Day 1: Kathmundu (1,300m) to Syabrubesi (1,460m), 9hrs

This is a 10hrs drive to the starting point of the trek. The first half of the distance involves going down to 400m on tarred road to Trisuli River. The tarred road runs parallel to the river until it reaches the town of Trisuli. After which the vehicle has to go on gravel, dirt road before ascending. The rest of the journey will be very bumpy which seems to be meant for 4-wheel drive. It is amazing how the rickety local bus is able to take this punishing road and reach the destination without any mishap. In this small town, there is electrical supply and there is even telephone service in one of the hotels.

Day 2: Syabrubesi (1,460m) to Lama Hotel (2,440m), 8hrs

Although Nepal is famous for its snow mountains and high altitude, this part of the journey will pass through tropical forest with dry leaves littering the narrow trail. The trail runs beside Lantang Khola (River) and the ascent is gradual with short stretches of steps and steeper sections. There is no electrical supply at Lama Hotel but there is solar hot shower.

Day 3: Lama Hotel (2,440m) to Langtang (3,500m), 8hrs

From Lama Hotel towards Langtang, the vegetation changes from tropical forest to coniferous forest at Riverside Hotel. The coniferous made way to montane shrubs as Langtang comes within sight. Some sections of the route are long and steep. Along the way, there is am army check-post at Ghoretabela where visitors need to sign-in and have their permits checked.

Langtang is quite a big settlement compare to other settlements found along the way. Many guesthouses have electric power supply and solar hot shower. There are many Mani walls along the road. There are a few slopes that go up to about 3700m to meet the steep vertical walls that flank the left side of the settlement, which is good for acclimatizing.

Day 4: Langtang (3,500m) to Kyanjin Gompa (3,850m), 3hrs

After an initial ascend, the rest of the way is gentle until Kyanjin Gompa. It is also closer to Kyanjin Gompa when Naya Kanga can be seen on the right side of the trail. Kyanjin Gompa is a very good place for acclimatization. There is Kyangin Ri (4665m) and Tsergo Ri (4895m) where climbers can do their acclimatization. The first summit of Kyangin Ri at 4350m is marked with prayer flags and the second summit, more than an hour away is at 4665m. Although there is no permanent snow cover during late spring, snowing can still be expected.

Kyanjin Gompa is a good place to rest, as there is electric supply here and solar hot shower. There is also a heli-pad if there is a need for an evacuation. Any climbers that wish to climb the trekking peaks and expedition peaks need to have their permits checked here.

Day 5: Acclimatization day

Day 6: Kyanjin Gompa (3,850m) to Naya Kanga Basecamp (4,200m), 2.5hrs

Rather than going up by the usual East face of Naya Kanga via Branchen Kharka, another way is by the North face of the mountain. The trail to the basecamp passes through Juniper forest and montane shrubs. The basecamp is sheltered on three sides and there is a small stream with flowing water. However, the liquid water may sometimes dry up if there is not enough melt snow higher up. Patches of snow can be seen at the basecamp even during late spring. As the highcamp is about 3hrs of ascend away, it is possible to go up to the highcamp for acclimatization.

The basecamp is located is located behind the ridge as indicated by the arrow.

Day 7: Acclimatization

Day 8: Basecamp (4,200m) to Highcamp (4,600m), 3hrs

Even at late spring, the highcamp is built on snow. Although one can avoid the snow for the initially half of the journey to the highcamp, the second half of the journey involves traversing a snow slope of about 40 degrees gradient to a small moraine ridge. The leeward side of the moraine ridge consists of rocks and boulders. One has to descend by the leeward side of the ridge before reaching the snow-covered highcamp.

The route from the basecamp to highcamp involves going pass a moraine ridge covered with snow on the windward side.

Summit of Naya Kanga seen from the basecamp

Day 9: Acclimatization

As the basecamp is not far from the highcamp, it is advisable to retreat to the basecamp if the weather is not favorable for summit attempt next morning. The way to the summit involves going via an avalanche path before joining the North-east ridge. Solid ice-balls the size of a basketball can be seen just before going up the North-face of the mountain. There is a 2hrs trek through relatively easy slopes to reach the foot of the face of the mountain. After which, there is a long 45 degrees slope to ascent before reaching steeper slopes of more than 60 degrees. Some fix ropes maybe be useful although not necessary to reach the North-east ridge. The journey from the highcamp to the ridgeline is expected to 8-10hrs. From the ridge to the summit of Naya Kanga is expected to take another half to one hour.

Route from the highcamp to the summit ridge.

• Loperamide (Stops diarrhoea)
• Charcoal pills
• Ciprofloxacin (antibiotic)

• Maxalon (Good for AMS with nausea)

• Panadol
• Voltaren 50mg

• Danzen (Anti-inflammatory)
• MAC lozenges

• Strepsil
• Dhasedyl cough syrup

Incessant Cough
• Codipront
• Venolin inhaler

• Panadol
• Voltaren SR 100mg
• Voltaren 50 mg

• Antacids

• Diamox