Langtang Trek - Nepal

The trail is located in the Langtang Valley, which is situated in the city of Kathmandu. It is a recommended trek for those who want to travel to the Himalayas but with a simpler, easier and lower altitude route.

The landscape is made up of small villages surrounded by nature, terraced farms and forests with the Himalayan mountains in the background. This proximity to the small villages and rural areas makes it easier to get to know the surrounding culture. The culture is quite similar to that of Tibet, as this area borders Tibet. Learning about their practices and traditions is part of trekking, as well as visiting various Buddhist temples and monasteries.

The 2015 earthquake in Nepal hit the Langtang area hard. Moreover, some parts of the trek are damaged and many of the houses in the villages and shelters for trekkers were destroyed. Moreover, for a long time the trail was closed to tourists. Nowadays some of the routes that used to form the path have been completely destroyed and new paths have been created.

You may be interested in: The best trekking routes in the Himalayas".

Practical guide for hikers

The best times of the year to visit Langtang are spring and autumn. Temperatures are very pleasant and the heat is not stifling. In the case of rainfall, it is unlikely to occur.

This route is classified as a moderate hike. Compared to easy hikes, moderate hikes have longer routes and higher altitudes. A medium level of fitness is required to be able to do the trail. It is a good option for first-time trekkers. It does not require great skills, knowledge or experience to be able to do it. If you are overweight or elderly, we recommend plenty of rest and, if necessary, divide the walks into shorter sections. Even so, it is advisable to have a good physical training and to do a previous training to improve your physical shape. The ideal way to do this is through other routes that can be done both in the city and in rural areas.

It is important to have good trekking equipment available to facilitate the work during the trek. It is recommended that you buy your equipment in Nepal, as due to the influx of people who come to trek in the country every year, there is an abundance of good quality trekking equipment for sale. Most of this equipment can be purchased in Thamel.

After the earthquake the number of places to eat has decreased, but they are on the rise and some of them are highly recommended. The Nepalese's favourite dish is Dal Bhaat. It consists of rice with lentils, vegetable curry, salad, chutney and boiled meat. Unlike in other countries, if you like the food, there is always the option of repeating the meal, but at no extra cost.

The earthquake has also had an impact on guesthouses. Many of them were destroyed and others are currently being refurbished. Depending on the availability of rooms, you may sleep in a bed or in a tent. They are not luxurious, simple, yet comfortable and cosy.

Before travelling to the country and trekking it is important to have a medical check-up. The doctor will be able to recommend whether you are fit to travel to the country and trek. Given the altitude of the country, it is possible to suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of your state of health. There are many symptoms you may suffer from: tiredness, dizziness, stomach upset, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping, vomiting and nausea, among others. If you suffer from any of the above, it is important: Do not increase altitude for the next 48 hours, descend to the lowest possible altitude, do not exercise and take external oxygen for example. In case of no improvement or worsening, rescue is necessary. In most cases, helicopters are used for this purpose. It is important to have travel insurance to cover health costs, minor and serious injuries and rescue.

One of the most important recommendations is to hire a guide. Although it is possible to hike Langtang on your own, it is advisable to hire one in order to get to know the area better, as well as to be able to eat and sleep in the places recommended and known by the guide. It is important that these guides are licensed to lead tours. In the case of the porter, he/she will be the person in charge of carrying the luggage. This helps to make the hikes go more smoothly and the fatigue at the end of each stage will be less. It is advisable to offer a tip of 15% to each of them.

When preparing your gear for Langtang it is important to have the right equipment. These are some of the things you will need for the trip: gloves, waistcoat, fleece trousers, hiking boots, fleece socks, thermal base layer, windbreaker, thermal bottoms, head lamp, sleeping pad, waterproof clothing, a padlock to lock your travel bag, sun hat and sunglasses with UV protection and a basic first aid kit among other things.

In the case of electronic devices, the devices will not be at risk. However, it is important to make sure to buy a cover to insulate devices from extreme temperatures. The country does not have much electricity, so spares or charged batteries will be necessary accessories for the continued operation of electronic devices. At very high altitudes, charging devices at lodges will be charged extra.