Less popular trek, more quiet
Shorter, easier than other treks in Nepal
Amazing views
Distance
50-80 km
Starting point
Syabrubesi
Total elevation
3450-5500 m
End point
Syabrubesi
Duration
5-8 days
Accommodation
Teahouses
Map
What to Expect
Peaceful Adventure
Langtang Valley Trek is way less popular than Annapurna Circuit or Everest Base Camp. Hence, this trail presents a perfect option for hikers who seek to avoid the crowds and enjoy a more peaceful trek. Despite being quieter, there are still plenty of villages and guesthouses to stay at along the way, and you will surely meet other hikers every day if you go in high season.
Tibetan Culture and Traditions
The area of Langtang is highly influenced by Tibetan culture. On the way, you will encounter beautiful Buddhist monuments (called stupas) and temples, and staying in local teahouses will give you plenty of opportunity to learn about the people of this region and their religion.
Diverse Landscape
The trail climbs an astonishing 2330 meters in 3 days, and the landscape changes the further up you go. Starting in deep coniferous forests, you will follow the river up the valley towards wide meadows. As you get near Kyanjin (3830 m), you will have a close look at the astonishing snow-capped peaks surrounding the Langtang Valley.
Rich Wildlife
Langtang Valley is home to a variety of wildlife that you might be lucky to encounter along the trail. Red pandas, snow leopards, musk deer, and grey langurs are amongst the large animals to look out for while trekking. While some of these animals are notoriusly shy and rarely get close to humans (such as the snow leopards and red pandas), others, such as grey langurs and musk deer, are more commonly spotted.
How Difficult is this Trek?
Moderate Terrain
We consider the Langtang Valley Trek an easy-moderate hike. The path climbs steadily up the valley and is generally well maintained throughout the trek. There are some steps along the way, and in some places, the path is narrow and steep, but most of the time it is fairly easy going. Besides, the abundance of guesthouses along the trail makes it easy to divide it into shorter sections if you find the days too long.
High Altitude
The trail climbs from 1500 m to 3830 m in 3 days, meaning that there is a risk of experiencing altitude sickness on the way. In addition, the high altitude makes climbing tougher on the breath. Taking proper precautions (LINK) such as going slowly, as well as knowing how to handle symptoms of altitude sickness, is strongly advised when embarking on the trek.
Fairly Easy Navigation
For the most part, there is really only one path to follow on the trek which makes route finding relatively straight-forward. Although you should generally know how to navigate and carry a map with you, you can always ask the local people for directions if you are in doubt.
The possibility of hiring a guide and/or a porter is a good option if you wish to do this trek but are unsure about certain aspects of it. You can read more information about hiring a guide in Nepal in our post here.
When to Hike
The best seasons for hiking in Langtang Valley are Autumn (October – November) and Spring (March – May). In these months, the temperatures are not too cold, and the weather is mostly clear and stable without much precipitation.
Hiking in Winter is also an option if you make sure to carry proper gear for dealing with the cold weather (such as a warm sleeping bag and warm clothes). The nights in particular can get really cold so make sure you are prepared! At this time of year, the sky is often very clear, and you can expect even fewer people on the trail.
Hiking during monsoon season (June – September) is generally not advised due to the high rate of precipitation.
Getting to the Trail and Back
First and foremost, you must get to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Most visitors stay in the part of Kathmandu called Thamel and spend a day or two here before starting trekking. Kathmandu can be reached by airplane or by bus (if you are travelling from India).
Getting to and from Syabrubesi
The trail starts and ends in the mountain village of Syabrubesi. From Kathmandu, Syabrubesi can be reached by local bus or by hiring a private jeep.
Bus to Syabrubesi
There are several busses running to Syabrubesi every day, and most of them leave in the morning. The busses depart from the road across the river from Gongabu Bus Park (you can find the exact location here). You can reach the bus stop from Thamel by 30 min on foot or 10 min driving. The trip takes around 7-8 hours and includes a short lunch break.
Tickets can be bought on the day of departure, or you can buy them in advance if you want to be sure to have a seat. You will have to buy the ticket at the bus stop, or you can ask your hotel to arrange the ticket for you. The price varies depending on your bargaining skills, but as an indication, we paid 1000 npr ($ 7.5) per ticket (November 2023).
Private Jeep to Syabrubesi
You can also hire a private jeep to take you to Syabrubesi. The price is considerably higher than taking the bus, but if you team up with other hikers, you can split the cost. A private jeep can be arranged through your hotel or one of the trekking companies in Kathmandu.
Our Itinerary
The great thing about this trek is that you can easily adjust its length depending on how much time you wish to spend hiking. The minimum days required for the trek is 5: You will need 3 days to reach Kyanjin and 2 days to walk back to Syabrubesi. From Kyanjin, you can do a number of day trips, thereby extending your time in the mountains.
We spent a total of 7 days on the Langtang Valley Trek, including two daytrips from Kyanjin (we also did a 2-day trip to climb Yala Peak (LINK), but since this peak requires mountaineering skills and camping equipment, we have not included it in this post). Note that we were well acclimatized from the beginning, having spend a month on Three Passes Trek and Jiri to Lukla Trek before going to Langtang.
If you wish to extend your trip further, you can consider combining this trek with the Gosainkunda Trek (LINK) running South from Langtang Valley towards Kathmandu. If you have mountaineering experience, you can also add a 2-day trek to climb Yala Peak from Kyanjin (LINK).
Day | Destination | Time (hours) | Distance (km) | Ascent (m) | Descent (m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Rimche (2485 m) via the high route to Sherpagaon | 6.5 | 12.7 | 1590 | 550 |
2 | Langtang (3450 m) | 6 | 13 | 1160 | 160 |
3 | Kyanjin (3830 m) + return trip further down the Langtang Valley | 2.5 | 15.8 | 630 | 270 |
4 | Day trip to Kyanjin Ri (4600 m) and roundtrip to Glacier View Point | 5 | 6.9 | 710 | 710 |
5 | Day trip to Tserko Ri (4984 m) | 6.5 | 12.3 | 1160 | 1160 |
6 | Lama Hotel (2480 m) | 6 | 18.1 | 160 | 1540 |
7A | Syabrubesi (1503 m) | 3-4 | 11 | 210 | 1260 |
7B | Dursagang ( m) Continuing on Gosainkunda Trek | 6.5 | 12.2 | 1210 | 980 |
Permits
Officially, you are required to buy two permits for trekking in the Langtang Valley:
- Langtang National Park Entry Permit (1500 npr for SAARC citizens, 3000 npr for all other foreign nationalities)
- Trekkers’ Information Management Systems (TIMS, 1000 npr for SAARC citizens, 2000 npr for all other foreign nationalities)
Langtang National Park Entry Permit
The entry permit can be bought at the entry point to the national park in Dhunche. If you go by bus, it will make a stop here so you can get your permit. You will need to show your passport, but you don’t need to carry extra passport photos. The permit can also be obtained at the Tourist Office in Kathmandu before you start your trek.
TIMS Card
Officially, a TIMS card is required for anyone trekking in Nepal and can only be obtained at the Tourism Office in Kathmandu. You do not need to book an appointment, but you will need to bring the following:
- A copy of your passport
- 2 passport photographs
- An itinerary for your trek
Up until now, the local authorities in Langtang have not checked for TIMS cards, but they might decide to do so in the future. Ask the local people in Kathmandu before you go to make sure you know what the situation is like at the time of your journey. We decided not to buy TIMS and were not once asked to show it on our trek in November-December 2023. But in the end, it is up to you whether you want to take the chance of going on the trail without it.
Accomodation
There are plenty of teahouses in Langtang Valley for you to sleep at and enjoy home cooked meals. Teahouses are normally run by local families who have turned a section of their house into a guesthouse. They typically consist of a dining room and a selection of bedrooms. The quality of the guesthouses vary considerably, but in general, rooms tend to be basic but comfortable.
How Much Does a Room Cost?
A room usually costs between 200-500 npr ($1.5 – 3.75), and you are expected to eat your meals at the teahouse (dinner and breakfast). If you decide to eat elsewhere, the room price will be considerably higher.
What are the Rooms Like?
At most teahouses, you will be able to choose between rooms with a shared bathroom and rooms with a private bathroom. The latter tend to be a bit more expensive than the former. Generally, rooms are simple and consist of two single beds with pillows and blankets, as well as a small table. Most rooms have power plugs for you to charge your devices.
Do I Need to Make Reservations?
You do not need to make reservations for the teahouses ahead of time. In most villages, there are plenty of guesthouses to choose from, so unless you wish to stay at a specific guesthouse, you will typically not have trouble finding a place to sleep.
Drinking Water
Water is generally easily accessible throughout the trek, although you will have to treat it before drinking it. There are some streams and rivers to take from along the way, and you can always get water at the teahouses. To avoid getting sick, you should bring either a filter, Steripen, or tablets to treat the water with. Read more about the different ways of treating water here (LINK).
You can also buy bottled water in most teahouses. However, this is highly discouraged as the production of plastic bottles takes an unnecessary toll on the environment. Nepal has a serious problem with plastic polution, and it is not uncommon to find plastic in rivers, forests, and on the trails. With several alternatives to treating water, we encourage you to choose an option that leaves a smaller environmental footprint.
Food
Since the teahouses provide home-cooked meals, you will not need to bring food or cooking gear along this trek. It is custom to eat your breakfast and dinner at the teahouse you are staying at, and you will pass several guesthouses during the day where you can buy lunch.
Teahouses tend to have rather similar menus throughout the trek. For breakfast, you can often choose between porridge, eggs, bread, or pancakes with apple. For lunch and dinner, common dishes are fried noodles, fried rice, fried potatoes, and of course dal bhat. Dal bhat is a traditional Nepalese meal consisting of cooked rice (bhat), lentil soup (dal), and a variety of side dishes such as curry or pickled vegetables. It is quite filling and makes for a perfect meal after a long day of trekking. Dal bhat is usually a bit more expensive than other menu items, but unlike the other dishes, dal bhat comes with a free refill!
Internet
Most teahouses offer free WiFi, although it might be a bit unstable. For some parts of the trek, you can connect to the internet through your phone if you have a local sim card. However, internet coverage varies considerably depending on which provider you have.
Buying a Local SIM Card
When arriving in Kathmandu, you can buy a local prepaid SIM card from providers such as Ncell or Telecom. You can buy them in Telecom or Ncell shops or in one of the many small shops in Thamel that provide them too. 4 weeks of data costs between 500-1000 npr ($ 4-8) depending on how much data you require. SIM cards can easily be topped up if your data expires, or if you need to extend it.
Navigating the Trail
In general, the trail is not marked but quite easy to follow. Most of the time, there is only one path to follow, and because you walk alongside the river, it serves as a waymark. If you are in doubt, you can ask for directions at the teahouses. If you walk with a guide, they will know the trail and take care of all navigation. But if you decide to walk without a guide, it is always a good idea to know how to navigate.
You can find the trail on navigation apps such as Maps.me, Guru Maps, and Gaia GPS. Remember to download the map of the region beforehand to be able to use it offline. If you search for a GPX file for Langtang Valley Trek, you will be able to find one to download which you can then add to your preferred navigation app.
To not solely rely on your phone for navigation, we always encourage you to carry a physical map and a compass. A physical map of the trek can be bought in one of the map or book stores in Kathmandu and costs around 600-700 npr ($4.5-5).
Is A Guide Needed for This Trek?
Whether or not you need a guide on this trek is slightly complicated. While officially, you are required to hire a licensed guide when trekking in Nepal, in reality, the rule is yet to be enfored in the Langtang area. Personally, we did not encounter any problems trekking without a guide in November-December 2023. However, the government might decide to enforce the rule without warning. To make sure you know what the situation is like today, make sure to check out the Facebook Groups “Langtang Trekking Nepal” or “Trekking in Nepal” before you go to.
Keep in mind that no matter what you read on the internet, hiking without a guide despite the rules is your decision alone and is always done entirely at your own risk.
Now, legal matters aside, the decision on whether or not to hire a guide is highly individual, and several factors should be taken into account. You can read our post about hiring a guide in Nepal (LINK) for more information about things to consider when making your decision as well as tips for hiring the right guide for you.
Packing List
While the specifics on what to pack varies from person to person, some things are essential to bring for your safety and comfort on this trek.
Click here (LINK) to read our complete packing list for trekking in Nepal.
Tips for Your Trek
Now that we have covered the basics of what you need to know before you go, we will share a list of things that might be nice to know:
- Remember to buy travel insurance. Going on a high altitude trek is not a walk in the park, so to speak. It is absolutely necessary to have travel insurance in case you need a rescue.
- Take your time. The Langtang Valley is simply beautiful, and if you have the time, we encourage you to go slow to take it all in as much as possible. Have a cup of coffee at one of the cafes, visit a bakery, or check out the monastery in Kyanjin.
- Add side trips as you wish. From Kyanjin, there are several day trips you can do to explore the valley. You can get inspiration from our day trips or ask at the guesthouse you are staying at in Kyanjin.
- Consider avoiding meat. Meat has to be carried all the way to the teahouses on either human, yak, or horse back, meaning that it is difficult to guarantee that it is still fresh when used for cooking. In order to avoid getting sick, we recommend that you avoid meat all together.
- You have to obtain a permit for flying drones. The permit costs $1500 and should be obtained before you go on the trek. Be aware that military staff will check through your backpack at Monjo to ensure that you do not bring a drone without a permit.
Bringing Money for the Trek
All guesthouses we stayed at only accept cash, and we are convinced this is the cast for most teahouses. This means that, generally, you will have to pay with cash almost everywhere on the trek (that is, of course, unless if you do the trek as a pre-paid tour through a trekking company). There are no ATM’s along the way, meaning that you will have to carry cash for the entire trek from Kathmandu.
Bringing Cash from Kathmandu
Since many credit cards have a daily withdrawal limit, we strongly encourage you to bring cash with you from your home country and exchange it in Kathmandu. There are several money changers in Thamel, and using Google Maps, you should be able to find one with good reviews and fair rates.
Unfortunately, you are not allowed to bring nepalese rupees to Nepal. Hence, exchanging money before you arrive at Kathmandu is not an option.
Budget
Since you will have to carry money for the entire trek, you are probably wondering how much you should expect to spend. In all honesty, your daily budget highly depends on how much you are willing to spend. Since the Langtang Valley is less visited, prices are generally lower on this trek compared to Annapurna Circuit and treks in the Everest region such as Three Passes (LINK). Your daily budget can range from 2500-4000 npr ($ 19-30) per person per day, depending on how much tea, coffee, beer, food, and snacks you buy.
How Much Did We Spend?
On average, we spent around 2950 npr ($ 22) per person per day on accommodation, food, snacks and tea. We often had dal bhat for dinner, tea in the afternoon, and one meal each for breakfast and lunch. We brought snacks from Kathmandu and did not spend money on bottled water or beer.
Our Complete Budget Breakdown
Here is a detailed run down on what we (2 people) spent on our 7-day Langtang Valley Trek:
- Permits: 6000 npr
- Snacks and toiletries bought in Kathmandu: 3850 npr
- Food & accommodation at teahouses: 37,600 npr
- Bus from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi: 2000 npr
- Taxi to the bus stop in Kathmandu: 300 npr
Ressources
- Apps for navigation: Maps.me, Guru Maps, and Gaia GPS (links for iOS).
- Lonely Planet Guidebook Trekking in the Nepal Himalaya (2015 edition).
- Cicerone Guidebook to the Everest Region. A Trekker’s Guide (2023 edition).
- Langtang Trekking Nepal Facebook Group and Trekking in Nepal Facebook Group for up-to-date information, recommendations, and questions about your trek.
- Information about visa and permits: Nepal Tourism Board.
