Langtang Valley Trek difficulty
Langtang Valley Trek is one of the easiest treks in the Himalayas if we take other famous trekking trails in comparison. Easy does not mean any fewer ascents or descents. It only implies that there is no technical climbing and the route has a good pace.
You will be walking 5 to 6 hours a day, so stamina, determination to reach the next point and good health are crucial. You can prepare for the trek by hiking or going on long walks. Likewise, you can also go cycling, swimming, or running to increase your stamina. The gym is also a great option to work cardiovascular parts and strengthen core body control.
Langtang Valley Trekking is a good option for new trekkers. The trail has a fair share of steep sections and passes by landslide-prone areas. Similarly, the trekkers also have to deal with the remoteness of the region and survive in limited facilities.
Acclimatization and Altitude Sickness
You will be spending a couple of nights above 3,500 meters during Langtang Valley Trek 9 Days which may increase the chances of altitude sickness. If you do not know then, altitude sickness is a common illness travelers face during high altitude ventures.
If altitude sickness goes beyond the control, then the trekker has to return or opt for helicopter evacuation to get quick medical assistance. Little awareness and care will keep you away from it during the trek.
Our Langtang Valley Trek itinerary has ample acclimatization days to let your body adjust with the elevation as it goes higher. We have chosen the best places to rest and acclimatize during the trek.
Symptoms of altitude sickness
- difficulty in breathing
- dizziness
- loss of appetite and insomnia
- headache
- nausea and vomiting
If any see any of the above symptoms, then inform your guide instantly. You may have to descend to a lower elevation and spend a few nights until the symptoms go away. The team leader will decide whether you can continue trekking or not depending upon the situation.
We offer experienced team leaders who have proper knowledge of first-aid and handling situations like this. Your safety is our top priority during the trek, and we do not compromise when it comes to the well-being of the group.
Preventive measures of altitude sickness
Follow the instructions of the team leader and rest until the symptoms go away. If you push yourself, then the symptoms may get severe and can do more damage to your health.
Keep yourself hydrated. Drink lots of water during the trek. Also, fluids like tea, soup, etc are suitable to consume. Do not drink alcohol or smoke.
Make sure your itinerary has sufficient rest days and a steady gain in elevation between each day.
Eat a balanced diet and nutritious meals during the trek to maintain your energy level.
Langtang Valley Trek Solo/Private/Group
If you wish to do Langtang Valley Trek solo, then we offer a private trek option. You can trek with the best guide and porter. They will make the trek a little easier for you, and you can focus on exploring the region. If you want to do this trek independently, then, of course, you can do it, but we do not recommend it.
Frankly speaking, trekking in the Himalayas is challenging regardless of the trek difficulty level. The terrain is very different from anywhere else in the world, and you have to be careful of many things along the route. And the chances are high you may not know what those things are. So, we advise trekkers to at least hire a guide and porter for their safety.
Likewise, you can trek with your group if you have one or join one of our departure dates. We have fixed departure dates. People from all around the world trek with us. So it is a great chance to meet and travel with new people.
Contact us anytime to book a private trek or group trek with us.
Best time to do Langtang Valley Trek
You can do Langtang Valley Trekking from March to April (spring) and October to November (autumn). These are the peak months of the year to trek in the Langtang region. The steady weather, mild climate, and astonishing views make the trek fantastic.
If you are considering a trek in winter (November to February) or monsoon/summer (May to September), then think twice because these are the off-season. It means almost no treks are done in the Langtang region in these months.
Spring and Autumn
Spring is so far the perfect time of the year of the Langtang trek. The trekking route gets bloomed with rhododendrons and many other flowers. The fresh snow decorates the top of the mountains and makes the surroundings remarkably gorgeous. The temperature ranges from 10°C to 0°C.
Autumn has its unique divine charm. Locals celebrate their most significant festivals, which add the warmth of blessing in the air. Likewise, the crisp air and colorful leaves along the route make Langtang Valley Trekking extremely impressive. The temperature ranges from 12°C to 5°C.
Winter (November to February)
Trek to Langtang in winter can get more challenging than it exactly is. You have to pack warm heavy clothes to protect yourself from the cold. The temperature falls below 0°C and can get down to -10°C or below. So, proper preparation is crucial for a successful trek.
The guesthouse may get close at a higher elevation, so you have to be aware of that. And there are always high chances of route blockage and avalanches. Likewise, the views may not be clear on foggy days, and the unstable weather can create obstacles during the trek.
Langtang Valley Trek permit
You will need two permits to do Langtang Valley Trek- TIMS Card and Langtang National Park entry permit. You can take these permits from Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu, or at the entry point.
TIMS Card fee for group trekkers: USD 10 per person, excluding 13% VAT
TIMS Card fee for independent trekker: USD 20 per person, excluding 13% VAT
TIMS Card fee for SAARC nationals: USD 6 per person, excluding 13% VAT
Langtang National Park entry permit cost: USD 30 per person, excluding 13% VAT
Langtang National Park entry permit for SAARC nationals: USD 15 per person, excluding 13% VAT
If you wish to follow the Helambu trail that begins from Shivapuri National Park, then you have to get one more permit, the Shivapuri National Park entry permit. It costs USD 5 per person, excluding VAT.
*Note: Permit costs are included in the package cost if you are trekking with us. We will also get permits for you in advance.
Accommodation
You will spend six nights in the guesthouse during our Langtang Valley Trek 9 Days. Trekking in the Langtang region means spending nights in the guesthouses runned by local families. You will get a very homely environment and also get to see the lifestyle of the locals closely. The rooms are small with a bed, blanket, and a few other pieces of furniture.
Our Langtang trek package includes a shared room during the trek. If you wish to get a single room, then let us know in advance. The washroom comes attached to the room. At some places, you may have to do with the common washroom.
The guesthouse offers simple services. The room can get pretty cold at night and morning, so do carry a nice sleeping bag. Likewise, in Kathmandu, you will stay overnight in a tourist standard hotel. The room will be comfortable and big with all modern amenities.
Food during the trek
You will see Nepali, Indian, and Tibetan cuisine on the menu along the trekking route. Langtang region is closely located to the Tibetan border, therefore locals here love Tibetan food and consume it daily too. Thenduk, Tibetan bread, and thukpa are famous dishes.
Similarly, you can get rice, curries, veggies, meat, egg, chapati, momo, sandwich, burger, pasta, porridge, pudding, soup, etc. For breakfast, there is an option to choose from oatmeal, toast, omelet, boiled eggs, sausage, soup, muesli, bread, tea, coffee, fruits, etc.
You have to make sure your choice of meals is nutritious and offers you a balanced diet. Dal bhat tarkari or meat curry is the most affordable and filling option you will get. It's delicious and nutritious, so we recommend you include it in at least one meal a day.
Trek Responsibly
Langtang region is a very special place to travel. The communities along the route developed the trails to help them uplift the economy and lifestyle of the locals. At the same time, the Langtang Valley Trek route falls under the Langtang National Park, which is a protected area. Therefore, eco-friendly and responsible travel matters a lot during the trek.
At Scenic Nepal Trek, we make sure the group only leaves its footprint behind. We work closely with the locals to preserve the environment and organize adventurous treks at the same time. Likewise, during the trek, we use local products as much as possible and promote local brands.
Apart from our contribution, you as a traveler also have to be responsible for your presence in environment-sensitive spots. We have listed a few things that can make you a responsible traveler in the Himalayas.
- Buy clothing and gear from local companies. Nepal has some great brands that make high-quality trekking clothes and gear at a very reasonable price. It will not only help local brands sustain but also contribute a lot to the country's economy.
- Try to minimize your trash on the trail. Throw waste at the proper places and do not litter the trail. Carry a trash bag and collect it to decompose it properly.
- Use eco-friendly and sustainable products.
- Buy from local vendors and help promote Nepali art, crafts, clothes, etc.
- The reusable water bottle will help you a lot to minimize while trekking.
- Responsible travel also means respecting and accepting other cultures, traditions, and practices. The cultural heritage of the locals may be a shock to you, but take your time and try to understand the living standard of the locals.
Trekking Insurance for Langtang Valley Trek
Langtang Valley Trek is a high-altitude journey, which involves the risk of altitude sickness, and in case of emergency, the trekker may need helicopter evacuation to get immediate medical assistance. Langtang Valley Trek is a high-altitude journey, which involves the risk of altitude sickness.
Travel insurance will keep you safe in a crisis. You can freely trek too. At the same time, travel insurance also helps us a lot to offer you any medical assistance promptly. Moreover, well-covered travel insurance is also part of the booking conditions with us.
To confirm the trip, trekkers have to send proof of travel insurance to us. The insurance must cover medical bills and air evacuation. You can also add flight cancellation and loss or theft of personal items in the insurance.
*Note: Make sure to thoroughly go through documents before confirming the insurance. Also, the helicopter evacuation should rescue up to 6,000 meters.
Langtang Valley Trek Safety
Scenic Nepal Treks guarantee the safety of our guests. We will take care of all of your needs and try our best to make the trek as comfortable as possible. As you will be guided by an experienced trek guide, you do not have to worry about anything. He will make sure everyone in the group is safe and secure.
In case anyone gets sick or injures themselves during the trek, then our guides will take care of it. They are trained for first-aid and have many years of experience when it comes to tackling situations like this. We assure you, we will be a very reliable and trustworthy trekking partner.
Last Minute Booking for Langtang Valley Trek
To book Langtang Valley Trek at the last minute, you need to pay 100% of the package cost in 24 hours, after the approval of the trip from our side. One of our representatives will help you with whatever you want and make you ready for the trek on time. We will try our best to book the best possible accommodation along the route.
In case of any delays or cancellations (beyond our control), the company will not hold any responsibility. We recommend you have some time on your hand to prepare for the trek for the best trekking experience.
Travel Tips (electricity, internet, ATM, luggage, tipping, personal expenses)
- There are charging stations in guesthouses where you can charge your devices by paying a few extra bucks. Most of the families rely on solar power, so paying to charge devices makes sense. Or, you can carry extra batteries or a solar charger.
- WiFi service is available in most of the guest houses. They may charge you extra money for the service. The connection is far more stable at the lower elevation than higher. Nepali SIM with data is also a good option. Once you touch a high elevation above 2,500 meters, there will be no guarantee of a stable connection. You might not even get it once a day.
- There is no ATM on the route, therefore withdraw extra cash to use while trekking.
- Each trekker has a weight limit of 10 kgs for duffel bags carried by porters. So, do not overpack and leave additional luggage in the hotel's locker room free of cost.
- Tipping culture is common in the Himalayas. No need to feel awkward about it. You can tip USD 2 to the driver, USD 5 to the tour guide, and USD 100 to the guide/porter. It's only a piece of advice. You can choose numbers as per your wish.
- Any additional expenses like drinks, shopping, snacks, tipping, etc, are not included in the package cost.
Langtang Valley Trek Checklist
Important documents and items
- Valid passport, airline tickets
- Separate photocopies of passport, visa form (easily obtained at Kathmandu airport), proof of insurance
- Dollars, pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying for restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks, and to purchase your own drinks and gifts
- Credit cards, Bank/ATM/Cash machine cards for withdrawing funds from cash machines (bring a photocopy of your cards), traveler's checks, etc.
Head
- Bandana or headscarf, also useful for dusty conditions
- Warm hat that covers your ears (wool or synthetic)
- Headlamp with extra batteries and bulbs
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Prescription sunglasses (if required)
Upper Body
- Polypropylene shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves)
- Light and expedition weight thermal tops
- Fleece wind-stopper jacket or pullover
- Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
- Down vest and/or jacket *
- Gore-Tex jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
Hands
- 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.
- 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves
- 1 pair of mittens, consists of 1 Gore-Tex over mitt matched with a very warm polar-fleece mitt liner (seasonal)
Lower Body
- Non-cotton underwear briefs
- 1 pair of Hiking shorts
- 1 pair of Hiking trousers
- 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms (seasonal)
- 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers
- 1 pair of waterproof shell pants, breathable fabric
Feet
- 2 pairs of thin, lightweight inner socks
- 2 pairs of heavy poly or wool socks
- 1 pair of Hiking boots with spare laces (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support, “broken-in”)
- 1 pair of trainers or running shoes and/or sandals
- Cotton socks (optional)
- Gaiters (winter only), optional, “low” ankle high version
Sleeping
- 1 sleeping bag (Scenic Nepal Treks will provide you)
- Fleece sleeping bag liner (optional)
Rucksack and Travel Bags
- 1 medium rucksack (50-70 liters/3000-4500 cubic inches, can be used for an airplane carryon)
- 1 large duffel bag ( Scenic Nepal Treks will Provide you if you are having porter)
- A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables should have good shoulder padding
- Small padlocks for duffel-kit bags
- 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional)
Medical
- Small, personal first-aid kit. (simple and light)
- Aspirin, first-aid tape, and plasters (Band-Aids)
- 1 skin-blister repair kit
- Anti-diarrhea pills
- Anti-headache pills
- Cough and/or cold medicine
- Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide
- Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin, etc. Do not bring sleeping pills as they are respiratory depressants.
- Water purification tablets or the water filter
Note: This is the normal Checklist, it can be sorted depending on the season of your trek. So please consult with our team.
