Langtang Valley Route Map: Stages, Distances & Altitude

The Route in One Paragraph

You drive north from Kathmandu (about 6–8 hours on a bumpy road) to Syabrubesi (1,550 m), then walk east up the Langtang Khola through subtropical forest to Lama Hotel (2,470 m). From there the valley opens up as you climb to Langtang village (3,430 m), which was rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake avalanche, and continue up to Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m) at the head of the valley. Kyanjin is the endpoint — from here trekkers day-hike onto Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m) or Tserko Ri (4,984 m) for the classic viewpoints, then retrace the trail back down to Syabrubesi.

The trek is a straight out-and-back, not a loop — you walk the same trail up and down. Its brevity and low high point (compared to EBC or Manaslu) make it the most accessible major mountain trek in Nepal.

Standard 7-Day Route Table

Total walking distance is ~55–70 km round trip, with cumulative ascent of about 2,700 m. It is the shortest of the classic Nepal treks, which is why it fits into a 7-day annual leave slot better than EBC (12+) or Manaslu (14+).

The Two Kyanjin Ridges

Kyanjin Gompa is the trek's terminus, but the two ridges above it — Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m) and Tserko Ri (4,984 m) — are the real payoff. Both are day hikes from Kyanjin, both are done in the dark for dawn light.

Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m)

The closer, shorter option. 3–4 hours round trip from Kyanjin lodges, climbing steeply on a switch-backing trail. Gives an excellent view of the Langtang glacier, Kimshung and Langtang Lirung. The right choice if you have one day and want to be back for lunch.

Tserko Ri (4,984 m)

The bigger day. 5–7 hours round trip, climbing gradually along the north side of the valley. A wider panorama including Shishapangma (Tibet) on a clear day. The classic Langtang photograph. Worth the extra hours if you have time and warm gear.

Both should be started before dawn (typically 4–5 am from Kyanjin) so you are on the summit for sunrise, when the peaks turn pink and gold. Winds pick up fast after 9 am and the ridge becomes unpleasant.

Common Variants

Langtang + Gosaikunda (10–12 days)

Instead of retracing to Syabrubesi, detour south from Kyanjin through Gosaikunda (4,380 m) — a sacred cluster of alpine lakes — and finish via Sundarijal on the outskirts of Kathmandu. See the Langtang + Gosaikunda guide. Adds 3–5 days and turns the out-and-back into a proper loop.

Helambu circuit finish

Continue further south from Gosaikunda into the Helambu region, a Sherpa cultural area with lower altitudes and gentler terrain. Popular for slower trekkers who want to extend the trip without gaining more altitude.

Short 5-day version

Some operators offer a compressed 5-day version by combining stages: Syabrubesi → Lama Hotel and Lama Hotel → Kyanjin become single long days, and one side trip only. Feasible for fit trekkers with prior high-altitude experience.

Tamang Heritage Trail combo

Before or after Langtang, walk the Tamang Heritage Trail in the hills west of Syabrubesi. Lower altitude, Tamang-culture homestays, no high mountains but a rich cultural counterpoint to the Kyanjin high country.

Key Landmarks on the Route

• Syabrubesi (1,550 m): The trailhead town at the road end, with basic lodges, gear shops and the Langtang National Park entry checkpoint. Confirm your permits are stamped here.
• Lama Hotel (2,470 m): Not a hotel but a cluster of lodges named after a single original inn, sitting in dense forest. First proper sleep on the trek.
• Langtang village (3,430 m): The historical Tibetan-culture village that was destroyed in the 2015 earthquake avalanche. The rebuilt village sits slightly relocated to a safer site. See the weather guide for the earthquake context.
• Kyanjin Gompa (3,870 m): The trek's terminus, a small monastic settlement in a wide meadow bowl. Yak cheese factory in season, and several lodges with mountain-view rooms.
• Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m): The shorter of the two viewpoint ridges — 3–4 hours round trip from Kyanjin.
• Tserko Ri (4,984 m): The bigger viewpoint ridge — 5–7 hours round trip. The classic Langtang panoramic photograph is taken here at dawn.