About Langtang

 

Langtang Valley is often overlooked by people when it comes to trekking in Nepal. Most people prefer the famous EBC trek and the ABC trek resulting in fewer trekkers in the Langtang region. Although there are less amount of tourists on the trail, The Langtang Valley Trek is considered to be one of the best trekking destinations in Nepal. It is home to some of the best breathtaking mountain panoramas,  gorgeous cascades, and the authentic Nepali culture of the locals. 

Various factors need to be considered while planning a trekking adventure in the Langtang region. Being said a less crowded trek, it still has proper infrastructure along the trail. Although it’s not facilitated like Annapurna and Everest, You can still find proper food and accommodation in the teahouses of Langtang. The accommodations should be allocated beforehand and your guides will take care of these most of the time.

 

Food Options Available In Langtang Valley Trek:

Tea houses have been one of the main sources of income for the locals in Langtang. They provide a variety of food options for the trekkers which make their journey more comfortable. The food items ranges from the staple Nepali Dal-bhat to some widely popular food items like pizza, momo, sizzlers, and so on. The prices range from $ 3 to $10 respective to the type and quantity of the food.

• Breakfast in Langtang Valley Trek

The tea houses serve breakfast at around 7 – 10 AM so that you can proceed early for your trekking adventure. Some of the breakfast options are bread/ chapatti with jam/ honey, a variety of tea (black, milk, lemon, ginger, mint, herbal, hot lemon, butter). A wide range of hot soups, pancakes, muesli, porridge, and omelets too. 

 

• Lunch/Dinner in Langtang Valley Trek

Langtang tea houses present a variety of lunch & dinner options. It is necessary for the trekkers to maintain their nutrient levels and mineral consumption throughout the journey. 

Here are some popular options for the meal:

Dal Bhat

Dal Bhat is a traditional Nepalese meal. It consists of various items like lentil soup (dal), rice, vegetables, pickles, and meat curry as preferred. It’s a whole package of meals with appropriate nutrients, carbohydrates, and proteins suitable for trekkers. 

Mo: Mo

MoMo is a very famous Tibetan and Nepalese dish. It is typically made with dough stuffed with a savory filling which varies from regional factors and personal preferences. For non-veg options: chicken, buff, and mutton fillings are available and minimal vegetarian filing options: cheese, panner, cabbage.

Thukpa

Thukpa is a flavorful Tibetan noodle soup. It is made up of wheat or rice noodles which is cooked in a savory flavored broth along with various spices and ingredients. 

Pizza & Sandwich

Some tea houses provide pizzas and sandwiches to cater the preferences of international trekkers. It can be a comforting food for trekkers during the trek for the change of taste.

Pasta & Macaroni 

Pasta and macaroni is another comforting and filling option available in Langtang for the trekkers who would prefer familiar western food options.

Spaghetti 

Spaghetti is another pasta dish that is available in the tea houses served with tomato sauces and other variety of sauces. 

 

• Drinks in Langtang Valley Trek

For the beverages, there are both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options in the tea house. They serve variety of tea and coffee with some ginger, honey & lemon as well. There are fair options for alcohol like local Rum, beer & wine. However, keep in mind that hard drinks at such levitation can make you dehydrated and prone to altitude sickness. 

Sea Buckthorn juice is one of the best local drinks that you must try when you visit Langtang. It’s a traditional non-alcoholic drink made with herbal plants which is available in every tea house in the region.

Overall, there are plenty of food options for reasonable prices in this region. A balanced diet is very important for trekkers and we recommend you to not go for items that may disrupt your digestive system.  

 

Some of the food and drinks that you need to avoid during trek are:

1. Overly spicy food items
2. Overcooked and undercooked food items
3. Caffeine
4. Alcoholic Beverages 
5. Meat 
6. Carbonated Drinks.

 

Safe Drinking Water in Langtang Valley Trek:

It is very crucial to stay hydrated during any sort of trekking. You should drink approximately 1.5 liters in every 3 hrs even if you don’t feel thirsty.  We also highly recommend to not drink water from unknown sources to avoid any bacteria and protozoa that causes sickness or discomfort during the journey. 

Here are some of the types of safe drinking water:

• Bottled water:

Bottled water is one of the safest options for drinking water. You can easily get it from tea houses and lodges. But it is not an eco-friendly or environmental friendly option. The price ranges from $2-$5 according to the level of alleviation. 

• Boiled Water:

All tea houses provide boiled water facilities to trekkers. You can ask them to fill up your water bottle with boiled water. However, they might charge you a small amount during the peak trekking season.

• Tap water:

You may find tap water along the trail but it is not treated and may carry harmful bacteria. Even if the local people drink it directly you need to be aware because you are not used to it. This is why, you should only drink it after treating it with purification tablets and droplets. 

 

Accommodation Available In Langtang Valley Trek:

 

Accommodation in Teahouse During Langtang Valley Trek

 

The Langtang Valley trekking paths have tea houses, cozy guest houses, and basic accommodation units managed by locals with their local resources. They provide a place to sleep, proper meals and sometimes other amenities like hot showers, internet, and charging electronic devices. The bathrooms and toilets are pretty basic with moderate facilities.

The availability of these accommodation units can be hard during the peak trekking seasons such as spring (March to May) & autumn (September to November), especially in popular villages like Lama Hotel, Kyanjin Gompa, and Langtang Village. 

The standard and facilities they provide tends to be basic but adequate for the trekkers. Some villages also offer homestay experiences creating an opportunity to interact with the locals and experience their culture, lifestyle etc.  

The accommodation ranges from Rs500-1000($5-$11). However, it may cost you more if you do not have meals in the same tea houses. 

 

Here are some of the things that you need to be aware of in the Langtang Valley trekking journey:-

1. Prior booking of accommodation is highly recommended during trekking seasons.
2. Don’t forget to bring water purifying tablets or any water purification medium and avoid drinking untreated tap water.
3. Toilet papers are hard to find in those villages so, consider taking one on your own.
4. Expect frequent power cut offs in the village. You can still charge your devices for minimal cost (i.e. $2-$3) which depends upon the time and type of device.
5. Hot showers may not be always available because it is usually solar-generated. However, the tea houses can provide it for some extra payments i.e. $2-$3.
6. Unfortunately, Wi-Fi is not included in your stay but you can get it for minimal cost i.e. $2-$3/ day. You can take data packs for easy internet access on the trekking path as well.
7. It might be a good idea to bring some of the snacks and protein bars on your own because it is rarely found in the shops and tea houses and costs quite expensive.
8. Make sure to take care of your belongings throughout the journey because when you do loose something it might be hard to get it back. 

 

Bathrooms and Toilets in Langtang Valley Trek

The bathrooms and toilets are mostly clean, you can find Western toilets in some tea houses but in some places, you may find Asian squat toilets only. Hot water showers are also available as well depending on the teahouse and the location.

As you get to the higher altitude, the bathrooms won’t be inside the hotel and you need to get out of the teahouse. You can find small hut toilets nearby with a bucket and mug. 

If you are used to toilet paper then it’s better to carry it from the city area as you may not find it in the tea houses of Langtang or you may have to buy it separately.

 

Internet Facilities in Langtang Valley Trek

You can find internet facilities like wifi in the tea houses of Langtang Trek, Most of them are free to use however, after Kyanjin you may need to pay $2-$3 for the wifi facilities. It is not as fast as cities but still gets the job done. Syabrubesi is the only place where you get reliable internet. 

We recommend you get a Nepali sim card NTC/Ncell and subscribe to a 10-20 GB data plan which will provide you with enough internet during the hike. There may be a few places where you may not have a proper mobile internet connection but it works okay for the other day even when you are back in the cities it will be helpful.

 

Overall,

Langtang region has so much to offer for the trekking community. The quality of services provided by the lodging in this region ranges from basic to standard. Their services are worth paying for and they are very hospitable. They offer a range of amenities to enhance your journey, making it both comfortable and memorable.

If you still have any concerns, just drop a comment below or you can directly mail it to us.

Sit back and let Hikingbees help you build a perfect Langtang trek.

For more details, you can reach out to us at [email protected]

 

Also, check:

Food and accommodation on Manaslu Trek

Food on Everest Base Camp Trek