Difficulty of Trekking and Fitness
This is a moderate trek, suitable for all passionate walkers who are ready to walk at least 5-6 hours a day with a light day pack. Some days, you might even need to walk little more hours too. Walking in higher altitude is physically demanding than walking in the lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have positive attitude, self confidence and strong determination, you can accomplish the Langtang valley trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior of the trip is good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no technical skill is required for this trip. It is vital that you consult with your doctor before you decide and set up for the Langtang Sanctuary Trek. Participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood disease should inform NT before booking the trek.
Langtang Trekking-Teahouse Lodges
Accommodation whilst on trek will be on twin room sharing basis in a simple locally run lodges, known as teahouses. It is an ideal way to support small local businesses. Rooms are simply furnished with just a bed and occasionally a small table. You will need to bring a sleeping bag. Only few lodges have attached toilet during the trek. However, please note, normally washing and toilet facilities are shared and may be a separate part of the teahouse outside. It’s great to enjoy the company of your fellow travellers and share a tale with other trekkers in the evening in the dining area.
If you are a solo traveler, you will share a room with someone else of same sex of your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference and get single rooms on request by paying extra as indicated on cost section. But, you need to understand that in teahouses/lodges of higher elevation area single room is not always possible. We guarantee single room in Kathmandu only and during trek single room is may not be possible.
Meals and Drinking Water
The breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included. Your guide will help and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. You can buy bottled mineral water from local lodge and shop en route. You can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water paying an extra cost to be paid and treat with water purification pills.
Luggage While on Trekking
During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porter. Please keep your luggage as light as possible around 12 kg. You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sun-screen, spare jacket etc. You can leave your valuable items at your hotel in Kathmandu while on trekking. Many hotels have a locker system and provide a deposit slip for the valuables kept under the hotel’s safe keeping. You may also leave your extra things at your hotel which is not required for your trek in your main luggage. Please note that we will provide complimentary kit bag for you before your trek starts so that you can pack all your necessary things.
Trekking Staff
On the Tea house trek you will be accompanied by a team of guide and porter if you have booked your trip including porter. Our aim is to make the trek as comfortable and enjoyable as much possible. The team consists of a trek guide and porters to carry all your gear. On average, we provide one porter for two trekkers.
The skilled, experienced, courteous and helpful trek guide and porters make your trek successful, enjoyable and memorable. All of our trekking guides and porters are carefully selected as per their appropriate experience, leadership skills and personal aptitude.
Typical Day On Trek
Each morning after packing your bags and having a good breakfast, you set off for a day walk. After walking for 3-4 hours, you will stop for lunch at midday. The afternoon walk is generally shorter and usually arrive at the camp in time for afternoon tea. The remainder of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, doing a bit of washing and simply relaxing with a good book. On some days we will arrive at our camp by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and sharing day adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.
Equipment Checklist
You are advised to pack the following equipment for the trek. This is only a guideline. You can adjust gear according to your needs, interests, duration and season of your trip.
A variety of gears, possible to hire and buy in Kathmandu. Apart from your day pack, your big luggage will be carried by porters. The luggage weight will be 12- 15 kg.
- Head
Sun hat or scarf
Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
Sunglasses with UV protection - Upper Body
T-shirts
Light and expedition weight thermal tops
Fleece jacket or pullover
Fleece Windstopper jacket (optional)
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
Down vest and/or jacket - Lower Body
Undergarments
Hiking shorts
Lightweight cotton long pants
Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
Fleece or wool pants (seasonal)
Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants - Hands
Lightweight gloves
Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer (seasonal) - Feet
Thin, lightweight inner socks
Thick, warm wool hiking socks
Hiking boots with spare laces
Camp shoes (trainers and/or sandals)
Gaiters for hiking in winter - Accessories
Sleeping bag rated to ( -15 Degree Celsius)
Headlamp with spare batteries
Trekking Bags/Duffel bag *
First Aid Kit (with personal medicine)
Large plastic bags for keeping items dry inside trek bag
Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
Trekking Poles
Water bottle
Toiletries (Small wash towel, Toilet papers etc)
Ear Plug - Toiletries
1 medium sized quick drying towel
Tooth brush/paste (preferably biodegradable)
Multipurpose soap (preferably biodegradable)
Deodorants if necessary
Nail clippers if necessary
Face and body moisturizer
Feminine hygiene products - Personal Hygiene
Wet wipes (baby wipes)
Tissue /toilet roll
Antibacterial handwash - Extras/Luxuries
Binoculars/ Reading book
Trail Map/Guide book/Journal & Pen
IPod /Pencils and small notebooks
Travel game i.e. chess, backgammon, scrabble
Personal Expenses
On the trek, breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided. You only need money for table drinks (alcoholic/non alcoholic beverages), snacks while walking (a few smaller shops are available along the trail in some areas) tips, souvenirs, hot shower and Wifi (available in most places).
Meeting and Greeting in Kathmandu
You need to send your International flight details to us for a ‘meeting and greeting’ service at the Kathmandu-TIA Airport. Once you pass the customs and come out of the Arrival Terminal Hall after collecting your baggage where you will see our representative /guide standing with a placard your name and flight arrival details.
Climate and Seasons Trekking to Langtang
Autumn (mid Sept to mid Dec) and Spring (March to May) are the best seasons for the Langtang Trek. The weather is sunny and warm, with outstanding views but the nights are cold and can fall to freezing. Winter (Dec, Jan, Feb) is also good for Langtang Valley Trek, only colder (obviously). The trekking routes are crowded during spring and autumn but during winter the routes are not packed and you could enjoy rather best of nature. However, please note that it may be snowfall / avalanches during the winter.
Itinerary Changes
Depending on the prevailing situation, itinerary is possible to modify to some extent after consulting with your trek guide. However, the date of trek completion should always same with the original itinerary. You should keep in mind that this is an adventure trip into the remotest region, where many unforeseen events may cause a change in itinerary. In such cases, your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.
Nepal Visa and Passport
All visitors except the Indian nationals must hold a valid passport of a minimum of 6 months validity remaining and valid visa. Visa can be obtained at the Nepalese diplomatic missions and consulates abroad. Visa is also issued at the entry points. It can be extended at the Department of Immigration, Kathmandu. Children under 10 years need not pay any visa fee. People willing to get entry Visa at the Kathmandu-TIA airport or any of the land entry points are required to fill a visa form with passport photograph.The following visa fee to be paid at the airport as per your stay in Nepal.
- Multiple Entry 15 Days: US$ 25 or equivalent convertible currency
- Multiple Entry 30 Days: US$ 40 or equivalent convertible currency
- Multiple Entry 90 Days: US$ 100 or equivalent convertible currency
Rescue and Evacuations
In case of a serious sickness or a casualty, which we hope will not happen.You need to be rescued by a helicopter. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred in evacuation please make sure that it is covered by your travel insurance policy before assigning for it. Also, be prepared to pay on your own after getting back in Kathmandu.
Travel Insurance
It is recommended of joining any of our trips that be protected against comprehensive expenses potential to incur due to medical issues or accidents (include air ambulance, helicopter rescue, and treatment costs). Please be noted that we do not arrange and sell insurance. Altitude 4130m to be covered by Insurance Company
Benefits of trekking with Mission Eco Trek
We are one of the leading and reputable trekking agency in Nepal. We organize Tibet, Bhutan and India tour as well. We are excellent in this field because we genuinely love what we do and are committed to providing you with the best services as we commit you.
Responsible Travel, Tour and Trekking Operator
The beautiful environment of the Himalayas is also an extremely fragile one. We are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact on the environment as much as possible.
Cares for Porter and Guides
We make sure that all porters and guides are provided with adequate clothing and equipment. We also ensure that the porters and guides are insured. We run the trek according to the guidelines of the International Porter Protection group (IPPG).
Know Before You Go Langtang Trekking
We strongly recommend that you check your government’s travel advisory for up-to-date information and advice about your destination: safety and security, entry requirements, health, local laws and customs and local attitudes towards same-sex relationships.
Tipping
Tipping is the accepted way of saying ‘thank you’ for good service. Tips do not form part of the wages of your guides and porters but they are very much appreciated. It is important to remember that tipping is voluntary and should be dependent on good service. Normally the tips are given at the end of the trek and this is best done as a group. Most groups will give the tips with a bit of ceremony (or sometimes a party) on the last evening, to mark the end of the trip. The amount depends on your budget and appreciation of their work.
Group Size and Trip Status
For each trip there is a minimum number of participants required to enable it to go ahead. Once the minimum number is reached, the trip status will change from ‘Available’ to ‘Guaranteed to run’. You can check the trip status for each departure in ‘Dates and Prices’ table. Other than in exceptional circumstances, we will not cancel a trip once it has achieved this guaranteed to run status and so you are free to proceed with your international flight booking and other travel arrangements.
Joining Arrangements and Transfers
The group will meet at the hotel in Kathmandu.Transfers are provided from/to Kathmandu Airport for all clients arriving on Day 1 of the Land Only itinerary and departing on the last day of the Land Only itinerary. Hotel contact details and an emergency number will be provided with your booking confirmation.
Altitude
The trip involves going to high altitude. During the course of your trip you will reach altitudes in excess of 3500 metres. This is not something that you should worry about; the human body is quite capable of adapting to a very wide range of altitudes, but it is important that we follow some simple rules in order to acclimatise successfully.You can also talk to one of our trekking experts if you have any concerns about altitude.
Spending Money
Approximately USD 200 – USD 250 should be allowed for miscellaneous expenses including beer, soft drinks, wifi and hot shower.The Sterling, US Dollars and Euros are equally acceptable for exchange in Nepal. Please note: Scottish and Northern Ireland bank notes are not accepted in Nepal. We recommend that you carry your travel money in the form of cash, since you will exchange the majority of this on the day of your arrival in Kathmandu. If you prefer not to carry all of your spending money in cash, it is possible to withdraw money from ATMs in Kathmandu using your debit or credit card. During the trek it is possible to buy snacks, chocolate, soft drinks and beer on most days. Please be aware that since everything has to be carried up, these items become more expensive as you gain altitude.
Baggage Allowance
Your main item of luggage should be a rucksack, duffle bag or similar. This will be carried during the trek by porters or pack animals and must weigh no more than 15kg. If you are picking up a sleeping bag and down jacket from Kathmandu, you need to factor in the weight of these items (around 3kg) and allow space in your bag for them. You should also take on your holiday a daypack of approximately 30 litres capacity. It is possible to leave items not required on trek at the hotel in Kathmandu. For your international flights, please check the baggage allowance with your airline.
