Langtang Trek In January: A Complete Guide For Winter Adventurers

Essestial Things To Know Before Planning The Langtang Trek In January

Langtang Valley Trekking Trail has a good number of tourists, including both domestic and international. Every year, a huge number of nature lovers visit the valley to witness the peaks of the Langtang Mountain Range, such as Langtang Lirung (7,234 m/23,734 ft), Langtang Ri (7,205 m/23,638 ft), Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m/22,854 ft), Loenpo Gang (6,979 m/22,897 ft), Changbu (6,781 m/22,247 ft) and others.

As we all know, January falls in the winter, and it is considered the off-season for adventure activities, especially rafting, kayaking, mountaineering, and trekking. Here, our blog is all about having a trek to the Langtang Valley in January, a peak winter.

Thinking of trekking on a high-altitude destination like the Langtang Valley is a unique idea. It can be more challenging but reward-worthy at the end because doing so allows you to capture the real face of Napal's Himalayan Range, which is thoroughly white and beautiful.

However, during winter, it is not sure that you can enjoy the heavenly beauty of the valley, mountains, and everything along the route. This is because, in winter, the weather is freezing most of the time, the surroundings stay foggy, and snowfall can happen at any time. All these factors make your adventure difficult, even if the trail is not technically hard.

Now, you might be thinking out loud and getting confused about whether it is a wise idea to go for the Langtang Trek in January. If so, you can have an ultimate guide regarding trekking in winter from this blog and it will surely help you prepare for the trek.

Below are some essential things that you should be aware of before mapping out the Langtang Valley Hike in January or the winter season:

Region's Temperature

The temperature in the region or the trekking route is different during the day and night. The average daytime temperature of the lower sections: Syabru Besi (1,503 m / 4,655 ft) and Lama Hotel (2,470 m / 8,103 ft) is 5 to 10 degrees Celsius. In the upper sections: Langtang Village (3,430 m / 11,255 ft) and Kyanjin Gompa (3,865 m / 12,675 ft), the temperature is 0 to 5 degrees Celsius.

In terms of the nighttime, the average temperature of the lower and upper sections are -5 to 5 degrees Celsius and -10 to -5 degrees Celsius, respectively. So, during Langtang Valley Trekking in Winter, keeping your body warm at all times is the first and most significant thing. It must be your priority over anything.

Cold-Related Injuries

If you do not take the weather and temperature seriously while trekking the Langtang Valley in winter, you are more likely to suffer some cold-related injuries that lead you to death. Those injuries are as follows:

• Frostnip
• Frostbite
• Hypothermia
• Chilblains (Pernio)
• Trench Foot (immersion foot)
• Snow Blindness

Among these injuries, hypothermia is the most serious threat and dangerous one that can cost you your life if it is taken lightly. Other remaining injuries don't take you to near death directly unless they lead you to some infections that contribute to unwanted outcomes.

Total Elevation

The lower starting point and the highest point of the Langtang Valley Hike are Syabru Besi and Tserko Ri. Syabru Besi is situated at an elevation of 1,503 m (4,655ft) and Tserko Ri is at 5,033m (16,500 ft). The more you go higher the more you feel cold due to some key reasons listed below:

• Thinner Air: The atmosphere at a high-altitude location is thinner due to fewer air molecules. Air molecules soak and keep heat from the sun and the Earth's surface, which is found very little at higher elevations compared with the lower.
• Lower Air Pressure: At a high elevation, air pressure is very low. Due to this it expands and loses heat, causing the temperature to become cold in any season.
• Distance from the Earth's Surface: The surface of the Earth can soak heat from the sun and release it back into the atmosphere. But the high-altitude places are far from the surface. As a result, the temperature drops and becomes cold.
• Fewer Greenhouse Effect: The Earth's surface has a high level of greenhouse gases, like carbon dioxide and water vapour in the atmosphere that can trap heat near it. Nevertheless, at high elevations, these gases are very low, causing the temperature to drop.

In winter, the weather is undoubtedly cold in Syabru Besi, but endurable. However, once you reach above 2,000 m, it is freezing and Tserko Ri is already above 5,000 m. It means you will need to tolerate the freezing temperature in most parts of the trek, which might make you feel demanding to finish it, especially if you are a person from sea level.

What Is The Weather Like During The Langtang Trek In January?

The weather is very cold during the Langtang Trek in Winter, especially in the early morning, evening, and night. In the daytime, the sun is up and bright and you are hiking from one destination to another, which is why you will not feel intolerable cold.

Speaking of the temperature on the trail during winter, especially in January and February, it is approximately 10 to 15 degrees Celsius in the daytime in the lower parts of the trek, Syabru Besi and Lama Hotel. Likewise, it is about 0 to 5 degrees Celsius in the nighttime.

At the same time, in the upper parts: Langtang Village and Kyanjin Gompa, it is roughly 5 to 10 degrees Celsius in the daytime and -5 to -10 degrees Celsius in the nighttime. All these mentioned temperatures of the lower and upper areas are no joke. You should be very focused on yourself about getting warm at all times.

Essential Items For The Langtang Trek In January   

Always remember to pack all the necessary items that are needed for trekking in cold climates at high altitudes. Some major gear you should have for both hotel stays and outdoor use:

• A down jacket with a capacity to resist temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius
• A thermal set for innerwear (for both hotel use and hiking)
• A pair of inner fleece gloves and one pair of outer waterproof or down gloves
• A warm hat (for both hotel use and hiking)
• Buff mask (for both hotel use and hiking)
• Down Pant
• A pair of warm woollen socks
• Facial and body lotion to keep yourself moisturised
• Boot gaiters to avoid snow getting inside the boots.
• Crampons (depends on the situation, if the level of snow is high on the trail)

While trekking you should not wear heavy and too-warm clothes, as they heat your body way too quickly and also make you feel hard to walk. All the gear stated above is only for overnight stays at hotels and some can also be used for both purposes. Clothes to wear while only hiking are as follows:

• Windcheater or thin down Jacket
• A pair of inner fleece gloves
• A pair of normal socks (You can also use a bit thicker socks instead if you think you need them)
• A cap to protect your head from cold and your face from ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Trekking pants with thin fur inside and full sleeve shirt

How Difficult Is The Langtang Trek In Winter?

Actually, the Langtang Valley Trek is moderately difficult, meaning the route is not technically hard. Everyone can easily complete the trek if one's carelessness does not reach its peak. To make your journey even easier, there are plenty of hotels available along the way to help you out with accommodations in such a remote location.

However, during the time of winter, the temperature is very cold in the morning and at night. Also, even in the day if the sun is not that bright. Such a situation can make you find it challenging to finish the trek if you are from a hot place.

So, basically, the trek is a little bit difficult in winter compared to other seasons like spring and autumn. But if you are already an experienced trekker and have been to other cold regions multiple times before, then it may not be tough for you to conclude.

Are The Trails To Lantang Valley Open In January?

Yes, the trails to Langtang Valley are open in January. They are never closed and open for all 12 months. You can make plans and enjoy the adventure in the valley whenever you have time for it.

But one thing we should always keep in mind is that there is no guarantee that the weather will be favourable at all times. Especially in winter, we cannot rely on the clear skies, as the weather can act weird and begin to snow unexpectedly, making our trek less enjoyable or even boring.

Such unexpected behaviour of weather also affects the routes by blocking them or making them slippery. It makes the journey tough for us to walk or even cross the path. In such circumstances, the trails may get closed for some while in January, making us wait until the path ahead to the next point gets clear from snow.

To be aware of such sudden trouble by the weather and to avoid it, we should always act smart and stay alert with the weather forecast prior to beginning the trek to the Langtang Valley in this month or the entire season. The forecast plays a vital role during the trek and saves your time from getting wasted suddenly.

Is January A Good Time To Trek The Langtang Region?

The weather is always unpredictable, especially in the off-season like winter. You surely experience cold during this time; however, the temperature or the level of cold depends on the region. Every place has its different temperature in the same season.

There are three regions in Nepal: Terai, Hilly, and Himalaya. Among these, the Langtang Region lies in the Himalayan region, which means freezing temperatures are common here in winter. Hence, it is critical to be aware of such a climate before visiting there.

If you are already aware person about having adventures during the cold and winter season and confident in yourself, then the month of January can be a good time for you to trek here. The positive parts of the trek in the Langtang Region in January are listed below:

• You can enjoy the route with fewer crowds during trekking.
• It offers the opportunity to witness the astonishing snow-covered landscapes along the trail.
• You can be involved in the local culture with no regular hustle of tourists.

Regarding the negative parts, you can encounter some possible obstacles like slippery routes due to snowfall, sometimes cloudy skies that can cover the views of the mountains, and most importantly, cold temperatures.

Is It Safe To Trek To Lantang In January?

Yes, it is safe to trek to Langtang in January. In winter, the sky is mostly clear and offers you a peaceful trail with very less crowds and jaw-dropping views of the peaks in the Langtang Mountain Range. Yet, you can't be so sure about the good things to happen along the route, especially during this season.

You should be fully prepared for the trek in January, as heavy snowfall is common in the Himalayan region of the country. It can occur at any time and could hinder you in an unexpected way during trekking.

Thus, prevention is always better than cure. Do yourself a favour by checking the weather forecast for the dates of your adventure while mapping out and you should also keep monitoring it daily until you officially complete the journey.

What Are The Risks Of Altitude Sickness On The Langtang Trek In January?

When it comes to trekking in high-elevation locations, altitude sickness is a major threat that should always be considered and not be taken lightly. If it is not taken seriously, it can cost you your precious life on the spot.

Altitude sickness can happen to anyone at any time while trekking in high-elevation destinations like the Langtang Region. It does not care about your age, health fitness, and trekking experience. No one can hide from it if carelessness crosses the limit.

The risks of altitude sickness on the Langtang Trek in January are also high. Some risks that you must know about are:

High Altitude

Langtang Valley Trekking reaches a height above 5,000 m, which is a big deal, especially for the first-timer. Altitude sickness can occur once you reach above 1,800 m if you rush during the trek and ascend too quickly without sufficient rest along the way.

Cold Temperature

The temperature in January drops below freezing in locations like the Langtang Valley, causing hypothermia and some other cold-related injuries that are stated earlier. All these injuries make you sick and weak and when you get weak, altitude sickness stands a chance to attack you.

Low Oxygen Level

The air is thinner, which is why there is a low oxygen level in the Langtang Valley due to its height. For that reason, if you are not familiar with the height or high-elevation places, then you are more likely to develop one of the symptoms of altitude sickness during trekking.

Dehydration

In cold temperatures, you often have very little sense of thirst, making you not want to drink as much as water you need a day, which leads you to altitude sickness due to dehydration.

Physical Effort

Snowfall usually happens in the Langtang Valley in January, covering the routes with snow and it requires more energy to hike on such a trail, which makes you get tired too quickly. When you get exhausted, altitude sickness finds its way into your body.

No matter in which month you are trekking to the valley either January or some other months, your one silly mistake is enough for altitude sickness, like Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), to develop in your body.

The symptoms of AMS are as follows:

• Headache (The most common one)
• Nausea or vomiting
• Insomnia or trouble sleeping
• Loss of appetite
• Shortness of breath
• Weakness

If you find one of these symptoms of AMS happening in your body during the Langtang Valley Hike, you should immediately descend to at least 500 m. If you ignore any of these symptoms, then it leads to other two kinds of altitude sicknesses, which are life-threatening and have about an 85% of chance dying.

The symptoms of the other two altitude sicknesses are listed below:

HAPE

• Severe shortness of breath
• Persistent Cough
• Chest tightness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Extreme weakness
• Blue and grey discolouration of the skin, lips, and nails
• Crackling sound in the chest and back while breathing
• Confusion (in advanced phase)

HACE

• Severe Headache
• Loss of coordination
• Confusion
• Changes in behaviour or hallucinations
• Nausea or vomiting
• Seizures
• Difficulty staying awake
• Coma (in advanced phase)

How To Minimize the Risks Of Altitude Sickness On The Langtang Trek In January?

We cannot stop altitude sickness from happening while trekking the Langtang Valley in January thoroughly. Nevertheless, at least, we can minimize its risks by following some major steps listed below:

Staying Hydrated

Drinking water is always necessary for the human body. Even when you are in your regular place, you need to drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water a day to stay healthy. So, while trekking, it is most important to drink enough water to stay away from altitude sickness.

Consuming Foods Containing Water

To stay hydrated during the trek, you should also consider eating foods with high amounts of water, such as cucumbers and apples.

Taking Enough Breaks

While trekking in high-altitude regions, you should be taking sufficient breaks frequently for at least 5 to 8 minutes every single time along the trail. In addition to this, you should also sleep as early as possible after dinner at hotels to get enough rest and collect energy for the next day.

Wearing Warm Clothes

You should wear enough layers of warm clothes at hotels to protect yourself from cold that can lead you to altitude sickness. Also, wear a thin-down jacket with a thermal set from inside while hiking.

You don't need to wear a heavy jacket while hiking to protect yourself from cold weather. If you do, then it might make you feel difficult to walk and sweat too quickly and your body gets attacked by cold due to sweat.

Avoiding Unhealthy Things

You should not consume unhealthy things, such as alcohol, cigarettes, and fried and non-veg dishes during trekking. This is because all these things cause problems in your immune and harm your stamina, causing you to get exhausted too quickly.

Consuming Enough Carbohydrates

You should eat enough foods that contain high portions of carbohydrates, such as potatoes, rice, and pasta because all these foods are heavy with high calories and take time to digest, which boost your energy and keep you active for a long time.

Recognizing Symptoms

While trekking, if you recognize any of the symptoms of altitude sickness stated above, you take immediate action by descending to at least 500 m.

Acclimatizing Properly

Along with ascending at a slow pace, you should also consider acclimatizing your body properly to get familiar with the air of the high altitude by spending an extra day upon reaching places above 3,000 m, Langtang Village and Kenjing Gompa.

Carrying Medications

You should bring a useful medicine that helps you prevent altitude sickness. It is known as Acetazolamide, which is easily available in the market with the brand name, Diamox.

Take half a 250 mg tablet of Diamox two times a day, 125 mg after breakfast and another half after dinner 24 or 48 hours before starting the trek. Keep continuing the process and take it for two more days after you ascend above 3,000 m.

Please note that before buying Diamox, consult your doctor and avoid it if you already have problems with your heart or liver.

Tea House Facilities On Langtang Trek in Winter

The Langtang Valley Trek is also popular like the other trails in Nepal, such as Annapurna Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, etc. Consequently, you don't have to worry about accommodations along the route while trekking here.

There are plenty of tea houses available and the business is open for all four seasons. During the peak seasons: spring and autumn, every hotel within the trail is open. Likewise, during the off-seasons: winter and monsoon, not all hotels remain open; nevertheless, a few businesses are available to provide accommodation facilities even in such a period.

So now, you don't have to be worried about finding tea house facilities on the Langtang Valley Trail if you're planning to go for the trek here in Winter. For your kind information, all the hotels are equipped with modern facilities, such as:

• Electricity
• Internet
• Continental food options on the menu
• Hot shower

You might not find the businesses along the way are as good as in the developed cities. Nevertheless, at least, we can appreciate their presence in such a remote part of the country.

What Is The Best Time For Langtang Trek?

Two seasons are considered the best time for Langtang Valley Trekking. They're spring (March-May) and fall (September-November). During these seasons, there is no danger of heavy snowfall, rain, landslides, or bad climate.

The sky mostly gets clear, providing you the breathtaking views of the valley's landscape and the peaks that surround it. However, checking the weather forecast is vital even if the time is best, as the weather is always unpredictable.

Langtang Trek In January For Beginners

The Langtang Trek is one of the best routes for beginners or first-timers in Nepal. The trial is not technically hard and is considered moderate in difficulty. Inexperienced trekkers can easily finish this trek by slow walking, taking frequent breaks while hiking, and drinking enough water and foods containing high carbs.

However, January is peak winter and beginners, especially those who reside at sea level or in hot regions, may find it challenging to complete the trek during this month. Hence, trekking to the Lang Valley is not recommendable in winter.

But it doesn't mean that first-timers can never make it up to the valley that is above 3,000 m in winter. If you're new to trekking at high altitudes and still want to do it in January, then first, you should be aware of a proper layer of clothing that keeps you warm even at -5 degrees Celsius, walking pace, and food what to eat and what not. Well-preparation is a must when you're planning to have an adventure in cold winter.

Are Permits Required For The Langtang Trek In January?

Yes, permits are required for the Langtang Trek whether you're mapping out to trek in January or any month. You should have two different types of permit cards for this trek, Langtang National Park Permit and Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) Card.

As for these permit costs, they vary depending on the nationality. The Langtang National Park permit costs approximately USD 13 per person for SAARC nations and USD 25 for others. Similarly, a TIMS card costs around USD 20 per person for all nationalities.

The National Park permit can be obtained in Syabru Besi. On the other hand, a TIMS card can be received from the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu.