The Langtang trek in Nepal -Langtang Guide

The Langtang trek in Nepal -Langtang Guide

Published on Mar 08, 2023

Langtang Trek is located in central Nepal in the Rasuwa district. It is 32 kilometers north of Kathmandu. Close to the Tibetan border, the Langtang Valley begins just north of Kathmandu. Langtang Lirung, the area’s tallest mountain at 7246 meters, dominates the valley.

You can see on the Langtang trek in Nepal, you may see breathtaking Himalayan views. In some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the whole nation, this is a fantastic start to trekking in Nepal. 

Langtang National Park

It was founded in 1976 to preserve the area’s unique flora and fauna. It is the Central Himalayan Region’s nearest national park to the country’s capital city Kathmandu.

Its total area is 1710 sq. km with 420 sq. km of the buffer zone. The place holds a rich biodiversity the southwest summer monsoon is the primary climatic factor in the park.

The area’s huge altitude difference is a major contributor to the wide variations in temperature. June through September sees the most yearly rainfall. The bright, sunny days and cold evenings occur between October and November and April and May. 

Moreover, numerous ungulate species, including musk deer and Himalayan tahr, have summer homes in Langtang’s vast alpine meadows. Himalayan black bears, Red pandas, wild dogs, snow leopards, serow, goral(Ghoral in Nepali), and more than 250 different bird species may all be found in the park.

Places of interest in Langtang 

Numerous ungulate species, including Himalayan tahr and musk deer, find summer homes in Langtang’s vast alpine meadows. More than 250 different bird species are in the park, along with colonies of red pandas, Himalayan black bears, snow leopards, wild dogs, Ghoral, and serow.

Langtang Valley

Within Langtang National Park is the Langtang valley. The park is home to a broad range of climatic regions, including subtropical and alpine. Langtang valley is famous for its natural environment and trekking routes.

Helambu

About 80 kilometers from Kathmandu, in Nepal, is the highland area of Helambu. The Hyolmo people call it home. Hyolmo is the ancestor of the term Helambu. Beginning from the Laurebina La pass and descending to the Melamchi valley is the Helambu area.

Likewise, Helambu is a Buddhist pilgrimage location and is famous for its sweet apples and beautiful Buddhist buildings. Between the regions of Langtang and Helambu, there is a passage Lauribina La. 

Gosainkunda lake

Gosainkunda lake
Gosainkunda lake

A sacred lake, that is believed to be created by Lord Shiva is the Gosainkunda Lake. Each year, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the lake. It’s located in the Langtang national park. In this region, there are more than 108 lakes, most of which are small to medium. 

A trek to Langtang

A well-known trekking location in Nepal is Langtang Valley. Beautiful scenery, snow-capped mountains, and the distinctive way of life of the residents are all present in the valley. Langtang Valley draws thousands of visitors each year because it is a popular location for hikers from all over the world.

The three primary trek routes offered by the Langtang region are Helambu, Gosainkunda Lake, and Langtang Valley. 

Helambu trek

Just one hour’s drive from Kathmandu, at the stunning Shivapuri National Park, the seven-day Helambu trek begins. Furthermore, this journey is relatively low altitude and follows a less-used hiking path through Tamang and Sherpa communities, verdant valleys, rhododendron woods, and Buddhist temples.

The hike lasts for five days. The max altitude of this trek is 3490m. 

Gosainkunda trek

Gosaikunda Trip is a five days trek popular among pilgrims and environment lovers. It’s challenging for hikers to get to the 4,300-meter-high Gosaikunda. You have to cross a difficult pass and walk for many days to get to and from Gosaikunda.

The typical Gosainkunda trip lasts 5 days, but the longest one, which covers the entire Langtang trek, might last up to 21 days (Tamang heritage trails, Langtang Valley, Gosainkunda Lake, and Helambu trek).

Langtang valley trek

A 77 km/48 mi walk leads to Langtang (including Kyanjin Ri peak). On average, the trek should complete in 5-7 days. You may lengthen your route by adding a few side hikes, which will add to your overall mileage. Furthermore, your trip will extend by around 8 km if you want to go to Tserko Ri Peak from Kyanjin Gompa.

Kyanjin Gompa
Kyanjin Gompa

However, the Langtang Region’s Tamang Heritage along with Langtang Valley Trek offers an off-the-beaten-path experience, an old lifestyle combined with beautiful scenery and therapeutic bathing in natural hot springs (Tatopani).

Families may have a pleasant trip to Nepal on the short, well-maintained paths of the Langtang Valley Trek in Nepal.

Additionally, the optimum seasons for the Langtang Valley Trek are spring and fall based on a variety of elements, including temperature, climate, and scenic views. Spring is from March to May, while Autumn is from late September to mid-December.

Langtang Trek Map

The Langtang hike is 77 kilometers (48 mi) long (including Kyanjin Ri peak). The course may be finished in 5-7 days on average. You may extend your trip by making a few side hikes, which will add more miles to your journey. Likewise, it will add around 8 miles to your hike if you go to Tserko Ri summit from Kyanjin Gompa.

The little settlement of Syabru Besi serves as the trailhead. You will go through spectacular woodlands to the yak pastures and high alpine meadows near Kyangjin Gompa (a Buddhist monastery).

One may do this moderately challenging trek in a week or longer. Without a doubt, one of the most picturesque treks in Nepal is the Langtang Valley Trek.

What happened to the Langtang valley?

Around 600 years ago, Tibetans went to the Langtang Valley to live. So, the primary ethnic groups in this area are the Tamang, Sherpa, and Gurung. There is a national park nearby- Langtang. The park is home to 4,500 people, many of whom rely on it for firewood and timber wood. 

Langtang was improving from the beginning. It was slowly drawing an increasing number of tourists. Both domestic and foreign visitors participated in the trek. Homestays were evolving into lodges, people were making more money than previously, and more benefits were being offered.

Moreover, locals observed that Langtang Lirung became more attractive as it continued to draw trekkers. In the Valley, yak and mule herds beautified the area.

Both visitors and Buddhist devotees were drawn to gompas. Kyanjin Gompa was becoming more well-known among Buddhist sanctuaries. Everything appeared to be going smoothly.

Until April 25th, 2015, that is. Who could have predicted how quickly their entire world would collapse?

Langtang Valley after 2015 April 

Langtang Valley trek in Nepal

The beautiful Langtang Valley carries a great deal of suffering inside her. Nepal was shaken with anxiety after the catastrophic earthquake struck in April 2015.

Moreover, the earthquake was followed for months by thousands of aftershocks. There were fatalities, collapsed homes, and a general shortage of essential goods. One of the locations that suffered greatly was Langtang Valley.

“The avalanche that followed was what buried the entire community beneath the rubble,” a youth from Langtang Village who survived that catastrophe said, recalling the heartbreaking moment. It was impossible to reconstruct the lovely Langtang Valley. A mudslide of sand, snow, boulders and large rocks completely covered the settlement in less than a minute. All but a few perished.

Langtang was buried and destroyed. The avalanche was preceded by a shock wave that carried everything to the opposite side of the valley, where the trees were crushed as though by a nuclear explosion. The accident claimed the lives of about 300 individuals, half of them were Langtangpa. 

The Langtang Valley tragedy and recovery

As a result, an unknown number of people were killed as a result of the earthquake. The massive, wet, debris- and ice-rich avalanche it generated.

And maybe a pressure wave from the dust avalanche. Langtang, the valley’s major settlement, was entirely devastated. In other parts of the valley, there were more avalanches. However, currently, teahouses and cafes are also recreating in some way, along with tea houses. Locals in the Langtang Region found it challenging to subsist since tourism took some time to return to normal. But, over three years later, trekkers are already pouring into Langtang. In the high season, teahouses are once again crowded with tourists.

Conclusion

Hence, the takeaway from this article is; Langtang is one of the famous tourist destinations in Nepal. Tourists from all around the world come here to trek and hike and to enjoy cultural as well as adventure tourism.

Though the Langtang valley was destroyed in the earthquake of 2015. It is slowly reconstructing and lives are slowly returning to normal starting from scratch. 

In conclusion, Langtang trekking is a short moderate category trek in Nepal. There is no doubt that the Langtang Valley is one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. One may do this moderately challenging trek of Langtang in a week or longer. Without a doubt, one of the most picturesque treks in Nepal is the Langtang Valley Trek.

Read Next: Best Trekking and Tours Destinations in Nepal

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