Your holiday starts at the hotel in Kathmandu. Transfers from Kathmandu Airport are provided. Depending on your arrival time, you may have the opportunity to explore the immediate vicinity of the hotel and get acclimatised to this bustling city. Alternatively, you may prefer to recover from your journey by relaxing at the hotel. Your guide will take dinner with you and will provide an informal briefing about the days ahead.

A short bus ride (1 hour) takes us to Sundarijal at the foot of the Sheopari Ridge. Here, the trek begins with a climb up to the rim of the Kathmandu Valley through terraces of rice and millet, and then through an intriguing forest of rhododendron. There are glimpses back to Kathmandu, as we continue to climb, eventually reaching a high ridge that affords excellent views of the Ganesh Himal and the Langtang Himal. We check into our lodge at the settlement of Chisopani (2215m) located on the ridge.

It is worth getting up early this morning to witness the sunrise on the range of snow peaks that line the northern and eastern horizon. Then, after breakfast in the lodge, we set off on what is a long and fascinating second day of trekking through the district of Helambu. Initially, we descend through forest and farmland to the friendly village of Pathi Bhanjyang, then climb on a ridge-top trail to a high forested crest, before descending slightly via a prominent stupa to the houses and basic lodges at Gol Bhanjyang (2130m). The trail leads onwards and upwards, entering the forest again as we climb up onto the ridge of the Thodang Danda with the highest of the Langtang peaks visible to the north. We overnight in the small village of Kutumsang after a great day of trekking during which we are sure to encounter some of the interesting inhabitants of the forest, including monkeys and many bird species.

Beyond Kutumsang, heading north, we leave the fields and farms of the lower valleys behind and enter a rather more wild and mountainous region. This feeling is reinforced as we embark on a long ascent through a magical forest which takes us up onto the Panghu Danda. Above 3000 metres now, the ridge-crest is thickly forested, with rhododendron and pine the dominant species. Amongst the trees, there are secluded pastures and associated temporary shelters known as goths, and we have only occasional glimpses down into the valleys on either side of the ridge. Passing the lodges at Mangengoth (3220m), we continue on a classic section of ridge which is here known as Thare Danda. From this high trail, looking across a succession of blue ridges, it is possible to see the peaks of the Rolwaling and the Khumbu. The path threads its way between the high points on the ridge, linking abandoned goths and rough clearings, whilst all around is a colourful and pungent mix of shrub vegetation: berberis; juniper; spruce, and also deep beds of moss and hanging screens of lichens. This is not a long day, but we take our time on account of the height gain, and aim to reach our next lodge at Tharepati (3490m) in the early afternoon. We can take it easy for the remainder of the day, whilst looking ahead to the rugged upland of Gosainkund and our onward route towards the Laurebina La.

There's no rush this morning as it's just a short trek (and very little height gain) to our next lodge at the foot of the pass which we must cross to reach the Langtang Valley. Our route leaves the ridge-crest and cuts across the upper reaches of a wild valley, rounding rocky ridges and spires, with views of dark, misty ravines, cloaked by dense and moss-festooned rhododendron and spruce forest. Gopte is a brief respite on this path, which soars and dives through a landscape that would excite the imagination of a Chinese watercolour artist. We reach our next lodge at Phedi (3630m), a name which means foot of the hill, in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to enjoy this spectacular location and to rest ahead of tomorrow's climb up to the Laurebina La.

From Phedi, the ascent to the Lauribina La begins as soon as we step out of lodge and winds its way through rocky outcrops and ridges to a high point by a small lake. This is a superb viewpoint, overlooking the upper Gosainkund lakes and with distant views of the Annapurna peaks including sacred Machhapuchhre (FishTail). We can also see Himal Chuli, Manaslu and the peaks of the Ganesh Himal. A short descent leads to the pilgrim centre on the shores of the lake. A dip in this lake is sufficient to give you much merit while a longer dip will give you hypothermia. From the lakes we make a short descent to the lodges at Laurebina, straddling a ridge at 3900 metres and affording excellent views of the Ganesh Himal and, across the dark trench of the Langtang Valley towards the snow-cone of Langtang Lirung (7225m).

There's a great deal of descent today and trekking poles will come in handy. We drop steeply down the ridge with its thickening cloak of impenetrable forest on the north side, home to the endangered red panda. The halfway point of today's descent is at Chandan Bari and Sing Gompa. Beyond this point, the ridge is less well defined and there are a confusion of trails so we will need to keep together as we drop down to the rather picturesque village of Thulo Syabru, a one-street town located on the crest of a high ridge overlooking the entrance to the Langtang Valley. We check in to one of the several lodges here above the line of houses dropping down the ridge. Now at an altitude of around 2200 metres we will be much warmer than the last couple of evenings.

After breakfast at the lodge, we walk down the ridge, passing a row of neat houses some of them showing exquisite wood carving on their lintels and window sills. Then, leaving the ridge crest we zig-zag down to the Langtang Khola at an elevation of around 1800 metres and head upstream on an undulating trail through forests of pine, birch, oak and bamboo. The forest teems with wildlife and we are likely to see langur monkeys and a wide variety of birdlife. The valley is also home for wild boar, red panda and the Himalayan black bear. We continue through the narrow valley, climbing beside a number of waterfalls, to reach our lodge at Changtang, a place which is also known as 'Lama Hotel'.

The landscape opens out as we pass from the steep-sided lower river valley into the wider U-shaped upper valley which has been carved by glacial action. The forest now becomes very mixed with maple, oak and the ubiquitous rhododendron. Through the trees the white flanks of Langtang Lirung can be glimpsed, a herald that we are entering into the heart of the big mountains. The forest gradually diminishes becoming scrub as we reach the two or three lodges at Gore Tabela (3020m). We continue to make a steady ascent above the turbulent river and trek through a number of small settlements with their guarding mani walls and fluttering prayer flags. We are now due south of the dominating peak of Langtang Lirung and the trail crosses a vast rockfall (which destroyed most of the village of Langtang in 2015). Beyond the rockfall area, the village has been restablished and we check in at one of the new lodges.

Above Langtang the landscape is much more open and we find ourselves walking though yak pasture. The ascent at this point is relatively gradual and we pass a number of isolated teahouses, some of them recently rebuilt. Finally, we ascend to an ancient moraine plateau and see Kyanjin Gompa (3850m) with its spectacular backdrop of Langtang Lirung. This is the last habitation in the valley and a spectacular place, with giant snow peaks on all sides. We check into our lodge here, which is close to the village's cheese factory. This institution was one of many established in Nepal in the 1950s and 60s using Swiss know-how and technology.

We have a full day for exploration above Kyanjin Gompa. One of the finest viewpoints in the area is the summit of Tsergo Ri (4984m) where the views extend to the eight-thousand metre peak Shishapangma, nearby Langtang Lirung and the spectacular Gangchenpo. Reaching this viewpoint is never more than a strenuous hike, but there is a boulder field to negotiate and some steep ground towards the top (possible snow) and the return trip will take most of the day. An alternative is to continue further up the valley to the summer pastures of Langshisha Kharka (4160m). This is less steep than climbing Tsergo Ri but is overall a longer excursion. For those who want to take it easy and enjoy the splendid situation of Kyanjin Gompa, there is no problem in taking this as a rest day.

A long day in terms of the kilometres covered but not a difficult walk; mainly downhill, with great views down the valley. We leave Kyanjin Gompa and retrace our route down-valley past the small settlement of Mundu and the newly built lodges close to the original location of Langtang Village. Following the right bank of the Langtang Khola, we reach Ghore Tabela and head back into the forest on a trail that undulates down the valley through Chhunuma and 'Riverside' and back to the small collection of lodges in a forest clearing at Lama Hotel (2480m).

Our final day of trekking takes us to Ramche and then on a scenic trail that keeps high up on the north side of the valley. We pass through open, terraced farmland with good views. There are isolated farms and small Sherpa and Tamang communities, including Sherpagaon (2510m) which is perched on terraces high above the Langtang Khola. From here, we traverse around to Khangjung and then make the long and at times steep descent to the Bhote Kosi, the river flowing down from the north, from Tibet. Dropping down through a rich forest of pine, oak, rhododendron and bamboo. We will keep a look out for some of the many animal species that live here, including grey langur monkeys and possibly even the rare red panda. There are also lots of exotic types of birds which can be easier to hear than to spot. Finally, we cross the Bhote Kosi on a bridge to reach Syabru Besi on its west bank, where we overnight at a lodge.

After breakfast at the lodge, we board our vehicle for the 7 to 8-hour journey back to Kathmandu. The road twists and turns, high up on the left (west) bank of the Trisuli River and passes through a number of settlements including Dhunche. Dropping down to river level at Betrawati, we continue to Trisuli Bazaar and reach a low point close to Devighat at around 500 metres elevation. Here the road turns abruptly towards the east and begins a long and sinuous ascent to Kakani (2000m) on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley. We arrive in Kathmandu in the middle of the afternoon, check in at the group hotel and then have some time for relaxing or for independent sightseeing before heading out to one of the Thamel restaurants for a celebratory dinner.

Your holiday ends after breakfast. Transfers to Kathmandu Airport are provided. To extend your holiday in Nepal, why not pre-book a day's sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley, or a multi-day excursion to the wildlife reserve at Chitwan. Contact our office for details.