Langtang Climber

The Approach Trek

The Langtang Valley lies to the south of the Tibetan border, between the main Himalayan range to the north and a slightly lower range to the south. It is easily accessible from Kathmandu and offers fantastic opportunities to trek and enjoy the amazing mountain views without the need to ascend to high altitudes.

Langtang is often considered to be the third major trekking area of Nepal after the Everest and Annapurna regions and shares many of the attractions of those famous areas - beautiful mountain views, a rich culture and facilities for trekkers.

The trek in to the climbing area follows the classic Langtang Valley trail visiting Kjangyin Gompa en route.

 

 

Langtang horizon

 

Yala Peak and Naya Kanga - The Climb

Yala Peak (5500m) is not technically difficult and provides good acclimatisation and training for our climb of Naya Kanga (5844m). The second climb is also not difficult although the final snow crest is quite narrow. From both summits the views of the area and across into Tibet are magnificent.

We stay in tea-houses en route but at High Camp we operate a fully equipped camping trek with accommodation in two person tents and food being cooked by our kitchen staff. Transport to and from the Langtang region is by jeep.

Outline itinerary

Day	Program	Altitude
1	Arrive Kathmandu, transfer from airport to hotel	1300 m
2	At leisure in Kathmandu, preparation for trek
3	Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi	2130 m
4	Syabru Besi to Lama Hotel	2748 m
5	Lama Hotel to Langtang Village	3500 m
6	Langtang Village to Kyagjin Gompa	3800 m
7	Rest Day
8	Kyagjin to Yala	4641 m
9	At Yala - preparation
10	Climb of Yala Peak	5732 m
11	Trek to Naya Kanga Base Camp	5100 m
12	Climb of Naya Kanga	5844 m
13	Contingency Day
14	Trek to Lama Hotel	2748 m
15	Lama Hotel to Syabru Besi	2130 m
16	Drive to Kathmandu
17	Transfer from hotel to airport, fly home

 

Day by day itinerary

Day 1
Arrive Kathmandu, transfer from airport to hotel

Day 2
At leisure in Kathmandu, preparation for trek

Day 3
Drive to Syabru Besi

From Kathmandu we take a drive of about 7 to 8 hours on paved roads and reach Dhunche, the headquarters of Rasuwa district. A short distance further we reach Syabru Besi, the starting point of our approach trek. The area is thickly populated by Tamangs, an ethnic community whose origin can be traced back to Tibet.

Day 4
Syabru Besi to Lama Hotel

Today’s trek takes us on an up and down trail through a thick forest filled with oak, pine and bamboo trees. We may spot some wildlife - monkeys, wild boar, Himalayan black bear or the endangered red panda on our trek. After walking for about five hours we finally reach Lama Hotel.

Day 5
Lama Hotel to Langtang Village

We leave Lama Hotel and head towards Langtang Village. Walking through wonderful mountain scenery filled with flowing rivers and waterfalls, snowy white peaks of the Langtang range and verdant forest we reach the green meadows of Ghora Tabela. After walking for about 3 hours we reach Langtang Village. The village’s water-driven mills, flat-roofed Tibetan style houses and prayer wheels lend a quaint charm. Langtang village is the HQ of Langtang National Park.

Day 6
Langtang Village to Kyangjin Gompa

From Langtang Village we trek for about four hours and reach Kyangjin Gompa. Situated on a valley, surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Langtang Range – Dorje Larpa (6990m.), Langtang Ri (6370m.), Langtang Lirung (7245m.) and Yala Peak, Kyangjin Gompa has a monastery, a government run cheese factory (built with Swiss assistance) and some few houses and lodges.

Day 7
Rest day and explore the area around Kyangjin Gompa

Today we visit the old monastery and the cheese factory and walk up a little hill, Kyangjin Ri, and enjoy the wonderful views of the ice fall and glaciers of Langtang Lirung.

Day 8
Kyangjin Gompa to Yala

We continue up the valley, rising above the Langtang Khola to the yersa at Yala at 4641m where we make camp. From here we get fantastic views of the surrounding peaks.

Day 9
At Yala, preparation for climb

Today is a preparation day which also allows for rest and acclimatisation with a short trip to Tsergo Ri at 5066m.

Day 10
Ascent of Yala Peak

The ascent of Yala Peak is essentially a walk on snow slopes of approx. 30 degrees, roped together using ice axe and crampons. From the summit we are treated to amazing views of the Himalyan giants in both Tibet and Nepal.

Day 11
Trek to Naya Kanga Base Camp

We retrace our steps down to Kyangjin and cross the Langtang Khola and then continue on a trail upwards towards the Kangja La.  We make our camp on moraines below the Kangja La.  Again, this is a camp with marvellous views of the nearby peaks.

Day 12
Ascent of Naya Kanga

Setting off early in the morning we will make the ascent of Naya Kanga via the north-east ridge. The ridge climb is a long steep snow climb with a narrow final crest. Our hard work is rewarded with fabulous mountain views. We then return to camp.

Day 13
Contingency Day

We allow a spare “buffer” day in case of bad weather.

Day 14
Camp back to Lama Hotel

We retrace our steps back to Lama Hotel via Kyangjin. Following the Langtang Khola to Ghora Tabela we descend to Lama Hotel.

Day 15
Lama Hotel to Syabru Besi

From Lama Hotel we trek to Syabrubesi. As we pass by the Tamang villages en route, we get to observe their unique culture and lifestyle

Day 16
Drive back to Kathmandu

Day 17
Transfer from hotel to airport, fly home