On this 12-day trek up the spectacular Langtang Valley, you'll hike
through an ever-changing landscape of lush rhododendron and oak forests
to glaciated meadows and soaring peaks. Langur monkeys and ghoral
(mountain goats)are easily spotted along the stream, while Himalayan
thar dot the cliffs on high. You'll meet village leaders and youth with
whom KarmaQuest founder Wendy Brewer Lama worked to establish community-based
ecotourism. You’ll track the benefits of ecotourism, while
learning from villagers and national park staff about ongoing wildlife
and forest conservation.
This moderately strenuous trek begins at 6,000 ft, and climbs gradually
to 13,000+ ft, following the Langtang Khola (river) and the legendary
“tail of a yak” -- as did the Tibetans who settled and thus
named this magnificent glaciated valley centuries ago.
Beginning
and ending in Kathmandu, this 20-day trip (ex-US) includes tours of
Kathmandu’s world heritage cultural sites, ecotourism orientation
and cultural programs, and visits to favorite Kathmandu spots.
Itinerary
Day
1-2 Travel from US, then route to Kathmandu. Overnight as per your
routing.
Day
3 Fly to Kathmandu Sightseeing to Swayambhunath temple
Day
4 In Kathmandu: Sightseeing to Patan Durbar Square, and the award-winning
Patan Museum. Slide show: Langtang Ecotourism Project.
Day
5 Drive to Dhunche, Gateway to Langtang National Park. Join village
youth on a cultural walk Camp (6400’)
Day
6 Trek to Riverside Camp: Orientation to Langtang National Park.
Begin trek, following a shaded path along the Langtang River (6600’).
4-5 hrs
Day
7 Trek to Forest Meadow: Continue hiking through cool temperate
forests. Lunch at Lama Hotel with village leaders. Camp in meadow (8500’).
5 hrs
Day 8 Trek to Ghora Tabela: Trek to Ghora Tabela - “horse
stables” - set in the glacially carved upper Langtang Valley. Watch
for the legendary semi-wild yak! Afternoon free. (9800’). 3 hrs.
Day
9 Trek to Langtang Village: A half-day trek to an active farming
settlement. Visit community projects and camp in this friendly village.
Watch for Himalayan thar (wild mountain goat) on the high cliffs (11,200’)
Day
10 In Langtang Village: Spend a day in the village, visiting a 200-year-old
monastery and a traditional home, and learning about community conservation
projects. Traditional dances with villagers in the evening.
Day
11 Trek to Kyangjin Gompa: Arrive mid-day at Kyangjin Gompa, surrounded
by glaciers and snowy peaks up to 22,000’ in elevation, including
Langtang Lirung. Visit cheese factory (12,800’) 3-4 hrs.
Day 12 Trek to Upper Langtang Valley: Enter a Tibet-like landscape,
where herders graze their yaks, and snow leopard roam. Camp beneath
snow-topped peaks (13,000+’). 5 hrs
Day 13 Explore and Return to Kyangjin Gompa: Day hike to mountain
viewpoints, explore side valleys and return to camp at Kyangjin Gompa.
Day 14 Trek to Ghora Tabela: Follow the mani (prayer) stonewalls
to Ghora Tabela, part traditional villages and stone houses (9800’).
4-5 hrs
Day
15 Trek to Bamboo, where the Valley’s best handicrafts are sold.
Watch for goral (wild goats) and monkeys in the bamboo groves. (6500’)
4-5 hrs
Day
16 Trek to Syabrubensi, Drive to Kathmandu: Overnight at hotel.
3-4 hrs
Day
17/18 In Kathmandu: Guided sightseeing tours of historic Bhaktapur,
Pashupatinath temple, and a special visit to an orphanage. Free time
for shopping and R&R. A final traditional Nepali meal and cultural
program.
Day
19 Depart Kathmandu, in transit.
Day
20 Arrive in US
Trip
Cost Nepal:
4-6 persons US $2350/person
7-10 persons US $2150/person
11-15 persons US $1950/person
Single supplement US $400/person
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