Days 1-2: Flying into Kathmandu is an unforgettable experience with the Himalaya spread out before you. You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel. In the morning of day 2 a half-day city tour will introduce you to some of the highlights of Kathmandu.
Day 3: Drive to Dhunche, the main town of the region.
Days 4-5: A serious ascent over the Nourdhara ridge is rewarded with views of Langtang II (6571), continuing through cedar, pine and rhododendron forests descend towards Syabru. This is a pleasant village set above corn and millet fields. Approaching the Langtang Khola, the route passes along terraced hillsides and through thick forests – first oak, maple and alder then bamboo – abounding with bird life and langur monkeys. Less often seen are lesser panda and Himalayan black bear.
Days 6-8: Climbing through dense forest, the ground is covered with moss; trees have ferns and epiphytic orchids clinging to them. From within this semi-tropical jungle glimpses of the glittering white Langtang Lirung make a startling contrast. Emerging from the forests the trail, often lined by mani walls, crosses wide meadows and yak pasture with Yala and Ganchempo Peaks above. A wooden bridge leads across the Lirung glacier onto the rocky moraine. In Kyanjin Gompa, the highest village, is the gompa from which the village was named as well as a cheese factory. This was started by the Swiss in 1955 and now produces thousands of kilos of cheese, all hauled by porters to Kathmandu. A day here can be spent relaxing and enjoying the scenery or climbing a small peak (4200m) from where you can enjoy a view of the entire Langtang Lirung embracing the glacier.
Days 9-12: Descending back down the Langtang Khola we will spend a night at Langtang village. This is a settlement of flat-topped Tibetan-style houses surrounded by enclosed fields of potatoes, buckwheat, wheat and barley. Whilst retracing our steps past water-driven mills and prayer wheels to Syabru Khola. At Sing Gompa there is a small cheese factory as well as the neglected gompa with its 1000-armed Avalokitesvara statue.
Day 13: Emerging from the forests of moss and fern, there will be views of Langtang Lirung (7225) and Ganesh Himal (7429). This area marks the transition from the moist mountain forests to the north and the dry scrub of the southern slopes. Climbing to over 4000m you will reach the lakes. Gosainkund is the third lake (4380) where there is a shrine housing a revered lingam symbolizing Shiva. According to legend Shiva released the waters of the holy lakes with his trident, and the black rock in the center of the lake is said to be his head.
Days 14-16: Walk past more small lakes as you head for the prayer flags atop the Laurebina Pass (4610). The descent is through Kharka to the summer village of Tharepati. From the chorten on the ridge above the village there are fine views of the Jugla Himal, Rolwaling Himal and back across the Laurebina Pass. Rhododendron forests and terraced hillsides mark the trail to Chisopani.
Day 17: Drive to Kathmandu
Day 18: Depart OR join your. |
The Langtang Himal and the Jugal Himal are renowned for their picturesque and distinctive peaks. The valley between them is one of the world’s most beautiful. This narrow valley lies just north of Kathmandu and was designated Nepal’s first National park in 1971. Trekking here offers the opportunity to explore Tamang villages, to climb small peaks and to see glaciers at a comfortably low elevation. Much of the route is through semi-tropical forests where moss covers the ground and lush fern and orchids cling to tree trunks. During the full moon in August, the sacred lake of Gosainkund is the goal of thousands of Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims.
