Langtang Valley Trek in July

The path is wet and slick, particularly through the steep forest above Syabrubesi. Stream crossings run high. Landslip damage and short reroutes are common on the lower half of the route after heavy nights.

Leeches are at their peak in the forest below Lama Hotel and stop entirely above about 2,800m, which means the leech problem on this trek is confined to roughly a day and a half of walking in each direction.

The upper valley in July is green in a way no dry-season photograph shows, with grass to the edge of the moraine and wildflowers through the meadows around Kyanjin. On the days it clears, this is arguably the most beautiful the valley gets. Most days it does not clear.

The valley is effectively empty and lodge availability is the thinnest of the year. Several Kyanjin houses are shut, and the lower lodges run quietly with the families in residence. Nothing needs booking; everything needs confirming.

The road is the entire story of a July Langtang trek. Landslides on the route through Dhunche are common in peak monsoon and can cost a day or more, and there is no flight alternative to fall back on. Two spare days is the minimum sensible contingency, and even that occasionally is not enough.