Before deciding to book the trip, you might wonder “How difficult is Langtang Valley Trek?” Langtang Trek difficulty can be beaten even by beginner trekkers because it is a moderate type of trekking in Nepal.
Among the protected areas, Langtang National Park is the second popular trekking destination of Nepal. Langtang Valley Trek can be combined with Gosainkunda Trek and Helambu Trek as well.
Langtang Valley Trek is famous for its natural beauty and cultural uniqueness. Tamang Heritage Trail Trek lets you be more familiar with their typical lifestyle, culture, and tradition.
The biodiversity of Langtang Valley makes your trek more interesting and a lifelong memory. The Himalayan plants and animals including butterflies are the assets of this region.
The snowcapped peaks of Nepal such as Langtang Lirung (7,234m), Langtang Ri (7,205m), Dorje Lakpa (6,988m), Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Mt. Shishapangma (8,027m), etc. are seen during this trek.
The rewards you get from the trip outweigh Langtang Trek difficulty. To assess the difficulty level of Langtang Valley Trek, we must consider the most responsible factors of trek difficulty in Nepal.
Let’s take a look at every such factor in this Langtang Trek difficulty blog.
Altitude Gain and Terrain Type of Difficulty in Langtang trek
Langtang Valley Trek formally begins from Syabru Besi at 1,550m and gradually ascends towards higher altitude. The maximum elevation to reach in Langtang Trek is 3,870m (Kyanjin Gompa).
Hiking to Tserko Ri (5,000m) is optional that most of the Langtang Valley trekkers do on Kyanjin Gompa acclimatization day.
Otherwise, from Syabru Besi, the Langtang Valley trekking trail reaches about 800m, then, 1,100m, and 400m higher respectively.
Langtang Valley terrain ranges from 1,550m to 3,870m. The terrain elevations gradually rise until you reach Kyanjin Gompa. Then, during the descent to Syabru Besi, the terrain level gradually decreases.
As the altitude gain of the terrain is gradual, Langtang Valley Trek difficulty can be beaten by beginner trekkers as well.
AMS or Altitude Sickness
To know about Langtang Trek difficulty, let’s take a quick look at AMS or altitude sickness.
In the beginning of the trek, even beginner trekkers don’t have to worry about the acute mountain sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness.
But when you ascend towards Mundu from Lama Hotel, the trail elevation rises higher than 3,000m. As soon as you reach higher than 2,500m, there is always possibility of AMS or altitude sickness. However, if followed some preventive measures, you can easily overcome AMS or altitude sickness.
Weather Conditions
We should also discuss about Langtang Region weather conditions to know about Langtang trek difficulty. Weather conditions play a significant role in making trekking in Nepal a success or failure.
Like other trekking destinations, Langtang Region also experiences different weather conditions in four different seasons. Langtang Valley Trek can be done throughout the year due to its low altitude and close proximity from the Kathmandu Valley.
The peak seasons of trekking in Nepal are spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November). Trekking to Langtang Valley in spring and autumn facilitates you with the appealing mountain scenery and attractive landscapes.
In these seasons, the days are fine with clear skies that serve eye-catching vistas of snowcapped peaks of Nepal and Tibetan Plateau as well. Additionally, Langtang Trek in spring is the best time to observe the entire region wrapped up in full blossoms.
Forests of oak, silver fir, hemlock, larch, maple trees are beautifully covered with their colorful flowers. Various species of rhododendron flowers make the national park not less attractive than a bride on her wedding day.
On the other hand, summer (June – August) and winter (December – February) are off seasons of trekking in Nepal. Langtang trekking in summer might be more difficult due to rainfall and slippery trails.
Likewise in winter season, the temperature falls far below than average resulting into freezing cold. Due to the less favorable weather conditions, snowcapped peaks and surrounding areas might not be seen clearly. Sometimes, leeches and bugs can further increase Langtang Trek difficulty in summer and winter.
Physical Fitness and Mental Readiness
Your physical fitness and mental readiness also plays a vital role in coping with Langtang Trek difficulty. Yes, Langtang Trek doesn’t require any previous experience of trekking in Nepal. Nevertheless, if your physical fitness is perfect, you can do this trip without any worries.
And obviously, your physical fitness and training including daily warm up activities shape your mental readiness. When you are physically fit and mentally ready, you can easily deal with the difficulty level of Langtang Valley Trek.
Trekking Hours per Day
Trekking hours per day also contributes in measuring Langtang Trek difficulty. Langtang Valley Trek contains 5 days trekking and 1 acclimatization day.
For 4 days, you have to walk 7/8 hours along the steep and sloppy trails. To reach Kyanjin Gompa from Mundu, you should walk 3/4 hours. Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m) is the highest point of Langtang Valley Trek. Therefore, the trekking hour is the shortest of the trip.
On Kyanjin Gompa acclimatization day, you might love hiking to Tserko Ri (5,000m) as well. For Tserko Ri hiking, you have to ascend and descend for about 5/6 hours. You might require longer time as well because of the trail condition and altitude gain.
Availability of Food and Accommodation Services
Langtang Trek difficulty should be analyze from the perspective of food and accommodation availability.
Langtang Valley trek is completely teahouse trekking in Nepal. Thus, you don’t have to worry about food and accommodation services during the trip.
However, in peak seasons, i.e. spring and autumn, the teahouses en route Langtang Valley Trek might be full. Therefore, informing the teahouse owners in advance is the best option to get the food and accommodation facilities.
Remember that you might not get the quality of food and accommodation services as in the urban areas of Nepal.
Arrangement of food and accommodation services if the responsibility of the local tour operator you book the trip with. Therefore, stay out of any worry about it!
Langtang Valley Trek Itinerary
Langtang Valley Trek itinerary ranges from 8 days to 17 days depending upon your choice and desire. For Langtang Gosainkunda Helambu trek, you need 17 days long itinerary.
But if you want to explore Langtang Valley or do Tamang Heritage Trail Trek, only 8 days is enough.
Outline Itinerary:
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu (1,350m) to Syabru Besi (1,550m) – 7/8 Hrs
Day 02: Trek to Lama Hotel (2,380m) – 6/7 Hrs
Day 03: Trek to Mundu (3,430m) via Langtang Village (3,400m) – 6/7 Hrs
Day 04: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m) – 3/4 Hrs
Day 05: Hike to Tserko Ri (5,000m) – 5/6 Hrs
Day 06: Trek back to Lama Hotel (2,380m) – 6/7 Hrs
Day 07: Trek to Syabru Besi (1,550m) – 6/7 Hrs
Day 08: Drive back to Kathmandu (1,350m) – 7/8 Hrs
How to minimize Langtang Trek difficulty?
Langtang Valley Trek has moderate type difficulty level. Moreover, it demands no previous experience of peak climbing and trekking in Nepal.
However, as a beginner trekker, you might find Langtang Trek difficulty quite challenging. To overcome difficulty level of Langtang Valley Trek, we recommend you the following:
- Do some warm up activities like day hikes, swimming, regular exercise, etc. This will increase your physical stamina.
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes including using proper suitable trekking gear.
- Have enough sleep, drinkable water, hygienic food, and rest in the middle of the trekking trail.
- Keep some altitude sickness preventive and curative medicines in your backpack.
- If any AMS symptoms, share with your trekking guide.
- To avoid threats from wildlife, follow the right trail recommended by your team leader.
Conclusion: Langtang valley trek
Even beginner trekkers without any previous experience of trekking in Nepal can easily beat Langtang Trek difficulty. The difficulty level of Langtang Valley Trek is put under the moderate type because of its proximity and trail conditions including elevation gain.
Moreover, the weather conditions, food and accommodation services, it is one of the most popular treks in Nepal.
