Trekking Langtang in Nepal

By Tabatha Smith On August 14, 2009 · 34 Comments

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This moderately difficult trek north of Kathmandu surrounds you with views of soaring, snow-capped peaks. Running through an area inhabited predominantly by the Tamang people, it sees far fewer visitors than the Annapurna and Mount Everest treks, so most of each day is spent walking alone amongst the mountains and yaks.

1. A couple of Nepali girls laugh at the antics of arriving trekkers.

2. Mighty trees cling to the mountainside.

3. A Tamang child sits atop a roof and watches with little interest the flow of life below.

4. Our first glimpse of the awesome Langtang Mountain (7,200 meters or 23,622 feet)

5. These girls epitomize the general response we got: mistrust of outsiders and friendly curiosity.

6. The view from our bed when staying at Kyangin Gompa

7. Sunset over the Langtang Range

8. Grandma takes care of her grandchild while Mom runs the family business, a guesthouse.

9. A view of both the Langtang and Ganesh mountain ranges. And some pretty purple rhododendrons.

10. The Tamangs migrated to Nepal from Tibet and are still practicing the religion of their country of origin.

11. The sun sets over Gosain Kunda, a lake at 4,380 meters (14,370 feet).

12. Three trekkers are dwarfed by the mountains around them as they make their way to Laurebina Pass, the highest point of the trek. It's all downhill from here.

About The Author

Tabatha Smith

Tabatha is a Californian who's just moved back home after five and a half years in Australia. She's wandered extensively through Australasia. She spends her time reading, writing and dreaming about her next trip, which is never far away. To read more about her travels, visit her website.

http://thetravelersnotebook.com David Miller

This just stoked my morning.
http://www.travelcalling.blogspot.com Angela Corrias

What an amazing trip…
http://everymanscritic.blogspot.com Chinamatt

This is amazing. I really wish I had the chance to visit Nepal while I was living in China (knew a Nepali guy in China who would’ve given us a tour of his hometown). Now I’ll have to save my money for that dream vacation.
http://www.tvrotsyourmindgrapes.com/ Marissa

UGH I want to go to Nepal.
http://meganahill.wordpress.com Megan Hill

Wow….what an amazing trip. This has always been something of a pipe dream for me, but now you’ve woken me up. Thanks for sharing this.
Alan

Very cool pictures. One question, though. I saw that some of them have really red, almost rusty red, cheeks. Is that from the altitude?

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/tabatha Tabatha Smith

Yes, it’s the combination of the cold, dry air at altitude, and the sunlight which seems to really “weather” the skin a lot more quickly than down at sea level. After a few weeks trekking in the region the skin on your arms and legs ages about 15 years, becoming wrinkled and dry. Though thankfully it does return to normal when you return to a lower altitude.

http://musictravelwrite.wordpress.com Michelle

SO gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/vagabonderz Carlo Alcos

Can’t wait for the day I go myself. Fanatastic pics Tabatha!
http://wayworded.blogspot.com/ Hal

Excellent shots, Tabatha. Thanks for this.
http://wanderlustprod.com/wordpress/nepal-mandala/ Michaela Potter

Brings back some great memories from my time in Nepal. Still as beautiful as ever!
xubean

Thanks for sharing this. You’ve really captured the most beautiful shots of my country in the most beautiful way possible. It’s easy for us Nepalese to sometimes forget how beautiful our country is, until we’re reminded by someone from outside the country. Again, thank you!
Adri

Beatuiful pictures, thank you for sharing! I will fly to Nepal next month, cannot wait

http://www.tabs-examinedlife.com Tabatha Smith

I’m very jealous, wish I were going back next month. Have the best time!

m

These are stunning images. I thought I had my heart set on the Everest trek for my next trip to Nepal, but I think I’m going to have to research this route now!

http://www.tabs-examinedlife.com Tabatha Smith

Hi M,
I would definitely recommend the Langtang Trek. You really get the feeling of being in amongst the snowy peaks, not just viewing them from afar. I haven’t trekked Everest, but the sheer number of people flown in and out of there every day has always deterred me. If you ever do decide to trek Langtang, send me an email via Matador, I’d be happy to answer any questions you may have or help you decide on a route to take. Happy adventuring!

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/m-wanders m

Thanks Tabatha! I’m heading back to Nepal late next year (hopefully) so will keep that in mind!

http://www.tabs-examinedlife.com Tabatha Smith

Thank you so much everyone for the positive feedback! And thanks Hal, it really looks great!
http://livesmartbook.blogspot.com TC

Wow. Spectacular photos. It makes my desire to go there and climb much deeper. Thanks.
Diana Mann

Beautiful pictures Tabatha!!
joshywashington

These photos tell an amazing story, I can almost smell the high mountain air!
Hannah

Hey there

Lovely photos and a great trip you had. Just a quick question for you, my partner and I are returning to Nepal for the second time. Last visit was 2.5 years ago and we were luck enough to stay for nearly 3 months. We have therefore done the “main” treks – Annapurna circuit, ABC, EBC, Gokyo valley. What would you recommend we do next, I was thinking Langtang and Helambu but not sure it will be as impressive as what we have already done, that sounds terrible I know! The lack of trekkers is very appealing though. My partner wants to attempt a trekking peak, like Island Peak but I think you have to do it with and organised company and it quite exxy as well as a lot of backtracking for us.

Do you think Langtang and Helambu is our best option, we like to trek independently, staying at tea houses though. I know some say you should have a porter/guide to give back but we do volunteer work in other ways and give back in this way. And adivce appreciated, thankyou

Hannah

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/tabatha Tabatha Smith

Hi Hannah,

Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond to your post, gmail put it in my spam and I just found it.

Langtang and Helambu are great treks if you like to trek independently. My husband and I did it on our own and had no problems finding places to stay. Also, if you get up the trail and find that you would like a porter for a day or two, that can be arranged, as many locals are happy to earn extra cash.

As far as peaks to climb, I know at Kyangin Gompa there are one or two that you don’t have to do with an organized group, but you do need a permit. Unfortunately I don’t much about proper climbing, I’m more of a ‘sit and look at the peaks once I get there’ kinda girl. I did meet a really great local guide while I was trekking and I’m sure he’d be happy to answer any questions you have. His name is Paliyor Lama and his email is paliyor@socialtours.com.

The trek is really incredible, though I haven’t been on any others in Nepal, so I don’t know how it compares. Ask Paliyor, I’m sure he’ll be able to provide further advice.

Happy trekking!
Tabatha

Hannah

Hi Tabatha thanks for the reply we leave in 4 weeks and are so excited tho we still haven’t decided which trek to do yet! I’ve done some research and like the idea of combining the Langtang, Helambu, Gosainkund and Ganja La treks to make a 20 day hike that is circuitous. What do you think? From the info I read (approx from 2001) there were no tea houses on the Ganja La part from when you leave Kanjin Gompa (South) for the next 2/3 days but I am hoping this has changed. Or if not hoping we can find somebody to take us across but we wont be carrying tents so not sure! Altitude wise this seemed ok, starting from Sundarijal, up thru Helambu circuit, then joining Goasiankund trek, then Langtang to Kanjin Gompa, then south to ganja la trek before finally rejoining the helambu circuit and finishing at Melemchi Pul Bazaar, where you can bus back to Kathmandu. Sounds a bit overambitous now! But we are fit. Any advice?

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/tabatha Tabatha Smith

Your trek definitely sounds ambitious, but if you’re fit, I should think you’d be okay. Some days are going to be pretty exhausting though! There still aren’t any guest houses for a few days after Ganja La pass. To trek the pass you need tents, food, cooking equipment and your own water supply (or the ability to purify the water), enough for three days. You won’t be able to get much equipment (or any) while on the trek, so if you want to do the pass, you’ll need to bring your supplies with you. If you’re willing to skip the pass, then you should be able to find guest houses along the rest of the way.

Good luck!

Carol Smith

Fantastic photo essay Tabatha. Totally awe inspiring.
Ollie White

Tabatha, Thanks for posting these amazing photos. I am planning to do this trek with my father in mid Febuary. I would just like to establish how difficult it is? He is 63, quite healthy but does not want anything too challenging. How far do you trek each day and are there any really long or difficult days that may be a real challenge for him? Also, is this a good time of year in terms of views and temperature? If not Langtang, can you recommend any other treks? We have three weeks.

Ollie

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/tabatha Tabatha Smith

Hi Ollie,

Thanks for the comment! The trek can be broken down into several different ‘parts’. One part goes to Kyangin Gompa (see photo #7) and while the trek is challenging, if your father is in good shape, you guys should be fine. There are villages (or at least a guest house) every couple of hours, so if he finds himself getting tired, you can stop after only a couple of hours of walking. Another part of the trek that goes to Gosain Kunda is more challenging and there are a couple of long days that left me exhausted. My recommendation would be to trek to Kyangin Gompa and then see how you guys are feeling. And don’t ask any super-fit Europeans how the Gosain Kunda part of the trek is, they’ll say it’s easy (and it’s very not easy).

You could also trek the Annapurna circuit, but from what I understand you don’t get to be quite as up close with the peaks, but you get to see higher peaks. The Annapurna circuit has a couple of challenging days, but overall gradually inclines and declines more than Langtang. It’s also more popular than the Langtang Trek.

I hope this information helps. If you have any more questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me. Have a great time! I would love to see your shots when you get back.

Cheers,
Tabatha

http://tabs-examinedlife.com

http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/tabatha Tabatha Smith

You also asked about time of year: after the monsoons you’ll get the clearest views (Sept. – Oct.), but in the spring you get the rhododendrons. We went in April and it was beautiful, though sometimes a bit hazy.

Sachin

Friend you are my eye to Nepal. Even though I belong to this country. Never had view of my nation.
Sachin

You are fueling my drive to get into serving more good people who want to come to Nepal. Thank you very very much. Please I would love to mail you.
http://www.socialtours.com Raj Gyawali

Tabatha,

Really stunning pictures indeed… I stumbled upon your trip while doing a routine search online as the name of our operations expert and guide Paljyor stood out! Checked it and Paljyor remembers meeting up with you on one of his treks.

How interesting to see a recommendation of one of our guides and stumbling upon it randomly…

Do you mind if I link up this photoessay to my blog @ http://socialtours.blogspot.com and also to our website @ http://www.socialtours.com

Cheers

Raj

http://matadortrips.com/ Hal Amen

Please, link away!
http://www.tabs-examinedlife.com/ Tabatha Smith

Hi Raj,

I’d be delighted if you used the link! I’m glad you like the photos. Tell Paljyor I say “Hello!”.

Cheers,
Tabatha

Trekking Langtang in Nepal

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