Langtang Valley Service Trek

On this Nepal hiking and service trip, we will pick you up from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal and transport you to our hotel in Thamel (tourist section of Kathmandu). We will have some down time to rest, have showers, and eat. This evening, we will meet for team introductions and orientation followed by a dinner at our favorite, local Nepalese restaurant. Be sure to drink plenty of water enroute, as flying and traveling will certainly dehydrate you. Self-care begins immediately.

This morning, we enjoy our first Nepalese breakfast at our hotel in Thamel. We then visit the famous “Monkey Temple” Swayambhunath on a hilltop in Kathmandu.  Once we are ready to leave Swayambhunath, we travel to the largest Buddhist stupa in the world, Boudhanath.  After our temple tours, we travel back to Thamel for lunch and then will have free time to wander the streets of Thamel, purchase last minute trekking and service project supplies and rest at the Hotel.

Day 3: Time to get to work! We will make the 1.5-hour drive in our private vehicle from Kathmandu to the town of Kakani, where our service project is based. We’ll get settled into our “luxury, safari-like” tents and enjoy lunch. Thereafter, we’ll have an orientation and have time for some work before dinner.

Days 4-8: We will then spend Days 4-8 working on the building project for 8 hours each day. Training and tools will be provided. All meals are included during this time. All protective gear will be provided, but please bring work gloves and work clothes for these days.

Day 9: Today is a well-earned rest day in preparation for tomorrow’s trek. Explore the village of Kakani and bask in all the beauty that Nepal has to offer before setting off on the next chapter of your trek. The village of Kakani boasts the Lauke and Fung Fung waterfalls with their crystalline cascades as well a local industry of strawberry and radish farming. As this is our last day in this wonderful community, we may have the opportunity for a cooking lesson!

• Drive Time: 8-9 hours

Today marks the beginning of the second phase of our trip as we make the drive from Kakani to Gatlang. As we head northwest downwards to the Trisuli bazaar with views of the Manaslu Massif (the eighth tallest mountain in the world) with its snow-covered peaks, Ganesh, Langtang, and Jugal Himal.  Make sure you’re strapped in as from Trisuli onward we’ll encounter 4×4 terrain! The road continues onward to our eventual stopping point for the evening: a Nepalese teahouse in Gatlang village.

On our trek over the next week, we may have the opportunity to see red pandas, Ghoral or mountain goats, and grey Langur monkeys.

• Hiking Distance: 6.2 mi (10 km)
• Elevation Gain:  2845 ft (867 m)
• Elevation Loss: 1600 ft (487 m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

This morning has us squaring up to what is considered the the toughest day of our trek. The trail starts by descending gradually along a ridge to the Bamdang Khola, then onto the Chilime Khola which takes us to the town of Chilime. A suspension bridge and a sustained climb bring us to the village of Gongang where we’ll take our lunch for the day. After lunch we’ll have a more gradual ascent to Tatopanni or “Hot Water,” where one can cleanse in the natural hot springs. The locals believe that the waters have a healing quality that soothes your aches and pains. We’ll stay the night in a lodge here in Tatopanni.

• Hiking Distance: 5 mi (8 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1980 ft (603 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2845 ft (867m)
• Trekking Duration: 5-6 hours

Our trek to Thuman is our longest of the trip starting with a climb up Nagthali Hill. This hill was once a popular meditation location for the local monks and priests. From this pass, the highest in the surrounding area, we’ll be afforded stunning views of the snowy Langtang Lirung, Kerung, Ganesh Himal, and Sanjen Ranges. From this high, open grassland we’ll descend into Thuman, a Tibetan influenced Tamang village. If luck is on our side we might catch sight of a troop of Nepal Gray Langur Monkeys. We’ll stay in Thuman in a lodge and explore the ancient monasteries and houses furnished with ornate wood engravings, a truly unforgettable experience!

• Hiking Distance: 3.5 mi (5.5 km)
• Elevation Gain: 2195 ft (669 m)
• Elevation Loss: 2525 ft (770 m)
• Trekking Duration: 3-4 hours

The village of Bhotekoshi has a pronounced Tibetan influence that is so palpable, it’s in the air! This village boasts ancient monasteries, houses adorned with woodcarvings, and evidence of Shamanistic beliefs. We’ll trod through rhododendron forests and meadows to reach the Tamang village of Briddim, which is nestled in the heart of the Langtang Himal. The village of Briddim marks the end of Tamang Heritage Trail and is a veritable thoroughfare for many travelers. Tonight’s teahouse is owned by a local family and presents us with a chance to gain a richer, deeper understanding of the local culture through conversations and stories from our host.

• Hiking Distance: 8.7 mi (14 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1800 ft (550 m)
• Elevation Loss: 1200 ft (365 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

Today we’ll continue on into the hilly region of Khangjim and Sherpagoan, learning about the abundant culture of the Tamang and Sherpa communities along the way. Tonight finds us at the Lama hotel which is a collection of guesthouses that signal the start of the Langtang Valley.

• Hiking Distance: 7.5 mi (12 km)
• Elevation Gain: 4105 ft (1080 m)
• Elevation Loss: 0 ft (0 m)
• Trekking Duration: 7-8 hours

We’ll hike up through Langtang National Park via Gumnachowk and Ghotatabela which will eventually lead us into the village of Langtang. Langtang National Park was established in 1976 to conserve the unique flora and fauna of the region. Thanks to the temperate conditions in the park, Rhododendron, Nepalese alder, and Oak forests thrive here. This national park is home to red pandas, Himalayan black bears, snow leopards, and more than 250 species of birds! We’ll catch glimpses of grazing yaks as we meander through this beautiful valley. Eventually the trail crosses a stream and several water-driven prayer wheels to the large settlement of Langtang. This is one of the oldest villages on our trekking route and the views only get better as we get closer to the mountain! We’ll have time to explore the village before settling down in our overnight lodge.

• Hiking Distance: 4.1 mi (6.6 km)
• Elevation Gain: 1080 ft (330 m)
• Elevation Loss: 0 ft (0 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

This morning’s hike brings us to the rebuilt village of Kyanjin. Either side of the path gives us stunning views of distant, snow-covered mountains. Today we’ll see Tamang and Sherpa inhabitants along the trail as they go about their daily tasks. We’ll do a short acclimatizing hike this evening and enjoy stunning views of the surrounding valley.

• Hiking Distance: 3.8 mi (6 km)
• Elevation Gain: 3585 ft (943 m)
• Elevation Loss: 3585 ft (943 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

Today you get to choose your own adventure! You can choose the 4:30 am wake up to begin the trek to the summit of Kyanjin-Ri at 15,655 ft. We’ll be afforded a stunning sunrise and breathtaking panorama of the Langtang Himalayan Range, Kinshung, Yansa Tsenji, and the foot of the tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirun. Or, you can choose to enjoy a rest day, sleep in and have a leisurely breakfast before exploring the village. Here you’ll be able to learn more about the lifestyles of the Tamang and Sherpa, the local monastery, and yak cheese factory. There are also various walks around the village and a short hike up to the glacier.

• Hiking Distance: 11.2 mi (18 km)
• Elevation Gain: 0 ft (0 m)
• Elevation Loss: 4625 ft (1410 m)
• Trekking Duration: 6-7 hours

Today is a day we will most appreciate our trekking poles as we tackle the long descent of over 4600 ft! The trail takes us to Langtang and Ghoretabela to the Lama Hotel. Once at the hotel we can celebrate our hike with a cold beverage of your choice.

• Hiking Distance: 6.8 mi (11 km)
• Elevation Gain: 300 ft (90 m)
• Elevation Loss:  3150 ft (960 m)
• Trekking Duration: 4-5 hours

Our hike to Syabrubesi is our last day of hiking, which takes us through a forest trail until reaching Pairo. Here we’ll have a lunch break before continuing on to Syabrubesi.

• Drive Time: 9-10 hours

After our penultimate Nepalese breakfast we’ll drive back to Kathmandu by private vehicle. We’ll take the rough and tumble road to Trisuli and take a lunch stop there. After lunch we’ll continue our drive to Kathmandu where we’ll be dropped off at our hotel.

This is the departure day for which to schedule your outbound flights. As a group we will make our way to the airport and say our fond farewells. Thank you for choosing Wildland!