Langtang Valley · Kyanjin Ri

THE JOURNEY IN DETAIL

The valley that came back.

Langtang is the high valley closest to Kathmandu and the most underrated. The 2015 earthquake erased an entire village here, and today's trek passes through rebuilt teahouses, the cheese factory at Kyanjin Gompa and two viewpoints just under five thousand metres. Short in distance, honest in ascent.

• Kyanjin Ri, 4,773 m, above the Langtang glacier
• The yak cheese factory at Kyanjin Gompa
• The memorial on the site of old Langtang village
• The wall of Langtang Lirung, 7,227 m

1. 01
   DAY 1 · Briefing and permits

   Kathmandu, the group meets

   We gather in Thamel, check kit and file the permits. In the evening a short walk to the Boudhanath stupa and a briefing on logistics: the road into Langtang is a mountain switchback.

   Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
2. 02
   DAY 2 · A 7–8 hour drive

   Drive to Syabrubesi

   Seven to eight hours by jeep via Trisuli Bazaar and the Dhunche pass. The last forty kilometres are gravel above a gorge. Syabrubesi sits at 1,460 m where the Bhote Koshi and Langtang rivers meet.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Syabrubesi
3. 03
   DAY 3 · 11 km, 1,000 m of ascent

   Up the river to Lama Hotel

   The first walking day: 11 km along the Langtang river through Bamboo and Riverside, about 1,000 m of ascent. The trail runs through oak and pine forest where langur monkeys are common. We sleep at 2,470 m.

   Overnight: Lama Hotel teahouse, 2,470 m
4. 04
   DAY 4 · 14 km, 960 m of ascent

   To the new Langtang village

   The forest thins and Langtang Lirung (7,227 m) appears. Past Ghoda Tabela we reach the place where a landslide buried the old village in 2015. The new Langtang village stands at 3,430 m, just above the memorial.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Langtang village
5. 05
   DAY 5 · 7 km, acclimatisation

   Kyanjin Gompa and the cheese factory

   A short 7 km day past mani walls and water mills to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m). After lunch an acclimatisation walk to the glacier snout and a visit to the cheese factory, in operation since the 1950s.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Kyanjin Gompa, 3,870 m
6. 06
   DAY 6 · Summit 4,773 m, 900 m of ascent

   Climbing Kyanjin Ri

   A six o'clock start for Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m), three hours and 900 m of climbing. From the top the whole Langtang glacier is laid out, with Dorje Lakpa and the Tibetan border beyond. Down by lunch, the afternoon free.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Kyanjin Gompa
7. 07
   DAY 7 · Summit 4,985 m, 1,100 m of ascent

   Tserko Ri, 4,985 m

   The valley's second viewpoint and the high point of the trek. A dark start, four hours up a grassy ridge to 4,985 m, sunrise over Langtang Ri and Shishapangma. Back down to Kyanjin.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Kyanjin Gompa
8. 08
   DAY 8 · 21 km, 1,400 m of descent

   Down to Lama Hotel

   A long descending day: 21 km back down the valley through Langtang and Ghoda Tabela. Some 1,400 m of drop, harder on the legs than the climb, so poles come out.

   Overnight: Lama Hotel teahouse
9. 09
   DAY 9 · 12 km of descent

   Back to Syabrubesi

   Five hours down the forest trail to the river junction. If the group is moving well we detour through the terraced village of Thulo Syabru. A first proper hot shower in a week and a phone signal again.

   Overnight: Teahouse in Syabrubesi
10. 10
    DAY 10 · A 7–8 hour drive

    The road to Kathmandu

    The switchbacks in reverse, seven to eight hours with stops. We are in Thamel by evening for a group dinner, photographs and an honest review of everyone's kit.

    Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu
11. 11
    DAY 11 · Transfer

    Departure

    Breakfast and a transfer to Tribhuvan airport. For late flights the guide suggests Patan or Swayambhunath, both half an hour from the hotel.

    Overnight: —