Langtang Trekking

The trekking to the Langtang valley in central Nepal is one of the popular classic treks in Nepal. Langtang lies north of Kathmandu and some of the Langtang mountains can be seen even from Kathmandu. Langtang is a narrow valley lying south of Tibetan border. The valley lies between main Himalaya range to the north and small snowy peaks to the south. Langtang trekking is a popular and classic trek. It offers opportunity to explore ethnic Tamang villages, climb small peaks and see the glaciers at relatively low altitude and within short time frame. The walking is also not strenuous. Once you reach the valley the mountain scenery is exceptionally beautiful. Langtang trek also offers some of the oldest monasteries , vibrant Tibetan-Buddhist culture and plenty of Yak herds on alpine meadows.In summer each year, the valley floor and alpine slopes of Langtang valley bloom profusely with primula, poppy and other alpine flowers making a grand spectacle of wild flowers .Langtang trekking involves no flights.The trail head of Langtang trek is Dhunche or Syabrubensi , reachable on a 7-8 hour jeep drive from Kathmandu.

Other mountains like Hiunchuli, Manaslu and Ganesh Himal as well as the Shishapangma mountain of Tibet are seen from some view points on the trek.

Just next to Langtang valley is the beautiful Gosainkunda Lake. A mountain lake, and an important Hindu pilgrimage site in the Himalaya, Gosainkunda is also a popular trekking destination. Seperated by a mountain pass from Gosainkunda is the Helambu region.Helambu is not high, is a culturally rich Sherpa settlement and easily accessible from Kathmandu on a half day drive. Langtang, Gosainkunda and Helambu are independent treks on their own but they can be combined to make treks from one week to 15 days long .With our experience, we prefer to offer Langtang and Gosainkunda trek combined for the best experience .Hence there are two main treks in Langtang region.

Mansalu Trekking

Manaslu (Nepali: मनास्लु), also known as Kutang) is the eighth highest mountain in the world, and is located in the Mansiri Himal, part of the Nepalese Himalayas, in the west-central part of Nepal. Its name, which means "Mountain of the Spirit", comes from the Sanskrit word Manasa, meaning "intellect" or "soul". Manaslu was first climbed on May 9, 1956 by Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu, members of a Japanese expedition. It is said that "just as the British consider Everest their mountain, Manaslu has always been a Japanese mountain".

Manaslu at 8,156 metres (26,759 ft) above mean sea level (m.s.l) is the highest peak in the Lamjung District and is located about forty miles east of Annapurna. The mountain's long ridges and valley glaciers offer feasible approaches from all directions, and culminate in a peak that towers steeply above its surrounding landscape, and is a dominant feature when viewed from afar.

The Manaslu region offers a variety of trekking options. The Manaslu Circuit Trek now usually starts in Arughat Bazaar and ends two to three weeks [1] later in Besisahar, the starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek. Until recently the trek used require camping, but building of tea-houses means the trek can be completed using local accommodation. The trek requires a Restricted Area Permit of $50 per week and that trekkers travel in a group of two with a registered guide. The trek lies on the newly developed Great Himalaya Trail.

The trek follows an ancient salt–trading route along the steep sided Budhi Gandaki river. From Deng, the slopes of ravines ease and views of snow peaks start appearing from Ligaon. Further from Lhogaon, an impressive view of Manaslu, with its double peak, appears described as "a soaring monarch with a double-edged summit towering above fields of barley".[17]

The route follows the pine-forested Syala village, which has the backdrop of many horseshoe-shaped peaks, and reaches the village of Samagaon (Sama) at the foot of Manaslu. There is a Buddhist monastery at Samagaon, where monks and nuns reside. After half a day’s trek from Samagaon, the village of Samdo is reached. Samdo is the highest village in the Budhi Gandaki valley and is inhabited by Bhotias. This village commands a view of the valley and Pang Phuchi village with a backdrop of the Tibetan border. Further trekking leads along a major secondary valley to the Larkha La. Along this route, Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal and Kang Guru are seen, along with occasional views of the Annapurna massif. From here, the meadowland of Bimtang (Bimdakhoti) at elevation 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) is reached, from where Manaslu is clearly visible. From Manaslu, the circuit passes through Dudh Khola (a tributary of Marsyangdi river), criss-crosses Marsyangdi River before reaching Bhulbule, Tarukha Ghat, crosses the Chepe Khola and Dorandi Khola before returning to Gorkha.[17]

Two alternative routes are also popular. One is on the Annapurna trail but leaves it at Dharapani to reach Manang, crossing Thorong La and Jomsom (Kali Gandaki valley). From Jomsom flights depart to Pokhara. The other alternative route is from Bhulbule, crossing Marsyangdi to Khudi, divert from Annapurna trail and trek cross country through valleys and ridges to Sisuwa town on the bank of Begnas Tal. From here a road approach is available to Pokhara.[27] When trekking through the Manaslu region, ten peaks of over 6,500 metres (21,300 ft) in height are visible, including peaks of over7,000 metres (23,000 ft) elevation.[7] People add Tsum Valley and the Ganesh Himal Base Camp as acclimatization trips before going on expeditions through the high passes. The Tsum region, which was restricted for tourists for a long time, is now the centre of attraction for intrepid trekkers, with the government of Nepal recently opening it for group tourists. In order to retain its pristine culture and sustain its fragile ecosystem, the Tsum Welfare Committee is involved in the promotion of responsible tourism in Tsum. However, local participation for sustainable tourism is still a challenging task with a long road ahead.