Tamang Heritage Trail (THT) Combining with the Langtang Valley Trek

After an hour and half of ascent from Syabrubesi we reach the view point from where we can see the fantastic view of Ganesh Himal, Gosaikunda range and the Goljang valley. Now we head down to Goljang valley for the Lunch which is an hour walking down hill from the the view point. Gatlang the beautiful Tamang village is another 3 hrs walk from Goljang. Upon arrival the guests will be welcomed by Khada (white scarfs) and the home made local drinks Rakshi accompanied by the welcome song in local language. Get refreshed and enjoy the local Syabru dance. Overnight at the community lodge.

This would be the longest day of the entire trip and will take about 7 hours. The walk begins by descending to Thangbuchet (near Chilime village) by the Bhotekoshi River. Stop for the lunch here. Chilime Hydropower dam is situated here. After lunch the trail will be ascending up crossing the hanging bridge. Ascend continues until you get to Tatopani which literally means ‘hot water’, you can cleanse yourself in natural hot springs with bathing areas in the lap of the mountains. Locals believe that the waters have a healing quality that eases away your aches and pains. Dinner and overnight stay at local tea house.

The trail ascends to Nagthali Danda (3300m) the high open grassland with amazing views of snow covered Himalayas. Stop for lunch at Brimdang village. After lunch the trek continues ascending to Nagthali Danda. One can enjoy the view and spend some time at the top accompanied by tea prepared by the care taker of the Gompa. Trek continues down to Thuman, Tibetan influenced Tamang village with friendly people who love to sing and dance. Dinner and overnight at local tea house.

The trail begins with flatter trail in the beginning and descends to Timure en route to the old trade route to Tibet. Stop here for the lunch. Rasuwaghadi (Nepal-Tibet boarder) is just 3hrs walk from Timure lies on the bank of River. After lunch the trail continues for Briddim another Tibetan influenced Tamang village. Homestay at Briddim is a unique experience. All accommodations, lodgings and fooding are offered at the individual houses on a rotational basis. Each host family provides clean bed, toilet and a family dining room. The visitor can also observe the local indoor rituals and cultural practices with the host family and go on village walks to see the lifestyle, traditions and customs of the people. Then the locals gather in the evening in their traditional costume, performing cultural songs and dances, welcoming the visitors. The host family guides the visitor, explaining the special features of the village, showing the live craftsmanship. Overnight homestay.

Our trail initially crosses the Bhote Kosi, flowing down from Tibet, which is literally only a few kilometres away. We then gradually climb up through the sub-tropical forests, teeming with bird-life, to join the trail from Syabru. We follow the river, climbing through uninhabited forest of oak and rhododendron and maybe catching a glimpse of langur monkeys roaming through the trees. We continue climbing along a steep trail to our camp in the forest.

As we continue climbing today there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. At Ghora Tabela [3000m], the trail emerges from the forest. Once there was a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now it is a Nepalese army post though it has no permanent inhabitants. The trail continues to climb gently and the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during the summer months. There is a monastery which we can visit shortly before arriving at the village of Langtang, the headquarters of the Langtang National Park. The houses of Langtang and its neighbouring villages are of the flat-roofed Tibetan style, surrounded by stone walls enclosing fields of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley.

The trail climbs gradually through small villages and yak pastures as the valley opens out further and the views become more extensive. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. Here there is a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory. We should arrive at Kyangjin by lunch time allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area. It is a dramatic setting, with snow covered peaks surrounding us in all directions.

A day to rest and explore the area. We can visit the monastery and the cheese factory, walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri [or “peak” – 4.350 m], directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang peaks.

From Kyangjin we retrace our route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch we continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel.

The trek today follows the same route for an hour, then after the bridge there is a pleasant walk through the rain and bamboo forest. The trail leaves the river down below and climbs uphill through a landslide area of rocks and boulders. It then passes through farm terraces till Tholo Syabru with its row of houses perched on a ridge. Tholo Syabru also has a monastery near its helipad, just few minutes up from the village.

Today we go to Dhunche, at an altitude of 1.764 metres, is the capital of Rasuwa distric. With around 500 houses, its population is of 2.000 people. The town is divided in to upper and lower Dhunche with the lower town being the main part of town, yet without lodges. These are found in the upper part of town, where we will stay overnight.

Today we conclude the trip with a journey back to Kathmandu.