Langtang Ganjala Pass Trek - 11 Days

an adventurous and scenic walk to cultural Helambu from Langtang valley via high Ganja-la

Trip Facts

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Strenuous
  • Group Size: Minimum 02
  • Max Elevation: 5,122m/16, 804ft

Highlights

  • An adventure of a lifetime on the least explored Langtang hidden areas of Ganj La
  • Walking with scenic views of the massive Ganesh and Langtang Himal mountain range
  • Exploring interesting Buddhist cultures of Langtang and Helambu village
  • Lovely forest of tall rhododendron trees and bamboo, home of rare Red Pandas
  • Walking into Trisuli gorge to a wide beautiful Langtang valley at Kyanjin Gompa
  • Crossing high Ganja La Pass to reach wonderful areas of Helambu with interesting traditions

About Langtang Ganjala Pass Trek - 11 Days

Langtang Valley to Helambu via Ganja-La Pass Trek is a picturesque country with a fascinating local culture of Tibetan Buddhism origin, visiting charming villages of immense ancient traditions that are still practiced to this day, preserving its old heritage and custom in the least explored areas by other trekkers in and around the pristine location of Langtang Ganja la pass trek.

Langtang Ganja La Pass Trek leads you to marvel gorgeous and marvelous areas of Langtang and Helambu, with a fabulous time walking into the deep gorge of the upper Trisuli River to reach an open wide valley at Kyanjin, after visiting the lovely villages of Langtang and Syabrubesi and into enchanting forested areas full of tall rhododendron trees. In spring and summer making this beautiful country into a natural garden where flowers are in full bloom, where most of the rare wild-life is often seen around like Snow Leopard-mountain antelopes and the elusive Red Pandas along the trek to Langtang valley and Ganja la pass trail.

Langtang Ganja La Pass Trekking is starting with an exciting and interesting long drive from Kathmandu heading north towards the central Himalaya region at Langtang and Rasuwa district to Syabrubesi village, where our adventure leads to Langtang Valley at Kyanjin Gompa with eye-catching views of snow-clad peaks that surrounds you.

Our adventure journey continues heading away from the mainstream trekking trail to remote and isolated areas at Langtang Ganja La Pass Trail with ever-present views of mountains, after crossing the highest point of the adventure over 5,122 m high at Ganja-la top, then heading downhill to fascinating areas of Helambu at Tarkeghyang village, home of Hyalmo ethnic tribe similar to Sherpa and Tamang people culture and Buddhist religions.

After enjoying an awesome time with a tough and enjoyable walk around Langtang and Helambu via scenic Langtang Ganja La Pass Trek, then this remarkable and memorable adventure ends with a drive back to Kathmandu.

Langtang Trekking Video

Itinerary

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Starting this marvelous trip Langtang Valley to Helambu via Ganja-La trekking, taking an early morning scenic drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi village around Rasuwa district of Langtang area, drive leads north passing interesting towns and farm villages, journey continues towards cooler area above mid-hills leaving behind low land of rice terraces. On reaching the entrance of Langtang National Park in Dhunche 1,965m, a major town of Langtang area and Rasuwa district, after a short stop drive continues further downhill to our first overnight stop at Syabru Besi village.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teahouse
  • Transportation: Bus

Morning begins with our first day walk with a climb for few hours, then on gradual path through terraced farms and scattered villages, walk continues reaching a riverside where the trail from Thulo Syabru meets with few teahouses and lodges, after a short rest here walk uphill through serene forested areas of tall rhododendron, oaks and pines trees entering a river gorge following Trisuli River upstream to Lama Hotel for overnight stop.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teahouse

After a pleasant morning with the sound of the river flowing, walk leads into a river gorge within dense woodland passing few small settlements and farms, the mid-day walk reaches a nice place at Ghoretabla, the name means "Horse-Stable" in Nepali. After a nice break or lunch stop, afternoon walk leads to our overnight destination at Langtang village with few hours of good walk from Ghoretabela to Langtang village, this is a nice moderate size village with Bhotia’s and Tamang people, the native of Langtang region for hundreds of years. (The villages around were completely destroyed from the avalanche due to huge earthquakes of 25th April & 12th May 2015 and slowly returning back to normal life).

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teahouse
A short walk today to Kyanjin Gompa of few hours as the walk enters a wide valley after leaving the tree lines and river gorge, morning walk follows a short steep hill where tree lines declines for short bushes of azalea (bush rhododendron), juniper and prickly Burberry bushes, finally walk enters a wide path around glacial valley with splendid scenery of snowcapped mountains of Dorji Lakpa, Langtang Lirung, Tserko RI, Langshsisa, and Naya Kanga or Ganja la peak. After a wonderful scenic walk ending at Kyanjin Gompa, a beautiful spot with wide beautiful valley and close views of Langtang Lirung glacier, ice fall just next to the lodges of Kyanjin. Kyanjin with an old small monastery located on a rocky moraine ridge top, Langtang valley a huge grazing area for Yaks, and the place has a Yak Cheese Factory established three decades ago with Swiss assistance.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teahouse
A rest day at Kyanjin for people who would like a hike up to hilltop at Tserku Ri of 5,033m high. The climb to Tserku Ri leads to a steep climb offering glorious mountain views of the central Himalayan range. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy rest with panorama of Chimsedang Lekh, Kangjal Himal, a ridge of peaks bordering the valley to the south, Naya Kanga 5,844m, super views of great mountains dominating Langtang valley, includes Ganchenpo 6,387m, Dorje Lakpa 6,990 m, Pemthang Karpo Ri 6,830m, Langtang Lirung 7,245m and across the northern boundary in Tibet rises the huge massive Shishapangma 8,046 m the last worlds 14th highest mountain.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teahouse

After a wonderful time at Kyanjin, our real adventure starts following Langtang River and then uphill walk through rhododendron forests, climb leads to a steep path to reach a flat area of Ganja La Phedi (base/bottom of the pass and hills) for first overnight camping of the adventure.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent
An early morning start to cross and traverse over Ganja La pass, sometimes it could lead to a challenge when the pass is covered in deep snow, which happens most of the season, after a hard climb with views of surrounding mountains on reaching the top, then farewell to Langtang area, as the walk leads towards Helambu region with long downhill on icy trail to reach a small glacial pond at Keldang Kharka for overnight stop with overnight camping.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent

After tough trekking and climb of the previous day, today will be a moderate and gradual walk following a ridgeline, with few ups and downs reaching small grazing areas at Dukpu or Yak Kharka with few temporary shades and huts for overnight camps.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Tent

Morning walk leads to Tarkeghyang village with downhill at first and then climb a small pass of 4,100 m /13,451 ft high, with views of Ganesh, Langtang and Jugal Himal range. After a stop follows the path descending into a forest of pine, rhododendron trees to Tarkeghyang village for an overnight stop in the comfort of nice homely lodge, with time for a walk around the oldest monastery of the area full of impressive Buddhist culture.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teahouse

Enjoying overnight stop at Tarkeghyang village with its friendly locals of Hyalmo tribes, morning our last day walk leads on pleasant path around unspoiled forested areas, with views of beautiful Helambu villages, walk continues passing chortens a prayer Buddhist monuments, following the trail with superb views of rolling green hills reaching at Shermathang village for the overnight stop, a nice village of Hyalmo ethnic tribes with time to visit the old monastery.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Accommodation: Lodge/Teahouse
Morning after last breakfast on the hills of Jugal Himal and Helambu area, then taking an exciting drive which leads downhill to Melamche Bazaar a busy town, and then on winding scenic road reaching warmer areas of Melamche Bazaar and finally back at Kathmandu, after an awesome time on Langtang Valley to Helambu via Ganja-La trekking, after checking into respective hotels with afternoon free at leisure and join in for farewell group dinner in a nice restaurant around Thamel area.
  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
  • Transportation: Bus
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Cost Details

  • Bus transportation: Kathmandu to Syabrubensi and Sermathan to Kathmandu
  • Lodge and tent accommodation during the trek
  • All accommodation and meals during the trek
  • An experienced English-speaking trek guide and Sherpa porters to carry luggage (2 trekkers: 1 porter) including their salary, insurance, equipment, and lodging
  • Trekking equipment: sleeping bag, down jacket, Duffel bag and camping
  • All necessary paperwork and permit (Langtang national park permit & TIMS)
  • A comprehensive medical kit
  • Travel and rescue arrangements
  • All government and local taxes
  • Farewell dinner
  • Nepalese visa
  • Personal expenses such as laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters bottled or boiled water, shower, heater and phone calls, etc
  • Travel insurance & Rescue operation
  • Tips for guide and porters
  • Food and hotel in Kathmandu (due to an early return from a trek, or an extended stay in Nepal)
  • International flight tickets
  • Personal trekking equipment

Dates & Prices

Departure note

Group join fix departure dates are not convenient for you; you may choose alternate trip departure dates as per your comfort holidays, we are pleased to open a new trip date. We can organize a private trek at any time of the year.

Useful Information

A typical Tea House (Lodge) Trekking Day

A typical trekking day means walking from morning to late afternoon. Each morning after packing your bags and then having a good breakfast, we will set off for day walks to our next designated overnights stop. We suggest that you carry a small day pack to put your water bottles, sunscreen cream, hats, raincoat, camera, and warm jumper just in case if the weather changes to cold, while rest of your belonging that you don’t need for the day goes in large duffel/kit bags for porters to carry. The walk will last for 3 to 4 hours in the morning until lunch at midday. We stop for one hour to have lunch and rest before heading to our overnight destination in the comfort of tea house/lodge at villages.

At the end of the day after checking in the lodge, rest (read books, write your diary) or explore the village. After lunch, you will be walking for 2 to 3 hours, normally reaching at the overnight stop around three to four PM. Our guide will provide you with the best accommodation available in Tea houses and lodge. Some days completing day walks by lunchtime at designated overnights stops, where you will be free after lunch in the afternoon.

After tea and coffee break one can spend time exploring around the village or just relax and do some washing the laundry. The dinner will be served around 6 to 7 P.M. the dining room (Restaurant) inside the tea house/lodge. For dinner as per the menu or recommended by your guide must be ordered one hour in advance. After dinner evening will be spent often playing cards or discussing the day’s topic and events or writing a diary if we are habitual of it before heading off to bed for good sound sleep.

Accommodation On Trek

We provide accommodation in tea houses (mountain lodge). A Tea House is a combination of a guest house, restaurant, and social hang out. The rooms are with twin beds and little additional furniture like small tables or chairs. Blankets are generally provided (we recommend that you carry your own sleeping bags). Most bathrooms are common with squatting (Asian) toilets or of western comfort with sitting toilets. Most Tea Houses / Lodge have running water facilities. Most of the lodges have hot water for showers, but with extra charge in using hot showers.

Trekking Foods

As per your booking trek to Gokyo Lake Panorama, full board meals are included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided). We provide food from these local lodge/tea houses as per choices on the menu. Breakfast and dinner provided at the same tea house/lodge while lunch would be on the trail. Every Tea House serves traditional Nepali meal Dal Bhat (rice and lentils), and as well a variety of different food items, such as rice, seasonable vegetables, noodles, potatoes, and soups. Some lodge serves western foods such as pizza, pasta, and French fries. Soft drinks, snacks, and beer are available in most of the Tea Houses restaurants. A variety of cereals, bread, and eggs dishes are generally available for breakfast.

Safe Drinking Water

Along the trek, safe drinking water is very important while we are on high altitude journey. We recommend that one should drink at least 3-4 liters water a day (this helps from de-hydration and altitude problem AMS). As long as possible we recommend you buy sealed packed mineral water and can buy from every local shop and lodges. Remember! River, spring and tap water are free, we should not recommend you directly drink it even water looks very clean, can not drink with adding water purification pills or filter then will be suitable to drink. Easly you can buy boiled water from every lodge and boiled water, sealed packed water costs $1-2$ dollars per letters and its cost also depends on where we are from the sea level. So, you need to prepare and packed the extra cost for all the table drinks.

Health and Fitness Required

Health and physical fitness is the most important part of travel and in participating for trek and hiking. If you do not have previous trekking experience as required, you can start with morning walking exercise or cycling for weeks or month before/after booking the trip with us, if you have previous trekking and climbing experience it will add a plus point on the trek chosen, most of the trek is non-technical effort walks. The highest height gain on this trip is at 5,360m is Gokyo Ri Top above sea level. The walk involves lots of ups and down, walking through local villages, farmlands, terraces, and riverside as long as you have energy walking for 4- 6 hours a day, and if you are qualified for the trek but still requires moderate health and fitness. We strongly advise travelers to consult your medical doctor before traveling and do a regular check-up and hand the report to us while booking a trip with us.

Our Experience Trekking Crews

Nepal is a mountainous country walk takes you to a remote region, it is necessary that you are accompanied by an experienced and qualified guide and leaders for a safe journey and making the trip a success. We at Nepal Spirit Adventure employ native trekking guides and porters who are trained and qualified for this type of trip and have worked with us for a long time.

Our experienced guide provides with much local information and offers you advice on how to use your free time and by coordinating day to day events of the tour, although (sometimes) he might need you to understand that if things do not go according to our plan set. Our trek guides are fully trained and licensed from Nepal Government, certify from TAAN and Nepal Mountaineering Association.

All our trekking and climbing guides are well qualified and highly experienced with 9- 10 years on this job. We provide training for our staff yearly on medical and climbing, with their efficiency, and cheerful attitude, providing helps, information and the needs of the guests of nationalities.

Assuring that all our trips are well managed by the expert team of tourism professionals all our guides have a good knowledge regarding the culture and customs of the routes on trekking and tours, share experience and cultural insights of the country that’s missed out in travel guide books. During your time with us, you will have time learning Nepali phrases and other cultural aspects during the journey. As we organize varied treks in Nepal Himalaya, on group trekking we provide a trek leader with an assistance leader on each trekking depending upon the size of the groups.

This ensures safe travel with us as our guide/assistance guides get any health medical problem, we still have other main guides and leaders to run the trip smooth as per our standard itinerary. To make the trip enjoyable and pleasant we provide one guide to support and carry your bags among two people with one Sherpa helpers in certain conditions.

Caring Porter

Our porter is fully equipped with warm gear and insured on each trip by the company. We take care of our staff/porter's welfare as well as the client’s safeties.
We closely work with (PAC) Porters Association International Act. We allow maximum load to be carried by our porter with 20 to 25 KG and make sure that your trekking duffel-kit bag should not be more than 20-25 KG.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is a must and necessary that you are insured when booking trips with Nepal Spirit Adventure. Insurance protections should cover Travel / Medical sufficiently as well as emergency and immediate rescue evacuation by any means of transportation including helicopters on medical ground.
As well covering against loss or theft of your belonging and valuables and please make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking your stay in Nepal such as Trekking and Climbing including other trips and adventure sports.

Nepal Spirit Adventure holds no responsibility and liability in case of loss, theft or damage of your belongings. We also let you know that Nepalese insurance companies do not have a travel insurance policy for foreign nationals. They have this policy only for Nepalese nationals. We advise you when you travel to Nepal please bring your insurance documents it is top important.

Re-Charging Batteries of Electronic Items on The Trek

We can recharge your batteries, devices with electricity or solar power sources. In Nepal 220 240 volts 50 MHZ (50 Cycles per Second) power is supplied. Just need to have a plug adaptor in case of socket fitting, which you can buy in Kathmandu before the trip since the plugs in Nepal might be different. You might have to pay a small amount of fee/hour for using recharging facilities.

Risk Liabilities

We are fully committed to providing the best quality services providing enjoyable and mesmerizing holiday so that one can experience “once in a lifetime journey” with us, we perform our duties honestly and seriously to make your journey very smooth and pleasant. The entire programs are conducted strictly under the rules and regulations of the Nepal Government act and policies. Nepal Spirit Adventure Pvt. Ltd shall not be responsible for any changes in the itinerary due to unavoidable circumstance such as govt. restriction, Landslide, road blockage, and flood and other natural calamities, political unrest, cancellation of flight, delay, sickness or accident. Any extra cost incurred due to some situations clients should be borne the expenses on the spot.

How to Get Nepal Visa & Cost

All foreign nationals, except Indian citizens, need visas to enter Nepal. Nepalese visas can be obtained from the Nepalese Embassy or consulate in your home country or it can also be obtained at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu upon your arrival. Most of our guests take Nepal Visa after they arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Tribhuvan International Airport is the only international airport in Nepal. Immigration Office, TIA (Tribhuvan International Airport) under the Department of Immigration has been facilitating tourists flying to Nepal by providing Visa on Arrival. 'On Arrival' visa procedure is very quick and simple. You can expect some queues during peak Tourist season. If you wish to skip those queues, you can also consider getting Visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions stationed abroad prior to your arrival. The choice is yours.

If you have obtained a visa from Nepalese Diplomatic Missions, then you must enter Nepal within six months from the visa issued date. Your total stay is counted starting from the day you enter into Nepal.

Visas obtained on Arrival at the Entry and Exit points are 'Tourist Visas'. They bear multiple Re entry facility. Tourist Visa 'On Arrival' is the only entry visa to Nepal. If you are visiting Nepal for the purposes other than Tourism (sightseeing, tour, travel, mountaineering, trekking, visiting friends and families), you should still get ' Tourist Visa' to get into the country. However, you must change the category of visa as per your purpose and length of stay in Nepal from the Department of Immigration by producing required documents. Nationals of designated countries are requested to acquire Visa prior to their arrival from their nearby Diplomatic missions (Embassies/consulates) of the Nepal Government.

Please follow these simple procedures for Tourist Visa on Arrival at the airport (TIA) if you have not acquired Visa prior to boarding the plane.

1st Step:

Fill in ' Arrival Card '

Fill in Online ‘Tourist Visa ‘form ( you can fill it up prior to your arrival visiting our official website Department of Immigration / fill it up using Kiosk machines upon your arrival at the airport). If you fill it from the website, you will get submission Receipt with barcode, please print it out and bring it along for acquiring a visa. It works for fifteen days and becomes invalid then after. If so, you will have to fill it up again.

2nd Step:

Make payment at the bank according to your visa requirement ( 15/30/90 Days) Get the receipt.

While you can use different modes of payments (at visa fees collection counter), we advise you to carry some cash to be on the safe side.

On Arrival Visa Fee at Entry Points

15 Days – 30 USD
30 Days – 50 USD
90 Days – 125 USD

3rd Step:

Proceed to the Immigration Desk with your online form, payment receipts, and your passport. Hand in your documents to the immigration officer for visa processing. He/she issues a visa to you upon his/her satisfaction.

Visa Extension Fee

Tourist visa extension is done for a minimum of 15 days with USD 45 and USD 3 per day for additional days. In the case of delay less than 150 days additional USD 5 per day as of late fine.

Gratis Visa (Visa for Free)

Gratis Visa is issued free of cost in case of following categories of Visa applicants:

Children below 10 years except for US citizens. Up to 30 days for SAARC Citizen (except Afghanistan) visiting Nepal for the first time in a given visa Year. Afghan citizen is eligible for Gratis Visa on Arrival only upon the recommendation of the Department of Immigration. If you are an Afghan citizen, you can request a concerned institution inviting you to Nepal for necessary paperwork with the Department of Immigration to get you Gratis Visa 'On Arrival'.

High Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness often known as acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.) in general may occur when people ascend too quickly normally at altitudes of over 3000 m. Most people will feel some effect of altitude, shortness of breath and possibly a light-headed, which is fairly common. Acute mountain sickness is very different and normally involves a severe headache, sickness, and loss of awareness. In almost every potential case there are enough warning signs to take appropriate action. When symptoms of altitude sickness develop you, please tell your trekking guide. He will advise you do deal with your problem. Generally, overexertion and dehydration contribute to altitude sickness. So drink at least 3-4 liters of water every day besides tea and coffee which act as diuretics.

Group Size

We organize any route of Nepal trek with fix departure basis or private trip, the minimum group size would be 1 maximum group size is 10 or more on request. We can also organize a private trip to a solo person with a single supplement cost. Else, join our estimated group departure dates available online market or ask us with your personal suitable flexible dates, we will open group date on the same date.

Trekking Season

Nepal has two best seasons for trekking Everest Three High Passes, as this trip is much adventurous and challenging, we always recommend that you book this kind of trip at the right time of the year as possible. Trekking in Nepal is possible at any time of the year, depending on the area of the trekking area chosen. In Nepal, you can trek anywhere in any four seasons (Spring-Summer-Autumn / Fall or Winter), but the most popular trekking seasons are Spring and Autumn times. Nepal Spirit Adventure offers you to consider the following advice on the outstanding aspects of each season.

Autumn (September- October- November):
The autumn is one of the best seasons for trekking in the Himalayan region offers excellent weather and outstanding mountain views, the weather is clear and we can guarantee that you can witness fantastic mountain views and panorama.

This season is the peak time for trekking in Nepal Himalaya and you can also witness several Hindu festivals such as 15 days long Dashain, the biggest festival for all Nepalese, celebrating with the triumph of good over evil, and shortly afterward the 5 days long Tihar or Dipawali (Festival of Lights) follows.

Winter (December-January- February):
In winter snowfall times at higher elevations, the snowline descends considerably, and the weather is cold. So it is an ideal time for trekking at lower elevations below 3,000m in the foothills of Nepal with great views of the Himalayas, it can get cold at night and in the mornings, but during the day temperatures are mild when it is sunny.

Spring (March-April- May):
The spring is one of the best seasons for trekking in Nepal Himalaya. Many visitors travel to Nepal in the spring as trekking is fine in all Himalaya regions. The meadows and forest will be in full bloom with riots of colors of wildflowers specially rhododendron the, national flowers of Nepal, come in great varieties from bush to tall trees. The weather is warmer at lower elevations and at the higher elevations over 4,000m visibility is excellent and the temperature is quite moderate.

Summer (June-July- August):
During summer trek is warm and sweaty in the wet summer months, and also constitutes the monsoon season which can continue up to mid-September. Summer is a good time for the keen botanists and forest researchers as the higher valleys and meadows blossom with flowers and lush vegetation. It is not generally recommended to trek during the summer season except in the arid rain shadow areas like Upper Mustang, Dolpo and Kailash.

Nepal Himalaya will be in the grip of wet monsoon season starting from mid-June to early September months, although morning are often clear for few hours for the views of sunrise and mountains, it can rain heavily almost every day, cloud hangs around by mid-morning, with frequent rain and occasional thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening times. The advantages of trekking in the summer months trekking along with a few crowds of trekkers and on the quiet trail.