Best Time to do the Langtang Valley Trek

The Langtang Valley Trek is ranked third among the popular trekking destinations in Nepal, after Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp. Located about 80 km north of Kathmandu, it is also considered to be the nearest trekking destination from Kathmandu. It is a short trek and perfect for those who want to begin their trekking journey, as it is very suitable for beginners. 

Venturing out in the world of adventure and trekking might seem intimidating, but Langtang Valley Trek offers a moderate trail that leads you to the heart of the mountains along with a magical journey surrounded by diverse culture, landscapes, and biodiversity. It is definitely something you should look forward to and plan for in the near future. But planning a trek to the Himalayas comes with its own sets of challenges and one of them is knowing when is the best time to do the trek. 

The thing about travelling is that you can go to the same exact place multiple times, but you will have a different experience every time and most importantly, even the views will be different. And especially when travelling in specific seasons can amp up that experience astronomically. And it is the same for Langtang Valley Trek as well. Trekking in different seasons comes with different sets of experiences and you just need to decide what time is the right time for you. 

So on this blog, you will be given all the information regarding different seasons along with each of their highlights as well as things that you need to be aware of before going. And by the end of reading this, you will have all the things you need to know and plan your trek to the Langtang Valley at what you deem is the best time for you. 

Different Seasons in Nepal

Nepal originally has six seasons. Yes, six different seasons, which are  Basanta Ritu बसन्त ऋतु, Grishma Ritu ग्रिष्म ऋतु, Barsha Ritu वर्षा ऋतु, Sharad Ritu शरद ऋतु, Hemanta Ritu हेमन्त ऋतु, and Shishir Ritu शिशिर ऋतु. It can be understood as spring, early summer, summer, monsoon, autumn, and early autumn. 

But the tourism industry runs with four seasons just like the rest of the world. And in the trekking industry, two seasons are considered peak-season and the other two as off-season. Spring and autumn seasons are known as peak seasons as there is a high number of tourist influxes. However, the summer and winter seasons are considered off-season because the influx of tourists decreases significantly. 

But even during off-season, there are still many tourists who visit Nepal and enjoy their time and experience trekking to the mountains. Each season has its own unique features and variations of scenes it offers. 

Highlights of the Langtang Valley Trek

• Nearest trekking destination from Kathmandu 
• Can be done within a week 
• Enter the sanctuary of nature, Langtang National Park 
• Beautiful and panoramic views of the northern Himalayas of Nepal, including Langtang Range, Dorje Lakpa, Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Gang Cheenpo, Naya Kangri, Yala Peak, Loenpo Gang, and many others. 
• Interactive cultural experience with the local Tamang communities. 
• Easy and affordable trek, suitable especially for beginners. 

Langtang Valley Trek in Different Seasons 

Each season has something different to offer and here you can read what Langtang Valley is like through different seasons in a year. 

Langtang Valley Trek in Spring

March, April, May

Spring is considered a pleasant season, as the temperatures are moderate and the weather is clear, offering some of the clearest views of the mountains. This is why Langtang Valley Trek sees a lot of tourists on the trail during this time and is known as the peak season for trekking. Not only will you get the chance to witness the amazing Langtang mountain range in its full glory, but spring is also the perfect time when the rhododendron flowers bloom. 

The temperature ranges from 10°C to 20°C during the day and -5°C to 0°C at night. The temperature changes as you ascend. The higher the elevation, the lower the temperature. Make sure to always be up-to-date on the weather forecast and plan your day accordingly. There might also be chances of rain here and there but not always. 

The trail starts from Syabrubesi and ends in Kyanjin village, which has it’s fair share of steep uphill climbs, but the scene of nature along with the reverberating Langtang River, forested trail, and snow clad peaks make the trail a truly one-of-a-kind experience. 

As it is the peak trekking season, be prepared to see a lot of trekkers like yourself on the trail and tea houses. Crowded trails are sometimes expected and you need to book your room beforehand if possible. 

Langtang Valley Trek in Autumn 

September, October, November 

Autumn or fall is another time of the year when trekkers from all over the world make plans to trek to the mountains in Nepal, and Langtang Valley Trek is one of the often chosen destinations. Just like spring, autumn has moderate temperatures, clear weather, and of course some of the best views of the mountains. 

While there are no blooming colorful rhododendrons, you will find yellowing autumn leaves, painting the entire forest in specs of yellow, brown, and gold. The climate will be cool, and the weather will be cloudless, bright, and sunny for the most part. 

The temperature in the autumn season can range from 3°C to 15°C during the day and -5°C to -3°C during the night. Naturally, locations like Langtang and Kyanjin village will be a lot colder compared to lower locations like Syabrubesi. 

And even though, just like spring, the autumn season has a stable climate, your experience will be completely different. The forest will be filled with crunching autumn leaves, and the golden rays of sun will paint the white snow on the top of the mountains. 

Moreover, autumn is also the season of festivals, especially if you are trekking during mid-late October. You will get to experience the biggest Hindu festival of Nepal, known as Dashain and Tihar. The trail will also experience a bit of crowdedness because autumn is also a peak season. 

Langtang Valley Trek in Summer 

June, July, August

Trekking during the summer can be a bit tricky, but if done with proper preparation, it can also be one of the best trekking experiences you can get. The summer season is also the rainy or monsoon season in Nepal and this particular region receives some of the heaviest rainfall in the entire country. 

A monsoon trek can be very fun as the trail is not only fresh and clean but also the lush greenery throughout the entire forest is unmatched to any other season. And something you only get to witness during this season are the uncountable numbers of waterfalls throughout the trail to the top along with the heavy flowing Langtang River. 

And when the rain stops and the sky manages to clear up, the clear view of the mountains will make your heart race with happiness. The temperatures during summer range from 10°C to 25°C during the day and 5°C to 15°C at night. 

There are a few things you need to be aware of before embarking on a trek during monsoon season. As Nepal has a very diverse landscape and the Langtang region has hilly parts, due to rain, these areas become very prone to landslides. Not only the trekking trail dangerous, but also travelling by road can be dangerous as well. So make sure to only travel when it is deemed safe. 

The other thing to look out for is the slippery trails due to rain. Have proper equipment, such as good trekking boots and trekking sticks, to minimize your chances of slipping and falling. And also look out for leeches, because there will be a lot on this trail during the rainy season. 

So overall, if you are someone who enjoys rain and nature, this is just the right time for you. And if you are an avid enjoyer of culture, you can also add Gosaikunda to your itinerary to visit the sacred site during Janai Purnima and experience the festival as well. 

Langtang Valley Trek in Winter 

December, January, February 

Trekking in winter can be a bit challenging but can also be one of the best times to do it if you prepare well enough. The main challenge of trekking during the winter season is the extreme cold temperatures and snow. But other than that, it can be a pretty chill time to do the Langtang Valley Trek. 

What most people do not know is that winter can give some of the clearest views of the mountains that can potentially go up against the views you get during spring or autumn. The landscapes change colors from the brown-yellow and golden palette to more muted white and grey from snow under the sharp blue sky. 

The temperature during the winter drops even lower compared to other seasons. The average day temperature ranges from -5°C to 10°C, while the average temperature during the night ranges from -15°C to -5°C. So while planning a trek during the winter, make sure you are well prepared to combat the harsh cold and pack enough clothes and equipment to keep you warm and cozy. Gear like crampons and trekking poles is a must during the trek. 

Navigating through the snowy trails can be a bit tricky; it is highly recommended to take a guide along for your safety and to overall alleviate your experience. While the snowy trail can give you quite the workout, you will find that the trail to be rather peaceful and quiet and encounter other trekkers only occasionally. Because of the off-season, there will only be a few trekkers on the trail, which you can take maximum advantage of.  

You can enjoy your trek to the fullest without the worry of the trail and teahouses being overcrowded and have a spiritual journey. Since the days are shorter in winter, it is recommended to begin your trek early, reach your destination by the late afternoon and avoid trekking in the dark for your safety. 

Weather, Climate and Temperature in Langtang Valley 

The weather in the mountains, no matter what season, can be very unpredictable. 

Preparing for Each Season

Trekking to the mountains is not only about just hiking there. It includes a number of steps that you need to implement for the best experience. The Langtang Valley Trek is considered an easy to moderate trek, suitable for people who are just venturing the trekking adventure. Therefore, both physical and mental strength are equally important in order to have a successful journey. 

And of course, packing the right clothes, gear, and equipment is crucial. The most important thing to keep in mind is to do proper research before embarking on the journey. Apart from the standard clothing such as down jackets, windstoppers, trekking shoes, etc., you need to know how much to pack based on the current weather and temperature. 

Summer and spring may not require excessive layers of clothing like the winter season. But trekking during the summer, you must have a raincoat and an umbrella. However, trekking in winter requires gear such as trekking poles and crampons to walk in the snow. 

Overall, make sure you are updated on the current weather conditions, climatic patterns, and temperature before you begin packing for the trek. This will help to ensure you pack as per the weather and temperature requirements and save yourself from unnecessary problems during your trip. 

Finally, 

Which season is the best for you to do the Langtang Valley Trek?

After reading the information provided above, there are a few things that can weigh in to make you choose when to do the trek. But ultimately it comes down to the following reasons:

• If you prefer moderate temperatures and clear weather, then you can choose spring and autumn.
• If you want to avoid crowded trails, then summer and winter might be the better options. 
• If you like monsoon treks and enjoy being surrounded by lush greenery, the summer season is the right choice. 
• If you want a less crowded trail, clear weather, unblemished views of the mountains, and can handle cold temperatures, choosing winter would be the right decision. 

As a beginner-friendly trek, you can choose the safer option of spring and autumn for your first time and if you are coming back here again, then definitely choose a different time from before to experience a different side of Langtang Valley. Either way, you will have some of the best experiences while trekking to the Langtang Valley. So, if you would like to schedule a trek to the Langtang Valley, you can do so by email or WhatsApp at info@alpineramble.com or +977 9851175531.