Langtang Trek Nepal: Trekking in Langtang National Park

The Langtang Trek takes place in a region in the northern central Himalayas of Bagmati province in Nepal. The region lies 51 kilometers north of the Kathmandu Valley and is known as Langtang National Park, which eventually forms the border with the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China. About 4,500 people live in the park (with Tamang as the majority). The Langtang National Park covers a variety of climate zones, from subtropical to alpine. About 25% of the park is forested. Trees include deciduous oak and maple, evergreen pine and several species of rhododendron. Wildlife includes the Himalayan black bear, the goat-like Himalayan tahr, the Assam macaque and the red pandas. There are also stories about yeti sightings.

Langtang National Park is home to the Gosainkunda Lakes, which are sacred to the Hindus. Pilgrimages are made in August. Another spiritual place is the Buddhist monastery Kyanjin Gompa. Popular activities for tourists in the park include long trekking tours, climbing and white water rafting. The village of Langtang was completely destroyed by a massive avalanche, following the earthquake in April 2015, which killed an estimated 310 people, including 176 Langtang residents, 80 foreigners and 10 soldiers. More than 100 bodies were never recovered. Not much of all this can be noticed today during the Langtang valley trek. 

The fall season (September - mid-December) and the spring season (March-May) are the best seasons for the Langtang Valley Trek. Then the climate is very pleasant and moderate, with beautiful views, although it can still be cold at night. However, the whole evergreen forest covered with the blossom of colorful rhododendron blossoms makes the Langtang Valley Trek more pleasant in spring. Nevertheless, it is still possible to hike in Langtang National Park in summer and winter. You can expect muddy trails during the monsoon, but you can prepare yourself very well. In winter it is colder, but then, Langtang offers the most romantic winter views.

For decades, Langtang trekking was at the top of many hikers' wish lists: The beautiful Langtang valley was the third most popular of the large trekking areas in Nepal - only Solu Khumbu and the Annapurna region saw more visitors. In recent years, however, Langtang has become known for something else - the destruction of the most important village during the earthquake of 2015. Where many villages in Nepal suffered considerable damage, something terrible happened high above the village of Langtang. Part of the great peak of Langtang Lirung broke off, and a huge, devastating avalanche of ice and rocks was the result.

When you go Lang Tang Trekking, you avoid the busy trails and teahouses of the Annapurna and Khumbu. In Langtang people like the fact that the hikers have found the trails again. Thus, during a Langtang Valley Trek, a warm welcome awaits you. 

If you live anywhere else other than the Himalayas, it will be hard to get your legs ready for higher altitudes. After all, it doesn’t get much higher than Nepal. This is why we have to be clear upfront: Unless you have hiked at a higher altitude before, it will be difficult to get a 100% ready for your adventure. If that sounds bad to you, then comfort yourself with the fact that there is absolutely no need to be 100% ready.

You are not climbing K2 or Mount Everest and not running a mountain race. This is trekking. In fact, you are actually supposed to take it easy. Taking it easy is a rule of thumb when you want to prevent altitude sickness while out in Nepal. It doesn’t matter how fit you are, once you are out there on the trails, you have to stick to your own pace. But of course, the fitter you are, the more you can enjoy your days. Get fit! 

Should I Hike More? 

One solid approach to get the hang of what you do is to rehearse. The best practice for climbing is climbing. Seeing that you are keen on a multi-day trekking experience, we accept that you enjoy walking. Awesome, do it more. If you are fortunate to be encompassed by some hills or even mountains, the time has come to see them all the more frequently. When? In the event that you are new to this, we recommend beginning a half year before the start of your trek, essentially going for 60 minutes climb (or two), seven days a week. When you get the hang of it, after around three weeks, you will have an ideal opportunity to reinforce your power. Convey a pack of 10 to 15kg and include a more drawn out climb of three hours to your week. On the off chance that this way of life is different to you, you will before long receive the rewards of this moderate exercise. 

For trekking in Langtang National Park, you need the following permits:

TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System):

This permit is important for every trekker wishing to trek in Nepal. This costs NRS 2000 per person. This equals about 17 USD or 15 EUR. Alternatively, your trekking company arranges you a location permit in Lukla which costs around 20 USD.

Shivapuri National Park Entrance fee

At the beginning of your Langtang trekking, the tour leads through the Shivapuri National Park. This costs an additional 5 USD.

All permits are arranged by your trekking provider.

Tea houses are small hotels known as Bhatti. Them being small hotels, you can expect a certain level of comfort. Yes, you can, but just know that comfort is a relative concept. They are comfortable to the extent that you have a place to sleep and that you can enjoy home-cooked meals. That’s right, tea houses are run by local families who have opened their houses to trekkers passing by.

Because trekking in Nepal has become so popular in recent years, more and more tea houses have opened their doors and the concept has improved over the years. The more popular your route, the better the quality of your tea house is. The teahouses in Langtang National Park are of good quality. Quality meaning that you can expect flush toilets, hot showers and in some cases wireless internet. The use of these amenities is at an extra charge. On popular routes, it is even likely that you will stay in a building that has been built with the sole purpose of serving as a tea house.

Safety is of the utmost importance to us. That is why this is an area in which we simply do not compromise when it comes to keeping the cost of our hikes and trekkings low. Trekking companies and their guides have been selected on the basis of their technical competence, proven safety performance, impeccable judgment, friendly attitude and ability to provide useful and expert instructions. 

They are also very professional and well trained in first aid and personal protection equipment. First aid kits are available on all guided treks and hikes.

If you are worried about safety in terms of criminality, then don't worry. Crime is basically non-existent in the Langtang Valley. 

There are several websites where you can book your Langtang Valley Trek. Important to consider is that the cheap providers are probably not very good for their staff. The income is relatively low in Nepal and some organizations like to exploit this.  

At Bookatrekking.com we try to make a selection of providers who have everything in order, take good care of the staff and nature. However, they are obliged to indicate their lowest price on the internet.

If you have any questions about the Langtang Trek, why don't you get in touch with our trekking experts? They are keen to help you out! If you want to find out all you need to know about trekking in the Himalayas.