Langtang & Gosainkunda Trek
This is a big combination! The sacred Gosainkunda lake and Langtang Valley, one of the most beautiful places in Nepal. Langtang was once the darling of trekkers seeking stunning landscapes and authentic culture, combined with heartwarming hospitality in delightful homestay guest houses. The people of Langtang are still working to rebuild their lives after the 2015 earthquake, survivors were forced to leave the valley, but now they have come back to reclaim their homeland, rebuilding their homes and re-establishing their farms. Your trek to this beautiful valley supports the people of Langtang by providing much-needed income to rebuild in a sustainable and secure way. This is not charity, this is the business end of sustainable travel, where your travel choices can respectfully support local people while preserving their dignity, their culture and their way of life. Be wowed by nature, be humbled by the human spirit and be a part of local solutions when you choose to trek in Langtang this time round.
You will trek through magnificent forests to the high alpine meadows and yak pastures around Kyangjin Gompa (Buddhist monastery). After an (optional) day hike up to the top of Kyangjin Ri (peak), where the 360 degree views of the Himalayan mountains are truly spectacular, you can retrace your route back down the valley and up to Thulo Syabru. From here you climb to the stunning high altitude lakes at Gosainkunda, sacred to Hindus and Buddhist and one of most spectacular place in Nepal. On the trek to Gosainkunda and on your way down you will have mountain views that are hard to beat, from the Annapurnas to Langtang and every mountain in-between.
- Starts In: Kathmandu
- Ends In: Kathmandu
- Duration: 12 Days
- Difficulty Grade: Demanding
Highlights
- Trek through the forested river valley and arrive at the breath-taking Kyangjin Gompa (monastery)
- See and experience Sherpa culture
- Learn about the 2015 earthquake and the significant impact it had in this region
- Mountain views of the Langtang peaks
- An optional hike to the view point at Kyangjin Ri (4850m/16000f) – highly recommended
- Plus the sacred Gosainkunda Lake at the end, as a final super highlight
Itinerary
Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi [1460m]
We have an early departure for the 7 hour drive to our starting point at the foot of the Langtang Valley. The road takes a spectacular route, climbing high over the ridges to escape the Kathmandu Valley and providing us with a superb panorama of the Himalayan Range, including the Annapurnas, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and the peaks of the Langtang region that we will soon become better acquainted with.
We drive through Trisluli before we start climbing towards Dunche and the Langtang National park entrance. After Dunche it is another hour mostly downhill to Syabru and our small hotel for the night.
Driving time: Approx. 7-8 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Lunch, Dinner
Day 02: Trek from Syaburi Besi to Lama Hotel [2470m]
Our trail initially crosses the Bhote Kosi, flowing down from Tibet, which is literally only a few kilometers away. We then gradually climb up through the sub-tropical forests, teeming with bird-life, to join the trail from Syabru. We follow the river, climbing through uninhabited forest of oak and rhododendron and maybe catching a glimpse of langur monkeys roaming through the trees. We continue climbing along a steep trail to Lama Hotel in the forest, where we will spend the night.
Walking time: Approx. 6 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 03: Trek from Lama Hotel to Mundu [3550m]
As we continue climbing today there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. At Ghora Tabela [3000m], the trail emerges from the forest. Once there was a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now it is a Nepalese army post though it has no permanent inhabitants. The trail continues to climb gently and the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during the summer months.
The next part of the trail is a somber reminder of the 2015 earthquake – where Langtang village once was there is now only a huge rock field. It is a good place to send a thought to those who passed away and remember that we are there to support those who survived in continuing their lives in this stunning valley which has been the home for them and their ancestors for centuries.
We continue for another 30 min to our days’ destination, Mundu, where the old houses are a reminder of what all the villages once looked like in this valley. Modernisation had already started the process of change and, post 2015, our hosts have been rebuilding their houses in a style that fits best for their lives as they are now.
Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 04: Trek from Mundu to Kyangjin [3800m]
From Mundu, the trail climbs gradually through yak pastures as the valley opens out further and the views become more extensive. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. Here there is a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory. We should arrive at Kyangjin by lunchtime allowing time to acclimatise and explore the area. It is a dramatic setting, with snow-covered peaks surrounding us in all directions.
If you are feeling good, head up the Valley towards Langshisha Kharka to see some of the amazing views up that way and explore the valley. If you are feeling the altitude a bit, just rest at Kyangjin.
Walking time: Approx. 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 05: Rest day in Kyangjin or Climb Kyangjin Ri
A day to rest and explore the area. We can visit the monastery and the cheese factory, walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri [or ‘peak’ – 4850m], directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang peaks.
Walking time: Approx. 3 hours (up and down climbing Kyangjin Ri)
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 06: Trek from Kyangjin to Lama Hotel [2470m]
From Kyangjin we retrace our route, following the Langtang Khola to Mundu village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch we continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel.
Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 07: Trek from Lama Hotel to Thulo Syabru [2230m]
We continue retracing our steps down the valley, enjoying the glorious forested hills of Nepal. A little way after passing Hot Spring Hotel, we turn off the main trail and start climbing again. We will climb up to Thulo Saybru, a big village that sits high on the hill overlooking the valley we have just come from. Here we will spend the night in another lovely tea house.
Walking time: Approx. 6-7 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 08: Trek from Thulo Syabru to Laurabina [3910m]
Today we have a big climb ahead of us but it will be well worth it as Laurabina which we will get to at the end of the day has stunning mountain views, amazing sunsets and sunrises to look forward to. The trail climbs steadily all day up through beautiful forest where Red Panda sightings are frequent so keep your eyes open and you might just get lucky.
Walking time: Approx. 7-8 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 09: Trek from Laurabina to Gosainkunda lake [3910m]
Today is not a long days trekking, which is great because it will give you time to really appreciate this stunning place. After hopefully a clear morning with views all the way west to Annapurna, we start the trek with an hour of climbing to a small pass. From here it’s a relatively gentle climb to the tea houses at the foot of Gosainkund. Soon you will have your first views of the lakes, Saraswati kund , Gosainkund and many more – this is a truly sacred region dedicated to the gods of Hinduism but sacred also for Buddhists.
Once at the tea house you can relax with a well earned mug of hot tea while taking in the beautiful view of the lake before you. It’s lovely to loosen up your legs a little with a gentle stroll around the lake in the afternoon.
Walking Time: Approx. 2-3 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10: Trek from Gosaikunda to Sing Gompa [3350m]
This morning there is time to explore a little around Gosainkund before we need to head down. From the tea houses the trail descends a little way from the Gosainkunda Lake before a small climb to a charming pass where you find a shrine and Bhuddhist prayer flags as well as a lovely view back up towards Saraswati Kund to Gosainkund. From here the trail contours around the mountain through a spectacular rock strewn landscape, leading downwards to a chorten on the ridgeline above the little tea house village of Laurebina. From here you can have magnificent views across Langtang valley to Langtang Lirung and to the west are Himalchuli, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu. From Laurebina, we descend to Sing Gompa on a beautiful forested trail. There is a small monastery, still intact after untold years and a small cheese factory in Sing Gompa.
Walking Time: Approx. 5 hours
Accommodation: Tea house
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11: Trek from Sing Gompa to Dunche [1950m]
Today after breakfast we trek down all the way to Dhunche, pausing often to rest our weary knees, which will get tired from the steep descent. the trail leads through an incredibly stunning forest of ancient oaks, firs and rhododendrons. When we reach the river the trail levels out and we will come to a sacred pond dedicated to Shiva and not far head is our chance to enjoy a last cup of Nepali tea on the trail at a little tea house nearby a small temple also dedicated to Lord Shiva. From here the trail is undulating and takes us down, out of the forest and into Dhunche, the district headquarter of Rasuwa.
Walking Time: Approx. 5 hours
Accommodation: Tea House
Meals included:
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12: Drive from Dunche back to Kathmandu
Today we conclude the trip with a jeep drive back to Kathmandu, which takes approximately 7 hours and takes us through stunning landscapes.
Driving Time: Approx. 7 hours
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Gallery
Included In Price
- Tea house accommodation while on trek
- Meals as per the itinerary (all meals on trek, with filtered drinking water)
- Transport as per the itinerary in private vehicles
- Your trekking guide and porter/s, with all their transport, equipment, insurance and including meals and accommodation
- A first aid kit appropriate for the group size and activities
- Trekking permits and registration fees
Note: The local tea houses are basic but clean and they do not often have attached bathrooms or hot showers. The price is based on twin share and does not include any extra charge that lodge owners may levy for single rooms, attached bathrooms or hot showers (if these facilities are available) or for battery charging. We can’t know in advance what they may charge for such things in the different lodges along the way, so we prefer to leave this cost out, rather than pass along an estimated charge to you.
The meal inclusions on the trek are breakfast (one set breakfast and tea or coffee), lunch (one main meal and tea or coffee) and dinner (soup, main and dessert with tea or coffee)
Not Included In Price
- Services and activities not mentioned in the detailed itinerary
- International flights to and from Kathmandu
- Nepal visa fees and international airport taxes
- Any gear or equipment that you may need to rent/buy
- Any excess baggage charges
- Single room supplement – please ask if you would like to have a single room (these are not always available in tea houses, but possible in the hotels/guest houses)
- Comprehensive travel insurance that includes trip cancellation and rescue evacuation should this be
required for any reason (we require this as the minimum insurance cover); Rescue/evacuation costs
(to be covered by your insurance) - Additional nights, optional trips and sightseeing tours outside the detailed itinerary above
- Personal expenses (eg tips, soft drinks/bar bills, laundry, telephone calls, postage, donations, extra
snacks, camera charges, etc) - Tips for your guide and drivers, please ask if you would like any guidance about this
- Costs incurred due to unforeseen events (eg caused by natural disasters, adverse road conditions/flight delays, labor strikes, fuel shortages, extreme exchange rate changes, etc)
