Situated in the Central Himalaya, Langtang National Park is the nearest park to Kathmandu. The area extends from 32 km north of Kathmandu to the Nepal-China (Tibet) border. Langtang was designated as the first Himalayan National Park in 1970-71, and was gazetted in March 1976. The reason for any area to be designated as a national park is to primarily conserve the environment, but an equally important goal is to allow local people to follow traditional land use practices that are compatible with resource protection.
About the Park
Langtang National Park encloses the catchments of two major river systems, one draining west into the Trisuli River and the other east to the Sun Koshi River.Some of the best examples of graded climatic conditions in the Central Himalayas are found here. The complex topography and geology together with the varied climatic patterns have enabled a wide, spectrum of vegetation types. These include small areas of subtropical forest (below 1000 m.) Oaks, chirpine, maple, fir, blue pine, hemlock spruce and various species of rhododendron make up the main forest species. The higher you go the vegetation changes and one will find that alpine scrub and grass give way to rocks and snow.
The variations in altitude and topography along with the existing forest cover (approx. 25% of the total area) provide habitat for a wide range of animals including wild dog, red panda, pika, muntjac, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan tahr, ghoral, serow, rhesus monkey and common langur. The Trisuli-Bhote Koshi River forms an important route for birds on spring and autumn migrations between India and Tibet.
About 45 villages are situated within the park boundaries, but are not under park jurisdiction. About 3000 households depend on park resources, primarily, for wood and pasture lands. Culturally the area is mixed, the home of several ethnic groups. The majority of people are Tamang, an ancient Nepalese race. The Helambu area, immediately north of Kathmandu, has many scenic villages inhabited by Sherpas and Tamangs who emigrated from Tibet.Over the centuries the dependence of people on natural resources has influenced the environment. Their settlements, cultivation patterns, livestock grazing, and daily use of resources which, in combination with the diversity of flora and fauna and views to the Ganesh Himal, make Langtang an attractive national park.
How to Get There
Public bus or taxi reach Dhunche (Park H.Q.) via Trisuli Bazaar from kathmandu (approx. 7-8 hrs. ). A seasonal road reaches Syabrubensi.
Alternative routes from Kathmandu are public bus to Sundarijal or Melamchighat. From either point, trek through Helambu to Gosainkunda via Laurebina pass or cross Ganja La pass 95122 m) to reach Langtang Valley.
Seasons
From mid-October to mid December and from mid-February until mid -April the weather is usually clear but cold at higher elevation. From mid-April to mid-June, it is warm but often cloudy with thunder showers; spring flowers are at their best. Summer monsoon lasts until the beginning of October. During the winter months daytime temperatures are low and snow may occur even at low levels.
