Ganesh Himal Trek - 8 Days

Once you arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of the representatives from Mountain Treks Nepal will welcome you. The city, carpeted with rolling hills and peaks of the Himalayas, greets you with timeless charm. You might also stroll over to the busy streets of Thamel, a prime touring location renowned for its colorful shops, cafes, and traditional Nepali handicrafts, after checking in at your hotel.

Kathmandu city is rich with UNESCO World Heritage sites. You may visit some of the famous places during the limited time, such as Kathmandu Durbar Square, where you will see many old palaces and temples telling the story of the past period. The Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, will give you an overview of the valley and provide an excellent atmosphere for meditation.

Evening time is most welcome and great to rest as you get ready to go trekking. Use this time for sorting out equipment and permits while getting acclimated with the altitude to kick-start the adventure without hassles.

The second day of the Ganesh Himal Trek 8 Days starts from Kathmandu with a drive to Syabrubesi. It takes nearly seven to eight hours to drive along winding and beautiful roads through scenic vistas of the countryside, terraced fields and rivers. Driving from Kathmandu, you will find that the landscape soon gets away from urban wildness, from which you will go gradually into more quiet rural surroundings, once again dominated by green and glowing forests and hills.

Trishuli River accompanies the road in some stretches through some rushing water sounds at various places as you travel past tiny mountainside villages. Gradually, as elevation changes, you can see the hot peaks of Ganesh Himal and those of Langtang Lirung become visible.

As soon as you arrive in Syabrubesi, the village greets you with its rustic charm with stone houses built in the traditional way, tiny guesthouses, and that cool atmosphere. Syabrubesi is also a bustling place for trekkers, with local shops branded as trekking supplies and stuff for munching as well. This is a good place for resting, getting to know the space, and preparing mentally for the trek.

The journey begins with a gradual incline from Syabrubesi toward Gatlang-a beautiful Tamang village. It first leads upstream along the river, winding through dense bamboo and rhododendron forests. Small scattered terraced fields are witnessed on the way as you streak through some settlements. These small settlements create a chance for an inspiring interaction with the friendly locals who have made those trees their home in this remote part of Nepal.

This is a moderately strenuous route with steep climbs and descents, yet you can always enjoy the amazing views of the Langtang range. On the trail, you can find some chances to see different wildlife, including some species of birds and some possibly monkeys atop trees. Gatlang has some pretty mesmerizing sights of the surrounding mountains, such that once the village spreads out, it starts showing beautiful panoramic views.

Known as a cultural heritage village, Gatlang is famous for its traditional stone houses. The village has maintained its countryside charm with narrow stone-surfaced streets and fields stretching beyond the horizon. The locals here are very hospitable, mostly of Tamang origin, where several Buddhist monasteries and chortens are found.

The fourth day of the Ganesh Himal Trek takes you from Gatlang to one of the main trekking routes into the Langtang Region: a gradual climb through forests, alpine meadows, and, finally, regions high above timberline. The trek becomes increasingly challenging with altitude, but the vistas of Langtang Lirung are very rewarding. The dense forests of rhododendron, oak, and bamboo might hide, besides sought-after real estate: sightings of red panda, Himalayan tahr, or various species of deer.

Settlements are less dense and offer a quieter, cooler mountain atmosphere to wash away the fatigue from a long trek. Somdang is a small settlement lying at the foot of its towering peaks. 

The place has the roots of the past; in the stone houses and the terraced field, the Somdang River continually flows. It is completely quiet in Somdang-a restful acclimatization before continuing the journey.

The trail goes steeply up through alpine meadows and forests, taking you up to the ridge. You will hike your way uphill while the spectacular views of Langtang and Ganesh Himal unfold themselves before you.

Reaching the Pangsang at 3,842 meters above sea level, the view around is breathtaking as surrounding snow-capped peaks leave a panoramic picture to mind. If the visibility is clear in a day, the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Langtang ranges can be seen spread out in a line with distant peaks. After viewing the beautiful scenery, the steep descent begins towards Kharka. This part of the trek is easy as it is primarily downhill through grasslands and pastures. 

Kharka is a small, high-altitude settlement that has become one of the calmer spots where local herders usually bring their herds to graze. The place is definitely good for relaxation and inspiration for one to appreciate the stillness of the mountains.

Today’s journey takes you from Kharka to Shertung. The trail stretches through forests and terraced fields while still maintaining that traditional village lifestyle. From dense rhododendron and pine-woods forests, you come out into subtropical vegetation, promising a bold sight of brilliant green hills and farmland. The trail meanders through local settlements, allowing you to witness the lifestyle and culture of the rural communities.

Sertung is a pretty Tamang village at a height of 1,875m. It is a Tamang village featuring terraced fields, stone-built houses, and an unspoiled ambient-indeed very pretty. Tradition has been preserved here well, and it’s an excellent place for the local culture to be experienced. 

When you finally reach the village, you can rest and explore it. You may go to see the local monastery or visit the villagers, who most commonly engage in traditional farming practices along with handicrafts. The amazing view towards the North of Ganesh Himal makes this village a very beautiful and peaceful stopover for the night.

Traveling from Shertung to Borang normally takes 4 hours for this trek. The trail is easy, taking you through some of the most beautiful terraced farmland and local settlements. En route, the vegetation has now transformed from heavy tropical woodland and grazing to less expanded low-lying areas. Borang is a small village, and you will observe stone houses built in a traditional and agricultural area. With an air of serenity about the village, it is indeed set for a quick stopover before the final leg of the journey.

From Borang, you will proceed to board a vehicle that will drive you to Dhading Besi, a little but busy town marking the end of your trek. The drive gets to the curves and bends that show you the view of the busy local life and the agricultural landscape. You will soon be heading for Dhading Besi, from where some rolling hills, rivers, and small settlements can be seen; this will be a little contrast to that rough mountainous area you have been in for most of this walk.

Dhading Besi represents the temporary crowdedness of markets and local shops. Being known as the administrative town of the Dhading District, this place does not disappoint in being more urban, contrary to that remote trekking experience. The area is also a great place to calm your mind and think about your travel, as it has many types of establishments, such as restaurants and hotels, that cater to your needs before heading back to Kathmandu. The day ends with a comfortable rest as you re-adjust for the drive tomorrow back to the capital.

This is the last day when you will leave Dhading Besi to return to the busy capital city of Nepal; Kathmandu. The journey toward the capital city takes about 6 to 7 hours, allowing a final glimpse of changing Nepali landscapes. Leaving the hills, terraced fields and rivers, people transform gradually into the urban sprawl of Kathmandu city. A splendid drive with hills and countryside is a memory of Nepali’s tranquil rural life that can be seen for the last time.

Once in Kathmandu, you will check into the hotel and rest. You should stroll around Thamel for some last-minute shopping or visit some cultural sites that you missed on your first day in the city. 

In the evening, a celebratory farewell dinner will be held, where you can reflect on the memories of your trekking experience. Overnight stay at a hotel in Kathmandu.