Langtang Circuit Trek Overview
Langtang Circuit Trek is your underrated Himalayan adventure, and it is just as epic (minus the crowds). After a bumpy but scenic 6-7-hour ride north from Kathmandu, you will step into Langtang National Park and begin your journey and no flights needed!
In the Langtang Circuit trek, you will hike through peaceful trails of Shivapuri National Park, followed by forests, waterfalls, and friendly Tamang villages, where you sip tea at remote lodges and enjoy the views of snow-capped mountains like Langtang Lirung and Ganesh Himal. The real test comes at Lauribinayak Pass (4,610m), a high-altitude gateway into the Helambu region.
The Langtang Circle Trek takes a softer tone as you descend into Helambu. You visit hilltop villages like Kutumsang and Chisapani before wrapping up in Sundarijal.
That said, this isn’t your typical tourist trek, there are no crowds, commercial chaos, just nature and you. With Outfitter Himalaya’s expert guides for the Langtang Circuit Trek odyssey, you will learn the ropes of high-altitude hiking like a pro!
16-Day Langtang Circuit Trek Highlights
- Hike through two national parks, Langtang and Shivapuri, full of wild beauty.
- Spot monkeys, birds, and maybe even a red panda as you wander through lush forests and waterfalls.
- Stroll through remote mountain villages and meet warm-hearted locals, including the Tamang and Hyolmo communities.
- Visit ancient monasteries, colorful prayer flags, chortens, and mani walls that add a spiritual touch to the trail.
- Explore the peaceful KyanjinGompa and summit TserkoRi for jaw-dropping Himalayan views.
- Get the blessings at sacredGosaikunda Lake- a holy spot with unreal scenery.
- Conquer the high Lauribinayak Pass (4,610m) and descend into the charming Helambu region.
- Enjoy quiet trails with fewer trekkers and uninterrupted views all to yourself.
What to expect on Langtang Circuit Trek
There are many attractions during the Langtang circuit trek in Nepal, and we have listed some below.
Hike in Langtang and Shivapuri National Parks
Get ready to walk through not one but two jaw-dropping national parks: Langtang and Shivapuri. Langtang National Park is Nepal’s first Himalayan national park (est. 1976), with incredible scenery - from verdant valleys to icy alpine meadows. You will pass through a beautiful range of ecosystems, from subtropical (2000m-2600m) to temperate forests (26000m-30000m), and end up in the alpine grasslands (2000m-2600m) leading up to snow-capped peaks.
The best part is that it is full of wildlife, too: 177 bird species, butterflies, and shy mammals. This trek is a sensory delight for those who enjoy nature, with birds singing and fresh mountain air!
Visit Kyanjin Gompa and Cheese Factory
Perched high in the alpine heart of Langtang is KyanjinGompa, a peaceful monastery that has been watching over the valley for nearly 300 years. Established by Tibetan settlers, it is still a quiet place of retreat for meditation.
And you are left wondering what's happening next door. Pleasant surprise-the Kyanjin Cheese Factory! Famous for producing yak cheese, you will get an insight into traditional cheese-making and bring a block home. Mountains, monks, and melted cheese? Yes, please.
Meet the indigenous communities of Tamangs and Hyolmos
As you trek through the Langtang area, you enter a land filled with rich Indigenous culture. You will meet the Tamangs of Tibetan descent and quickly learn that their customs, clothing, and structures hold stories that go back centuries. In Helambu, you will meet the Hyolmo community, who are humble, kind, and deeply spiritual.
While in their villages, expect plenty of chortens, mani walls, and prayer wheels that spin blessings. Whether you are drinking butter tea with a Tamang host or listening to a good story shared by a Hyolmo elder, you will feel the heartbeat of the Himalayas.
Visit Gosainkunda Lake
You will visit Gosaikunda Lake, a sacred spot where myth meets altitude at 4,380 meters! Legend has it that Lord Shiva, scorched by poison, struck the mountainside with his trident to release this holy lake’s waters and heal himself. The lake now attracts thousands of pilgrims on Janai Purnima, who bathe and rinse off their sins.
It is said that those with a clean heart can behold the image of Shiva glittering in the water! Gosaikunda, nestled amongst 108 glacial lakes and referred to in ancient scriptures such as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, is not merely a lake, it is a living legend wrapped in Himalayan grandeur.
Snow-capped mountain views, stunning glaciers, and perfect landscapes
As you trek through Langtang, you will see why it is called the Valley of Glaciers. It is full of towering peaks, sprawling glaciers, and misty hillsides. You will see towering snow-capped peaks like LangtangLirung (7,234 m), LangtangRi (7,205 m), DorjeLhakpa (6,966 m), Mt. Kang Guru (6,981 m), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m), and Shishapangma (8,027 m) as you trek through glacier-carved valleys.
Along the way, you will pass icy rivers, yak pastures, and charming villages, all framed by stunning natural beauty. Gosaikunda Lake appears like a hidden treasure, peaceful, pure, and surrounded by snowy cliffs. From Lauribinayak Pass, you will see one of the finest panoramas in the region.
Langtang Circuit Trek map
The Langtang Circuit Trek map guides you through one of Nepal's most scenic routes. We will provide you with the printed Langtang Circuit Trek route map before the trek starts. It illustrates the path from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi through the lush Langtang Valley, past the sacred Gosaikunda Lake, over the challenging Lauribinayak Pass, and down to the peaceful village of Chisapani.
The Langtang Circuit Trek map guides you through the terrain and highlights key elevations, distances, and cultural landmarks, ensuring you are well-prepared for each day's adventure. The detailed map directions for the 16-day Langtang Circuit trek are on Outfitter Himalaya Holiday's website.
Langtang Circuit Trek Distance
The trek along Langtang Circuit is about 160 kilometers, spread over 13 days of trekking adventures, excluding vehicle rides. Starting from Syabrubesi, you will pass forests, yak pastures, alpine valleys, and glacial lakes formed by the mighty Himalayan glories.
The distances vary, some days covering 7 km and others covering 20 km, but each day brings new scenery, from river gorges to glacial lakes. With the right preparation and one step (and a view) at a time, this trek is as exciting as possible. Look at the detailed itinerary for daily walking distance in Langtang Gosaikunda Pass Trek.
Langtang Circuit Trek Elevation
Knowing the Elevation and daily elevation gain during the Langtang Circuit Trek is good. The Trek starts at Syabrubesi, which is 1,500m in Elevation, and gradually climbs to the alpine heights of Lauribinayak Pass (4,600m). Lauribinayak Pass is the highest point of the trek after the Tseguri.
Along the way, you will rest at scenic spots like Lama Hotel (2,400m), soak in views from Langtang Village (3,430m), and breathe in the crisp air at KyanjinGompa (3,830m). The altitude picks up as you trek to Gosaikunda Lake (4,380m), nestled among snowy peaks, and then move onward to a high-pass adventure over Lauribinayak (4,600 m). Look at the daily elevation chart attached to the Langtang circuit trek Page.
16 Days Langtang Circuit Trek Itinerary
Langtang Circuit Trek begins with a beautiful ride to Syabrubesi and forested trails through Langtang National Park. Walking along rivers and past flowering rhododendrons, you will ascend to Langtang Village and onto the tranquil KyanjinGompa. You will trek to KyanjinRi for views to die for, and afterward, visit a yak cheese factory run by locals before descending to the Lama Hotel.
From there, you will head toward sacred Gosaikunda Lake, passing through quiet villages such as SyabruGaun and Sing Gompa. Lauribinayak Pass offers great views before you enter the vibrant green Helambu region on your way back down. You will walk through traditional villages, past rolling pastures, and Shivapuri National Park. Finally, you will finish your trek at Sundarijal.
