Langtang Goisakunda Trek
Langtang Goisakunda Trek
Langtang Goisakunda Trek
After an early breakfast, we start with a scenic drive on a local bus out of Kathmandu Valley
to Syabrubesi - northwest of Kathmandu. From the way, you can see beautiful scenery - raging
rivers, terraced fields, typical Nepali villages, and snow-capped peaks. The road is smooth up
to Trishuli Bazaar. Then the road becomes a little rugged as it ascends to Dhunche and
descends back down to Syabrubesi, a bazaar town with much to explore - including riverside
hot springs where you can relax.
Day 2 Trek from Syabrubesi (1,503m / 4,655ft) to Lama Hotel (2,470m / 8,103ft)
From Syabrubesi, we begin our first day on the trail. We cross the Bhote Kosi to Langtang
River and then follow the Langtang River through the fertile jungle and terraced fields. Up
ahead, we pass the landslide area, climb up to Bamboo, and gradually ascend
to Rimche, located at the bank of Langtang River. On the way lie several rural settlements,
bamboo and birch forests, where you might spot rare, local wildlife - including the red panda.
We continue to trek up to the Lama Hotel village.
Day 3 Trek from Lama Hotel (2,470m / 8,103ft) to Langtang village (3,430m / 11,255ft)
We continue our trek alongside the Langtang River while ascending through dense forests. On
the way, we will be able to catch glimpses of snowy peaks beckoning us forward. Eventually,
the narrow river valley widens out at Ghoda Tabela. In the past, there was a Tibetan
resettlement project running here. We will stop at the Ghoda Tabela army check post to
register our papers. Then we cross the east side of the river as we get closer to the Langtang
Valley. We continue past the prayer wheels driven by flowing water and prayer flags to scenic
Langtang village, inhabited by Tamangs.
Day 4 Trek from Langtang village (3,430m / 11,255ft) to Kyanjin Gompa (3,865m / 12,675ft)
We continue ascending as we pass through small abandoned villages and meadows. The wide
Langtang valley offers far-reaching panoramas of the mighty Himalayas. Our route crosses
several tributaries and a glacial moraine. We, then, finally arrive at what once was the largest
settlement of our journey, a place known as Kyanjin Gompa, named after the nearby, ancient
monastery of Kyanjin Gompa. The Kyanjin Gompa is mostly abandoned after being badly
affected by the 2015 earthquake. After lunch, we climb to Kyajo Ri Viewpoint at 5,150m /
19,600ft to catch spectacular views of several mountain ranges and Langtang Valley.
Day 5 Trek from Kyanjin Gomba (3,865m / 12,675ft) to Lama Hotel (2,470m / 8,103ft)
From Kyanjin Gomba, we bid goodbye to the upper highlands and start descending on a route
that will take us out of the valley. We follow the same path that took us to Kyanjin Gomba. On
the way, we will pass the Langtang Village and then stop for lunch at Ghora Tabela, where we
register our exit at the army check post. After a leisurely lunch, we descend through the dense
forests of the river valley to Lama Hotel.
Day 6 Trek from Lama Hotel (2,470m / 8,103ft) to Thulo Syabru (2,210m / 8,500ft)
This day you will descend to the banks of Langtang Khola and cross a small waterfall. The route
will take us through rhododendron and bamboo forest, teeming with wild lives like wild boar
and monkeys. You can also see great views of Ganesh Himal from the route. At the end of this
day's trek, we will cross a suspension bridge to reach the bottom of the Thulo Syabru village.
Day 7 Trek from Thulo Syabru (2,210m / 8,500ft) to Cholangpati (3,654m / 11988ft)
From Thulo Syabru, we gradually climb upwards and pass Langtang National Park's army
checkpoint. Within half an hour of uphill trekking, we reach Daragang. The trail is less steep
from here, as it passes, through the hemlock and oak forest. While passing the forest you may
also spot the rare red panda. We continue our trek forward through Dhimsa and Sing
Gompa to Cholangpati, where we will stop for the night.
Day 8 Trek from Cholangpati (3,654m / 11,988ft) to Gosainkunda Lake (4,380m / 14,620ft)
As you climb up, the beautiful Langtang Himal (7234 m) - the most famous peak in the
entire Langtang Range, will be greeting you. We start walking on a desolated barren mountain
trail. As you climb higher, you will see more mountains on the horizon - the majestic
Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, and even the Annapurnas on the west horizon. A few hours
later, we arrive at Laure Binayak, then we will begin the uphill climb to Gosainkunda. After two
hours of the steep climb, we will reach a chorten, and after an hour of trekking, you will see
views of beautiful waterfalls and lakes - Saraswati Kunda and Bhairav Kunda, both of these lakes
are formed by water flowing from Gosainkunda. Hindus consider this site holy as they believe
that this is a favorite place of Lord Shiva. Gosainkunda receives thousands of pilgrims each year
for a holy Hindu festival in the fall.
Day 9 Trek from Gosainkunda Lake (4,380m / 14,620ft) to Ghopte(3,530m / 11,265ft) via
Laurebina Pass (4,610m / 15,115ft)
Today, you will cross the Laurebina La High Pass to the scenic Helambu region.
From Gosainkunda Lake, the path first descends from the lodges to the lake. Then our walk
along the northern shore starts to get steep as we approach the Laurebina La Pass, but before
reaching this pass, you will walk past three or more small lakes. The Laurebina La Pass is
marked with a stone stupa and many praying flags. This pass forms the highest point of the
Langtang Trek. We then descend through a wide valley to High Camp (4240 m) and walk further
down on a steeper and rocky path to Phedi. Right after Phedi, we descend to a footbridge
across a stream. The journey from Phedi to Ghopte is demanding with long ascents.
Day 10 Trek from Ghopte (3,530m / 11,265ft) to Kutumsang (2,470m / 8,560ft)
We start trekking through groves of juniper, rhododendron, and pine in a remote, unpopulated
area before we reach the peaceful highland setting of Tharepati. From Tharepati, the path
descends gently through the forest on the western ridge slope. After walking for a while, we
will pass a large meadow with ruins of shepherd's huts. From the route, you can
see Gangchempo and Dorje Lakpa peaks. Then the descent gets steeper as it leads through a
forest to Magin Goth (3265m). After a short walk, we will pass Kuala Bhanjyang (3335m) and
descend to the village of Kutumsang (2470m).
Day 12 Trek from Chisopani (2,295m / 7,655ft) to Sundarijal (1380m / 4530ft) and drive to
Kathmandu (1350m / 4450ft)
After a few minutes' walk after Chisopani, we reach the Shivapuri National Park checkpoint.
From here, we take a wide road leading down the hill, then on a paved path up the hill.
Eventually, walking past a few water reservoirs and large water pipes, we reach Sundarijal
(1460m), where we say goodbye to the trails and take local transport to Kathmandu.