The Langtang Trek, in the central region, is the first national park in the country. Forming the upper catchments of the Trisuli and Betrawati rivers, its topography ranges from subtropical to the alpine zone and are the meeting points of the Indomalayan and Palearctic realms.

The park lies along the trade route between Nepal and Tibet(China). The historical site of Rasuwagadhi, a medieval fort, lies at the border.

Climate :

September through May is relatively dry except in January- February when occasional snowfall occurs. By April, bursts of red, pink, and white rhododendron bloom from towering canopies amidst the fir and oak forests. From June through August, the sky is heavy with monsoon rains. Autumn (sep-oct) is the best time for trekking within the park.

Flora and Fauna :

The park represents eighteen ecosystems ranging from the lower belt’s hill sal and pine forests to the alpine belt glaciers, snow and rocks. The main tree species are sal Chir pine Schima Wallichii, Castanopsis Indica in the lower belt, oak laurel and blue pine in the middle belt, and larch, fir, birch, and rhododendron in the higher belt. Of the 1043 species of vascular plants recorded, 15 are endemic species, including rhododendron conium, R.lowndesii, and Larix Nepalensis. Langtang’s expensive high meadows provide summer habitat for numerous ungulate species such as musk deer and Himalayan tahr.

The park is home to 46 mammalian species, including red panda, snow leopard, clouded leopard, musk deer, Himalayan Tahr, and over 345 species of birds, including the Impeyan pheasant, Ibisbill,white-winged redstart, snow partridge. There are four hereto and 30 fish species.

Area of interest :

Its landscape comprises mountains, peaks, glaciers, glacial lakes, rivers, hot water springs, gorges, cliffs, pastures and forests. Within this landscape are settlement and cattle shed etc., and the mountains from the Langtang trek is Langtang Lirjung(7227m), Yala peak(5520m), Ganesh Himal, Gangchenpo(6387m), Langshisa Ri(6427m), pomade, Baden Powell peak(5825m), poring RI(7292m), etc.

The three main trek routes in the park, namely 1) Langtang Valley, 2) Helambu 3) Gonsaikunda lake cover much of the park and the southern Helambu region’s significant wilderness sites Ghora Tabela Kyanjin Panch Pokhari, Helambu toe of Langshisa glacier, and Ganja la pass. Among the cultural sites are Langtang valleys Melamchighyang, Tarkeghyang, and Shermathang, which are worth visiting.

Among the rich cultural heritage of Tamang and Sherpas, one of the crucial aspects is the indigenous knowledge of herbal medicine and transhumance systems cheese production. Some community works include garbage management, trail management, heritage conservation, information centres and museums established at Dunche to benefit visitors.

Activities:

With the assistance of guides and tour operators, visitors can participate in various activities around the park. Depending upon the level of adventure and interest, visitors can go trekking, climbing, bird watching, or go on nature and village walks, visit hot springs after the trek to get a hot bath, etc.

Access:

From Kathmandu, the most accessible means of reaching the park is to take a public bus or hire a jeep or car to get to Dunche. The road continues to Syafrubensi.