
Langtang Khola
by Christian H.
With the Langtang Trek via Ganja La pass, you have many beautiful opportunities. You follow the river upstream through forests of pine, bamboo and rhododendron. Then you ascend through pastures to arrive at the alpine meadows of Kyanjin Gompa, the last Tibetan village in the valley. And last but not least, you cross the exciting mountain pass of Ganja La.
Trekking in the Langtang Valley and crossing Ganja La is a trekking full of diversity. Langtang is a narrow valley that lies just below the main Himalayan range to Nepal’s northern border with Tibet and a slightly lower range of snowy peaks in the south. A visit to the Langtang valley gives you the opportunity to explore Tibetan and Tamang villages. Also you could climb small peaks and visit glaciers at a comfortably low elevations. From Kyanjin Gompa, a Tibetan village in the valley, the trek heads Helambu via Ganja La pass (5200m). The pass itself can be challenging, during autumn and spring the pass is open for trekkers.
A trek over Ganja La pass is an entirely wild and adventurous experience. If you are on this trek during spring, the forest along the trail is colourful as it is full of blooming rhododendrons. Crossing Ganja La is a serious undertaking that requires good equipment and experience from our local guides. Crossing the pass requires technical climbing equipment and trekkers must be skilled in the use of this. The trail follows a small valley before it reaches the glaciated pass where the use of ropes, crampons and ice axes may be necessary.
By crossing the pass you enter Helambu, descend and slowly return to Kathmandu.
In Kathmandu, before and after your Langtang Valley trek, you will be staying at a 3-star hotel with a private bathroom and wifi. These hotels have a prime location. In Kathmandu you will be staying in the travellers neighbourhood Thamel. The hotel is nearby many restaurants, trekking gear shops and supermarkets.
During your Langtang Valley trek, you will be staying at mountain lodges. Here are double rooms and shared bathrooms.
A hot shower and wifi are also available for an additional fee.