About Longtey Hike

Difficulty: Difficult
Starting Point: Khumbu Village, in Gangtey
End Point:Longtey
Distance: Roughly 7 km
Time Taken: 3-4 hrs

Unlike most other hikes where the destination has an important place, Longtey hike doesn't have anything as such. It is an old trail used by the locals, especially the people of Gangtey and Longtey to commute, which now they no longer use except by those Yak Herders,  as there is a motorable road from other side. 

It is a beautiful trail especially if you travel in late spring to early summer. The trail is full of different species of rhododendrons in full bloom, with green meadows with wild berries (StrawBerry in particular). Earlier  people use to hike from Gangtey Sangacholing Monastery itself. But now you can either start from Monastery itself or can drive till Kumbu village as there is the road being constructed. 

From the Kumbu village you will be walking uphill on green meadows with small bushes of Rhododendrons, yaks grazing or basking in sun, and lot of berries on the ground. As you continue you will reach the vegetation of dwarf rhododendrons and junipers. There is also a place to sit and enjoy the beautiful Gangtey valley. If you have some refreshment can have it here. You will simply love the view.  After that you still need to acsent for while till you reach the top of Thou La pass. That's the highest point on this hike. From there it is all descent through the mixed forest of Hemlock, Spruce, Rhododendron until you reach Longtey. The second half is all inside the forest until you reach the Longtey village from where your driver can pick you up.

Highlights of Hike

• Spectacular Views
• Beautiful trail
• Rhododendrons