Dunche, Nepal
9 days of Bliss on the Langtang trek.
The Langtang trek is described by many sources as accessible by taxi. Tecnically, that may be true, but I do not recommend it. I wish someone had warned us. The road becomes a rough dirt road, which is basically just a “flat” surface carved many years ago into the edge of a series of mountain sides. Motorbikes, dirtbikes, or mountain bikes are the best suited vehicles for this terrain. Buses can handle it, but apparently most people can’t handle the ride. A jeep would be the most comfortable.
After 9 hours of driving, one last extortion fee to the Maoists, and two flat tires, we made it to within about 25 km of the trail head. The tiny taxi car, on its tiny wheels, couldn’t go no more.
We had hiked up the road for about 6km or so, when a large Tata truck (kind of like the one in this immage) stopped to give us a ride to our destination. While Grant and I sat in the front with the driver and his father, our porter/guide had to join one of the other passengers in the cargo area. as we bounced and rocked back and forth across the road, I cringed at the thought of anyone having to endure that ride out back. But he never complained. He never does. He’s got a life’s good, be happy attitude. I love it.
We gave ourselves 7 days to do the Lantang trek (not counting travel days). This one is much less traveled than the Annapurna circuit, and thus the people less tainted by tourist dollars. It’s mostly the Tibetan and Sherpa people who live in this area. Both are known for their friendly honest smiles. The trail followed a river all the way up to Lantang valley, starting with thick, green coniferous forests and waterfalls, and ending with a wide, rocky alpine valley surrounded by peaks and glaciers.
- Day 1: Shypru Besi (1430m) to Lama Hotel (2500m)
- Day 2: Lama Hotel to Langtang Village (3400m)
- Day 3: Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa (3800m) + short hike to Kyanjin Ri Viewpoint (4700m)
- Day 4: Long day hike (11 hours) to Tsergo Ri (4980m)
- Day 5: Kyanjin Gompa to Lamma Hotel (2500m)
- Day 6: Lamma Hotel to Thulo Syabru (2200m)
- Day 7: Thulo Syabru to Dunche
- Day 8: Jeep back to Kathmandu
The legs are really feeling it now. Time for some rest. I’m really looking forward to many, many, Thai massages.