The closest big-mountain trek to Kathmandu: up a forested river valley to Kyanjin Gompa and Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m), with Tamang villages, yak cheese and views of Langtang Lirung.
The route
Langtang is the trek for people who want big mountains without flying anywhere. Syabrubesi, the trailhead, is a day's drive north of Kathmandu, and within three days you are walking through a wide glacial valley full of yaks, prayer walls and Tamang villages, with Langtang Lirung (7,227 m) towering above.
It suits trekkers with a week, people who would rather avoid domestic flights, and anyone who has done Poon Hill and wants something higher and quieter. It is also a meaningful trek: the valley was devastated in the 2015 earthquake, and tourism is a big part of how it has rebuilt.
From Syabrubesi, the trail follows the Langtang Khola upstream through dense forest to Lama Hotel, a small cluster of lodges. The valley gets wider and more open past Ghoda Tabela, and you reach Langtang village. The old village was buried by a huge landslide in the 2015 earthquake, killing hundreds of people. A memorial stands near the new village.
A short day leads on to Kyanjin Gompa, the end of the main valley, with a monastery, a cheese factory and good lodges. From here, climb Kyanjin Ri for a view right round the valley, or the higher Tserko Ri if you are well acclimatised. You return the same way.
October and November give clear skies. March to May brings rhododendrons and warmer days. Winter is cold but doable; snow may block high side trips. Monsoon brings landslides on the road and trail.
This is a moderate trek. The climbing is steady rather than steep, and most days are four to six hours. You sleep at about 3,870 m at Kyanjin Gompa, so acclimatise there before climbing Kyanjin Ri or Tserko Ri. Do not rush up the valley in two days.
You need the Langtang National Park entry permit (NPR 3,000 for foreigners) and a TIMS card (NPR 2,000). Both can be bought in Kathmandu; the park permit is also sold at the Dhunche checkpoint. Costs are lower than in the Everest region: budget US$20–30 a day for food. The price on this page is a typical starting price for a guided trip with transport; message us for a current quote.
Langtang National Park falls under the April 2023 Nepal Tourism Board rule requiring foreign trekkers to use licensed guides. Local guides here are often from Tamang villages along the route, which makes a guide doubly worth having.
Local buses leave Kathmandu's Machhapokhari area early each morning. Shared jeeps are faster and more comfortable. Stay in Thamel the night before: our Kathmandu hostels list has plenty of cheap beds, such as Alobar1000. The Kathmandu backpacker guide has tips on gear shopping and money.
Lodges are simple but warm, with dal bhat, Tibetan bread, noodle soups and the valley's famous yak cheese. Kyanjin Gompa has bakeries and some of the best rooms on the trek.
Watch for landslides on the road in monsoon and early autumn. Do not climb Tserko Ri alone. Start early and turn back if the weather comes in. Make sure your insurance covers rescue to 5,000 m.
Link Langtang with the holy lakes of Gosainkunda on our Langtang Gosainkunda Trek, or add the Tamang Heritage Trail villages around Gatlang and Thuman.
Day by day
A long, bumpy drive north via Dhunche. Local buses leave early from Machhapokhari; jeeps are quicker.
Along the Langtang Khola through forest where red pandas and langur monkeys live.
The valley opens at Ghoda Tabela. Langtang village has been rebuilt after it was destroyed by the 2015 earthquake landslide.
A short day past mani walls and yak pastures to Kyanjin Gompa, with its monastery and cheese factory.
Kyanjin Ri is about 3–4 hours return. Tserko Ri (about 4,985 m) is a full, hard day.
Back down the valley in one long day.
Descend to the road head.
Drive back to Thamel.
Good to know
Seven to eight days from Kathmandu is standard. Add Gosainkunda or the Tamang Heritage Trail to make it 10–14 days.
Moderate. Days are four to six hours with steady climbing. The highest sleeping point is Kyanjin Gompa at about 3,870 m.
Yes. Villages and lodges have been rebuilt and the trail is well used. Landslides can still hit the road and trail in monsoon.
The Nepal Tourism Board rule since April 2023 requires licensed guides in national parks, including Langtang National Park.
By local bus from Kathmandu (Machhapokhari) or by shared or private jeep. It takes about 7–8 hours.
Kyanjin Ri at about 4,773 m, as a day hike. Tserko Ri at about 4,985 m is the harder option.
Around US$30–40 a day plus permits and transport. Guided trips from Kathmandu usually start around US$450–600.
Possibly, in the forests around Lama Hotel, but sightings are rare. Go quietly in the early morning.
Most lodges have paid wifi, and phone signal works in several villages.
Thamel is easiest. Our Kathmandu hostel list has cheap beds close to taxis for the early bus.
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