Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda Trek

Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda Trekking is an adventure around both exciting and scenic regions of the Langtang Himal range. A complete journey, where the walk leads on the high and southern ridge of the massif Langtang Himal range. Covering all the highlights, walking around the southern hills of the Central and Langtang Himal region. 

Explore the lovely villages and follow the scenic trails through the enchanting forest of tall rhododendrons, magnolia, oaks, and pine trees.

The first part of the adventure leads to the beautiful and picturesque Langtang Valley at a lovely settlement of Kyanjin Gompa. 

Situated in the heart of scenic Langtang Valley, enclosed by tiers of massive Langtang Himal groups of snow-capped peaks. Enjoy the delightful moments at Kyanjin Gompa with an impressive and eye-catching view from the high viewpoints of Kyanjin-Ri and Tserko-Ri.

After an enjoyable experience at Langtang Valley, heading towards high Gosainkunda, the second phase of the journey.  

Follows the higher ridges, enjoying pleasant overnight in nice hill villages at Thulo Syabru and Sing Gompa. The adventure continues on the high scenic ridges, leaving the forested areas towards sheer mountainous wilderness. 

The walk reaches our ultimate highlights at Gosainkunda and the glacial crystal clear lake located on a basin. It is regarded as the holiest of all holy pilgrimage sites for all Hindu followers. An annual religious festival is held, called Janai Purnima, on the auspicious month of August in full moon time.

As per the Hindu Lunar calendar, thousands of devotees, and pilgrims visit for worship and prayer. As well as take a bath and dip in the icy water of the sacred Gosainkunda Lake. According to belief in Hinduism, it relinquishes the sins of the hundredth lifetimes.  The Hindu menfolk change their holy treads for a new one, known as Janai. 

At Gosainkunda, around its wild country landscapes enclosed by high towering rocky cliff walls and snow peaks. The adventure then heads towards Gosainkunda Pass, also called Eastern Laurabinaya-La Pass, the highest point of the journey. After a strenuous climb to the top with spectacular views of the surrounding dramatic scenery of hills, valleys, and snow peaks. A long descent leads back into a lush green forest to the village of Kutumsang around Helambu region.  

The adventure slowly comes to an end to reach a high scenic viewpoint at Chisapani. A lovely spot for stunning views of sunrise and sunsets, along with a panorama of the Himalayan Snow Mountain range. 

From Chisapani, a pleasant walk downhill reaching Sundarijal farm town, situated on the northern eastern rim of Kathmandu Valley. At Sundarijal, our marvellous adventurous walks conclude with a short drive to Kathmandu. After a fabulous experience and adventure to Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda Trekking.

Highlights

• An adventure covering both exciting and scenic regions of Langtang Himal.
• Walking on enchanting woodland of tall rhododendrons, firs and pine trees.
• Enjoy the sweeping Himalayan panorama from the high ridges of Langtang Valley.
• Explore traditional Tamang, Hyalmo villages adorned with impressive cultures. 
• Trek to Gosainkunda lake revered as the holiest of all holy pilgrimage Hindu sites. 

Short Trek Summary

Mode of Trekking: In the best available Lodges and Guest House.

Trekking Grade: Moderate and Adventurous.

Highest point: At 4,609 m /15,100 ft. On top Gosainkunda pass or East Laurabinaya-La. 

Areas of Trekking: Nepal North Central Himalaya around Langtang Himal. Rasuwa to Sindhu-Palanchok districts.     

Start and Ending Point: Syabrubesi to Sundarijal east of Kathmandu Valley.

Trekking Duration: 12 Nights and 13 Days with drives both ways. 

Total Trekking distance: Approx. 108 km/68 miles covering Langtang Valley,Gosainkunda to Sundarijal via Chisapani. (Excludes mileage on extra optional hikes to Kyanjin-Ri, or Tserko-Ri). Maximum of 12 km walking distance and Minimum of 8 km to Kyanjin from Langtang Village. The longest walks from Kyanjin to Lama Hotel and Gosainkunda to Ghopte Odar, including Kutumsang to Chisapani.

Total Trip in Nepal: 16 Nights and 17 Days from arrival to final departures.

Best Seasons For Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda Trekking

The best time and seasons for Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda Trekking or other adventures in Nepal Himalayas. Spring and autumn/fall seasons. The spring begins in March and ends in May, a lively time for pleasant walks and scenic views. Most days are fine and clear with enough sunshine hours till late afternoon from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. It can get overcast in the afternoon sometimes, with chances of light rains and snowfalls. 

Days are much longer with sunlight hours, but cold morning and late afternoon till nighttime. Depending upon altitude and overnight stops en route to Kyanjin Gompa around high Langtang Valley.

Spring is the best time for nature lovers, when wildflowers are in seasonal bloom, especially the rhododendrons of various species. 

The next best season is autumn/fall, where most days are bright, with sunny days for clear views. Autumn/fall starts from September to November, one of the high seasons in Nepal for trekking. Days are fine with crystal clear blue sky, but it gets dark soon due to limited sunshine hours. Morning and late afternoon until the nighttime is cold, and chances of light snowfall above 2,000 m high.

The Routes And Trails En Route To Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda

Trekkers joining for Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda or other various adventures around Nepal Himalayas must have been aware beforehand. Knowing that Nepal is a country of high land of mid-hill to higher mountainous landscapes and terrains. 

The walk leads up and downhill with a few gradual sections to enjoy. The only flatland is the low sub-tropical Terai belt around southern Nepal. 

En route to Langtang Valley, starts with a pleasant gradual path with a few short steep ups to Lama Hotel. After crossing bridges and leaving the river gorge at Lama Hotel. Walk leads to an undulating climb for a few hours to Langtang Village or Mundu. 

From Langtang Village onwards with a short climb reaching a wide scenic winding up on a gradual path. The only hard and long steep climb and downhill on a rest day with an option to hike to Kyanjin-Ri or Tserko-Ri. 

The rest of the walk to Lama Hotel a long descent with few short climbs, from then on route diverts. Heading towards Gosainkunda via Thulo or Upper Syabru and Sing Gompa / Chandanbari villages. A steep up amidst lovely dens coniferous forest with few gentle gradual path to enjoy. From Sing Gompa on the high ridges as altitude gains to reach Gosainkunda glacial lake. After Gosainkunda a steep and gradual climb to the top of Gosainkunda Pass. From the pass a long descent, with few ups and down to Helambu areas at Kutumsang, and Gul Bhanjyang villages.  

From then onwards on downhill with few small ups to Chisapani. Then descend to northern rims of Kathmandu Valley at Sundarijal Town to complete the treks with short drive to Kathmandu.

Culture And Religion En Route To Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda

Nepal is a country of great diversity of landscape and people with their age-old religions, cultures, and heritage. The mid-hill people around the high Langtang Himal area of Rasuwa district, is populated by the Tamang. 

The highlanders of Central and Mid-East and West Himalayas, the Tamang are the indigenous ethnic tribes of Nepal. With a migration history of more than 5,000 years, the Tamang drifted to Nepal from Inner Mongolia through Tibet. Tamang follows a strong Buddhist religion and culture, similar to their early Tibetan predecessors. The walk leads across many Buddhist monuments and shrines as well as monasteries. 

The religious monuments include a series of prayer walls and spinning wheels with impressive monasteries of great religions and cultural interest. Tamang also practices the ancient Bon cult, a pre-Buddhism and Shamanism, having witch doctors as well as Buddhist Lama and priests. After Gosainkunda reaching Helambu areas, inhabited by mixed tribes of Sherpa, Tamang and Hyalmo the natives of Helambu. The Hyalmo interwoven to Buddhist religion and culture with strong influence of Tibetan Buddhism heritage. 

Foods, Accommodation And Lodges Facilities

The food and lodge accommodations around Langtang Himal region, at designated overnight stops. Overnight accommodation and meals as per the itinerary set by Woman Adventures provide the best lodge accommodation, where possible. The foods are according as listed on the menu, from breakfast, lunch, dinner or main courses. 

Including side snacks with warm and cold refreshment drinks, served in a nice and cozy dining room with a fireplace. In Nepal, the most favorite and popular national food and meal is Nepali Dal Bhat, boiled or steamed rice. Is served with the mild curry, of seasonal vegetables and includes Dal, a lentil bean soup with pickles, and hot sauce as options. 

Breakfast from oats porridge and cereals to cornflakes with toast/ chapattis and pancakes includes a choice of egg variation. 

Lunch and Dinner from Continental, Chinese, Indian, Nepali, and Tibetan main course with a choice of soups. The lodge accommodation and food are of moderate standard. The lodge accommodations from Syabrubesi, Lama Hotel, and Langtang Village are simple with nice rooms.

Most lodges provide common bathrooms and toilets. But with a good food menu of limited varieties, some villages offer fresh homemade bakery items. As well as having rooms on a shared basis with common bathrooms and toilets due to harsh terrain conditions. The plumbing systems for running water freeze in the morning, evening, and nighttime. Due to freezing temperatures from Langtang Village to Kyanjin Gompa, using hot showers is at an extra cost. 

The only places with simple food and lodge accommodation is at Gosainkunda and Ghopte Odar. Rest of the places en route to Kathmandu have better facilities till Chisapani high ridge near Kathmandu.

All lodges have electricity to light the large dining room powered by local hydro or solar power. For charging electronic items, at an extra cost per hour and for each gadget. Internet and Wi-Fi are available, but it is slow and disturbing in some places due to weather conditions.

Kyanjin Gompa, Sing Gompa, Kutumsang and Chisapani, have good lodges provide a comprehensive food menu served in nice dining rooms. In large group with more than of 4 people, it is best to order a set meal for all. It saves time and fuels energy, which is important around remote areas of the Himalayas. Following the norms and rules as Responsible Trekkers is a good practice for Eco-Tourism. 

As well as take care of garbage and litter during the whole trek. Trekkers with special dietary and for a strict vegetarian, please inform when booking Woman Adventure (P) Ltd.  

Important to know that alcoholic drinks are not healthy and good while going up to higher altitudes. But one can enjoy, after completing the main highlights, on the return journey to Syabrubesi after losing the altitude to safe heights.

Physical Fitness Requirement And Insurance

For Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda Treks, all members should be physically fit and in a sound health. For a person with a medical history and special dietary, please inform Woman Adventures. So that the company can make necessary arrangements, on booking for this adventures. All age groups can join, from minimum 14 years to a maximum of 70 years old. 

A minimum age of under 18 must be accompanied by parents or guardians, as well as for elderly persons. All need to obtain Travel and Medical Insurance in case of unfortunate incidents and accidents. 

Sometimes, treks might have to be re-routed to other safe destinations due to broken trails by avalanches and rock falls. As well as the unfavorable and bad weather conditions, which will obstruct the Langtang & Gosainkunda Itinerary schedule days. If some members get seriously ill, needs immediate evacuation. by, the fastest means of transportation. Like using a Helicopter service to the nearest hospital.

In this condition, if it arises, the trekker has to bear all the extra expenses as well as for accompanying staff. Should be claimed from the insurance company for the extra expenses incurred. The company and medical doctors will provide a supporting letter so that you can claim the reimbursement from your insurance. To stay physically fit, one needs to exercise, like walking, jogging, or any other good physical exercise to keep fitness level. It is best to check up with your doctor on booking the trip for Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda Trekking.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.

Day 02: In Kathmandu with sightseeing tour and trek preparations.

Day 03: Drive to Syabrubesi 1,470 m via Dhunche Town 1,900 - 06 hours. 

Day 04: Trek to Lama Hotel 2,455 m - 06 hrs.

Day 05: Trek to Langtang Village 3,425 m or Mundu 3,450 m- 06 hrs.

Day 06: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa 3,870 m- 04 hrs.

Day 07: Rest day at leisure option for scenic hike to viewpoints.

Day 08: Trek downhill to Lama Hotel-06 hrs.

Day 09: Trek to Upper / Thulo Syabru village 2,118 m-06 hours walk.

Day 10: Trek to Sing Gompa / Chandanbari 3,254 m-05 hrs.

Day 11: Trek to Gosainkunda 4,381 m / 14,375 feet-05 hrs.

Day 12: Trek to Ghopte Odar 3,566 m via Gosainkunda / Laurabinaya-La 4,609 m /15,100 ft. -06 hrs.

Day 13: Trek to Kutumsang 2,445 m-06 hrs. 

Day 14: Trek to Chisapani 2,195 m via Gul Bhanjyang 2,125 m - 06 hrs. 

Day 15: 3 hour’s trek to Sundarijal 1,380 m with an hour drive to Kathmandu. 

Day 16: Free day for individual activities.

Day 17: International departure for homeward bound.