Langtang Valley Trek: overview
- Duration
- 6–10 days (typically 8)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Max altitude
- 4,984 m · Tserko Ri
- Start / finish
- Syabrubesi (drive from Kathmandu) → Syabrubesi, then drive to Kathmandu
- Best months
- Mar, Apr, Oct, Nov
- Sleep in
- Family-run teahouses in every stop, simpler than in the Khumbu; Kyanjin Gompa has the best choice, with some attached bathrooms and heated dining rooms.
- Guide
- Licensed guide required
- Permits
- Langtang National Park entry, TIMS card
The Langtang Valley trek is the closest proper Himalayan trek to Kathmandu: a 7–8 hour drive to Syabrubesi (1,460 m), then three days up the Langtang Khola through forest and Tamang villages to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m), at the head of a wide glacial valley under Langtang Lirung (7,227 m). From Kyanjin you can climb Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m) or Tserko Ri (4,984 m) for a wall of peaks and glaciers, before returning the same way. The standard trip is 8 days Kathmandu to Kathmandu.
In April 2015 the Gorkha earthquake triggered a huge avalanche and landslide that buried the old Langtang village and killed more than 200 villagers and visitors. The village has been rebuilt just beside the old site, and there is a memorial on the trail. Trekking here directly supports families who rebuilt their lodges.
It is a good first high trek: short, no flights, altitude that is moderate unless you climb the viewpoints, and fewer people than Annapurna or Everest. From Pokhara you can reach Syabrubesi via Kathmandu or by jeep via Trishuli without going through the capital. If you'd like help planning it, send us a question from this page.
Highlights
- Sunrise from Tserko Ri (4,984 m) or Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m) over Langtang Lirung, Gangchempo and the Langtang glaciers
- Kyanjin Gompa monastery and the yak-cheese factory in the village
- Rebuilt Langtang village and the memorial to the 2015 avalanche
- Tamang and Tibetan-influenced culture: prayer wheels, mani walls and yak pastures
- Forests of oak, rhododendron and bamboo in the lower valley, home to red pandas and langur monkeys
- No flights: the trailhead is a drive from Kathmandu
Day-by-day itinerary & route map
The standard 8-day itinerary. Tap any day, a marker on the map or a point on the altitude profile to follow the route. Walking times are for an average trekker at a steady pace, without long stops.
Route line and stops are approximate and drawn for planning — not for navigation. Terrain tiles © OpenTopoMap / OpenStreetMap contributors.
Show altitudes as a table
| Day | Route | Sleep | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu → Dhunche → Syabrubesi | 1,460 m | — |
| 2 | Syabrubesi → Bamboo → Rimche → Lama Hotel | 2,470 m | — |
| 3 | Lama Hotel → Ghoda Tabela → Langtang village | 3,430 m | — |
| 4 | Langtang → Mundu → Kyanjin Gompa | 3,870 m | — |
| 5 | Kyanjin Gompa: climb Tserko Ri (or Kyanjin Ri) | 3,870 m | 4,984 m (Tserko Ri) |
| 6 | Kyanjin Gompa → Langtang → Lama Hotel | 2,470 m | — |
| 7 | Lama Hotel → Rimche → Bamboo → Syabrubesi | 1,460 m | — |
| 8 | Syabrubesi → Kathmandu | 1,400 m | — |
Day 1: Kathmandu → Dhunche → Syabrubesi
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 1,460 m
- Time
- ⏱ 7–8 h drive
The road goes north via Trishuli Bazaar and Betrawati, then climbs to Dhunche (about 1,960 m), where park permits are checked, before descending to Syabrubesi on the Bhote Koshi. It is about 120 km, but the road is rough and slow in places.
Overnight: Guesthouse, Syabrubesi
Local tip: Sit on the right-hand side of the bus for views of Ganesh Himal and Langtang on the approach to Dhunche.
Day 2: Syabrubesi → Bamboo → Rimche → Lama Hotel
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 2,470 m
- Time
- ⏱ 6–7 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 11 km
Cross the Bhote Koshi and follow the Langtang Khola east through dense subtropical forest, via Doman and Pahiro to Bamboo (about 1,970 m), then climb more steeply to Rimche and Lama Hotel. You gain about 1,000 m in total. Langur monkeys, and with luck red pandas, live in these forests.
Overnight: Teahouse, Lama Hotel
Day 3: Lama Hotel → Ghoda Tabela → Langtang village
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 3,430 m
- Time
- ⏱ 5–6 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 14 km
Continue up through forest to Ghoda Tabela (3,030 m), an army post and permit check, where the valley opens and Langtang Lirung appears. Past yak pastures and the Thyangsyap mani walls, you reach the rebuilt Langtang village. The memorial and the landslide debris of the old village lie just before it.
Overnight: Teahouse, Langtang
Local tip: Stop at the memorial wall. Your guide can explain what happened in 2015 and which families rebuilt which lodges.
Day 4: Langtang → Mundu → Kyanjin Gompa
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 3,870 m
- Time
- ⏱ 3–4 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 7 km
An easy, gradual climb past long mani walls, chortens and the small village of Mundu to Kyanjin Gompa, a cluster of lodges under Langtang Lirung and its glaciers. Arrive for lunch, visit the monastery and cheese factory, and walk to a nearby viewpoint to help acclimatise.
Overnight: Teahouse, Kyanjin Gompa
Day 5: Kyanjin Gompa: climb Tserko Ri (or Kyanjin Ri)
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 3,870 m
- High point
- Max 4,984 m · Tserko Ri
- Time
- ⏱ 7–8 h return (Tserko Ri) or 3–4 h (Kyanjin Ri)
- Type
- Acclimatisation day
Tserko Ri (4,984 m) is a long, steep 1,100 m climb, best started before dawn, with a 360° view of Langtang Lirung, Gangchempo, Dorje Lakpa and the Tibetan peaks. Kyanjin Ri (the higher summit is 4,773 m; a lower viewpoint at about 4,350 m) is shorter and still excellent. Either way, you sleep back at Kyanjin.
Overnight: Teahouse, Kyanjin Gompa
Local tip: If you arrived at Kyanjin with a headache, choose the lower Kyanjin Ri viewpoint; you gain 1,100 m in a morning going up Tserko Ri.
Day 6: Kyanjin Gompa → Langtang → Lama Hotel
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 2,470 m
- Time
- ⏱ 6–7 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 21 km
Retrace the valley downhill through Langtang village and Ghoda Tabela into the forest. It's a long descent of 1,400 m that is hard on the knees but fast.
Overnight: Teahouse, Lama Hotel
Day 7: Lama Hotel → Rimche → Bamboo → Syabrubesi
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 1,460 m
- Time
- ⏱ 5–6 h walk
- Distance
- ≈ 11 km
Descend through the forest and along the river back to Syabrubesi, with a hot shower waiting. Buy bus or jeep tickets for tomorrow in the evening.
Overnight: Guesthouse, Syabrubesi
Local tip: The upper trail via Sherpagaon, which branches off above Rimche, is a quieter alternative back to Syabrubesi, via Khangjim.
Day 8: Syabrubesi → Kathmandu
- Sleep altitude
- ▲ 1,400 m
- Time
- ⏱ 7–8 h drive
Early morning bus or jeep back via Dhunche and Trishuli, arriving in Kathmandu mid-afternoon. Traffic around Kathmandu's northern ring road can add an hour.
Overnight: Hotel, Kathmandu
Best time to trek
- Jan: not ideal
- Feb: possible
- Mar: best
- Apr: best
- May: possible
- Jun: not ideal
- Jul: not ideal
- Aug: not ideal
- Sep: possible
- Oct: best
- Nov: best
- Dec: possible
Not sure which season suits you? Our month-by-month guide to trekking in Nepal covers weather, crowds and festivals.
Permits, fees & the guide rule
| Permit | Cost (foreigners) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Langtang National Park entry | NPR 3,000 (≈ USD 22) | Bought in Kathmandu (Nepal Tourism Board) or at the Dhunche park office; checked at Dhunche and Ghoda Tabela. |
| TIMS card | NPR 2,000 (≈ USD 15) | Issued through your registered trekking agency, which also arranges your licensed guide. |
Licensed guide required for foreign trekkers
Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in Langtang National Park must trek with a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency, which also issues the TIMS card. Enforcement varies, but plan on a guide and check current rules.
Fees as of September 2026. Nepal changes permit rules and prices from time to time — confirm before you travel. Full details in our Nepal trekking permits guide.
Getting there
From Pokhara
The simplest option is a tourist bus or flight to Kathmandu, a night there, then the morning bus or jeep to Syabrubesi. A private jeep can also go direct: along the Prithvi Highway to Galchhi, then north via Trishuli Bazaar, Betrawati and Dhunche to Syabrubesi in about 8–10 hours, without going into Kathmandu. That saves a day, and splitting the jeep between two people or more makes it good value.
From Kathmandu
Local buses leave the Machhapokhari / Gongabu area early each morning for Syabrubesi (7–8 h, about USD 8–12). Shared tourist jeeps are faster and more comfortable (about USD 15–25 per seat), and a private jeep costs roughly USD 120–180 one way.
The way back
Buses and jeeps leave Syabrubesi for Kathmandu from early morning. Buy tickets the evening before. From Kathmandu, continue to Pokhara by tourist bus or flight the next day, or take a private jeep from Syabrubesi straight to Pokhara via Trishuli and Galchhi.
How much does the Langtang Valley trek cost?
Move the sliders to estimate your own trip. Typical teahouse spend on this route is USD 30–45 per person per day for a room and three meals; a licensed guide costs USD 25–35 a day and a porter USD 18–25.
Estimated cost per person
USD 412
+ about USD 14 in tips for your staff
- Teahouse room & 3 meals × 8 daysUSD 240
- PermitsUSD 36
- Transport to & from trailheadUSD 16
- Licensed guide (shared by 2)USD 120
Do-it-yourself estimate for the Langtang Valley Trek, from typical 2026 teahouse prices. Excludes flights to Nepal, visa, insurance, gear, drinks, hot showers and charging fees.
- Transport shown is Kathmandu–Syabrubesi return by bus or shared jeep; add USD 20–260 for the Pokhara–Kathmandu legs, or share a private jeep direct from Pokhara.
- Permits are about USD 37 per person (national park + TIMS).
- Kyanjin Gompa lodges charge extra for hot showers, charging and Wi-Fi. Try the local yak cheese and seabuckthorn juice.
- A realistic total for 8 days from Kathmandu is about USD 450–800 per person with a licensed guide, less for two people sharing one guide, plus tips.
Important things to know
Altitude & acclimatisation
Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m) is high enough for mild AMS, especially because you gain 1,000 m on day 2 and nearly 1,000 m on day 3. The Tserko Ri climb reaches 4,984 m, so only go up if you slept well at Kyanjin. If you feel unwell, stay an extra night at Langtang village before continuing.
Trail conditions & roads
The trail is well defined and mostly free of roads, though landslides after the monsoon can force short detours between Bamboo and Lama Hotel. The Kathmandu–Syabrubesi road is paved in parts but rough and landslide-prone between Betrawati and Dhunche, especially in July–September.
Charging, Wi-Fi & mobile network
NTC and Ncell work in Syabrubesi and patchily in the lower valley; NTC reaches parts of Langtang village and Kyanjin. Most Kyanjin and Langtang lodges sell Wi-Fi, which is often slow. Charging is available in most lodges, for a fee higher up.
Money & ATMs
Syabrubesi and Dhunche have banks, but their ATMs are unreliable, so bring enough Nepali rupees from Kathmandu for the whole trek, in small notes. No lodge in the valley takes cards.
Water & food
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, fried rice, momos, potatoes and Tibetan bread, and Kyanjin adds yak cheese, yak steak and apple pie. Purify all tap and stream water, because livestock graze above many water sources. Most lodges sell boiled water.
Weather & hazards
October–November is clear and cold (around −5 to −10 °C at night at Kyanjin), and March–April is warmer with rhododendrons in flower. The valley is prone to landslides and avalanches: avoid it in heavy rain or after big snowfalls, and follow local advice. In the lower forest, keep to the trail; wild boar, bears and even leeches in wet weather are all found there.
Rescue & insurance
There are health posts in Dhunche and Syabrubesi and a small clinic at Kyanjin in season. Helicopters can land at Kyanjin and Langtang village, and an evacuation typically costs USD 3,000–6,000+. Make sure your insurance covers trekking to 5,000 m and helicopter rescue.
Responsible trekking
Many families here lost relatives and homes in 2015; buying meals where you sleep and hiring local porters keeps money in the valley. Walk clockwise around mani walls, ask before taking photos in the gompa, and carry batteries and plastic out.
Tips for solo trekkers
- Since April 2023 you need a licensed guide in Langtang National Park, arranged through a registered agency. Enforcement has been patchy, but don't plan on walking alone.
- A porter-guide is a good-value option for solo trekkers: licensed, carries your bag and knows which lodges have rooms.
- Langtang is quieter than Annapurna. From October to November and in April you'll meet other trekkers at Lama Hotel and Kyanjin, but the trail can feel empty at other times.
- Women trekking solo are generally safe here. Pick a guide through a registered agency, and if you prefer, ask for a female guide.
- Avoid July–August, when landslide risk is highest on both the road and the lower trail.
- Set a turnaround time on Tserko Ri (for example 10 am) and tell your lodge you're going.
- If you are sharing transport, ask at Kathmandu hostels or lodges in Syabrubesi. Many trekkers split private jeeps.
More in our complete guide to solo trekking in Nepal.
What to pack for this trek
- A −10 °C sleeping bag for Kyanjin Gompa
- A headtorch for the pre-dawn start up Tserko Ri
- Trekking poles for the long descents on days 6 and 7
- Warm gloves and a hat; mornings at Kyanjin are well below freezing in autumn
- A water filter or purification tablets
- Enough cash in small NPR notes for the whole trek
- A lightweight rain jacket, since the lower forest can be wet even in autumn
The basics are the same for every Nepal trek — see our interactive packing checklist.
Route options & variations
Langtang with Gosainkunda (11–13 days)
After Kyanjin, walk down to Thulo Syabru and climb via Sing Gompa to the sacred Gosainkunda lakes (4,380 m), then cross the Laurebina La (about 4,610 m) and descend through Helambu to Sundarijal on the Kathmandu valley rim. It is a longer, varied trek with a proper pass and no return drive.
Langtang plus the Tamang Heritage Trail (10–12 days)
Combine the valley with the Tamang villages of Gatlang, Tatopani (hot springs), Thuman and Briddim west of Syabrubesi, homestay-based and close to the Tibetan border. The heritage trail is low-altitude and works well before or after the valley.
Short Langtang (6–7 days)
Fit trekkers sometimes walk Syabrubesi–Lama Hotel, Lama Hotel–Kyanjin Gompa and return in two long days from Kyanjin. Taking a shared jeep both ways saves time, but you lose the Tserko Ri day and give yourself less time to acclimatise.
Our recommendation
Plan the Langtang Valley Trek with a Pokhara team
We are a local operator based in Pokhara — the gateway to most of the treks in this guide. Booking with us means a government-licensed guide, permits and TIMS arranged before you arrive, transport from your Pokhara hotel to the trailhead, and a team on the phone if plans change on the trail. Foreign trekkers must trek this route with a licensed guide anyway, so it pays to choose one you trust.
- Licensed, English-speaking local guides
- Permits & TIMS handled for you
- Solo travellers welcome
- Itineraries adjusted to your pace and dates
Langtang Valley FAQ
How difficult is the Langtang Valley trek?
It is a moderate trek: 5–7 hours of walking on most days on a clear trail, with a maximum sleeping altitude of 3,870 m. The optional Tserko Ri climb (4,984 m) is a much harder day. Reasonable fitness is enough for the main trek.
Can I do the Langtang trek without a guide?
Officially, no. Since April 2023, foreign trekkers in Langtang National Park must trek with a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency, which also issues the TIMS card. Checkpoints at Dhunche and Ghoda Tabela check permits, so plan on at least a porter-guide and check current rules.
How much does the Langtang Valley trek cost?
Permits cost about USD 37 (national park plus TIMS) and transport from Kathmandu USD 16–60 return. Lodges and food cost USD 30–45 a day and a guide USD 25–35 a day. An 8-day trek comes to roughly USD 450–800 per person with a guide, plus tips.
How many days is the Langtang Valley trek?
Eight days Kathmandu to Kathmandu is standard, including a day at Kyanjin Gompa to climb Tserko Ri or Kyanjin Ri. Fit trekkers can do it in 6–7 days, and adding Gosainkunda makes it 11–13.
What is the best time for the Langtang trek?
October to November has the clearest views, and March to April is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom. December to February is quiet and clear but cold, and June to September brings rain, leeches and landslide risk.
Is Langtang safe after the 2015 earthquake?
Yes. The trail, bridges and lodges have been rebuilt, and trekkers have been visiting again for years. Landslide and avalanche risk in the valley is real during heavy rain or snow, so avoid monsoon months and follow local advice.
Can I do the Langtang trek from Pokhara?
Yes. Either travel to Kathmandu first and take a bus or jeep to Syabrubesi, or hire a private jeep from Pokhara via Galchhi and Trishuli straight to Syabrubesi (8–10 h). Allow 9–10 days in total from Pokhara.
Is Langtang good for beginners?
Yes. It is one of the best first Himalayan treks: short, with no flights, moderate altitude and a clear trail. Beginners can skip Tserko Ri and take the lower Kyanjin Ri viewpoint instead.
Is there Wi-Fi on the Langtang trek?
Most lodges in Lama Hotel, Langtang village and Kyanjin Gompa sell Wi-Fi, which is often slow. NTC mobile data works in Syabrubesi and in patches up the valley.
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