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Collared Bush Robin © Stijn De Win

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Nepal

 

Langtang trekking

 

Sorry, no scheduled departures set for this tour. See our calendar for other tours.

 

Tour leader; Tom Bex                                                           Group size; max. 6

 

The Langtang is possibly the easiest of the main trekkings in Nepal.  Sure enough,

it has some of the best birds of Nepal, found in a habitat that will take your breath

away.  Ibisbill breeding grounds at the base of 7000m+ Langtang Lirung and other

mighty peaks, Snow Pigeons flock in the valley, Spotted Laughingthrush near the

treeline and Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler and Yellow-rumped Honeyguide are

found in the superb forests lower in the valley.

On this tour you’ll discover the unrivalled natural beauty of the Langtang valley, the

ultimate getaway!  A real opportunity to unwind at your own pace in a world that has

lost the time.

 

       

7225m high Langtang Lirung dominates the landscape.   Beauty male Blue-capped Rock Thrush near Dunche.

 

Tour itinerary

 

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to our hotel.  Depending on flight

schedules we might have some time to soak up the sounds and sights

of this fascinating city before our dinner.

 

Day 2

After breakfast, we travel by 4WD transport to Dunche, the starting point for

our trekking.  With stops en-route we should arrive in the village of Thare, which

is 5 km short of Dunche by early afternoon.  While the cars with our luggage and

porters head for Dunche, we will walk this last 5 km because the forest here

provides some excellent birding with species not otherwise encountered further

on the trekking.  Just a few of the possibilities include; Blue-capped Rock Thrush,

Red-billed Leiothrix, Black-throated Tit, White-tailed Robin, Small Niltava,

Streaked Laughingthrush, Brown-throated Treecreeper, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie,

Spotted Forktail, White-tailed Nuthatch, White-throated Laughingthrush…

Night in Dunche.

 

Day 3

Another morning for birding the forest besides the track on the last kms before

Dunche.  Besides the many birds we might also get our first Phayre’s Langurs

here, handsome guys indeed.

In the late morning we start trekking, first downhill on the track/road to Thulo

Bharchu, a small village with the first refreshments on offer and then its up and

down for a while on the trail to Syabru where we stay for the night.

 

Day 4

None of the walks on the Langtang trek are particularly strenuous and so will be

the trek today as we will enter the real Langtang valley and join the mighty

Langtang Khola (river) at a point more than 500 altimeters lower than where we

started this morning.

We will spend the night at Bamboo Lodge and this is the place where Yellow-

Rumped Honeyguide comes to visit bee-nests that stick to the rock face over-

hanging the river.  This Honeyguide is a Langtang speciality, it’s rare and hard to

find anywhere else. 

Day 5

Today we keep climbing steadily as the trail winds its way up the Langtang valley,

which is at it’s most beautiful here.  Impressive forests, waterfalls, the first real

mountain views and an ever changing bird life is waiting for us with the

changing altitude.  Though it will be up all the way today, this walk isn’t that

hard as there’s only 2 steeper sections and it would be a shame really to go

any faster than birding-pace and miss the beauty of this stretch of the trek.

We stay at Ghora Tabela tonight, with the first views on mighty Langtang

Lirung (7225m) from our lodge.

 

Day 6

Ghora Tabela possibly is the single best birding area on the Langtang trek.

Accordingly, we will spend all morning birding this excellent area near our lodge

which sits at the tree line.  Just down from here the mature forests hold Chestnut-

headed Tesia, Rufous-vented Tit, Spot-winged Rosefinch and Speckled Wood

Pigeon.  The more open area at the tree line has Dark-breasted Rosefinch,

Golden Bush Robins, Slaty-blue Flycatcher, Rufous-browed Tit, localized Black-

faced Laughingthrush and beauty Spotted Laughingthrush.

In the afternoon an easy 3 hour walk will bring us to Langtang village for the

night.

 

Day 7

In the morning, we explore the surrounding of Langtang village.  A healthy flock

Snow Pigeons is the speciality here. 

Later we continue to Kyanjin Gompa at 3730m, our highest stay on the tour.

 

Day 8

A short and flat walk from our lodge lies an enormous boulder field formed by the

braided Langtang Khola and these flats are the breeding grounds of Ibisbill which

we should find here eventually.  No question that seeing these superb waders in

this most magnificent mountain scenery will be one of the highlights of the trip,

unforgettable moments!

Surrounded by 6 and 7 thousand meter high mountains we continue our walk

upstream in the valley.  Amazingly, the walking is almost flat here making for

an easy and enjoyable day.

 

Day 9

This morning we might split up in 2 groups depending on abilities or interest.

First option is to join on a steep climb above Kyanjin in search for Snow

Partridge, Tibetan Snowcock, Plain Mountain Finch and Red-fronted Rosefinch.

Otherwise join on a walk to the beautiful old birch forest on the opposite side

of the river below Kyanjin.

Before we leave we just have to buy lots of Yak cheese from the local factory,

some say they would walk all the way just for this, delicious!

Only 3 hours downhill should see us at Ghora Tabela again for another night

and more birding in the area.

 

Day 10

A longer walk today but most of it is downhill so a leisurely pace should get us

at Syabru again well in time for dinner.  There’s plenty of birding en-route of

course and we’ve seen some of the best species of this trek on this stretch

previously; Slender-billed Scimitar Babbler, Scarlet Finch, Darjeeling Woodpecker

and Brown-fronted Woodpecker.

 

Day 11

A tougher walk today as we have to climb 1000m.  Many trekkers will do this in

3 or 4 hours but for us it will take all day with plenty rest and birding stops in the

forest along the trail. 

Especially the last part, which has reasonably flat walking, provides excellent

birding as we enter the forests around Chandanbari where we spend the night.

 

Day 12

All day at Chandanbari (Shin Gompa) to explore the surrounding forests for such

brilliant species as Satyr Tragopan, Collared Grosbeaks, Crimson-browed Finch,

Grey-crested Tit, Scaly-bellied Woodpecker, Upland Buzzard, Spotted Laughing-

Thrush, Golden Bush Robin, White-collared Blackbird, Pink-browed Rosefinch,

Hoary-throated Barwing, White-winged Grosbeak and Gold-naped Finch.

 

Day 13

Morning walk up to Laurebina at 3900m (optional) for the most magnificent

mountain views of the trip with birding en-route.  As we will return to the lodge

for lunch it’s possible to just bird the surrounding forest or even to sleep in for

those who wish.

In the afternoon (we should buy more Yak cheese before leaving) we head

down to Dunche which means this is the last stage of the trekking.

Night in Dunche.

 

Day 14

Before we get picked up by our 4WD vehicles we shall bird the roadside forest

near Dunche again, just as we started the trekking.

Travel to Kathmandu for the night.

 

Day 15

It is a smart idea on any trekking to have a backup day for the case the planned

itinerary couldn’t be followed.  Possible reasons might be bad weather, sickness,

an extra rest day… Day 15 can be used for this but if anything goes to plan we

will be birding Godaveri Botanical Gardens and the lower slopes of Pulchowki,

the famous birding spot near Kathmandu, for species we wouldn’t have seen on

the trekking yet.  Best stuff we will search for include Grey-sided Laughingthrush,

Spiny Babbler, Nepal Fulvetta, Red-billed Blue Magpie, Spotted Forktail, Kalij

Pheasant, Speckled Piculet and Scaly Thrush.

Night in Kathmandu.

 

Day 16

International departure flights.

 

General info;

Nice hotel rooms in Kathmandu.  On the trekking we will stay in the lodges which

are basic but surprisingly comfortable.  Though usually not en-suite, all have solar

powered hot showers and most have western style toilets.  There is a huge choice

of western dishes, or you might go for the local Dhal Bhat, prepared freshly for us

at any time of day.  Plenty snacks and drinks will be provided while on the trail.

The Langtang trek is the easiest of the main trekkings in Nepal and we will take on

it at a birding pace, hence this tour is suitable for anyone reasonable fit.  No

special training or preparations are needed to join us.

All luggage will be carried by porters, you’ll have a day pack at most.  We have an

extra porter/guide with us to assist anyone downhill should problems arise, no one

will be left unassisted at any time.

At least one telescope goes along on this trek and it will be carried for you.

Weather we cannot predict and it is very unstable in the Himalayas.  Anything can

be expected, from sunny and hot to cold with rain or snow.

To get to and back from the trail head at Dunche we will travel by 4WD vehicles,

this takes around 5-6 hours one way with birding stops, not much driving at all

for a 2 weeks birding trip.

Please feel free to contact us for more information.

 

   

     Join Birdtours2asia on the Langtang trekking in Nepal to get magnificent mountain views.

 

  

Ibisbill blends in well with the boulders.                           This Phayre's Langur is easier to find.

 

  

We stay in comfortable lodges throughout the trek and these at Kyanjin Gompa enjoy a superp setting.

 

  

Nice butterflies can be found lower in the valley.          The trail winds through mossy forest at 2500m altitude.

 

  

A porter watching the raging river below the bridge.      Ghora Tabela, bog near the treeline at 3000m with

                                                                                 bird-rich shrubs and nice views on Langtang Lirung.

 

  

Forktails and Plumbeous Water Redstart from your room?   That's over 7000m high again in the distance!

 

                       

         Marvellous forests...                                           and colourful terraces along the trail.

 

  

                                           Can't get enough pictures of those mighty peaks.

 

                                     

                                         Prayer flags mark the trail at many places in Nepal.

                                                  For good birding and a safe journey?

                                     

All photographs by Stijn De Win