Arrive in Kathmandu. We will meet your flight and transfer you to our hotel. Nepali food for dinner?

Big day in town, the tourist district of Thamel. Banking, paying me, gear shopping, a little sightseeing if time permits (I will be getting your permits issued). Repack rucksacks with new gear and early night for an extremely early call next morning.

Hit the road around 6 am if possible, leaving the Kathmandu Valley before the peak hour. Lunch in Trisuli and, road conditions permitting, we will be in Syabrubensi by 4 pm if we take a cuppa in Dunche. Basic teahouse accommodation tonight.

First day on trek. We trek to Bamboo, with a long tea stop, several rests and a longer lunch at Landslide. It might feel difficult because it is your first day. We will be trekking beside the beautiful Langtang River all day. It might be a bit warm.

Day 2 is steeper but nearly always in the shade of the forest. Still warm at this altitude and we should make it to Lama Hotel, at about 2500m, an hour after lunch.

Another steep day on earthen trails in shady woods. We may glimpse Langtang Lirung through the trees today. Gora Tabela, at nearly 3000m, is the entrance to the Langtang Valley. From here the steep-sided u-shaped glacial valley stretches out in front of us.

The distance from Gora Tabela to Langtang village is not great but we are trekking up to 3450 metres so we need to slow down and take it easy as we make our way along the valley floor. Langtang Village was completely destroyed in the big quake in 2015 and I have not seen it since. The new lodges have been established on a ridge above the terminal moraine, one of many which lie cross the valley floor.

We will almost certainly stay here for 2 nights – depends how well we are all acclimatising. A chance to rest, recover, wash a few smalls and just sit in the sun gazing at the peaks.

Onwards and upwards, though very gently, to our final destination in the valley Kyanjin Gompa (3850m). It is absolutely stunning up here so again we will stay here for two nights. There is a small ri or ridge behind the village, Kyanjin Ri, which is a half-hour challenge to an even more spectacular view. There is the mighty Tsergo Ri – 4 am start and back in time for dinner – not for the faint-hearted. Again, sitting in the sun gazing at the peaks is an option. I like to walk up the valley a bit further towards Langshisha Kharka but we only usually get about half way, eat our boiled eggs and chapattis and then return. There is bakery here in KG with real coffee!!

Staying in Kyanjin Gompa (see above).

Downhill trekking is bliss. We can easily return to Gora Tabela from here, with a long liesurely lunch at Langtang Village on the way.

Down, down and down again, back through the forest; keep an eye open for black-faced langours. We will stop at Bamboo. Warm down here and right beside the rushing river.

This is for those of you doing the shorter version.

A long easy gradual descent to Syabrubesi. Plenty of time to stop for cups of tea and a long lunch.

Jeep back to Kathmandu. Feet up, relax and watch the scenery go by with no effort whatsoever.

Sightseeing and SHOPPING in Kathmandu. We will make sure you see the sights and hit the best shops.

Time to go home. If your flight is late in the day we will find something amazing for you to do – and cheerful staff to do it with you. Either way, we will get you to the airport in plenty of time for your flight.

This is for those of you doing the longer version.

A lovely long run down to the turnoff, not very well-marked in the bamboo thickets below Landslide. Then a slog uphill to the ridge for a well-earned cuppa. After traversing the ridge you will descend, sadly, to a big suspension bridge and then, sadly, climb back up to Thulo Syabru. This place is idyllic, surrounded by cultivated fields and tree-clad hills.

It's a steep climb again today, firstly on a zig zag dirt track above the village to morning tea at the aptly-named Beautiful View teahouse. The next section is uphill once more, this time through a forest of cedar and maple and hemlock. There is a beautiful old chauthara deep in the woods – great place for a quiet pause. One last slog up a grassy slope, dotted with rhododendrons, brings you onto a saddle with two lodges for lunch. It's a delightful one hour stroll to Sin Gompa (3350m) after lunch.

It is quite possible to reach Gossainkund from here but far more pleasant to stay at Laurabinayak on the way up. Not so much altitude gain in one day. Gossainkund is at 4400 metres. We would want to decide on the day how far we want to go up. Also, since the earthquake we are not sure of accommodation options in this location. There is nothing much at Laurabinayak except one of the best views in the entire Himalayas.

Lets keep this day free in case you stayed down at Laurabinayak yesterday. In which case it is a slow and beautiful climb of just 2 – 3 hours to reach the biggest lake at Gossainkund. A stunningly beautiful location. Make sure you have plenty of battery power for your camera. It really is exquisite.

Walk back down, oh so easily, to Sin Gompa. This is a divine day of trekking.

It is a bloody long way down to Dunche – from 3350m down to 1950m - so be prepared for a bit of knee crunching today. The trail does not have so much shade and it will get warmer as you descend, naturally. A lovely little shrine by the river at the bottom with a small friendly teahouse. Boots off and soak your hot feet ? Only another hour into Dunche.

Jeep back to Kathmandu. Could be staying in Kapan, near Bouda or, alternatively, at Swayambu. We have yet to decide. Either way it will be comfortable.

Sightseeing? Shopping? Sleeping?? Washing clothes? AS YOU LIKE

Out to the airport with you! We will find something interesting for you to do till your departure if your flight is late in the day. If you are 'staying on' for the experimental trip to Rukum (jeeps/mules/camping!!) and Phoksundo Lake we will organise something.

Same.

SCHEDULED START DATE FOR RUKUM.