Shining out on the lap of Nepal's Himalayas, The Langtang Region is one of the best destinations in the country, offering you stunning views of the mountains, Tamang and Tibetan Villages, Buddhist culture and traditions, and diverse flora and fauna. Through our blog, you will learn everything you need to know about the Langtang Valley Trekking Altitude today, which will help you map out a safe and memorable adventure there.
Regarding the valley's location, it is situated in the Rasuwa district of Bagmati Province in the central development region, not so far from Kathmandu (1,355 m/4,446 ft). It is among the most visited places in Nepal. Many tourists (both foreign and local) with an adventure as blood running through their veins equally target this location for trekking purposes. Without a shadow of a doubt, it successfully impresses you and lives in your memories for a lifetime once you visit there.
Not only the Langtang Valley Trek but most trekking trails in the world are located in remote and high-altitude areas. Consequently, it is always critical to discover the elevation of the region first that you are planning to head out shortly.
Most beginner trekkers usually don't care about the height and just think about the views of the gorgeous landscapes and all. Such excitement will not be good during the trek and can cause many problems which we will be discussing in the below section.
Langtang Valley Trekking Altitude: Key Points
When it comes to the altitude gain in the Langtang Valley Trek, there are several key points where you will stop for an overnight stay every day. They are as follows:
Syabrubesi
It is the beginning point and lower section of the trek, located at an elevation of 1,460 m (4,790 ft).
Lama Hotel
It is another lower part and your stopover point on the first day of the trek, which sits at an altitude of 2,470 m (8,104 ft).
Langtang Village
The village is your stopover point on the second day, and upon reaching there, you are entered into the upper section of the trek. It is at 3,430 m (11,253 ft).
Kyanjin Gompa
It is the main point of the trek at 3,870 m (12,697 ft), where most trekkers spend here an extra day to acclimatize their bodies.
Tserko Ri
It is the highest point of the trek, offering you magnificent views of the Langtang Mountain Range. It stands at an elevation of 4,984 m (16,352 ft). You will visit here by hiking for around 4 to 5 hours from your hotel in Kyanjin Gompa during the acclimatization day.
Langtang Valley Trekking Distance And Duration
In terms of the distance coverage and duration, while trekking the Langtang Valley, you will walk and cover 70.3 km in total, and it takes six days to complete. However, by including two days for travelling back and forth from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, it will be eight days.
A group of trekkers posing together along the trail to the Langtang Valley.
Below is the breakdown of the total distance coverage from one point to another with a travelling duration in detail:
Sybrubesi To Lama Hotel
It takes 7 to 8 hours of walking to reach from one point to another, and in the process, you will cover 11.3 km.
Lama Hotel To Langtang Village
Here, the travelling duration is the same, 7 to 8 hours of walking to reach another point by covering the distance a bit more than the first day, 14.8 km.
Langtang Village To Kyanjin Gompa
Both the duration of travel and the distance covered are less than the second day. You will walk for just 4 to 5 hours and cover 6.8 km.
Kyanjin Gompa To Tserko Ri
During your acclimatization day, you will hike to Tserko Ri by walking for 4 to 5 hours and cover 4.5 km in distance.
Kyanjin Gompa To Lama Hotel
On this day, you will descend directly to Lama Hotel by walking for 7 to 8 hours and covering a long distance of the entire trek, 21.6 km.
Lama Hotel To Sybrubesi
On the last day of the trek, you will cover the same distance and take the same amount of time to reach the point of your overnight stay as the first day.
What Is The Difficulty Level Of Langtang Valley Trekking?
The difficulty level of Langtang Valley Trekking is moderate, as it has an easy trail to follow and the availability of accommodation is also at every point of the route. Despite the fact that the teahouses along the way are not as standard as the hotels in the city areas, they still manage to provide you with some of the modern facilities, such as follows:
Hot showers
We all believe in hygiene, right? That is why we used to clean our body and face every day at home. After being out in nature for hours, we, of course, get tired, sweaty, dusty, etc. and all we need is to clean ourselves with water.
In Langtang Valley, the temperature is not extreme but cold in the morning and at night even in summer. In such circumstances, we surely don't want to touch normal water that makes us feel cold afterwards. But whatever the conditions may be, all we want is to keep ourselves clean and hot water is the most important thing for that at high altitudes.
As a result, all those hotel businesses along the route have made hot showers available for us. Hot water doesn't only help you clean up your body and keep you warm, it also refreshes your body and helps you in having a proper sleep.
Electricity
Electricity has always been one of the essential things in human life since its invention in the late 19th century. Ain't nobody prefers darkness at night, especially inside the house. Even for hot showers and internet, electricity is required.
If it is not available at tea houses along the trail, you will not be able to charge your gadgets, wash your body, etc. Langtang Valley is already in a remote part of Nepal and having such a facility there is a great thing and makes our journey even easier.
Internet
After electricity, the Internet has also been a basic need for us recently. It will become more than a basic need in the near future for the upcoming generation we all know clearly because it helps us stay updated with everything going on in the world.
Wi-Fi connection runs by internet and with the help of it, you can stay in touch with your people while having an adventure in a remote area. In addition to this, you can also do your official job-related work in emergency cases during the Langtang Valley Trek when you are connected to Wi-Fi.
Several Food Options
All the tea houses along the trail have several food options: from local to Western cuisine on the menu so you can have the meal of your choice. You don't have to worry about what kind of meal you will have for breakfast, lunch, or dinner where you stay for a night.
All these modern amenities really make your adventure comfortable and easy to some extent. The difficulty level is not only judged by its trail but also by the facilities along the way. Furthermore, the difficulty level of the Langtang Valley Trek also varies depending on the season.
Despite the non-technical route and accommodation facilities, its difficulty level is different during winter (December to February) and monsoon (June to August) seasons. During winter, it is moderate to challenging due to cold temperatures, especially in the morning time and nighttime. Also, snowfall is common during winter in the Langtang Region, making the path slippery and causing accidents sometimes.
Nevertheless, in the daytime, the sun is mostly up and bright, allowing you to feel the warmth while hiking and witness the snow-capped views of the peaks in the Langtang Mountain and Ganesh Himal Range. So, basically, it isn't that hard to trek the Langtang Valley during Winter.
During the rainy season, the difficulty level of the trek is considered challenging due to heavy rainfall. In such conditions, the route gets muddy and slippery and leech bites are guaranteed.
However, the major fear is landslides and rivers along the way also rise, making your journey even tougher. Therefore, it is not advisable to plan to go on this trek during monsoon, especially for beginners.
Langtang Valley Trekking Altitude Sickness
Since the altitude of Langtang Valley Trek ranges from 1,460 m (4,790 ft) to 4,984 m (16,352 ft), you will need to be careful once you reach the height of 1,800 m (5,906 ft) because it is where the symptoms of high-altitude sickness begin to show up gradually. And after you make it to 3,000 m (9,843 ft), you will have a higher chance of getting sick.
There are three kinds of altitude sicknesses that you may suffer from during this trek. Among them, Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is mild and the first stage of the others. The other two are High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) and High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) and these two can even cost your life.
A beautiful view from Kyangji Ri
Now, if you are curious about how to know that you or someone in your group is going through one of three altitude sicknesses, then below is the breakdown of symptoms:
AMS
Headache (most common)
Dizziness and nausea
Loss of appetite
Fatigue and weakness
Insomnia
Shortness of breath with exertion
HACE
Severe headache and confusion
Loss of coordination
Hallucinations or altered mental state
Difficulty walking
Loss of consciousness
HAPE
Extreme shortness of breath (even at rest)
A persistent cough (may produce pink, frothy sputum)
Chest tightness or pain
Bluish lips and nails (cyanosis)
Weakness and dizziness
What Are The Prevention Tips For AMS, HACE, And HAPE?
The prevention tips for AMS, HACE, and HAPE are as follows:
Ascend slowly as much as you can from the beginning of the trek and no more than 300 to 500 m per day and spend an extra day for acclimatization after reaching 3,000 m.
Drink at least 2 to 3 litres of water daily to keep your body hydrated.
Strictly avoid over-fried and oily food, smoking, and drinking alcohol during trekking while you can.
If one of the symptoms occurs, descend immediately at least up to 500 m without even thinking twice.
Take Acetazolamide twice a day by dividing a single tablet of 250 mg into two. 24 or 48 hours before the start of your journey. 125 mg after breakfast and another half after dinner. Keep doing the same for up to two days more after reaching 3,000 m and then stop taking it.
Note: Acetazolamide is easily available under the brand name, Diamox in any pharmacy. Please avoid taking it or any type of medicine as far as you can but if you are not confident in yourself and afraid of getting sick during trekking, consult with your trusted doctor first.
What Is The Best Time For Langtang Valley Trekking?
Two seasons are considered the best time for Langtang Valley Trekking and they are spring and autumn (fall), where March to May are spring and September to November are autumn. There are the following reasons why these two are believed to be the best seasons for trekking:
During Spring
The weather is so pleasant because of the mild temperature most of the time, with warm days and cool nights, which makes your journey comfortable.
All the winter snow also gets melted, making the route more convenient.
The rhododendrons, wildflowers, and lush greenery make the landscapes colourful.
The skies are usually clear, offering you beautiful views of the peaks, including Langtang Lirung (7,234 m/23,734 ft), Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m/22,854 ft) and some other peaks in the Ganesh Himal Range along the trail.
There is a high chance of witnessing wild animals during trekking.
Some major festivals of the country, such as Holi (the festival of colours), Nepali New Year, and Buddha Purnima (the birthday of Lord Buddha) fall in spring, which allows you to experience the local culture and immerse in it.
A herd of yaks sunbathes and grazes on the grassy open fields along the Langtang Valley Trail.
During Autumn
The weather is often stable due to the end of the monsoon rains, making the skies clear, the routes dry and well-defined, and offering you the chance to capture the best views of the Himalayas and the valley's landscapes with your camera.
Nepal's biggest festivals: Dashain and Tihar also fall in this season, allowing you to learn and enjoy the culture and traditions with the locals.
Days are warm and nights are cool same as during spring.
Preparation For Langtang Valley Trekking
Prior to heading for the Langtang Trek, there are some key things you will need to prepare for yourself to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Below is a step-by-step guide:
Physical Preparation
If you are a regular exercise person, it is fine. But if you are not, you should start doing workouts for an hour every day for at least a couple of weeks before your adventure.
The best exercises you can do for trekking are squatting, stretching, and running. These three exercises boost your stamina and strengthen your legs, making you capable of walking a long distance with very few chances of facing sudden injuries to the knee, ankle, and thigh during the trek.
Furthermore, the faster you get exhausted the higher the chance of getting attacked by altitude sickness. However, since these workouts boost your stamina, you will not get tired easily and quickly, helping you to avoid altitude sickness.
Trekking Essentials
For the trek to the Langtang Valley, you should have and pack all the necessary gear that is enough for eight days of the program. They are:
Clothing: Trekking pants, full sleeve shirt, gloves, hat, warm socks, thermal set, raincoat (just in case), high neck, normal t-shirt and trousers for use at hotels, enough undergarments, and down jacket.
Footwear: Quality trekking shoes with good grips and both water and snowproof.
Backpack: A comfortable bag of at least 55L.
Trekking Poles: For support, especially while ascending and to avoid knee pain.
Other Gear: Sunscreen of minimum 50+ SPF, UV protection sunglasses, buff mask, hard plastic bottle to store normal and hot water, first aid kit, lip balm, body lotion, and headlamps.
Snacks: Protein bars, cookies, chocolates, oats, pasta, etc. to boost your energy while hiking.
Obtain Permits
One of the most important things that you should keep in mind while you are preparing for the Langtang Valley Trek is about permits and other required documents. To enter any tourist region in Nepal, foreign travellers need a permit so in this region.
There are two permits required for Langtang Valley Trekking, which are listed below:
Langtang National Park Entry Permit: You can obtain it at the entry checkpoint in Dhunche or at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) office in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu, which costs around USD 13 per person for SAARC Nations and USD 25 per person for others.
Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS): It costs approximately USD 20 per person for all nationalities and can be obtained through your trekking agency.
These permits are needed for various purposes, such as:
To protect wildlife and route maintenance.
To ensure the safety of the trekkers by tracking their movement.
To assist the government handle the influence of tourism on the environment and local communities.
To invest in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and the local economy of the area.
Carry Enough Cash
In remote areas, ATM boots are not easily available everywhere like in the cities. In the case of the Langtang Valley Trail, you will not be able to find any ATMs after Syabrubesi. Yes, online payment is currently trending in Nepal, but it will be much better if you also carry Nepalese currency which is enough for this trek as a backup.
This is because though there is an internet facility at the hotels along the route, sometimes the connection goes off due to a sudden technical error which can cause you problems while billing. Moreover, you will need cash if you want to buy some traditional items from street vendors while hiking.
There are enough money exchange shops available in Kathmandu. You can exchange your currency for NPR even at the airport. Alternatively, you can find a lot of money exchange in the tourism hub of the city, Thamel.
Get Travel Insurance
Let's not forget to buy travel insurance while mapping out for this trek. It's the most essential thing that you should have, especially when you're leaving your comfort zone for adventure activities like trekking in the Himalayas of Nepal.
It's all fun until you feel sick during the trek. Altitude sicknesses like AMS, HACE, and HAPE are common above 3,000 m. It doesn't care about your age, fitness level, or experience. Your single mistake can bring you a life-threatening outcome.
Thus, if you have already acquired travel insurance covering helicopter rescue at high altitudes, it'll save your life. Helicopter rescue is a much-needed thing in case you're dealing with HACE or HAPE and you'll need immediate descent in such a condition.
Purchase SIM Card
Buy local Telecom's SIM card before heading toward the Langtang Region. There are two popular Telecoms in the country, Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC). For the trek, NTC is highly recommendable, as it usually has a strong network in the remote parts.
Additionally, carry a satellite phone or GPS device for emergencies. It'll be more useful because sometimes there might not be a network even in NTC. At the same time, if you have either of these devices, you can easily contact the rescue team or your family and find your way out in case you're lost.
Langtang Valley Trekking For Beginners: Is It Suitable?
Yes, trekking the Langtang Valley is suitable for beginners as well, as the entire trail is not that technically hard and easy to follow from start to end. Tea houses are also available to provide proper accommodation facilities along the route, making the journey even easier for first-timers.
Except for monsoon, all seasons are suitable to embark on this adventure for them. Trekking in this region during monsoon is dangerous, especially for inexperienced hikers due to heavy rainfall, landslides can happen at any time, the level of rivers along the way also rises, and leech bites are likely to be bothersome. Also, most hotels stay closed.
Overall, beginners can enjoy this trek. It will be much better for them if they plan to trek during spring and fall because, during these seasons, skies are often clear and the temperature is mild with warm days and cool nights. These seasons offer the best views of the mountains and the valley's landscapes.
However, if you are the one who is a beginner and making plans to go on the Langtang Trek, then you should also be smart enough to check the weather forecast for the dates of your adventure and also during trekking. This is because the weather is known for its unpredictable behaviour and it can betray us sometimes even during season.
