A trek to Langtang is a trek to the beautiful, unspoiled, Himalayan region of Nepal.
Like every trek, the cost of your trek to the Langtang region depends on a number of factors:
- Permits
- Accommodation
- Meals and Drinks
- Modes of transportation
- Duration
- Guide and porter
- Trekking trail
- Miscellaneous expenses
The Langtang trek is one of the closest trekking destinations to Kathmandu. It is a beautiful opportunity to trek to climb small peaks. Also, explore the Tamang villages and visit the surrounding glaciers.
Given below are the determining factors for your Langtang trek along with the costs associated with it. Have fun and keep on reading.
Permits cost for Langtang trek
The government of Nepal has instilled two permits for the Langtang trek. Both of these treks are compulsory for your trek to this region.
You need to show them on the various checkpoints along the Langtang trek route. If found without them, you have to purchase them on the spot with extra charges (fines imposed). Or, you may have to bear the punishments as per the law.
TIMS card
TIMS (Trekker’s Information management system) is compulsory for everyone wishing to trek in Nepal.
It costs US $20 (Nrs. 2600) per person.
Langtang National Park Entry Permit
This is a prerequisite for your trek to Langtang. The Langtang trek takes you through the beautiful Langtang National Park. Hence, you need this permit to enter the area.
It costs the US $30 (Nrs. 3000) per person.
You can easily purchase both these permits at Nepal Tourism Board, Kathmandu before you go on your trek.
Or, if you run out of time at Kathmandu, you can purchase these permits on the trail-head. But, at a slightly higher cost.
Locals do not need to obtain these permits. Hence, you will not need to buy permits for your local guide or porter if you choose to have them.
Accommodation Cost During Langtang Trek
Most of the tea houses provide accommodation for free to little charge if you have meals in the same tea house.
So, the accommodations will cost Nrs.400-800 (the US $4-7) per night. It may cost more if you do not have meals in the same tea houses.
Some tea houses also do not accommodate you if you do not have meals in the same tea house.
During peak seasons, you may not get the desired rooms, or you may have to pay extra for accommodations. So, it’s good to pre-book for accommodations. This way you can save at least a little of your cost
Meals Cost During Langtang Trek
Most of the tea houses, cafes, and restaurants on the trail usually serve healthy, whole meals, snacks as well as drinks.
Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari (a meal of steamed rice, lentils, and stir-fried seasonal vegetables) is a staple choice available in most of the tea houses and restaurants.
The price of meals increases with the increase in the altitude. The mode of transportation, lack of farmland in the upper regions of the trek are the reasons for this.
In the lower regions, a healthy, hot meal will cost around Nrs. 400-400 ( US $4-5) per plate.
In the higher regions, the same meal will cost you around Nrs. 1000-1400 (the US $10-14) per plate.
We recommend you to bring light snacks like granola bars, your favorite chocolate bars for the trek. Most of the popular chocolate bars and energy snacks are easily available in Kathmandu. You can get them on the trails but, at a higher cost. The options will also are also limited to the trails. So, you can buy at Kathmandu or trail-head to limit you excess budget.
Cost of Drinks During Langtang Trek
Staying hydrated is the key to having a comfortable and safe trek anywhere in the world.
Do not forget to keep yourself hydrated throughout the trails. The choice of drinks is also fairly good on the trials. You can easily find bottled water, tea, coffee, soft drinks, ginger tea, and others on the trails.
The cost of these, again, increases as you go higher up on the trails.
In Kathmandu, you can easily get bottled water for Nrs. 25-200 ( US $1-$3). This range is due to the choice of bottled water ranging from local bottled water to branded bottles.)
In the higher regions, the local bottled water will cost Nrs. 350 ( US $3.5).
So, we suggest you bring your own purification-tablets or gels to purify your drinking water. This is a safety precaution and does save costs related to drinking water.
You can easily fill your bottles from the pure, Himalayan, glacier-fed waterfalls, streams, taps on the trails. You can then filter it using your aqua tabs, gels, or water purifying tablets and drink it.
Transportation Cost for Langtang Trek
Once you reach Kathmandu, you can go to the start of your trekking destination by different modes of transportation.
Local buses
Local transportation such as buses is the cheapest. This 10-hour journey from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi will cost Nrs. 1100 (the US $10) per person. It costs you the same amount to get back.
Syabrubesi is the ideal choice for the start of your Langtang trek.
Taxi (cabs)
You can also rent a taxi(cab) to take you to Syabrubesi. These will cost you Nrs.15000-20000 (the US $150- $200) depending on your negotiating skills.
However, most cabs refuse the journey as it is difficult to get passengers on the way back. SO, it is up to you about how you convince the cab driver to hire his cab.
Tourist buses
Tourist buses ( more deluxe, clean with comfortable seats than the local buses) are available to reach Syabrubesi from Kathmandu. These cost you Nrs. 1500-20000 (US $15- $20).
This range is due to the availability of seats and the season you trek in.
Private Jeeps/cars
You will have to pay Nrs. 15000, so 4000-5000(US $40- $50) per person. A private jeep will seat 5/6 person. Hence, you will be sharing the jeep or car with other people.
The road journey from and to Kathmandu-Syabrubesi is a long one. But, is is the best one; filled with beautiful views of the terraced farms, quaint villages, and the stunning Trisuli valley.
The buses are more recommended for this journey. They are less bumpy than the jeeps.
Cost due to Duration
The Langtang trek can take anywhere from 8 to 11 days. There are many trekking destinations within the Langtang trek that you can choose to trek to or skip. These will determine how long or short your Langtang trek will be.
These can include climbs to the smaller peaks like Kyanjin Ri, Tsergo Ri. You can choose to skip these to shorten your treks.
Each additional day will add to your overall trekking expense: meals, accommodations, drinks and so on.
Guide and Porter Cost
The Langtang trek is possible with or without guide and porter.
For the first time trekkers to the region, we recommend you to have both. Since it is your first experience you would definitely do not want to ruin it.
A guide can provide you with information on the beautiful surroundings- landscapes, mountain peaks, flora, fauna, and wildlife on the trails.
While, a guide or porter can also recommend you the best tea houses to stay and eat at, the best rest stops, the best vantage points, and so on.
A porter can help share your load. Treks can be physically demanding and have a lighter load can make a huge difference in your trekking experience.
A guide costs around the US $30-$50 per day. A porter costs around the US $20- $25 per day.
When you hire them, make sure to check their credentials for your safety. Also, get comfortable with them a day or two ahead of the trek. This ensures that you have a comfortable and safe trek.
Cost due to Trekking Trails
The adventurous Langtang trek lies close to other popular trekking areas like Ganesh Himal to the west, Gosaikunda and Helambu area to the south.
You can add one or more of these areas to your Langtang trek. These will add to the duration of your trek which adds to the whole cost of your trek.
The Helambu, Gosaikunda trek with the Langtang trek can extend from 12-14 days.
You can also choose the Langtang Circuit trek which takes you around the Langtang region including all the popular trekking areas in the region. This can take around 5-15 days.
Miscellaneous Costs
Souvenirs
The locals of the region make beautiful, handmade products like bags, purses, dried fruits, and so on. These make great souvenirs to take back home for your loved ones.
Tipping
Tipping is common in tourist-related areas like hotels, tea houses, cafes, and restaurants. You can choose to tip your guides and porters as well. They do expect it for a job well done.
Highlights of Langtang trek
- Explore traditional, well-preserved Tamang and Sherpa villages
- Langtang area is the first Himalayan National Park with temperate and sub-alpine forests.
- Opportunity to enjoy and witness wildlife of the area- Tahr, pika, monkeys, wild deer, falcons, red panda.
- Magnificent views of mountains like Langtang Lirung (7227m), Langsisa Ri (6427m), Naya Kanga peak (5844m).
- Easily accessible from Kathmandu
- Climb small mountains like Kyanjin Ri(4773 m) and Tsergo Ri.
Additional Tips for Langtang trek
- Having small denominations of cash to cover your overall expenses of the trek is strongly recommended. Because ATM’s are not reliable and hard to come by on the trails. Cards are generally not accepted by most tea houses and restaurants on the trails.
- It is strongly recommended to avoid this trek during the months of December-February and July-August. The harsh weather conditions make the trails difficult and the views are not great during these months.
- Travel Insurance is a great safety precaution. Some travel agency does not accept trekkers without one. Make sure your travel insurance covers treks to foreign countries including Nepal. It is also recommended to get travel insurance that includes Emergency evacuation and rescue.
- Get as much knowledge about ailments related to high altitude treks. This trek takes you to altitudes of above 4000 m above sea level.
- Do not rush your trek. It is not a competition. Relax and enjoy the splendid surrounding landscapes and views.
Finally
The Langtang trek is a short, beautiful trek to the Himalayas of Nepal. It is easily accessible for anyone wishing to trek in Nepal.
There is a lot of options including the routes, small peaks and passes to climb in Langtang region. Hence, you can modify your trek and have a unique Langtang adventure.
It is in the moderate level trek which you can tone down to an easy level trek.
The Langtang trek is a trek away from the crowds of the popular trails of Nepal. You can enjoy the views and experience of Himalaya trekking at your own pace in your Langtang trek.
The rates can vary depending on the travel agency you go through. Some of the cost like the permits, transportation cost can vary depending on the season you travel in. The above costs are a guideline to the costs you may encounter during your Langtang trek.
If you have any further queries or questions regarding your Langtang trek or any other treks and tours to Nepal, feel free to contact us.
