The Langtang Valley Trek is open again. Two months after the 26 August 2026 flash flood on the Bhotekoshi River cut road access near Syaphrubesi, trekkers can once more walk to Lama Hotel, Langtang village and Kyanjin Gompa. The trail now starts from Dhunche and follows a new route around the damaged section.
Langtang is the closest classic Himalayan trek to Kathmandu, so its reopening matters for anyone planning a short trek from the capital. Here is what changed, which route to take, and what to check before you go.
Why Langtang is the easiest real Himalayan trek from Kathmandu
If you are new to Nepal and only have a week or so, Langtang is the trek to look at. You reach the trailhead by road from Kathmandu, so there is no small-plane flight to Lukla or Pokhara, and you can be back in Kathmandu in about a week.
The new trail: Dhunche to Langtang village
Instead of starting at Syaphrubesi, the reopened route begins in Dhunche, the district headquarters of Rasuwa, and climbs over the hillside villages to rejoin the original trail higher up the valley:
- Dhunche: new starting point
- Thulo Bharkhu
- Brabal
- Thulo Syaphru: the classic village above the Bhotekoshi valley
- Bamboo: back on the original Langtang Valley trail
- Lama Hotel
- Langtang village, then on to Kyanjin Gompa
The alternative paths were built on the initiative of the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) and the local governments. “Though the disaster had damaged trekking routes, we have now made alternative routes safe,” said Dindu Jyangba Tamang, chairperson of Gosainkunda Rural Municipality-4. He added that tea houses, hotels and local businesses in the Langtang Valley are ready to welcome trekkers.
For the Tamang communities of Langtang, who were also hit hard by the 2015 earthquake, the return of trekkers is an important part of recovering from this year’s disaster.
What is open now (as of early November 2026)
In a safety advisory dated 22 October 2026, TAAN listed Langtang Valley, Kyanjin Gompa and Gosaikunda as open, after a Bailey bridge was installed at Betrawati on the road towards Rasuwa. Nearby trekking regions are in different states:
| Trek | Status (TAAN advisory, 22 Oct 2026) |
|---|---|
| Langtang Valley & Kyanjin Gompa | Open via the Dhunche route |
| Gosaikunda | Open |
| Manaslu Circuit | Partly open, with a short detour after the 11 October flood on the Budhi Gandaki |
| Tsum Valley | Closed after a bridge collapse; reopening was expected soon but not confirmed |
Conditions in the mountains can change quickly after floods and early winter storms. Always confirm the current trail and road status with your trekking agency or guide shortly before you set off.
Permits and practical tips
- Permits: You need a Langtang National Park entry permit. TAAN-based reports put it at NPR 3,000 for foreign nationals, plus a TIMS card. Check current fees on our Nepal entrance fees and trekking permits page.
- Getting there: Plan your road transfer from Kathmandu to Dhunche, not Syaphrubesi.
- Allow extra time: The detour via Thulo Syaphru adds climbing compared with the old riverside start. Build a buffer day into your itinerary.
- Go with a guide: On freshly repaired trails, a licensed local guide knows which sections are safe today. Not sure what you need? Read Do I need a guide to trek in Nepal?.
- Watch the weather: Late-season storms can close high passes such as Gosaikunda at short notice.
Still choosing between treks? Compare Langtang with other routes in our Nepal Trek Finder. For the wider picture after the floods, see our Nepal travel update.
FAQ
Is the Langtang trek open in 2026? Yes. Since late October 2026, the Langtang Valley Trek has been open again via a new route from Dhunche through Thulo Syaphru, avoiding the flood-damaged Syaphrubesi section.
Where does the Langtang trek start now? The Langtang trek now starts in Dhunche, not Syaphrubesi. From Dhunche the trail goes via Thulo Bharkhu, Brabal and Thulo Syaphru to Bamboo and Lama Hotel.
Is Kyanjin Gompa reachable? Yes. TAAN’s 22 October advisory lists Langtang Valley and Kyanjin Gompa as open.
Is Gosaikunda open? Yes, TAAN lists Gosaikunda as open. It is a high-altitude lake, so check the weather before you go.
Is it safe to trek Langtang after the floods? Local authorities say the alternative routes have been made safe, and tea houses are open. Trail conditions can still change, so trek with a licensed guide and check the latest status before departure.
Main photo: The Langtang range, seen from the Langtang Valley Trek. Photo: Abhishek Dhital / Unsplash
