Compare Langtang Valley Trekking- Gosaikunda Lake-17 Days by White Hill Adventure vs Delhi to Kathmandu Quest by Contiki

Day 1: Drive to Syabrubensi 1,503 m /4,931 ft - 06 hrs.

Morning early morning start after breakfast, for the long and interesting overland journey towards Nepal’s North-West highway reaching warmer areas of Nuwakot at Trisuli Bazaar, as the drive continues to cooler region reaching in Dhunche headquarter town of Rasuwa district, where Langtang National Park starts. Drive continue following farm village on downhill till Syabrubensi village is reached to end the driving journey of the day at this nice farm village for the first overnight stop of the adventure.

Day 2: Trek to Lama Hotel 2,450 m/ 8,038 ft -04/5 hrs.

From the Syabrubensi walk starts heading high within farm areas and above a river to reach into the dense forest of tall rhododendron-oaks-pines and magnolia trees with some bamboo stalks, where Red Panda and other wildlife often seen around. On reaching a place near Bamboo, walk leads on a winding path to reach an open area surrounded within the forest at Lama Hotel having few good lodges for the overnight stop.

Day 3: Trek to Langtang Village 3,430m/11,253 ft- 04/5 hrs.

Morning walk leads into dense woodland around river gorge to reach a small place at Ghodetabela with few houses serving as the lodge, with time here for a possible lunch stop and then start to walk into the deep forest to reach our overnight destination at Langtang village encountering some Buddhist religious monuments of prayer walls and spinning bells. Populated by Tamang tribes where you can catch views of Langtang Lirung above the village, the area around Langtang was badly shaken and damaged from avalanche caused by April 25th and May 15th huge 2015 earthquakes, this and around other villages slowly getting back to normal life.

Day 4: Trek to Kyanjing Gompa 3,830m/12, 565 ft - 04/5 hrs.

From Langtang village, where morning leads to walking to reach at Kyanjing within scenic Langtang valley, with a short climb to reach a hilltop and then on gradual path entering into a wide-open valley of Langtang and at Kyanjing Gompa with many good lodges for overnight stay. Around Kyanjing offers tremendous mountain panorama within beautiful Langtang valley enclosed by an array of giant peaks.

Day 5: Full day in Kyanjing Gompa Visit around Kyanjing-Ri (4,773 m /15,659 ft) or Tsherko-Ri (4,984 m/16,351 ft) - 6/7 hrs.

A beautiful place for rest day where short excursion and hike takes you to scenic hilltop at Tsherko-Ri or Kyanjin Ri rewards you with outstanding panorama of Ganesh Himal (7,405 m) Langtang Lirung (7,234 m) Ghengu Liru (Langtang II 6,571m), Kimshun (6,745 m) and Shalbachum(6,918m) towards south Chimsedang with arrays of peaks includes Naya-Kanga (5,846m) and Gangchempo, Tilman's beautiful Fluted Peak, Jugal Himal and ending to eastern horizon at Dorje Lakpa (6,980m).

Day 6: Trek to Lama Hotel 2,450 m/8,038 ft 5/6 hrs.

After lovely moments around beautiful Langtang valley at Kyanjing, where morning walks lead back on the same route, with ample to view places of interest. A nice walk leads you back into farm villages of Langtang and Ghoretabla and entering into dense rhododendron and bamboo forest to reach at Lama Hotel for overnight stops in the midst of wonderful green surroundings, located in a river gorge of upper Trisuli or Langtang Khola.

Day 7: Trek to Thulo Syabru 2,120 m - 05 hrs.

Morning on the same route for an hour to reach at River Side a small settlement with few lodge and shops within bamboo groves, crossing over the bridge then with a steep climb over a hill to reach Thulo Syabru, where houses are lined up like locomotion on a ridge top. Herewith time to explore around Tamang village with an interesting monastery located on top of the village.

Day 8: Trek to Chandanbari 3,330m/10,925 ft -4/5 hrs.

From this cultural Tamang village on winding steep climb through terraced farm fields and villages, and into the cool shade of lovely coniferous forest filled with tall rhododendron-magnolia-oaks-pines and fir tree lines, heading past cattle herders shelters within grazing field. The walk continues with a final climb, then on a pleasant trail to reach Chandanbari or Sing Gompa (a place with sandalwood trees), at Chandanbari in a nice lodge, with afternoon free visit its small cheese factory and old monastery situated on top of the village.

Day 9: Trek to Gosainkund Lake 4,200m/13,779 ft-4/5 hrs.

After Sing Gompa or Chandanbari village, where morning walk offers grand views of Langtang and Ganesh-Himal with Manaslu and Annapurna range due west, as our route leads higher up for an hour into a rhododendron forest. Walking past green forested areas where walk continues with a climb on leaving trees for dwarf rhododendron, juniper bushes, walk unwinds uphill past few teahouses around small place of Laurabinaya, where short downhill reaches the first lake Saraswati and the Bhairabkund with a short climb to our overnight stop within Gosainkund close to its calm pond. At Gosainkund, where great religious festival held once a year called Janai Purnima (Full Moon) in the month of August, great numbers of Hindu and Buddhists pilgrims throng the lake for a holy bath, as per Hindu popular belief, a huge rock at the center of the pond at one time had Shiva temple.

Day 10: Trek to Gupte 3,430m/11, 253 ft via Lauribina -la Pass (4,610 m/15,124 ft) -06 hrs.

With exciting time at holy Gosainkund, morning walk leads past the main pond to the uphill path between rocks and boulders, as walk leads past smaller ponds where the trail winds up to reach on top Gosainkund pass or Laurabina La, the highest spot of the adventure. From the top long downhill to reach at Phedi (bottom) a place with few teahouses, after a refreshing break continues walk heading east towards the Helambu region and back into green vegetations and tree lines then reaching our overnight stop in a small place Ghopte (means overhanging rocks).

Day 11: Trek to Kutumsang 2,470 m/ 8,103 ft - 04/5 hrs.

Morning walk leads where the route of Helambu and Kathmandu meets, from here a pleasant walk into the forest with ups and down for an hour with a climb on top Thadepatti Hill overlooking views of a high mountain range. After some rest walk leads downhill and back into farm fields to reach overnight stop in Kutumsang, an interesting farm village with mixed hill tribes of Sherpa, Hyalmo and Tamang people.

Day 12: Trek to Chisapani 2,165 m/ 7,103 ft - 04/5 hrs.

The morning starts the walk to reach Chisapani, that leads to Kathmandu as our route leads on a winding path with few ups and down heading through farm villages to reach Gul-Bhanjyang. After refreshing stops walk continues on a nice and pleasant trail to reach at Pati Bhanjyang village, from here with a short steep climb to reach the last overnight stop at Chisapani. A scenic and beautiful place where you can have excellent views of sunrise and sunset over an array of peaks from Jugal Himal range in the north with Ganesh Himal-Manaslu and Annapurna range in the far west direction.

Day 13: Trek to Sundarijal and drive to Kathmandu 1,300m/4,265 ft - 04/05 hrs.

Our final walk and trek of the adventure, morning catching views of the sunrise over the range of mountains as walk lead into the cool shade of forest and farmlands with views of Kathmandu valley, and then taking a long descend to reach a road head at Sundarijal, a beautiful place within forest and streams. On reaching Sundarijal, a small farm town where drive brings you back at Kathmandu after an enjoyable and great moment on Langtang valley Treks and Gosainkund Lake where a drive leads past great Stupa of Bouddhanath, then back to your hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 1: Arrive Delhi

Welcome to the intoxicating cacophony of colours, smells, spices, culture and chaos that is Delhi. We'll bond with our Contiki fam today before kick-starting our adventure.

The Ashtan Sarovar Portico (or similar)

Day 2: Delhi

Today we’ll explore one of the world’s most hustling, bustling cities (home to a cool 25m people!) With a local guide, we’ll discover Old Delhi & other top sights. Afterwards, the afternoon is yours to explore Delhi your way. Dinner tonight is a DIY vibe, tasting the best of Delhi with your new crew.

The Ashtan Sarovar Portico (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 3: Delhi to Varanasi

Today we'll leave the magical mayhem of Delhi behind and catch a flight to Varanasi... Nestled alongside the Ganges is Varanasi, one of the holiest Hindu sites in the world - a place where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred waters and cremate their loved ones. This place can be described as India in a nutshell - not for the faint of heart, but spiritual, riotous and touchingly passionate.

The India Hotel (Or Similar)

Breakfast

Day 4: Varanasi via the River Ganges

Rise and shine! We're headed down to the river, boarding a small boat as dawn alights the Ganges. We'll watch the Ghat in front of us slowly come to life, as pilgrims bathe in the holy river, wash away their sins and fill bottles with holy water (we wouldn't recommend doing the same - it may be holy but that doesn't mean it's hygienic). After watching the sunrise from our boat, we'll weave our way through the narrow lanes, and get to see how life operates on the riverside. As the afternoon draws in, we'll explore the ruins of Sarnath, another holy location for another ancient religion. Located on the outskirts of the city, this is said to be the location from which Buddha delivered his first sermon after achieving enlightenment. Finish off an epic day by getting lost (on purpose) in the spidery lanes of the old city where our local guide will show Varanasi's hidden gems.

The India Hotel (Or Similar)

Breakfast

Day 5: Varanasi to Lucknow

Today we can officially tick Varanasi off our lists. Next, we’ll make our way to a true historical hotspot – Lucknow, here we come. We'll have a free evening to admire Lucknow's ethereal bazaars, opulent Raj-era architecture and delicious food. Whether you decide to walk its broad boulevards or beautiful gardens, you'll wonder how this place has escaped the overwhelming tourist attention of some other Indian towns.

La Place Sarovar Portico (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 6: Lucknow

Long regarded as India's centre for culture and art, Lucknow is full of wonders for us to explore this morning. We won't waste any time, as we start off with a locally guided sightseeing tour, coming up close to La Martiniere building - a beautiful and historic private school - and the Asafi Imambara, one of the most regal architectural complexes in the world. Taking almost a decade to build, the building famously employed locals in the region while a ravaging famine swept India. Lucknow is also famous for its Awadhi cuisine, so we recommend taking a culinary walk of the city, hopping in and out of roadside eateries and getting a complete taste of the local culture.

La Place Sarovar Portico (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 7: Lucknow to Agra

See ya, Lucknow, we're headed to one of the world's oldest cities. Then, you'll have the opportunity to get your bucket list ticked with an optional visit to one of mankind's masterpieces: the majestic Taj Mahal (you'll also get the chance to visit the 17th century Agra Fort). The Taj Mahal, the 17th century memorial building considered by many to be the most beautiful building in the world, naturally dominates Agra, but it isn't the only thing to be found here. The city, curving along the holy Yamuna River, is dotted with mausoleums, tombs and heaving marketplaces.

The Retreat (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 8: Agra to Kathmandu via Wildlife SOS Elephant Conservation & Care Centre and Delhi

Jumping on our air-conditioned coach we'll head to our next stop... We'll visit the Wildlife SOS Elephant Rescue Centre, where we'll meet over 20 rescued elephants and witness the only elephant hospital in Asia. Wasting no time this afternoon, we're getting a speedy flight to Kathmandu, Nepal... We've arrived into Kathmandu!

Hotel Majestic & Spa (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 9: Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park

We've arrived into Kathmandu! Next up… A world heritage reserve teeming with rhinos, deer, monkeys, elephants, sloth bears, and even the majestic Bengal Tiger.

Chitwan Forest Resort (or similar)

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Chitwan National Park

One of the remaining undisturbed areas of the Terai region, this rich ecosystem is wedged between two river valleys on the outer Himalayas, which provide a beautiful backdrop to the steep cliffs and lush plantlands. This morning we'll take a jungle walk to soak in the spectacular beauty, before heading out on our once-in-a-lifetime jeep safari. One of the last safe havens for the one-horned rhino and the Bengal tiger - both heavily endangered -  Chitwan offers one of the best wildlife spotting experiences on the planet.

Chitwan Forest Resort (or similar)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Chitwan National Park to Kathmandu

Today we're headed back to Nepal's bustling capital. It's time to uncover Kathmandu on a locally guided tour of its UNESCO World Heritage Site of Durbar Square - the old royal palace of the former kingdom, parts of which were tragically destroyed in the earthquake of 2015. As we walk, we'll marvel at the medieval temples, captivating courtyards and charming mayhem.

Hotel Majestic & Spa (or similar)

Breakfast

Day 12: Kathmandu

Our Adventure ends today in Kathmandu, but our hearts will remain amongst the hills, jungles and sacred sites of India and Nepal, and there's always a new trek around the corner. If you want to tick off one last bucket list item before you go...there's a chance to take a scenic flight across the Himalayas this morning.

Breakfast