Langtang and Helumbu Trek
Day1: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 2: Sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley
Day 3: Kathmandu - Syabrubesi (1460m)
The first day of the trek begins when you drive to Syabrubesi for almost 9 hours starting at 0630 hours in the morning form Kathmandu.
After driving 30 kms you reach pristine villages on the banks of the river Trishuli. You also get to see the enchanting panorama of the Himalaya, including the Annapurna, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and the peaks of the Langtang region.
Day 4: Syabrubesi - Lama Hotel (Changdam - 2410m)
Today you cross the Bhote Kosi River by a suspension bridge towards ‘Old’ Syabrubesi, a cluster of houses and a school opposite to the river. Another suspension bridge carries you over the south side of the Langtang Khola, which river will be following you for the next couple of days. You climb slowly to Doman (1680m) and continue over a rocky ridge to Landslide Lodge and Hot Spring restaurant; named after a small hot spring on the opposite river bank at 1810 meter. The trail now climbs gently up to Bamboo Lodge where you can enjoy the lunch. Opposite to the river you will see vertical cliffs covered with cactuses. After Bamboo Lodge you cross the Langtang Kholaover a new suspension bridge to the north bank. The forest becomes sparser and drier on this side of the river, consisting mainly of scrub oaks and nettles. You climb steeply on a good trail to Rimche (2510m). You have now finished today’s climbing and descend slowly to Lama Hotel where you will stay tonight.
Day 05: Lama Hotel - Langtang Village (3330m)
From lama hotel, you continue the ascent above the Langtang river. As the trail progresses, it becomes steeper. You have the most exotic sights of Langtang Lirung lying at 7246 meter. The trail leads to a log bridge and on climbing further you come across lush meadows of Ghore Tabela at 3000m. You will see several lodges and a police check post. Further on, the route opens up into a wide valley of yak pastures and scattered Tamang villages with water-driven mills and prayer wheels. You arrive at Langtang village after crossing a stream and reaching up a height of 3500 meters. Langtang village is the headquarters for Langtang National Park and has flat-roofed Tibetan style hous
es, hotels and cultivated lands yielding buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips, barley etc.
Day 6: Langtang Village - Kyanjin Gompa (3730m)
Walking through the village of Langtang you pass many stone mani walls, covered with Tibetan inscriptions which are supoosed to please the gods. Then climbs up gradually, pass the small villages of Mumdu and Sindum. The trail continues through yak pastures. After crossing the Langtang river to its south bank you climb up through a landscape scattered with large boulders to a moraine where you will have the first views of Kyanjin Gompa, and the dramatic icefall flowing from Langtang Lirung and Langtang Kinshung (6781m) north of you. Your route weaves through the large boulders to a gompa and from here it’s a short descent to Kyanjin Gompa.
Day 7: Hike and Rest day in Kyanjin Gompa
You take a day off for acclimatization and a proper rest. You get to explore interesting places like the monastery, cheese factory etc. You can climb Kyangjin Ri located at 4350m from where amazing views of snow-capped mountains are spreading right next to you. You can walk up the moraine to see the spectacular mountain ridges and undulating glaciers.
Day 8: Kyanjin Gompa – Lama Hotel
From Kyangjin, you take the route back to Lama Hotel. As you retrace your steps, you follow the Langtang river to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. You stop for lunch and thereafter continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel.
Day 9: Lama Hotel - Thulo Syabru (2130m)
From Lama Hotel, you head back to Thulo Syabru. You can wander around the undulating path leading to the village. This gives you an opportunity to get an insight of the culture and custom of the Tamang community. You can also simply relax in the sun savoring the beauty of the majestic Himalayan Mountains.
Day 10: Syabru Village - Sing Gompa (3254m)
The trail to Sing Gompa climbs through forests of oak, firs and rhododendrons to gain a ridge, then cuts across the ridge top, staying fairly level in forests as it crosses the head of a valley. You take the uphill trail at each junction and cross another forested ridge. The trail continues across the head of a second valley, and then reaches a final ridge at 3650m. Sing Gompa is about 100 m along the trail to the left. Sing Gompa is the main attraction at Chandan Bari, which also has several hotels and a small cheese factory.
Day 11: Sing Gompa - Gosainkunda (4336m)
You start by climbing further along the ridge till we see the first lakes at around 4100 meter. The trail now leaves the ridge and heads high above the Trisuli valley. After the trail crosses a spur, the second lake in the chain (Bhairav Kund) comes into view. The trail climbs gently but continuously to the third and largest lake, Goisakund - a high altitude lake. It has a black rock in the middle, said to be the head of Shiva. According to the legend, Shiva created the lake when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water to quench his thirst after consuming poison. Thousands of pilgrims come here to worship and bath during the full-moon festival in every August. It takes about 45 minutes to walk around the lake
Day 12: Gosainkunda - Gopte (3359m)
The trail passes the northern side of Gosainkunda Lake and climbs further through rugged country towards Laurebina La Pass at 4610m. The trail is rough but it is well marked with rock cairns. Across the valley, there is a ridge with a step trail across its face. From the ridge, the trail descends through forests, climbing in and out of ravines across the head of the valley. Giant cliffs tower far above, forming the top of the Thare danda. Just beyond is the settlement of Gopte at 3359m.
Day 13: Gopte - Mangan Kharka (3285m)
You continue descending along the ridge, through rhododendron and juniper forests and past herders' huts to a stream before climbing to Tharepati, a group of herders' huts at 3490m. From Tharepati the trail gradually descends through pine and rhododendron forest with good views down into the Helambu valley and across to Jugal Himal and Numbur in the Solu Khumbu.
Day 14: Mangan Kharka - Gulphu Bhanjyang (2125m)
From Mangan Kharka, it is a short climb to cross a ridge before following a very easy trail, through forest with superb views across to Numbur, Jugal Himal and many other snow capped peaks. From Kutumsang you climb to a pass at 2620m, before descending to the Tamang village of Gulphu Bhanjyang. From here, you can get splendid views stretching from the Annapurnas and Manaslu in the west to Numbur in the east. Gulphu Bhanjyang is a village with a mixed population of Gurungs and Tamangs. There are shops and small restaurants and a couple of government offices.
Day 15: Gulphu Bhanjyang - Chisopani (2194m)
From Gulphu Bhanjyang, it is an easy climb to cross a pass at 2470m before descending to Pati Bhanjyang, a large Tamang village. From here it is a 2 hour climb to Chisopani. A short distance above Chisopani (cold water) is a high knoll which is known as Chisopani Danda, where there is a temple. You will have the splendid mountain views from here. The panorama spreads from the mountains south of Everest to the Manaslu range.
Day 16: Chisopani - Sundarijal – Kathmandu
From Chisopani the trail passes through meadows and cultivated fields, then climbs through oak and rhododendron forest to Burlang Bhanjyang. From here you can see magnificent views of Annapurna in the west to Ganesh Himal and Numbur in the east. This ridge marks the northern rim of the Kathmandu Valley. Just after Chisopani there is an entrance to Shivapuri watershed and wildlife reserve. The trail goes through the reserve, moving up to the hill and down to Mulkharka, from where you can see Kathmandu valley. From Mulkharka, you descend on endless stairs to the exit from the reserve and to Sundarijal. From Sundarijal there is 45 minutes drive to Kathmandu.
Day 17: Departure to your home
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