Why has trekking in Nepal rapidly become such an essential part of almost every budget traveller's Asian tour and a prime destination for adventure travellers in general? Apart from Mt Everest and the majestic Himalaya range, it is the endearing people of Nepal who have made holidaying and trekking here easier than in the surrounding countries. Organising almost anything in Kathmandu is a comparative breeze. The general trustworthiness of the Nepalis ensures that relatively little goes wrong. Trekking itself is also hassle-free travelling; there's no need to worry about reservations or waiting for buses and no squalid, polluted, noisy cities. Instead, once on the trail there is little to worry about. In the morning just pack up and go, during the day enjoy the peace, the nature and the exercise, and in the evening chat over a hearty meal.
Perhaps the most difficult decision for a trekker heading to (or already in) Nepal is where to go. If you've just gotta see Mt Everest, it's easy. However, many more people choose Annapurna for its variety of treks - anything from four days to four weeks - and for its range of peoples and landscapes. Langtang is the third most popular of the main trekking regions. Most trekkers I talked to were somewhat vague as to why they had chosen Langtang; for many it was to do with time restrictions and a desire to do something slightly different. The unanimous comment, however, was that Langtang had pleasantly surprised them. For new and veteran trekkers alike, it is a superb trekking region.
Because Trekking in Langtang, Helambu and Gosainkund is geographically accurate if a little unwieldy, when referring to all three in the text I have called them the Langtang or the Langtang region. The specific area is referred to as the Langtang Valley.
The treks in the Langtang Valley, Gosainkund and Helambu each have their own character. The walk up the Langtang Valley roughly follows the river through pleasant forests and occasional villages before reaching the open alpine country encircled by massive snowy peaks and glaciers. A 5000m/16,400ft viewpoint provides a stunning panorama, and this is all possible in 10 days. Because of its less developed nature the alpine regions of the Langtang Valley also offer the best easy camping in Nepal (independent camping rather than a camping tour). And for the really adventurous a challenging high pass, the Kangja La, beckons.
Helambu, on the other hand, is most definitely a cultural trek; although there are mountain views, it is the people and their villages that are most memorable. Rice paddies, water buffalo and fine-featured Hindus change to Buddhist gompas, forests, high grazing areas and the round, smiling faces of Tibetans.
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