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Contents:
1. How To Plan For A Himalayan Trek in Nepal or Tibet
2. KK Trips in November
3. X-Boundaries Promotion
How To Plan For A Himalayan Trek in Nepal or Tibet:
X-Trekkers Suggest You Keep In Mind The Following For Your Next Trip…
If you have ever been on a trek to the Himalayas either in Nepal or Tibet, you've probably noticed that there are a few lessons worth learning in planning for these memorable journeys.
What most trekkers and travelers don't know is that trek planning is as much a science as an art.
When choosing your trek, there are a few factors to take into consideration.
However, it's hard to find one trek that will meet all of these criteria to your satisfaction.
1. Length of Trek
The length of a trek really depends on how fast you walk or how long you need to spend to acclimatise. This naturally also affects the cost of your trek, as well as the days you can afford to spend in the Himalayas.
2. Cost
At peak tourist seasons, you will hear more European languages spoken than Nepali, and therefore costs go up. During the monsoons, you will probably be one of the very few tourists to trek anywhere; consequently accommodation and food will be plentiful and therefore cheaper.
3. Proximity to Kathmandu
As for the proximity to Kathmandu, all treks are pretty much an inevitable long bus ride away, with the exception of Helambu. On a side note, remember to stock-up with candy bars, biscuits and dried fruit from Kathmandu – these are excellent snacks when you're running low on energy.
4. Choice of Guides
Before you go, it helps to ask about trek conditions etc. Don't believe everything you read on the Internet as personal feelings often get in the way.
Suggested questions to ask and confirm: (1) Agree on the route (2) Agree on the price (3) Agree on the need for porters and who's responsible for them before hand (4) Ask how many times the guide has done the trek? (5) Ask yourself if are you totally happy, and comfortable with the guide?
5. Langtang as a choice
The two treks most chose to do, after having considered all options, are the Helambu and Langtang. The Langtang trek starts with a 12 hour bus ride from Kathmandu to Dhunche. From the pretty village of Dhunche, the road winds over a mountain pass to the village of Somdang, at the foot of Ganesh Himal.
Following the Trisuli river, you enter the Langtang Valley at 2300 metres, that reveals view of Himalayan peaks in all compass directions.
On the next day, after the 700-metre ascent of the previous one, you leave Changtang at 2470 metres and make your way up to the village of Langtang, at 3450 metres. The trail to the first settlement of Ghoda Tabela is very much like what you did for most of the previous day, climbing at times very steeply through tall trees and dense vegetation, passing numerous waterfalls, streams and some landslides.
6. Sleeping and Eating
In Kyanjn Gompa, make sure you get a hotel with a room that overlooks a hill with a good view. Make sure you try some buttery Sherpa soup and boiled potatoes with spicy dip, this may not be on the menu, but very delicious and filling. Also, to get rid of any snotty cold, ask locals for a miraculous powder that, snorted up your nostrils, works!
7. Local Delicacies
You might just find cheese in either in Kyanjin Gompa or Langtang, depending on the season.
After spending three years in the valley, a Swiss man founded a cheese factory in Kyanjin Gompa nearly 50 years ago. The "Swiss" cheese here is very good and reasonably priced at 270 rupees/kilo. Be sure you try their six-month-old, since it's much tastier than their three-month-old.
If it's the low season, you may have to buy a whole six-kilo cheese. With more tourists, the cheese is cut in small portions and sold by the gram.
In October, all the cows and naks (the female of the yak) move to Langtang and below where it's warmer in winter. They spend the milder summer months in Kyanjin Gompa and the rest of the valley further East. While the factory in Langtang opens, the one in Kyanjin Gopmpa closes. Started with Japanese foreign aid, the factory makes fresh cheese, including Italian mozzarella.
8. Sights to look out for
Beyond cheese monasteries, the heart of Kyanjin Gompa is its mountains. This is where you will experience the splendour of the Himalayan peaks. The town is a good departure point for day walks. Climb past the monastery up North to get right in the heart of the Langtang peak and the Lirung glacier.
You might also consider going up the peaks of Tsergo Ri or Yala Peak. At around 5000 metres, you will witness fine views of all the snow-capped peaks around you. If you follow the river up East through a trail, it takes you to unpopulated areas, yak houses and views of all those other peaks that are not visible from Kyanjin Gompa.
Langtang is made up of a series of guesthouses before the actual village. Houses here are built in Tibetan style, with stone walls and bamboo roofs. Ask locals to tell their Yeti stories and adventures in Kathmandu, which are surely entertaining!
9. Weather and the Seasons
You can expect to pay around 250 rupees/day during the low season, if you take two meals per day, eat local food. This reason, plus the fact that there are very few tourists, is why it's good to trek during the monsoon months. Rain is not really the issue – it mostly rains in the evening or at night, and otherwise a good waterproof outer-shell jacket will do just fine.
Actually, because of the frequent rain, you come across very lush vegetation and colourful flowers, as well as an abundance of streams, as opposed to a cold, dry, often heavily snowed landscape you can expect during the winter months.
10. Lastly…
So, why Langtang? Because it's a relatively short trek that will give you a good look into life in the Himalayas. Beyond the mountain views that you will enjoy, you will also understand the people that inhabit this region, of Buddhist religion and Tibetan descent, will definitely make an impact on your life as well. Their stories will certainly make you think twice the next time you complain about all the comforts and unnecessary privileges you enjoy back home.
To get more information about our Langtang Trek departing 22 Oct to 06 Nov, give us a call at 62555898 or email us at
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Upcoming Mount Kinabalu Trips in November
3-6 Nov: (5 Nov - Fri is a holiday ~ Deepavali)
16-19 Nov: (17 Nov - Wed is Hari Raya Hai Holiday)
17-20 Nov : (Only leave you need to take is 18 & 19 Nov = 2 days!!!)
FREE Headlamp if you signup to either of these dates, AND drop a reply to this notice on our Facebook page !
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Available in S,M,L XL
LACERTA and ASCENT pants for men and women
Ideal for all weather as it transports moisture away from the body,keeping you cool and dry.
Made from Grade VII material, it offers technical performance and exceptional functionality for the outdoor enthusiast.
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Cheers,
Ziqi
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:-
Get in contact with us!
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www.facebook.com/xtrekkers
Phone: 62555898
238 Thomson Road, #03-59 Novena Square Singapore 307683
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