LANTANG TREK WITH GOSAIKUND LAKE

Trip Introduction

Langtang Gosainkunda Lake Trek is one of the nearest treks from Kathmandu. It has unparalleled combination of natural beauty and cultural riches. Gosainkunda Lake is the sacred lake both the adherents of Hindu and Buddhist faiths, is also known for wonderful scenery where pilgrims congregate on specific days of the year wash off their sins. During Janai Purnima (Full-moon festival in August), hundreds of Hindu and Buddhists pilgrims visit the area. Jhankris (Shaman priests) come from all over Nepal to dance in an induced trance to all night singing and drum beating. It takes about 45 minutes to circumambulate the lake. Langtang Gosainkunda Lake Trek is ranged by high mountains on the northern and eastern sides; the lake offers a fascinating sight. The trek passes through varied landscapes ranging from evergreen forest, cascading waterfalls and turbulent streams to alpine grass and barren mountainsides. Besides the famous Gosainkunda Lake, boasts hundreds of holy lakes and attracts thousands of pilgrims i.e. Nagkunda, Bhairabkunda, Saraswatikunda and Surajkunda to the north-west. Cross Laurabina Pass, (4,615 m), adjoining the Gosainkunda and beautiful Sherpa village Helambu regions and descend on steep mountain trails high above the valley towards the Helambu region near Kathmandu valley rim, a remarkable spot with beautiful scenery of the valleys in the back drop of snowcapped peaks which ranges from Annapurna to Everest.

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Arrival in KTM

   Transfer to Hotel and in the evening welcome dinner in typical Nepalese restaurant.

• Day 2

  Sightseeing Ktm valley

  • Visit the world heritage site with city guide i.e. Swaybhunath, Boudhanath, Bhakatapur.
  • SWAYAMBHUNATH, also known as the monkey temple, is climbed by a long set of steps and has great views of Kathmandu.
  • BOUDHANATH STUPAhas many traditional Gompas hung with strings of multi-coloured prayer flags; it attracts many Sherpa’s and Tibetans for the circumambulations of the stupa (koras).
  • DURBAR SQUARE, which is one of the old capitals of the Kathmandu valley, has a blend of Hindu and Buddhist temples
• Day 3

  By private Jeep 4*4: KATHMANDU – SYABRUBESI (1440m, 7hrs)

  We start the journey early in the morning after a breakfast to Sybrubenshi, Drive to trekking starting point Sybrubenshi of about 9 hour drive which provides you mountain scenery and landscape. The first path till Dhunche is smooth. From then the path moves along the gravel road. Overnight in Syabrubenshi on lodge

• Day 4

  SYABRUBESI -   LAMA HOTEL (2470m, 5hrs)

   Descend through Syabru and continue down the ridge until you come to a trail to the east that drops sharply off the ridge and through a dense forest. Cross a bridge over a tributary of the Langtang Khola and then climb for a short distance. The trail follows the south of bank of the river through a deep gorge with no more views of the mountains, crossing another tributary in about an hour. In another hour from this tributary, cross yet another bridge to the north bank of Langtang Khola. The trail begins climbing up from the river at the point and in an hour, shortly after the trail level off, the trail join in the Langtang trail from Sherpa Gaon and Syabrubenshi. Another hour from this trail junction brings to you to the Lama Hotel. Lama Hotel is located on the banks of the Langtang River and surrounded by lush forests and amazing mountain vista. Overnight in Lama Hotel.

• Day 5

  LAMA HOTEL – LANGTANG GAON (3,430m, 5hrs)

  We climb on through dense forest; the ground is covered with moss? Trees have ferns and epiphytic orchids clinging to them. From within this semi-tropical jungle glimpses of the glittering white Langtang Lirung make a startling contrast. The trail then crosses a stream then rises steeply to a pass marked with prayer flags, crossing another stream on a bailey bridge before reaching the popular lunch spot Ghoda Tabela. The trail now follows across the helipad and yak pastures and climbs slowly through rhododendron forest, fields of buckwheat, potato and barley. After crossing Chamki and Ghumba villages we encounter water mills and prayer wheels along the way. The trail finally leads to the larger settlement of Langtang.

• Day 6

  LANGTANG GAON – KYANGIN GOMPA (3,870m 4hrs)

  Passing through a small village you then climb a ridge with a large chorten on the top. The trail gradually climbs past beautiful Mani wall to small village named as Mundu. Cross Laja Chu, and then climb a moraine. Reaching viewpoint you can see the monastery of Kyanjin Gompa. In Kyanjin Gompa, the highest village is the gompa from which the village was named as well as a cheese factory. This was started by the Swiss in 1955 and now produces thousands of kilos of cheese.

• Day 7

  Excursion to TSERKO RI (4,984m). Trek to LAMA HOTEL

  Today you are free. The village is a good starting point for further exploration of the Langtang Valley. You can climb Tserko RI (5,000 m) through the valley to Langshisa Kharka at the foot of the Langtang glacier. A better option and just as beautiful is to climb to the viewpoint at Kyangjin RI (4600 m). You can also enjoy being around the village and watching the Tibetans go about their daily work.

• Day 8

  KYANGIN GOMPA – LAMA HOTEL (2,470m)

  We descend through the valley to Lama Hotel to stay in one of the lodges again. It is strange to see the same valley from a different perspective. The landscape appears to have a very different character from the opposite direction.

• Day 9

  LAMA HOTEL – THULO SYABRU (2,250m)

  After a short descent we say goodbye to the Langtang valley and we come back to the well-situated Sherpa village which we have already visited. If you have booked for the three week trip, but decide to quit and return to Kathmandu before the trek, then you can do so here. However, the cost of staying in Kathmandu would not be covered.

• Day 10

  THULO SYABRU – SHIN GOMPA (3,330m)

  From Thulo Syabru we ascend above the village, crossing a few houses and potato fields. After passing a line of chortens you will reach Dragnag. Continuing through forests of hemlock, oak and rhododendron you will reach Phoprang Danda, a great place to view Langur monkeys and the superb view of the sunset at Ganesh Himal. Taking the uphill track at every junction you encounter and crossing a ridge in a forest you can find a lovely viewpoint over Dunche. After reaching one final ridge, walking past a government agriculture office and taking a left turn, you are led to Chandan Bari also known as Shin Gompa. At Shin Gompa there is a small cheese factory as well as the neglected gompa with its 1000-armed Avalokitesvara statue.

• Day 11

  SHIN GOMPA – GOSAINKUNDA LAKE (4380m, 6 hrs.)

  Emerging from the forests of moss and fern, there will be views of Langtang Lirung (7225 m) and Ganesh Himal (7429 m). This area marks the transition from the moist mountain forests to the north and the dry scrub of the southern slopes. Climbing to over 4000m you will reach the lakes. You will pass Saraswati Kund and then Bhairav Kund lakes before reaching the third lake, Gosainkund (4380 m) where there is a shrine housing a revered lingam symbolizing Shiva. According to legend, Shiva released the waters of the holy lakes with his trident, and the black rock in the center of the lake is said to be his head.

• Day 12

  GOSAINKUNDA LAKE – DHUNCHE (1764m, 7 hrs.)

  The trail begins with descending through the forests of oak, fir and rhododendrons. On the way, you may have the opportunity to see some wildlife and different species of birds.  The trail crosses through terraced fields before ascending to the Trisuli River, a stream that has its origin in Gosainkund Lake.

• Day 13

  By private Jeep: DHUNCHE – KATHMANDU (1300m)

  After breakfast, we drive back to Kathmandu from Dhunche which will take some 6 hours. Transfer to Hotel in Kathmandu.

• Day 14

  Free day in Ktm

   

• Day 15

  Departure

Cost Includes & Excludes

Glimpse of LANTANG TREK WITH GOSAIKUND LAKE

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