Langtang Valley Trek with Ganja La Pass

14 days · challenging

Langtang Valley Trek with Ganja La Pass

Fourteen days from Kathmandu along the classic Langtang valley to Kyanjin Gompa, then a high crossing of Ganja La Pass into Helambu’s Buddhist villages—bridges, yak pastures, Tamang and Hyolmo culture, and panoramas of Langtang Lirung and Shishapangma.

From US$1854 per person (indicative)

Best seasons: Autumn · Spring

At a glance

Distance
280 km
Altitude (max · min)
(↑) 5121 m · (↓) 1400 m
Days
14
Route grade
Grade C (difficult) · Grade D (quite the challenge)
Fitness
Strength · Stamina

Gallery

Route map

Overview of the trekking corridor (illustrative—not a substitute for navigation).

Langtang Valley Trek with Ganja La Pass route map

Trip overview

Trekking Ganja La Pass extends the Langtang valley route in technical stretches where basic mountaineering awareness helps: rocky moraine, possible snow on the pass, and quieter trails after Kyanjin Gompa. Until Kyanjin you follow the same trail from Syabrubesi as on the standard Langtang trek; there you acclimatise with Tsergo Ri before committing to the pass. From Ganja La you descend into Helambu, rich in Yolmo heritage and ancient monasteries linked to Milarepa and Guru Rinpoche. Langtang is among the closest major trekking areas from Kathmandu, with Tibetan-influenced highland villages along the borderlands.

Indicative pricing

Per-person rates for the listed group sizes. For each traveller beyond the quoted group size, a supplementary charge of 30% may apply.

Option2 travellers4 travellers8 travellers
StandardUS$2070US$1974US$1854
DeluxeUS$2352US$2256US$2136

Indicative per-person pricing for the services described in this offer. Cost varies with customization. International flights are not included.

Services

Included

  • Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast
  • Personal trekking guide (Sherpa-led team)
  • Entrance fees, trekking permits, and TIMS
  • All three meals during trekking
  • All ground transfers as per itinerary
  • Trekking guide and porters’ meals, accommodation, salary, and insurance
  • Applicable taxes

Excluded

  • -International flights and Nepal visa fees
  • -Travel medical insurance including helicopter rescue
  • -Personal trekking gear
  • -Personal expenses and unforeseen costs
  • -Bar bills, bottled water, and snacks outside included meals
  • -Natural calamities beyond our control and rescue expenses
  • -Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu and gratuities for staff

Optional

  • +Room upgrade or single supplement
  • +Extra nights in Kathmandu
  • +Private vehicle or itinerary adjustments

Fees, bookings & tickets

  • Price of entrance fee
  • Trekking guide
  • T-shirt

Gear & equipment

  • · Hiking boots
  • · First-aid kit
  • · Thermal bottle
  • · Sleep wear / base layers
  • · Sandals
  • · Rain jacket
  • · Warm cap & gloves
  • · Travel towels
  • · Sunglasses / sun hat
  • · Personal medicines
  • · Down jacket
  • · Sleeping bag
  • · Backpack
  • · T-shirts
  • · Plug adapter (if needed)
  • · Lip balm
  • · Insect repellent

Trekking grade

Grade C and D routes assume sections of steep ascent and descent, possible snow on Ganja La, and several long trekking days. Compare this with our written grading system in your pre-departure notes so expectations match your experience.

Good to know

When is the best time to travel to Nepal?

Autumn (September–November) and spring (March–May) usually bring clearer skies, mild temperatures, and excellent trekking conditions.

How are treks graded?

We publish grades so you can judge stamina and technical difficulty. Ganja La combines altitude with rough trail—confirm with us if you are unsure.

Itinerary

  1. 1

    Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel

    Kathmandu

    Meet-and-greet and transfer

    • Distance: 5 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
    • Duration: 0.5 h
    • Stay: Hotel
  2. 2

    Trekking warm-up — explore Kathmandu

    Kathmandu

    Sightseeing and briefing

    • Distance: 3 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
    • Duration: 3 h
    • Stay: Hotel
  3. 3

    Drive from Kathmandu toward Dhunche; overnight Syabrubesi

    Syabrubesi

    Road into Rasuwa

    • Distance: 100 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 2029 m · (↓) 1400 m
    • Duration: 4 h
    • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
  4. 4

    Trek to Lama Hotel

    Lama Hotel

    Forest trails beside the river

    • Distance: 27 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 2470 m · (↓) 2030 m
    • Duration: 7 h
    • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
  5. 5

    Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang village

    Langtang

    Into open pasture

    • Distance: 12 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 3430 m · (↓) 2470 m
    • Duration: 6 h
    • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
  6. 6

    Trek from Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa

    Kyanjin Gompa

    Glacier towers above the gompa

    • Distance: 7 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 3870 m · (↓) 3430 m
    • Duration: 3 h
    • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
  7. 7

    Acclimatisation at Kyanjin Gompa — day hike to Tsergo Ri

    Kyanjin Gompa

    Altitude preparation

    • Distance: 8 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 4957 m · (↓) 3430 m
    • Duration: 6 h
    • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
  8. 8

    Trek from Kyanjin Gompa to Ganja La Phedi

    Ganja La Phedi

    Approach to the pass

    • Distance: 8 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 5121 m · (↓) 4270 m
    • Duration: 6 h
    • Stay: Tented camp
  9. 9

    Cross Ganja La Pass to Keldang

    Keldang

    Summit day

    • Distance: 8 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 5130 m · (↓) 4300 m
    • Duration: 6 h
    • Stay: Tented camp
  10. 10

    Trek from Keldang to Dukpu

    Dukpu

    Forests and ridges

    • Distance: 12 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 4270 m · (↓) 4040 m
    • Duration: 8 h
    • Stay: Tented camp
  11. 11

    Trek from Dukpu to Tarke Gyang

    Tarke Gyang

    Helambu monasteries

    • Distance: 8 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 4040 m · (↓) 2740 m
    • Duration: 7 h
    • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
  12. 12

    Trek from Tarke Gyang to Shermathang

    Shermathang

    Mani walls and terraces

    • Distance: 11 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 2740 m · (↓) 2600 m
    • Duration: 4 h
    • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge
  13. 13

    Shermathang — Melamchi — drive to Kathmandu

    Kathmandu

    Exit the hills by road

    • Distance: 66 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 2590 m · (↓) 1400 m
    • Duration: 4 h
    • Stay: Hotel
  14. 14

    Kathmandu — onward travel or extend

    Kathmandu

    Departure day

    • Distance: 5 km
    • Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
    • Duration: 0.5 h
    • Stay: Hotel

Detailed itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel

Meet-and-greet and transfer

  • Distance: 5 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
  • Duration: 0.5 h
  • Stay: Hotel

Flying toward the Himalaya, Kathmandu Valley spreads below—three historic cities (Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur) hold seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites between them. Our representative meets you at the airport and drives you to the hotel with time to rest after your flight.

As arranged

Day 2

Trekking warm-up — explore Kathmandu

Sightseeing and briefing

  • Distance: 3 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
  • Duration: 3 h
  • Stay: Hotel

Sightseeing in the old city—for example Durbar Square with its former royal palace—and time to pick up any last gear. Later you receive a full briefing and gear check before leaving for the trek.

Breakfast

Day 3

Drive from Kathmandu toward Dhunche; overnight Syabrubesi

Road into Rasuwa

  • Distance: 100 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 2029 m · (↓) 1400 m
  • Duration: 4 h
  • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge

You leave Kathmandu by vehicle through small settlements and changing landscapes toward Dhunche, headquarters of Rasuwa district. The road can be rough after Trishuli bazaar. Your guide completes trekking permits at the check post before you continue to Syabrubesi on the Langtang Khola for the night.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 4

Trek to Lama Hotel

Forest trails beside the river

  • Distance: 27 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 2470 m · (↓) 2030 m
  • Duration: 7 h
  • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge

First full trekking day: suspension bridges over the Langtang river, deep valley walking, then ascent through bamboo toward Rimche and on to Lama Hotel—watch for monkeys in the forest and possible signs of red panda or bear.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 5

Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang village

Into open pasture

  • Distance: 12 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 3430 m · (↓) 2470 m
  • Duration: 6 h
  • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge

A steady climb through small settlements and yak pastures, crossing streams and moraine benches toward Kyangjin for lunch, then onward with time to explore Langtang village—photography-friendly ridges and welcoming lodges.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6

Trek from Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa

Glacier towers above the gompa

  • Distance: 7 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 3870 m · (↓) 3430 m
  • Duration: 3 h
  • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge

Short ascent brings views toward Chorkari Ri and the Langtang giants—Langtang Lirung, Langshisa Ri, Gyanghempo, and Ganja La peaks. Afternoon options include the yak cheese factory and monastery; moraine and ice cliffs frame Kyanjin Gompa.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 7

Acclimatisation at Kyanjin Gompa — day hike to Tsergo Ri

Altitude preparation

  • Distance: 8 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 4957 m · (↓) 3430 m
  • Duration: 6 h
  • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge

Breakfast with local yak cheese, then a strenuous hike toward Tsergo Ri for sweeping Himalayan views—a useful acclimatisation step before Ganja La. Return to Kyanjin Gompa for a relaxed afternoon.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8

Trek from Kyanjin Gompa to Ganja La Phedi

Approach to the pass

  • Distance: 8 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 5121 m · (↓) 4270 m
  • Duration: 6 h
  • Stay: Tented camp

Remote trail toward Ganja La Phedi: cross the Langtang river and climb through rhododendron forest to a high camp area—often tented—with thinning air and careful pacing under your guide’s direction.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 9

Cross Ganja La Pass to Keldang

Summit day

  • Distance: 8 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 5130 m · (↓) 4300 m
  • Duration: 6 h
  • Stay: Tented camp

Early start for the pass—often snow-covered—with slow steps on rocky moraine. Langtang Himal fills the horizon before a demanding descent toward Keldang (camp); conserve energy for repeated ups and downs.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 10

Trek from Keldang to Dukpu

Forests and ridges

  • Distance: 12 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 4270 m · (↓) 4040 m
  • Duration: 8 h
  • Stay: Tented camp

Descents through forest and pasture, keeping an eye out for red panda in bamboo, deer, or blue sheep; mountain views open along the ridges before reaching Dukpu—often the last camping night.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 11

Trek from Dukpu to Tarke Gyang

Helambu monasteries

  • Distance: 8 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 4040 m · (↓) 2740 m
  • Duration: 7 h
  • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge

Continue descending with short climbs through Sherpa settlements to Tarke Gyang, known for Geke Gompa and Hyolmo hospitality—from tonight you may choose lodge stays instead of tents where available.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 12

Trek from Tarke Gyang to Shermathang

Mani walls and terraces

  • Distance: 11 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 2740 m · (↓) 2600 m
  • Duration: 4 h
  • Stay: Tea house / mountain lodge

Wider, easier trails pass villages such as Setighyang and Ghangyul; Buddhist mani walls line the path and terraces step down the hillsides—observe daily farm work and Hyolmo life.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 13

Shermathang — Melamchi — drive to Kathmandu

Exit the hills by road

  • Distance: 66 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 2590 m · (↓) 1400 m
  • Duration: 4 h
  • Stay: Hotel

Walk from Shermathang toward Melamchi Pool bazaar, chat with locals over lunch, then drive back to Kathmandu for a final evening with your team.

Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 14

Kathmandu — onward travel or extend

Departure day

  • Distance: 5 km
  • Altitude: (↑) 1400 m · (↓) 1400 m
  • Duration: 0.5 h
  • Stay: Hotel

Transfer out according to your flight plan—two weeks of peaks, passes, and villages behind you, with Nepal’s invitation to return.

Breakfast

Traveler notes

Shortlisted guests who have travelled with partner operators (illustrative).

  • Christopher · UK · 2026-04-20
  • David · Australia · 2026-04-09
  • Mathis & Ida · Germany · 2026-04-06
  • Paul & Tim · Germany · 2026-03-25
  • Claudia · Germany · 2026-03-18

Detail inspiration: https://himalayancircuit.com/tour/langtang-valley-trek-with-ganja-la-pass

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