Naya Kanga Peak climbing with Ganja La Pass Trekking

Climbing Naya Kanga with a conventional Langtang valley walk is a fantastic Langtang adventure. The Langtang area of Nepal has Naya Kanga (5844m), also known as Ganja La Chuli. Langtang is one of Nepal's most famous trekking destinations, located north of Kathmandu and easily accessible by car. In 1970, Langtang National Park was named the first Himalayan National Park.

The region stretches from 32 kilometers north of Kathmandu to the Tibet border. Langtang Lirung is the tallest peak in the area (7200m). Its proximity makes it a perfect choice for a quick trip to the Himalayas, allowing climbers to participate in some top mountaineering activities in as little as 2-3 weeks. The icy northeast ridge is the most common approach to the Naya Kanga summit. The journey begins with a drive north from Kathmandu to the little village of Syabrubesi. Then we follow the narrow valley along Langtang Khola to the northeast, passing through lush bamboo, oak, pine, and maple woods.

The Langtang valley widens as we approach Goratabela (2900m), and the Massif Langtang mountain rises over the horizon. Then it's on to Langtang village, the largest hamlet in the area and is heavily influenced by Tibetan culture. Several lodges are open all year when we get to the Kyngjin Gompa, the final village. We climb to Kyangjin Ri (4700m) or Tsherko Ri (4980m) for acclimatization and an excellent Himalayan view. Then we climb to Naya Kang Base Camp, crossing the Langtang Khola south of Kyangjin Gompa. We establish a high camp and begin ascending from there.

The breathtaking panorama of Nepal's mountains, such as Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lhakpa, Gang Chhenpo, Ganesh Himal ranges, Manaslu ranges, Annapurna ranges, and the vast Sishapangma (8013m) in Tibet, as well as beautiful views of the valley on the south, including Kathmandu, can be seen from the summit. We will return to Syabrubesi by the same road and drive to Kathmandu.

Ganja-La Chuli Peak, formerly Naya Kanga (5,844 m), is a famous but challenging peak to climb west of Ganja La. The icy northeast ridge is traversed on the way to Nayakanga mountain. The climb is classified as Alpine Grade PD+ in terms of technical difficulty. This is due to three factors: the fact that you are on large snow slopes for most of the trek above camp 1, some crevasses when you head west below the Ganja La, and the short ridge portion to the summit.

With one tent at Base Camp or Nyengang Kharka, the summit may be reached in two days from Kyanjin or three days with a second camp at High Camp immediately below the Ganja La. The breathtaking view of the Langtang Mountains and the Helambu mountain range, including Dorje Lakpa and others, is the essential reward of ascending Naya Kanga. The Tibetan mountains on the north side, notably Shisapangma at 8035 meters, are also well visible. Ganja-La Chuli has been deleted from the Nepal Mountaineering Association's list of trekking peaks as of 2017. Climbers can now access the top without a permit.

Climbing this mountain is combined with an adventurous hike through Langtang National Park's forest, Nepal's second-biggest. Many routes pass through Langtang National Park, densely wooded with pine, maple, oak, and rhododendron trees, among other plants. Red pandas, leopards, musk deer, Himalayan black bears, rhesus and langur monkeys, and even Yetis live in the jungle.

You'll descend gradually to Helambu on the second portion of the trail. Helambu is a tiny Sherpa community known for its generosity and apples.