Langtang 2026
At the Edge of Glaciers
Small-group trek Autumn (mid-October*)
This trek is rooted in my Great Himalayan Trail journey, a region I return to for its exceptional landscapes, long-standing friendships, rich mountain ecosystems, and the visible vulnerability of its glaciers. It’s also home to the best high-altitude bakery I’ve ever found.
More than guiding on lesser-known trails, this is about moving through mountain environments with attention, and sharing what I’ve learned from crossing the Himalayas and climbing the highest peaks in a way that stays grounded and accessible.
Designed for a small group who care about nature and adventure, at a reasonable pace.
Fastpacking or trail-running sections are possible if the group is keen.
Above all, this is about taking time to understand a valley and its communities, not just passing through.
Duration: 10 days
*Dates: 25 October - 3 November (TBC - Flexible)
This itinerary is inspired by Carole Fuchs’ journey along the Great Himalaya Trail and shaped by years of moving through the Himalayas on foot. It offers a deeply personal perspective on the region, its landscapes, rhythms, and quiet beauty and far beyond standard trekking routes.
Designed for easy and fast access from Kathmandu, the trip allows you to reach remarkable Himalayan terrain without long transfers or heavy logistics. Depending on the itinerary and group level, trips range from 8 to 15 days, making them accessible while still immersive.
The route gradually gains altitude, with a highest point reaching 3,860 m or 4,900 m, depending on the chosen itinerary. Careful pacing and route selection ensure a balanced experience, combining physical challenge, comfort, and time to truly absorb the mountains.
This is a journey shaped by lived experience, an invitation to discover the Himalayas through the eyes of someone who knows them intimately.
General
The itinerary is adapted to the group’s fitness, interests, and conditions on the ground. Days can be hiked, run, or a mix of both, and alternative routes can be considered.
Is this for you?
This trek is designed for people with a basic level of fitness. No previous high-altitude trekking experience is required, you will be guided throughout and shown everything you need to know along the way, from pacing and acclimatisation to moving comfortably on mountain trails.
Each day involves approximately 4 to 8 hours of walking, depending on terrain and acclimatisation needs. The pace is flexible and adapted to the group, with regular breaks to rest, enjoy tea in local lodges, and take in the surroundings. Time is built in to visit historic Buddhist monasteries, stupas, and villages, offering insight into life in the Khumbu.
You will be led by Carole, supported by assistant guides who were born and raised in these mountain villages. Along the trail, they share stories of their childhoods, local traditions, and Sherpa culture, bringing depth and context to the journey beyond the landscape itself.
Throughout the trek, safety, acclimatisation, and enjoyment are prioritised, allowing you to move steadily, confidently, and fully present in one of the world’s most iconic mountain regions.
Fitness & Training
The most important requirement for this trek is mindset, curiosity, resilience, and a positive attitude will take you much further than speed or strength. Physically, you need a basic level of fitness: the ability to walk comfortably for around 10 km with a small backpack over hilly terrain at sea level.
If you’re fit, healthy, and enjoy being outdoors, you’re ready to go.
If you feel unsure about your fitness or simply want to arrive feeling more confident, Carole and her team can support you with a tailored training programme. Drawing on her background as a professional ultra-runner, Everest summiter, and experienced coach, Carole provides practical, realistic guidance adapted to your starting point, schedule, and goals.
The training focuses on building efficiency rather than intensity: walking and hiking technique, smart pacing, strength for long days on your feet, and developing the confidence to move comfortably at altitude. The aim is not to “train harder,” but to arrive prepared, calm, and ready to enjoy the journey.
This is not a fixed itinerary. Depending on the group’s capacity and ambition, we can hike, run, or blend both and even take the journey through beautiful side trails. Tell us what draws you, and we’ll build the route together.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Kathmandu (1,324m)
Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon, an expedition briefing and introductory workshop set the stage for the journey ahead, followed by a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Kathmandu (1324m) drive → Syabrubesi (1,503m) → Lama Hotel (2,470m)
Distance: ~10 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,000m
We will drive to the trail head in Syabrubesi and follow the Langtang River. We will run past Bamboo (1,970m) lodge and end at Lama Hotel (2,470m) for a quiet night.
Day 3: Lama Hotel (2,470m) → Langtang Village (3,430m)
Distance: ~12 km
Elevation Gain: ~1,100m
Our trail opens into alpine meadows. Pass through Langtang Village, which was rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake. Reach Langtang, a beautiful high-altitude village surrounded by glaciers.
Day 4: Langtang Village (3,430m)→ Kyanjin Gompa (3,850m) → optional: Tserko Ri (4,985m)
Distance: ~6 km (+400m) + option 12 km (+1100m)
Elevation Gain: ~400m + option 1000m
We will hike to Kyanjin Gompa and visit a monastery. Optional afternoon ascent of Tserko Ri (4,985m), offering sweeping views of Langtang Lirung and the Yala Glacier (+11 km / +1,100 m gain). Evening at Dorje Bakery.
Day 5: Kyanjin Gompa (3,860m) → Glacier hike (4,500m) (check glaciers from the moraine)
Distance: ~12 km
Elevation Gain: ~700m
We hike through alpine meadows, following quiet trails across high rangelands and glacier moraine, witnessing firsthand the visible retreat of the glacier. Optional (+4 km) sunset hike to a panoramic hilltop above Kyanjin, with snacks.
Day 6: Kyanjin Gompa (3,860m) → Syabrubesi (1,324m)
Distance: ~28 km
Descente: ~2300m
We descend steadily back to Syabrubesi.
Day 7: Syabrubesi (1,503m) → Kathmandu (1,324m)
Drive back to Kathmandu. Dinner and debrief.
Day 8: Departure or extra day in Kathmandu
Optional extra 3 days:
Day 5: Kyanjin Gompa (3,860m) → Bamboo (2,000m)
Distance: ~22 km
Descent: ~2,090m
We descend steadily to Bamboo Lodge before a beautiful climb to Upper Syabru (2,210m).
Day 6: Bamboo (2,000m) → Laurebina (4,380m)
Distance: ~14 km
Elevation Gain: ~2,300m
A steady uphill climb through lush forests and along open ridges, with spectacular trails throughout.
Day 7: Laurebina (3,925m) → Gosainkund (4,430m) → Laurebina (3,925m)
Distance: ~ 8km
Elevation Gain: ~500m
Are you ready for a unique experience?
Day 8: Laurebina → Dhunche → Kathmandu
Distance: ~ 13km
Elevation Gain: ~1990m
We complete our trek in Dhunche and prepare for the return drive to Kathmandu, marking the close of our mountain journey.
Day 9: Departure or extra day in Kathmandu
Final day in Kathmandu, dedicated to a full debrief, with optional time to explore the city’s stupas.