Langtang Valley & Gosainkund Trek

Trail blazing walks into the wonderlands of nature…don’t rush it, just do it at your pace.

“The longer version hike of the langtang valley trek that enters deep into alpine country where the feeling is as good as touching the green, green grass of home…’

The Langtang Valley is based in the central Himalayan region, blessed with amazing valleys & a deep gorge; this is further supplemented with the traditional cultures of yore amidst the chanting of Buddhist mantic prayers, & set into landscapes of pristine forests that is home to the red panda. The hike extends to a glacial sacred pond in the close eye catching backdrops of the Langtang Himalayan ranges looming high up on the horizons, almost touching the clouds

Get a layout of the land you will tread:

Langtang valley is situated directly north of Kathmandu in the Central Himalayan Region. This area was declared a National Park in 1976 and remains the second largest Park in Nepal, covering 1710 sq.km. Of Mountainous terrain south of the Nepal-Tibet (China) border.

Within its boundaries are some 45 villages, with the main objective of the park being to preserve the region by allowing the local folks to follow traditional land use practices which are compatible to resource protection.

The area offers a range of cultures of which the main three ethnic peoples living in the area are the Tamangs, Yolmus and Bhotias who had originated from Tibet in the past 500 years till the mid 20th century. In the southern section of the park lies a small area of sub-tropical chestnut forest, along with unique Sal forest. The hill forests (2000-2,600m) across the southern slopes of the park consist of Chir Pine, Rhododendron, Nepalese Alder and solid Oak.

Moving north and higher, the Montane zone (2,600-3000m) are mainly Mountain Oak, fading to Silver Fir, Hemlock and Larch in the lower sub-alpine zone (3000-3,6000m); throughout these zones, several species of Rhododendron trees form a twisted and colorful under story, continuing higher to tree-line Birch and Fir forest are the last to survive. It is here at 3,600-4000m that Juniper and Rhododendron shrubs slowly dissolve into the expansive alpine grassland meadows. Here, the elusive predator snow leopard is still thought to comb the alpine heights for prey. The park is also well known for its populations of red panda, Himalayan black bear, wild dog, Himalayan thar, ghoral (mountain antelope) and more than 250 species of birds. It’s a wonderful park to hike through.

Above the tree line, the valley opens up into a classical, glacial 'U' shape, bounded to the north by the impressive Langtang Himal, beyond which lies Tibet. The major peaks include Ghengu Liru (Langtang II 6571m/21,560ft), Langtang Lirung (7,425m/23,765ft) Kimshun (6,745m/22,137ft) and Shalbachum(6,918m/22,699ft) to the south, the Chimsedang Lekh forms a ridge of peaks which includes Naya-Kanga 5,846m and Gangchempo, Tilman's beautiful Fluted Peak. Beyond it extends to the Jugal Himal, terminating in Dorje Lakpa (6,980m/22,929ft). To the east the upper meadows of the Langtang end in a massive mountain wall, forming the frontier with Tibet.

Langtang remained unknown and mysterious until Bill Tilman's exploration in 1949; Following Tilman came Toni Hagen in 1952. Both ventured up the Langtang high valley and glacier, probing for routes into Tibet. Langtang at present is the third most popular trekking area in Nepal after Annapurna and the Everest region.

This fabulous area makes a wonderful trek, a perfect combination of moderate and vigorous walking leading to the high alpine valleys in the backdrops of high snow capped peaks; in the spring this place is alive with colorful wild flowers that bloom almost everywhere. Become a pilgrim, and head to the shimmering lakes at Gosainkund. There you will find peace and tranquility alongside the Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims.  It is no small wonder why this area is considered sacred, affording views extending all the way to the Annapurnas.  Cross Laurabina Yak La Pass at (4,615 m), adjoining the Gosainkund and Helambu regions.  At this higher altitude, the terrain will transform to arid alpine above tree line and the villages get sparser. Descend on steep mountain trails high above the valley.  Culturally, Helambu is one of the wealthiest regions in Nepal. Major to this region north of Kathmandu, are peoples of Tibetan origin.