Briefing of Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
It is the trek that holds adventurous as well as spiritual importance and offers the breathtaking view of Langtang range and peaks like Ganesh Himal, Manaslu along with the diverse landscapes.
The Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu is 6-9 days, and you will usually have to walk for 4-7 hours a day.
The highest point you will reach is 4,380m being the lake itself. So, the trek is moderate: beginners and families can also complete it with proper guidance.
Trekkers will experience the holy lake of Gosaikunda and its story, cultures, and traditions. You will make memories to cherish forever, be healthier and fitter, and get a sense of achievement.
Highlights: Langtang Gosaikunda Trek from Kathmandu
- Charming and Holy Lakes like Gosaikunda, Bhairabkunda, and Saraswati Kunda.
- Views of peaks like Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Dorge Lakpa.
- Cultures, lifestyle, and friendly and warm hospitality of Locals.
- Hiking over suspension bridges over rivers and streams.
- Local festivals and rituals, with the main festivals being Janai Purnima, which falls usually in August.
- Sunrise and sunset views.
- Everywhere you go: Photo opportunities and memorable moments.
Best Time for the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek from Kathmandu
Trekkers can do Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu can be done in any seasons of the year. However, the scenery may be different when you trek in different seasons.
The spring falls during the month of March to May. During the season of spring, the Gosaikunda trail becomes is full of fresh green plants, beautiful flowers blooming around, clear skies, and ideal weather.
Autumn comes during the period of September to November. It is considered the peak trekking season as the weather is good with fresh air, and you can get a clear view of the mountains after the monsoon.
Winter & Summer Considerations:
There are fewer crowds than at other times during Winter. It is from December to February. So, you can enjoy the Langtang Gosaikunda trail with fewer crowds.
Also, the views of mountains covered in white snow will really take your breathe away. But you have to be ready for coldness in the morning and at night time.
From June to August, during the time of Summer/ Monsoon, you can enjoy the greenery and lush region, but the trail can be muddy and slippery.
Itinerary: 9 Days of Langtang Gosaikunda Trek from Kathmandu
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu.
Day 02: Drive to Dhunche, 1400m from Kathmandu.
Day 03: Trek to Sing Gompa 1960m.
Day 04: Trek to Lauribina 3330m.
Day 05: Trek to Gosaikunda Lake 4380m.
Day 06: Trek to Chandbari 2480m.
Day 07: Trek to Dhunche 2030m.
Day 08: Dhunche drive to Kathmandu 1400m.
Day 09: Departure to the Airport or stay longer.
Altitude and Time Duration Day by Day: During Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
Day 01: Kathmandu (1400m) landing
Day 02: Kathmandu to Dhunche (1400m to 1960m) - 560m altitude gain.
Time Duration: approximately 6-7 hours’ drive by bus.
Day 03: Dhunche to Sing Gompa (1960m to 3330m) - 1370m altitude gain.
Time Duration: approximately 5-6 hours of trek.
Day 04: Sing Gompa to Lauribina (3330m to 3910m) - 580m altitude gain.
Time Duration: approximately 3-4 hours of trek.
Day 05: Lauribina to Gosaikunda Lake (3910m to 4380m) - 470m altitude gain.
Time Duration: approximately 4-5 hours of trek.
Day 06: Gosaikunda Lake to Chandbari (4380m to 3330m) – 1050 m altitude loss.
Time Duration: approximately 5 hours of trek.
Day 07: Chandbari to Dhunche (3330m to 1960m) - 1370m altitude loss.
Time Duration: approximately 4-5 hours of trek.
Day 08: Dhunche to Kathmandu (1960m to 1400m) - 560 m altitude loss.
Time Duration: approximately 6-7 hours’ drive by bus.
Day 09: Departure to Airport or stay in Kathmandu (1400m)
Altitude Information - Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
Highest place on the Langtang Gosaikunda trek
Lake of Gosaikunda is the highest place on the Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu. It is at an altitude of 4380 meters. It is one of the holy lake in the trek.
It is very heavenly place with crystal-clear waters. People also bathe in the lake of Gosaikunda. The religious belief is that bathing in the lake purifies peoples hearts and washes sins away.
Can People Suffer from Altitude Sickness on the Gosaikunda Trek?
Yes, people can suffer from altitude sickness on the journey of Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu. The trek takes you to 4380m, which is high. Altitude sickness usually affects trekkers after reaching above 2500m -3000m.
Trekkers may get symptoms of altitude sickness like:
- Headache
- Dizziness,
- Nausea or vomiting,
- Difficulty in falling asleep,
- Shortness of breath, etc.
But we can prevent it by going up slowly, drinking enough water, getting enough rest, and listening to the body.
Altitude sickness can happen, but trekkers can complete the trek safely.
Gosaikunda Langtang Trek Difficulty
Some people may feel trek challenging. It can be challenging for some people, but the Gosaikunda Lake trek is not that difficult.
However, trekkers need good stamina and have to hike for 4-7 hours daily. Well, not require hard training for the trek, basic normal exercise like jogging, running, walking, rowing, cycling, etc.
We have to go from 1400 meters (Kathmandu) to 4380 meters (Lake of Gosaikunda). The difference is 2980 meters. It means we will be 2980 meters higher than from where we start.
The trails are sometimes steep uphill, sometimes downhill, flat, and rocky, so trekkers have to be ready to trek through a mixture of trails.
Story of the Lake of Gosaikunda
You will visit the lake of Gosaikunda during the Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu. It is a very beautiful lake with crystal-clear water.
The Gosaikunda Lake has spiritual importance as it is believed that Lord Shiva have bathed himself in the lake.
In Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Shiva swallowed poison to save the world. The poison burned his throat turning his throat in blue color.
You can see the blue in his throat called neelkantha in the pictures of Lord Shiva. So, to relief that burning sensation, Lord Shiva struck his Trishul (his trident) into the Himalayas, and then the lake appeared and therefore named Gosaikunda.
Gosaikunda is made up of a combination of two meanings:
Gosai- Another name of Lord Shiva
Kunda- Lake or pond
This is believed to be the Story behind the Gosaikunda Lake.
There is also numerous pond in the Gosaikunda trek including Saraswati Kunda, Bhairab Kunda, and Surya Kunda.
Accommodation and food in Langtang Gosaikunda
Trekking Accommodation
Trekking accommodation, we will be staying in the local teahouse alongside the trail. Tea house are the local hotels with basic cozy rooms for the travelers to have food and to stay. Mostly owned and operated by the local family.
There are lots of teahouses along the trekking trail and in the villages. The accommodations are just normal teahouses with cozy rooms with beds, pillows, and blankets.
The rooms are basic with cozy rooms with beds, pillows, and blankets. You may also want to carry sleeping bags for extra warmth.
Foods in the Mountains Gosaikunda
Teahouses serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day. There are lots to try like local Nepali dal bhat (lentils and rice), noodles, pasta, momo, pizza, fried rice, macaroni, potatoes, and many more.
Breakfast includes bread with jam, honey or peanut butter, eggs (boiled, scrambled or omelets), pancakes, porridge, tea, coffee, and lemon honey ginger tea.
For Lunch and dinner, the dish includes Nepali meals dal bhat, fried rice, noodles, momo, pizzas, pasta, potato, thukpa, thenduk, soup, etc.
Road Transportation to Langtang Gosaikunda Trek from Kathmandu
The road transportation takes you from Kathmandu to Dhunche. We will take our drive from Machhapokhari, Balaju (Kathmandu).
The distance from Kathmandu to Dhunche is approximately 110 km and it takes around 6-8 hours. The time varies depending on traffic and the conditions of road.
The road during the travel is somewhere paved with rough patches, bumpy, rocky and off-road trails. You can see lots of turnings and narrow road with cliff, forest views and mountains and river views on one side- mostly left side while going and right while returning.
There are also rest stops at tea shops and small restaurants for you to have food and to go rest room.
Mostly the buses will stop twice for lunch and tea or snacks. The first stop will be after 2-3 hours of drive and second stop after 4-5 hours of drive which is before 1-2 hours to reach Dhunche. You will travel through some forest and villages.
There is also a checkpoint at the entrance of Dhuche. You can see army on duty to check and register your Langtang National Park Entry Permit. And you may or may not require TIMS card but its good if you make one.
Finally, you will reach Dhunche at 1960 m from where your trekking begins.
Trekking Trail During the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
You will be trekking through beautiful trails in the forest, river and valley. There are forest trails, grassy trails and rocky paths. You can see various flowers, trees and rivers along the trekking trail.
The trails go along the rivers and streams too. Walking along the riverbanks with cool air and peaceful water sounds will really be very calming and peaceful.
There are also steep uphill, downhill, and rocky paths. You will pass through villages, small suspension bridges with rivers and streams beneath.
You will also see Buddhist monasteries, mantra-carved stones, praying flags and banners along the trail.
The trek offers you diverse trails with beautiful views of mountains, forests, rivers, streams and lakes with mix of easy to moderate or challenging paths. But the view is worth the trek.
Conclusion about the Langtang Gosaikunda Lake Trek
Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu is a short but trek with full of adventure and heavenly spots. The trek lets trekkers enjoy magnificent views of Himalaya, crystal clear sacred lakes, local cultures and beautiful trekking experience and memories in the Himalaya of Nepal.
Trekkers can also enjoy the scenery of lake during the festival of Nepalese (Janai Purnima). It is celebrated every year on the full moon day of the month of Shrawan (July-August).
You can enjoy the culture as well as natural beauty. In just a trek of few days, the surroundings will change from busy and noisy streets of city to peaceful nature and sacred lakes in the lap of Himalayas.
Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu is a perfect trek with the combination of offers like nature’s beauty, majestic Himalayas, holy lakes, and local culture.
You can enjoy the nature and cultures without long and strenuous journey. Gosaikunda trek is inviting you to explore its beauty.
Langtang Gosaikunda trek is one of the best trek and you have to experience it at least once in your lifetime.
The purpose of living is enjoying your life and exploring as much as you can. This way, your life will be meaningful and you’d have no regrets.
So, let’s explore the nature and enjoy its beauty.
FAQs
Do we need a trekking guide for Langtang Gosaikunda?
Guides are recommended for your safety, easy access, and cultural and local insights.
Should I hire a porter for Langtang?
Porters are useful for carrying your luggage throughout the journey. Hiring the porter, you feel very light to walking with your small day backpack.
What Permits do we need for the Gosaikunda Langtang Trek?
You need a Langtang National Park entry permit and a TIMS card.
Langtang National Park Entry permit is compulsory, but for the TIMS card, they may or may not check. You can get your Langtang National Park entry Permit in Kathmandu as well as on the way to Langtang National Park.
Where will I stay every night on the trek?
Trekkers will be staying at local teahouses along the trekking trail for the whole Gosaikunda Lake trek.
How difficult is the Langtang Gosaikunda trek?
The trek difficulty is moderate to challenging. You have to be prepared for trekking 4-7 hours daily. (Normal basic fitness level is totally fine)
Can we bathe in the Lake of Gosaikunda?
Yes, you can, but the water is very cold as it is at an altitude of 4380 m. (and most of the time you're not allowed, so it is better to ask the local)
How many days is the Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu?
It depends on the customer, but the Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu is 6-9 days as normal.
What is the best time to do this Gosaikunda Langtang trek?
People do the trek any month of the year, but the best time for the trek is Spring and Autumn. Spring from March to May and Autumn from September to November.
Is the Langtang Gosaikunda trek from Kathmandu safe?
Yes, the trek is safe if you be aware of altitude, hire a guide, and follow guidelines.
Do we need travel insurance for Langtang Gosaikunda Lake trek?
Yes, Travel Insurance is highly recommended for the Langtang Gosaikunda lake trek up to 4,400 m, and it should cover high-altitude trekking, medical emergencies, and helicopter evacuation if needed.
