Gosaikunda Trek

Our Guide and Porter will come to your hotel at early in the morning to drive bus station. Then we head north out of Kathmandu to Sano Bharku via Dhunche about 5 to 6 hours scenic driving by bus or Land Cruiser (depending on group size & your requirements). The scenery of foothills and ridgeline vistas to Dhunche goes through the Trishuli Bazaar, Betrawati and Dhunche and you feel as if you are heading towards a deep land. While passing along the road at the bank of Trishuli River you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and green hills. Behind Trisuli Bazaar the road is tricky because of the grubby road. From Sano Bharku you will walk about one and half hour to two hours to the Thulo Syabru Village for overnight at tea house.

This is our first day of trekking. After breakfast we will head through the field traces observing the local traditional roof topped houses and some modern building. Far off in the horizon we can see some snow capped mountains too. The trail climbs all the way through the Langtang National Park jungle to Chandanbari. There is direct trail to the Cholangpati also if you like to escape Chandanbari and make trip shorter. This is a small town with few lodges and most significantly of all, Sing Gumba (Monastery). One of the oldest cheese factories in Nepal is here and is considered to produce best quality cheese in Nepal. We stay overnight at a teahouse.

After breakfast the trail climbs steeply up the ridge, which creates a transition zone between rich, moist forests on the northern slopes and dry scrub vegetation on the slope facing south. The northern slope is a sanctuary for the red panda, an endangered species that the Nepali calls the “cat bear.” The trail leads us crossing behind the ridge and stays in the deep forest for a while before emerging onto a saddle at Chalang Pati. Now we enter the Goisakund protected area where the killing of animals, lighting of wood fires and grazing of goats is prohibited. As the trail ascends there are outstanding views across Langtang valley and dominating view of Langtang Lirung. We can continue to Goisakund on the same day, but for acclimatization reasons it is wiser to stay in Lauberina Yak. During the morning we can see excellent view of Annapurnas, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang lirung.

We start by climbing further along the ridge till we see the first lakes at around 4,100 meters. From here rest of trail ascends steeply all the way to Gosaikunda. Then we follow a rugged trail with dramatic views to the west; Manaslu range, Ganesh Himal range, Tibetan peaks and to the north also across the valley is Langtang Lirung. Even the Annapurna range can be seen rising up behind during the clear day. Afterwards we pass a few huts in the high pastures of Laurebinayak and cross a small ridge. We can see the first views of the holy lake of Gosaikunda. There are about a dozen lakes around Gosainkunda Basin, the main three being Saraswatikunda, Bhairabkunda and Gosainkunda. According to legend Gosainkunda was created by Shiva when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water to quench his thirst after having swallowed a poison that threatened to destroy the world. Hundreds of pilgrims come here to worship and bathe during the full-moon festival each August. It takes about 45 minutes to walk around the lake.

We will visit some picturesque sites and capture a few photos with our cameras. There is most popular view point “Surya Peak 5,145m” above the Lake, it can be reched top of peak walk about two hours. It is best to visit early in the morning to catch sunrise view from view point. Then after breakfast we will retrace trekking route. It is downhill all the way to Chandambari (Singgumba) offering excellent views. You will have chance to see some scenery you missed yesterday. We stay overnight at a teahouse. The local well-managed cheese factory, the Buddhist Monastery Sing Gompa, in addition to panoramic views are exhilarating. The cheese manufactured here is considered the best in Nepal.

The trail gently descents through with rhododendron, oak, hemlock, pine and Junipers forests steeply to the Chandanbari, where you will see Cheese factory produces by Yaks. On the trail today you might see red pandas, boar, monkeys and various species of birds. Then, walk down to Dimsa, Deurali and finally Ghatte khola and get in Dhunche bazaar through the Himalayas Spring Water (P) Ltd. Here, you can enjoy the amazing landscape and the magnificent nature with splendid views of Ganesh Himal (7110m). Rest of the day feels free to explore around the village. We stay overnight at a guesthouse.

We should be ready at 6:00 morning in hotel lobby to have your breakfast or ask questions to your trekking guide. We will drive back to Kathmandu through the road passing terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements, high hills along the Trishuli river side. It takes about 5 to 6 hours (conditional) to reach your hotel in Kathmandu by bus/ private car.