Langtang Valley Trek (12 days / 11 nights)
12 days / 11 nights
APRIL 22 TO MAY 3
(as part of ght women leaders campaign)
Photo credit: Robin Boustead
The trek to Langtang region is a classic route on the Great Himalaya Trail that affords hikers the chance to meet local villagers from different ethnic backgrounds with the Himalayas surrounding you every step of the way. In this region, hikers get a close look at the high peaks of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal while enjoying the diverse landscapes and flora ranging from jungle to high alpine passes. As always, this trek is led by female guides guides and a team of male & female porters to create equity and inclusion in the trekking tourism industry. This trek is open to both men and women and supports the mission of the non-profit human rights organization, The Porter Voice Collective (PVC), which advocates for Workforce Equity for porters in Peru, Nepal & Tanzania. Hence, the trek ensures porters and guides receive fair wages, accident and illness insurance, essential gear for the trek, and proper meals & accommodations.
Note: Low-budget tour operators often offer this trek at low prices at the expense of mistreating and underpaying guides & porters. By joining this trek, you are supporting the work of PVC to create equity and inclusion for female guides and porters in Nepal.
Read more about Workforce Equity via the following articles: One Step at a Time: Creating Workforce Equity for Porters, Workforce Equity for Porters: Why It Matters & Why Travel Companies Should Be An Ally?
THE PORTER VOICE COLLECTIVE
Collectively, we
Listen.
Celebrate.
Amplify.
Elevate.
The Porter Voice.
JOIN OUR SPECIAL LANGTANG TREK IN SPRING OF 2024
AND BE A PART OF THE GREAT HIMALAYA TRAIL WOMEN LEADERS ON THE TRAIL CAMPAIGN
When you join our Langtang Trek (open to all genders) set for April 22 to May 3, you will be led by the Nepali female guide who will be doing the entire Great Himalaya Trail trek (over a 140 day period) as part of our GHT Women Leaders campaign in Nepal to advance the mission of The Porter Voice Collective, which aims to create Gender Equity and Workforce Equity in the mountain tourism industries of Nepal, Peru & Tanzania. Our GHT Women Leaders Team will be trekking from February until July of 2024 with a chance for you to join one, some or all of the 4 sections:
Part 1: Everest Base Camp (16 days) from March 18 - April 2
Part 2: Langtang Valley (12 days) from April 22 to May 3
Part 3: Manaslu Circuit Trek (15 days) from April 29 to May 13
Part 4: Annapurna Circuit Trek (16 days) from May 10 to 25
or trek ALL 4 PARTS from March 18 to May 25.
The campaign aims to elevate the voices and roles of female guides and porter in Nepal’s trekking industry by organizing a team of female guides and porters to trek on the GHT from February to June of 2024. This campaign will give them the field training necessary to elevate their knowledge and job experience on the trails. Subscribe to this website to get updates on the launch of our GHT Women Leaders campaign. Support and be a donor to our GHT Women Leaders campaign via our Indiegogo platform (the link will go live when we launch it in the fall of 2023).
ITINERARY
DAY 1 Arrival in Kathmandu
You can arrive in Kathmandu anytime on the first day. You will be transported to your hotel and have free day to explore the city.
DAY 2 Kathmandu to Syabrubesi (4,931 feet /1,503 meters)
The drive from Kathmandu offers both good views of Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, and Langtang and brief glances of village life in the Himalaya. The first section is sealed road to Trishuli before the precipitous dirt road to the National Park check post and your destination of Dunche to Syabru Besi. It is a 7-hour drive.
DAY 3 Syabrubesi to Gatlang (7,342 feet / 2,238 meters).
Ascending from Syabrubesi, you will reach a view point where you will get a glimpse of majestic view of Ganesh Himal, Gosainkunda range and Langtang Lirung. After that, you will head downhill toward Gatlang. You will walk through many villages with numerous Buddhist Chortens and Mani walls. You will reach a beautiful Tamang village named Gatlang.
Hiking time: 3-5 hours
DAY 4 Gatlang to Somdang (10,689 feet / 3,258 meters)
We will start our trek climbing uphill as we reach the famous sacred Kunda called Parvati Kund, the areas representing Hindu shrine. This trail passes through rhododendron and pine forest leading to Yuri Kharka which has a scenic view during summer and spring seasons. After some time, you descend toward Khurpu Bhanjyang, crossing Somdang river. Finally, you will reach Somdang and have a night stay there.
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
DAY 5 Somdang to Pangsang Pass (12,566 feet / 3,830 meters)
This short trek gives the best view point of Manaslu and Ganesh Himal range after Pangsang Pass. You have to climb through more beautiful forest up to a large pasture called Pangsang Kharka. Pangsang hill is a beautiful hill between Somdang and Tipling village. This pass connects with Singla pass, and Ganesh Himal ridge, the Paldor peak and Ganesh Himal rise. This trek offers you to get to know different cultures such as Ghale, Gurung, Tamang and Dalit.
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
DAY 6 Pangsang Pass to Tipling (6,200 feet / 1,890 meters)
You will descend from Pangsang to Tipling through the jungle. After descending from Pangsang Pass, you will reach Pansan Kharka where people graze their cattles. Leaving Kharka, you will head toward Tipling, a large settlement of Tamang community. They are very welcoming and friendly.
Hiking time: 5 hours
DAY 7 Tipling to Lapa Gaon (6,070 feet / 1,850 meters)
Today’s journey is a bit tiring as you need to go up and down. You will trek from Tipling and descend from Serthung, a village known as sister village. After that, you will reach Awal Gaon and Borang Gaon. Afterwards, you need to cross a bridge in Akhu Khola. After crossing the bridge, you need to climb up hill to reach Lapa Gaon. Lapa Gaon is a big village.
Hiking time: 7 hours
DAY 8 Lapa Gaon to Nauban Kharka (9,022 feet / 2,750 meters)
You will trek uphill from Lapa Gaon to Magne Goth Kharka. There are many up and down after Magne Goth Kharka. You need to pass through a dense jungle. You will see different types of wild animals like monkeys, red panda and deer. You will also see yak grazing during the trek. The Nauban Kharka is in the middle of the jungle. This place is mostly famous for camping.
Hiking time: 6 hours
DAY 9 Nauban Kharka to Chama Kharka (5,249 feet / 1,600 meters)
You will leave Nauban Kharka after breakfast. Today, you will descend towards Chama Kharka. Your day starts with the sounds of the birds in the middle of the jungle. You will descend along the Richet Khola. You cross it to reach Yarsa. After that, you will continue to descend to reach Chama Kharka.
Hiking time: 6 hours
DAY 10 Chama Kharka to Machhakhola (2,851 feet / 869 meters)
The road is an easy but narrow way. You need to go through Budhi Gandaki - the main destination for the catching a bus back to Kathmandu. Machhakhola is a destination for starting the trek for Manaslu and Ganesh Himal. It is the last day of the trek and we will enjoy the farewell by dancing and singing.
Hiking time: 6.5 hours
DAY 11 Machhakhola to Kathmandu
On this day, you will return back to Kathmandu on a private Bus or Jeep. You will pass Nauli Khola, Lyabru besi, Khursane, Soti Khola, Arkhet Bazar and Dhading. You will enter Kathmandu after 6-7 hours of drive. Sometimes, you need to catch the bus or jeep from Soti Khola, so you need to descend to Soti Khola from Macchakhola. On the way, you will see the beautiful views of the Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, villages and beautiful terrace farming. At the hotel in Kathamandu, a farewell party awaits.
DAY 12 Fly home.
You will be taken to the airport to catch your flight home.
TREK STYLE
This is a STRENUOUS trek. Recent hiking and/or backpacking experience is highly recommended. You will need to prepare for a cardio workout and consult with your doctor before joining the trip given the high altitude reaching up to almost 4000 meters. You will be required to familiarize yourself with the hazards and risks of high-altitude trekking, and sign a liability waiver and terms & conditions forms. However, this is a supported trek; hence, you only carry a daypack with your essentials (porters are hired to carry your belongings). You will be staying in teahouses each night except for one night where you will be camping.
pricing
Per person for a group of
1 person: $3150
2-12 persons: $2250
Maximum group size: 12
HOW TO JOIN
You must fill out the application form and send a deposit of $750. The trip balance is due 90 days before the departure date.
For solo hotel and/or teahouse stays, a single supplement fee applies.
Private tours with your date of choice are available upon request.
For questions, send us an email at equity@browngaltrekker.com.
Please read the TERMS & CONDITIONS and LIABILITY WAIVER before booking.
Click on BOOK NOW to reserve your spot!
INCLUSIONS
2 nights hotel stay in Kathmandu with breakfast.
All meals during the trek (breakfast, lunch & dinner).
Farewell dinner on the last night in Kathmandu.
Teahouse and camping stays during the trek.
Land transport to and from the trailhead.
Airport transfers.
Guide and porter salaries.
Guide and porter insurance.
Assistant guide salary & insurance for a bigger group.
National Park entry fees.
All trekking permits.
First-Aid Kit.
Equipment for staff.
Trip informational & preparational meetings prior to your trip departure.
EXCLUSIONS
International airfare.
Visa fee.
Laundry and dry cleaning services.
Water, beverages & snacks outside of the itinerary.
Tips for guides and porters.
Internet and phone services.
Travel & medical insurance.
Non-scheduled meals in Kathmandu.
Trekking equipment (available as rentals).
Any other expenses outside of the scheduled itinerary.
GEAR LIST The gear list will be provided to confirmed participants.
FLIGHTS
International flights are excluded. You must fly to Kathmandu Airport from your home country. Clients must book their own flights and send a copy of their flight itinerary by e-mail to equity@browngaltrekker.com no later than the trip balance due date.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
After making a deposit, you are required to obtain appropriate travel and medical evacuation insurance through Global Rescue. Proof of travel insurance must be provided via electronic mail to equity@browngaltrekker.com no later than the trip balance due date. Failure to obtain travel insurance by the trip balance due date will result in cancellation and no refund of your trip deposit and/or applicable cancellation fees as noted in the Terms & Conditions.
Note: If you opt to buy your insurance from a company other than what we recommend, please ensure that the insurance you purchase covers high-altitude trekking as there is a limited number of companies that provides such type of coverage.
VISA & VACCINATIONS
Please check ahead of time as to the visa requirements. You are responsible for securing your own visa if required. Check the CDC website for up-to-date information on vaccine requirements.
COVID-19 TRAVEL CONDITIONS
Please consult with the U.S. State Department, the CDC website, or the website of your embassy for up-to-date information on travel.
TRIP NOTES
Upon booking, you will receive trip notes that include the recommended gear list and specific trek information.