The high alpine valley of Langtang, inhabited by a yak herding people closely related to Tibetans, lies north of Kathmandu, its beauties preserved in Langtang National Park. You trek north from the roadhead at Dhunche (6400 ft) into the pine and rhododendron forests lining the valley of the rushing Langtang Khola. Your destination is Kyangjin Gompa, a lonely Buddhist monastery near the valley’s head. Above here, glaciers meet alpine meadows filled with grazing yaks and ringed by giant mountains. Retreating downvalley, you climb to the scared lakes of Gosainkund, a pilgrimage site for devout Hindus who see Shiva in their calm waters. Crossing Laurebina pass (15,125 ft), you enter the lovely Sherpa region of Helambu, trekking all the way to the Kathmandu Valley.