Langtang Circuit- The Best Trekking Trail Near Kathmandu
Langtang Circuit Trek is an adventure in the Himalayas that blends the beauty of Langtang Valley, spiritual Gosainkunda Lake, and Chisapani. Langtang Trek is the third most popular trek in Nepal after Everest and Annapurna with moderate to challenging difficulty level offering unique experience through Tamang villages, glacial rivers, alpine meadows, and sacred lakes. Normally, Langtang circuit Trek itinerary consist of 14-18 days, covering popular stops like Langtang Village, Kyanjin Gompa, Kyanjin Ri, Tserko Ri, Laurebina, Gosainkunda, Chisapani, descending finally to Sundarijal. Ending this Circuit trek in Sundarijal is the perfect full stop to this memorable journey.
The best time for Langtang Circuit Trek is during the months March to May (spring season) and September to November(autumn season), even though you can trek Langtang throughout the year. Spring and autumn offer clear skies, blooming rhododendrons, and comfortable weather to hike. Laurebina La Pass weather during winter can be extremely cold, making it challenging to cross this point. Langtang trek altitude sickness can be seen after crossing 3,000 meters so it is very important to acclimatize properly. There are many points at higher elevations such as Kyanjin Ri, Tserko Ri, Gosainkunda, Laurebina Pass where you need to pay extra attention about altitude sickness, so eat and rest properly, drink plenty of water, walk in slower pace, and acclimatize where needed.
Langtang trek difficulty level is considered moderate to challenging, so if you’re physically fit, you can go for it. Hiring a Langtang trekking guide and porter is highly recommended especially if you're a first timer trekking for long days and you’re new to Himalayan terrain. Langtang Gosainkunda guide charges around USD 25 per day while a porter charges generally USD 20-25. Similarly, a language guide (Korean, Japanese, French, Chinese) for Langtang may cost you around USD 40-50 per day depending on the agency you choose. Whether you choose a local guide or language guide, you’ll get enough information and experience along with safety. If you’re thinking of Langtang solo trekking, be aware of the risks during off season, permits, insurance, and of course download an offline map for route navigation according to your itinerary.
While exploring Langtang National Park, trekkers may encounter Red Panda, Himalayan black bear, Langoor, Exotic birds and other bio-diversities. For photographers and nature lovers, this is the perfect destination. While in this Circuit trek, Langtang lodging and fooding services are available widely in teahouses offering a twin sharing room with a bed, pillow, blanke, and sharing toilet, and for food, they serve dal bhat, Tibetan bread, noodles, momo, that are made with local ingredients. While you’re planning your Langtang trek cost and budget, know that you’ll spend around USD 800 - USD 1100 with permits, transport, food, lodging, and porter and guide fee included in it.
When considering Langtang Circuit Trek Vs Annapurna Circuit Trek or Annapurna Base Camp Trek Langtang is shorter, less popular, and closer to the capital, while Annapurna gains higher elevations, offers cultural diversity, and is more commercialized. For both Circuit trek, you can use private transportation until the starting point of the trek.
If you want to trek for long days with moderate to challenging difficulty level, there are various options of trekking in Nepal such as 16 days Manaslu Circuit Trek, Everest Base Camp Trek, Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, etc. and for easy alternative, you can go for Mohare Danda Trek, Pikey Peak Trek, etc.
Planning and preparation is the key to successful results. Hence, your Langtang trek packing list should include important things only such as layered clothing for warmth, water purification tablets, snacks, and first aid. Langtang trek permits and regulations require a Langtang National Park Entry Permit and a Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card which you can get issued from a registered trekking agency. With all those things considered, you can easily complete your Langtang Circuit trek within 12-14 days.
Langtang Circuit Trek Highlights
- Cultural Immersion
- Diverse Landscapes
- Easily Accessible
- Stunning Mountain Views
- Moderate Difficulty
- Spiritual Journey
- Peaceful Trail
Langtang Circuit Trek Best Seasons
Spring is one of the best times for Langtang Circuit Trek, as the skies are clear, stable weather, and nature is at its best during this season making the trails alive with blooming of wildflowers including rhododendron. The mild temperature makes it pleasant especially in lower altitude villages, and even villages like Kyanjin and Gosainkunda in higher elevations are accessible despite being cold. You can see the best panoramic mountain with crystal clear views during this season with the chance of spotting wildfires as well. If you’re someone into photography, spring is the perfect season for Langtang Circuit Trek.
Autumn is the most popular season for Trekking in Nepal. The monsoon rain clears all the dust and haze offering clear mountain views, clear air and skies, temperature is moderate, minimal chances of rain and snowfall eradicating blockages in Laurebina La Pass. Autumn brings big festivals in Nepal, so trekkers can get culturally immersed as well in some villages like Thulo Syabru and Langtang village.
Langtang Circuit Trek during winter brings snowfall and cold weather making it physically demanding for trekkers even though the trails are quieter and peaceful. Temperatures can drop below freezing at higher elevation, so if you’re planning to trek in winter (December to February), plan wisely and be well prepared with proper gears, hiring a trekking guide and porter, and so on.
Monsoon season is not recommended for the Langtang Circuit Trek as the pouring rain makes the routes slippery, possibility of leeches and landslides with poor visibility of views in mountainous areas as views are always blocked by clouds. Paths are muddy and foggy most of the time. In case you lack time throughout the year, you can trek Langtang Circuit in monsoon as well but with proper waterproof gear, insect repellent and a flexible itinerary.
Langtang Circuit Trekking Route And Itinerary
Langtang Circuit Trekking Route and Itinerary spans of 15 Days package including Kathmandu Sightseeing. On your day of arrival and departure night in Kathmandu, you can rest in your hotel or stroll around the local markets. Your first day in Kathmandu can be utilized to prepare for trekking or half day sightseeing around Kathmandu World Heritage Sites. Trekkers will be in the Langtang Valley for 13 Days in total where you’ll be hiking up and down around the Langtang Circuit. After completing your trek, on your final day in Nepal, you can either do sightseeing, in case you missed on your arrival day, or rest up before departure. Langtang Circuit Trek 13 Days Itinerary in Himalayas is classified as:
Day 01: Drive to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu, hike up to Bamboo
Day 02: Bamboo to Langtang Village
Day 03: Lantang to Kyanjin
Day 04: Kyanjin to Kyanjin Ri
Day 05: Kyanjin to Tserko Ri
Day 06: Kyanjin to Bamboo
Day 07: Bamboo to Sing Gompa
Day 08: Sing Gompa to Gosainkunda
Day 9: Gosainkunda to Laurebina La Pass to Phedi
Day 10: Phedi to Tharepati
Day 11: Tharepati to Kutumnsang
Day 12: Kutumnsang to Chisapani
Day 13: Chisapani to Sundarijal to Kathmandu
Language Trekking Guide/Porter Charge for Langtang Circuit
Trekking without a licensed trekking guide is prohibited in Langtang Valley as of February 15, 2025 whereas hiring a porter is subjective to you. A trekking guide not only navigates the routes, but also handle logistics such as booking accommodations, aware you about weather conditions, assist you with medical condition like altitude sickness, gives you insight about wildlife and culture as well, help you with local interaction, shows you the best point for views, and ofcourse assist you in capturing best photographs. Hiring a trekking guide for Langtang Circuit Trek eases your mental pressure and you just have to prepare physically after hiring an experienced guide.
Porter for Langtang Circuit Trek helps you carry your backpack reducing your physical strain. You’ll just walk with a daypack which will be very convenient to trek and enjoy the moments making new experiences. Hiring a Langtang Porter will help you save your energy to focus on walking only. A porter carries around 20-25 kgs for two trekkers and charges around USD 20-25 per person. You’re highly recommended to hire a Langtang porter as you’ll be walking for long days.
Trekking Guide charge for Langtang Circuit costs you around USD 25-30 per day if the guide is local and can communicate with you in universal language. Similarly, you can hire language trekking guides (Japanese, Chinese, Korean, French, German etc) who will charge you around USD 40 per day. In case you don’t want to hire a porter, you can hire a guide cum porter who will assist you with carrying a few kgs of your backpack.
How Difficult for Langtang Circuit Trek
Langtang Circuit Trek difficulty is moderate to challenging which doesn’t reach extreme altitudes like Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp but still requires physical fitness, enough preparation, and proper acclimatization. While in this circuit, trekkers will be walking 5 to 7 hours a day, and the route is steep ascents and descents, rocky paths, and forested terrain with changing landscapes. You’ll cross the elevation of more than 4,000 meters in Kyanjin Ri, Tserko Ri, Gosainkunda, and Laurebina La Pass where your tolerance level gets tested, and prepare wisely for those points.
Although the highest point of Langtang Circuit Trek is Tserko Ri with an altitude of 4,984 meters which is under 5,000 meters, there is still the risk of altitude sickness especially at points exceeding 4,000 meters (Gosainkunda, Kyanjin Ri, Tserko Ri, and Laurebina La Pass). Acclimatize properly, walk at a steady pace, eat and rest well, drink plenty of water in case symptoms like headache, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, etc of altitude sickness is seen.
If you are a beginner but physically fit, or an experienced trekker who has prior trekking history, or someone who engages in cardiovascular exercises, Langtang Trek is doable for you.
Trekking in the best time reduces the difficulty level as well. Trekking during winter or monsoon season increases difficulty as the routes are slippery, foggy, low chances of visibility making it dangerous to walk on the routes especially at Laurebina La Pass. Similarly, trek with Langtang Guide and Porter to reduce your stress and burden physically and mentally as they help you with altitude management, provides you with cultural insights, reduces your physical strain, making you at ease.
Langtang Trekking Permits and TIMS
For Langtang Circuit Trek, you need to issue permits from any registered trekking agency of Nepal and keep it safe with you throughout the trek. Those permits are for the safety purpose of trekkers as well as the environment. Following are the permits required to trek Langtang:
- Langtang National Park Entry Permit: USD 30 for foreigners, USD 15 for SAARC nationals
- Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) Card: USD 20 Per trekkers,
Langtang Circuit En-Route Accommodation and Food
You’ll find a wide variety of lodging and fooding services in the form of tea houses in Langtang Circuit Trek itinerary. Those teahouses are simple and basic yet very comfortable providing you basic rooms with a twin bed, blanket, pillow, and a shared bathroom. In some villages like Syabrubesi, Kyanjin, Langtang, teahouses are modest and clean but in higher elevations like Gosainkunda and Laurebina, due to remoteness, teahouses are limited and amenities are simpler as well. Most of the tea houses have services like hot showers and Wi-Fi, but you have to pay extra for that.
Langtang Circuit Trek Fooding is warm and filling, giving you energy in higher elevations. Most of the tea houses offer you Nepali foods like Dal Bhat, noodles, pasta, soup, Tibetan Bread, momo, etc. You can taste fresh bakery items like apple pie, cheese cake, and so on in Buddha Stupa before reaching Langtang Valley and if lucky, occasional treats like Yak cheese in Kyanjin Gompa can be found as there is a local cheese factory.
High Altitude Sickness and Safety Tips for Langtang Circuit Trek
Altitude sickness also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) occurs due to lack of oxygen in the body in higher elevations. After crossing an altitude of 3,000 meters, the symptoms arises and in Langtang Circuit Trek, the risk of altitude sickness arises in areas like Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m), Gosainkunda Lake (4,380m), and Laurebina La Pass (4,610m). Some of the symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, nausea, dizziness, difficulty sleeping, fatigue or weakness, loss of appetite etc.Listen to your body when you found out these symptoms.
Following are the safety tips to eradicate the risk of altitude sickness while in langtang Circuit Trek:
- Walk slowly with enough rest days especially at higher elevations.
- Drink enough water (3-4 litres per day) and avoid alcohol and meat in higher altitudes as it’s hard to digest in higher elevation.
- Eat properly to build up calories helping to adjust with the altitude.
- Seek help from a guide if you notice symptoms of altitude sickness.
- Walk with breaks especially in tough sections like Laurebina La Pass.
- If acclimatization and resting doesn’t work, descend immediately to lower elevation.
Langtang Trek Preparation & Packing List
Langtang Circuit trek preparation is an important step for the journey to succeed as well as safety. Proper packing is the key for successful trekking. Before starting your trek, make sure you’re physically fit and prepared mentally. Few days prior, engage in cardiovascular and leg stretching activities like cycling, swimming, running, squats etc. Hire a Langtang guide and porter, collect the permits required. Following are the packing list that’ll help you for Langtang Circuit Trek:
- Clothing: Layers (Base Layer, Insulating Layer, and Outer Shell), Trekking pants, T-shirts, Warm hat, Buff, Gloves, Innerwear and socks
- Footwear: Trekking boot, camp shoes or sandals, woolen socks
- Sleeping gear: Sleeping bag (rated - degree celsius)
- Trekking poles, headlamp, backpack, daypack (if hiring porter), water bottle along with water purification tablets
- Personal items: altitude medicines, personal medications, sunscreen and lip balm, toiletries, first-aid kit
- Power bank, gaiters (for snowfall), raincover
Langtang Circuit Trek 15 Days vs Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days
Langtang Circuit Trek 15 Days takes you to the Himalayan journey in the heart of Langtang National Park offering a blend of culture, nature with manageable difficulty. Langtang Trek involves 13 days Himalayan journey which is competitive to Annapurna Circuit Trek 12 Days. Both the trek offers breathtaking sceneries, culture, and high mountain passes but if compared with difficulty level, Langtang trek difficulty is moderate reaching the elevation of only 4,610 meters at Laurebina La Pass comparing to Annapurna Circuit trek which includes passes like Thorong La Pass (5,416m). Trekkers are always conscious about heights and altitude sickness, which they don’t have to while in Langtang Circuit Trek.
One of the biggest advantages while choosing Langtang Circuit Trek is that it’s near to the capital city, Kathmandu unlike Annapurna Circuit Trek which requires long drive in bumpy roads or domestic flights which are costly in peak seasons. Therefore, transportation is more easier and budget-friendly for Langtang Circuit trek making you start and end your trek in the capital city. If you have limited time, you can exclude two days in Kathmandu, and trek only for 13 days in Langtang.
Langtang lodging and fooding services are simpler compared to Annapurna where you can find luxurious fooding, but those simpler lodging and fooding in teahouses run by local Tamang families in Langtang is a cultural experience. The luxurious accommodation and fooding in Annapurna attracts a large number of trekkers making Annapurna a busier route which Langtang is not. Langtang Circuit trek offers quiet and peaceful route and a plus point is it lies in Langtang National Park, home to diverse Flora and Fauna where if lucky, you can encounter wildfires like red panda, langoor, musk deer, four-horned antelope, Himalayan monals, and so on.
Comparing Langtang Circuit Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek budget wise, Langtang is budget-friendly trek, the cost is significantly lower than Annapurna’s as you can hire local Langtang guide and porter at affordable rate which you cannot in Annapurna Circuit Trek. Similarly, the transportation cost will be extra in Annapurna Circuit Trek because of domestic flight inclusions, jeep or bus transportation compared to Langtang where you can reach by private or public transportation and no flights.
Both treks offer panoramic Himalayan vistas, but Langtang Circuit Trek specifically is easily accessible, with lower elevations, moderate difficulty, and deep Tamang cultural immersion. If you are someone wanting to go trekking near Kathmandu without much difficulty, this 13-day Langtang Himalayan journey is an ideal choice for you.
Conclusion : Autumn is the Best Time to Go Langtang Circuit Trek With Trekking Guide
Therefore, Langtang Circuit Trek is a perfect mix of cultural richness, Himalayan beauty with adventure and if you trek langtang circuit at the right time with a registered trekking guide, it is even more rewarding.
Autumn (September to November) is undoubtedly the best time to go on the Langtang Circuit Trek as this time the mountain views are crystal-clear, temperatures during daytime is very pleasant, you can find vibrant landscapes, weather condition is most stable which is perfect for crossing Laurebina La Pass and enjoy the beauty of Langtang Valley, Gosainkunda Lake, and Chisapani as well. If you are someone into nature and love clicking pictures, this is the best time for Langtang Circuit Trek. To ensure your safety, make sure you hire a Langtang trekking guide who navigates the route, assists you with safety from altitude sickness, collects the permits for you, provides you with local insights, and takes you to the points with great views (perfect for photographs) assisting you to take photos as well. This way, your journey to Langtang will be enhanced, memorable and secure.
FAQs
Which Trek is Easier ? Langtang Circuit or Annapurna Base Camp?
Annapurna Base Camp trek is easier compared to Langtang Circuit Trek.
Is Langtang Circuit Trek Hard for Beginners and Seniors?
With proper planning and preparation, Langtang Circuit Trek is not hard for beginners and seniors.
Can I Go Solo Trek to Langtang Circuit?
Yes, you can go solo trekking to Langtang Circuit but only after hiring a licensed trekking guide.
How Long Does It Take for Langtang Circuit Trek ?
It normally takes you 13-15 days to complete Langtang Circuit Trek.
Langtang Circuit Trek Only Gosaikunda Chisapani Route?
Yes, Langtang Circuit Trek covers only the Gosainkunda Chisapani route but can be done other way around as well, through Sundarijal-Chisapani-Gosainkunda-Langtang.
How to Book Langtang Circuit Trek Package?
Himalaya Arirang Trek are Registered Trekking Company in Kathmandu so book your trekking package through this link Booking
How to Easy to Get a Korean Language Guide and Permits?
If You contact Himalaya Arirang Trek easily you can get a Korean trekking guide.
