Gosainkunda Trek
Gosainkunda Lake
Gosainkunda Lake
Trip Details
- Destination: Nepal
- Trip Style: Trekking
- Accommodation: Hotel + Lodges
- Transportation: Jeep
- Grade: Moderate
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
About Trip
The Langtang Valley itself is a predominantly Buddhist location but the Gosainkunda region just on the other side of the range is definitely Hindu, the lakes being pilgrimage sites for devotees. It is believed that Gosainkunda Lake was created by Shiva when, having drunk poison, he struck the ground with his trident to create a pool of cool, fresh water to drink. A major mela (festival) is held here annually on Janai Purnima (July/early August). There are traditionally 108 lakes in the vicinity, this being an especially significant number in both Buddhism and Hinduism. The lakes are at least partially frozen for six months of the year and are totally iced over in the depths of winter. The whole area was listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in 2007.
Best Season: March to May and September to November
Notes: Like all of our treks, the guide/organizer reserves the right to adjust the itinerary in accordance with weather conditions and/or other factors. It should also be noted that with the exceptions of Syabrubesi and Dhunche, accommodation on this trek is relatively basic with communal toilets/bathrooms. Additionally the altitude gain is relatively quick: 3,000m in 2½ days. Trekkers are therefore advised to drink plenty of fluids (3+ liters per day) to keep in optimal condition.
Add-ons: A number of add-ons are possible by prior arrangement, including an extra night at Gosainkunda to allow further exploration of the Gosainkunda area. It is also possible to extend this trek over the Laurebina Pass to Helambu (+3 days) or even to Sundarijal (+5 or 6 days).
Search Treks is happy to provide further details and answer questions on request!
Trip Highlights
Gaze upon the extensive mountain views
Experience the spirituality of Gosainkunda Lake
Enjoy the taste of fresh yak cheese
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
- Day 02: City sightseeing tour
- Day 03: Drive to Syabrubesi (1460m): 5-6 hours
- Day 04: Syabrubesi to Sherpa Cottage (2550m) 5-6 hours
- Day 05: Sherpa Cottage to Chyolangpati (3654m) 4-5 hours
- Day 06: Chyolangpati to Gosainkunda (4380m) 4-5 hours
- Day 07: Gosainkunda to Chandanbari (3360m) 5-6 hours
- Day 08: Chandanbari to Dhunche (1960m) 4-5 hours
- Day 09: Return to Kathmandu
- Day 10: Day at Leisure
- Day 11: Departure Day
- Day 01Arrival in KathmanduYou will be met at Tribhuvan International Airport by a representative of Search Treks & Expedition and transferred to your central Kathmandu Hotel. Time to rest and freshen up. Welcome dinner
- Day 02City sightseeing tour A licensed guide will escort you to UNESCO Heritage Sites including Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Durbar Square. Pre-trek lecture and Q&A session.
- Day 03Drive to Syabrubesi (1460m): 5-6 hoursAn early morning start as after a hotel pick up we go by jeep to Syabrubesi via Trishuli.
- Day 04Syabrubesi to Sherpa Cottage (2550m) 5-6 hours We start our trek with a long climb out of the Bhote Koshi Nadi valley, first to Thulo Syabrubesi where we have lunch, and then on through verdant scenery to the idyllically situated Sherpa Cottage where we stay overnight. A feature of this area is the number of prayer wheels turned by the force of streams coming down the hillsides. It is a very peaceful location with few other trekkers to be seen.
- Day 05Sherpa Cottage to Chyolangpati (3654m) 4-5 hours Today’s trek take us up around another 1000m, first through open pastureland and then through forest. In the afternoon we emerge at Chyolangpati on the main Dhunche-Gosainkunda trekking trail, extremely popular with Nepali trekkers. The sunset and sunrise views from Chyolangpati are often stunning.
- Day 06Chyolangpati to Gosainkunda (4380m) 4-5 hours A steep climb up via Laurebina (3910m) results in increasingly extensive mountain views, both to the left beyond the Langtang Valley and ahead to the Gosainkunda range. We arrive in Gosainkunda in time for a late lunch and then have free time in the afternoon to rest and adjust and acclimatize now that we are well over the 4000m mark.
- Day 07Gosainkunda to Chandanbari (3360m) 5-6 hoursIn the morning there is time to do a leisurely kora (clockwise circumambulation) of the holy Gosainkunda Lake before going down to Laurebina for lunch. From there we continue down through Chyolangpati and on to our overnight stop, Chandanbari, sited in a forest clearing.
- Day 08Chandanbari to Dhunche (1960m) 4-5 hoursAfter buying some dairy products at the famous cheese factory, we start the long (1400m) descent to the bustling little town of Dhunche, the district headquarters of Rasuwa. This is the final overnight stop at the end of our short but action-packed trek.
- Day 09Return to KathmanduToday we take the jeep back to Kathmandu, followed by hotel transfers and a chance to relax
- Day 10Day at LeisureFree time in Kathmandu for shopping and so on. Farewell dinner with presentation of personalised Certificate of Achievement.
- Day 11Departure DaySearch Treks' representative will accompany you on your transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your departure flight.
Cost Includes:
In Kathmandu:
Airport transfers
Accommodation in central Kathmandu Hotel with breakfast
City sightseeing tour
Welcome and farewell dinners
Pre-trek lecture and Q&A session (evening before departure)
Certificate of achievement
On the trek:
Return transportation, Kathmandu/Syabrubesi, Dhunche/Kathmandu
Guesthouse/teahouse accommodation on a twin-sharing basis
Breakfast, lunch and dinner throughout the trek
Mid-morning/afternoon tea breaks
Licensed and experienced English-speaking guide and porter (1 porter per 2 pax)
TIMS (Trekking Information Management Systems) card
Langtang National Park fee
Cost Excludes:
Nepal visa
International flights
Personal insurance
Expenses caused by ‘force majeure’ including but not limited to severe weather conditions, earthquakes etc.
Alcohol/bar tab
Lunches (Kathmandu)
Laundry and room service expenses etc. (Kathmandu)
All other expenses of a personal nature
Tips and gratuities for guide(s) and porter(s)
