Sightseeing · Nepal
Langtang Glacier
The glacier at the head of the Langtang valley near Kyanjin Gompa, feeding the river that names the valley.
The Langtang Glacier lies at the head of the Langtang valley, a wild glaciated trough north of Kathmandu near the Tibetan border. Fed by the great wall of Langtang Lirung and its neighbours, the glacier feeds the Langtang Khola, the river that gives the valley and its national park their name.
Overview
The glacier sits within Langtang National Park, the first Himalayan national park established in Nepal and the closest big-mountain wilderness to the capital. Above the highest village of Kyanjin Gompa, the valley swings east and opens onto a broad glaciated basin enclosed by peaks rising well above 6,000 and 7,000 metres. The Langtang Glacier and its tributaries fill this upper valley with ice and moraine, their meltwater gathering into the Langtang Khola that tumbles back down the valley you walked up.
The upper Langtang valley
Beyond Kyanjin Gompa the trail turns rougher and the scenery wilder. Day walks from the village head up the moraine toward the glacier's snout, while the viewpoints of Kyanjin Ri and Tserko Ri climb the valley side for panoramas across the ice to Langtang Lirung. This upper section is the domain of glaciologists too: the easily reached Yala Glacier on the valley's flank is one of the most studied glaciers in the Himalaya, and the two are often visited on the same trip.
How to get there
The glacier is reached on foot via the Langtang valley trek in the Langtang region. The journey starts with a long, winding drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, then climbs through forest and the rebuilt village of Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa over about three days. From there, walkers spend a day or two exploring the upper valley toward the glacier before retracing the route. It is one of the most accessible glacier treks in Nepal, requiring no flights. Compare it with the country's other ice in the great glaciers of Nepal overview.
Plan your visit
Although lower than the Everest glaciers, the upper Langtang valley still tops 4,000 metres on the viewpoints, so acclimatise sensibly. October and November give the clearest air and best mountain views, with March to May bringing rhododendron blooms lower down — see the best time to visit Nepal. A licensed guide and national park permit are required, as covered in the Nepal trekking guide. Keep to the marked moraine paths near the glacier, which is loose and unstable underfoot.
Fast facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Setting | Head of the Langtang valley, above Kyanjin Gompa |
| Source | Langtang Lirung (7,227 m) and neighbouring peaks |
| Region | Langtang National Park, Bagmati Province |
| Best season | October to November and March to May |
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Frequently asked questions
Where is the Langtang Glacier?+
The Langtang Glacier is at the head of the Langtang valley in north-central Nepal, inside Langtang National Park, about a day or so beyond the village of Kyanjin Gompa. It lies roughly 60 kilometres north of Kathmandu near the Tibetan border.
How do you reach the Langtang Glacier?+
It is reached on foot via the Langtang valley trek, which begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi and climbs through the rebuilt village of Langtang to Kyanjin Gompa over a few days. From Kyanjin, day walks head up toward the glacier and its moraine.
What is Kyanjin Gompa?+
Kyanjin Gompa is the highest village in the Langtang valley, at about 3,870 metres, with a Buddhist monastery, a small cheese factory and lodges. It serves as the base for exploring the upper valley, including walks toward the Langtang Glacier and the viewpoint of Kyanjin Ri.
Was the Langtang valley affected by the 2015 earthquake?+
Yes. The 2015 Gorkha earthquake triggered a catastrophic avalanche and rockfall that buried the original Langtang village. The valley has since been rebuilt and reopened, and trekking has returned, but the event remains central to the area's recent history.
