| Trip code | GHLT-35 |
| Package name | Gosainkunda Lake Trek |
| Duration | 10 Days |
| Max. elevation | 4460 Meter |
| Level | MODERATE |
| Transportation | private vehicle, Public Bus tickets |
| Accomodation | Three-star Hotel in Kathmandu; best Available Lodges on route trek |
| Starts at | kathmandu |
| Ends at | Kathmandu |
| Trip route | Kathmandu-Dhunche-Chandanbari-Sing Gomba-Gosainkunda-Ghopte-Laraubinaya-Kutumsang-Chisapani-Sundarijal-Kathmandu |
| Cost | USD 785 per person |
Gosainkunda Lake Trek, a marvelous and short adventure of a week duration allows travelers to enjoy spectacular mountain views. In the harmony of impressive age-old traditional villages enriched with colorful culture within pristine surroundings and enchanting woodland. For all Hindu and Buddhist religions, the Himalayas is an abode of god, goddess, and holy spirits.
Gosainkunda is regarded as one of the major mountainous pilgrimage destinations, where thousands of devotees and pilgrims visit for worship.
As well as to purify their soul, mind, and body to relinquish the sin of hundreds of lifetimes. Taking a bath and a dip in the icy pond, a great religious festival is held called ‘Jani Purnima’ (a change of new holy threads for Hindu men). Which falls on the full moon around the auspicious month of August during the monsoon season according to the Hindu Lunar calendar.
Thousands of Nepalese pilgrims as well from India visit to pay homage to pray and worship Lord Shiva. The creator of Gosainkund, the local believes 108 small and large ponds existed hundreds of years ago. Besides the main Gosainkunda, at present nine ponds exist such as Saraswati, Bhairab, Surya and Ganesh-Kunda, Sagarkund, and Yeklekund with Raja-Rani Kund.
For Hindus taking a dip in the Gosainkunda, the pond means salvation and virtue, one of the highest glacial ponds in Nepal. Located at 4, 460 m high within the district of Rasuwa, which is straight north of Kathmandu valley.
Holy Gosainkund Trek, starts with an overland journey to reach a cooler region of Langtang Himal. Which is at a close distance of 43 k.m. and 27 miles from Kathmandu, but takes more than 4 to 5 hours. Due to the hilly and mountainous highway with many switchbacks, narrow winding uphill to Dhunche at 2,030 m and 6,660 feet high.
Dhunche, headquarter and administrative town of the Rasuwa district, is dominated by Tamang ethnic tribes interwoven with Buddhism and Bon religion. The Bon an ancient sect of pre-Buddhism, worships natural spirits which you will witness on this lovely walk to Gosainkunda and beyond.
Dhunche the main entrance of Langtang National Park also, the first mountain park ever established in Nepal in the year 1976. The park covers an area of 1,710 sq. km to Chisapani near the end of the trek. Walk from Dhunche town takes you high to Sing Gomba, with a steep climb into the cool shade of dense woodland.
Lined with tall pines and rhododendron trees to reach a small settlement at Sing Gomba. Which is also the name of the monastery perched high above the village, the next morning on the high trail to Gosainkunda. The second-day trek progress with a climb uphill to enter a forest with views of Langtang Himal towards the north.
The walk leads to more ups as tree lines end for a short alpine bush towards a high ridge of west Laraubinaya. Then on a gradual path past Bhairab-Kund to reach our major highlight at Gosainkund and the sacred crystal clear pond. Enjoy time at Gosainkund a holy spot with a few small tea houses that serve as a lodge for travelers.
The highest overnight stop at 4, 460 m is enclosed by a high rocky cliff wall and towering peaks. From Gosainkunda after a pleasant stay within tranquil surroundings in the shade of holy spirits. The walk continues with a climb to traverse the highest spot of the adventure over East Laraubinaya-La Pass at 4, 609 m. Overlooking grand views of surrounding dramatic landscapes of the eastern side of the Langtang Himal range.
Walk follows long downhill to reach back into a dense forest of juniper, rhododendron, and pine trees heading further southeast. As the walk enters the Helambu region at Kutumsang, a nice farm village populated with Sherpa, Tamang, and Hyalmo hill tribes.
At Kutumsang village, where the motorable road has reached from Kathmandu on the rough and bumpy mountain tracks. Our trek follows on old walking trails avoiding the main road as possible, then past the nice Tamang village of Gul-Bhanjyang. Along the walk enjoy lovely views of green rolling hills and valleys with the Langtang and Jugal Himal Mountain range.
Last overnight stop on a scenic ridge top of Chisapani, famous for stunning sunrise and sunsets over Himalayan peaks. Enjoy the last day on the high viewpoint at Chisapani, situated on the outskirt of Kathmandu valley's eastern rim. The final day walk is pleasant down into a serene forested area and through several Tamang farm villages.
The walk continues to wonderful Sundarijal, a famous picnic spot for city folks on weekends within a tranquil green environment. Within the backdrop of fresh streams and cascading waterfalls, and then reaching the end of trekking at Sundarijal town. A short drive brings you back into the heart of Kathmandu, after a glorious adventure and marvelous experience on Holy Gosainkund Trek.
This festival is of great importance along with this lake as it is usually celebrated during the monsoon season as many people visit during the monsoon season. However, with clean and clear weather, you can travel at any time of the year.
Important Items: Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds, or Euros in cash for purchasing a Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Master Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.
For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.
For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket
For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.
For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves
For Feet: Two pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water-resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.
Other Useful Items: one sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional); Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick-drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).
Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.
On arrival in Kathmandu and Nepal International Airport via various international airlines, received our guide and staff for a short transfer to the heart of Kathmandu city. Where your hotel is located, after checking into your rooms and then meet other members of the trip at the hotel lobby for briefing.
The briefing includes important information regarding Holy Gosainkunda Trek, to make your holiday in Nepal more enjoyable. The evening group welcomes dinner in a lovely Nepalese Restaurant with an introduction to the culture of Nepal with folk dance and music.
Meals: At Restaurants, Accommodation: Three-star category Hotel in Kathmandu, Distance: 5 Kilometers from Airpot to Thamel
A free day in Kathmandu preparation for the trek includes a sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley at places of great historical and religious interest. The city is steeped with ancient world heritage sites, where the tour takes you around renowned landmarks, like the old Durbar / Palace Square with old Swayambhunath of more than 2,500 years old Stupa, a Buddhist religious monument.
Includes the holy Hindu temple of Pashupatinath and the large dome stupa of Bouddhanath of great cultural and religious interest.
Meals: Breakfast and welcome Dinner, Accommodation: Three-star category Hotel in Kathmandu
Start early as possible in the morning after breakfast, a scenic and exciting drive to reach the high hills and mountainous areas of Langtang Himal. An interesting ride of little more than 4-5 hours, during the drive, observe Nepalese farm villages and towns. As the drive reaches the large town of Dhunche, located at 2, 030 m high. The headquarter town of Rasuwa district, as well as the entrance of Langtang National Park.
At Dhunche with many good lodges and a small hotel for an overnight stay, our guide will check in the best available lodge or guest house. The town and whole area of Rasuwa are inhabited by the indigenous Tamang, hill tribes of Langtang, and Central Himalaya, interwoven to Buddhism religion, and fascinating culture.
Meals: Breakfast at Kathmandu Hotel, Lunch,and Dinner, Accommodation: Guesthouse Hotel in Dhunche, Distance: 112 Kilometers
The morning starts with easy short downhill and then leaving the motorable road, walking towards a stream to cross a small bridge, near a small settlement with some shades serving as tea houses and shops. After the bridge a steep climb most of the way into a dense forest of tall rhododendron, oaks, magnolia, pines, and fir trees to reach a large grazing pastures field on a hilltop with some small tea shops.
The climb continues for another hour into beautiful woodland to reach Sing Gompa, also called Chandanbari, which means a sandalwood tree area. Check into a nice small lodge within a small village with few good lodges and a guest house, an old monastery stands on top of the village where your lodge is situated.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Chandanbari / Sing Gomba, Distance: 16 Kilometers
Today's walk takes you to our major highlights and a place of great religious importance at Gosainkunda. The morning walk offers more views of the snow-clad peaks of Langtang and Ganesh-Himal towards the northwest with Manaslu and Annapurna ranges in the far west.
The adventure leads to a gradual up for an hour entering oaks, pines, and rhododendron forest. Enjoying brief stops facing grand views, the walk continues with a climb uphill leaving forest and tree lines behind for short, dwarf rhododendron, juniper shrubs, and bushes.
The path unwinds uphill passing through a few teahouses at Laurabina, which means a place with walking sticks, (an auspicious time in August with the full moon as per the Nepali Luna calendar, pilgrims visiting Gosainkunda for ritual bathing and dip where belief is, it delivers one into paradise and drink of its holy water relinquishes the sins of a hundred lifetimes. This is the spot where Hindu devotees leave their walking sticks here, hence the name Laurabina.
From the high ridge with a short descent and then up reaching across Saraswati and Bhairab Kund, with the little climb, brings you to Gosainkunda within its holy pristine glacial pond. One can witness some traces left behind by the pilgrims during the great festival event of Janai Purnima that falls in the monsoon time of August, on a full moon day, where a large crowd of worshippers and pilgrims makes a hard trek to be in this sacred site dedicated to Lord Shiva and the creator of many ponds around.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Gosainkunda Distance: 13 Kilometers
Morning from Gosainkunda, a gradual walk along the shore of a pond, and then climb to a small creek in between rocks and boulders, as the walk leads close to small Surjakund pond, then winding straight up to Gosainkund pass or East Laurabina La the highest spot of the adventure. From the top, enjoy the tremendous scenery of rolling green hills and snow-capped peaks, then towards the long downhill to reach the bottom known as Phedi (bottom) at near 3,694 m.
A small place with few teahouses, a possible lunch stop, and then the walk continues heading east within the Helambu area and back into green vegetation and tree lines of junipers, and rhododendron and then reach Ghopte (meaning overhanging rocks) for an overnight stop.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Ghopte Distance: 16,5 Kilometers
After being around the complete wilderness, walk from this small settlement where trails of Helambu and Kathmandu route join; morning a short day trek with a pleasant walk into the forest for an hour, with an hour uphill near the hill of Tharepati 3, 650 m, as our route heads to a place called Mange-Goth.
A place for a cattle grazing field probably stops here for lunch as time permits. From Mange-Goth, a nice pleasant walk downhill into the cool shade of woodland to reach an open area with many farm fields and terraces at Kutumsang village for an overnight halt.
A nice interesting farm village of Tamang, Sherpa, and some Hyalmo hill tribes follows the same Tibetan Buddhism religion, which you can notice around the villages with prayer monuments.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Kutumsang, Distance: 14 Kilometers
From Kutumsang, one of the longest day walk to reach Chisapani, start early morning on a winding path with few ups and downhill past several farm areas and villages to reach Gul-Bhanjyang located on a ridge top.
After a short refreshing break trek continues on a pleasant trail with some ups and down to a nice place of Pati Bhanjyang village. From here short climb towards our last overnight stop at Chisapani, a scenic small village situated on a hilltop north of the Kathmandu Valley rim. Chisapani offers stunning sunrise and sunsets over a vast range of peaks from Langtang and Jugal Himal in the north, extending to Ganesh Himal-Manaslu and Annapurna range towards the west.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, Accommodation: Teahouse in Chisapani, Distance: 14.7 Kilometers
Enjoy sunrise views as the light shines on a range of snow peaks, after breakfast our last day trek heads downhill into lovely forests and farmlands with a short climb on top of Burling and Chepu Bhanjyang at 2,438 m high. Facing views of Kathmandu Valley, the path descends to Sundarijal (which means beautiful water) a lovely spot with a cool patch of forest with fresh streams. On reaching the roadside at the main Sundarijal town, a short drive to Kathmandu after an enjoyable and great moment on Holy Gosainkund Trekking.
Drive leads past Jhorpati and Bouddhanath into a busy road and then reach your hotel. Afternoon free at leisure for shopping souvenirs, evening farewell group dinner in a nice Nepalese restaurant with Folk culture programs as entertainment.
Meals: Breakfast at Chisapani Hotel, Accommodation: Three-star category Hotel in Kathmandu, Distance: 32 Kilometers
On your last day in Nepal, enjoy a memorable adventure and experience on Holy Gosainkunda Trek, as a time for your international flight our staff transfer you to the airport for homeward bound.
We trust you made some incredible memories with us. Thank you, and have a safe journey home.
Meal: Breakfast Included.