Langtang National Park

Mountains of Langtang NP

Langtang National Park is a national park in the Himalayas in northern Nepal.

Understand

The park was established in 1976 as the first Himalayan and fourth national park in Nepal. It covers 1,710 km² (660 sq mi), with a 420 km² (160 sq mi) buffer zone, and is linked with the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet. The highest peak is Langtang Lirung at 7,245 m (23,770 ft). It has rich biodiversity with vegetation ranging from tropical forests below 1,000 m (3,300 ft) altitude to alpine scrub and perennial ice.

Buffer zone management is a joint venture between the park office and the local communities, with local communities receiving part of the park revenue, to ensure sustainability.

The climate is relatively dry, with snow locally in January–February. The monsoon period is June to August. The autumn is regarded the best period to visit. In August there is a festival at the Gosainkunda lake, with thousands of Hindu pilgrims. In September there is a spectacular display of flowers. Yak and Chauri herds, which ascended to avoid the summer heat, return to lower pastures. In peak winter, trails are blocked and the lodges are closed. In spring the rhododendrons flourish.

Settlements

• 1 Kodari is a town in Langtang. It is also the border crossing into Tibet, China. The town of Dram is located on the Chinese side of the border.
• 2 Tatopani is a town in Langtang. It is 4 km south of Kodari and the Tibet Border crossing. There are hot springs located here which is what the town is named after (Tato is hot, pani is water).

Get in

The park is just 32 km (20 mi) from the Kathmandu Valley. It spans parts of the Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Sindhupalchok districts in the southern mountainous terrain of the Nepal-China (Tibet) border.

By bus

Direct bus from Kathmandu or by changing at Barabise to Kodari, this will take about 9 hours to travel the 111 km distance.

Fees

The entrance fee to the park is Rs. 3,000 for a single entry (2018). If you are going on a trek you need a TIMS card.

Get around

River valley

There are three main trekking routes (see Trekking in Nepal), which cover much of the park (and the southern Helambu region), with possibility to explore trailside wilderness.

Taxis

Taxis congregate around the Nepal Customs and Immigration office in Kodari and will take you to Kathmandu in 4 hours.

See

View at sunrise from mountain pass Laurebina-la between the Langtang and Helambu regions

• vegetation, wilderness, hilltop views
• cultural sites, such as in Langtang village, Melamchighyang, Tarkeghayang and Shemathang
• The hot springs located near the north end of Tatopani village.
• Towards the south of the village of Tatopani there is a shrine with prayer wheel located up the hillside.

Do

The park offers hiking of different difficulty, duration ranging from 3 days to 3 weeks.

Sleep

There are locally operated hotels, lodges, and campgrounds along the trekking routes.

There are many budget places along the road in Tatopani.

• New Family Guesthouse, Tatopani-4, Sindhupalchok, ☏ +977 11-690245. Check-out: 12:00. Located just downhill from the entrance to the hot springs. Rooms overlook the village and the river with Tibet on the other side. Cold showers only. There are Western toilets, all the plumbing leaks however. Beds are hard cotton mattresses, thick blankets for when it gets cold. Rs. 800-1200/night. 

Stay safe

Do not hike alone.

Mind altitude sickness especially when ascending above about 3000 m (10,000 feet), and risk of dehydration.

Some trails are rocky and slippery after rain or frost. Do not stop while crossing stone fields, but watch out for falling rocks.

In remote areas one has to be self sustaining. There are no medical facilities in most of the park, carry an extensive first aid pack. Telephone facilities are available at Singh Gompa and at major settlements in Helambu.

Hiring local guides is strongly recommended on some routes.

Go next

From Kodari crossing into China requires you to cross the Friendship Bridge where you will a custom building on the Chinese side of the bridge. After immigration, you will find 5 km of mountain road before you reach Chinese border town of Dram. A cab ride from the border to Zhangmu usually cost ¥10 per person, with 4 or more share the cab. You can also walk and the other is to hitch-hike. You will also find baggage porters, charging an average of Rs. 40 per porter, who will carry your baggage across the no-man's land. Be aware that is it uphill the whole way!