Overview
Langtang and Gosiankunda trek itinerary / cost l route map l trek package program l best seasons l altitude and grade information l organizer guide / company in Nepal
Langtang Gosainkunda trekking trip in Nepal
Langtang valley and Gosainkunda lake trekking trail - from Kathmandu, we take an 8 hrs. drive on a hair-raising mountain road to Dhunche and further to Shyabrubensi then start of our trek. We climb through beautiful Chir and Blue pine forest before we reach at Shyabru. Langtang is just south of the Tibetan border offers an opportunity to explore interesting Tibetan style villages, monasteries and peoples whose religious practices, language and dress are much more similar to those of Tibet than to the traditions of their cousins in the middle hills. After crossing the Langtang Khola, we start our climb up the Langtang valley through excellent forests.
Magnificent views are seen from Kyangjing Gomba and visiting glacier or climb the peaks at a comfortable low elevation. An optional climb to the Yala peak provides stunning views into Tibet. After descending to Langtang, Ghoretabala and Shyabru, we ascent through fir & rhododendron forest to Singgompa. A steep rugged trail with dramatic views until we reach the holy lakes of Gosaikund. A day is spent here for a lake and frozen ice exploration.
On reaching lauribinayak Pass 4600m, we descend to tharepati, then we take helambu route to enjoy the colorful monasteries, villages and farmland, Tarkeghyang, with its beautiful monastery, Sermathang the Sherpa village and then to Kakani from where can be seen panoramic views of Himalayas. Finally we trek for couple of hrs to melamci pul and drive back to kathmandu for about 5hrs.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive in Kathmandu airport.
You'll be met at the airport by our representative and transfer to hotel.
Day 2 : Half day guided sightseeing tour.
Afternoon, meet the guide / trip briefing and final preparation of the trek.
Day 3 : Kathmandu - Shyabrubensi 1760m 8hr drive.
An hour drive to Kakani with great views of the Himalayas then follow narrow road to Tirsuli and up hill drive to Kaliksthan and further Shyabrubensi through Dhunche an attractive village with large stone houses providing excellent views of Gheng Langtang Lirung, and Ganesh Himal.
Day 4 : Shyabrubensi - Thulo Shyabru 2150m 6hrs trek
Trek gentle uphill through the village then follow the ridge through the pinewoods entering the Langtang Valley. The trail then along the ridge descends a short steep slope into Shyabru.
Day 5 : Shyabru - Lama Hotel 2400m 6hrs trek
The trail first descends through a dense forest to the bridge then climb up to the Lama Hotel in the tiny village of Chongong.
Day 6 : Lama Hotel - Langtang Village 3400m 6hrs trek
The trail climbs steadily to Ghora Tabela with spectacular views of Langtang Lirung (7246m) through the forest. Continue ascend steadily up to Langtang village an interesting Tibetan-style village.
Day 7 : Langtang Village - Kyanjin Gompa 3800m 5hrs trek.
Trail ascends gradually to a chorten behind which is a very long mani wall and passes two small villages and the village widens then some streams and a moraine before arriving at Kyanjin Gompa.
Day 8 : Kyanjin Gompa
A rewarding day hike further up the valley Kyanjin-Ri or Cherkori for the spectacular views that include Langtang Lirung, Ganchenpo, Langshisa Ri, Dorje Lakpa, Lenpo Gang and Urkinmang.
Day 9 : Kyanjin Gompa – Ghodetabela 2970m 7hrs trek.
Since you'll be acclimatized and will be descending, we trek down all the way to Ghodetabela through the same trail in a day's walk from Kyanjin Gompa.
Day 10 : Ghodetabela – Shyabru 2225m 6hrs trek.
We continue keep retracing our steps back on the same trail and you should be able to reach Shyabru in another day descending.
Day 11 : Shyabru - Sing Gompa 3440m 6hrs trek.
Climb up the steep hill above the village passing pleasant tea-shops in the settlement of Dursagang then through forests, old chorten to the top of the ridge further to the small Buddhist monastery of Sing Gompa is about 100m along the trail to the left.
Day 12 : Sing Gompa - Gosainkund 4280m 5hrs trek
The trail continues climbing steadily through rhododendron forest with the Tirsuli Khola far below then enters the Gosainkund protected area. Cross to the south side of the ridge the trail becomes much narrower than it has been up to now, and finally be able to see the first of the largest lake, the holy Gosainkund, which is evident from the large stone Shiva lingam and the guesthouses around its shores, Saraswati Kund from here.
Day 13 : Gosainkund - Ghopte 3430m 6hrs trek.
The trail skirts the shore of the lake before ascending towards the Laurebina Pass 4610m. The trail now descends, steeply at first but becoming more gradual, to the southeast on a rocky path and a climb to another ridge to reach Ghopte.
Day 14 : Ghopte - Tharepati 3500m 6hrs trek.
The trail descends to more caves and enters a thick forest of Pine and rhododendrons then ascends to Tharepati a grouping of small stone huts used in the summer months by herders.
Day 15 : Tharepati - Melamchigoan 2530m 6hrs trek.
The trail drops steeply down a ravine then vegetation changes to large fir, oaks and rhododendron and a pasture, further down through huge, gnarled rhodondrons. Cross the suspension bridge, then makes a short final climb to reach the prosperous Sherpa village of Melamcigoan.
Day 16 : Melamchigoan - Tarkegyang 2490m 7hrs trek.
A short descends through forest to a sturdy suspension bridge across the Melamchi Khola then the immediately begins a long climb to Tarke Ghyang a picturesque large village on a shelf high above the river.
Day 17 : Tarkeghyang - Sermathang 2600m hrs trek
The trail drops along the ridge and soon starts climbing through deep forests, crossing a number of streams en route to a large Gomba in Chumik and further to a big village of shermathnag.
Day 18 : Shermathnag - Kakani 2000m 6hrs trek
The trail follows the ridge all the way down to last Sherpa village Kakani. passing chorten, teashops and chir pine forest.
Day 19 : Kakani - Kathmandu 7hrs trek+drive.
The trail enters the lowlands inhabited by Brahamans and Chetries descending steeply to the attractive last village Melamchi bazaar near the confluence of the Indrawati and Melamchi Kholas then drive to Kathmandu.
Day 20 : Kathmandu
A full day sightseeing tour in the Kathmandu Valley. Evening Join the farewell dinner with live Nepali cultural program hosted by the company.
Day 21 : Departure
If you have time and are interested for other adventure like white water rating, wild life safari or any other activities can extend your holiday or transfer to airport and fly back to sweet home.
Inclusions
What is included?
- Arrival/departure transfers
- 4 night 2-3 star category hotels with breakfast in Kathmandu.
- Sightseeing tours by private vehicle with tour guide, entrance fees
- Lodge accommodations and all meals during the trek, down jacket, sleeping bag
- Cost for a first Aid and Eco trained English speaking guide and Porter
- Emergency rescue arrangements, medical kit bag
- All necessary paper works and trekking /entry permits
- All government and local taxes where applicable.
- Welcome or farewell dinner
What isn't included?
- International airfare and Nepal visa fee
- Lunch / dinner in Kathmandu
- Emergency rescue and medical expenses
- Personal expenses e.g. phone calls, laundry, bar bills personal porters
- Tips for the trekking crew
- Other optional trips/activities and sightseeing if required
Complimentary
Introduction and trip briefing
We give a short brief about the trip in Kathmandu on the same day of your arrival and introduce your trip guide and team members. At the mean time, we provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions if any about the trip.
Accommodation: Lodges in the mountains are not as comfortable and clean as in the city but not the very basic. The lodges we use normally have combination of dormitories, twin, triple room and beds have foam mattress. There are few factors that affect our choice of a particular lodge which may not always be immediately obvious but the great looking lodges from outside may not be the cleanest and may not provide the best service or food. Please note that we also do not use lodges that will not provide accommodation for porters and guides as we believe that we have a duty to look after all our staffs. Some of the lodges now have attached bathrooms but we do not include this in the price of your trips. However due to availability issue you may be given a room with a bathroom and we will not charge extra.
Meals: Three meals as per your choice are provided in a day. Every lodge has a food menu and ordering book and you should write down in it everything you order under you name and room number. Guide will assist it actually and check at kitchen how busy they are. However it is good to order the food in one hour advance. Lunch is normally taken in a lodge along the way and we suggest the group tries to order similar dishes to make easier and shorter time. Nepali, Tibetan, Continental etc dishes are available though. However local food like vegetables, potatoes, soups are fresh, hygiene and healthy.
Guide: English speaking, well experienced and knowledgeable holding license from government institutions. They are well trained about the high altitude problem, eco tourism, social responsibilities and sincerely dedicated on their duty.
Actually our guides play an invaluable role in ensuring that our clients have the best opportunity to experience, learn about, and enjoy their trip presenting them whenever you need any help. Porters: Normally we use only regular porters working for the company. Our porters are fully equipped and insured having knowledge of walking on snow and high altitude passes. They are very honest, reliable, strong and of curse get good pay.
They can speak engligh and will be referred to take the guide training after they are well experience and confident. Travel Insurance
We suggest and t is a condition of traveling with us that you must be fully insured, including air rescue services and all medical expenses. You decide and choose what amount and types of is insurance is suitable for your trip nature as some does buy cancellation and only for certain period of time.
Itinerary: Given itinerary is flexible so if needed there is often there will be possibility on the trek to extend or shorten the walking days. In the special case if the trips is ended a week or more earlier, there will be given an optional for a short trip. Please discuss this with your trek guide and express your wishes.
Washing and Toilet: Most of lodges offer hot shower now. Some times a hot shower means a bucket of hot water and ask your trek guide about the availability. For ecological reasons please try and limit your use of hot water if the water is not solar-heated. Please note that higher place and cold time there is very little chance to have enough and hot water. Every lodge will have some kind of hand washing facility but ask your trek guide about the place where you can wash and clean your teeth. In any event it is good idea to carry a bar of soap with you. If the water frozen then ask your guide to get warm bowl of water which does not cost money.
Toilets are usually Asian squat style and vary in how clean they are. Normally toilets are out side the lodge but now some lodge are have inside the room or lodge. They tent to be cleaner in the lower and Annapurna region than the Everest or other remote and high region because of water shortage and temperature. The rubbish bin in the toilet is kept for your used toilet paper.
Drinking water: Most of the stomach problems are faced from drinking water in the mountain so you should really care of it. Bottle of mineral water is normally available but environmentally unfriendly options so we recommend filtered and boiled water that should be treated with iodine / purifying tablet before you drink it. The lodge people charge minimum for boiled water as fuel is used to boil the water and wait about half an hour before adding any fruit powder etc.
Transportation: Deluxe private vehicle are provided while on city tour, airport transfers and local bus to trek starting and ending point or private vehicle will be arranged at an extra cost if required.
Electricity: Small scale electricity schemes are running is several mountain communities but as they by definition small the light may not be strong enough to read by and is not always guaranteed to be working. Kerosene lamps, candles or solar light bulbs are often used is the dining room where there is no electricity. A touch light, with extra batteries is essential. Some lodges have recharging facilities for which there is a small charge. Nepal use voltages, 220-240 volts to power your appliances. The sockets are fit both round and flat.