Trek the Langtang Valley & Summit Yala Peak (5500m) — Self-Launched

Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) and make your own way to a guesthouse in Thamel — the backpacker hub — by pre-booked taxi (~£5–8) or hotel shuttle. Spend the afternoon sorting any last-minute kit, exchanging currency and picking up snacks for the trail. Head out for a group dinner with any fellow trekkers you meet at your guesthouse, or explore Thamel's lively street-food scene solo.

🚌Pre-booked airport taxi to Thamel (~£5–8)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Thamel, Kathmandu (e.g. Potala Guest House, Alobar1000) — twin/dorm from ~£8–15pp

• →Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM)
• →Take a pre-booked taxi or hotel shuttle to Thamel (~£5–8)
• →Visit a trekking gear shop on Thamel Marg if you still need layers, a sleeping bag liner or trekking poles — rental is cheap
• →Explore Thamel for dinner and an early night

Rise early to collect your trekking permits before departure. You'll need a Langtang National Park Entry Permit (~£25) and a TIMS card (~£10) — both available from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Pradarshani Marg, Kathmandu. Then hop on a local tourist bus or shared jeep from the Machhapokhari bus park to Syabrubesi (~7 hrs, £8–12). The road follows the scenic Trishuli River valley — bumpy but spectacular. Check in at a teahouse in Syabrubesi.

🚌Tourist bus or shared jeep Kathmandu → Syabrubesi (~7 hrs, ~£8–12pp)

🛏Teahouse in Syabrubesi — twin room from ~£4–8pp (meals extra)

• →Collect Langtang National Park permit (~£25) and TIMS card (~£10) from Nepal Tourism Board office — bring 2 passport photos
• →Take a local tourist bus or shared jeep from Machhapokhari bus park to Syabrubesi (~7 hrs, ~£8–12)
• →Permits are checked at Dhunche en route — have your documents ready
• →Settle into a teahouse in Syabrubesi and rest up

Your first full day on the trail. The path crosses the Bhote River on a suspension bridge and climbs through dense subtropical forest past Langtang Khola. Stop at the hamlet of Bamboo for lunch — keep your eyes peeled for red panda in the trees. The humidity at this lower elevation (below 2500m) will make the 14km, ~6-hour hike feel harder than the numbers suggest. Arrive at the Lama Teahouse in Rimche for the night.

🚌On foot

🛏Lama Teahouse, Rimche — twin room from ~£4–8pp

• →Trek ~14km from Syabrubesi to Rimche (Lama Teahouse), ~6 hrs, +1000m / -100m
• →Cross the Bhote River suspension bridge
• →Walk through dense forest — watch for red panda near Bamboo hamlet
• →Lunch at a teahouse in Bamboo (~£3–5)
• →Overnight at Lama Teahouse, Rimche

A steady climb through hemlock, oak and rhododendron forest, with snow-capped peaks appearing on the horizon. Pass the army checkpoint at Ghodatabela before arriving at Langtang village — one of the areas worst affected by the 2015 earthquake, still being sensitively rebuilt. Spending money here directly supports local recovery. Overnight in the village.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Langtang Village — twin room from ~£4–8pp

• →Trek ~11km from Rimche to Langtang Village, ~5 hrs, +1200m / -150m
• →Pass the army checkpoint at Ghodatabela — have permits ready
• →Visit the rebuilt Langtang village and learn about the 2015 earthquake recovery
• →Support local teahouses and shops with your spending

The trail crosses yak pastures and follows a meandering stream as the Langtang range reveals itself in full. Pass the Tamang settlements of Mundu and Sindum (both at 3410m), with Gengchempo (6387m) dominating the eastern skyline. Arrive at Kyanjin Gompa (3830m) and refuel with a classic dal bhat at your teahouse. Tonight, look up — the stargazing at this altitude is exceptional.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Kyanjin Gompa — twin room from ~£4–8pp

• →Trek ~7km from Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa, ~5 hrs, +450m / -100m
• →Walk across open yak pastures with full Langtang range views
• →Visit the ancient Kyanjin Gompa monastery on arrival
• →Eat dal bhat at your teahouse — the local staple and best-value meal on the trail (~£3–5)

Leave your bags at the teahouse — you'll return tonight. Today is a crucial acclimatisation day at 3830m. Options include a wander to the monastery, a visit to the famous local yak-cheese factory (worth it), or a hike up the moraine to see the ice faces of Langtang Lirung. For those with energy, hike up Kyanjin Ri (4773m) for a sweeping panorama of the Langtang peaks — your guide can lead this for a small fee or you can follow the well-marked trail independently.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Kyanjin Gompa — twin room from ~£4–8pp

• →Rest and acclimatise at Kyanjin Gompa (3830m) — do not ascend further today
• →Visit Kyanjin Gompa monastery
• →Tour the local yak-cheese factory — free or small entry fee
• →Optional: hike Kyanjin Ri (4773m) for panoramic Langtang views, ~3 hrs return
• →Walk to the Langtang Lirung glacier moraine to see tumbling icefalls

Today you leave the last teahouse settlement behind and head up the rocky glacial trail to Yala Base Camp at 4600m (~6 hrs, 10km). If you've hired a guide and cook directly in Kathmandu, they'll have arranged camping equipment and will prepare meals at base camp. If going fully independently, you'll need to carry a tent, sleeping bag rated to -15°C or below, and your own camp food. Arrive mid-afternoon, set up camp, and soak in the extraordinary view of Yala Peak looming above. Sunset at this altitude is unforgettable.

🚌On foot

🛏Camping at Yala Base Camp (4600m) — bring or hire a 4-season tent and -15°C rated sleeping bag

• →Trek ~10km from Kyanjin Gompa to Yala Base Camp (4600m), ~6 hrs, +780m / -100m
• →Rocky glacial trail — trekking poles strongly recommended
• →Set up camp at Yala Base Camp
• →Brief from your guide on tomorrow's summit route, equipment and rope techniques
• →Hot drinks and dinner at camp — rest and hydrate well

A vital rest and skills day before the summit push. Your licensed trekking guide (a requirement for Yala Peak — solo ascents are not permitted) will run through crampon fitting, ice axe use, basic rope techniques and rappelling. Depending on conditions, there may be an acclimatisation hike up toward Tserko Ri (4984m) or to a nearby glacial pond. Rest, eat well and drink plenty of fluids. Early night — tomorrow's alarm will be very early.

🚌On foot

🛏Camping at Yala Base Camp (4600m)

• →Acclimatisation hike toward Tserko Ri (4984m) or nearby glacial pond
• →Guide-led crampon and ice axe skills session
• →Practice basic rope and rappelling techniques
• →Rest and hydrate thoroughly — AMS risk is significant above 4500m
• →Early dinner and bedtime in preparation for a pre-dawn start

Pre-dawn start (typically 3–4am) for the summit push — conditions are best in the early hours before wind picks up. The final 700m involves ropes, crampons and ice axes along a rocky ridge. Allow ~4–5 hrs to the summit, where panoramic views of Shishapangma (8027m), Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, Gangchempo and Tserko Ri await. Savour every second — Yala Peak bagged! Descend back to base camp for a quick meal, then continue down to Kyanjin Gompa for the night, where a real bed awaits.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Kyanjin Gompa — twin room from ~£4–8pp

• →Pre-dawn summit attempt of Yala Peak (5500m), ~4–5 hrs ascent, +1000m
• →Use crampons, ice axe and fixed ropes on the final 700m ridge
• →Summit panorama: Shishapangma, Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, Gangchempo, Naya Kang
• →Descend to Yala Base Camp for a hot meal and rest
• →Continue descent ~10km to Kyanjin Gompa teahouse, -1200m

With lungs full of oxygen at lower altitude, the 18km descent to Rimche feels fast and satisfying. The trail retraces your steps down the valley past Langtang village, through forests and across bridges. Reward yourself with a well-earned local Everest or Gorkha beer at the Lama Teahouse — you've earned it.

🚌On foot

🛏Lama Teahouse, Rimche — twin room from ~£4–8pp

• →Trek ~18km from Kyanjin Gompa to Rimche (Lama Teahouse), ~5 hrs, +100m / -1400m
• →Enjoy the rapid descent now altitude pressure is off
• →Celebratory local beer at the Lama Teahouse (~£1.50–3)

The last day on the trail — an easy 11km walk back through forest, past Bamboo and Dovan, and down to Syabrubesi. Soak up your final views of the Himalaya before the road journey back tomorrow. Celebrate at a teahouse restaurant in Syabrubesi.

🚌On foot

🛏Teahouse in Syabrubesi — twin room from ~£4–8pp

• →Trek ~11km from Rimche to Syabrubesi, ~5 hrs, +100m / -900m
• →Retrace the trail past Bamboo and Dovan through forest
• →Final views of the Himalaya before tomorrow's road trip
• →Celebratory dinner at a local teahouse restaurant in Syabrubesi

Jump on the morning bus or shared jeep back to Kathmandu (~7 hrs, £8–12). You'll be back in Thamel by late afternoon — head straight for a hot shower and clean clothes. Spend the evening exploring Kathmandu's street food scene or head to one of Thamel's rooftop bars for a final celebratory dinner.

🚌Local bus or shared jeep Syabrubesi → Kathmandu (~7 hrs, ~£8–12pp)

🛏Budget guesthouse or hostel in Thamel, Kathmandu — twin/dorm from ~£8–15pp

• →Take the morning bus or shared jeep from Syabrubesi back to Kathmandu (~7 hrs, ~£8–12)
• →Hot shower, laundry and rest on arrival in Thamel
• →Explore Thamel's street food scene for dinner
• →Optional: rooftop bar for a celebratory nightcap — try Sam's Bar or The Purple Haze

Well-earned lie-in and a proper breakfast (try the eggs benedict at OR2K or a full Nepali breakfast at your guesthouse). Spend the day exploring Kathmandu at your leisure — the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa and Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) are all within easy reach. Head to the airport for your onward flight when ready — pre-book a taxi (~£5–8) or arrange with your guesthouse.

🚌Pre-booked taxi to Kathmandu Airport (~£5–8)

🛏Budget guesthouse in Thamel — twin/dorm from ~£8–15pp (or check out for airport)

• →Lazy breakfast at your guesthouse or a Thamel café
• →Visit Boudhanath Stupa — one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world (free to walk around, ~£2 entry to the inner area)
• →Visit Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) for panoramic Kathmandu valley views (~£2 entry)
• →Browse Thamel for souvenirs — Nepali pashminas, thangka paintings and spices
• →Pre-booked taxi to Tribhuvan International Airport (~£5–8)