Tamang Heritage Trail – 12 Days

Drive to Syabrubesi

Your journey begins with a scenic drive to Syabrubesi, which will take approximately 7 to 8 hours. The highway leads north, offering beautiful views of roaring rivers, terraced fields, small villages, and snowcapped mountains. On a clear day, the drive will be quite pleasant. As the road follows the Trishuli River, you’ll catch glimpses of Ganesh Himal and endless green hills. The route takes you through the busy town of Dhunche, and continuing further, you’ll arrive in Syabrubesi. This small town offers several places to explore, including a riverside hot spring where you can enjoy a relaxing bath.

Kathmandu to Syabrubesi

On the first day of your journey, you will depart from Kathmandu and drive for approximately 8 to 9 hours to reach Syabrubesi, a small village in the north-western part of Nepal, which serves as the gateway to Langtang Valley. The road winds through frequent switchbacks, offering views of terraces, rustic villages, and lush green hills. As you pass along the bank of the Trishuli River, you may catch glimpses of Manaslu, Annapurna, and Ganesh Himal on a clear day. As you approach Dhunche, you’ll feel like you’re entering a remote area, with the road winding up and down. Upon reaching Syabrubesi, you will check into your hotel and stay overnight.

Arrival in Kathmandu

Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, you will be greeted by our company representatives at Tribhuvan International Airport. After a warm welcome, they will escort you to your hotel for check-in. You can rest and relax at the hotel, preparing for your exciting adventure ahead. In the evening, you will meet your fellow trekkers and guide, who will brief you on the trek details, including hotel accommodations, culture, and important do’s and don’ts. The briefing will be followed by a welcome dinner at a typical Nepali restaurant with a cultural program.

Trek Distance: 122 km/75.8 miles
Highest Altitude: (1,503m/4,655ft)/(1400m/4,393ft)
Trek Duration: 8 to 9 hours

Trek from Syabrubesi to Gatlang

We’ll begin the first day of trekking after an early breakfast. Ascending a steep trail, we will reach Ronga Bhanjyang in about three hours. Along the way, you’ll stop at viewpoints offering fantastic views of Ganesh Himal, the Gosaikunda range, and the Goljung Valley. The trail then descends into Goljung Valley, taking about an hour. After a break for lunch, we’ll continue our trek for three more hours, eventually arriving in Gatlang, a beautiful and traditional Tamang village. In Gatlang, you can visit Parbati Kund and an ancient monastery.

Syabrubesi to Goljung

On this day, we wake up early and enjoy breakfast before beginning our trek to Goljung. After ascending from Syabrubesi, we’ll reach a viewpoint that offers incredible views of several mountains, including Ganesh Himal, the Gosaikunda range, Shishapangma, Langtang Lirung, and the Goljung Valley. The local Tamang people, the indigenous inhabitants of the region, grow corn, potatoes, berries, and various grains. Most of their meals are cooked over an open fire, and their stone-and-wood houses provide the only warmth during the cold winters through body heat. After descending from the viewpoint, we’ll continue trekking down to Goljung Valley for our overnight stay.

Arrival in Langtang and Syabrubesi

Our wonderful journey on the Tamang Heritage Trail begins with a morning drive towards the high hills of Langtang, starting from Syabrubesi. The drive is an exciting journey through farm villages and towns, leading to the warmer areas of Trisuli Bazaar. After a short break, the drive continues towards the cooler areas of Ramche and Dhunche (1,960 m), which serves as the entrance to Langtang National Park. Dhunche is the main town in the Rasuwa district and the Langtang region. From here, the drive descends down winding, zigzag roads, and we end the day’s journey at Syabrubesi, where we will spend the first night in the Langtang area.

Kathmandu UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour

Next, you’ll enjoy a guided tour of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu:

Kathmandu Durbar Square: The palaces of the medieval kings who ruled over the Kathmandu Kingdom are located here.
Pashupatinath: This sacred site houses a Lingam, the phallic symbol of Lord Shiva. Aryaghat, alongside Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River, is also a famous Hindu funeral site.
Boudhanath: This Buddhist shrine is one of the largest stupas in the world and one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Kathmandu. The Boudhanath area is also home to over 50 Tibetan monasteries.
Swayambhu (Monkey Temple): Known for its large monkey population, Swayambhu means “the self-existent” and is popular with tourists.
Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Squares: Both of these squares are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Bhaktapur is an irresistible city, preserving an authentic local lifestyle that has remained largely untouched by the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu. In the city square, you’ll admire the Nyatapola Temple, the Golden Gate, the water spouts, and the 55-Window Palace, all of which create an enchanting outdoor atmosphere.
Overnight stay at the hotel.

Trek Distance: 12.1km / 7.4miles
Highest Altitude: (1,960m / 6,430 ft)
Trek Duration: 6 hours

Trekking to Tatopani

Your trek begins gently, passing many Chortens, mani walls, and deep forests as you make your way to Chilime, which will take about two and a half hours. Afterward, you will cross a suspension bridge and ascend past terraced fields to reach Gonggang Village, a journey that takes about one and a half hours. After having lunch at Gonggang, you’ll continue on a gently ascending path to Tatopani, which will take approximately two hours. Along the way, you will pass a hot spring where you can take a natural bath if you wish. The local belief is that a bath in these hot springs cures aches and pains throughout the body.

Gatlang Village Experience

The trail today is short and pleasant. Gatlang is a small, beautiful village and the origin of the Tamang ethnic group in Nepal. You will experience the warm hospitality and culture of the Tamang people. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed with a “Khada” (a white scarf) and local homemade drinks called “Rakshi,” accompanied by a cultural song. Afterward, you can enjoy the local Syabru dance. Most of the houses here are made of stone and wood, and you’ll have the opportunity to observe their daily life. The people of Gatlang spend their days gathering and chopping wood, collecting water, storing food, planting crops, and weaving baskets to store food, clothing, and blankets.

Trekking to Gatlang

On the first day of the trek, we will walk north-west, avoiding the main road as much as possible. We’ll take an old trekking trail through several Tamang villages. The path leads to a gradual ascent to the large Tamang village of Gatlang, where we will stop for the night. Upon arrival, you will be greeted warmly with a Khada (a religious silk scarf) and transferred to local homes for the overnight stay. You will have time to explore the village and interact with the locals.

Drive to Syabrubesi

After an early breakfast, we will drive to Syabrubesi via Trishuli. We will stop for lunch at Trishuli before continuing the journey to Syabrubesi. Upon arrival, you can rest at the hotel and prepare for the trek the following day.

Trek Distance: 12.2km / 7.6miles
Highest Altitude: (2,240m/7,349 ft)
Trek Duration: 6 hours

Early morning, after breakfast, you will continue trekking through the forests and dense jungles, slowly gaining elevation while passing several ups and downs. After hiking for about two hours, you will reach Brimdang. The path then takes you to Nagthali Danda in two additional hours. You will be having lunch at Nagthali, enjoying the views of Langtang Lirung (7,227m), Shishapangma (8,013m), Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Tibetan Himal, and other snowy peaks. There are small monasteries for us to visit. You will then continue down to Thuman, a Tibetan-style Tamang village.

On the following day, we trek ahead towards Tatopani. Literally, Tatopani means “Hot Water” which best describes the place as there is a natural hot spring. We begin today’s trek with a descent to Thangbuche by the Bhote Koshi River and soak-in magnificent views of the Ganesh Himal and Langtang Ranges along the way. Then we will pass by the Chilime Hydropower dam and ascend until Tatopani. We take a dip into the natural hot water and relax our tired muscles. After completing 6/7 hours of strenuous trek, we will reach Tatopani. You can take a bath in the hot spring in the lap of the mountains. Locals believe that these water have a healing quality that eases away your aches and pains. Overnight stay at local guest house.

The Morning starts with views of peaks towards the north and of Tibet Mountains, starting day walk with a gradual uphill most of the way through several small farm villages and hamlets and patch of woodlands to reach at Tatopani for an overnight stop. Afternoon visit hot springs as Tatopani means hot water rising from the fresh spring, and visit the local villages and its friendly people.

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 downhill 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 scarf) 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.

Trek Distance: 9.2km / 5.7miles
Highest Altitude: (2,607m/8,553 ft)
Trek Duration: 6 to 7 hours

Trek from Briddim to Lama Hotel

From Briddim, you will trek to Lama Hotel, a journey that will take approximately six hours. The trail follows the Bhote Koshi valley, passing through fertile jungles filled with bamboo and birch groves, terraced fields, and rural settlements. Along the way, you may have the chance to spot rare local wildlife, such as red pandas. The path ascends gently to Rimche (2,400m) through Bamboo Village, which lies along the banks of the Langtang River. Continuing on, you will eventually reach Lama Hotel, where we will stay for the night.

Trek to Briddim via Lingling

After breakfast, we will trek to Briddim via Lingling. Briddim is a Tibetan Buddhist village that was originally settled by Tibetan immigrants. It is ideally located at the foot of the Langtang Himal. The houses in Briddim are made of stone, offering a wonderful cultural and traditional experience. You can also visit the Dukchu Gomba monastery. The inhabitants of this village are originally from Tibet, and the village resembles a typical Tibetan settlement.

Trek from Briddim through Rhododendron Forest

After spending time in this charming Tamang village and enjoying views of the distant peaks of Ganesh and Langtang Himal, we begin the day with a gradual walk along a winding path. The trail then climbs to a ridge, offering panoramic views of the mountains and surrounding landscapes. As you enter the forest of rhododendrons, pines, and oaks, the path continues with a short descent to the village of Briddim, where we will stop for the night.

Trek to Nagthali Danda and Thuman

The trail ascends to Nagthali Danda (3,300m), a high open grassland offering breathtaking views of the snow-covered Himalayas. We will stop for lunch at Brimdang village. Afterward, the trek continues with a steady climb to Nagthali Danda. Once at the top, you can enjoy the view and spend some time there, accompanied by tea prepared by the caretaker of the Gompa. The trek then continues downhill to Thuman, a Tibetan-influenced Tamang village with friendly people who love to sing and dance.

Highest Altitude: (2,345m/7,694 ft)
Trek Duration: 6 hours

We will acclimatize at Samagaon to adjust to the thinner air at higher elevations. However, we will not remain idle; instead, we will explore the village and learn about the locals’ lifestyles and their Buddhist culture. We have several options for this acclimatization day: hiking to Manaslu Base Camp, visiting Birendra Lake (Tal), or climbing the ridge to Pungyen Monastery.

Pungyen Monastery lies s

Trek to Lama Hotel via Ghoda Tabela

Your day begins with an early breakfast. Afterward, you will trek along the river valley through a lush landscape, slowly ascending while enjoying views of the snowy peaks. The river valley widens at Ghoda Tabela (3,030m), which means “horse stable” in English.

In the past, this area was home to a Tibetan resettlement project, but now there is an army checkpoint where we will register our permits. Afterward, we continue our trek past Chymki Village (3,230m) on a trail adorned with prayer flags. Along the way, you will see prayer wheels, mani walls, water mills, and chortens. These monuments indicate that Langtang, a large Tamang village, is nearby.

Trek from Briddim to Lama Hotel

After experiencing the Tibetan culture in Briddim, we continue our journey toward Lama Hotel, which is a 5-6 hour walk from Briddim. The trail begins with a descent to Ghopche Khola, followed by a crossing over a small stream. From here, the trail ascends through Rimche before reaching Lama Hotel. Rimche offers stunning sunset views. It takes about 30 minutes from Rimche to Lama Hotel, which is situated on the banks of the Langtang River and surrounded by lush forests and magnificent mountain vistas. Overnight stay at Lama Hotel.

Trek through the Forests to Lama Hotel

After spending some time in Briddim, we return to the main trekking route to Langtang Valley. However, our path diverts from the usual trail, taking us through enchanting woodlands with occasional glimpses of the snow-capped mountains. The trail includes a short descent with a few gentle ascents, leading to a forested area. Afterward, we continue to Lama Hotel for an overnight stop.

Trek to Rasuwagadhi

After an early breakfast, you will hike to Rasuwagadhi. Overnight at a local tea house.

Trek Distance: 14.8km / 9.1miles
Highest Altitude: (3,430m/11,255ft)
Trek Duration: 6 hours

Trek to Kyanjin Gompa

After enjoying a cup of tea and breakfast, you will begin your trek. Today’s hike will be short, easy, and exciting, as you’ll pass through small plateaus, large mani walls, yak pastures, small villages, and meadows. As the trail ascends, we will trek slowly to allow for proper acclimatization.

Along the way, you’ll encounter water mills, prayer wheels, and sacred rock mounds with inscriptions, signaling that you’re approaching the ancient monastery of Kyanjin Gompa. Kyanjin Gompa is a beautiful village in the Langtang region, surrounded by the breathtaking Himalayas. After breakfast, we will head towards Langtang Village. The trail winds through oak and rhododendron forests, providing an opportunity to spot various bird species. As we climb steadily through the valley, the tree line recedes, and we are treated to magnificent views of Langtang Lirung, framed by the trees.

We will pass water mills, prayer wheels, and chortens, each adorned with sacred mounds of rocks and inscriptions. At Ghora Tabela (3,000m), the trail emerges from the forest. The valley widens, and the trail continues gently uphill, passing a few temporary settlements where herders bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during the summer months. Near the village of Langtang, you can visit a monastery. Langtang is the headquarters of Langtang National Park, where we will stay overnight at a lodge.

Trek to Upper Syabru

From Lama Hotel, the morning walk follows a downhill path to Bamboo, a small area with a few tea houses. After a short rest, the trek continues past farm terraces growing millet, corn, and wheat (depending on the season). Leaving the farm areas behind, we will ascend uphill to Upper (Thulo) Syabru for an overnight stop. This interesting Tamang village is made up of houses linked together in a row, with an old monastery located above the village.

Trek to Briddim

After breakfast, we will hike to Briddim, where we will spend the night at a local hotel.

Trek Distance: 6.8km / 4.2miles
Highest Altitude: (3,865m/12,675ft)
Trek Duration: 3 hours

Acclimatization and Exploration at Kyanjin Gompa

Today, we will focus on acclimatizing while exploring the beautiful Kyanjin Gompa village. This area of the valley offers much for trekkers to enjoy. Due to the higher elevation, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the Himalayan ranges and glaciers. Kyanjin Gompa itself has several noteworthy sites to visit.

You will explore the Kyanjin Gompa monastery, where you can observe monks offering prayers. A visit to the local cheese factory is also a highlight, allowing you to learn about the production of traditional yak cheese. Additionally, you can opt for hikes to Langshisa Kharka or the Tserko Ri (5,450m) viewpoint. Tserko Ri is the highest point of this trek, offering breathtaking panoramic views of peaks such as Langtang Lirung (7,227m), Langtang II (6,586m), and more. As the sun sets, we will return to Kyanjin Gompa to spend the night.

Short Trek to Kyanjin Gompa

Today features the shortest trek of the entire journey. We’ll walk through yak pastures and pass Nepal’s largest mani wall, made from stone and inscribed with prayers. It’s believed that the wind carries the prayers from the mani wall across the valley. We’ll cross several wooden bridges before reaching Kyanjin Gompa, which is beautifully surrounded by the mighty Himalayas.

Since we will reach Kyanjin Gompa by midday, you’ll have time to take a leisurely walk around the village, enjoying views of glaciers, icefalls, birds, and yaks. You can also visit some of the popular cheese factories in the valley, located at the foot of Langtang Lirung, where you can sample the delicious local yak cheese. For a more adventurous option, you can hike partway up the valley to Langshisha Kharka, surrounded by glaciers. Alternatively, a climb to the peak of Kyanjin Ri (4,600m) offers spectacular views of the entire Langtang Valley. We will stay overnight at a guesthouse in Kyanjin Gompa.

Trek to Shing Gompa

Today, we will embark on a short, scenic walk to a higher area. The trail leads through a deep forest of rhododendrons, pines, and hemlocks, offering excellent views of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Langtang Lirung. After a few hours of climbing, the path levels out, and we will enjoy a pleasant walk to Shing Gompa. Also known as Chandanbari, this village offers nice lodges, a small cheese factory, and an old monastery on top of the village, where we will stay overnight.

Rest Day at Briddim

Today will be a rest day in Briddim to relax and complete our trek. We will spend the night at Briddim.

Highest Altitude: (3,870m/12,697 ft)
Trek Duration: 4 hours

Return Trek to Lama Hotel and Syabrubensi

From Kyanjin Gompa, we will take one last look at the stunning mountains standing tall and majestic, before beginning our journey out of the valley. We retrace our steps back to Langtang Village and stop at Ghoda Tabela for lunch, where the army check post will register our exit. After a relaxed lunch, we continue our descent through dense forests along the river valley, heading towards Lama Hotel.

The trek back to Lama Hotel is a downhill walk, taking approximately 4 to 5 hours. The route is easy, following beautiful mountain rivers and passing through ethnic Tamang settlements. The Tamang people in this region share similar religious and cultural practices with the Tibetans. We’ll overnight at Lama Hotel.

Final Day Trek to Dhunche

From Shing Gompa, our final day’s trek takes us downhill through a cool forest of pine and rhododendrons, where rare red pandas are often spotted. After a pleasant descent, we reach the bottom of the hill, cross a bridge, and make a short climb to the main road leading to Dhunche. This will be our last overnight stop, located in the picturesque Tamang Heritage trail area, within the beautiful Langtang region.

Return to Syabrubensi

Today, we will make our way back to the starting point of our trek. It will take about 4 hours to hike back to Syabrubensi. Upon arrival, we will check into a hotel for our final overnight stay.

Trek Distance: 21km / 13 miles
Highest Altitude: (2,380m/7,808 ft)
Trek Duration: 6 hours

Final Trekking Day and Return to Kathmandu

Today marks the final day of our trek as we head back to Syabrubensi. The trail follows the Langtang River, descending through bamboo and birch forests, offering stunning landscape views along the way. After crossing the Langtang and Bhote Koshi rivers, we will arrive at Syabrubensi, the town where our journey began. The next morning, we will drive back to Kathmandu.

On the last day of our trek, we’ll enjoy an easy, mostly downhill trail. Crossing the Langtang River, the path winds through lush green vegetation, terraced fields, and oak and maple forests. The forest is teeming with wildlife, including birds and small animals, and you may spot occasional groups of monkeys.

In the morning, we’ll begin our drive downhill, passing Tamang farm villages, and continue through Ramche and Kalikathan on a scenic road that leads back to Kathmandu. Once we arrive in Kathmandu, the afternoon will be free for individual activities and shopping.

Our drive back to Kathmandu takes about 8 hours. Upon arrival, you will have the chance to shop for souvenirs before we gather for a farewell dinner to celebrate the completion of the trek. Overnight at the hotel.

Trek Distance: 11.3km / 7miles
Highest Altitude: (1,550m/5,085 ft)
Trek Duration: 5 hours

Return Drive to Kathmandu

After a hearty breakfast, we will drive from Syabrubensi to Kathmandu, a journey that will take approximately seven to nine hours. Along the way, you can enjoy scenic views of the Trishuli River Valley. As we head south, you’ll pass through terraced farmlands, meadows, and catch your final glimpses of the snow-capped mountains. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, your trek will come to an end.

Once in Kathmandu, you’ll have free time to relax or do some last-minute shopping. You can explore sights you may have missed on your first day in the city, or simply stroll through the bustling streets of Thamel, a popular tourist hub for souvenirs. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Departure Day

On your last day in Nepal, depending on the timing of your international flight, our Pristine Nepal staff will transfer you to the airport. You will leave with lasting memories of the Tamang Heritage Trail and the incredible Himalayan scenery, having enjoyed quality services and expert guidance throughout your journey.

Our representative will escort you to the airport about 2 hours before your flight. We hope you leave with unforgettable experiences of Nepal and the Himalayas, and we look forward to welcoming you back someday for another adventure!

Trek Distance: 122km / 75.8miles
Highest Altitude: (1400m/4,393ft)/(1,420m/4,655ft)
Trek Duration: 8 to 9 hours