How to get from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi

If you are planning to embark on a journey to the Langtang region either for Gosaikunda Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, or Trek to Tamang Heritage Trail -you got to reach Syabrubesi, the starting point for treks in the Langtang region. Langtang region is a popular trekking region in Nepal that draws many trekkers every trekking season. Situated almost 50km north of Kathmandu valley, Langtang region host popular treks like Langtang Valley Trek, Gosaikunda Trek, and Tamang Heritage Trek.

Besides these treks, few trekkers head to this region for other treks like Helambu Trek, Ganga La Pass Trek, Daman Village Tour and Tilman Pass Trek. Although Everest and Annapurna region dominate the status of trekking region in Nepal, the Langtang region is no less spectacular. There are no 8000m peaks in this region, but it houses Langtang Lirung which stands over 7000m peaks.

Arguably, Kyanjin Gompa, a beautiful village, and Kyanjin Ri bestows some of the best mountain views in Nepal. Similarly, Gosaikunda Lake at 4,380m is another popular destination in Langtang region. This lake is believed to be an abode of Lord Shiva. Every year, travelers and Hindu pilgrims alike make their way to this lake from around the world. This trek is gaining popularity recently. One of the reasons why people consider the Langtang region for trekking is easy to access from Kathmandu. And, unlike Everest and Annapurna region-that sees thousands of trekkers every year- Langtang is quiet and that means, the trail is not-so-crowded. People of this region genuinely wait for trekkers to explore the region and offer warm hospitality. In a couple of hours, you can reach Syabrubesi from Kathmandu and start the trek right away. Besides, you can walk to Langtang valley from the outskirts of Kathmandu.

If you are considering starting from Kathmandu on a bus or jeep, this blog is for you, as we will answer the question: How to get from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi? To the north of Kathmandu is a small mountain town, Syabrubesi or Syaphrubesi that draws hundreds of trekkers every year. This beautiful town is the gateway to the Langtang region, especially for Langtang and Gosaikunda Lake Trek. Like mentioned earlier, some trekkers do trek less-popular treks like Tamang Heritage Trek, Ganja La Pass Trek and Tilman Pass Trek. In about 6-8 hours, you can reach this place in jeep or public bus. And if your next adventure is in the Langtang region of Nepal, here’s the guideline to start your journey.

Syabrubesi is a beautiful village lying inside Langtang National Park, about 80km away from Kathmandu. In that sense, Syabrubesi is easily accessible from Kathmandu. It is the most popular resting ground in the Langtang region; any trek in the Langtang region starts with this place. Draped in green hills, Syabrubesi is at an altitude of 2,380m and flaunts a temperate climatic zone. That being said, the average temperature of Syabrubesi in summer is approximately 20-30 degrees Celsius, and during winter, the temperature drops to 10 degrees Celsius. This town can be easily reached from Kathmandu, Pokhara, or Chitwan. But since the majority of international tourists start from Kathmandu, we are focusing on the journey from Kathmandu.

Travelers can hop on a private vehicle or public bus-depending upon their preference-from Kathmandu. Private and public vehicles are both readily available from Kathmandu. Local buses and jeeps daily depart from Gongabu Bus Park.Gongabu Bus Park is only 10 km away from Tribhuvan International Airport. On a public bus, you can reach the bus park in about 25 minutes.

If you are thinking of a domestic flight, there’s no domestic flight operation to Syabrubesi currently. Although the Langtang region has Langtang Airport, it is currently out of function. So, the ideal option is to drive on a private vehicle or public bus. Now, let’s look into the options to reach Syabrubesi from Kathmandu.

Kathmandu to Syabrubesi by Public bus

This is the cheapest option, ideal for budget travelers. Local buses depart every day from Gongabu Bus Park or Machha Pokhari early in the morning from 6.30 am to 9 am and take about 7 to 8 hours to reach the destination. The bus usually sets off between 6.30 am and 8 am and is scheduled to reach Syabrubsi around 4 pm. One thing to keep in mind before booking a ticket for yourself is that the bus is generally old with congested seating that leads to a not-so-comfortable journey. Don’t be surprised if you find goats, hens, or sheep on the bus. Most of the local buses stop anywhere to add more passengers.

That means local buses are crammed with many passengers and luggage (even the roof of the buses are used to carry luggage). The motorway to Syabrubesi is poorly-maintained. Taking into account the difficulty of the road, travelers could be hesitant about the bus journey. Please be informed that most of the local drivers driving in this route are experts, so it is safe to travel in a public vehicle. The majority of domestic as well as international trekkers heading to the Langtang region use this option daily. However, you can also opt for a cozy travel experience, which brings us to option number 2.

Bus Fare for Kathmandu to Syabrubesi

The bus cost for a ticket from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi is approximately Rs.700-Rs.1000 (7 USD to 9 USD). At the time of writing this article, the price is Rs.875 (around 8 USD). Note that the price may vary depending upon your time, and date. They may even charge extra to a foreigner.

Kathmandu to Syabrubesi by Private Vehicle 

If you do not like traveling in local buses, you can opt for a private jeep, which is moderately comfortable. And in comparison to local buses, they are far more comfortable and luxurious. Arguably, traveling in a jeep for an overland journey is the best choice. Jeeps are common means of transportation on the mountain roads in Nepal. Unlike local buses, private jeeps are faster and do not stop everywhere en route. But if you request, the jeep driver will stop anywhere so that you can embrace spectacular scenery or for occasional breaks.

The jeep mostly stops at Trisuli Bazaar for a short break. Private jeep can be shared with 6-7 travelers and the tentative cost for a shared jeep is 25 USD. Note: To hire a jeep, the price may vary depending on many factors. Private jeep can be arranged independently or with a group of travelers. It is recommended that you form a group of 6 to 7 travelers before you book a jeep. That way, you can divide the cost of the jeep among yourselves. Your travel agency can also manage the jeep as well. It will take around 5 hours to reach Syabrubesi from Kathmandu by jeep. As for the time, you can arrange or schedule it. 

Private Jeep Cost for Kathmandu to Syabrubesi

A private jeep can accommodate up to 7 people. So, as we said earlier, you can form a group of 6 to 7 travelers heading to Syabrubesi. It is estimated that reserving a private jeep costs around Rs. 15,000 (150 USD approximately). For a single traveler, it should be around 20 USD to 25 USD. But, the cost may vary by the time you book.

Conclusion

We hope that you got your answer, and some of you have already decided on the trek. Now, call your friends, plan and pack your bag for an adventure of a lifetime to Langtang. Unlike, in Everest and Annapurna region, you don’t have an option of domestic flight.

Whether you hop on a bus or a private Jeep, the decision of embarking on an adventure to the Langtang region is definitely a good choice. By bus, it should take around 8 to 9 hours, and on a jeep, you can reach Syabrubesi in about 5-6 hours.

Other Useful Links

Trekking In Langtang Region Of Nepal
Langtang Trek - A Complete Guide