Helambu & Langtang Trek

Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 1 in Kathmandu

You’ll be met at the airport for the transfer to your hotel in the heart of the Thamel district. You’ll meet your tour leader for a pre-departure briefing on what to expect in the coming adventure. Your tour leader will also happily point you towards one of the many excellent cafes and restaurants in the area for your evening meal.

Kathmandu to Chisapani

Day 2 in Chisapani

A private vehicle will whisk you away from the chaos of Kathmandu to the trailhead at Sundarijal. From here you ascend to the Kathmandu Valley rim and the hilltop location of Chisapani (2095m).

Walking time: 5 hours.

Trek to Gul Bhanjyang

Day 3 in Gul Bhanjyang

The views (particularly at sunrise) of the Ganesh and Langtang Himal can be pretty spectacular from Chisapani. The trekking now begins in earnest and you initially descend the ridge line before heading up to Thotung Fanda, then further up to cross a forested ridge and downhill to Gul Bhanjyang (2145m).

Walking time: 5-6 hours.

Trek to Magingoth

Day 4 in Magingoth

A tougher day begins with a steep and long climb to Kutumsang. It's then more uphill to the ridge that forms the Panghu Danda. At around 3300m not only is the altitude noticeable, the villages in the valleys below seem a long way away! Following the ridge the trail undulates mostly as you walk to Magingoth (3255m).

Walking time around 6 hours.

Trek to Tharepati

Day 5 in Tharepati

A little shorter today, but a great bit of ridge line walking that typifies the Helambu region. There are ups and downs all along the way as you walk for around 4 hours to Tharepati (3490m).

Trek to Surche Phedi

Day 6 in Surche Phedi

As tomorrow is a tough day, today’s short walk to Surche is a handy way of acclimatising to the altitude. It's a beautiful walk of around 4 hours through pine and rhododendron forests. The lodge tonight is right at the foot of the big climb to the Lauribina La.

Lauribina La and Gosainkund Lakes

Day 7 in Lauribina

After breakfast you head up to the Lauribina La (4600m), a good 4hrs to reach the pass and around 900m ascent. There are good views of the sacred Gosainkund lakes and of Himalayan peaks too. It's a straightforward and quick descent down the trail that leads to the Pilgrim Centre by the sacred waters and a further easy descent to Lauribina itself (3900m).

Walking time is around 6-7 hours.

Trek to Thulo Syabru

Day 8 in Thulo Syabru

Descending steeply through dense forests, reputed to contain the rare red panda, you reach Sing Gompa. Continuing the descent to the very small settlement of Thulo Syabru and to the 2000m mark.

Walking time is 5-6 hours.

Hike through the Langtang Valley

Day 9 in Lama Hotel

Initially descending the ridge line you then drop down a trail that zig zags its way down the hillside to the Langtang Khola. Head upstream into the beautiful Langtang Valley, with a descent to end the day at a village commonly referred to as 'Lama Hotel'.

Trek to the Upper Langtang Valley

Day 10 in Langtang Valley

Up through forests that gives way higher up to scrub vegetation and over the 3000m mark again as you continue into the Upper Langtang Valley. (3430m)

Trek to Kyanjin Gompa

Day 11–12 in Kyanjin Gompa

The valley opens out as you make your way further up and the walking today is primarily gradual uphill. After around 3hrs walking Kyanjin Gompa comes into view. A fantastic sight with the ice fall that flows off Langtang Lirung behind it. Now with high peaks in front, to your left and to your right the final walk of about an hour to Kyanjin Gompa (3870m) is atmospheric and there's a great feeling that you are in the wilder reaches of the Himalaya.

On your second day, you could visit a cheese factory set up by the Swiss, or you can walk up to Kyanjin Ri, which at 4773m affords outstanding views of the surrounding peaks. The round trip takes about 6hrs.

An alternative hike would be to the summit of Tsergo Ri (4800m).

Back to Lama Hotel

Day 13 in Lama Hotel

As it's virtually descent all the way and naturally the walking pace is much quicker, a good 7 hour walk brings you back to the Lama Hotel.

Trek to Syabru Besi

Day 14 in Syabru Besi

Continuing your descent out of the Langtang Valley it takes around 5hrs to reach Syabru Besi (1400m).

Return to Kathmandu

Day 15 in Kathmandu

A full day's drive back to Kathmandu by private vehicle. If you don't fancy a full day of driving, one option would be to break up the journey and stay at Nuwakot at Famous Farm Country Inn. A private transfer will take you from the airport back to the KGH Hotel, or to your onward connection.