Langtang Valley trek is perfect for those who want to spend a week at the lap of nature not so far from Kathmandu. This trek lets you explore all the natural and cultural aspects of Nepal with amazing mountain views. Langtang Valley trek is only moderately difficult and requires you to trek for about a week starting from Syabru Besi.
Langtang Valley trek can be done throughout the year but trekking in off-season requires you to make extra preparation and be ready for the unexpected challenges of nature.
It is not to say that trekking in the Langtang region in summer and winter is not worth it or impossible. They have their own perks too. You can trek quite peacefully even in a popular trail like Langtang Valley trek in off-seasons. You get to enjoy the clear views of the mountains in winter.
But, if you don’t want to take the risk and trek in a traditional way, autumn and spring are the best time for Langtang Valley trek. In Nepal Autumn starts from mid-September and stays till November and coincides with the major festive season of Dashain and Tihar. Spring starts from March and stays till April where Nepalese New Year also falls.
Pleasant Weather
One of the best things about trekking in autumn and spring is that you don’t have to face extreme weather and rainfalls. Trekking for multiple hours a day for a week can be pretty tough. If it gets too hot or too cold or if the trails are slippery with rain, it can create extra challenges.
But, the pleasant weather of autumn and spring and the glorious views of mountains and surrounding landscape make it the most enjoyable time to do Langtang Valley trek. During Autumn, the days are warm and comfortable. Nights can get a bit colder with an average temperature of 5 °C. In Spring, the average daytime temperature is about 15°C. You can trek only in shirts and shorts in lower villages in these seasons while you may need a fleece or a jacket in the evening and in higher altitude places.
Blooming Rhododendron Forests
Spring is the time of the year when you get to see the forests and villages blooming in various colours of flowers. During Autumn trek, the green forest starts to turn golden with dried leaves on the ground giving you a feeling of happy-sad.
Autumn is also the time when farmers harvest their crops. You get to see farmlands covered with fully-grown crops in villages along the trail. During your trek, as you walk past villages, you will get to witness the traditional methods of harvesting crops used by farmers in Nepal.
Festivals and Celebrations
The biggest festival in Nepal, Dashain, and Tihar in the month of October makes the streets and villages vibrant with flowers, lights, local markets, and colours. People celebrate these festivals with great enthusiasm and the celebration usually starts during mid-October. You also get to be a part of New Year according to the Nepalese calendar which falls in the month of April in spring. During these festivals, you get to witness varied ways of celebrating festivals in cities and villages.
Easy Packing
For trekking in Autumn and Spring, you won’t have to think about lots of things like mosquito repellents, extra sleeping bags, and heavy down jackets. You also don't have to worry about umbrellas and raincoats to keep you safe from rain.
During winter, you may want to bring microspikes with you to make it easier to walk in the snow though it is completely optional. But, for autumn and spring, you don’t actually need them.
You also get to be a bit careless while carrying snacks and medicines. In summer, you would have to constantly worry about keeping them away from heat and moisture. During Autumn and Spring, due to moderate temperature, things you carry doesn’t spoil that easily.
Fewer Things to Worry About
Trekking in Langtang Region in Monsoon means you may encounter rainfall unexpectedly and views of mountains and landscapes may not be as clear as they would. In summer, you may also have to take a few extra steps to stay safe from mosquitoes and leeches.
During winter, you have to constantly keep yourself warm from head to toe. Some tea houses may not be open during the winter, so you may also have to walk up to the next village sometimes to call it a day. You may also have to prepare yourself for cold nights, harsh winds and snowfall.
The roads are also easier to walk on during Spring and Autumn as there will be no rainfall or snowfall in these seasons.
Check out the itinerary and other details of Langtang Valley Trek. Other alternative routes in the Langtang region are Langtang Helambu Trek, Langtang Gosaikunda Trek and Tamang Heritage Trail Trek.
