Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Short treks from Kathmandu

Kathmandu is a valley that spreads about 220 squire miles in the central Nepal. Himalaya is just about 50 km crow flying distance away from Kathmandu. The forested northern hills of Kathmandu is gazetted as 'Shivapuri National Park'. Langtang national park with 1,710 sq km area is just about 18 km from Kathmandu. Langtang national park shares border with Tibet in north. The park is dominated by Langtang Himal range, the highest peak of which is 7,247 m. The park preserves one of the last undisturbed alpine eco-system specimen. The park is home of rare species like Snow Leopard and Red Panda as well. The alpine lake of Gosainkunda, the Sherpas of Helmo, intact Tibetan Buddhism villages and the shamanistic Tamang people makes the region vibrant.

In proximity with such a rich alpine landscape and Himalayan foothills, Kathmandu is base for some of the best treks in the Himalayas.

Here are some of the best short trek from Kathmandu.

Kathmandu valley Trek

Langtang and Jugal Himal Range

In the foothill of the central Himalaya, Kathmandu is surrounded by lush mountains reaching to the altitude of 2,782 m. These hilltops and ridges offer magnificent view of snow peaks from Annapurna range in the west to Mt Everest in the east. There are several day hikes and short treks around Kathmandu. The most popular short treks goes into the Shivapuri national park in the north and follows the ridge to Nagarkot hill station.

Gosaikunda Trek

Gosaikunda Lake at 4,380 m

Short trek of 6 days could be organized from Kathmandu to the Gosaikunda Lake and back. Gosaikunda is an alpine lake at the altitude of 4,380 m north of Kathmandu. This is spiritual place for Hindus, Buddhists and Shamans. There are about 108 small and big lakes covering the area of 1,030 hector. The trek to Godaikunda Lake offers the best Himalayan view, trekking in alpine zone and adventure of climbing to over 4,000 m within a week long trek from Kathmandu.
Langtang Lirung seen from enroute Gosaikunda Lake


Langtang Trek

Langtang Valley with Langtang Lirung in the backdrop

Langtang valley is the third popular trekking region in Nepal. The trekking trail head of Syabrubensi is about 122 km north of Kathmandu. Langtang trek takes about a week from Kathmandu and back. The trail passes through beautiful forest of oaks, pines and Rhododendron to the alpine pasture surrounded by snow peaks. The valley is resided by Tibetans who migrated in last few centuries and Tamang who are culturally very close to Tibetans. The Langtang valley has beautiful monasteries, mani-walls, stupas and other Tibetan Buddhist symbolism with high passes, caves, bridges and big rocks marked by fluttering prayer flags.
Tibetan Buddhist Stupua in Langtang Valley
Langtang valley seen from Tserko Kyanjin Ri