Langtang Trek is for beginners mainly due to its short duration, shorter distance, and lower altitude. Guides and porters also help make the trek easier.
Langtang Valley Trek is for beginners, seniors, and people of any age. It is one of the most underrated trekking destinations in Nepal. Langtang Trek is also a moderate trek in Nepal which lies very close to the Kathmandu valley. So, if you are thinking about a quick trek to the mountains to see stunning mountain views, then this trek is for you.
During your Langtang Trek you will reach Langtang National Park, where many endangered floras and faunas are protected. One of the main attractions of your trek is Langtang Lirung, the highest peak.
So if you are a beginner and want to gain experience on an excursion, trek, or peak climbing, this guide is for you. Let’s get into it.
Can beginners trek to Langtang Valley?
Yes, beginners can trek to Langtang Valley. In fact, this trek is specially curated for beginners. While other treks, like Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Circuit, are well known for being tough and challenging, this little spot is hidden in plain sight. Only passionate trekkers know about Langtang Valley Trek.
However, if you are a beginner and want to gain some experience in trekking and peak climbing, we highly recommend trekking Langtang Trek before any other trekking spots in Nepal.
Is Langtang Valley Trek Difficult?
No Langtang trek is not that difficult and is regarded as one of the easiest treks in Nepal. If you are thinking around the Langtang Valley and are unaware of the difficulty level, then you can be sure it is among the easy to moderate levels of the trek.
However, if you are a beginner, then the trek might not be as easy, but it is also not as hard. Langtang Trek offers amazing views of the Himalayan peaks for beginners, and within your first moment of the trek, you will be mesmerized.
The reason for the Langtang trek being an easy to moderate trek is listed below:
- Low Altitude: Langtang Valley Trek takes you to an altitude of 3800m. The altitude is much lower than other trekking destinations in Nepal, which means the chance of altitude sickness is much lower.
- Short Duration: The Langtang Trek is among the shortest treks. It normally takes 5-7 days to complete the Langtang Valley Trek. Adding a few more itineraries, like Gosaikunda or Tamang Heritage Trail, can increase the duration to 12-13 days.
- Short Trek Daily: In some trekking expeditions in Nepal, you will have to walk for 7-8 hours daily for several days. However, you will only be trekking for about 3-4 hours during this trek. Since the altitude to reach is lower, and the distance and duration are also less, you will feel less fatigued.
- Hire a guide and porter: Although this is one of the easier treks, you may still encounter some difficulties if you are a beginner. So, to make it even easier, you can hire a trekking guide and porter.
Duration of the Trek
The trek is one of the shortest compared to other destinations. Short Langtang Trek offers amazing adventure as it typically takes 6 to 10 days, depending on where you start and how fast you go. This trek is a great option for those with limited time. However, if you have more time, you can add an extra day to your trek and visit other destinations, like Gosainkunda Lake or Tamang Heritage Trail.
This short trek is perfect for beginners because it allows plenty of rest. You will learn about trekking, acclimatization, and resting, which will be helpful for future treks. The most important information should be mentioned first, and sentences should be short and concise. Plain English is used, so everyday language is favored. The active voice is used to increase clarity.
Foods and Accommodation During Langtang Valley Trek
If you are a beginner in trekking, it is always important to consider Food and Accommodation. So let’s look at the food and accommodation services you will receive during your trek.
Foods and Drinks
Langtang Valley offers amazing and majestic views and delicious Tamang food. Your meals are divided into three parts: breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
Breakfast:
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. As you start early in the morning for your trek, you need appropriate foods and drinks to energize yourself. You will have your breakfast from 7 Am to 9 Am. Some of the breakfast meals you will eat are Tibetian Bread and Chapati with Jam, honey, pancakes, cornflakes, porridge, eggs, and omelets. You can also order Western breakfasts like dumplings, pizzas, soups, steaks, and other delicious delicacies.
Lunch:
After having breakfast in your hotel, you will start trekking around part of the Langtang area. If you are with your guide, you will reach a nice restaurant after a few hours of trekking. Around 1 PM, you will start having your lunch. You might get many lunch menu options if you are in a tourist area. You can order local dishes like Dal, Bhat, and Vegetable curry for lunch. During the Himalayan trek around the Langtang area, you will reach a few more remote secluded areas with limited lunch options. Apart from local Dal Bhat and curry, some options for Western lunch include Pizzas, Burgers, Steak, Stews, and Dumplings.
Dinner:
The Dinner in Langtang contains the same menu as our lunch. The most recommended dinner menu is a local Nepalese Dal, Bhat, and Vegetable curry. During your excursion in the Himalayas, we don’t recommend you eat non-veg meals as they may not be hygienic. Sometimes they are not properly cooked and hard to digest, so we advise you not to take risks. Another key information to note during your trips in Nepal is that dinner is normally done where you will stay overnight.
Drinks:
During your Langtang excursion, you will have several drink options. Every morning, you will choose between tea and coffee. You will also have the option of other drinks, like hot drinks with ginger, lemon, and honey. These drinks will help you feel warm from the inside. In the hotels and restaurants, you will have options to drink alcohol. However, we don’t recommend spending your money on alcohol, as it is one of the main causes of dehydration and altitude sickness.
Accommodation
During your Langtand excursion, you will stay in a few hotels and tea houses. In the city areas like Kathmandu, you can stay in three to five-star hotels or budgeted lodges. The cost of the hotels can differ according to the facilities you will be getting. For five-star hotels, you’ll have $300 per night, whereas for budgeted hotels, you will have $75-$100 per night.
You’ll encounter fewer hotels as you reach the secluded area in the region, but you don’t have to sleep in tents. There are many comfortable and cozy tea houses along your rhododendron forest trails. Tea houses are small houses with a few cozy rooms and a warm dining room in the middle. Each room has 2-3 small beds, which you’ll have to share with other trekkers if you are visiting during peak months like March to May or September to November.
You’ll have to share the bathroom during your teahouse stay. Sometimes there are two or three sinks to brush teeth and wash faces, but normally, you’ll have to share the sink as well. You’ll get services like hot showers, hot drinking water, etc. if you can pay extra.
Langtang Valley Trek Highlights
- Visit the ancient Buddhist monastery Kyanjin Gompa and see breathtaking mountain ranges.
- Experience unique but harmonious Tibetian culture and tradition.
- Beautiful scenic drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi.
- Full of scenic but beautiful terrains in peaceful, uncrowded trails
- Perfect trek for beginners looking for trekking experience.
- Gosaikunda/Gosainkunda Lake excursion
5 Attractions of Langtang Valley Trek
Langtang Valley Trek is underrated, as few trekkers know about this destination. Throughout the trek, you will encounter many amazing attractions that will make your trip worthwhile.
Learn Tamang Culture:
Langtang Valley Trek takes you around many regions where several Tamang people live happily. You will learn about Tamang culture, rituals, foods, and drinks and immerse yourself in their day-to-day activities. Tamang is a helpful person who is happy to provide meals, accommodation, and even medicinal care if you are in need. No doubt exploring Tamang villages will make your day even better.
Explore Kyanjin Gompa:
When you go on the Langtang Valley Trek, you’ll encounter a beautiful spot called Kyanjin Gompa. This charming village is surrounded by high peaks. After you reach Kyanjin Gompa, you’ll have a full day to explore the village and its surroundings.
You can do several things alone in Kyanjin Gompa, making this trek worthwhile. While visiting the village, you can see the amazing Lantang Lirung glacier. You can also trek around the lake area while visiting the village. During your visit to the Kyanjin Gompa, you will see several mountain views while trekking in the Himalayan area.
Comfy Tea House:
Langtang Valley Trek is an easy and comfortable trek, perfect for beginners. During the trek, you’ll stay in cozy lodges that offer food and shelter. This is a great way to enjoy your journey without any worries. The village is famous for its cozy tea houses and accommodations, where you can take a break and get delicious food. Many tea houses in the Langtang region are family-run and don’t have official names. They are all known for their hospitality and for serving basic but delicious food. A typical meal might include dal bhat (lentils and rice), potato curry, and vegetables. Tea houses also often sell hot drinks like yak butter tea and coffee.
Encounter Endangered Wildlife:
While exploring Langtang region Treks, you will trek through the popular Langtang National Park. This park, which covers an area of over 1710 km2, is famous for being home to several endangered species in Nepal. Several endangered species of animals, like red pandas, snow leopards, and Himalayan Thars, While Musk deer and many other species of birds are being conserved. Furthermore, over 18 different vegetation types are also being conserved in the national park.
Stunning mountain vistas:
During the Langtang region expedition, you will encounter several places from which you can see majestic mountain vistas. Some of the Himalayas you will see during your trek are Ganesh Himal, Naya Kangri, Yala Peak, Langtang Lirung, Loenpo Himal, and Gang Cheenpo.
In addition to stunning panorama mountain views, you will also encounter some amazing scenes. The trails are normally blooming with flowers. During autumn, the atmosphere becomes brown and amber. However, we recommend you choose the appropriate season as the environment gets hazy during some seasons like autumn and winter.
Tips to Beginners For Langtang Valley Trek
Here are some of the amazing beginner tips for Langtang Valley Trek.
Hiring a Guide and Porter: Consider hiring a guide and porter for your trek. They can offer cultural insights, help with navigation, and carry your heavy backpack.
Hydration: It’s important to stay hydrated during your trek. Bring a reusable water bottle and purifying tablets or a water filter to ensure you have access to clean water.
Trekking Permits: Before starting the trek, obtain the necessary permits for the Langtang National Park and TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card in Kathmandu.
Acclimatization: Acclimate to altitude, and take time, especially if you are a beginner. You don’t have experience acclimating to altitude and climbing peaks. Before returning, rest at Kyanjin Gompa, since it is the appropriate place for resting.
Outline itinerary
- Day 01: Kathmandu to Syabrubesi
- Day 02: Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel
- Day 03: Lama Hotel to Langtang Village
- Day 04: Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa
- Day 05: Explore Day in Kyanjin Gompa
- Day 06: Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel
- Day 07: Lama Hotel to Thulo Syabru
- Day 08: Thulo Syabru to Cholangpati
- Day 09: Trek to Gosaikunda Lake
- Day 10: Trek back to Gopte from Gosaikunda Lake via Lauribina Pass
- Day 11: Gopte to Kutumsang
- Day 12: Kutumsang to Chisapani
- Day 13: Chisapani to Sundarijal. Drive back to Kathmandu
Normally, Langtang Valley Trek can be accommodated into 6 days. However, like above, if you add Gosaikunda and Tamang Heritage Trail, you can increase the trek length to 13 days.
