Revisiting Langtang after 12 years

 After 12 years gap, I visited Langtang in 2023 for a 10 day Langtang Gosaikunda Lake trek, which consisted of 5 day trek in Langtang region and the remaining 5 day trek for Gosaikunda Lake. Langtang trek has always been a more scenic mountainous glacier trekking trail to me compared to ABC trek. 

It was a long treacherous ride with the bus inches away from the ravine from Katmandu to Syafrubesi, the starting point of Langtang trek. One day 1 of the trek, we reached Lama Hotel, a quite challenging hike on the stony stairs. Some of the scenes especially in Bamboo were still fresh in my memory that I visited 12 years earlier.

Syafrubesi - the starting point of Langtang trek

Our porters tying our bags. Each porter carries 2 bags

The journey began

Our heroic porter

1st scenic view

Giving way to donkey porters

View from 1st lunch stop

The final bio stop before reaching Lama Hotel

Reaching Lama Hotel - the name of the place for 1st night

Our hotel for 1st night

Day 2 was the toughest of the entire trek, as it was a long day trek and as we were ascending higher above 3000m, the air was getting thinner and thinner. Upon reaching Langtang Village at 3200m, I was fully exhausted as it snowed just 30 mins prior. After lunch, the trek was like I was stopping for air with every few steps.

The most vivid memory of my last trip

Lunch stop

The journey continued after lunch

Our hotel in Langtang Village

Snowy Langtang Village

Day 3 was relatively more relaxing with extra vigor to reach Kyanjin Gompa at 3900m by lunch time. The trek along was the most magnificent trek with snowy trees, as though it was Christmas scene. It was too cold to explore the surrounding area in the afternoon as there was continuous snow.

View from hotel room in the morning

Freezing morning in Langtang Village

A walk in the snowy surrounding

Freezing path to Kyangi Gompa

Passing a village

Reaching Kyangi Gompa soon

Kyangin Gompa

Closed

Our hotel in pink

2 in 1 - heater and boiler

View from hotel roof top

On day 4, we hiked the Kyangi Ri mountain. I was in awe of the beauty of the surrounding mountains. That further reaffirmed my notion that Langtang is the most beautiful trek I have ever done. However, I only managed to hike halfway of the Kyanji Ri Mountain, as it was slippery and steep. After the morning hike, we packed and retrieve to Langtang village in the afternoon.

View from the beginning of the hike

Mesmerising scenery

Heavenly hike

Awesome view

So near yet so far

View on the way back to Langtang Village

A school in Langtang Village

Our final Day 5 of the Langtang trek ended in Lama Hotel, before we continued further to Gosaikunda Lake on day 6. 

A bright sunny morning in Langtang Village

Goodbye Langtang

White horses

Stay tuned for 2nd part of Langtang Gosaikunda Lake...

Mini Angkor Wat in Champasak

Champasak is a small tiny village south of Laos situated along the Mekong River. I took a bus from Savanakhet. Upon reaching the pier, we took a small boat across the river to the other side. It was an adhoc trip that I did not prebook the accommodation. But thankfully, a tuk tuk driver took me south along the main road to a local guesthouse. It was a decent room around USD 10 per night. I remember vividly there was a big dining cum hanging out area at the back of the guesthouse, facing the river, a perfect spot for tranquil river view scenery. 

Reaching the pier to Champasak

Locals waiting to cross the river on a boat

A typical local life

A peaceful morning

I rented a bicycle from the guesthouse to explore Wat Phu, the key attraction in Champasak, a mini version Angkor Wat on top of a hill. It was a few km ride to the temple under the scorching heat. Riding along the sleepy road was exhilarating for me, as I did stop along the way to snap pictures of old traditional houses with farms and buffalos.

Local mini bus

A local house

Tranquility

A mini pond

Mesmerising scenary

Local houses along the main road

A heaty day

Though Wat Phu looked simple from outside, upon entering the front yard, an ancient history was revealed with majestic Angkor Temples and ruins. The path lead uphill to the another temple on top of a hill. It was like mini hiking. To me, it was a slow biathlon as I had to cycle for about an hour followed by a mini hiking. The view from the top was fabulous.

Entrance to Wat Phu

Path to the top

Halfway up

Temple on top

View from the top

Exit to lower ground

Glorious Wat

I met a fellow guesthouse backpacker from England. At night, we rode bicycles together to the town centre to watch a local performance amid a pitch dark surrounding. Sitting quietly along the river bank in pitch dark, listening to the calls of the insects with milky star high above, gave me a sense of peace and joy in a remote area. It was the most memorable tranquil moment I ever had in my travel. 

Live cinema

Local performance

The next morning, I woke up to watch a beautiful sunrise from the river bank in the guesthouse. Later, it was time to say goodbye to the quiet village which is one of the places I adore the most. 

Dawn

Perfect sunrise