Langtang, Ganesh and Jugal Himalaya

Langtang, Ganesh and Jugal are neighbouring regions in the Himalayas located north of the Kathmandu Valley in north-central Nepal and bordering Tibet. Closely associated and lying to the south is also the Helambu, a wild remote and rarely visited region famous for its sweet apples and Buddhist monasteries. Although it actually lies entirely within Tibet, the highest peak in this entire region is Shisha Pangma, also known as Gosainthān, 8,027 metres (26,335ft), the fourteenth highest mountain in the world and the last 8,000 metre peak to be climbed.

The cluster of peaks called Jugal Himal, that includes Dorjee Lhakpa 6,966 metres (22,854ft) and Phurbi Chhyachu 6,658 metres (21,844ft), is bounded to the east by a deep cleft in the main Himalayan chain and the valley of the Sun Khosi River along which runs the Arniko Highway connecting Kathmandu with the Chinese border town of Zhangmu. The central section of this massif is designated as the Langtang National Park; the highest summit being Langtang Lirung, 7,234 metres (23,734ft). Ganesh Himal lies off to the north-west and is separated to the east from Langtang by the Trisuli and Bhote Khosi river valleys and to the west, from Manaslu, by the great valley of the Burhi Gandaki. The Ganesh Himal is made up of a cluster of fine peaks, the highest of which is Ganesh 1, also known as Yangra, 7,422 metres (24,350ft).

Of the three areas, Langtang is the most popular with trekkers because of its connectivity with the Kathmandu Valley and its great variety of climatic zones and wealth of flora that is particularly spectacular in spring. The Langtang National Park also contains the pilgrimage sites of Gosainkunda lakes, that are sacred to Hindus, and the Buddhist monastery at Kyanjin Gompa. Sadly the village of Langtang was completely destroyed by a massive avalanche that followed the earthquake in April 2015. Jugal and Ganesh are less frequently visited; they are peaceful and some of the Nepal’s most beautiful animal and plantlife is to be found here. These areas are two of the few truly wild areas remaining and accessible to trekkers in Nepal.