups, you can hire a private jeep.
- Complete Freedom: Unlike bus travel, jeep travel gives you complete freedom during your trek. You can stop according to your preference, but it might be wise to leave the exploring decision to drivers and local personnel to complete your trek in time.
Cost of Sharing Jeep vs Private Jeep
A Private Jeep is a bit expensive, around USD 150, equivalent to NRS 15,000. If you have a group of 7 to 8 people, then a private jeep is the way to reach Syabrubesi. It gives you amazing freedom and allows you to explore every small village, settlement, temple, bazaar, and monastery during your drive from Kathmandu to Dhunce and Syabrubesi.
On the other hand, if you are traveling in a small group, sharing a jeep is beneficial. The cost ranges from around $25 to $30 per person in a shared jeep. So, based on your budget, group number, and choice, you can choose a private or shared jeep.
Langtang Valley Trek Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Departure from Kathmandu (1,359m/4,429ft) to Syabrubensi (1,460m/4,790ft) by bus
- Day 02: Trek from Syabrubensi (1,460m/4,790ft) to Lama Hotel (2,470m/8,103ft)
- Day 03: Trek from Lama Hotel (2,470m/8,103ft) to Langtang Village (3,430m/11,253ft) via Ghodatabela
- Day 04: Trek from Langtang Village (3,430m/11,253ft) to Kyanjin Gompa (3,900m/12,795ft)
- Day 05: Excursion day (Kyanjin Ri, Tserku Ri, or Langshisa Kharka)
- Day 06: Trek from Kyanjin Gompa (3,900m/12,795ft) to Rimche (2,400m/7,874ft)
- Day 07: Trek from Rimche (2,400m/7,874ft) to Syabrubensi (1,460m/4,790ft)
- Day 08: Drive from Syabrubensi (1,460m/4,790ft) to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,429ft) by bus
Langtang Valley Trek itinerary can changed from 8 days to more. The maximum itinerary for this particular trek can be up to 13 days, including Gosainkunda Trek.
Conclusion
Hence, the Kathmandu to Syabrubesi jeep is the best mode of transportation to reach Syabrubesi during your trek to Langtang Valley. Furthermore, you can use these modes to reach major cities in Nepal, such as Pokhara, Chitwan, Helambu, etc. As mentioned earlier, you can book a private jeep service for freedom during your trek, but it is slightly more expensive than a shared jeep service.
You can also travel via local or tourist bus, but they are not as comfortable and flexible as you like. Nonetheless, traveling to Syabrubesi on the off-road track is more comfortable in a jeep than in a bus. Moreover, buses are more likely to break down in the middle of the road due to the lack of proper road conditions.
Hillary Steps Treks is a leading trekking company in Nepal that provides different types of trek and tour services. So if you need a jeep or bus to travel to different places like Syabrubesi or Dhunche from Kathmandu then do not hesitate to contact us.
