PRICE: 2022/2023

1) Lodge Trek/Tea House Trek (THT) Package:

Includes: Accommodation in Lodge, guide, porters and all meals during Langtangtrekking

 2) Guide, Accommodation and Porter Trek (GAP trek)

Includes: Accommodation, guide and porters

Excludes: all meals

 Single Room Supplement: USD 120 per Single Room (Compulsory if no one to share room)

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Lodge trek with guide, accommodation & porters only (Standard rooms on sharing)
• All meals during Teahouse trek only (except for GAP trek package)
• Trekkers' Information Management System fees
• Langtang National Park Permits
• ShivapuriNational Park Permits
• Transfer from Kathmandu –Sundarijal in private vehicle(non-A/C)
• Transfer Dhunche- Kathmandu in private vehicle(non-A/C)
• 3 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu (3*) on twin sharing with breakfast

• Sightseeing tour in Kathmandu with English speaking local guide
• Entrance fees to sightseeing monuments

• Airport transfersand tour transfers in private vehicle (non-A/C)
• Insurance for all staff & porters
• Equipment & clothing for all staff & porters
• First aid kit bag (carried by guide)

 PRICE EXCLUDES:

• Nepal visa fees
• International flight and airport taxes
• Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
• Personal expenses (like, communication, laundry, bar bills, internet, camera/mobile battery recharge, hot water/shower on trek, extra meals, snacks while walking etc.)
• Personal gears & clothing
• Tips for guide, porters, drivers, local staff etc.
• Personal insurance and medical expenses
• Any expenses incurred in emergency evacuation/rescue due to any unforeseen reasons
• Any other services other than mentioned under “Price Includes”

For more information, please contact us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com

Detailed Itinerary

TRIP GRADE:

Moderate to fairly challenging

This Helambu and Gosaikunda trek is physically tiring. It involves approximately 6 to 8 hours of trekking on up and down well-marked trails. No previous experience is required, you should be moderately fit, used to some regular exercise and enjoy walking in the high altitude conditions.

TREKKING TYPES

Trekking in Nepal is categorized in three different types based on their way of organization (Camping Trek, Tea House Trek and GAP Trek). Helambu and Gosaikunda Trek is organized in two ways (Tea House Trek and GAP Trek) due to the abundance of accommodation facilities available in the region.

1. Tea House Trek: This trek includes services like guide, food, accommodation in local Tea Houses and porters.
2. GAP Trek: This trek includes services like Guide (G), Accommodation (A) in the Tea Houses, and Porters (P). Food bills are to be paid directly by the client.

ACCOMMODATION

Helambu and Gosaikunda trekking doesn’t need tremendous logistics in terms of accommodation as you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail.

You often have to share rooms but you can also stay in single rooms where possible. Rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets. A few have electric blanket, hot bags (luxury lodges) and all have a spacious dining room-lounge. We will accommodate you and your group in a comfortable local lodge each day. The Guide coordinates with the local lodge owners and a porter is sent ahead to book the required rooms for the group (rooms cannot always be booked in advance).

Please remember that some of them are very basic and a sense of adventure is necessary. It is cheaper to stay in lodge rather than organizing a camping trek.

FOOD

Lodge Trek:

Meals are included in our price and are taken in lodges available along the trail. You can find a considerable variety of Nepali (rice, curry & lentil, momo, noodles, chapatis etc.) and Western food (pizza, pasta, sandwich, chips, porridge, toast, pancake, soup etc) as well as drinks (coffee, tea, milk, soft drinks, and beer). The Guide suggests you the best option as per the availability.

GAP Trek:

You will have to make your own eating arrangements in the lodges available along the trail. Expect to spend around $25-$30 a day for food. Guide, accommodation and porters are covered in the price.

WATER

On GAP trek and Lodge trek, you will be provided filtered water about 3-4 liters per person per day. The good thing about such water is it doesn’t smell chlorine. We normally use Sawyer Filters. However, you can also buy bottled water in tea houses. You can also bring water purification pills in case you want to drink water from local taps.

PERSONAL EXPENSES – MONEY TO TAKE ON TREK

Money requirement depends largely on type of trek style, duration and trekking region. For a week’s Langtang trek, you can take about $200-300, more if you intend to get more table drinks (alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas), souvenirs, battery charge, internet, hot shower (available in some places) etc. If you are on ‘GAP’ trek style you need to pay for all your meals. Approximately $25-30 a day should be enough to cover your meals. We pay for your accommodation at mountain hut (tea house) along the trail and bear all the expenses of staffs assigned by us, plus extra bar bills, snacks, hot shower, battery charge, internet etc.

CHANGING MONEY

You can change money at a Bank or the money exchange counter in cities like Kathmandu. Many Tourist class Hotels have money exchange facilities. These days, there are availability of ATMs everywhere in Kathmandu and some in Dhunche.

TIPS

Tips are appreciated by your support team after the completion of your trekking in Nepal. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work. As a suggestion, we advise that you can allocate 5- 10 % of the total tour cost as tips. It is recommended that you talk to the members and hand it over individually as per the hierarchy on the last day of the trek.

GROUP SIZE ON FIXED DEPARTURE

If you opt to join our ‘fixed departure trip’, you are likely to be joining people from different countries of any age group except minors. The size of group varies, minimum no of persons required to operate a trip is 2 the maximum is 15 people.

For a Private Booking, any number size from 1 Pax to 20 is acceptable and can be comfortably organized. We go for special planning for handling group size bigger than 20 Pax.

GROUP LEADER AND CREW

We provide different options concerning leadership in order to match your requirements:

1. Western leader
2. Trained Nepali Trek leader (experienced and knowledgeable)
3. Sherpa Guide (handles the logistics and guides you and your team on the trek)

The Sherpa guide (commonly called Sirdar) will be accompanied by a crew of porters. We provide 1 porter for 2 members.

COMMUNICATION

There is telephone facility in Langtang region. You can also use Ncell and NTC network (both for internet and mobile network) but they don’t work properly in some places as you go higher. If it is crucial for you to keep in contact with your family or others, we can provide you a mobile satellite phone (rental charge on request)

FLIGHT / LAND TRANSFERS

The starting point of the trek is Sundarijal, which is about 40/45 mins’ drive from Kathmandu city and ending point is Dhunche, which is connected by 8/9 hours’ drive from Kathmandu. We will arrange airport pick up and drop transfers as per the itinerary.

LUGGAGE WHILE TREKKING

During Langtang trekking, your main luggage will be carried by porter. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 to 15 kgs for flight safety and porter welfare as per IPPG standard. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel in Kathmandu while trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel's safekeeping.

TYPICAL DAY ON TREK

Lodge/ Tea House Trek, GAP Trek A typical day while trekking in Nepal consists of about 7-8 hours of activity. Each morning after packing our bags and having a good breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. After walking for 3-4 hours we stop for lunch at around midday. The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days, we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

TREKKING GEARS & EQUIPMENT

You will need walking boots, sleeping bag (4 seasons/ -20C rated), waterproof jacket and trousers, fleece jacket, warm hat and gloves, sunglasses, water bottle, sun-screen and day pack. Comprehensive list of equipment will be provided once you book your trip. It's not necessary to spend a lot of money buying extra equipment and clothing before your trip. Majority of these gears can be bought or hired at reasonable rates in Kathmandu.

GEARS AVAILABLE IN KATHMANDU

There are numerous suppliers of trekking gears in Kathmandu supplying genuine branded items or imitations depending on your choice and price. You can get anything from down jackets and sleeping bags to socks or thermal wears that you need for your trek. They might not be the best but good enough for the trek considering the price.

EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY COMPANY

We provide company duffle bag (80L) to use on the trek. You can store your bag in your hotel and use it after the trek.

TREK SECURITY

Security of our clients is our foremost priority. All our guides are licensed by Nepal Government. Our guides and support crew are carefully chosen for your trips. They will ensure your safety and security throughout your trip.

During your Langtang trek, you will be sleeping in local teahouses. You have to take precautions yourself at all times. Never leave your baggage unattended and keep your lodge room locked when you go out.

MEETING AND GREETING AT AIRPORT

You need to pass on your International flight details to us for a “meeting and greeting” service at airport. You just pass the customs desk and come out of the terminal building where you will see someone standing with a placard with either ‘Explore Himalaya’ or your name written on it. Our airport representative or tour officer will greet you and welcome you with a garland.

TREK DURATION

We ensure liability as indicated in itinerary and list of services. If the holiday is cut short or completed earlier than the projected period upon client’s wish, we shall not be responsible or make refund against unutilized days or services. Clients need to pay for hotels/services incurred in Kathmandu or elsewhere in such cases.

CLIMATE AND BEST TIME TO GO

The best seasons for trekking in Nepal are Autumn (from mid-September till November end), and Spring (from the beginning of March until mid-May). Temperatures will drop considerably as you trek higher every day. The nights are cold (between -10 C to 5C) but the days are sunny and hot (between 10C to 20C). The mornings are usually clear, with clouds building up during the afternoon, disappearing at night. Trekking during the monsoon and winter is not recommended, as the visibility during monsoon is limited, upper parts and high passes could be covered with snow in winter.

March, April, October and November are the most favored months. Please choose the date that is convenient for you.

ITINERARY CHANGES

The itinerary for this Helambu & Gosaikunda Trek is a standard itinerary. Depending on the prevailing situation while on trek, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trek completion should always coincide with the original itinerary. You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into the remotest region, where many unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.

HEALTH ISSUES AND VACCINATIONS

As vaccination requirements change frequently, we suggest you to consult your doctor at least 2 months prior to the beginning of your trip. We recommend protection against malaria, tetanus, typhoid, hepatitis and polio.

The main health consideration during Langtang Trekking is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). You may experience some mild symptoms initially, such as headache, lethargy, nausea and difficulty sleeping, but these should lessen within a few days. To avoid Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), people take pills called ‘Diamox’. You can also use these pills after consulting with your doctor and purchase them in Kathmandu. Our itinerary will allow your body to acclimatize properly and handle the low oxygen rate.

If you have ever suffered from altitude sickness, or have a heart or breathing complaint, we highly recommend you to consult your doctor about your suitability for trekking in high altitude areas before booking. We suggest that you take some pain-killing pills with you and enough medicine for cold, diarrhea, nausea and fever. Some nasal ointment and throat-moistening pills will greatly help for those who are sensitive to chilly or freezing weather conditions.

FIRST AID KIT

We supply a medical bag with standard medicines prescribed by trekking doctors and a user’s manual. Since our staffs/guides are not qualified for suggesting medications to western clients, we would request you to use the medicines upon your own risk. It is safer and more reliable if you have your own medicine kit and not depend on what we have.

VISA

All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold passport and valid visa. Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. You can also get “On Arrival Visa” at entry points. For doing Everest Base Camp Trek, you can come with a 30 day visa which costs US $ 50. You should have a passport size photo to get it at airport upon arrival. Some countries’ nationals need to get visa prior their arrival. Please check http://www.nepalimmigration.gov.np/page/tourist-visa for detailed information.

JOIN A GROUP OR PRIVATE TRIP

Our trips are available on both fixed departure and private basis. If you are looking for a group to join this Langtang Trek please check our ‘2021/22 departures’ link for availability, dates and price. If you would like to travel independently, or with your friends, families & colleagues, you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient timeframe for any number of people (minimum 1 & maximum 20 at a time).

If you want to do something that is not included in our trip list, we are ready to tailor your trip to suit your exact requirements. In short, we will make every effort to meet your needs.

RESCUE / EVACUATIONS

We are take your safety and security very seriously, and make sure that nothing untoward happen to you. However, if anything serious like sickness or a casualty occurs, we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. As you are responsible for all the expenses incurred in evacuation, please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it.

INSURANCE

Before joining this Langtang Trekking, we recommend you to take a travel insurance which should cover cancellation, medical expenses, helicopter evacuation and emergency repatriation. Our staff will collect your insurance details before you leave for the trek.

RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

We are among the few companies in Nepal to receive Travelife Certificate Award https://www.travelife.info for our long-term efforts in sustainable practices.

1. Care for porters and staffs

We ensure that all the porters and other staffs going into high altitude conditions during Langtang treks are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. All our porters carry less than 30 kg and underage porters are strictly prohibited in our operations. We run the trek according to the guidelines of the International Porter Protection group (IPPG - www.ippg.net)

2. Environmental Responsibility

Wonderful environment of the Himalayas is also an extremely fragile one. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of Nepal. At Explore Himalaya, we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize our impact as much as possible.

As deforestation is one of the greatest environmental threats, we do not have camp fires and use LPG gas or kerosene for cooking as an alternative fuel to wood. We don’t use plastic bottles. We also discourage trekkers from using wood-fuelled hot showers in lodges along the way. Many lodges, however, now provide solar hot showers, a far more eco-friendly alternative.

Garbage disposal is another major problem and some of the busier trails can, at times, appear strewn with litter. Our staff members are well motivated towards eco-friendly practices. Our staff carry garbage bag with them all the time and collect our garbage and other litters they find on trail, and dispose them on the designated area. We also volunteer to bring garbage down to Lukla while returning back. Our aim is to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment for future generations of trekkers to enjoy.

3. Social Responsibility

Explore Himalaya works with the motto ‘Development through Tourism’. Keeping in line with this motto, Explore Himalaya Community Service Project (EHCSP) has been conceived to empower underprivileged, marginalized, poor and minority segments of Nepal.

Since its inception, EHCSP has been incessantly facilitating and advocating for school education, health, community development, forest conservation, agro practices and culture preservation. A certain amount of your trip money goes to these projects. For more details on our CSR initiatives, please visit https://www.explorehimalaya.com/csr/

BOOKING PROCEDURE

Your booking of this Langtang Trekking will be confirmed by email once we receive your deposit of $300 and the signed copy of booking form and contract. The balance is due no later than two months prior to departure. If you book a tour less than 2 months prior to departure, you must send the full payment within 7 days of confirmation by us.

CANCELLATION POLICY

If you cancel your booking, the following scale of charges will apply:

1. 2 months before departure – Loss of deposit (US$ 300)
2. 29 days to 2 months before departure – 30% of total trip cost
3. 10 to 28 days before departure – 60% of total trip cost
4. Less than 10 days before departure – 100% of total trip cost

TRIP EXTENSIONS

In addition to your Helambu and Gosaikunda Trek, we can organize extensions both within Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan etc. You may want to try water rafting or a jungle safari in Nepal or Nepal Cultural Tour. You may as well take a trip to Tibet or Bhutan, whichever seems more appealing to you.

DISCLAIMER

It is fundamental to acknowledge that Langtang Trekking is an adventure tour. This requires some flexibility. The day to day itinerary is taken only as a guideline. We cannot be held responsible for any delays caused by International or domestic flights, strikes, Government regulations, weather or natural casualties etc. In such cases, Explore Himalaya shall provide suitable alternatives which will be decided upon mutual agreement.

If you have any questions regarding this trip, please feel free to contact us at enquiry@explorehimalaya.com or directly by phone: 977-1-4418100. We answer all enquiries within 24 hours.

TRAVEL GUIDE

Langtang Region

Langtang region lies in north central Himalayas of Nepal. This region is one of the most famous trekking destinations along with Annapurna and Everest region. Situated at an altitude above 2460 meters, this region offers various traditional and ethnic villages, different cultures of Tamang and Tibetan origin people, stunning forest, high alpine meadows, beautiful landscapes of breathtaking mountains and many more. This region has over 70 different glaciers, high altitude lakes that includes Gosaikunda, Bhairavkunda, Dudhkunda and Lantang mountain ranges. The major mountains in this region are Langtang Lirung, Langtang Ri, Dorje Lakpa, Gangchempo, Changbu, Yansa Tsenji, Kyunga Ri, Dogpache, Langshisha Ri etc.

Langtang National Park

The first Himalayan national park, Langtang national park is the fourth protected area established in 1976 AD. It expands from an altitudinal range of 6,450 m (21,160 ft) and covers an area of 1,710 square km. extends over parts of Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Sindhupalchok districts in the southern mountainous terrain of the Nepal-China (Tibet) border and gets bisected by the Gosaikunda Lake and the Dorje Lakpa range from east–west to south–east. Beautiful landscapes produced by the complex topography and geographical settings can be seen from this national park. This park holds a rich bio diversity and is characterized by hill forest in the southern section consisting of pine, rhododendron and Nepali alder. This park is well known for pristine forest, high elevation meadows, Tibetan culture and astonishing mountain views. Langtang Valley trek, Helambu trek and Gosaikunda are famous treks in this national park.

Climate, Flora and Fauna

Langtang region contains varieties of climatic zones from subtropical to alpine. One can visit Langtang anytime expect the monsoon season as the visibility during monsoon season remains limited. Therefore, you cannot experience the best view. Month between September-May offers a variety of magnificent views, from lush temperate river valleys with beautiful landscapes to spectacular old growth forest and glacial-craved cliffs rimmed by snow-covered peaks. March, April, October and November are the most popular and favored months to travel this region. Weather remains clear and one can get the best experience during these months. The weather remains dry expect January- February when you can experience snow. The various trees that are found in these region includes deciduous oak and maple, evergreens like pine, and different types of rhododendron. Langtang’s expansive high meadows provide summer habitat for many animal life that includes the Himalayan black bear, the goat-like Himalayan tahr, Assam macaque and red pandas. This place is a home to snow leopard, wild dog, ghoral, serow and more than 250 species of birds.

Langtang Region Peaks

Langtang Lirung

Lantang Lirung is the highest mountain among Lantang Himalayan ranges in the Lantang region standing at an elevation of 7234 meters southwest of Shisapangma. Langtang Lirung is not climbed too often, although attempts were made from early 60’s. There has been 14 attempts ( from 1960 AD – 1995 AD) to reach the summit of this beautiful mountain among which 13 attempts were failed. Only Pemba Tsering and Seishi Wada of the Japanese-Sherpa expedition successfully summited Langtang Lirung in 1978. This mountain is notable for its large vertical relief above local terrain and lies near Trishuli, Gandaki, and north of the Langtang Khola.

Dorje Lakpa

Standing at an elevation of 6,966 m, Dorje Lakpa is located in the solid mass of Jugal Himal, east side of Langtang valley and south of mount Shishapangma (8013 m) and Tibet border. The first attempt and successful climb was recorded is by a Japanese expedition team in the late 1960s by the western ridge. Later, German – Nepali expedition summited the mountain on July of 1986. Today, different mountaineering agency offers various packages for expedition of this beautiful mountain.

Gangchempo

Mount Gangchempo lies at an height of 6373 meter. This prominent mountain lies to the west of Dorje Lakpa (6966 m) and few miles east of Langtang lirung (7234 m). This mountain was first ascended by a Nepali expedition team in 1990 AD. Tilman’s pass, one of the famous and toughest pass named after Bill Tilman extends from its back.

Places

Syabru Besi

Situated at 50 miles north of Kathmandu valley, Syabru Besi is a beautiful village in the Langtang region which lies on the base of the green hill on the way to Langtang valley at an altitude of 2380 meters on the bank of Trishuli river. It is also the gateway of some of the popular treks such as Langtang trek, Gosaikunda trek and Tamang heritage trail. This place offers the impressive views of the Annapurna Himalayas in the west, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and the peaks of the Langtang region.

Lantang Village

Langtang village lies near the base of Mount Langtang Lirung (7234 m), the highest mountain in the region. You can find various lodges and teahouses that offers good meal and accommodation in this village. The fabulous views of snow-capped mountains and Langtang glacier seen from this village is breath taking. This village was completely affected by earthquake that occurred in 2015 but later due to the hard work of enterprising, strong and resilient locals the village was revived in less than 3 years.

Kyanjin

Kyanjin is a traditional and ethnic village which is a home to the alpine forests and have a stunning perspective of Langtang glacier right before your eyes. Visit to Langtang Valley, Kyanjin Monastery, and the Lirung glacier are the major highlights of this place. You can see the spectacular views of the Ice fluted Gyanghempa, Langtang Ri, Dorje Lakpa ranges, Ganesh Himal, and Lang Shisha from this beautiful place.

Festivals

Drukpa Tsheshi

This is a unique Buddhist festival celebrated in Kyanjin Gompa where all the villagers of surrounding villages get together and celebrate for 6 days. Drukpa Tsheshi is celebrated to commemorate the moment when Lord Buddha turned the wheel of Dharma for the first time. This festival marks the beginning of spreading the religion and the first sermon that the Lord gave to his five disciples.

Ghawa

Ghawa is a Buddhist ceremony celebrated by the locals of the region. Not only the people from one village but all the villagers from near villages flock together and sing and dance in the celebration.

Lhosar

Lhosar is one of the major festival celebrated by Tibetan people, including Sherpa in this region which marks the start of the New Year. People wear new clothes, adorn jewelries, feast, exchange goods and gifts and dance together in this festival. Buddhist monks offer prayers for good health and prosperity at monasteries for the people.

People

Tamang

Tamang means “horse Traders”. It is assumed that they were involved in a business of horse trading and riding. Tamang people are rich in tradition who follow Tibetan Buddhism and have their own culture, language and lifestyle. They speak Tamang language which comes from Tibeto-Burman language family. The people who live in Langtang Valley are thought to be the descendants of Tibetan from Kerung who intermix with Tamang from the Helambu area. Langtang Valley mostly consists of Tamang people

Sherpas

Sherpas live in the upper regions of Langtang region. They emigrated from Tibet about 600 years ago. In the past they were traders and porters, carrying butter, meat, rice, sugar, and dye from India; and wool, jewelry, salt, Chinese silk and porcelain from Tibet and beyond. The closure of the border between India and China undermined their economy. The Sherpa's found their load carrying skills, both on normal treks and high altitudes in great demand. Now, these able bodied, hardy and fearless Sherpa are world-class climbers known for their amazing climbing prowess. They are such an inseparable part of mountaineering and trekking in Nepal that any climbers and trekkers can rarely imagine doing a Himalayan adventure without their support.