THE TRAVELING KAYAN
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • GALLERY

​wander often

wander always

7 Days Langtang Trek , NepaI (October 2019)

10/18/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Trekking in Langtang Valley had been a blast. Tiring physically and mentally. A once in a life time experience me thinks. You only experience first time once no? The Langtang Valley has long been a favorite trek due to its expansive views, interesting Tamang culture, relatively gentle pace and accessibility from Kathmandu.
​

Nepal had been on my bucket list for quite some time now. But I never had anyone interested to join me for the trip. As adventurous as I was, I was not going to do Nepal by myself just yet. After hearing many great things from friends; I decided I'd give it a go and bought myself flight tickets


Planning a trek there is part of the adventure itself. A lot of reading and research needed. Even that said and done on my part, I still think I could've done better choices especially with my hiking boots and packing (less is better guys). So to help reduce a bit of your stress - I came up with this itinerary for your references and maybe customise your own. HAVE FUN!

​

Brief Itinerary

In total,  including days in Kathmandu we did the whole trip within 10 days. Very doable no? 
Picture

Documentations

There are a total of FOUR documents you need to get ready before heading on to your trek
  1. Entry VISA
  2. TIMS aka Trekker's Information Management System
  3. Regional Area Permit
  4. Langtang  National Park  Entry Permit
  5. Travel Insurance - We took AXA (VIP category 2) ** unlimited cost for helicopter transfer
Picture
(FRONT) TIMS: Trekker's Information Management System
Picture
(BACK) TIMS: Trekker's Information Management System

What to pack?

Picture
  1. Fleece Jacket + Water Resistant & Wind Blocker Jacket
  2. Glove
  3. Snow Cap
  4. 2 Sets of  Body Warmers (Long Pants and Long Sleeve Shirts)
  5. 2 Sets of Dry Fits (Pants and Shirt)
  6. 2  nos of Cotton Shirt
  7. 2 pairs of cotton pants
  8. Lingerie (Sport Bras/ Underwear etc)
  9. Skincare & Toiletries
  10. Fast Drying Towel
  11. Face Towel
  12. Torch Light  & Head Lamp
  13. Day Pack (For Peak Day)
  14. Socks 4 pairs ( thicker the better - I wore double at night)
  15. A pair of good Hiking Boots and flip flops
  16. Medicines you may need (I brought paracetamols/charcoal pills/band aids/hot patch etc etc)

DAY 1: Arrived in Kathmandu

First thing, change your money as they will be no ATMS in the mountains. Also, the exchange rate is higher in the park should you succeed finding a place to change currency. Please change to NEPALI currency instead of USD. (not that the local do not accept USD but it would be cheaper for your pocket if your use NEPALI)
Picture
Picture
Arrived Kathmandu after a tiring 4.45 hours flight from KL to Kathmandu. Headed straight to the hotel. Got settled down and made an appointment with guide for a meetup.   (orbitnepaladventure.com/)
Picture
After we settled our deposits and arrangement for the hike, we requested our guide to direct us towards the best Momos in town. and Momos we had.
PictureCheese Momo <3

Verdict: Sama jak with our Siew Mai. lol Momos just has more varieties in terms of what they put in them.

DAY 2: Bus day to Syafrubesi

Picture
Approximately 9 hours bus ride from Kathmandu to Syafrubesi - The 170 km long ride takes longer than expected, with security check points in various places and land side affected roads delaying the ride and also with a lot of stops in between villages including short toilet breaks and breakfast and lunch stops.

I've read that 9 hours is is okay provided there are no problems on the roads of with the bus itself.
We choose to use the deluxe bus instead of a normal bus it was not advisable to use the normal bus. (for more comfort). There is an option to can to rent a jeep if there are more of you as it would cost around 150USD to rent a jeep.


​​To be safe,  bus tickets can but bought at the bus "station" at least a day before you travel, or on the day you travel (if you don't mind risking no seats as there always seem to be lots of locals travelling from Kathmandu in the direction of Syafrubesi). The bus station is really just a small counter near the edge of the road, and the buses to Syafrubesi stop at the road side - it is all a bit chaotic and confusing, but will depend on how used you are to travelling in developing countries.
 
We decided to be SAFER by booking ourselves a guide to assist us with out travels. Best bet in our case to reduce risks in our travels albeit it more expensive

Picture
Picture
We arrived Syafrubesi at  5PM local time

Day 3: Trek to Rimche Tea House (Near Lama Village)

I went at the peak of tourist season so we were told that lama village is packed and no more teahouses were available. So we decided to stop at Rimche ( a few minutes before Lama Village)
Picture
Picture
Picture
The Team
Picture
Picture

Day 4: Trek to Langtang Village

Picture
This route took us the through one of the area massively affected from the 2015's earthquake. In 2015, a 7.8 magnitude earthqukae shook Nepal. It caused a huge landslide of rock and ice to slide off of 7,227m Langtang Valley. The village of Langtang was directly underneath. The village was wiped out, and over 200 people died, including around 40 foreign tourists.  The 2015 earthquake and subsequent landslide had an enormous effect on the region, but aid and reconstruction have recently reopened this valley to trekking again. Not only is it still a beautiful trek, your visit will also provide vital support for local livelihoods.

Picture
One of the areas massively affected from the 2015 earthquake
Trekking through this rubble was hard for me because of the unstable rocks and the thick evening mist - low visibility, tired legs after trekking non stop for two days, unstable ground, cold weather: the combination was a exasperating one. Plays with your mind I tell you.
Picture
Quaint Teahouses that warmed my heart despite the freezing cold

Day 5: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa

Today we were scheduled to walk for three hours. Started from Langtang Village at 8am and arrived around 11am. On time and I was proud - albeit still the slowest in the team.
Picture
Despite being the shortest hike throughtout the trip, I find myself the most tired on this day. I had a problem acclimatizung and my heart rate went crazy-even after I arrived our hotel. It is advisable to walk around when this happen just so your body can get use to the height you are currently in. DO NOT NAP/SLEEP.
Picture
Picture
 After settling down, we decided to have something to eat and how else but to do it with freshly baked pastries and artisanal coffee. You can see this bakery just on your way into the village so u wont miss it. Of course you can always opt for coffee/tea at your respective tea houses for a cheaper price but we wanted something extra just so we can celebrate.
Picture
Football with the local kids before after brunch
Picture
Manostary just above the village

Day 6: Trek to Kyanjin Ri  then down to Ghoda Tabela Teahouse

Peak Day! Highlight of the Trip! Kyanjn Ri View Point. Personally i think this hurdle is the easiest one though the steepest. 2 KM up it took me 2 hours and 15 mins to ascend. Glad I made it up at all despite my heart rate.
Picture
Make sure you start your journey early to avoid the crowds. We started to hike up at 530am. I knew I'd take my time going up because of my heat rate so this was a welcoming idea to me so I could take as much time as I needed to ascend but still get my solo pictures taken once I arrived the view point.

Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Right on the dot, as we were descending to peak, the crowd started ascend. Good thing we were already on our way down. But still- traffic! because the trail was very narrow and steep! so be extra careful!

Our original itinerary would allow us to stay another night in Kyanjin Gumpa. But we decided to shorten it and descend to the next teahouse below right after lunch. Ghoda Tabela Teahouse, we we decided to rest for the night.
Picture
Ghoda Tabela Tea House

Day 8: Trek to Syafrubesi

Picture
Picture

Day 9: Bus Day to Kathmandu

Tip: In the beginning of the trip, please readily buy your return ticket as well to avoid getting full houses. Also get the current bus schedule from your friendly home stay owners/caretakers so you can plan your way down from your hike.

Day 10: Kathmandu

Arriving early one day ahead of schedule we had a full one day to explore the town.
​
Picture
Early morning shot from my balcony over looking the streets of Thamel
Our guide decided we explore Patan Durbar Square is situated at the centre of the city of Lalitpur in Nepal. It is one of the three Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of its attraction is the ancient royal palace where the Malla Kings of Lalitpur resided.
PictureManaged to catch this when we enter one of the temple
​

Picture
Picture
Picture
Next stop is the famous Boudhanath Stupa. The stupa's massive mandala makes it one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal.
Picture
Boudhanath Stupa
PictureLocal selling lamps cum the nearing of festival of lights.

It is curious that the practice of lighting lamps seems integral to Hinduism. I find this practice/culture a beautiful one. honestly, my understanding of Hinduism is still very low but on site while taking photographs; the local encourages all walks of life to take part in lighting these candle (albeit for some money) warms my heart even in the cold temperatures of the streets.
Picture

Day 11: Flight back to Malaysia

There aren't any nice pictures on this day so I'll recap some of the local delicacies that I manage to take pictures of before gobbling them all up.

Tips

October is the peak tourist season - with clear skies and temperatures comfortable for trekking
  1. Pack Lightly ( OTW back I exchange my backpack with my guide because his was lighter) ** pack dri-fits because they dry faster and dont be afraid to reuse your clothes - most don't care if you smell lol
  2. No ATMs /Credit/Debit machines on the mountains so bring cash (NEPALI only) ** they do exchange USD but the rates are higher
  3. bring toilet paper (i bought wet tissues as well)
  4. hot water for bathing are abundantly available in teahouses so no worries!
  5. forget about WIFI - communicate like its 1995! ** no point buying a pocket wifi either. NO LINE!
  6. HIKING BOOTS - make sure to get a good one or at least in my case new ones! i hiked with my old ones and by the end of the trip i had to throw them out 
Picture
Picture
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    October 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    January 2018
    September 2017
    July 2017
    March 2017

    Categories

    All
    Bakun Dam Baram
    Bangkok Thailand
    Bario Sarawak
    Berastagi Indonesia
    Boracay Philippines
    Danau Tabo Indonesia
    Goa India
    Kathmandu Nepal
    Labuan Bajo
    Lake Toba Indonesia
    Lake Toba Indonesia 2
    Langtang Nepal
    Medan Indonesia
    Phuket Thailand
    Sibu Sarawak
    Siem Reap Cambodia
    Yogyakarta Indonesia

    RSS Feed

    trazy.com
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact
  • GALLERY