The Langtang Valley trek map follows one of the most straightforward routes in Nepal. There are no junctions and no navigation decisions above Syabrubesi. The trail follows the Langtang Khola river upstream through a single valley — you walk in, you walk out. Getting lost on this route is genuinely not a concern.
This guide covers the complete route geography: every village, every checkpoint, every overnight stop, and the key landmarks that orientate you as the valley climbs from 1,460m at Syabrubesi to 3,870m at Kyanjin Gompa. It also covers the Kyanjin Ri and Tserko Ri summit options and the Gosaikunda extension route.
What’s Inside This Guide
- Route Overview — How the Map Works
- Starting Point — Syabrubesi
- Lower Trail — Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel
- Mid Trail — Lama Hotel to Kyanjin Gompa
- Upper Routes — Kyanjin Ri and Tserko Ri
- Permit Checkpoints on the Route
- Gosaikunda Extension Route
- Trail Navigation — What You Need to Know
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Related Planning Guides
Langtang Valley Trek Map — Route Overview
The Langtang Valley trek map covers a single linear valley route running north from Syabrubesi to Kyanjin Gompa, then south again on the return. The Langtang Khola river runs the full length — the trail follows it upstream on ascent and downstream on descent.
| Section | From | To | Altitude Range | Character |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower gorge | Syabrubesi (1,460m) | Lama Hotel (2,470m) | 1,460m–2,470m | Dense forest, steep gorge, narrow trail |
| Mid valley | Lama Hotel (2,470m) | Langtang Village (3,430m) | 2,470m–3,430m | Rhododendron forest opening to alpine meadow |
| Upper valley | Langtang Village (3,430m) | Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m) | 3,430m–3,870m | Open yak pasture, glacier views, monastery |
| Day hike — Kyanjin Ri | Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m) | Kyanjin Ri (4,773m) | 3,870m–4,773m | Open ridgeline, panoramic viewpoint |
| Day hike — Tserko Ri | Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m) | Tserko Ri (4,984m) | 3,870m–4,984m | Steep scree, unmaintained trail, summit |
Key distances at a glance
Kathmandu to Syabrubesi: 122 km by road (7–8 hours)
Syabrubesi to Kyanjin Gompa: 32 km by trail (3 trekking days)
Total round trip trail distance: approximately 70 km, including the Day 5 summit hike
Starting Point — Syabrubesi (1,460m)
Syabrubesi is the official trailhead for the Langtang Valley Trek. It sits at 1,460m at the confluence of the Bhote Koshi and Langtang Khola rivers, the point where the road from Kathmandu ends and the trail begins. Syabrubesi is also the junction for the Tamang Heritage Trail heading east and the Gosaikunda route heading southeast. Your guide handles the departure from here — the trail heads north along the east bank of the Langtang Khola.
Getting to Syabrubesi from Kathmandu
The jeep drive from Kathmandu covers 122 km via the Prithvi Highway north to Trishuli Bazaar, then the mountain road north through Dhunche. The Dhunche checkpoint at 1,982m is the first permit check, and your guide handles all documentation there. Dhunche is the last town with significant facilities before Syabrubesi.
Lower Trail — Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel
The lower trail section covers 11 km from Syabrubesi to Lama Hotel, the most physically demanding section per kilometre on the entire route. It climbs steeply through dense rhododendron and oak forest, following the east bank of the Langtang Khola upstream. The gorge narrows in places and the trail is cut into the hillside, so this section feels enclosed and steep compared to the open alpine landscape above.
Key landmarks on the lower trail
- Syabrubesi suspension bridge — the trail crosses to the east bank of the Langtang Khola immediately above the village. This bridge marks the official start of the valley trail.
- Bamboo (1,960m) — a small teahouse cluster at a natural rest point. Most trekkers stop here for morning tea on Day 2.
- Riverside (2,140m) — another teahouse cluster with good views of the river below.
- Lama Hotel (2,470m) — the Day 2 overnight stop. Named after the first lodge built here. Several teahouses are clustered together at a bend in the river.
Mid Trail — Lama Hotel to Kyanjin Gompa
The mid-trail section covers the most dramatic landscape transition — dense forest below Ghoda Tabela giving way to the open high-altitude valley above. This section passes through the earthquake-rebuilt Langtang Village and ends at Kyanjin Gompa below the high peaks.
Key landmarks on the mid trail
- Ghoda Tabela (3,000m) — a former military post now used as a trekking rest stop. The forest thins here and the first mountain views open ahead. A teahouse serves meals and the Langtang National Park inner checkpoint is located here.
- Langtang Village (3,430m) — rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake. The original village was destroyed by the avalanche triggered by the earthquake — a memorial commemorates the victims. Teahouses, a small monastery, and the rebuilt community occupy the same site today.
- Mundu (3,540m) — a small settlement of herders’ houses between Langtang Village and Kyanjin Gompa. Some teahouses operate seasonally here.
- Kyanjin Gompa (3,870m) — the end of the standard Langtang Valley route. The monastery, cheese factory, and teahouse cluster sit on the valley floor with Langtang Lirung’s ice face directly to the north.
The 2015 earthquake — what changed on the map
A massive ice and rock avalanche triggered by the April 2015 earthquake buried the original Langtang Village entirely. Several seasonal settlements between Langtang Village and Mundu were destroyed too. The current trail differs from pre-2015 maps as a result — older guidebooks show layouts that no longer reflect current conditions.
Upper Routes — Kyanjin Ri and Tserko Ri
Above Kyanjin Gompa, the Langtang Valley trek map splits into two possible destinations on the same summit day — both starting from the same teahouse cluster at 3,870m and returning to the same overnight point.
Kyanjin Ri (4,773m) — acclimatisation viewpoint
The trail to Kyanjin Ri climbs directly north-east from the monastery. It’s a clear, maintained path rising steeply above the village on open terrain. The viewpoint gives a 360-degree panorama — Langtang Lirung, Kimshung, Yansa Tsenji, and Dorje Lakpa all visible. Most trekkers reach Kyanjin Ri in 2–3 hours on Day 5, and those who feel strong continue on to Tserko Ri the same day rather than turning back.
Tserko Ri (4,984m) — summit viewpoint
The Tserko Ri trail branches east from above Kyanjin Gompa and climbs a steep, unmaintained path through rock and scree. Unlike Kyanjin Ri, there’s no maintained trail above 4,300m, and the gradient is steep the whole way. The difficulty here is physical and altitude-related rather than technical — there are no fixed ropes and no sections requiring hands and feet. Trekking poles are genuinely useful on the way down, where the loose scree punishes the knees.
Permit Checkpoints on the Route
The Langtang Valley route has four permit checkpoints where your guide presents all documentation. You carry your original passport on your person at all times above Syabrubesi.
| Checkpoint | Location | Altitude | Permit Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dhunche | On the road before Syabrubesi | 1,982m | Langtang National Park Entry Permit |
| Syabrubesi | Trail start, east bank crossing | 1,460m | TIMS card and permit confirmation |
| Ghoda Tabela | Mid-trail rest stop | 3,000m | National Park inner checkpoint — permit re-check |
| Kyanjin Gompa | Trek endpoint, monastery area | 3,870m | Final permit check on ascent |
Your guide approaches every checkpoint first and presents all documents. The officer records your permit number, nationality, and entry date. Keep all original permits in a waterproof holder throughout the trek regardless — wet or damaged documents cause delays at later checkpoints.
Langtang Valley Trek Map — Gosaikunda Extension Route
The Langtang Valley trek map connects to the Gosaikunda Lake circuit via a trail heading south from the upper valley. The extension crosses the Laurebina Pass at 4,610m and descends to Gosaikunda Lake at 4,380m before continuing south to Dhunche — completing a full circuit rather than a return on the same trail.
Where the extension branches
The Gosaikunda extension doesn’t branch from Kyanjin Gompa itself. It follows the main Langtang trail south from Kyanjin Gompa on the return descent, then diverges east at Thulo Syabru village at 2,210m. From there it climbs back up toward the Laurebina Pass via Shin Gompa at 3,330m. Trekkers adding this extension should prepare for significant altitude re-gain after the Kyanjin Gompa descent.
What the extension adds to the route
The combined Langtang and Gosaikunda itinerary runs 12 days in total and includes Gosaikunda Lake at 4,380m and the Laurebina Pass at 4,610m. The result is two distinct mountain experiences joined into one circuit, rather than a there-and-back walk on the same trail.
Trail Navigation — What You Need to Know
The Langtang Valley trail is exceptionally well-signed for a Himalayan trek. Trail markers, painted rocks, and teahouse signage make navigation straightforward at every stage. A licensed guide accompanies all trekkers too, under Langtang National Park’s guide rule in effect since February 17, 2025, which removes navigation responsibility almost entirely. The only thing worth understanding in advance is where the Dhunche checkpoint sits, before the trail even begins.
Offline maps for the Langtang route
Download the Langtang Valley trail on Maps.me or Gaia GPS before departure — mobile data doesn’t exist above Syabrubesi, so this needs doing while you still have signal in Kathmandu. Grab the Kathmandu city map offline too while you’re at it. Offline maps help you understand your position even when your guide is handling all the actual navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — the Langtang Valley route is one of the simplest trails to navigate in Nepal. It follows a single valley with no junctions or route choices above Syabrubesi. All trekkers are required to trek with a licensed guide too, under the Langtang guide rule in effect since February 17, 2025, which removes navigation responsibility almost entirely. Getting lost on this route is essentially impossible with a guide on such a linear trail.
The standard Langtang Valley Trek is a linear there-and-back route — the same trail is walked in both directions. A circular option does exist, though: adding the Gosaikunda Lake extension, which crosses the Laurebina Pass at 4,610m and descends to Dhunche via a different route, extends the trip into a 12-day circuit. Trekkers who want a loop rather than a return route should book the combined Langtang and Gosaikunda package with Mountain Hike Nepal.
The highest point on the standard Langtang Valley route is the Tserko Ri summit at 4,984m, reached as an optional continuation on Day 5. Trekkers who stop at Kyanjin Ri instead reach a maximum of 4,773m. The highest point everyone reaches regardless is Kyanjin Gompa itself at 3,870m — trekkers who skip both summit options simply don’t go higher than that overnight altitude.
Related Planning Guides
- Full Day-by-Day Itinerary — Every stage of the route with trail descriptions alongside the map data.
- Distance and Elevation Guide — Daily km and altitude gain for every section of the map.
- Permits Guide 2026 — What is checked at each checkpoint and how permits are obtained.
- Difficulty Guide — How the terrain changes across each section of the route map.
- Gosaikunda Lake Extension — Full guide to the circular route that connects to the Langtang Valley.
- Full Cost Guide 2026 — Complete budget breakdown for the Langtang Valley Trek.
- Langtang Valley Trek Package — Full 2026 package with group pricing from Mountain Hike Nepal.
One Valley. One Trail. No Wrong Turns.
The Langtang Valley route is one of the most navigable trails in Nepal — a single river valley with no junctions, no route choices, and a licensed guide at every checkpoint. From the Syabrubesi suspension bridge to the Kyanjin Gompa monastery, the trail asks nothing of you in terms of navigation. It asks everything in terms of pace, hydration, and altitude respect above 3,500m.
View the full Langtang Valley Trek package on Mountain Hike Nepal →
Questions about the route, checkpoints, or the Gosaikunda extension? Our team responds within 12 hours.