Langtang Gosainkunda Trek

We drive north west of Kathmandu in the morning after breakfast along the beautiful countryside observing the meandering rivers, forested landscapes and typical local villages. The road is smooth up to Trishuli Bazaar where we stop for lunch and becomes a little rugged as it ascends to Dhunche and descends back down to Syabrubesi, a beautiful Tamangi village with much to explore - including riverside hot springs where you can relax.

Overnight at a local lodge in Syabrubesi. Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Drive time: 7-8 hrs; Drive distance: 122 kms/75.8 miles

We begin our trek passing through the thick Bamboo and Rhododendron forest, best enjoyed by Bird Lovers. It is also equally rich in animals like deers, leopards, bears and monkeys. First, the trail descends along a ridge to Langtang river for about 2 hours. No human inhabitants but you will find a few teahouses on the way. After having lunch at Bamboo Hotel, you cross the northern bank of the Langtang river. Continuing up the valley through the thick rhododendron and prickly leaves of Oak Forest, the valley widens out and brings you to Lama Hotel.

Overnight at Lama Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trek time: 6 hrs; Trek distance: 11.3 kms/7 miles

After a gradual climb on the northern side of the Langtang river for about 3 hours you will reach Ghore Tabela for lunch. Continuing up the valley for another 2 hours, you will cross a tributary and another 40 minutes will bring you to Langtang Village. While you are here, you can explore the village and its Gompas. The valley is beautiful in summer, which is noted for its birds and flowers.

Overnight at your hotel in Langtang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Trek time: 6 hrs; Trek distance: 14.8 kms/9.1 miles

As you continue, the trail winds through the village and climbs on to a ridge dominated by the long row of Mani Walls. It then climbs gradually past the small villages of Manu and Singdom. Continuing through the Yak pastures as the valley becomes broader, you cross a wooden bridge and climb a moraine where you finally see Kyangjing Gompa. It is easy to reach Kyangjin Gompa before lunch, allowing time to acclimatize and explore the surroundings. After lunch, we climb to Kyajo Ri Viewpoint to catch spectacular views of several mountain ranges and Langtang Valley. However, this is an optional trek.

Overnight at a hotel in Kyangjing Gompa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek time: 3 hrs; Trek distance: 6.8 kms/4.2 miles

We spend the day here for acclimatization and take a hike up the moraine north of Kyangjin to an elevation of 4300m or more. As you go up, there is a spectacular view of Langtang Lirung (7246m), Langtang II (6596m), Yala peak (5500m) and its glaciers. While you are in Kyanging Gompa, you also see a cheese factory started by the Swiss Association for Technical Assistance in the year 1955.

Overnight at a hotel in Kyangjing Gompa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We bid goodbye to the upper highlands and retrace our steps back descending to Lama Hotel.

Overnight at Lama Hotel. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek time: 6 hrs; Trek distance: 21 kms/13 miles

The trail is  very scenic crossing Rhododendron and Bamboo forest, teeming with wild lives like wild boars, monkeys and overlooking the green valley along the Langtang river.

Overnight at a hotel in Thulo Syabru. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek time: 6-7 hrs; Trek distance: 13 kms/8 miles

Today, you climb past a Gompa, school and army post and back up the hill. The trail ends at a pleasant place called Dursang for lunch where you can see the magnificent view of the Ganesh Himal and part of Annapurna Range. The trail continues for another 2 hours less steeply, mostly through Pine forest with a chance to spot the rare Red Panda and finally to Sing Gompa. It is the main attraction of Chandanbari and also has a few hotels and a Cheese factory. The caretakers open the Gompa for small fees.

Overnight at a lodge in Sing Gompa. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek time: 5-6 hrs; Trek distance: 10 kms/6.2 miles

The trail climbs steeply up the ridge into a deep forest and we enter the Gosainkunda Protected Area. As the trail ascends, there are outstanding views across Langtang Valley to Langtang Lirung. As we ascend up Lauribina, the views are just magnificent – you can see Annapurnas, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and unnamed Tibetan Mountains. We continue up the alpine county to a ridge at an elevation of 4100m. The trail climbs further up to view the first of the lakes, Saraswoti Kunda.  Then it climbs gently passing Bhairab Kunda to the third and the largest lake, Gosain Kunda. Every year in the month of August, full moon day, thousands of pilgrims and devotees come to the sacred lake to take holy bath in devotion to Lord Shiva. According to the legend, Lord Shiva thrust his trident into the glacier to obtain water to quench his thirst caused by consuming some poison, had created the lake.

Overnight at a hotel in Gosaikunda. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek time: 5 hrs; Trek distance: 11 kms/6.8 miles

We climb further through the rugged country towards a pass. Passing three more small beautiful lakes, you will finally reach Laurebina Pass at 4610m. Then, the trail descends alongside a stream to Phedi for lunch. Across the valley, you can see a ridge with a steep trail at an angle of 45 degrees. Yes, this is where you are going. You descend through a forest, climbing in and out of rivines to reach Thare Danda. In 3 hours from your lunch spot, you will reach Ghopte on one of the ridges, where you see the temporary settlement.

Overnight at a hotel in Ghopte. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek time: 7-8 hrs; Trek distance: 14 kms/8.7 miles

As you descend down the ridge at Ghopte, the trail continues up ravines and across boulders, then make the final ascent to Tharepati at 3490m. The trails from Tharepati all the way to Kathmandu are downhill except in a couple of places. Another 4 hours downhill takes you to Kutumsang.

Overnight at a hotel in Kutumsang. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek time: 6 hrs; Trek distance: 15.7 kms/9.7 miles

From Kutumsang, you can easily reach Chisapani in about 5-6 hours via Gul Bhanjyang Village. The view from Chisapani is spectacular enough to justify a night here.

Overnight at a hotel in Chisapani. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek time: 5-6 hrs; Trek distance: 13.3 kms/8.2 miles

The trail will take us to Mulkharka; the first village on the trail from Sundarijal is the sprawling Tamang settlement at an elevation of 1895m. We pass Pati Bhanjyang and Boran Bhanjyang for lunch. We will walk about an hour and half to reach Sundarijal, elevation 1350m. There is a large water project that supplies much of Kathmandu’s drinking water in an immense pipe. We say our goodbyes to the trails and drive back to Kathmandu with amazing memories of the trek.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Trek time: 4 hrs; Trek distance: 10.5 kms/6.5 miles; Drive time: 1 hr

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