Langtang and Helambu, Nepal

Photo 1 Welcome to the start of the Langtang and Helambu Trekking adventure. The Kathmandu bus station. Photo 2 Time to take the gravol and jump on the bus. Our trekking bag will ride on the top with a number of other passengers who can't fit in the bus. Photo 3 Hmm, would you take this bus? Photo 4 Our bus ride takes about 8 hours. For full and detailed description, you can see our bulletin board posting if you like. This is Dhunche, the town where the bus stops. Photo 5 A comon Nepali game, played by the boys and the men in towns Photo 6 lt1_0019.jpg Photo 7 Old Langtang village Photo 8 The next day, our trek begins. We immediately descend. This is the view of Dhunche as we depart. Photo 9 lt1_0049_0093.jpg Photo 10 lt1_0059.jpg Photo 11 Excuse me, what's your name? Photo 12 lt1_0073.jpg Photo 13 lt1_0090_0094.jpg Photo 14 Lauri tests out the local tools used to separate the rice from the chaff Photo 15 Langtang Khola (river) Photo 16 Hmm, time for a haircut =) Photo 17 Late in the afternoon we arrive in the town of Syaphru Besi. This is Hotel Lhasa. It is run by a very friendly family, and we have a very wonderful evening playing educational and fun games with the kids. Photo 18 Tihar festival begins today. On the first day, the dog is honoured and garlanded. They look very cute in their floral decor. Photo 19 Syaphru Besi Photo 20 Hello, may I eat your garland? Photo 21 Hot red chillies drying in the sun. Nepali people eat these straight up. Photo 22 These local children are having fun swinging on the cables supporting the bridge we are about to cross Photo 23 Trail moments Photo 24 Bonkra, a plant with medicinal properties Photo 25 From this thorny plant, the fruit is taken, seeds removed, dried and rolled into a cigarette. The smoke of the cigarette is used to soothe the pain of a toothache. Photo 26 lt1_0142.jpg Photo 27 lt1_0146.jpg Photo 28 Crossing the Langtang Khola Photo 29 Wilderness kitchen Photo 30 Our tea stop on our third day. Apparently the people in this region will vacate their premises before the monsoon in case of possible landslides. Photo 31 lt1_0151_0164.jpg Photo 32 lt1_0163.jpg Photo 33 lt1_0163_0160.jpg Photo 34 Manoj carrying our heavy load up the hill Photo 35 This scenic little village, called Bamboo Lodge, sits in a boulder field right next to the rivers edge. We have a long rest and a wonderful thali lunch. Photo 36 Tarp covered huts are used to create shade for enjoying the views and the food Photo 37 lt1_0188.jpg Photo 38 lt1_0190.jpg Photo 39 In the kitchen area, Dawa is helping with the preparation of the Tibetan Bread. It is first mixed, then rolled, cooked on a dry pan and finally puffed on the fire. Photo 40 lt1_0191_0532.jpg Photo 41 Of course, every little village ... has a shop! Photo 42 lt1_0195_0185.jpg Photo 43 lt1_0191_0542.jpg Photo 44 Ah Dawa! Photo 45 lt1_0224.jpg Photo 46 lt1_0224_0226.jpg Photo 47 Deep in the woods, we come across these Langur Monkeys high in the trees (see bulletin board for more details) Photo 48 Time for the outhouse ... a bamboo frame over a hole in the ground. Photo 49 Our favourite lodge on the Langtang trek, Ramche (2440m) Photo 50 The view from our room Photo 51 Another tea spot higher on the trail Photo 52 Cozy eating area and fireplace where we are served delicious pizzas, Nettle soup and other yummy meals by the friendly lodge owners and family Photo 53 Manoj, Lauri, Dawa and Mark Photo 54 lt1_0237.jpg Photo 55 Gylasang, Lopsang and Sangmo Photo 56 This is all the family members. For more info, please see description on bulletin board. Photo 57 Arriving early for dinner Photo 58 This is the next village called Lama Hotel Photo 59 Lama Hotel Photo 60 lt1_0284.jpg Photo 61 Only in Nepal =) ... a stone house with Yak dung morter! Photo 62 This woman is spinning wool as she walks up the hill with her heavy load Photo 63 lt1_0288.jpg Photo 64 Eco lodge in Langtang village (3330m) Photo 65 Looking back at Langtang II and the old village of Langtang Photo 66 lt1_0317.jpg Photo 67 Quiet moments Photo 68 lt1_0314.jpg Photo 69 lt1_0332_0331.jpg Photo 70 lt1_0332.jpg Photo 71 lt1_0335.jpg Photo 72 lt1_0329.jpg Photo 73 lt1_0335_0352.jpg Photo 74 Kyanjin Gompa (3730m) - the final village on the Langtang portion of our trek Photo 75 lt1_0349.jpg Photo 76 Our trail continues towards the Gangchenpo mountain in the distance Photo 77 The German bakery signs look enticing, but unfortunately they're all out of baked goods Photo 78 lt1_0385.jpg Photo 79 The rooftop is peaceful and has wonderful views Photo 80 Our mountain view lodge in Kyanjin gompa Photo 81 lt1_0419.jpg Photo 82 Please read carefully and note the cute English Photo 83 The view from our room Photo 84 The favourite pastime - Dawa and Manoj playing Snakes and Ladders Photo 85 The ground disappearing as we start our day hiketo Tsergo Ri (4984m) the next day Photo 86 The following photos are some views from our day hike Photo 87 lt1_0411.jpg Photo 88 At the top there are stunning views of Langtang Larung and Kimshung (the smaller mountain behind) Photo 89 lt1_0450.jpg Photo 90 lt1_0453.jpg Photo 91 We all get a ride over the river on Manoj's back at the end of the hike Photo 92 A beautiful and long mani wall taken as we retrace our steps down the Langtang valley Photo 93 lt1_0472_0359.jpg Photo 94 Tea time Photo 95 lt1_0476.jpg Photo 96 Langtang village again Photo 97 The Tihar festival will begin soon. The local women are picking marigolds which they string on garlands in preperation for the festival. Photo 98 lt1_0483.jpg Photo 99 Dawa tell us that this lady is covering a hole with tree-stalks. They place potatoes inside the hole which they will store for winter. After the hole is covered, it is filled with soil. Photo 100 lt1_0499.jpg Photo 101 An irresistable face to photograph Photo 102 lt1_0508.jpg Photo 103 Our trail is returning to the tranquil forest once again Photo 104 Laundry time Photo 105 Look carefully, we must cross this so-called bridge as the trail has eroded away below it Photo 106 Another tea stop on our new trail on the Helambu side Photo 107 Langtang Khola Photo 108 Thulo Syaphru on the top of the hill in the distance. We must descend again to the bridge in the next photo and then regain the elevation on the other side to reach the village. Photo 109 lt1_0552.jpg Photo 110 lt1_0555.jpg Photo 111 Beautiful carved windows in the village of Thulo Syaphru Photo 112 lt1_0562.jpg Photo 113 lt1_0568.jpg Photo 114 Drying meat - Yak meat we think? Photo 115 This scenic village continues to spread up the hill Photo 116 Beautiful garden with lovely views below Photo 117 lt1_0576.jpg Photo 118 Dawa and Manoj are eager to learn how to make a Loon call Photo 119 The rice terraced fields are drier now, but still beautiful Photo 120 lt1_0590.jpg Photo 121 They call this the village of Dursagana, but the only thing we find here is this one local lodge run by a friendly and welcoming family Photo 122 The town has a local Cheese factory, but is closed now because it is too late in the season Photo 123 The typical large pot of tea on the lodge menus (holds about 10-15 cups) Photo 124 lt1_0592.jpg Photo 125 Shin Gompa Photo 126 lt1_0604.jpg Photo 127 lt1_0608.jpg Photo 128 Gompa in the same town Photo 129 lt1_0611.jpg Photo 130 Lauribinayak (3900m) - It's clouded in by the time we get here, but early the next morning, we are blessed with beautiful views all around Photo 131 Back in the clouds again Photo 132 Small lunch spot, Chyolangpati Photo 133 The peace and serenity of the forest again Photo 134 Hotel Maya in the clear morning sky Photo 135 When we reach Hotel Maya, we discover the lodge packed with people. We ask if there is anywhere we can stay that is quieter. The lodge owner suggests we stay in the lodge across the path, which is completely empty, and we have it all to ourselves. Thanks Dawa. Photo 136 Langtang II, just one of the mountains that surround us from this gorgeous vista Photo 137 Views from the picnic spot, which is seriously too chilly to sit in Photo 138 Lauribinayak temple at the top of the hill Photo 139 We climb up again, heading towards Gosainkund. Photo 140 By midday the clouds form and surround us with rolling waves of fog Photo 141 Our legs are happy to see the presence of the village of Gosainkund (4380m) Photo 142 lt1_0688.jpg Photo 143 Amazingly, when we arrive at Bhairavkund, the cloud dissapates just long enough for us to get a lovely look at the lake and then reappears as we ascend to Gosainkund Photo 144 lt1_0693.jpg Photo 145 Our lakeside lodge Photo 146 Weaving colourful belts Photo 147 Gosainkund lake Photo 148 lt1_0701.jpg Photo 149 Mark's birthday treat Photo 150 Lauri trys to warm up with two hot water bottles, a down jacket, sleeping bag, and several layers of fleece clothing Photo 151 The view of Gosainkund lake from the window of our hotel Photo 152 This spot is marked with many Tibetan prayer flags as well Photo 153 Looking back at the lake and hotel Photo 154 Shivalinga and temple at the lakeside Photo 155 The Hindu lord, Shiva, supposedly created a spring in this very spot to quench his thirst, which legend says formed this lake. To this day, pilgrims come from all over to this auspicious location. Photo 156 lt2_0017.jpg Photo 157 lt2_0011.jpg Photo 158 lt2_0019.jpg Photo 159 Last look at the lake as we leave the trail toward the pass Photo 160 Views from the hillock at the pass into the valley we are about to descend - it is extremely cold here, and we spend only enough time to snap a few photos, offer our gratitude for arriving safely and move on Photo 161 The Lauribinayak pass (4610 m) Photo 162 lt2_0054.jpg Photo 163 lt2_0023.jpg Photo 164 Later we ascend again and seem to be hiking above the clouds Photo 165 lt2_0067.jpg Photo 166 The first sign of a lunch spot, 1000m below the pass Photo 167 lt2_0074.jpg Photo 168 From this ridge in Tharapani we can see, way off in the distance, a look at the Everest region and Tibet Photo 169 Kutumsang (2470m) Photo 170 lt2_0088.jpg Photo 171 Our friends from Holland, Yan and Jannette Photo 172 lt2_0093.jpg Photo 173 lt2_0068.jpg Photo 174 The trail is unbelievably beautiful here - lush green hills covered in rice terraces Photo 175 lt2_0095.jpg Photo 176 Chorten on trail Photo 177 lt2_0106.jpg Photo 178 lt2_0098.jpg Photo 179 lt2_0110.jpg Photo 180 lt2_0124.jpg Photo 181 lt2_0133.jpg Photo 182 lt2_0115.jpg Photo 183 lt2_0129.jpg Photo 184 Even the children help out carrying water to their homes Photo 185 lt2_0138.jpg Photo 186 lt2_0149.jpg Photo 187 School girls, who run to meet us, and offer us flowers Photo 188 lt2_0157.jpg Photo 189 The roof of the house in the previous photo. It appears to be made from crushed cooking oil cans. Photo 190 lt2_0160.jpg Photo 191 lt2_0162.jpg Photo 192 lt2_0163.jpg Photo 193 Our last nights hotel, on the trek. The closer the trail is to the City (Kathmandu), the more modern the lodges get. Photo 194 Dawa tells us this is a mustard plant Photo 195 lt2_0172.jpg Photo 196 Way off, on the left, we catch a glimpse of the village of Chisopani where we spend the final night on the Helambu trek Photo 197 lt2_0182.jpg Photo 198 lt2_0198.jpg Photo 199 lt2_0199.jpg Photo 200 The next morning we have just 4 hours walking to get to the end of the trail, and our transportation back to Kathmandu Photo 201 lt2_0207.jpg Photo 202 lt2_0212.jpg Photo 203 The presence of the Army is seen as we get closer to Kathmandu Photo 204 lt2_0206.jpg Photo 205 Before we arrive at our destination, we are blessed with a thundershower and race to find a sheltered lunch spot. We decide to take a rest for lunch, to wait for the rain to pass. After lunch the rain clears and we complete our trek with a short walk and a taxi to Kathmandu. Photo 206 Dawa, peeking outside the curtain of his tea house, where we were invited to meet his family one afternoon Photo 207 Tsering (Dawa's wife) and Dawa serving us a scrumptious lunch at their tea house Photo 208 Streets of Kathmandu Photo 209 Dawa's lovely two children, Pisang and Angie Photo 210 Our favourite (Swiss owned) restaurant in Kathmandu Photo 211 On the streets, you'll all many kinds of shops. This is one of our favourite, a Kashmiri fabric arts store. Photo 212 Typical trekking store of which there are many. These stores are full of Nepali made treking gear with western labels, like North Face, Patagonia, etc. Photo 213 Our Beloved Dawa. Thank you for all of your loving kindness, and for taking such incredible care of us ... We miss you and look forward to trekking with you again, hopefully someday!