Attractions of Langtang Valley
Opportunity to explore the traditional settlements of the Tamang, Gurung, and Sherpa, influenced by the Tibetan cultures
- Enriched insights into the diverse, unique species of flora and fauna of the Langtang National Park region
- Visiting the nearby Buddhist monastery Kyanjin Gompa, which is approximately 700 years old
- Phenomenal views of the snow-capped Himalayas, including Langtang Lirung, Langshisha Ri, Dorje Lakpa, Gang Chenpo, and other adjacent peaks
- Opportunities to get close to the Tibetan border
- Picturesque landscapes and breathtaking scenery in every turn
- Captivating and peaceful trekking trails
- Houses (wooden and stone-built ) and monasteries are adorned with prayer flags
- Traditional teahouses with authentic hospitality
- Interaction with the locals, tasting the delicacy of home-cooked meals, and learning about the rural Himalayan lifestyle
How to Reach the Langtang Village?
Langtang village has no direct road or transportation access. However, Syabrubesi, a starting point for the trek to Langtang village, can be reached from the Kathmandu valley by overland drive. You can either travel by bus or hire a private vehicle to Syabrubesi, which takes you around 7-8 hours by road from Kathmandu. The road distance between Kathmandu and Syabrubesi is around 122 kilometers.
After reaching Sybrubesi, you can start trekking toward Langtang village, which generally takes about 2-3 days. The distance between Syabrubesi and Langtang village is approximately 25-30 kilometers. The duration to cover this distance greatly depends on the weather conditions, the chosen route, and the pace of individual trekkers.
Besides road travel and trekking, there is also an option for a helicopter charter from Kathmandu to Langtang village. This is the faster and more convenient option; however, it is more expensive. The scenic helicopter flight rewards you with breathtaking bird’s eye aerial views of the Himalayas and landscapes of the Langtang village.
Langtang Village Before the Earthquake
Before the disastrous earthquake in 2015, Langtang village was a charming settlement of local Tamang, Gurung, and Sherpa communities. It was a culturally rich village with a unique Tibetan Buddhist culture. People were mostly engaged in agriculture, animal husbandry, and small-scale trade. People used to cultivate their terraced fields with barley, potatoes, buckwheats, and vegetables. They used to follow traditional farming practices which they learned from their ancestors. Likewise, they raised livestock like goats, yak, and sheep, which contributed to their household economy. Several narrow stone staircase alleys meandered through the village, leading to a common spot where villagers would gather to socialize or for religious rituals.
Despite the remoteness of the Langtang village, it didn't remain isolated from the outside world. Some modern technologies, such as solar power and satellite communication, were invited to the village. Moreover, people were also involved in tourism as Langtang village was known for its breathtaking mountain scenery and several adventurous trekking opportunities. This village served as a popular stopover for trekkers or travelers visiting and exploring the Langtang Valley, Langtang National Park, and Langtang region Himalayas. There were several guesthouses, teahouses, and shops established in the village to cater to the tourists. They provided the required facilities, services, accommodations, and food for visitors to rest and replenish during their wilderness journey.
Langtang Village Now at 2024: After Earthquake
Langtang village in 2015 was significantly affected by the devastating earthquake. A deteriorating earthquake of magnitude 7.8 Struck Nepal on April 25, 2015. Langtang village was demolished as the earthquake shook its vulnerable foundation so hard. Many houses turned into rubble, and several infrastructures were destroyed and century-old monasteries were collapsed by the quake. Soon after the destructive earthquake, avalanches and landslides in the village caused even more damage.
After this tragic incident, several efforts were made to reconstruct the village. Several NGOs, INGOs, governmental agencies, and local communities are involved in the rebuilding process. They rebuilt the houses, restored the trekking trails, made the village safe for trekking, and finally revived the tourism in the village once again.
Langtang Village has come back with modern structures and restored monasteries, even better than before. As the village has changed its face entirely, local people have returned back to their normal. They are upgraded to be more strong and resilient than ever before. However, the recently established communities have the same charm and are as lovely as before. The people there worked so hard to convert the barren rocky fields into a lovely cultivated farm. Now, you can see yak grazing in the green pasturelands around the village. At a short distance from the village, there is a memorial mani wall dedicated to the lives lost in the catastrophe.
Now that the Langtang region is safe for travel, trekkers have been exploring this traditional village. The trials are recovered and made open, which have been safely traversed by numerous trekkers. Many tea houses are rebuilt, marking the bustling hub of travelers. Present teahouses are larger and equipped with modern amenities than before. Mobile network, local phone connectivity and internet facilities have reached the place.
Langtang Village Weather and Temperature
Langtang village is surrounded by hills and mountains, which makes its temperature often chilly. The villages experience the coldest temperatures from December to February. Snowfall is heavy at this time, and the landscapes of the village are blanketed by thick piles of snow. Likewise, Langtang village in monsoon sees downpours, which make the land surfaces muddy and slippery. As summer and monsoon take place side by side, there is a warmer temperature during the day and frequent rainfall in late afternoons and nights. Due to rain clouds in the skies and higher humidity levels in the air, there is reduced visibility at this time. However, after rain, the atmosphere and environment become fresh, clean and greenery. Overall, Langtang village experiences a hot and damp summer and a foggy and snowy winter.
March to May and September to November bring a mild and pleasant climate to the village. Weather is stable with clear skies, and temperature is moderate. Days are usually long and sunny, with a chance of occasional rain showers. Bright and clear days contribute to the thorough and sharp observation of the Langtang village environment. As snow and rain are reduced during this time, you can experience a dry environment. Trails are unwet and well-marked, allowing for easy walks for travelers exploring the Langtang region. During these favorable months, you can experience a relaxed, comfortable, and smooth exploration around Langtang village.
Below is the average daytime temperature in Langtang village during different seasons:
Summer/Monsoon (June, July, and August): 18 - 25 degrees Celcius
Winter (December, January, and February): 5 - 10 degrees Celcius
Autumn (September, October, and November): 15 - 20 degrees Celcius
Spring (March, April, and May): 15 - 20 degrees Celcius
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Popular Treks in Langtang Valley Village
The Langtang region is a close trekking destination to Kathmandu. Beyond the Himalayas of the Langtang region, there lies a Tibet border. This remote and untouched area is known for its alpine landscapes, towering mountains, verdant grasslands, and sacred lake.
The trekking routes of the Langtang Valley are popular but not as crowded as other popular Himalayan trekking destinations like Everest and Annapurna. So, the treks in the Langtang Valley are ideal for those people who want to avoid crowds and immerse themselves in natural allure and Himalayan grandeur. You can enjoy a wilderness trekking journey while traversing the serene and solitary high-Himalayan trails of the Langtang Valley.
Here are some of the popular treks in Langtang Valley. You can also reach Langtang village by following the wilderness trails of these amazing treks.
Langtang Himal Panorama Trek
Langtang Himal Panorama Trek is a captivating trekking journey that passes through the Langtang village. This short and exhilarating adventure begins with a scenic ride from Kathmandu (1,400 meters/4,594 feet), heading westward on the Prithvi highway. Driving along the Trishuli River, we pass through the picturesque countryside of Dhunche (2,030 meters/6,660 feet). We cross a few small settlements of people and ascend gradually to Syabrubesi(1,460 meters/4,790 feet) along the winding roads. From Syabrubesi, we trek to Lama Hotel(2,480 meters/8,136 feet) for about 6-7 hours. Next, we follow the forested trails of pine, rhododendrons, and hemlocks to reach Langtang village (3,430 meters/11,253 feet), the largest settlement in the valley.
On the following day, we trek to Kyanjin Gompa(3,749 meters) village and explore its historical Buddhist monatery, Kaynjin Gompa. From the significant altitude of this monastery, you can marvel at the outstanding vista of some prominent mountains in the region. You can also hike the Tserko Ri for a spectacular panorama of the Langtang Himal and several other neighboring peaks. Also, we will visit the ancient local cheese factory and sample its taste.
After a wonderful journey of the Langtang Himal Panorama trek, we will retrace our footsteps back to Lama Hotel, Syabrubesi, and finally return to Kathmandu.
Tamang Heritage Trail
Tamang Heritage Trail is a popular Langtang region trek that traverses the picturesque landscapes and cultural settlements of the Langtang Valley. After reaching Syabrubesi from Kathmandu (1,400 meters/4,594 feet), we follow a different route to Gatlang village (2,200 meters/7,218 feet). Gatlang is a large Tamang village with a rich culture, traditions, and several Buddhist monasteries. Next, we trek to Tatopani (2,607 meters/8,553 feet) and dive into its natural hot spring water.
Leaving Tatopani, we head towards Thuman (2,400 meters/7,874 feet), witnessing the impressive view of Langtang and Ganesh Himal. We cross the alpine woods and pass Nagthali village to finally reach Thuman. From Thuman, we gradually descend down to traditional Tamang villages, Briddim (2,345 meters/7,694 feet), Lama Hotel (2,470 meteers/8,104 feet), and Syabrubesi (1,460 meters/4,790 feet). In between, we pass through the forest of rhododendrons, junipers, blue pine, and birch, cross suspension bridges, and traverse the cascading waterfalls and terraced fields.
Our trekking journey ends at Syabrubesi, and from there, we drive back to Kathmandu, which marks the culmination of our adventurous endeavor of the Tamang Heritage Trail.
Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking
Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking is another adventurous trek in the Langtang region. As usual, our journey starts with an overland drive from the outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley. The drive follows the scenic routes of the Trisuli Riverbed to reach Syabrubesi, the starting point of a trek. We will encounter several traditional villages on the way, like Lama Hotel, Langtang Village, and Kyanjin Gompa. You can interact with the native communities of these rural villages to learn about their unique culture, tradition, religion, art, and architecture. Also, you can gain deep insights into the day-to-day lifestyle of these mountainside people and their resilient way of living.
We will spend a day resting, acclimatizing, and exploring at the Kyanjin Gompa. The next day, we will again descend down to Lama Hotel and further trek to Thulo Syabru (2,230 meters/7,316 feet). You will walk down by the banks of the Langtang River. Afterward, the trail leads you through the forested regions, where you can catch a glimpse of valuable wild species and birds of the region.
From Thulo Syabru, we move towards the Sing Gompa or Chandanbari (3,330 meters/10,925 feet), making our way through the hemlock, juniper, pine, rhododendron, and oak forests of Langtang National Park. It is Nepal’s first Himalayan National Park, established in the year 1976. If you are lucky, you can even spot the Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Thar, rhesus monkeys, and red pandas in the forest. Exploring the rich biodiversity of the region, we will pass Dragnag, along with the phenomenal view of the glorifying Himalayas, and finally reach Chandanbari.
We leave Chandanbari and cross a challenging Lauribina Pass (4,690 meters/15,387 feet) to reach the alpine Gosaikunda Lake at4,381 meters/14,373 feet. This freshwater lake, underneath the blue sky and the mighty Himalayas, is scared of Hindus and Buddhists. After exploring the holy Gosaikunda Lake, we will retrace our steps back to Chandanbari and descend to Dhunche. As soon as we return back to Kathmandu, our Langtang Valley Gosaikunda trek comes to an end.
