Day 1 Kathmandu to Shyabru Besi 1503m/4945Ft. 8-9 hrs drive
Taking local bus early in the morning or a private four wheel drive journey from Kathmandu reaches Shyabru Besi, gateway to the Langtang Valley at the confluence of the Bhote Kosi and Langtang Rivers. Mesmerizing scenic driving and passing through Trisuli Bazaar, Ramche Gaon and Dhunche Bazaar makes you full of fun driving. Narrow and bit adventurous zig zags road but amazing landscape along the way driving will make you good start day drive of the trek.
Day 2 Shyabru Besi to Chawatar (lunch) to Gatlang
2337m/7690Ft. 5- 6 hrs hike
A dirt track zig-zags to the west up to Bahun Danda Pass and then down to the Tamang settlement of Gatlang, a cornerstone village on the Tamang Heritage Trail or hike to Gatlang by way of Chawatar. Gatlang is a Tamang village with unique customs and craftsmanship in a magnificent setting. Above lies Parvati Kund, popular during Janai Purnima when thousands of pilgrims are attracted to the sacred pond and nearby temple.
Day 3 Gatlang to Parvati Kunda, Yuri Kharka (lunch) to Somdang 3271 m/10760Ft 6-7 hrs
The trail ascends through pine and rhododendron forest to a lunch point of Yuri Kharka before continuing to Khurphu Bhanjyang and then dropping down to the Somdang River, border between Rasuwaa and Dhading districts.
A sprawling mining compound, no longer functioning but seem locals appealing government to revive it, lies a few hours to the north upriver. The hike passes through a scenic valley featuring the 200 m Chukarma Waterfall. The former mine leaves a lot be explored and is the site of a 1.4 km tunnel bored into the mountain to extract zinc, copper, tin, crystal and even highly-prized rubies.
Day 4 Somdang to Pangsang (aka, Pangsang) Pass (La) 3842m/ 12640Ft 3 ½ hrs
Pangsang Kharka is a viewpoint southwest of Somdang village with a broad panorama of the surrounding terrain. To the north are the soaring peaks of Manaslu and the Ganesh Himal Range. The large meadow is graced with a giant entry gateway and is a sensational location for camping and taking in the breathtaking scenery. The whole Ganesh Himal region is blessed with abundant herbal plants. Previously, herbs were taken to Tibet along an ancient trade route and exchanged for salt, livestock, wool and turquoise. This hill/danda/pass is known as one of the most beautiful and the best magnificent mountain views point almost in 270 degrees Langtang ragnes, Ganesh Himal ranges, Manaslu ranges and bit of Annapurna ranges mountain view point. So far tea house has not developed yet so highly recommended to have own tent however local yak hut can be used as a service shelter can be used for a night but again dry fruits/food is recommended for a night.
Day 5 Pangsan Pass to Tipling (lunch ) - Shertung 1875m/ 6188Ft. 5-6 hrs
Descend to Tipling, a large village that hosts two Buddhist gombas and both a Protestant and Catholic church. Along a ridge top to the east is a gomba and cremation ground for both Buddhists and Christians lined with colorful flags. Being a majority of Tamang people it has beautiful Tamang culture show. Descend to cross the Adha Khola on a box bridge and ascend to the sister villages of Shertung and Chalish, regally overlooking the fertile river valley and abundant fields. Shertung is inhabited mainly by Tamang. The name Shertung means 'place of gold'. According to a legend , two brothers in search of gold were led here by a dream and thus the settlement was born. Tamang people have own rich culture to show for the visitors jhankri or shaman dance, ghode or horse dance, said to have been brought from Tibetan culture long ago. Jhankri (shaman) activity is robust in this territory with the worship of natural forces and indigenous local deities interwoven with Hindu and Buddhist practices. Holy Chyamra dandd, Fyanchyat monastery and Sajyat are the main holy attraction of the village. Spectacular mountain view of Lapsang Karpo, Ganesh Himal (Yangri) as well as Ganesh II and III can be seen from this village.
Day 6 Visit Hot Springs (2 ½ hrs walk) and trek back Chalish Gaon 1674m/ 5505Ft. 5 hrs
After breakfast , trek down to Chalish village taking 30 minutes walk, leave your most of the luggage and trek to Tatopani (hot springs) walking 1 ½ hours where pack lunch will be suited to eat (no lodge has built yet). Enjoy half of the day taking bath with one of he best hot spring of this region. After enjoying return back to Chalish village.
Chalish is inhabited primarily by Gurung, Ghale and Kami. There used to be Newar people but they migrated to Kathmandu city. The hospitable people of this area have unique customs and craftsmanship and traditional dances, including a hospitable welcome dance, Ghatu Dance, Dohori is also popular with call and response between male and female participants, a type of courtship ritual, complemented by folk music. Some dances depend on the time of year and take place during festivals including the Maruni Dance during Dasai and Tihar, Hai Nelo Dance of Tihar, and the Ghatu (Ghasiri Dance) that occurs during Chandi Purnima in the Nepali month of Chaitra. Gurung men traditionally wear vangra, a woven, embroidered cotton cloth tied at the ends that serves as a pouch for carrying goods. Sri Tinkanya Devi Mandir lies above Chalish. Local women tie bits of cloth or leave a bangle representing a wish to be fulfilled near a small pool of water surrounded by Barmase or periwinkle flowers. This village is known as one of the most friendliest of the areas in terms of culture show program, hospitality, kindness and helpful. Most of the youngsters of this village are in tourism work as a trek guide, Sherpa, porter or even trek and travel owners.
Day 7 Chalish to Ukhum (lunch) - Jharlang (Ungul) 3000 m/9900Ft. 5-6 hrs
After breakfast trek to Mani Danda – 30 minutes walk from where you will see the breath taking Ganesh Himal ranges mountain views and a stone through entire Chalish village views on the back. Trek continued passing Deul danda, Gobre village (hilly walking slow walking is recommended with your guide and porter), Chhap danda and Bandari Bhir where rock climbing possibility has been seen. So any rock climber who is willing to climb highly recommended but basic infrastructure has not developed yet. Arrive Borang village which is also majority of Tamang people and trek continue to Ukhum for lunch. After lunch trek continue to Lishne jungle, cross suspension bridge, passing through Chhapchyat village you finally get to Jharlang village (Ungul). One of the best and panoramic mountain view point of the area. This is Tamang village and belongs nearly 200 houses.
Day 8 Jharllang Gaun to Darkha Gaun 850m/ 2805Ft. 6-7 hrs
After breakfast trek most of the way down to Jharlang Phedi walking 2 ½ hours passing paddy terraces and surrounding landscapes. Passing through suspension bridges, breath taking views of Ankhu khola and Chyamchyat as well as Ri village other side of the river finally reach at Darkha gaon. This village is mix culture village of Brahmin people and Tamang as well ad Dalit.
Day 9 Darkha Gaun – Darkha Phedi to Dhading Besi – Kathmandu 1310m/4323ft. 6 -7 hrs drive
After breakfast trek all the way down to Darkha Phedi taking 45 minutes down hill walk and then take sharing local Jeep with other people and the arrive in Dhading Besi after 3-4 hours rough and tough zig –zags road drive. Crossing through Ankhu Khola as well as Kimdang phedi villages, Katunje village and Jyamrung village will make you breath taking scenic driving having fabulous landscape surroundings. From Dhading change another bus and drive back to Kathmandu taking 3 hours driving.
