Langtang Gosaikunda Trek with Helambu Valley

Our Guide and Porter come to your hotel at 6:00 am. Then we head north out of Kathmandu to Syabru Besi about a 7/8 hour scenic drive by bus or Land cruiser (depending on group size). The scenery of foothills and ridgeline vistas to Syabrubesi goes through the Trishuli Bazaar, Betrawati and Dhunche you feel as if you are heading towards 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. Stay overnight at hotel.

As a first day of trekking, we find ourselves very excited. The first part of the trail crosses through Bhote Koshi and follows the Langtang Khola and gradually climbs to Bamboo (1960m). Enjoy yourself in the rhododendron and bamboo forests. The variety of wildlife includes yellow-throated martens, wild boars, langur monkeys, red pandas and Himalayan black bears who all inhabit this forest. Afterwards, your trek ascends gently to Rimche (2400m) through Bamboo which lies at the bank of Langtang Khola with only a few houses. Probably, we will have lunch at this place if you like. And at the end the trail we arrive at the Lama Hotel for an overnight stay.

Today the trail climbs up towards a steep forest slope to the Langtang River. The trail follows Gumanechok, Ghoda Tabela literally it means the Horse Stable. After this the trail is gradual with beautiful views into the valley of grazing Yaks. After sometime it descends into a valley, the trail crosses a stream and climbs past several water-driven prayer wheels to the large settlement of Langtang. This is one of the oldest villages along this trekking route and the view from here is more spectacular as we get closer to mountain. The rest of the day we walk around village and stay overnight at a guesthouse.

The trail leads us through a tiny village with stone-built houses and climbing up to a Chorten and passed a huge mani wall along a gentle path. We have chance to taste cheese and curd made from yak milk, a specialty of this place. This is a short walk but enough for acclimatization. The surroundings are interesting also because of the famous cheese factory. This beautiful valley is in the lap of the Langtang Lirung and others around us. This is a good place to explore the local culture which is similar remarkably similar to Tibetan culture.

Today is a day to rest and explore around. We can visit the monastery and the cheese factory or walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri (4772m) and Tserko Ri (5,000m), which is highest point of this trek, directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the langtang Lirung, Langtang range, Kinshung, Yansa Tsenji and the foot of the huge Lirung Glacier Visit Padmasambhava Cave. Descend to guesthouse to stay overnight.

After sleeping in we will have hot breakfast while observing surrounding snowy capped mountains with their breathtaking view. All the way downhill you will see fantastic views of towering mountain which you may have missed on the way up. If you have the energy, you can visit Langtang Lirung glacier after the 2 hour walk. Otherwise come back to Langtang and enjoy rest of the day around the village and mountainous beauties.

After breakfast the trail retraces itself downhill to the Bamboo Lodge through the some ancient Tamang settlements with fantastic views of towering mountain and some wildlife and pine and Junipers forests. It is an enjoyable trail even to retrace. We will stay overnight at Lama Hotel.

At the beginning the trail gently descends along the river to the Landslide then passes through pine and juniper forests rising steeply up to Thulo Syabru. During today’s trek you might see red pandas, boar, monkeys and various species of birds. The Tamang Cultural Heritage “Thulo Syabru Gaun” offers wonderful ethnic customs, culture, and their tradition has not been distrub by modernity. Here, you can enjoy the amazing landscape and the magnificent nature with splendid views of Ganesh Himal (7,110m), Langtang Himal and its ranges. The rest of the day can be spent exploring around the villages. Stay overnight at guesthouse.

The trail lead us from Thulo Syabru to Foprang Danda (3,200m) and follows a steep path passing through Dursagang (2,660m) along with breathtaking views of Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Tibetan Mountains, and forests with rhododendron, oak, hemlock. Then the path gently ascends for a while and follows a flat level to the Sing Gompa. The local well managed cheese factory and a Buddhist Monastery’s place Sing Gompa provides panoramic views and exhilarating nature. The cheese manufactured here is considered the best in Nepal.

The first part of the trail emerges from steadily climb up to Lauribinayak through rhododendron forest to the top of the rim. From here rest of trail ascent goes 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 pasture of Laurebinayak, cross a small ridge and can see 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. If you have time and energy, you may climb to Surya Peak (5,145m) as well.

Today is a bit of a challenging day. The trail climbs through rugged country, crosses glacier moraines, and passes four small lakes to the Laurebina La (4610m), the highest point of this trek. Keep looking back at the spectacular views of Manaslu in the far west to surrounding mountains of the Ganesh Himal as well as familiar native mountain Langtang Lirung. Even on a clear day we can see Annapurna range. Then the trail leads us steeply down to Phedi and continues down throughout crossing a rocky hill with pine, rhododendron trees to Gopte for the overnight stay at a guesthouse.

Today, the first part of the trail slightly descends and then begins to ascend through the rhododendron, oak and juniper forests until Thearepati and then the trail goes in descending order from Tharepati to Melamchi Gaun through the pine and rhododendron forest with good views down into the Helambu valley. The ridge directly above the village gives you a marvelous view of the Jugal Himal and Numbur in the Solu Khumbu. Cross the village and enter a forested area, again descending to Melamchi River followed to the Malemchigaon for an overnight stay. Melamchi Gaon is surrounded by beautiful forests, which is mainly inhabited by Sherpa people with their distinctive culture and some Buddhist monasteries.

After having breakfast, we will drive back to Kathmandu on the road passing terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements, and high hills. It takes about 3/4 hours (conditional) to reach your hotel in Kathmandu by bus.