TREK ITINERARY
LANGTANG EXPEDITION 2011 - OCTOBER 1 – 23

THE Langtang is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Himalayas. It is not as well-known as some of the more famous regions but that has its advantages.

Since we had such a fantastic time on the Langtang Trek last season (thanks Kerry and Sue) we thought we would do it all again this October on an identical timetable.  This year we will offer participants the option of crossing the pass and coming back to Kathmandu via the Helambu region.  If you think you would like to do this then please allow a couple of extra days when booking your flight home.

This is currently my favourite trek.  The landscape is so varied, the mountain views are so mind-blowingly spectacular, and the forests are wondrous.  The trails are, for the most part; moderate, with a few tough climbs here and there.  The best thing about the Langtang is that it is not as popular as either the Everest or Anapurna regions.  This means that the lodgings are sometimes a bit more on the ‘rustic’ side but the villages are unspoiled and there are much fewer people on the trails.  No roads, no motorbikes and jeeps, no donkeys either.  Sound good so far?  Our own jeeps will take us and our porters and guides up to the village of Syabrubensi for an overnight stop – we trek next morning.

This trek starts of gently, though we would expect warm sultry weather in early October. We spend a night at Bambu, and then spend two days travelling uphill trails through dense and ever-changing forests to Gora Tabela.  This gives us our first look at the big peaks of the region and signals the beginning of the Langtang Valley, a steep-sided u-shaped ancient glacial valley which runs all the way up past Kyanjin Gomba to Langshisha Kharka. The going is much easier for a couple of days, though the altitude might make it feel less so.  At Kyanjin Gomba, two days later, we will be surrounded by snowy peaks.  We will stop here for two nights for a look around, perhaps an ascend of one of the major trekking climbs for an even better view or perhaps a long walk out along the flattish valley towards Langshisha Kharka.  We could take a close up look at one of the larger glaciers.

The descent is heavenly.  More oxygen, more trees and easy travelling downhill. We take three days to descend to Bambu.  The third day is a bit short but Thulo Syabru is a bit too far away to contemplate.  Better to spend the afternoon relaxing on the riverbank at Bambu with a great view of the next day’s climb.  It is a bit of a slog up to Thulo Syabru so we will take it slowly.  The good news is that we will spend two nights there.  Time to do a bit of washing, have a hot shower (don’t worry, this won’t be your first), maybe check out the internet and just generally catch up with yourself a bit.  A social day.

It is a really strenuous climb up to Sin Gomba but you will be well-rested we hope.    Open at first but then a wondrous walk through giant oak, hemlock and cedar.   The lunch stop is on a beautiful saddle.  The morning walk as we leave Sin Gomba is almost easy to Chalang Pati.  After lunch though it is uphill all the way.  It only takes a couple of hours at the most, even with a couple of rests along the way.  Laurebinayak has stupendous, and I really mean STUPENDOUS views which may not be apparent until the morning.  With any luck it will break fair and clear for the climb up to the temple.  Although it is a stiff climb to Laurebinayak Temple the trail then levels out a bit and is so stunningly-beautiful you won’t be thinking about the degree of difficulty.  As you marvel at the lichens on the rocks, the amazing waterfalls, the still lakes below you, you may find yourself a bit short of breath.  We will have reached the summit (for most of us) of our trek at 4300 metres.   Those who feel up to it may want to cross the Gossainkunda Pass tomorrow (it’s only another 300 metres up).  Alternatively, you might go up for a look and then descend to catch up the rest of us at Sin Gomba in the afternoon.  It is so much quicker going downhill it’s easy to descend in one day what it takes two days to climb up.  If you choose to cross the pass it’s an up and down trek back to Kathmandu through unspoiled forested hills for about four or five days.  You will have your own guide/porters with you so it is quite achievable.  I will lead the B-team back to Sin Gomba and then the giant descent from there to Dunche the next day.  Our own jeeps will take us back to Kathmandu the way we came, down the Trisuli Valley stopping here and there to break up the journey.

So, here is the plan:

Saturday October 1	Arrive in Kathmandu from 'wherever'. Walk somewhere nice for dinner for a stretch after your long flight. Early night for weary, jet-lagged members.
Sunday October 2	A hectic day in Thamel. We will obtain trekking permits; buy any required gear such as rucksacks, sleeping bags, jackets, etc. This is the day to do your banking, pay me, and then stock up on muesli bars, sun cream, etc. We will take a stroll around the old part of town if time permits. Back at our lodgings in Kopan we will undertake a full 2-hour pre-trek briefing before retiring early for the big day tomorrow.
Monday October 3	Our own jeeps will collect us from our hotel at Kopan for the day-long drive up to Syabrubensi (1420m) A marvellous trip so don't even think about getting bored. Plenty of tea/pee stops and a quiet lunch along the way. Village lodge.
Tuesday October 4	Our first day on trek is not that difficult but it will be warm in early October (around 28 – 30 degrees) and the first day always feels tough. Overnight at Bambu (1850m) where the roar of the river will lull you to sleep at night.
Wednesday October 5	Uphill today but almost entirely in the shade of a sub-tropical forest. We should look out for languor monkeys. We will stop at Rimche (c2300m)
Thursday October 6	Uphill again, through more tangled jungle. Waterfalls abound. Overnight Gora Tabela (3000m) the start of the Langtang Valley. Glimpses of the peaks.
Friday October 7	This morning should afford our first view of close-up snow-capped peaks.  The going is much easier today in a high alpine valley.  Enjoy. Overnight Langtang Village (c 3500m).   A real rural village full of hard-working farming folk.
Saturday October 8	Another relatively easy day.  However any walking over 3,000 metres feels hard.  Kyanjin Gomba (c 3750m) is nestled in a bowl surrounded by huge snowy peaks. This is what you’ve come here to see.  It could be quite cold; there will be a yak-dung fire in the dining room in the evening.  Relax, we aren’t moving on tomorrow!
Sunday October 9	Late start??  A day-walk towards Langshisha Kharka will be organised.  Or a climb.  Or both ??  Let’s see how we are all coping with the altitude.

Monday October 10	Late start again today.  We could visit the nearest glacier for a close-up look.  Only descending to Langtang so no need to hurry today.  Easy. Downhill.
Tuesday October 11	Another beautiful day.  Easy walking, gently downhill to Gora Tabela for lunch then more steeply downhill through the woods to Lama Hotel (2380m).
Wednesday October 12	The easiest day of the trek perhaps.  From Lama Hotel to Bambu is, quite frankly, a doddle. We will make a nice leisurely breakfast and a late start. It’s beyond most of us to even consider getting to Thulo Syabru today.  So, enjoy the afternoon beside the river, read your book, put your tired feet up perhaps. It’s a holiday!
Thursday October 13	This is a hard day.  We descend much lower so the climb up to Thulo Syabru (2250m) can be hot.  The slower amongst us will need a long lunch stop at Sherpagaon though some of you will be in town for lunch.  TS is the biggest village on our trek.  The lodge is comfortable.  There are a couple of little shops, even internet, though it’s so slow you might wish you hadn’t bothered.  Relax, no moving on tomorrow.
Friday October 14	Big day off.  Relax, walk around observing village life. Check out the internet.  Shop for essentials.  Get your washing done.  Wash your hair.  Luxury!!
Saturday October 15	OK, it really is a ‘pig’ of a climb this morning.  Up, up, up to a lovely little teashop for our first break.  After smoko it’s into the dark forest. A different kind of forest this time.  Giant oak, hemlock and cedar.  It rained here last year and was all the more beautiful because of the rain.  Lunch is on an exposed saddle with great views. After lunch there is not far to go; an easy stroll into Sin Gomba (c3250m).  Good lodge tonight.
Sunday October 16	This morning is quite easy, even the gentle uphill in the forest to our lunch stop.  After lunch it is  up, up and then up.  But it will not take more than an hour or two, even if we sit down and rest a few times.  The vegetation gets smaller and smaller as we ascend.  Laurebinayak is usually fog-bound in the afternoons.  Closing in on 4,000 metres now, our highest so far.  Might be feeling the altitude a bit.
Monday October 17	The final  ‘big push’.   Ascending from Laurebinayak to the temple is a bit of a grind.  However, you will probably have seen one of the most beautiful sights in the whole Himalayas this morning.  This is a buzz.  After a good sit down at the temple we head off on a well-made moderate trail up to Gossainkunda.  Vegetation has almost disappeared.  Lakes appear out of the mist.  At 4350 metres you might feel the altitude a bit, but it’s only for one night.  We will try to make a circuit of the holy lake in the afternoon (it’s flat at least).  The atmosphere up here is amazing.  A pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists alike.  Lodgings are rustic but cosy.  Enjoy it – you made it!!!!

Tuesday October 18	Those going ‘over the top’ will want an early start in order to cross the pass (4650m) in good conditions and make it to Gupte in good time.  We will make a plan together on the eve of your departure.    Those of us going back to Sin Gomba have much more time.  However, I like to get cracking early in order to catch the fab early morning view we saw before from Laurebinayak only now we can see it from 300 metres higher at the temple.  The descent to Sin Gomba is a breeze.  All that lovely forested walking only now it’s effortless, gently downhill.  My favourite day I think.  The lodge at Sin Gomba is definitely worth a second visit I am sure you will agree.
Wednesday October 19	Walk down to Dunche.  It is a long descent – 1350 metres.  It starts off steeply in the woods but gets easier, and hotter, as we descend.    Dunche is a bit of a dump, like all road-head towns, with concrete bunker style lodgings.  We will team up with our jeep driver and need an early night after walking all day long.
Thursday October 20	Put your feet up, look out of the windows and enjoy the ride.  We will make plenty of stops for tea, pee, lunch, photos, etc.   We will stay back at Kopan where we will be reunited with our luggage and some clean clothes.  Wine anyone ??
Friday October 21	Back in Kathmandu.  This is actually our ‘spare day’.  We may in fact use it up on trek if anything goes awry.   If we are back in town I would suggest a recovery day.  If you don’t need it I will certainly arrange for you to do whatever you like.
Saturday October 22	Whatever you want to do today we will try to make it happen. If you want to shop we will get a minibus into Thamel and do the tourist thing.  Shopping for art, funky clothing, trekking gear, the weird and the wonderful are all here.  The old Durbar Square, the Kumari Palace, the old bazaars of Indra Chowk and Assan Thole are all within walking distance.  If you wish to go further afield to Pathan or Bhaktapur we can arrange this for you with a guide for the day.  How about an Everest Flight.  Let’s talk.
Sunday October 23	GO HOME!!   Just let me know if you plan to stay on and if you want me to organise accommodation for you and later airport transfers.

 

Hope this sounds like a good plan.  I like it.  The cost will be $2650 AUD for the 23 days. An extra charge of $100 per day for extra days before or after the trek would be appreciated if you want to be ‘looked after’ by us.    Bear in mind that if you plan to cross the pass it will take 2 – 3 days longer so book your flight accordingly.  If you bail out on your intention to cross the pass it will be easy to pass a few pleasant days in Kathmandu.    I have nine bookings for this trek, so do get in touch soon if you fancy the last spots.
Alternatively, we have lots of room on our Muktinath Trek in the Anapurnas starting in late October.  My address is teresadb@hotmail.com.  Don’t phone me – I am never there!

Cheers, till soon,  Teresa (and Lahar)