Langtang National park is situated in the north of central Nepal some 32(air) km north of Kathmandu. Bhote Koshi and Trishuli Ganga define the region to the west, Tibetan Autonomous Region of China to the north and east. It is located in between the latitudes 28.00 o - 28.20 o N and the longitudes 85.15 o - 86.00 oE. It comprises 1,710 sq. km. total area. Two major river systems: Trishuli on the west and Sun Koshi in the east with many of its tributaries that originate from Langtang Lirung (7,245 m) and Himalchuli (7,864 m) drain the park catchments.
Langtang was designated as the first Himalayan National Park in 1970-71, and was gazette in March 1976. Altitude varies from 792 m on the Bhote Koshi to the peak of Langtang Lirung at 7,245 m. The park is comprised of varied climatic conditions.
The park is the home to several ethnic groups. The majority of people belong to the Tamangs, an ancient Nepalese race. Sherpas and Tamangs who emigrated from Tibet inhabit the Helambu area. The Brahmins, Chhetris and Gurungs are sparse. About 45 villages comprising 4,500 people are situated within the park boundaries. In total, about 3000 households (about 16,000 people) depend on park resources for wood and firewood. Permanent settlements that hold small areas of arable lands grow wheat, maize, finger millet, soybean and potato at lower altitudes, whereas at higher altitudes potato, barley and buckwheat are grown.
Biodiversity of the Langtang national park is varied; an account of Biodiversity in Nepal -Status & Conservation is described by R.P. Chaudhary (1998).
The forest type Most striking feature of the park is the variety of vegetation types. Eight vegetation types belonging to tropical, subtropical, temperate, sub alpine and alpine zone exist. The important forest types are: (a) Tropical zone (below 1,000 m), (b) Subtropical zone (1,000-2,000 m), (c) Temperate zone (2,000-3,000 m), (d) Sub alpine zone (3,000-4,000 m), and (e) Alpine zone between 4,000-4,500 m.
(a) Fauna: - Varied fauna occurs in the park, (a) Mammals. The common primates are rhesus macaqua (Macaca mullata) and common langur (Presbytis entellus). The carnivorous mammals include fox (Vulpes vulpes), wild dog (Cuon alpinus), Himalayan black bear (Selenarctos thibetanus red panda (Ailurus fulgens), marten (Martes foina, M. flavigula), Himalayan weasel (Mustela sibirica), pale-footed weasel (M. altaica), leopard cat (Felis bengalensis), clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), leopard (Panthera pardus), and snow leopard (P. uncia). The common ungulates are wild boar (Sus scrofa), Himalayan musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), goral (Nemorhaedus goral), serow (Caricornis sumantraensis), Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus). Small animals include Royle's pika (Ochotona roylei), orange-bellied Himalayan squirrel (Dremomys lokriah), and Indian porcupine (Hystrix indica)
Itinerary:
Day01: Arrival in Kathmandu, hotel installation
Day02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu
Day03: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi: You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Syabru Besi passing through Dhunche. While passing along the road at the bank of Trishuli River you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and green hills. As you pass through Dhunche you feel as if you are heading towards deep land. At the same time, you notice that the road is still under construction.
Day04: Trek from Syabru Besi (1600m.) to Lama Hotel (2470m./5hrs), The first part of the trail crosses through Bhote Koshi and follows the Langtang Khola. This trail is gradually ascent up to Bamboo passing through Landslide. Afterwards, you trek ascends gently to Rimche (2400m.) through Bamboo (1960m.) which lies at the bank of Langtang Khola. You can have lunch at this place if you like. And at the end your trail is level to the Lama Hotel. En route you could see red pandas, monkey and bear if you are lucky.
Day05: Trek from Lama Hotel to Ghore Tabela, (3250m/4hrs.) As you continue climbing there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. At Ghora Tabela [3000m], the trail emerges from the forest. Once there was a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now it is a Nepalese army post though it has no permanent inhabitants.
Day06: Trek Ghore Table to Langtang (3400m/3hrs) The trail continues to climb gently and the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during the summer months. There is a monastery, which you can visit shortly before arriving at the village of Langtang, the headquarters of the Langtang National Park. The houses of Langtang and its neighbouring villages are of the flat-roofed Tibetan style, surrounded by stonewalls enclosing fields of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley.
Day07: Trek from Langtang Village to Kyangjin (3870m/3hrs).The trail climbs gradually through small villages and yak pastures as the valley opens out further and the views become more extensive. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. Here there is a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory. You should arrive at Kyangjin by lunchtime allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area. It is a dramatic setting, with snow-covered peaks surrounding you in all directions such as Langtang Lirung, Ganjala peak, Tserko RI, Langsisa RI and many others
Day08 & Day09: Rest day at Kyangjin Gompa:Here we explore the alpine for a close to the langtang lirung glacier areas. You can visit the monastery and the cheese factory, walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri (4350m.), directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang peaks.
Day10: Trek Kyangjin Gompa to Ghore tabela (3150/4hrs). From Kyangjin you retrace your route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch, explore the flower field of Ghore table
Day11: Trek Ghore table to bamboo Lodge (1646m/4hrs.) we follow the steep path through forest to langtang khola, via Rimchh, small tea shop place and possibility to see white monkeys called langure, on the walk, we then continue the langtang khola until rich bamboo lodge.
Day12: Bamboo Lodge to Syfrugaon: We continue the langtang khola bank till Pairo (landslide) via dense forest of bamboo, oak and rhododendrons we then emerge with a view of Syabru and its extensive area of millet terraces. An undulating path brings you to this fascinating village where each house is set above its neighbour, in a long line up the very crest of the ridge. It's a great place to wander about, catching glimpses of Tamang life, admiring the beautifully carved wooden windows or simply relaxing in the sun.
Day13: Trek from Thulo Syabru to Dhunche (1950m/5hrs), From Thulo Syabru it is a steep climb through forests of oak, fir and rhododendron to the top of a ridge. From here it is only a short descent to Brabal, then 1.30 hrs walk from Barbal we catch the roadway to Dhunch, which takes another 2 hrs. There is a Buddhist monastery, local shops and governmental offices in Dhunche.
Day14: Drive from Dhunche to Kathmandu .You drive through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Kathmandu. The first part of your drive up to Trishuli Bazaar is through gravel and bumpy road and then well paved road up to Kathmandu.
Day15: visit Kathmandu valley
Day16: Departure
Per person Cost ¨US $: 975
Cost include:
• 4 nights Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu,
• Private bus transfer from Kathmandu- Dhunche-Kathmandu
• National Park entry permit
• Trekking permit,
• Accommodation in lodges during the trek,
• Food: three meals a day,
• A guide & required number of porter(s)
• Insurance and security for local staff
Cost not include:
• Monument entrance fee in Kathmandu
• Meals in Kathmandu
• Fee of local botanist if needed
• Personal nature expenses
• Insurance
• Any inter flights if applicable
• Essential equipment.
• All alcoholic drinks
• Emergency evacuation by Helicopter, if needed
• Alternative transportation in case of heavy rain, landslide, strike, road blockade
• Tip for trekking staff