Location
Langtang Region
Duration
7 Days
Max Group Size
20+
Trip Grade
Moderate
Max Altitude
4,380m
Trip Start
Kathmandu
Trip End
Kathmandu
Group Style
Private/Groups
Best Season
spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November)
Gosaikunda lake trek in langtang region is a moderately challenging trek which leads trekkers to natural sights and places of cultural and religious importance. The ever-exciting road adventure from Kathmandu to Dhunche involves going over some of the best and most beautiful rising roads that overlook the Trishuli River through green terrains with small settlements of houses. Then, the route goes further through some calm galleries of oak pine and rhododendron-tree woods with only rare views of snowy peaks. Every day has new plains ranging from alpine pastures to colorful hilltop houses to plunge deeper into a geographical variation of Nepal.
Gosaikunda Lake is a holy site for Hindus and Buddhists. The calm water of the glacier and the stunning mountains and shrines around make it a very serene place. Lauribinayak Pass is another interesting experience, with views of the Langtang, Ganesh, and Manaslu ranges. The Gosainkunda Lake trip offers some glimpses of rural Nepali life, consisting of visits to the monasteries at Sing Gompa, Kutumsang, Chisapani, and Yak cheese factories.
This is a bit challenging as it ends through the afforested hills of Shivapuri National Park, waterfalls, and bird chirping on the way to Sundarijal. It is when you get closer to Kathmandu that the chaotic city life drastically differs from the calm trek, adding meaning to the entire experience. This journey assimilates steep pathways, ethical depth, and calm scenery, so it is a breathtaking Gosaikunda Lake journey.
The Gosaikunda trek itinerary starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche and ends with a drive back to Kathmandu. Therefore, the 7 day Gosaikunda Lake itinerary commences and ends in Kathmandu only. The drive starts with traveling through urban roads dotted with human and automobile traffic in the Nepalese capital-Kathmandu to the quiet upland roads, majoring towards Dhunche. This starting point to the Langtang region provides a sneak preview of what you can expect regarding the natural wonders, people, and religious sites. The experience during the trek comes with more splendid valleys and views as one proceeds through the forests, typical Nepali villages in the mid hills, to the last challenging steep trail at high altitude.
Apart from its lovely outlook, it is also a place with the most potent cultural and religious affinity. On tour, you will see beautiful villages like Sing Gompa, home of the Monastery and Yak Cheese factory, and Kutumsang, the town of terrace fields and warm, welcoming inhabitants. The most magnificent viewpoint of the ever-popular Gosaikunda trek is the pristine Gosaikunda Lake, a holy place for Hindus and Buddhists alike with its rough terrains and shrines. The view of the Himalayas while crossing through Lauribinayak Pass is breathtaking and thus makes the tour more and more attractive.
This journey accurately combines the tough and easy end with the forests and waterfalls of Sundarijal in Shivapuri National Park. An organised vehicle to Kathmandu re-introduces you to energetic city life from a calm life in the mountains, thus providing unforgettable memories of a worthwhile experience.
Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons for Gosaikunda trekking. It depends on your tastes, but whether you are interested in and prepared to take chances is irrelevant.
Despite this, the Yeti Hikes representives advises visiting Nepal in the spring or autumn when the climate and temperature are ideal. This season, the trails are broadly accessible, and moderate rain is possible. Even at higher elevations, snow can be found, but it is crucial to be prepared to avoid damp areas.
The temperature ranges from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), and you may witness the rapid growth of vegetation, including oak, maple, and rhododendrons, as well as increased wildlife activity, including the chance to see the Himalayan Monal and a variety of butterflies. You will observe seasonal lives, farming methods, and native festival festivities (Dashain, Tihar).
Trails are less likely to become slick in the autumn because of the post-monsoon dryness and little rainfall. With temperatures between 15°C and 25°C (59°F and 77°F) throughout the autumn, there will be plenty of sunshine and longer daylight hours. Numerous peaks, including Ganesh Himal and Langtang Lirung, will be visible. You could also see important Tibetan Buddhist celebrations, such as Loshar.
Accommodations on the 7-day Gosaikunda Lake Trek range from ordinary, basic tea houses and lodges to pricier guesthouses, depending on the altitude, location, and cost.
Along the trail, modest tea houses, guesthouses, and lodges offer comfortable accommodations that are necessary, and their usual trekking menu features Nepali dishes like soup, noodles, and daal bhat.
To trek in the Gosaikunda Trekking, you must have specific permits and documents, as it lies in the Langtang National Park. Here's what you need:
It is not mandatory, but you must have a travel insurance policy covering trekking at a higher altitude. Always keep a photocopy of your insurance policy and emergency numbers.
It is required, as some may request a medical certificate to confirm the absence of chronic diseases and the ability to undertake strenuous activities.
Considering the journey, which takes 7 days, several permits are required due to its location. Here's a breakdown of the licenses you'll need:
Langtang National Park Entry Permit
Shivapuri National Park Entry Permit
Trekkers’ Information Management System (TIMS)
You should obtain the permits through a registered trekking agency and check with them to ensure all the paperwork is in order before starting your trek. For more information about permits and documents, visit the Permits and Document page.
Day 1: Drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche by bus
Day 2: Trek to Sing Gompa
Day 3: Trek to Gosaikunda
Day 4: Trek to Tharepati, crossing the Lauribinayak Pass
Day 5: Trek to Kutumsang
Day 6: Trek to Chisapani
Day 7: Trek to Sundarijal and drive back to Kathmandu
Day 2 : Trek to Sing Gompa
To start the day, have a warm breakfast in Dhunche and then proceed to Sing Gompa. Even though today's hike is brief, it's a challenging ascent with breathtaking vistas. The oak and rhododendron woodlands the trail passes through today provide a serene and picturesque setting. Although there are some steep parts on this moderate ascent, the well-traveled route is doable at a steady pace.
The region has a wealth of cultural legacy, and the monastery is a serene destination that provides insight into the local way of life. As you ascend higher, the landscape changes, providing broad views of the neighboring mountains and valleys. More alpine plants may be seen along the trail, and as the air becomes crisper, you might notice a change in the vegetation. With a monastery and a cheese factory, Sing Gompa, also called Chandan Bari, is a quaint place to visit.
Here, you can relax in the charming lodge while leisurely touring the hamlet. The monastery may be a serene and educational place to visit, but the factory's locally made yak cheese is not to be missed. Sing Gompa is the ideal location to relax and take stock of the day's journey because of its serene village and stunning scenery.
Day 3 : Trek to Gosaikunda
So, today's journey is uphill and progressive. To complete it, one has to pass through graded pathways, namely rugged and bumpy soil. It begins gradually ascending through the forest and then rises on a moderate gradient, especially on a dwarf shrub or alpine meadow zone—great snowy peaks, accurately clean, and many beautiful scenery can be seen at times in this ever-changing backdrop.
There are some more but comparatively less frequent places for tea breaks for travelers, and the warm-hearted Sherpas are available personally here. As altitude increases, technically tricky turns, even coming nearer to the holy lakes of Gosaikunda, become more and more challenging. However, the walk is not so tiring because the scenes you can capture on the trail are breathtaking. You can also visit Buddhist and Hindu shrines, so your tour will be religious.
A moderate trek of 5-6 hours walking will take one to Gosaikunda, famous for Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage. This area usually includes the visible glacial lakes, of which Gosainkunda is the most renowned. Due to its calm and less greenish atmosphere, the lakes covering mountainous terrains are the best places to rest. Shelters are essential; however, that is not where you are confined; you can sleep high in the mountains. Here, you can also rest well and wake up to much more.
Day 4 : Trek to Tharepati, crossing the Lauribinayak Pass
The next day, a very early walk starts from Lauribina towards the famous Lauribinayak Pass (4,610m). The first attempt is rather steep and rocky; there is stunning scrambling over rocks and switching to stony ground. The path is risky when it comes to walking, but the true beauty of the range and the Langtang, Ganesh, and Manaslu mountains is a fitting reward on clear sky days. At a certain altitude, the surroundings become almost desert-like, with prayer flags and piles of rocks marking the occasional milestone.
The next variation after going over the Lauribinayak Pass is that the trail moves downward across the alpine to a minimal forest zone. This path is through the middle, and though wide, it may be a bit slippery during rainy occasions and thus needs keen balance. The Rhododendrons will soon bloom during spring when you cross through the small streams and yaks grazing fields. The landscape becomes relatively easy to enter the Helambu region, where small hills and houses are seen in contrast with the steep climb that has been made most of the time.
Further along this trail, especially when it descends the slope, the forest thickens and provides a cool shade from the towering junipers and moss-laden trees. A rare opening offers a view of distant mountain chains that slap against heaven's dome and valley bottoms far below. About four hours away, Tharepati is a beautiful mountain village on the ridge. You can visualize the Helambu valley with a golden sunset over the Himalayas. Tea houses here are comfortable to rest, and after the day's walk, a satisfying meal is taken to mark the end of one of the most picturesque and varied days of trekking.
Day 5 : Trek to Kutumsang
The trek starts early in the morning from Tharepati; the path first takes a ridge with a good view of the Langtang Himalayas and Helambu terrains, a series of hills. The environment, resulting from the fresh morning breeze and a fantastic view of hills, ensures a serene environment from which the day begins. With the advancement in the trek, the trail slowly descends into the limited areas of thick forest containing tall pine, oak, and rhododendron trees.
It is mainly a smooth dirt trail all the way through but has dusty, rocky parts at other times, and some of it may get a bit slippery when wet. Small streams and waterfalls are on the way, making good subjects for breaks and exposure to the natural environment. You'll also pass over wooden bridges and grey stone trails that enhance the hiking experience by making it feel like a backbreaking experience.
You will have a chance to cross several small and isolated villages and excellent examples of the typical agriculture of the Tamang and Sherpas – terraced fields. These settlements give a perception of how the local people live: children playing on the farm and farmers working there. Streams, tiny prayer houses, cottages mainly made of stones, and some prayer flags flying in the wind indicate its beauty.
After reaching Kutumsang, you'll see the village, partially covered with vegetation and standing behind steep slopes of hills. Then, you'll find small but comfortable teahouses where you can taste authentic local cuisine and have tea. This forms a perfect climax for the day. The sunset view over the terraced fields looked like the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
Day 6 : Trek to Chisapani
The journey from Kutumsang to Chisapani is a fantastic walk across the hills and forests. The trail passes through beautiful local settlements. The trail starts with a climb, though mainly gradual, with occasional views over the cultivated and sometimes terraced landscape and the peaks of some far-off hills. Since the journey includes up-and-down movement, the surface is made of a combination of small tracks, using stone steps, and periodically combined with rocks. In contrast, the trails are well-marked, making finding directions easier.
The forests look vibrant and full of colors and birds in spring, whereas the trail may be filled with snow in winter, making it very beautiful. Now and then, small openings provide a good view of the Langtang Himal.
The trail goes through some beautiful villages, such as Gul Bhanjyang and Thodong along the trail where you'll get an opportunity to meet the warm-hearted locals and learn about their lifestyle. These settlements may have small teahouses just for such pauses and to warm a cup of tea. The trail does contain some elevation gain followed by loss of elevation in reversals, and as such, it is an enjoyable elevation trek.
Towards the afternoon, you will arrive at Chisapani, a small village on a hill. The place is called Chisapani, meaning "cold water," which describes its cool and chilly climate. From here, you can have a great view of the Himalayas—Annapurna, Manaslu, and Langtang—and the dense green forests of the Shivapuri National Park. Have dinner in a warm teahouse with strong tea and enjoy the calm atmosphere of this mountain restaurant.
Day 7 : Trek to Sundarijal and drive back to Kathmandu
The long day of trekking starts from Chisapani and goes to Sundarijal, which is situated south of Kathmandu Valley. You'll be there after going uphill through the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, filled with lush green tropical forests. The main trail is easy and constructed from stones and dirt, covered by oak, pine, and rhododendron trees. You can hear the birds singing and, rarely, the twigs crackling in the forest bushes and undergrowth.
As with most such destinations, the view differs as you arrive at ground level. The place is full of terraced fields and small villages where you can observe the real rural people. The trail passes through some areas around freshwater streams and waterfalls, which automatically makes the walk even more enjoyable. While the terrain is generally gradual, its downsides include having occasional steep sections, which one has to be very cautious about.
It will take you hours to get to Sundarijal, where you will find the greenery surrounding it and the flow of the streams that contribute to making it a favorite hop among the people of Kathmandu. Later, you will take a vehicle for the journey back to Kathmandu, which is approximately a 1- 2-hour trip, depending on traffic conditions. The road is curved, and there is a view of the valley below from the peaceful countryside to the crowded city of Kathmandu.
When you are back in the city, you can rest, look back to the fantastic experiences of this trekking, and have a nice meal. Some sites include religious lakes and mountain passes, colorful forests, and beautiful villages, and that ends with Nepal's stunning natural and cultural memories.
For a Gosaikunda Trekking, you’ll need to pack efficiently to stay comfortable and prepared for the range of weather and trail conditions. Here’s a list of essential items:
Base Layers
Insulating Layers
Outer Layers
Hiking Socks
Accessories
Trekking Poles
Sleeping Bag
Water Bottles
Water Purification
Headlamp
Sunglasses
Trekking Map and Compass
Personal Medication
Basic First Aid Kit
Altitude Sickness Medication
Camera/Phone
Portable Charger/Power Bank
Spare Batteries
Money
Trekking Permits and Passport Copies
Small Locks
Packing wisely can make a significant difference on this long trek to Gosaikunda Lake Trekking, so focus on essentials and try to keep your load manageable. Safe travels!
What is the Gosaikunda Lake Trek?
The Gosaikunda Lake Trek is a popular trekking route in the Langtang region of Nepal, leading trekkers to the sacred Gosaikunda Lake, located at an altitude of 4,380 meters (14,370 feet). The trek offers stunning views of the Himalayas, passes through beautiful forests, and explores the cultural significance of the region, especially for Hindu pilgrims.
How long does the Gosaikunda Lake Trek take?
The Gosaikunda Lake Trek typically takes 7 days. The trek includes drives from Kathmandu to Dhunche and back, along with several days of trekking to reach and explore Gosaikunda Lake. The itinerary can be customized based on your preferences and fitness level.
What is the best time to trek to Gosaikunda Lake?
The best time for the Gosaikunda Lake Trek is during the autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May) seasons. During these months, the weather is stable, the skies are clear, and the views of the Himalayas are spectacular. Avoid trekking during the monsoon season (June to August) due to heavy rainfall and slippery trails.
How difficult is the Gosaikunda Lake Trek?
The Gosaikunda Lake Trek is considered moderate in difficulty. It involves trekking at high altitudes (above 4,000 meters), so trekkers should be in good physical condition and prepared for steep ascents and descents. Acclimatization is crucial to avoid altitude sickness. However, the trek is accessible for most trekkers with average fitness levels.
What permits are required for the Gosaikunda Lake Trek?
To trek to Gosaikunda Lake, you need two permits:
How high is Gosaikunda Lake?
Gosaikunda Lake is located at an altitude of 4,380 meters (14,370 feet). This high-altitude lake is one of the most sacred sites for Hindus, who believe it is the abode of Lord Shiva.
Is the Gosaikunda Lake Trek suitable for beginners?
The Gosaikunda Lake Trek is suitable for beginners with a moderate level of fitness. Although the trek reaches high altitudes, proper acclimatization, gradual ascents, and sufficient rest make it achievable for first-time trekkers. However, it is important to be aware of altitude sickness and prepare accordingly.
How much does the Gosaikunda Lake Trek cost?
The cost of the Gosaikunda Lake Trek can vary depending on factors such as the season, number of days, and your trekking package. On average, a 7-day Gosaikunda Trek can cost between $600 to $1,200 USD (including permits, accommodation, meals, guide, and porters). Travel expenses to and from Kathmandu are additional.
What are the key highlights of the Gosaikunda Lake Trek?
Key highlights of the Gosaikunda Lake Trek include:
What should I pack for the Gosaikunda Lake Trek?
For the Gosaikunda Lake Trek, make sure to pack:
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