langtang valley and gosainkunda trek

  • 18 days

  • Syabrubesi/Sundarijal

  • Moderate To Strenous

  • Spring and Autumn

  • Highlights:

    • Langtang valley, the second largest National Park in Nepal houses diverse vegetation like Chir pine, rhododendron, Nepalese Alder and Oak, Mountain oak, silver fern, Larch, Hemlock, etc.
    • Enjoy the view of extensive peaks including Langtang Lirung ( 7, 425 m / 23, 765 feet ), Ghengu Lirung ( 6, 571 m / 21, 560 feet), Kimshun (6, 745 m / 22,137 feet) , Naya Kanga ( 5,846 m ), Dorje Lakpa (6,980 m / 22, 929 feet)
    • The best alternative adventure around the Himalayas that offers warm hospitality of the native Tamang (ancient tribe) of Nepal.
    • Visit holy places with great spiritual significance like Kyanjin Gompa and Gosainkunda.
    • UNESCO heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath.

     

    Trip Facts:

     

    Destination: Nepal Central Himalayas around Langtang Himal.

    Starting Point: Syabrubesi, after scenic drive from Kathmandu.

    Ending Point: Sundarijal, north-eastern rim of Kathmandu valley.

    Max. Altitude: 4, 985 m /16, 355 feet (Tserko Ri)

    Difficulty: Moderate to Adventurous.

    Best Season: Spring (March to May) & autumn (Sept to Nov)

    Accommodation: Tea house/ Lodge.
    Trek Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days with drives both ways.

    Trip Duration: 17 / 18 days

     

     

    Introduction:

     

    Trekking in the Langtang Valley, located in the central part of the Himalayan region can be regarded as one of the best amalgamations of natural wonders and spirituality.
    After the Everest and Annapurna treks, this journey is considered the third finest trekking destination. Due to the quantity of greenery, exotic flora / fauna, terrain diversity, and climatic variation. The Langtang valley, which is connected to Tibet by towering mountain cliffs, is a mountain lover's paradise.

     

    A historical city tour of Kathmandu is the first stop on the adventure, and it is followed by a beautiful drive to Syabrubesi. The trek then begins, leading you along grand paths lined with bamboo and rhododendron trees. Following the source of the Langtang River to Lama Hotel, you’ll head to Kyanjin Gompa.

     

    Spend a day exploring Kyanjin Gompa, visiting the cheese factory, Tserko RI viewpoint, and Kyanjin monastery. Return to the Lama hotel and continue the uphill trek to Gosainkunda. The lake is revered to be one of the holiest of all holy pilgrimage destinations around the Himalayas. 

     

    Descend to Ghopte Odar in the Helambu area crossing high Gosainkunda Pass or Laurabina-La. Continue descent from the highlands to Kutumsang by terraced fields and meadows enjoying the panorama of Central to Western Himalayan peaks. Finally walk ends at Sundarijal, a farm town. From here, take a short drive back to Kathmandu, after a wonderful experience on Langtang valley & Gosainkunda Trek.

Itinerary

  • DAY 1
    Welcome to Kathmandu (1, 300 m) and transfer to the hotel

    On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our staff will receive and transfer you to your respective hotel. After checking into your nice rooms, and getting refreshed from jet lag, join in with other fellow trekkers for a briefing about the upcoming trip. You’ll be directed about dos and don'ts during your stay in Nepal and regarding the trek. Overnight in a hotel.
    In the evening have a delicious dinner in a nice authentic Nepali restaurant with a folk cultural program as an introduction to Nepalese cultures and customs.


  • DAY 2
    Kathmandu city tour, Trek preparation

    Explore UNESCO heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bouddhanath, and Pashupatinath after breakfast. Experience the grandeur of palaces and temples built during the Malla era. After lunch, visit Bouddhanath and Pashupatinath. Both reflect two contrasting religions of Buddhism and Hinduism respectively. Prepare for your next day's trek after your visit to these powerful spiritual sites.


  • DAY 3
    Drive to Syabrubesi (1,503 m / 4, 655 feet) - 06 hrs

    An early morning drive to Syabrubesi leads to Trisuli Bazaar via a winding uphill and downhill path. Throughout the drive, enjoy the scenery and experience how the fields, vegetation, and climate change. Reaching Dhunche, obtaining a permit in a Langtang National Park headquarters office. 

    After 1 to 2 hours of descent, you’ll reach Syabrubesi, a scenic village on the bank of Bhote Koshi and also a gateway for numerous trekking trails to the Langtang region. 


  • DAY 4
    Trek to Lama Hotel (2, 470 m / 8, 103 feet) - 06 hrs

    The initial part of the trek includes an uphill climb through terraced farms and villages. Crossing a bridge above the gurgling Bhote Kosi River and uphill walk Riverside Lodge. From here, the trek continues upward following the source to the Langtang River.

    Enjoy the trek in the cool shade of dense rhododendron and oak forest. After a 3 to 4 hours walk, you’ll reach Lama Hotel for overnight stop.  


  • DAY 5
    Trek to Langtang village (3,430 m / 11, 255 feet) - 06 hrs

    Today, you'll walk through dense woodland for 2 to 3 hours to Ghora Tabela.
    The alpine vegetation growing sporadically in the background of Langtang Lirung could make for excellent lunch company. From here, the gentle trail with few ups and downs follows. In a way, you’ll sense the strong presence of Buddhism due to several Mani walls festooned with prayer flags, water-driven prayer wheels, Chorten blending perfectly in the pristine nature. Reaching Langtang village transfer into a nice simple lodge for overnight halt. 


  • DAY 6
    Trek to Kyanjin Gompa (3,865 m / 12, 675 feet) -04 hrs

    A few hour hike on leaving the woodland to high alpine bushes and shrubs.
    The trail follows east leading to a broad pastureland valley with numerous snow-capped mountains. Arriving near Kyanjin Gompa can be overwhelming due to the altitude gain and enticing scenery. Once at Kyanjin Gompa, you’ll find yourself surrounded by towering peaks. The highlight is Mt Langtang Lirung and its icefall a few distances from the Kyanjin lovely settlement. Spend your leisurely afternoon exploring the ancient Kyanjin Monastery.  


  • DAY 7
    Rest day at Kyanjin Gompa for acclimatization

    Today spend a well-deserved day of leisure. After breakfast, you can take a short walk to a nearby hill Kyanjin-Ri, which is 4,700 m / 15,420 feet high, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding snow-capped peaks. Do not forget to taste the yak cheese produced in the local cheese factory. 


  • DAY 8
    Trek to Lama Hotel (2, 470 m / 8, 103 feet) - 06 hrs

    After a wonderful time at Kyanjin, return on the same trail to Lama-Hotel, a small settlement in the middle of the forest on the upper Trisuli River's bank.


  • DAY 9
    Trek to Upper / Thulo Syabru village (2, 118 m) - 5 to 6 hrs

    Today walk continues uphill past a small settlement of Bamboo, crossing the bridges, as climb starts over rocks, and boulders. After having lunch, pass through farm terraces to Upper / Thulo Syabru. It offers you tiews of traditional stone thatched houses built on a ridge with the backdrop of scenic mountains. You may visit the monastery in the evening. Overnight stay at the lodge.


  • DAY 10
    Trek to Sing Gompa (3, 254 m) - 05 hrs

    Proceed with a steep uphill climb to Phoprang Danda, which is famous for glorious view of Ganesh Himal.  After lunch, we continue our ascent through the blue pine forest to reach Sing Gompa also known as Chandanbari.  You could go to a yak cheese factory and refuel yourself with delicious yak cheese. Stay in the lodge for the night.


  • DAY 11
    Trek to Gosainkunda (4, 380 m / 14620 feet) - 05 hrs

    The views from today's trek include the Langtang range to the north, the Ganesh-Himal range to the northwest, including Manaslu and Annapurna Himalayas in the west.
    The first part of the walk is a gradual ascent through oak, pine, and rhododendron forest to a clearing with tea houses. Enjoy your brief break by drinking tea and admiring the scenery. Ascend further to Laurabina high ridge, a place where pilgrimage leaves their walking sticks. Pilgrims visit to Gosainkunda during the full moon in August to pay homage and take a ritual bath. It is believed that drinking holy water cleanses the devotee of sins and transports them to heaven.

     

    Pilgrims abandon their sticks as they return to Laurabina. After a half-hour descent, you'll come across the first ponds Saraswati and Bhairab Kunda. From there, after a short climb, spend your night near Gosainkunda.


  • DAY 12
    Trek to Ghopte Odar (3, 530 m / 11, 265 feet) via Laurabina pass (4,610 m / ? 15, 115 feet) - 06 hrs

    Wake up in a unique landscape of Gosainkunda. Initiate your journey with a gradual walk along the banks of Gosainkunda glacial pond. The trail then leads to the last pass of Gosainkunda, to the east of Laurabina La pass (the highest point of the trek).

     

    A long descent from here brings you to Phedi. Enjoy your lunch in the alpine terrain of Phedi. After refueling yourself, continue your descent to the Eastward Helambu region. A few uphill and downhill will lead you back to the subalpine juniper and rhododendron forest. From here 3 to 4 hours walk will lead you to Ghopte for overnight stop, a mysterious area with a few small caves formed by overhanging large rocks. 


  • DAY 13
    Trek to Kutumsang (2,445 m) via Mange-Goth (3,285 m) - 06 hrs

    Today, venture through the alpine forest uphill to Tharepati at an elevation of 3, 597 m. After a short walk from Ghopte, stop for a lunch break enjoying the Jugal Himalayan range in the East and Ganesh-Manaslu range in the West.

    After a few hours of walking, the trail descends to Mange-Goth, a meadow.
    You will arrive at Kutumsang village for overnight halt, after passing through a few settlements, terraced farmland, and woodlands.


  • DAY 14
    Trek to Gul Bhanjyang (2, 125 m) - 05 hrs

    From here, the twisting trail leads you past farm terraces and villages with primarily uphill travel until you arrive at Gul-Bhanjyang, where you will spend the night. This is a bustling community sitting on top of the mountain with a majority of Tamang tribal residents.


  • DAY 15
    Trek to Chisapani (2, 215 m / 7, 655 feet) – 06 hrs

    Take a pleasant 3 to 4 hours walk through several rural villages to Pati Bhanjyang. From here a short uphill climb will take you to Chisapani where you’ll be staying overnight in the comfort of a nice lodge. Chisapani offers magnificent views of the Jugal Himal range in the Northeast, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Annapurna range in the West. The diverse landscapes, greeneries, and valleys below add up to the natural wonders. Enjoy the sunset views over an array of Himalayan peaks from the scenic ridges of Chisapani.   


  • DAY 16
    Trek to Sundarijal (1, 380 m / 4, 530 feet) - 03 hrs. An hour drive to ? Kathmandu

    The final day of your walk, descends through peaceful countryside and a forest.
    You will get to the top ridge of Burlang and Chepu Bhanjyang (2,438 m) after a few hours of walking, from which you can view Kathmandu valley.

     

    Then descend to Sundarijal, a famous picnic spot surrounded by lush green forests and streams. Nearby, you can visit Sundarimai temple or a small Shiva Linga beneath protruding megalithic stone. Descending a few steps, you’ll get to see a refreshing waterfall. An hour's descent from here will bring you down at Sundarijal, a small farm town, from here you drive back to Kathmandu. Rest of the day at leisure after a two weeks walk around the mountain wilderness.   


  • DAY 17
    Leisure day at Kathmandu

    A free day for autonomous use; if you want to go on a tour or take a picturesque mountain flight, please inform our staff as well for exciting sightseeing tour.
    Rest of the day for individual activities and shopping spree around the streets of busy and interesting Thamel


  • DAY 18
    Final Departure

    After the last breakfast in Kathmandu, you’ll be transferred to the airport for final departure. Depending upon your time schedule for international flight to respective countries, after an amazing adventure on Langtang Valley & Gosainkunda Trekking.