A short, but varied trek. This itinerary was (almost - amended as per italics) followed by a party of ageing trekkers in November 2011. It's hard work, but worth it.

If you are reading Kev Reynold's guide to Trekking in Langtang, he's a bit out of date, particulary once you're over the pass, as there have been various new lodges built over the past four years, so that adequate accommodation is available throughout the trek

Day 1: Drive via Dunche to Thulo Bharku. The trail starts to the right of the road, abot 800 metres beynd Thulo Bharku village. The original plan was to say overnight in Thulo Bharku, but as arrival there was relatively early - mid-afternoon -  set out to trek to Thulo Syabru

Trek via Brabal (about 2 hours, refreshments, accommodation) to Thulo Syabru (a further 1 - 2 hours) (which was initially planned to be a very short day 2, but as above - unfortunately it was dark by the time Brabal was reached, The lodges there are fairly basic, though adequate. It's worth going on to the more luxurious lodges of Thulo Syabru if you can.

Day 2: Trek to Sing Gompa. Steep ascent for 2 - 3 hours to Phulung Danda (refreshments. accommodation), then 90 minutes along the ridge to Sing Gompa (good lodges). As the Brabal - Thulo Syabru walk was the start of day 2, stopping at Thulo Syabru for coffee and then lunching at the tea-house part-way up the climb, the day ended at Phulung Danda, where there are 2 adequate lodges on the crest of the ridge.

Day 3: Acclimatisation / rest day at Sing Gompa (you need an acclimatisation day as now you''re at 3300 metres). As overnight had been at Phulung Danda the morning of day 3 was an acclimatisation walk to Sing Gompa, arriving mid-morning. This worked well, as there's not much in the way of suitable acclimatisation walks around Sing Gompa,and once you've visited the Gompa and bought cheese at the cheese factory there's not a lot left to do there.

Day 4: Trek to Laurebinayak. Initial climb from Sing Gompa, then an hour of pleasant contouring to reach tea-houses, then steep climb up  to Laurebinayak. If you are feeling fit, and not affected by the altitude, you could go on to Gosainkund, but that would mean that the day had involved 1000 metres of ascent.

Day 5: Trek to Gosainkund. Initially steep climb up to the shrine. After that a more gentle trail, through spectacular scenery with steep drops on the right.

Day 6: Cross the Laurebina La. Initially a steady, rather than steep, ascent, then more gently through austerely magnificent scenery to reach the summit of the pass. Descent beyond the pass is long, steep, and at times a little treacherous underfoot. Descend to Phedi (where now there are 2 newish lodges)

Day 7: Trek via Ghopte (where again there are new lodges) to Tharepati. On paper a short day, but tiring. The trail is a series of short ascents and descents. Good lodge(s) at Tharepati.

Day 8: Descend to Melamchigaon. Steep descent through forests, but a short day to a pleasant village with several lodges.

Day 9: Descend to Timbu. Initially steeply down again, then more level following, and crossing, the Melamchi Khola. No tea-houses for the first couple of hours. Forests, and farmlands. The lodges at Timbu are 20 minutes beyong the village, on the river bank, close to the road bridge.

Day 10. By bus back to Kathmandu