Nepal's Langtang Trek: nature meets spirit

Kathmandu

Day 1: A little preview of what's to come

Even before you've landed, you'll already have been privy to some rather magnificent views of the Top of the World. This, be assured, is only an entree. You'll be cheerfully met at the airport and then transferred to your comfy hotel, where you'll be able to rest up before the adventure that awaits tomorrow. 

Kathmandu

Day 2: Doing Kathmandu

In any number of senses, Kathmandu's is a rich valley, and so today is devoted to giving you a good taste of what this beautifully unique corner of the world is all about. The highlight today is probably the Monkey Temple, Swayambhunath, visited by Buddhist and Hindu alike for its deep traditions and rather scintillating views of the valley below; but it's also just the icing on the cake: temples, palaces and courtyards dating all the way back to the 12th century abound. Your tour today takes you to such jewels as the House of the Living Goddess, Jagannath (the "hippies'") Temple, and the bustling Durbar Square. There's nowhere like Kathmandu, and today is a particularly apt way to begin your Nepalese experience. 

Kathmandu - Dhunche - Syabrubesi

Day 3: The Trek begins

Today, it's time to leave the city and what you know behind, get on the road, and get out there amongst Nepal's ludicrously amazing landscape. You'll whisk past little villages on your way to Dhunche, the starting-point of the trek itself. By evening, you'll have made it to Syabrubesi, where you'll be introduced to the iconic world of Nepalese Teahouses, the only way to spend the night up here. 

Syabrubesi - Rimche - Lama

Day 4: First full day of picturesque trekking

 Today is when you really get amongst the thick of your adventure, as you trudge along mountains and venture over suspension bridges above the river Langtang. You'll follow the trail as it dips down into a deep valley, before rising again through a bamboo forest up to Rimche. From there, you've only another hour or so to your warm bed for the night in the Lama Hotel; but time enough for the opportunity to see the local monkeys, red pandas, and maybe even a  fleeting glimpse of the Himalayan Bear. 

Lama - Langtang Village

Day 5: Langtang National Park

 Your destination for today is Langtang village, but the journey itself is through the National Park this village is the headquarters of. You'll pass through Gumanechok and Ghoda Tabela, seeing you rise over 3000 metres above the sea. Your trail here makes it way out of the forest as the valley widens below, as you bump past livestock grazing on the high pastures. Your jaw will have dropped on more than one occasion by the time your head is resting on your Langtang Village teahouse pillow for the night. 

Langtang Village - Kyanjin Gompa

Day 6: Take it easy in Kyanjin

Considering that you're climbing up near the top of the world, today's going to be a fairly cruisy one, as you take a bit of a stroll-hike from Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa. Your trail eases its way up past little villages dotting the ever-present yak pastures. You´ll cross a few small streams and moraines before reaching your base for lunch. This will give you a good chunk of time to have a look around while you acclimatise to the new, lighter air. It might be a good chance to take some rather envy-inducing photos. 

Kyanjin Gompa

Day 7: Lend a hand in making yak cheese

This is a day to continue with the crucial - yet cruisy - job of getting used to the higher climes. Make a climb to Chorkari Ri, a famous viewpoint, offering unrivaled panoramas of those Himalayan mountains of such noted sublimity. Then, in the afternoon, explore the strangely marvelous world of yak cheese at the local factory, check out a monastery or a nearby icefall, and just take your time taking it all in. 

Kyanjin Gompa - Lama

Day 8: Back down to Lama

Take your fill of all the sublimity of the Himalayas all around you this morning, and then make your way back down to Lama Hotel. This will give you a chance to really appreciate the incredible views of the surrounding peaks, as you may have missed it as you were busy hiking your way up. 

Lama - Thulo Syabru

Day 9: Still more enchanting mountain views

The trail leads ever on, and today you'll begin with a gentle dip downhill, and then begin a fairly steep ascent up to your goal of Thalu Syabru. On this trail, you may just run into the odd red panda, monkey, or any number of the various species of birds that make this beautiful part of the world home.  Thulo Syabru is a charming little village, but the view of Ganesh Himal and Langtang Himal are nothing short of enchanting. Pretty good spot to lay your head for the night, really. 

Thulo Syabru - Shin Gompa

Day 10: Potato farming at the top of the world

Say goodbye to sweet Syabru, there's no stopping to the picturesque hiking today as you take the broad trail up to the village of Dimsa. You then make your merry way through strikingly attractive rhododendron, hemlock and oak forests. Settlements thin out as does the air at these levels, but you will get to see traditional potato-farmers at work. You'll also, of course, get more than an eye-full of outrageous views of the entire Langtang Range and associated Valley. Hope you brought a memory stick or five. 

Shin Gompa - Gosainkunda

Day 11: A lake formed by a God

More spectacular beauty awaits today, as you pick your way through an enchanted forest covered with rhododendron, gawking down at the Trishuli river far below. You'll be passing an area recognised as a sanctuary for the ridiculously cute, and sadly endangered, red panda, so keep an eye peeled. The lovely little panda isn't the only animal you're likely to come across, though; Langtang National Park is famous for its biodiversity. 

You're heading to Gosainkunda, a protected area revered by Hindus, as its beautiful lake was created by the Lord Shiva Himself. You'll get to explore this divine site and sights, as you'll spend the night nearby. 

Gosainkunda - Ghopte

Day 12: Hiking in earnest

If you've been thinking that the views have been amazing, but the hiking a little tame for your liking, today should be right up your mountain trail. You'll be in for some hard slogging over rough terrain and moraines today. You'll pass three more beautiful little lakes, and then reach Lauribina Pass, meaning you've made it to a heady 4610 metres above the sea. You'll then dip down again, as you follow a stream, crest a ridge and then climb in and out of forest ravines until you get to Ghopte. Although strenuous, this is just a half-day trek, so you'll get to gather your strength again here for tomorrow. 

Ghopte - Kutumsang

Day 13: The Valley of the Sherpas

The hardiness of the sturdy Sherpa and their culture are legendary, and today you'll be passing through their heartland, as Helambu is The Valley of the Sherpas. You'll be making your steady way down all day, as you pass fir, rhododendron and prickly-leafed oak forest, and truly righteous views of the surrounding mountains. From there, it's just a bit of a hike up ravines and across boulders to your Kutumsang teahouse and a well-deserved sleep.  

Kutumsang - Chisapani

Day 14: The sunrise to top all sunrises

If you think you've seen a sunrise or two in your life, your Kutumsang morning may make you think again. There's nothing like watching the mighty Himalayas go through the spectrum from light silver to burnished gold, and there's no better place for this watching to take place than right here. This is something to tell your grandkids that they'll actually listen to. From there, you'll have a moderate day of hiking, as the trail consists of only gentle ups and downs to Chisapani, which you'll reach in the late afternoon. 

Chisapani - Sundarijal - Kathmandu

Day 15: The End of the Trek

Nepal isn't the biggest of countries, but it is the cradle of no less than 103 different ethnic groups. One of them is the Tamang, and you'll be on their heritage trail today, as you make your way across the Mulkharka and Shivapuri National Parks and their incredible mountain views. Shivapuri's lush greenness is home to abundant wildlife, so make sure you attend to your short-range focus as much as your long-range one. Today is also the End of the Trek, as you reach Sundarijal. You now get your chance to put your feet up, as you're driven back to Kathmandu, where it all began a fortnight ago.  

Kathmandu

Day 16: Back in Kathmandu

You may be back in city reality, albeit the heightened reality of Kathmandu, you've still got a whole lot to explore, as this city is really something else again. The centuries-old Pashupatinath Temple is a perfect example of this, with its gilt roofs and richly-carved silver doors. Indeed, it was first established way back in the fifth century, so there's just a bit of history to drink in here. Another spot you'll be in raptures about is the Patan Durban Square over at the Mangal Bazzar. This square is the best example of ancient Newari architecture going around; and it also boasts the glorious Krishna Temple's 21 pinnacles. Just to say: you've a fair bit to keep you and your camera occupied today. 

Kathmandu

Day 17: Farewell to Nepal

Well, it's been one spectacle of a trip, but, it's time to move on. You'll have plenty to tell everybody back home, and you may just find yourself back here at the top of the world one of these days.