Langtang Circle Trek-Red Panda's Home - 16 Days

Upon arriving at Kathmandu International Airport, our representative will warmly welcome you and assist with your hotel check-in. You can spend the rest of the day exploring this historic and vibrant city at your leisure. Meals: Welcome Dinner.

In the morning after breakfast we have a trip orientation meeting after which we head for a drive to Syabrubesi, 132km from Kathmandu. Meals: Breakfast

In Syabrubesi, the trail branches off the main road and heads northward, passing a police post before crossing a suspension bridge over the Bhote Koshi River. At the eastern end of the bridge, we turn right and then take a left, climbing to enter the village of Old Syabrubesi. The village monastery, housed in a small stone building, is located at the far end of the village. After visiting the monastery, we follow the stone-paved main street out of town to a bridge over the Langtang Khola. Crossing this bridge, we reach a junction and continue straight, crossing a log bridge for a pleasant walk through trees, side streams, and landslides until we reach another suspension bridge and the waterfall of Doman.

As we proceed, we pass through a few settlements and forests rich in wildlife, including yellow-throated martens, wild boars, langur monkeys, red pandas, Himalayan black bears, and various birds. We climb a rocky ridge and descend to the river bridges and waterfalls, with a small hot spring across the river. A long climb through forests takes us to another trail junction, beyond which the trail gently ascends to Bamboo. From Bamboo, the trail crosses the Dangdung Khola and then climbs past a small landslide to a small suspension bridge over the Langtang Khola. From the northern bank of the Langtang Khola, the route climbs alongside a series of waterfalls formed by large boulders. We traverse a dry forest of scrub oaks, cacti, and nettles, climbing steeply to a landslide in Lower Rimche. Passing by another trail junction in Upper Rimche, we ascend gently to Changtang, popularly known as Lama Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

We begin our climb through a steep forest filled with hemlocks, oaks, maples, and white and pink rhododendrons, high above the Langtang Khola, to reach Gumanchok. From there, we cross a stream and continue a steep ascent to a pass adorned with prayer flags, arriving at Ghora Tabela, which is now a Nepal Army and National Park post. The trail then gradually ascends as the valley opens into a classic U-shaped glacial valley. We follow the path across a helipad and yak pastures, climbing through rhododendron forests to reach Thangshyap. The route continues with a diagonal climb above the fields to reach Ghumba village, where you can visit a beautiful gompa. We cross a stream and climb past several water-driven mills and prayer wheels to the large settlement of Langtang, the headquarters of Langtang National Park. Here, you can see huge twin waterfalls cascading from a cleft in the rock wall above the town and enjoy views of the 6581m Langtang II. In Langtang, we will also have the opportunity to observe various bird species, such as hawks, drab-colored cuckoos, fruit-eating barbets, owls, laughing thrushes, red-billed and yellow-billed magpies, parakeets, and many more. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The trail winds through the village and ascends a ridge crowned by a large chorten. From there, it continues gradually past a mani wall and crosses a stream to reach the small village of Mundu. The trail then joins a rushing river and climbs to a yak wool shop and the yak pastures of Yamphu. It ascends a moraine to a viewpoint where the monastery of Kyanjin Gompa comes into view, along with the dramatic icefall flowing from the peaks of Langtang Lirung and Kimshung. There is ample time to acclimatize and explore the area, including visiting the Nyingmapa school monastery, before reaching Kyanjin Gompa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

To the northeast of Kyanjin Gompa lies the viewpoint of Kyanjin Ri. We can hike up the Lirung Valley, north of Kyanjin Gompa, for spectacular views of Langtang Lirung, Kimshung (6,781m), and Yansa Tsenji (6,575m) peaks along the border with Tibet, as well as the glaciers cascading from them. Sometimes, we might spot Himalayan tahr on the slopes above. The trail from the monastery leads to a junction where the main path continues along the true left side of the Laja or Lirung Chu River. If we descend to the north across glacial streams, we can climb the moraine ahead for a close-up view of the Kimshung Glacier. From there, we can either return or continue with a short side climb before heading back to Kyanjin Gompa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Retracing the footprints we came up we trek back to Lama Hotel.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Now again we reach Syabrubesi back again from Lama Hotel retracing the way we went earlier. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Syabrubesi, we start by following the main Langtang trail. After crossing a bridge to the south side of the Langtang Khola, we branch right and begin a continuous climb until we reach the fields atop the charming village of Thulo Syabru. We ascend past the gompa, to the left of an army post, and zigzag up the steep hill above the village. After passing a line of chortens, we arrive at Dursagang (2735m). The trail continues steeply through forests of hemlock and oak, passing an ancient-looking chorten, and then less steeply through rhododendron forest and pastures to the top of the ridge at Phoprang Danda (3190m). Here, we can watch langur monkeys in the forests and enjoy stunning sunset views over the Ganesh Himal. This is also a trail junction, where we take the larger trail that crosses the ridge top. At each junction, we follow the uphill trail, crossing another ridge in a forest of large spruces, until we reach a final ridge at 3260m. From here, we walk past a walled government agriculture office and branch left to reach Chandanbari, also known as Sing Gompa, which features a Newari-style door frame with a statue of Chenresig. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

The trail ascends steeply up a ridge, offering stunning views of the village framed by the snowcapped peaks of the Ganesh Himal. This area, on the northern slope, is a sanctuary for the endangered red panda. The path then crosses behind the ridge and winds through dense forests, eventually reaching a saddle at Chalang Pati (3,550m). From this point, we enter the Gosaikunda protected area, where the killing of animals, lighting wood fires, and grazing goats are prohibited. Continuing along the ascending trail, we arrive at Laurebina Yak (3,920m), where the views are truly breathtaking. We can see the Annapurnas, Manaslu (8,156m), the four peaks of the Ganesh Himal, including Paldor Peak, some enticing unnamed peaks in Tibet, and finally Langtang Lirung.

The trail then ascends into the alpine region above the treeline, following the ridge to a small concrete temple with a statue of Sakyamuni. We continue to Goths for views of the waterfalls from the first lake, Saraswati Kund. The trail leaves the ridge and traverses high above the Trisuli Valley, which can be treacherous if covered with snow. The path gently climbs to a spur marked by prayer flags and two rock carvings of Ganesh, revealing the second lake in the chain, Bhairav Kund. From here, it's a further 35-minute hike to the third and largest lake, Gosaikunda. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

At Gosaikund, you'll find a Shiva shrine, a helipad, and numerous stone shelters for pilgrims. The lake, with a black rock at its center, is believed to represent the head of Shiva. According to legend, Lord Shiva created this high-altitude lake by piercing a glacier with his trident to quench his thirst after consuming poison from the churning of the oceans. A white rock beneath the water is said to be the remnant of an ancient Shiva shrine. It's also believed that the water from this lake flows underground and resurfaces in the Kumbheswor pool, next to the five-story Shiva temple in Patan, over 60 km away. For the best views of the lake, we climb the ridge to two viewpoints at 4,640 meters, adorned with prayer flags. You can also follow faint trails south from the southeast corner of the lake to a series of smaller, partially frozen lakes: Dudh (Milk) Kund, Chandra (Moon) Kund, Ragat (Blood) Kund, and finally Ama (Mother) Kund, along with views of Chhyarkung Chuli peak to the right. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

This day involves a challenging and long trek. We begin by ascending a rocky trail from the northern side of Gosaikund Lake, passing by smaller lakes before reaching Laurebina Yak Pass. Here, we enjoy the stunning views of the surrounding hills and the large lake Surya (Sun) Kund to the southwest. The trail then descends alongside a stream to Bhera Goth. It is important to take the lower, safer trail from here, as the upper trail is steep and dangerous, especially when covered in snow. Additionally, there are no food or accommodation facilities until we reach Tharepati.

Following the lower trail, which involves a rough and knee-busting descent, we arrive at Phedi, located in the middle of the valley. The concrete chorten beside Dawa Baby serves as a memorial to a Japanese victim of the 1992 Thai Airbus crash. From Phedi, the trail drops to a stream and then climbs through scrub bamboo to a crest. We traverse difficult rocky terrain, crossing moraines and dry streams, and descend through forests, navigating in and out of ravines below the towering cliffs of Thare Danda, until we reach Gopte (3,440m).

Descending from the ridge at Gopte, the trail involves numerous ups and downs across ravines and boulders of old moraines before making a final descent to Tharepati. From Tharepati, we can climb to the ridge top for early morning views of Dorje Lakpa, Shisha Pangma, and a line of peaks stretching to Khumbu. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

From Tharepati, we descend steeply through a dense pine forest to the charming village of Magin Goth (3285m). Here, we observe locals transporting bamboo as we continue towards Mere Danda (3510m). After climbing the Yurin Danda ridge, we are rewarded with breathtaking views of the sawtooth peaks above Langtang and Gosaikund. Our trail winds in and out of fir and rhododendron forests as we make our way to Kutumsang (2450m). Continuing over a small pass, we descend to the Tamang village of Gul (Golphu) Bhanjyang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Passing a gleaming white chorten, the path leads us to the welcoming Tamang village of Thotong at 2,260 meters. From there, we will enjoy panoramic views of the peaks as we ascend through rhododendron forests to the village of Lapchu Danda (2,420 meters). After a descent of 200 meters past some ruined huts and through fields and secondary growth forest, we arrive at the larger village of Chipling (2,170 meters). Continuing our descent, we reach a small chorten at the Sherpa village of Thakuni Bhanjyang, from where a gentle descent brings us to the Chhetri village of Pati Bhanjyang (1,770 meters). Finally, we follow a muddy, zigzagging path with scenic mountain views as the trail levels out among pine plantations, leading us to Cisopani village. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Trek back from Chisopani, crossing the Borlang Bhanjyang Pass at 2,440 meters, and then descend the Shivapuri Ridge to the road at Sundarijal. From there, we will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. This leisure day is perfect for shopping for gifts and souvenirs for friends and family. In the evening, join us for a farewell gathering where we will review photos and share trip experiences. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Today, you'll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight. If you'd like to extend your stay, feel free to consult us about additional options, including game drives in national parks, rafting, mountain biking, or tours to Tibet, India, or Bhutan. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.