Welcome to the ultimate guide for solo trekking in Langtang Valley! This guide is based on firsthand experience and is designed for independent travelers who prefer exploring the Himalayas on their own terms.
I recently completed this trek solo without joining a group or hiring a guide, so I could provide accurate, practical insights for those who want the freedom to trek solo.
The Langtang Valley trek is a manageable challenge for beginners in good shape with some prior trekking experience. This guide combines my personal experience with essential tips to help you plan and customize your own adventure. Read through to get all the details you’ll need for a smooth trekking experience.
Quick facts
- Duration: 5-7 days
- Starting altitude: 1,500m (Syabru Besi)
- Maximum altitude: 5,000m (Tserko Ri)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Best season: March-May, October-November
- Starting point: Syabru Besi
- Permits required: Yes
- Guide required: No (see below)
Trekking regulations update:
If you’re concerned about recent restrictions on solo trekking in Nepal, don’t worry; although not fully legal, it’s still possible to trek on your own in the Langtang Valley.
Click here for further details.
Preparing for your Langtang Valley trek
Most people fly into Kathmandu and spend a night or two there before heading to the trek. Kathmandu serves as a central starting point for Himalayan treks and provides resources for preparing, such as stores selling trekking supplies and equipment, as well as places to obtain required permits.
Permits
Before you begin, you’ll need a Langtang National Park permit. The easiest way to get one is at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu. It’s open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day except Saturdays, but be sure to check the current hours of your trip. I recommend picking it up before you plan to leave, as you don’t want the hassle of buying it at the national park entrance. The permit costs 3,000 NPR (around $30), which I found reasonable given the incredible experience that awaits.
- Where to get it: Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu [Google Maps link]
- Cost: 3,000 NPR
- Opening hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Closed Saturdays)
Getting the permit at the Nepal Tourism Board was easy. The staff were friendly and used to trekkers, so I had no issues. When registering for your national park permit, the staff may ask if you’re registered with an agency. You can simply say that you haven’t arranged that yet. If they continue to press about it, mention that you plan to do so later. Request an independent permit directly, as this allows you to trek without committing to an agency.
If you can’t get it in advance, don’t stress; the bus will stop at the national park entrance, where you can purchase it.
If they ask about TIMS card, just say that you will fix that later.
Short about the TIMS card:
The TIMS card, which stands for Trekker Information Management System, is officially required for tourists trekking in Nepal. It is intended to track tourists’ locations and entry/exit times in case of emergencies or natural disasters. However, the TIMS card can only be obtained through a registered agency, which means hiring a guide or paying extra fees—something many independent trekkers would prefer to avoid. On the Langtang Trek, you’ll find that the TIMS card is not required in practice. Checkpoints and park entry points only request a national park permit. So, while the TIMS card is technically mandatory, it’s unnecessary for this trek if you’re going solo. Skip it, and don’t worry.
Bus ticket
I recommend purchasing a bus ticket the day before departure. There are two bus companies, Timure Yatayat and Sewa. From my experience, Sewa A/C Deluxe had the most comfortable seats. Both of the buses cost the same. The ticket will cost you around 950 NPR (about $9). You can purchase your ticket in the yellow booth on the corner of the building under the Mo:Mo restaurant 🥟
- Station location: Machha Pokhari [Google Maps link]
- Ticket purchase: Buy a ticket the day before, as buses fill up quickly.
- Earliest departure: 5:40 am (buses leave every 20-30 minutes until 8:00 am)
- Cost: 950 NPR (around $9)
I scoped out the bus station the night before and asked if I needed to book in advance. They told me it wasn’t necessary, but I barely managed to buy the last ticket on the bus the next morning, despite arriving 40 minutes early! So definitely buy your ticket a day in advance if possible.
Remember to bring cash
When preparing for the Langtang Valley trek, it’s crucial to bring enough local currency, as most places will not accept US dollars or other foreign currencies. Based on my experience, I initially brought 20,000 NPR for the trek, assuming it would be sufficient. However, I came close to running out in Kyanjin Gompa. Luckily, there is actually an ATM there; it doesn’t always work, but it did for me, allowing me to withdraw an additional 10,000 NPR, which was more than enough to comfortably finish the trek.
If you’re hoping to avoid any stress about cash, I recommend bringing at least 30,000 NPR for a one-week trek. This should cover meals, lodging, and any incidental expenses, with enough to allow for some flexibility.
Keep in mind that water gets increasingly expensive as you climb, with prices ranging from 150 to 350 NPR per liter. And costs can add up quickly if you’re purchasing water regularly.
EarthEnjoyer hydration tips!
Hydration is absolutely essential. Especially on this trek, as high altitudes increase the risk of dehydration. To give you an idea, I’m 168 cm (5’6″) and around 60 kg (132 lbs), and I drank about 4 liters (1 gallon) of water daily. Staying hydrated will make a noticeable difference in how you feel on the trail.
- Electrolytes: I brought two packs of 10 electrolyte tablets, which were invaluable in helping me maintain hydration and energy levels. I would add these to bottled water I purchased, creating a rehydrating drink to sip at the start and during each day’s trek.
- Water filtration system: To save money, I also brought a water filtration system which connects to a water bottle. This allowed me to fill up with drinkable water at no cost along the trek. (The filtered water couldn’t be used for electrolyte tablets, though, since they would be blocked in the filter.) This setup of filtered water plus electrolyte-infused bottled water worked perfectly for me, reducing expenses while ensuring I stayed hydrated.
- Buying water in Kyanjin Gompa: If you need extra bottled water or snacks, consider buying them from local stores in Kyanjin Gompa rather than your guesthouse. The stores here are generally cheaper, due to more competition among vendors, and you’ll have more options too.
I’ll probably be adding more useful tips here over time, and if you are wondering what to pack for the trek, a full packing list is coming soon. So, keep an eye out for a complete list on exactly what to pack for the most efficient and trail-ready backpack setup.
Trek summary:
| Day | Starting point | Destination | Altitude | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (bus) | Kathmandu | Syabru Besi | 1,500 m | N/A | 7 hours |
| Day 1 | Syabru Besi | Lama Hotel | 2,500 m | ~14 km | 5-7 hours |
| Day 2 | Lama Hotel | Kyanjin Gompa | 3,900 m | ~20 km | 6-10 hours |
| Day 3 | Kyanjin Gompa | Kyanjin Ri | 4,700 m | ~5 km | 2-5 hours |
| Day 4 | Kyanjin Gompa | Tserko Ri | 5,000 m | ~11 km | 4-10 hours |
| Day 5 | Kyanjin Gompa | Lama Hotel | 2,400 m | ~20 km | 5-9 hours |
| Day 6 | Lama Hotel | Syabru Besi | 1,500 m | ~14 km | 4-6 hours |
| Day 7 (bus) | Syabru Besi | Kathmandu | N/A | N/A | 7 hours |
Day 1: Kathmandu to Syabru Besi
Your adventure begins with an early-morning bus ride from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi, the gateway to Langtang Valley. I took the first bus available at 5:40 am. The bus was the Sewa A/C Deluxe, and it was a decent experience. Just be ready for a 7-hour bumpy ride. If you can and want to, sit at the front of the bus – theres a sort of lounge area where you can sit, get a better view of the mountain roads and have a chance to chat with locals. Just remember, if you have a sensitive stomach, take it easy with food before the ride.
- Starting point: Machha Pokhari bus stop
- Bus departure from Kathmandu: 5:40 am
- Bus arrival in Syabru Besi: 12:00-1:00 pm
If you take the earliest bus, you’ll likely arrive in Syabru Besi around midday, around 12:00-1:00 pm. It’s a modest town with a few shops, guesthouses, and eateries. Having arrived early, you’ll likely want to start walking right away.
In Syabru Besi, there are two key checkpoints to be aware of:
Tourist Police: Located slightly up in the village [map link], the tourist police may stop trekkers to check their passport and inquire about their plans. They typically ask for how many days you plan to trek, which trek you are undertaking, and the trekking agency or guide you are with.
- When you don’t have a guide, you should simply say that you don’t have the contact info for a guide. It could be helpful to say that you will walk with a group. Otherwise, if they for any weird reason say that you can’t walk without a guide, you can simply say “oh well, then I guess I won’t be doing the trek after all”. They don’t have the authority to detain you, so you can proceed to the trail without issue.
Second checkpoint: This is at the actual start of the trail [map link]. Here, officials may ask to see your permit (possibly passport too) and inquire about your trekking plans.
- I recommend maybe finding someone to walk with for the first 500 meters. They will not stop a group of people normally. I was fortunate to meet a group of three Nepali trekkers who welcomed me to join them, so I wasn’t stopped at all through this checkpoint.
- If you’re alone, you can mention that your group is ahead, and you need to catch up. If you encounter any issues, there’s an alternative route via another bridge that you can take to bypass the checkpoint.
Day 1: Syabru Besi to Lama Hotel
On day 1, you’ll probably want to start your trek from Syabru Besi, heading up through dense forest trails toward Lama Hotel. The trail begins with a steady incline, leading through a lush jungle landscape with views and the sounds of Langtang river along the way. As you gain elevation, you’ll pass a few smaller settlements where you can rest, such as Bamboo Lodge. These tea houses can provide an earlier stopping point for the night if you’re not ready to push on to Lama Hotel, provided they have rooms available.
- Starting point: Syabru Besi
- Trek start: ~12:30 pm
- Duration: 5-7 hours
- Distance: ~14 kilometers
- Terrain: Jungle and forest
- End point: Lama Hotel
Elevation profile:
| Ascent | 1,300 meters ↑ |
| Descent | 300 meters ↓ |
| Minimum altitude | 1,500 m.a.s.l |
| Maximum altitude | 2,500 m.a.s.l |
Download of all GPX files is available further down 🙂
In our case, we initially aimed for Rimche but found it fully booked and ended up walking a short distance in the dark before reaching Lama Hotel. Lama Hotel itself is more like a cluster of guesthouses, similar to many of the stops along the way. Accommodations here are generally a bit more spacious and often have rooms available, making it a reliable place to stay at the end of a long first day.
Quick tip:
If you’re concerned about finding a place further along your route, ask your guesthouse to help arrange a booking. Many have mutual agreements and will recommend other guesthouses to support each other’s business. They often offer call ahead for you, saving you the hassle and providing some peace of mind.
Day 2: Lama Hotel to Kyanjin Gompa
After a restful night at Lama Hotel, you’ll begin day two with a gradual ascent towards Kyanjin Gompa. This stretch is a bit longer, typically taking 6-10 hours, depending on your pace and rest stops. The trail leads through beautiful rhododendron forests and opens up progressively, revealing the snow-capped peaks of Langtang Lirung and other surrounding mountains as you get higher.
Along the way, you’ll pass Langtang Village, with several guesthouses where you can pause for a break. Langtang Village is also a good place to stop for the night if you’re looking for a shorter day or if the altitude is affecting you, as it allows for a more gradual acclimatization. For those pushing on, Kyanjin Gompa is the final stop, a small and scenic village surrounded by impressive Himalayan scenery.
As you continue toward Kyanjin Gompa, the terrain becomes rockier, and the valley opens up, offering expansive views of the mountains ahead. There are a few teahouses along this section where you can rest and refuel. By the time you reach Kyanjin Gompa, you’ll be greeted by one of the highest settlements in the Langtang Valley and several guesthouses to choose from.
- Starting point: Lama Hotel
- Trek start: ~7:00-8:00 am
- Duration: 6-10 hours
- Distance: ~20 kilometers
- Terrain: Forests, open valley, rocky paths
- End point: Kyanjin Gompa
Elevation profile:
| Ascent | 1,800 meters ↑ |
| Descent | 400 meters ↓ |
| Minimum altitude | 2,400 m.a.s.l |
| Maximum altitude | 3,900 m.a.s.l |
Reaching Kyanjin Gompa, you’ll find a few options for accommodations and the chance to explore a bit before resting. This village offers some unique local foods like yak cheese and has a couple of bakeries.
Day 3: Exploring Kyanjin Gompa and Summit of Kyanjin Ri
Day three is a flexible day, giving you the choice to rest or to take on one of the nearby summits. If you stayed overnight in Langtang Village, this could be your arrival day at Kyanjin Gompa, so I wouldn’t recommend attempting either Kyanjin Ri or Tserko Ri until you’re fully settled and acclimated. However, if you stayed in Kyanjin Gompa the previous night, then today is an ideal time to summit Kyanjin Ri. Attempting Kyanjin Ri first provides a gradual way to adjust further to the altitude, while reserving your energy for Tserko Ri on day four.
In my case, this day was perfect for exploring the surrounding area, and later, heading up Kyanjin Ri. I spent the morning walking down to the river, greeting the yaks and mules that graze nearby, and checking out the stupas scattered throughout the village. Later, feeling more acclimated and charged up, I began my ascent up Kyanjin Ri, which has two summits: a lower (4,300m) and an upper (4,700m). The climb was manageable, a gradual uphill hike that took me about one and a half hour to reach the upper summit and around an hour for the descent. Most trekkers can expect to complete the hike in 2-5 hours, depending on pace and rest stops.
- Starting point: Kyanjin Gompa
- Trek start: Whenever
- Duration: 2-5 hours out and back (Kyanjin Ri)
- Distance: ~5 kilometers
- Terrain: Rocky paths with moderate incline
- End point: Return to Kyanjin Gompa
Elevation profile:
| Ascent | 800 meters ↑ |
| Descent | 800 meters ↓ |
| Minimum altitude | 3,900 m.a.s.l |
| Maximum altitude | 4,700 m.a.s.l |
Kyanjin Ri offers stunning panoramic views of the Langtang Valley and surrounding peaks and is an excellent warm-up for those looking to take on the more challenging Tserko Ri.
Day 4: Summit of Tserko Ri
This is a bit more of a challenging trek, and some people might start to feel symptoms of altitude sickness at this point, so staying hydrated and eating lots of carbs is crucial. You’ll be heading up to a summit at 5,000 meters, which makes this the highest point of the trek. For the best views, I’d recommend starting as early as possible. I began my trek at 7:30 in the morning, but you can head out as soon as there’s daylight. I don’t recommend starting in the dark, as some trekkers have said the path can be tricky to spot from a distance without good visibility.
You can expect to spend anywhere from 4 hours (if you’re really fast) to 9 or 10 hours on this trek. Personally, I used about 5 hours, including a long break at the top to soak in the views. Other experienced trekkers I met took closer to 8 hours in total.
- Starting point: Kyanjin Gompa
- Trek start: 7:00-7:30 am or as early as possible
- Duration: 4-10 hours out and back (Tserko Ri)
- Distance: ~11 kilometers
- Terrain: Rocky paths with some steep inclines
- End point: Return to Kyanjin Gompa
Elevation profile:
| Ascent | 1150 meters ↑ |
| Descent | 1150 meters ↓ |
| Minimum altitude | 3,900 m.a.s.l |
| Maximum altitude | 5000 m.a.s.l |
At the summit, the views are simply incredible—photos will not compare to seeing the views of the valley and peaks in person. Standing at 5,000 meters, you’ll have wide, stunning views that make every step to the top worth it. After taking some time to rest and enjoy the scenery, start your way back down to Kyanjin Gompa.
Day 5: Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel
Day five marks the start of your descent. You can head back down to Lama Hotel, or take your time and stay an extra day in Kyanjin Gompa if you wish. The descent is basically just the opposite of going up. It will be much easier going down, of course, and you can easily reach Lama Hotel in one day from Kyanjin Gompa.
In my case, I spent the morning in Kyanjin Gompa, wandering through the village and picking up a few souvenirs. I eventually left around 11:00 a.m. and made it to Lama Hotel in about six hours, though it can vary depending on your pace.
- Starting point: Kyanjin Gompa
- Trek start: Flexible; I left around 11:00 am
- Duration: 5-9 hours
- Distance: ~20 kilometers
- End point: Lama Hotel
Elevation profile:
| Ascent | 400 meters ↑ |
| Descent | 1800 meters ↓ |
| Minimum altitude | 2,400 m.a.s.l |
| Maximum altitude | 3,900 m.a.s.l |
On my way down, I was told at several places that Lama Hotel was fully booked and had no space, but I decided to push on and hope for the best. When I arrived at Lama Hotel, I checked the first few guesthouses, and they were indeed full. Fortunately, at the 4th or 5th place I checked, I found a room available. So, you might consider pre-booking during the high season. In most cases, you will be fine and get a room anyway, but it’s something to keep in mind to avoid unnecessary stress.
Day 6: Lama Hotel to Syabru Besi
Now you’re back in the jungle. The final stretch of the trek from Lama Hotel to Syabru Besi is shorter and mostly downhill, so take your time to enjoy the scenery and move at a relaxed pace.
- Starting point: Lama Hotel
- Trek start: Whenever
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Distance: ~14 kilometers
- End point: Syabru Besi
Elevation profile:
| Ascent | 300 meters ↑ |
| Descent | 1,300 meters ↓ |
| Minimum altitude | 1,500 m.a.s.l |
| Maximum altitude | 2,500 m.a.s.l |
If you’re considering alternatives, you could stay at one of the teahouses nearer the trail’s starting point rather than heading all the way into Syabru Besi. This option allows for a bit more time enjoying the trail, but it will also mean an extra hour or so of walking the next morning to reach the bus station in Syabru Besi.
Bus details for return to Kathmandu
Once you reach Syabru Besi, I recommend spending the night there and purchasing your bus ticket in advance to secure an early spot for the next day’s ride back to Kathmandu. However, you can also take it easy and rest assured that even without pre-purchasing a ticket the day before, you’ll likely get a seat as long as you arrive fairly early. I recommend at least before 10 a.m.
For ticket purchases, you can choose between Timure Yatayat, located right at the end of the trail when you reach the center of Syabru Besi, and Sewa, which is slightly further up in the village. Sewa offers what I found to be the more comfortable bus; while I used Yatayat on my return trip and found it acceptable, I thought the seats on Sewa’s A/C Deluxe bus were better on the way up.
Buses generally leave Syabru Besi sporadically starting around 7:00 a.m., with departures until around noon. Booking the day before still gives you the best shot at an early seat, especially if you’re hoping for one of the first departures.
Day 7: Syabru Besi to Kathmandu
After completing your trek and spending a final night in Syabru Besi, it’s probably time to go back to Kathmandu. The bus ride from Syabru Besi to Kathmandu is much like the way there, bumpy. If you didn’t get a ticket in advance, just be sure to arrive at the bus booth early, around 9 or 10 a.m. should suffice. The ride typically takes around 7 hours, depending on road conditions, and gives you one last look at the stunning landscapes of the Langtang region as you make your way back to the capital.
And that wraps up the Langtang Valley trekking guide!
I hope this guide has been valuable to anyone considering the Langtang Valley trek as a solo adventure. If you’ve been on the fence about going alone, especially due to concerns about the recent trekking regulations, I want to reassure you that it was entirely manageable for me and for many other solo trekkers I encountered along the way.
That said, please remember that this guide is based on my personal experience, and while I’m sharing everything I found helpful, I cannot guarantee that your experience will be exactly the same. This information is provided purely to help you make informed decisions, but I cannot be held accountable for any actions you choose to take based on it.
With all that in mind, I genuinely believe that if you prepare well and stay flexible, you’ll find the Langtang Valley trek to be an unforgettable experience. Best of luck, safe travels, and enjoy the journey!
GPX file collection
Below, you’ll find a GPX file that includes the complete route for the Langtang Valley trek. Import the file to view it on a map on a compatible device or app, like Garmin Explore, Gaia GPS, or AllTrails, and enjoy the added peace of mind knowing you can reference the route at any time.
Once imported into your app or device, you’ll be able to select and navigate each segment, making it easier to plan each stage or check your progress along the way.
Personally, I use the Garmin Explore app since I have a Garmin watch, but there are many other excellent apps out there that support GPX imports for route planning and navigation.
Also check out:
If you’re interested in further details, stay tuned for these upcoming posts and resources:
- Packing Essentials for the Langtang Trek: A complete checklist for all the gear and supplies you’ll need, from clothing to trail tools.
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