Langtang Valley trek is one of the short yet enthralling trekking destinations located in the Rasuwa district of Nepal. Although not as much highlighted as other renowned trekking areas of Nepal, Langtang valley trek has a lot to offer to trekkers. From a unique Tibetan lifestyle to some of the highest vantage points of the region, slowly but surely, the Langtang valley trek is marking itself as one of the remarkable trekking destinations of Nepal.
It is a week-long trek that is more than rewarding when it comes to the landscape, ecosystem, sceneries, and cultural distinction. You get to explore the diverse landscape, deep forests, open fields, giant waterfalls, flowing rivers, and small warm villages in the lap of the massive Langtang Himalayas.
Highlights of the Langtang Valley Trek
Splendid sights of the Langtangmountain range
The main highlight of the Langtang valley without a doubt is the wide range of mountain sights it has to offer. As the last village of the trek, Langtang valley is situated right beneath the massive Himalayas of Langtang. You get to witness dramatic vistas of peaks like; Mt. LangtangLirung (7227m), Mt. LangtangRi (7205m), Mt. NayaKhang (5844m), Mt. Yala Peak (5520m), etc all along the trek. Along with the majestic sights of the Himalayas, you can also enjoy the change in landscape and scenery till the end of the trek.
The highest viewpoint of the region; TsergoRi (4984m)
TsergoRi is the highest viewpoint of the region, situated at an elevation of 4984 m. The walk to the top of the viewpoint from the Langtang valley can be considered quite strenuous as it is an uphill climb at a high altitude. It takes around 6-7 hours of a walk for a round hike to and from TsergoRi. From the top of the viewpoint, you can relish the magnificent sights of Yala Peak (5,520m), LangtangRi (7,205m), LangtangLirung (7,227m), and NayaKhang (5,844m), etc. The view you get from the top makes all the uphill walks worth it. With its altitude and the sceneries it offers, TsergoRi is undoubtedly another major highlight of the Langtang Valley Trek.
Distinctive culture and lifestyle
Langtang region is home to the Tamang people, who belong to the indigenous community. During the trek, you’ll be able to notice a way of living that is simple yet unique far from the hustle and bustle of city life. Another reason why the culture and lifestyle of the people around this area make special is because of the influence of Tibetan society. The languages, costumes, and religious traditions practiced by the community here are quite equivalent to that of Tibetans. Some other elements that add more beauty to the Langtang valley trek are the traditional attractive Gompas and monasteries along the trail.
A broad range of flora and faunas of the Langtang National Park
Another major highlight of the Langtang valley trek is the trail all along the journey that lies inside the renowned Langtang National Park. The park is home to multiple species such as musk deer and Himalayan tahr. The national park is also prominent for hosting endangered animals such as; the red panda, Himalayan black bear, wild dog, snow leopard, etc along with more than 250 species of birds. Moreover, the Langtang national park is said to exhibit a wide variety of ecosystems and vegetation.
The trail to the Langtang Valley Trek
Moving on to the day-to-day trail of the Langtang valley trek, it takes a total of 7 days to complete the trek. The number of days may vary depending on the trekkers walking speed. The starting point of the trek is Syaprubesi, which is a small town in the Rasuwa district. Around 6-7 hours of drive from Kathmandu takes you to Syaprubesi.
From Syaprubesi, the walking journey begins as you head to Lama Hotel. lama hotel is a small settlement situated in the middle of the forest. The trail to lama hotel consists mostly of an uphill with few walks alongside the Bhotekoshiriver. You’ll then, pass through multiple Tamang villages before reaching the Langtang valley. On the way to the Langtang valley, you can notice the old Langtang valley, which was heartbreakingly destroyed during the earthquake of 2015 AD.
After the Langtang Valley, the trail then takes you to the last village of the region, KyanjinGompa. The way from Langtang valley to KyanjinGompa can be considered one of the best trails of the trek. As it is mostly a straight trail alongside the river with giant peaks towering all around. From KyanjinGompa, you have options to hike to viewpoints like KyanjinRi I, KyanjinRi II, and TsergoRi.
Tips for the Langtang Valley Trek
The Langtang valley trek is a moderate-grade trek that can be completed by any level of trekkers with a healthy physical condition.
Although it is a refreshing short trek, you can always make your experience even more memorable and thrilling with a few tips. So, here are a few tips you can note if you’re trekking to the Langtang valley.
- Do not try to cut out the number of days by increasing your speed of trekking, as each stop of the trek has its own beauty and features.
- Â Keep one extra day for a stay in KyanjinGompa. KyanjinGompa is a stunning village with a lot to explore, for which it is best to have one additional day.
- Hike to TsergoRi to get the best sights of the Himalayas. A lot of trekkers seem to skip the hike to TsergoRi because of the time and energy it requires. But, compared to the other two viewpoints, it offers a much more wide range of mountain views.
- Communicate as much as you can with villagers and try to dive into the local culture, either by trying the local food or chitchatting with them. It certainly makes the trek much more memorable.
