"Saagar's Langtang pages" Langtang National Park by Saagar

Langtang National Park is the area closest to Kathmandu that offers real mountain experiences. Strictly speaking Langtang is the valley of the Langtang khola of the upper Trishuli water course. The greater area is now a national park, encompassing the surrounding mountains and forests as far west as where the spur of Gosainkunda Lekh hits the road to Kathmandu.

Langtang conceived as a trekking area consists of a large and deep major valley with some side valleys, ridges and passes. It borders to Tibet; the access via Rasuwagadhi north of Dunche-Syabrubesi currently only for Nepalese citizens. A road connecting Kyriong, Tibet is planned here.

The basic trekking pattern most common for visiting Langtang is by bus Kathmandu-Dunche (about 10 hrs) and a hike into Langtang as far as you physically can make it, and back out to Dunche again and bus back. Another common way is connecting the Langtang hike to the Helambu trail. This can be done in two ways: via the Gosainkund area and Laurebina La (4607m), or the Gangja La (5106). Note that Gangja La is an expedition style pass due to local climate conditions and often lots of snow on the steep Langtang valley side of the pass. Dunche is a frequent starting place as well as ending place for the Helambu trail. The options are well described in various guide books and shown on many maps. However, the so-called trekking maps of the area are rather bad, and not suitable for bad weather navigation.

Above the Trishuli, on the trail near Gosainkund

I can admit it, I never went into the Langtang Valley... But twice I have been in the Dunche-Gosainkunda area. This relatively limited area , however, I have explored thoroughly - I haven't just trekked through.
For a short forray into the Himalayas, this is probably the best option, too, if short on time and expedition lust. There is plenty to see and do in this "entrance" area to Langtang.

Quickly, the high mountains with great views can be reached (AMS - remember???), the forests harbour langurs, red pandas, bears, deers and other mammals, and on the higher ridges there are fantastic cedar trees, huuuge, with mosses and lichens clinging to them. And at Singh Gomba half way between Dunche/Syabru and Gosainkunda you can spend days tasting through their food and reading, writing and generally having a good time.

Ridge of Surya Peak, 5145 m

The Langtang trek is unique in its simplicity in terms of routes; basically in and out the same way. It is an easy trek at its most basic ways, however, side trips and circuitous routes can bid for good challenges. The highest peak on the Gosainkund Lekh, the Naya Kanga, is a designated trekking peak near 6000 meters. Similar altitudes you will find at the end of the trek-able langtang valley, with a backdrop of 7000+ -metres mountains.

At the head(s) of Langtang are two-three approachable glacier toungues that offer a good glaciated mountain scenery, fantastic peaks and the High Himalayas right there. Langtang is a designated national park, and its specialities are the Trans-Himalayan mountain flora and the red pandas.

There are also leopards, Himalayan black bears and other mamals of interest on the forested slopes, especially in the Trisuli Basin, and on the south side of Langtang Khola.

During the monsoon season Langtang offers an escape; it is located in the rain shadow and the weather might be quite dry and fine even during the monsoon time. If you are planning on trekking in Nepal during the monsoon season, Langtang is probably the easiest choice, and one that doesn't involve a flight.

The Langtangbas - people of Langtang - are a special group onto themselves, speaking a dialect of Tibetan and probably ethnically closest to the Tamang/Lama of the rest of Rasuwa and northern Sindhupalchowk districts.

Easy access and wonderful hiking makes me really wonder why not more people find their way to Langtang.

• Pros:Short distance from Kathmandu, easy logistics, very beautiful and accessible area
• Cons:Dangerous drive to get there.
• In a nutshell:Excitement all around, great mountain scenery and a safe and good trekking area.