Thorong La pass on the Annapurna Circuit

Langtang Valley Trek

A high glacial valley within reach, north of Kathmandu.

Langtang is the closest of the great trekking valleys, reached by road from Kathmandu rather than a flight. The trail climbs through forest and yak pasture to the monastery and cheese factory at Kyanjin Gompa, ringed by ice.

The valley was hit hard by the 2015 earthquake and has rebuilt with real warmth. Walking it, and staying in its lodges, puts money straight into that recovery.

Highlights

Kyanjin Gompa under the Langtang Lirung glacier
The climb to Kyanjin Ri, 4,773 m
Forest, yak pasture, and a village rebuilt with heart
Reached by road, no mountain flight needed

A typical 7-day shape

A typical 7-day shape. Add a day at Kyanjin Gompa for the side valleys and a better chance at the weather, or extend over the Ganja La pass or to the Gosaikunda lakes for a longer loop.

Day 1By road
Kathmandu to Syabrubesi
A long, scenic drive north to the roadhead in the Langtang foothills.
Time
7–8 hours
Distance
120 km
Elevation
1,460 m
Stay
Guesthouse, Syabrubesi
Day 2On foot
Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel
Up along the river through dense forest, with langur monkeys in the trees, to the lodges at Lama Hotel.
Time
6 hours
Distance
11 km
Elevation
2,480 m
Stay
Teahouse, Lama Hotel
Day 3On foot
Lama Hotel to Langtang village
Out of the forest into the open valley, past the rebuilt village to the new Langtang.
Time
6 hours
Distance
13 km
Elevation
3,430 m
Stay
Teahouse, Langtang
Day 4On foot
Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa
A short, steady climb to the monastery and cheese factory under the glacier, with the afternoon to settle in.
Time
3–4 hours
Distance
7 km
Elevation
3,870 m
Stay
Teahouse, Kyanjin Gompa
Day 5On foot
Kyanjin Ri and the valley head
A dawn climb to the Kyanjin Ri viewpoint for the full ring of peaks, then time to explore the glacier's edge.
Time
4–5 hours
Distance
8 km
Elevation
4,773 m
Stay
Teahouse, Kyanjin Gompa
Day 6On foot
Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel
The long descent back down the valley and into the forest.
Time
6–7 hours
Distance
20 km
Stay
Teahouse, Lama Hotel
Day 7On foot + By road
Lama Hotel to Syabrubesi, drive to Kathmandu
A morning walk out to the road, then the drive back to Kathmandu by evening.
Time
3 hours walk, 7 hours drive
Stay
Back in Kathmandu

Ways to do it

The classic 7-day valley walk7 days
Drive in from Kathmandu, up to Kyanjin Gompa and Kyanjin Ri, and back. Moderate and very accessible.
Langtang with Gosaikunda10 to 11 days
Continue to the sacred high lakes of Gosaikunda and out via the Laurebina pass. A bigger, quieter loop.
Gentle 8 days8 days
An extra night in the valley for a softer pace and the side trails toward Langshisha.

Getting there

A long drive from Kathmandu to the roadhead at Syabrubesi, then on foot up the valley to Kyanjin Gompa and back, with a licensed guide.