Langtang Gosainkunda Lake Trek / Lantang Region Trek / Helambu Trek

The Langtang Gosainkunda Lake trek is a favorite in Nepal due to its sheer beauty and accessibility from Kathmandu. If you have a bit more time and are up for a greater challenge (on a route that is still considered moderately easy), the Langtang Gosainkunda Lake Trek is an excellent longer itinerary. It also includes some time in the Helambu region, another beautiful place not far from Kathmandu. Gosainkunda is popular with Hindu pilgrims, adding cultural interest to the amazing landscape.

Highlights of the Langtang Gosainkunda Lake Trek

Combine three popular treks—Langtang Valley, Gosainkunda Lake and Helambu—into one two-week itinerary.
Acclimatise first on the Langtang Valley trek, before heading to the higher altitude of Gosainkunda
Travel from the sub-tropical jungle and terraced farmland to a high-altitude lake ringed by rocky mountains
View numerous tall peaks—some of which are in Tibet—from the end of the Langtang Valley

The Route Followed

The first few days of this trek follow the same route as the Langtang Valley trek. Start in Syabrubesi and end in KyanjinGompa (3870m).

The trail climbs gradually upwards, through bamboo, oak and Rhododendron forests and alongside the Bhote Kosi River. As you ascend higher, the mountains come into closer view, until you are walking directly towards them.

As the alpine pastures open out, you will also pass an increasing number of Buddhist chortens, stupas and mani stone walls, with mantras carved on them.

From KyanjinGompa (3870m), at the end of the trek, you can make an extra short hike up to TsergoRi, a viewpoint at 5033 meters. From there, incredible views of LangtangLirung (7227m), DorjeLhakpa (6966m), Yala Peak (5520m), Shishapangma (8013m) in Tibet, and many other smaller peaks can be seen.

On the return, veer off towards Gosainkunda, a sacred lake situated at 4380m. It’s necessary to do the trek this way around (rather than visiting Gosainkunda first) because reaching KyanjinGompa first will aid with acclimatization. Heading straight up to Gosainkunda from the trailhead would not be safe, as it wouldn’t allow enough time for acclimatization.

After stopping at Gosainkunda, cross the Laurebinayak Pass (4610m) and down into the Helambu. One of the best views of the entire trek can be had from the top of the pass. Spend the next couple of days descending until you reach MelamchiPul Bazaar (846m), where the trek ends.

Accommodation

Good lodges can be found along the entire route. Although certain towns in the Langtang Valley were severely damaged during the April 2015 earthquake, they are recovering and being rebuilt, and there are still plenty of places to stay. Gosainkunda is a popular pilgrimage destination, so some accommodation on this route caters to pilgrims.

Suggested itinerary for Langtang Gosainkunda Trek

Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 meters)
Day 02: Drive to Syabru Besi. (1,462 meters)
Day 03: Trek to Lama Hotel. (2,500 meters)
Day 04: Trek to the Langtang Village. (3,307 meters)
Day 05: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa. (3,798 meters)
Day 06: Kyanjin Gompa exploration day.
Day 07: Trek back to Lama Hotel. (2,500 meters)
Day 08: Trek to Thulo Syabru. (2,250 meters)
Day 09: Trek to Singompa. (3,250 meters)
Day 10: Trek to Gosaikunda. (4,300 meters)
Day 11: Cross Laurebinayak Pass (4,610 meters) and trek to Ghopte. (3,430 meters)
Day 12: Trek to Melamchi Gaon. (3,490 meters)
Day 13: Trek to Shermathang. (2, 621 meters)
Day 14: Trek to Melamchi Pul Bazaar (846 meters)
Day 15: Drive to Kathmandu.
Day 16: Sightseeing at Kathmandu.
Day 17: Departure.

Detail Itinenary

Day 01

Arrive in Kathmandu. (1338 meters)

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided. (Overnight at Hotel)

Day 02

Drive to Syabru Besi. (1,462 meters)

After breakfast, a private vehicle (car/bus) will pick you at your hotel. We drive to Syabru Besi via Dhunche. After Dhunche, the drive continues on a secondary road. It takes around 8 hours to reach Syabru Besi.

Day 03

Trek to Lama Hotel. (2,500 meters)

The trek starts with an ascent through forests and passes through Bamboo and Rimche and closely follows Langtang River till Rimche. A brief climb leads to Lama Hotel ending the first day’s trek. (5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 04

Trek to the Langtang Village. (3,307 meters)

A gradual climb continues throughout the day and passes through a couple of teahouses at Ghoda Tabela. Slowly but steadily the trek enters the valley and ends at Langtang Village. (5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 05

Trek to Kyanjin Gompa. (3,798 meters)

The trek continues to travel further in the valley and finally ends at the end of the valley. The day is relatively short as the trek enters into higher elevations. Langtang Lirung towers above the valley and provides a spectacular scenery. (4 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 06

Kyanjin Gompa exploration day.

The day can be used to explore the area and for acclimatization. A morning climb of Tsergo Ri (4987 meters) provides stunning mountain panoramas. The afternoon can be enjoyed by visiting old monasteries of the village. (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 07

Trek back to Lama Hotel. (2,500 meters)

The trek retraces back to Lama Hotel via the same route. (5-6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 08

Trek to Thulo Syabru. (2,250 meters)

The trek switches to descend mode in the morning and start to climb in the afternoon finally ending the day at Thulo Syabru. This is also one of the biggest settlement of the region and also provides fantastic views of Langtang. (5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 09

Trek to Singompa. (3,250 meters)

A steep climb starts the day and stays steep for the most part of the day. Climbing through forests leads to Dursagang where more mountain vistas open up as a reward of the hard work from the morning. More climbing follows all the way up to Singompa. One of the first and the oldest cheese factory is one of the highlights of Singompa. (5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 10

Trek to Gosaikunda. (4,300 meters)

Again, a climb starts the day, as the trek now enters into the alpine region leaving the tree lines behind. A steep climb in the morning turns into a more easier terrain in the afternoon and leads to the lakes of Gosaikunda. It is one of the most sacred sites for Hindu people. (5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 11

Cross Laurebinayak Pass (4,610 meters) and trek to Ghopte. (3,430 meters)

An early morning ascent to the top of Laurebinayak Pass is followed by a steep drop into a new valley as the trek leaves Langtang region and enters Helmabu Region. The top of the pass offers one of the best views of the trek. (6-7 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 12

Trek to Melamchi Gaon .(3,490 meters)

Apart from a climb sandwiched in between two long periods of downhill, the day is spent mostly going downhill. The new and interesting valley of Helambu offers views of new mountains of the eastern part of the country. The day ends at Melamchi Gaon, another huge settlement surrounded by forests and inhabited mostly by the Sherpas. (6 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 13

Trek to Shermathang. (2, 621 meters)

Trek to Shermathang is the longest day of the trek. A descent leads to Tarkeghyang, another big settlement of the valley that also boasts the oldest monastery of the region. After Tarkeghyang a relatively easy terrain follows and ends at Shermathang. (8-9 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 14

Trek to Melamchi Pul Bazaar (846 meters)

The trek continuously loses elevations and passes through terraced fields for most part of the day. After passing through several villages inhabited by diverse ethnic groups, the day and the trek ends at Melamchi Pul Bazaar. (5 hours) (Overnight at Teahouse. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner included)

Day 15

Drive to Kathmandu.

4 hours drive finally brings us back to Kathmandu and the afternoon can be spent by enjoying the luxuries of the city. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

Day 16

Sightseeing at Kathmandu.

A half day guided tour to several of historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites. (Overnight at Hotel. Breakfast included)

Day 17

Departure

A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future. (Breakfast included)

Gear List

Visit Himalaya Treks has always been keen on safety on the journey. We have prepared Trekking Equipment List which the trekkers will need during their trek in Nepal. The following list should help you with your packing. Generally, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum. The weight of your trek bag while trekking should be no more than 15 KG. You must bring the following items:

Fleece jacket or warm jumper	Thermal shirts/underwear	Nightwear thermals
Fleece/sweatpants	Day-wear shirt/rain pants	Trekking pants
Wind pants	Warm hat/balaclava	Neck gaiter
Sunhat	Warm hat	Sunglasses
Mittens/gloves	Water bottle	Torch / Flashlight
Quick drier Towel	Sunscreen and lip balm with sunscreen 35++
Water purification	A set of Earplugs	Trekking Poles
Hiking Boots	Socks	First aid kit
Antiseptics	Camera and video camera

Medical

Betadine / Dettol.	Hand-plaster	Bandage
Eye drop.	Eardrop	Sinex.
Gauge	Cotton	Move / Spray
Digene	Diamox	D-Cold
Vicks	Paracetamol	Medicine for diarrhea
Medicine for a toothache