Four Brothers Adventure Travel

Langtang Gosaikunda Trek

Overview

The Langtang Gosainkunda trek starts with an overland journey to Dunche, the main trading post of the area. From here we spend four days hiking up through a beautiful alpine valley to Kyangjin, where we rest for a day for some exploration of the high mountains and glacial systems. Here, mountains soar towards the sky. The landscapes we cross are extremely varied: rice terraces, gigantic rhododendron and pine forests, and in the highest parts, a rock and shrub wilderness with the fascinating backdrop of snow capped peaks. The Langtang Gosainkunda trek also provides a chance to observe the holy site of both Hindus and Buddhists, the sacred Gosainkunda Lake. We cross the Laurebina pass (4600m) and drop into the lush Helambu region with its different cultural experiences, eventually finishing the trek an hour's drive from Kathmandu. This trek offers fascinating views of the Langtang range, Ganesh Himal, Dorje Lakap, Nayakanga, and Langshisa, etc.

Detailed Outline Itinerary:

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi (1460m.) It takes about nine hours drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi. You must depart early for the nine hours drive to your starting point at the foot of the Langtang Valley. The road takes a scenic route, climbing high over the ridges to escape the Kathmandu Valley and provides you with a superb panorama of the Himalaya, including the Annapurnas, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and the peaks of the Langtang region that you will soon get familiar with. Stay overnight at a lodge.

Day 02: Trek from Syabru Besi to Lama Hotel (2410m.) this takes about six hours. The trail initially crosses the Bhote Kosi, flowing down from Tibet, and then gradually climbs up through the sub-tropical forests, teeming with bird-life, to join the trail from Syabru. You then follow the river, climbing through uninhabited forests of oak and rhododendron and may catch a glimpse of langur monkeys roaming through the trees. You climb along a steep trail to your camp in the forest.

Day 03: Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang village (3330m.) which takes about five hours. As you continue climbing there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. At Ghora Tabela (3000m) the trail comes out from the forest. 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. There is a monastery which you can visit shortly before arriving at the village of Langtang, the headquarters of the Langtang National Park. Stay overnight at a lodge.

Day 04: Trek from Langtang village to Kyangjin (3730m.) which takes about four and half hours. The trail climbs gradually through small villages and 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. You should arrive at Kyangjin by lunch time allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area. It is a dramatic setting with snowy peaks surrounding you in all directions. You can enjoy panoramic views of Kyangjin Ri (4750m.), Tsergo Ri (5000m.), Ganja la (5160m.), Langshi sa- ri (6427m.), Dorji Lhakpa (6430m.), Naya Kang (5844m.), Yala peak (5500m.) and so on. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Day 05: Rest this day in Kyangjin. It is a day to rest and explore the area. You 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 [4350m], directly behind the village for a breathtaking panorama of the Langtang peaks. Stay overnight at a lodge.

Day 06: Trek from Kyangjin to Lama Hotel (2410m.) takes about five hours. From Kyangjin you retrace your route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch you continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Day 07: Trek from Lama Hotel to Thulo Syabru (2130m.)This takes about six and half hours. You retrace your steps to Thulo Syabru, and then follow a steep path through forest which brings in to the view Syabru and its extensive area of millet terraces. A surging path brings you to this fascinating village. Stay overnight at a lodge.

Day 08: Trek from Thulo Syabru to Shing Gompa (3330m) which takes about five hours. From Thulo Syabru it is a steep climb through forests of oak, fir and rhododendron to the top of a ridge. From here it is only a short descent to Shing Gompa. There is a Buddhist monastery and a small cheese factory here. Stay overnight at a lodge.

Day 09: Trek from Shing Gompa to Gosaikund (4380m.) which takes about five hours. From Sing Gompa you climb a ridge to the main Gosainkund trail. There are good views across Langtang valley to Langtang Lirung. To the west there are dramatic views of the Ganesh Himal and Manaslu. Eventually, the trail descends from the ridge to the first of three lakes, Saraswati Kund. The second lake in the chain is named Bhairab Kund, and the third, Gosainkund. This lake is particularly sacred and a place of pilgrimage in the summer. According to legend, this lake was created by Shiva when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water, quenching his thirst after taking some poison. You camp for the night.

Day 10: Trek from Gosaikund to Ghopte (3430m.) which takes about seven hours. The trail leaves Gosainkund and climbs through rugged country, past four more small lakes to the Laurebina La [4610m], the highest point of this trek. Keep looking back for wonderful views of Manaslu and the mountains of the Ganesh Himal, as well as the now familiar Langtang Lirung. You then descend steeply to camp near Ghopte.

Day 11: Trek from Ghopte to Melamchi Gaon via Tharepati Pass (3490m.). The first part of the trail slightly descends and then begins to ascend through the rhododendron forests until Thearepati and then you trek goes in descending order. Before climbing to Tharepati, a group of herders' huts at 3579m, you cross a stream after coming through rhododendron, oak and juniper forests. From Tharepati, the trail gradually descends through pine and rhododendron forest with good views down into the Helambu valley and across to Jugal Himal and Numbur in the Solu Khumbu. Melamchi Gaon is surrounded by beautiful forests, which is mainly inhabited by Sherpa people with their unique culture. There are situated some Buddhist monasteries. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Day 12: Trek from Melamchi Gaon to Tarkeghyang (2743m.) which takes about three hours. The early part of the trek descends until you cross the stream named Melamchi. Now, you trek gently up to Tarkeghyang passing through Sherpa settlements. Tarkeghyang is a beautiful Sherpa village with one of the oldest and biggest monasteries. Stay overnight at a lodge.

Day 13: Trek from Tarkeghyang to Shermathang (2621m.) This it takes about five hours. This day the trail is quite easier through flat land with beautiful forests on the way. You hike on crossing some small streams on the way. There is situated a beautiful village on the half way to Shermathang. Shermathang is another pretty Sherpa village where you can visit many ancient monasteries. Here you can see Jugal Himal range at the north face of Shermathang village. Stay overnight at your lodge.

Day 14: Trek from Shermathang to Melamchi Pul Bazaar (846m.) The trail gradually descends all the way to Melamchi Pul Bazaar through meadows and cultivated fields. On the way, you come across several old villages with their own particular tradition. Stay over night at your lodge.

Day 15: Drive from Melamchi Pul Bazaar to Kathmandu It takes about five hours. You travel through gravel and bumpy path up to Zero Kilo and then you follow the pitched road up to Kathmandu. Depending on your flight timing, if there is time, we will go to a well known Nepali kitchen for a tasty Nepali meal where along with your meal, you will be entertained to a thrilling cultural dance performed by the local belles. You will really enjoy this outing. You will have farewell dinner in Hotel by Four Brother Adventure Travel (FBAT).