From Melbourne to the Mountains: The Bumpy Road to Nepal. Trekking in the Langtang valley.

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Everything was going to plan—until it wasn’t.

Off to Nepal

We left Melbourne feeling relaxed and ready, gliding through a smooth Malaysian Airways flight to Kuala Lumpur. Service was spot-on, but we quickly learned a lesson in seat selection: don’t park yourself near the toilets unless you enjoy mid-flight mingling with a stream of shuffling, post-meal passengers. Still, we landed with spirits high.

Kuala Lumpur’s airport had just enough distractions to make a 3.5-hour layover bearable. The real adventure, it turned out, hadn’t even begun.

From Detours to the Langtang Valley: A Father-Daughter Adventure

As the plane finally touched down in Kathmandu, the real journey was just beginning. But this wasn’t just any trek for me. It was special for a very personal reason—my daughter had asked if she could join me on my next big adventure.

Having spent years traveling solo or with friends, the thought of sharing a trek like this with her filled me with a mix of excitement and pride. As any parent knows, there are those moments that are truly unique, when your child takes an active interest in something that’s been an important part of your life. For me, trekking in the Langtang Valley was about to become one of those moments.

The Langtang region is renowned for its stunning landscapes, and the warmth of its people. The thick forests of rhododendron, the towering peaks of the Himalayas, and the rushing streams that carve through the valleys—everything was as beautiful as I’d imagined.


But beyond the scenery, the most profound moments of the trek were those shared with my daughter. Walking side by side, we chatted about everything from life at home to what we wanted to see and do next. The connection we forged in those long hours, with nothing but the mountains around us, felt like something that would last a lifetime.

And then, not long after we returned home, the unthinkable happened. Nepal was struck by a devastating earthquake. Langtang Valley, the very place we had trekked, became the epicenter of the disaster.

 I was shaken to my core, feeling a deep sense of loss for the beautiful people we had met and the places we had explored. The images of destruction—homes reduced to rubble, lives uprooted—haunted me for months. It wasn’t just a place I’d visited; it was a place I had come to care about, where I had shared a meaningful chapter of my life with my daughter. The aftermath was a painful reminder of how fragile everything can be.

But despite the devastation, there’s something that remains. The Nepali people are resilient. Their kindness, warmth, and deep connection to the land endure even in the face of such unimaginable loss. And the mountains themselves, while scarred, continue to stand tall, offering a sense of peace and perspective to all who visit.

I’ve vowed to return, and I encourage others to do the same. The trekking industry in Nepal is vital to the livelihoods of so many people, and the mountains, the scenery, and the spirit of the Nepali people are worth supporting. In times of catastrophe, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by grief, but the best way to move forward, I believe, is by standing with the communities who need help.

As I reflect on the journey, I remind myself that life is full of both natural and man-made disasters. They come unexpectedly, but they don’t define us. What matters most is how we respond, how we rebuild, and how we continue moving forward—one step at a time.

Reflection and Transition:

In the end, adventure travel isn't just about the places you visit or the trails you hike. It’s about the memories you make, the lessons you learn, and the people you meet along the way. And when something as impactful as an earthquake shakes your world, it’s a reminder that those connections are what truly matter.

From Chaos to the Langtang Valley: Navigating the Journey on the Fly

The excitement of stepping into Kathmandu was quickly overshadowed by the exhaustion of travel. Our guide was waiting for us, patiently holding the reins while we tried to gather our scattered wits. After hours in a cramped plane and a bumpy road to Kathmandu, we were physically drained — I could feel the throbbing headache that came from being stuck in the air for too long, and Katie, my daughter, was nearly out on her feet.

To be honest, all I wanted was a solid meal, a soft bed, and a good night’s sleep. But there was no time for rest. We needed to get to work.


As our guide went over the plans and the necessary permits, I found it hard to focus — the excitement of the trek was battling against the physical weariness from the journey. Luckily, the bulk of the planning had been done beforehand, but this wasn’t a leisurely adventure. The clock was ticking, and the plans we had to go over were critical. Our trip to the Langtang Valley, with all its spectacular scenery, was a rushed one, and our two-week window was shrinking fast. Initially, I’d wanted to trek in northern India, near Kanchenjunga, but navigating permits and flights for a tight two-week schedule just wasn’t realistic. Nepal, thankfully, was more forgiving.

And so, Nepal it was — but now we had to make it work with an itinerary that needed a bit of adjustment on the fly.

The Quick Plan: A Dash Through the Langtang Valley

With a little bit of Nepali magic (and a guide who ‘knew someone’), we managed to get the necessary permits processed, though we lost several hours in the process. I couldn’t help but chuckle at how much of travel is about navigating the unexpected — and how much of that comes down to good connections and a little bit of luck. Still, we had everything lined up. We were ready to leave Kathmandu the very next day.

The TIMS card — a Tourist Information Management System card — is part of what helps Nepal maintain and regulate its trekking infrastructure. It’s a vital piece of paper for both safety and the economic support of the region. A few other trekking passes were necessary, and the costs added up quickly. But as I reviewed the breakdown of costs, I knew it was worth it. Here’s a snapshot of what it took to get us going:


Here’s a snapshot of what it took to get us going:
  1. $20 x 2 TIMS Permit
  2. $35 x 2 Langtang trekking pass.
  3. $25 x 16 days Guide
  4. $16 x 16 days Porter
  5. $200 4wd transport private hire
  6. $60 transport back
  7. $30 airport transfer
  8. $30 per day for food and lodging (approx.)
Not bad for a two-week trek through one of the most stunning areas on Earth.

The Trekking Itinerary: A Tight Schedule, But Worth Every Step

The true challenge, though, was the itinerary. With our limited time and the need for acclimatization, we had to adjust things on the go. While the Langtang Valley and Gosainkund lakes were our ultimate destination, we needed to be strategic about how we approached the trek, especially with a tight schedule..
 
Here's how the journey unfolded:

27-MAR: Arrive in Kathmandu, head to the Backyard Hotel
28-MAR: Drive to Syabru Bensi (1460m), trek to Gatlang (overnight at Syabru Bensi)
29-MAR: Gatlang trek to Tatopani hot springs (overnight at Gatlang)
30-MAR: Tatopani trek to Thuman (5 hrs)
31-MAR: Thuman trek to Briddim (7 hrs), change to Nagthali Ghyang (3165m)
01-APR: Briddim trek to Lama Hotel (5-6 hrs)
02-APR: Lama Hotel trek to Langtang Village (4-5 hrs)
03-APR: Langtang trek to Kyanjin Gompa (3-4 hrs)
04-APR: Kyanjin Gompa acclimatization day
05-APR: Bamboo Hotel (possible emergency exit here)
06-APR: Sing Gompa
07-APR: Chandan Bari/Sing Gompa to Gosainkund
08-APR: Gosainkund Lake to Ghopte
09-APR: Ghopte trek to Kutumsang
10-APR: Kutumsang to Chisapani, drive to Kathmandu
11-APR: Fly home

This itinerary was packed, but it gave us the chance to see some of Nepal’s more remote regions, including parts of the Langtang Valley and the mystical Gosainkund Lakes. We also had to adjust on the fly, making sure that the trekking was balanced to allow for proper acclimatization and recovery.

The Adventure That Almost Didn’t Happen

Looking back, it’s clear that this was more than just a trek; it was an exercise in flexibility, patience, and the ability to roll with the punches. The challenges of planning — from rushed permits to flight delays — were reminders of how unpredictable adventure travel can be. But every delay, every hiccup, every moment of uncertainty only made the trip more rewarding.

And while the trek was a physical challenge, it also became a profound bonding experience between me and Katie. In the end, we had more than just incredible landscapes and a rich cultural experience. We had memories forged through shared hardship, laughter, and the realization that sometimes, it’s the unplanned moments that make an adventure truly unforgettable.

Closing Thoughts:

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this trip, it’s that when life throws unexpected challenges your way, the best response is to keep moving forward. Nepal — its people, its landscapes, and its trails — reminded me of the beauty of perseverance. And the Langtang Valley, even in the face of adversity, is a place I’ll always carry with me.

So, if you’re thinking of your own adventure in the Himalayas, don’t let the logistics or the bumps along the way stop you. Go for it. The rewards are worth the effort, and who knows what kind of connections you’ll make along the way.

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