Langtang valley And Gosainkund Trekking Introduction:
Langtang Valley & Gosainkund Trekking is a remarkable combination of the West and Eastern regions of the Langtang Himal range. The adventure leads to the amazing scenery of beautiful landscapes, from rolling green hills and scenic valleys to barren, arid mountain wilderness.
Langtang Valley and Gosainkund trekking areas are the nearest mountainous range from Kathmandu, a mere 32 km aerial distance. The trail to Langtang Valley follows close to the old and present Trans Himalaya Salt Trade Route of Nepal and Tibet-China.
Langtang Valley and Gosainkund Trekking region falls within Langtang National Park, the first mountainous park ever established in the year 1976. The park covers an area of 1,710 sq. km around the Central Himalaya of the Langtang region. The source of the two major river systems starts from the glaciers of Langtang's massive peaks. Which drains at Trisuli River in the west and Sun Kosi River towards the east.
These two river systems are an important route for migratory birds from India and Tibet in the spring and autumn seasons. The best examples of graded climate conditions around Nepal Himalaya are found around Langtang valley and the Gosainkund trekking area.
The complex landscape and geography blend with the varied climatic patterns which makes a wide spectrum of vegetation species. From small areas of sub-tropical forest, below 2, 000 m, to temperate oak and pine forests at mid-hills.
Extends where alpine scrub and grasses give away to bare rocks and snow on higher altitudes above 3, 200 m.On Langtang Valley and Gosainkund walk takes you into Langtang National Park covered in tall Oaks, Chir pine, maple, and fir. Includes blue pine, hemlock, spruce, and various species of rhododendron that make up the main forest species.
This lovely cool forest provides excellent habitat for various animals like wild dogs, red pandas, pika, musk deer, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Thar, ghoral, serow, rhesus monkey, and common langurs. The region around Langtang and Gosainkund area, mostly populated by the indigenous Tamang people, the hill tribes of Langtang, and Central Himalaya.
Tamang follows the Buddhism religion similar to its predecessor across the border the Tibetans, where every village is adorned with religious monuments of Stupa and prayer wall. As well as prayer flags that are hoisted in every house around the traditional villages.
The Route and Trails to Langtang Valley & Gosainkund Trekking:
Langtang Valley and Gosainkund are situated in the district of Rasuwa, within Central Himalaya which includes Ganesh, Langtang Himal with Jugal Himal range. Which is directly north of Kathmandu valley, the only assist is taking an overland journey of 5 to 6 hours.
Where drive reaches Dhunche at 1,950 m, headquarter and administrative town of the Rasuwa district, and the entrance to Langtang National Park. As well into Tamang ethnic tribe country, settled around the high hills of Himalaya since past thousands of years.
Dhunche also falls on the route to Gosainkund a holy revered pond, for those if not trekking to Langtang Valley. To start walking for Langtang valley, the drive takes you a few hours further to Syabrubesi, a nice village with good lodges.
Spending overnight in Syabrubesi, next morning walk towards Kyanjin located within beautiful Langtang valley, where the trail follows over high hills. The trails lead to cross a bridge with a steep climb through farm fields and terraces to reach a small settlement. Called Bamboo with some small tea-houses amidst bamboo thickets, which is en-route to Thulo Syabru that takes you towards Gosainkund.
The walk continues entering into the dense forest of tall rhododendron, pines, oaks, and fir trees with bamboo grooves. Which makes excellent habitat for the elusive Red Panda and other mountain wildlife as the trail follows into a river gorge. Heading past a few small places of Lama Hotel and Ghoretabela, the air gets much cooler as altitude gains to reach Langtang village.
Langtang village and other areas of Nepal Mid-West and East were badly shaken and damaged from the big earthquake of 2015. Here you can notice a memorial of locals and trekkers who lost their lives, this village was completely wiped out. At present Langtang village is slowly coming back to normal, with new houses built to serve as lodges for trekkers.
From Langtang village onwards tree lines give away for short rhododendron, juniper, Burberry prickly bushes, and shrubs. As trail reach you to lovely Kyanjin a moderate size settlement with many good lodges, situated within beautiful Langtang Valley. Where most trekkers spend an extra day for a hike to support acclimatization before heading higher terrain like Gosainkund or other adventurous areas.
Langtang Valley provides excellent opportunities for energetic trekkers to climb to some of its view-point hills like Tserko / Tsergo-Ri. Which is at the height of 5, 033 m / 16, 500 feet, and Kyanjin-Ri 4, 773 m / 15, 655 feet high. The top from these high ridges offers a superb panorama of the Central Himalaya mountain range, including various high peaks.
Fantastic views of Langtang and Ganesh Himal (7,405 m), with Langtang Lirung (7,234 m), Ghengu Liru (Langtang II at 6,571 m). Extends with Kimshun (6,745 m) and Shalbachum(6,918 m), Chimsedang, Naya-Kanga or Ganja Chuli (5,846 m), Gangchempo. Looking at Baden Powel Scout Peak / Urkrema 5, 825 m with Tilman's beautiful Fluted Peak extends east towards Jugal Himal.
Dramatic scenery continues towards Dorje Lakpa (6,980 m) with Mt. Shisapangma across the border in Tibet in the far North East horizon. Langtang Valley was first explored and pioneered by Bill Tilman in the early 1950s looking for a route to Tibet and other access towards southern Langtang areas. The adventurer and expert trekkers can extend the trip crossing over Tilman Col a high pass of above 5, 300 m high. Another adventurous route is crossing the Ganja-La Pass of above 5, 200 m to reach the Helambu region.
From Langtang Valley, the trail leads on the same downhill path to reach Bamboo place, where the route diverts towards Gosainkund via Thulo Syabru and Sing Gomba. Where route follows above to Thulo Syabru, a nice Tamang village perched on a high ridge.
As the climb continues on the next day through lovely cool alpine forest to reach Sing Gomba, a small village. Having several nice lodges with an old monastery, this settlement is also called Chandanbari, on the high trail to Gosainkund. Sing Gomba, located straight north from Dhunche town where the trail leads into a lovely forest with a grand vista of Langtang Himal range. As walk heads to a steep climb facing the panorama of Far West Himalaya with Ganesh, Manaslu, and as far as the Annapurna range.
The climb continues past a few tea-houses of Laraubinaya to reach a high spot west of Laraubinaya a small pass. Which is above 4, 410 m high, from the top enjoy glorious views of rolling hills and snow-mountain range. Soon walk follows a short downhill on a level stone path heading past Bhairab and Saraswati Kund to reach the famous Gosainkunda.
Located above 4, 381 m and 14,375 feet high, a revered holy spot with a glacial pond. Where annual religious festival is held in the auspicious monsoon time of August during a full moon, as per the Hindu Lunar calendar. The Hindu mythological belief and the legendry tale are that the ponds around this pristine location were created by Lord Shiva. In-quest for a drink to wash away the lethal poison he consumed to save the world. As per the story around Gosainkund, there were 108 ponds, at present less than a dozen exists.
Thousands of Hindu devotees and pilgrims visit the festival called Janai Purnima (on this day change of holy thread that Hindu men wear). Where worshippers take a bath and dip in the cold icy pond of Gosainkund to wash away the sins of a hundred lifetime. Around Gosainkund area with few simple huts and houses serving as tea-house and lodge to stay.
From here walk follows on a high trail climbing over rocks and boulders past a few small glacial ponds. The last climb of the day reaches you on top of Gosainkund or East Laraubinaya-La Pass at 4, 609 m / 15, 100 feet high. Another perspective spot for amazing views of surrounding dramatic landscapes and snow-clad peaks, then a long descend follows to the other side of Langtang Himal.
Walking back into the forest of pines, juniper, and rhododendron tree lines to Ghopte a small settlement with some basic lodge. The name Ghopte was taken from a nearby rocky overhanging cave, a natural shelter for travelers in the early days. After Ghopte enters the Helambu area, the walk leads you to Kathmandu following up and downhill, past lovely villages of Kutumsang, Gul-Bhanjyang.
A pleasant walk from here onward to reach a high small village of Chisapani, perched on a ridge-top with several good lodges. Chisapani offers stunning sunset and sunrise over an array of Himalayan peaks, with views of Kathmandu valley. Spending the last overnight around the high hills of Langtang Himal range, then a long descend reach you on a road-head at Sundarijal. A small farm town situated north of east on Kathmandu valley rim, a mere distance drive to enter the city and back to your hotel.
Seasons for Langtang & Gosainkund Trekking:
Like all adventures around Himalayas, which is almost similar for the best time for Langtang Valley and Gosainkund Trek. Spring and autumn seasons are the best, springtime starts from March to May when wildflowers are in season with other species of beautiful flowers, especially rhododendron of different species from tall trees to the bush.
Next good months from September to November during autumn/fall, days are clear with blue sky for a magnificent panorama of snow-capped peaks. Where sunlight hours will be much short, much cold in the morning and evening time, but with the clear bright starry night sky.
