Langtang Region

The region north of Kathmandu offers a multitude of trekking destinations, all accessible without flights.  The three major areas are Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu, which can be combined in many different ways to make treks from seven to 16 days long.

Langtang is a narrow valley that lies just south of the Tibetan boarder.  It is sandwiched between the main Himalayan range to the north and a slightly lower range of snowy peaks to the south.  Langtang Lirung (7246 m.) dominates the valley to the north; Gang Chhenpo (6388 m.) and Naya Kangri (5846 m.) lie to the south; and Dorje Lakpa (6966 m.) protects the east end of the valley.  The area was designated Nepal's first Himalayan national park in 1971.  This high and isolated region is inhabited by Tamangs whose religious practices, language and dress are much more similar to those of Tibet then to the traditions of their cousins in the Middle Hills.  A visit to the Langtang Valley offers an opportunity to explore villages, to climb small peaks and to visit glaciers at a comfortable low elevation.   According to legend, a lama following a runaway yak discovered the valley.  Hence the name - Lang is Tibetan for 'yak' and teng (more correctly dhang) means 'to follow’.  Yaks still live in the valley, but they now share it with trekkers who make a seven to 11 days round trip from Kathmandu.  Because there are good opportunities for moderate climbing excursions here, you should allow a few extra days for exploration of the extensive glacier system.

Spring season is the ideal time for viewing varieties of rhododendron flowers in bloom.  The higher Alps can be visited during summer although it rains heavily.  There is a STOL field at Jathang - Marku (3500 m.) east of Kyangjin for charter flights.

You can vary the trek to Langtang by returning to Kathmandu via the holy lakes of Gosaikunda at 4300 m., or you can make a short trek from Dhunche to Gosaikund.  Thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the lakes during a full moon festival in August.  The lake is also sacred to Buddhists.