Embarking on a trek in Nepal, the gateway to the Himalayas, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience whether you are a solo traveller or a single parent family! It’s a unique adventure holiday that opens the door to breathtaking mountain views, friendly villages, and unique local cultures. One of the most charming destinations is the Langtang region, where you will find the popular Langtang Valley Trek. Here adventure meets relaxation as you hike through stunning landscapes, stopping at traditional teahouses on the way. It’s a journey that will connect you with nature and local life in a truly authentic way.
Langtang Valley: A Trek Like No Other
Langtang is one of the best trekking destinations for accessibility and is closest to Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu. If you are looking for something off the beaten track for your next solo holiday or holidays with teenagers, the trek is doable with a little preparation, including aerobic and strength training. You will also need to arrive early to acclimatise to the altitude and take things a little slower than an experienced hiker. You can start off with a drive through Shivapuri National Park before trekking along the roaring Langtang Khola river. The route will take you through magical bamboo forests and beautiful rhododendrons, past ancient monasteries, and thundering waterfalls. Finally, you will be rewarded with stunning views of snow-capped mountains.
Heaven for Tea Lovers
The Langtang Valley is also known for its excellent, flavourful tea, and sipping a warm cup of tea after walking the rugged terrains of the Himalayas will feel simply heavenly. Imagine a tea made out of yak milk over an open fire, whilst enjoying the stunning mountain views. It’s the epitome of Nepal trekking.
The best place to enjoy a much-deserved cup of tea is one the cosy family-run mountain lodges, so-called “teahouses”, which serve some of the best tea in Langtang. Many have large windows with stunning views of snow-capped peaks. Tasting local herbal infusions or yak milk tea whilst sharing stories of your adventure can be a highlight on your Nepal trek, creating memories to cherish forever.
Here are some of the soul-soothing tea varieties you must try whilst trekking Nepal’s Langtang Valley:
The Classical Milk Tea
The classical Nepali milk tea is probably the most common and most popular tea variety in the Langtang Valley. Locally known as “Chiya”, this traditional tea is made from a mix of milk, sugar, black tea, and a pinch of cardamom or cloves and cooked over a traditional fire.
The ingredients and recipes are simple, yet the taste can vary from village to village, and teahouse to teahouse as the source of water, flame, and type of milk (yak milk is occasionally used at higher altitudes like Kyanjin Village and Kyanjin Gompa) can change the taste drastically. The taste can best be described as sweet and creamy whilst also slightly salty – it’s a soul soothing nourishing treat for any trekker.
Tibetan Butter Tea
Also known as “Po Cha” or “Su Cha” in the Tibetan language, Tibetan butter tea is something that no trekker in Langtang should miss. Made with churning tea leaves, yak butter, and salt, this traditional tea is a real Himalayan delight. It provides warmth, hydration, and calories needed to withstand cold.
In many Tibetan-rooted villages, including the Langtang Village, and the mountain village of Kyanjin Gompa, Butter Tea is a signature delicacy. Trekkers enjoy the rich, flavourful taste after eating a few cups of Tsampa (a meal made from roasted barley flour).
Herbal Teas
The herbal teas of Langtang Valley are speciality teas prepared with locally grown or foraged ingredients. The native Himalayan herbs are unique to the area, and the Langtang herbal tea is believed to have medicinal properties used by locals for generations.
Some of the herbs used in the herbal tea in Langtang Valley are rhododendron, timmur, Tulsi (Holy Basil), and nettle leaf. The tea made using rhododendron has a light, floral taste and is believed to aid digestion. Timmur tea includes timmur (Sichuan pepper) as the primary ingredient and has a tingling, citrusy flavour. It is used to ease sore throats and cold symptoms.
Another famous and simple herbal tea is Tulsi tea. The Tulsi used in this tea helps boost your immune system and is often served to trekkers to tackle altitude-related fatigue. Similarly, nettle leaf tea has a flavour best described as mildly earthy, which helps in the purification of blood.
Yak Butter Latte
A little Himalayan taste in a modern latte, Yak Butter Latte combines the flavourful taste of Tibetan butter with tea. Yak butter Latte is a little creamier than a traditional butter tea, with a touch of cinnamon and chocolate powder. Some of the better-known teahouses in Kyanjin Gompa serve this latte. Do not forget to taste this if you are looking for something different and energising along the Langtang Valley Trek.
Conclusion
The best hiking trails in the world cannot rival a trekking adventure in Nepal’s charming Langtang Valley, a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see beautiful mountain wonders and connect with local traditions. Sampling tea in remote villages along the Langtang Valley Trek is an integral part of trekking in this lesser-known part of the Himalayas. It is a chance to rest, connect with other solo travellers or families, and enjoy companionship. If you’re ready to explore Nepal’s Himalayas, start planning now. Discover the magic of trekking Nepal and drinking tea in Langtang—an experience you will cherish forever.
