Gosaikunda & Helambu Lodge Trek
Tour Details
Located north of Kathmandu, the Langtang Valley lies on the Tibetan frontier beneath the 7 050 m peak Langtang Lirung. Inhabited by Bhotia people whose activities are agriculture and the raising of yaks, this region is the second largest of Nepal’s national parks. It is the natural habitant of more than 1 000 plants, in excess of 150 bird species, and numerous mammals including musk deer and the rare red-panda. It is much less crowded trekking destination than Annapurna or Everest. This moderate trek is a good spring trek when the rhododendrons will be at their peak and premolars, orchids and alpine flowers will fill the meadows with a riot of color. In the upper reaches of the Langtang Valley are the yak pastures of Langshisha Kharka (4, 100 m) where you will be ringed by 7 000 meter peaks and glaciers. After exploring the Langtang valley we return to Kathmandu via a 7 day long hike passing the Helambu region and the holy Gosaikund lakes.
Short Itenary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu
Day 02: Sightseeing in Kathmandu (1,340m)
Day 03: Syabru Besi (1,470 m)
Day 04: Trek Lama Hotel (2,480 m)
Day 05: Trek Langtang Village (3,430 m)
Day 06: Trek Kyanjin Gomba (3,860 m)
Day 07: Rest day (climb Kyanjin Ri)
Day 08: Trek to Lama Hotel (2,480 m)
Day 09: Trek to Thulo Syabru (2,250 m)
Day 10: Trek to Sing Gomba (3,330 m)
Day 11: Trek to Goisakunda Lake (4,380 m)
Day 12: Trek to Phedi (4,200 m)
Day 13: Trek Tharepati (3,690 m)
Day 14: Trek to Kutumsang (2,540 m)
Day 15: Trek to Chipling (2,170 m)
Day 16: Trek Chisapani (2,165 m)
Day 17: Trek Sundarijal (1460 m) and drive back to Kathmandu
Day 18: Relaxing day Kathmandu (1,340 m)
Day 19: Fly out Kathmand
Itinerary
Pick-up at Tribhuvan International Airport, meeting with your guide and transfer to the hotel. First impressions of Kathmandu (1,350 m) – walk to medieval Kathmandu Durbar Square and explore the beautiful complex of palaces, temples, shrines and courtyards built by the ancient Nepali kings between the 12th and 18th century. We bring you to our office and Thamel – the vibrant tourist area with hotels, restaurants, bakeries and outdoor shops. We get to know each other over a welcome dinner, check formalities and equipment and discuss your itinerery
Today we discover the highlights of Katmandu and the valley. We adapt the programm to your interests and desires and what you have seen before. Usually, we go to Pasupatinath on the bank of the Bagmati River, where the most important Hindu temples and burning ghats of Nepal are situated. In Bouddhanath we circumambulate together with Tibetan and Nepali Buddhist pilgrims the whitewashed stupa. Our sightseeing usually ends in Patan, the city of Beauty, an astonishing center of fine art and Buddhist and Hindu culture.
Our private bus will pick up us at your hotel and drive for 6 hours to Syabrubesi which is situated 132 km northeast from Kathmandu. During this drive we will have a good chance to view the mountain ranges of Langtang, Ganesh himal and Rolwaling Valley and beautiful middle hills of Nepal.
We descend to the Langtang Khola, the white roaring river that we will track the coming days. After 2,5 hours we arrive in Pairo (1,800 m) which means ‘Landslide’ where we will have tea break. After we slowly climb through oak and rhododendron forests to the waterfalls of Doman (1,680 m) and our lunch camp at Bamboo (1,930m). On the long ascent through the woods you may encounter exotic wildlife: langur monkeys and musk deers and if you are luck a red pandas or even a Himalayan black bear. After Bamboo we cross the Langtang River again and ascend through peaceful oak woods. After 6-7 hours hiking we reach our camp Lama Hotel village which is situated at 2,480 m.
We climb further high above the Langtang River. Through the oak trees and the roddondendrons peers the majestic peak of the 7,227 m high Langtang Lirung. At Ghora Tabela (2,970 m) the hiking path emerges out of the forests. After lunch we gradually ascend and enjoy spectacular views on the U-shaped glacial valley. We pass small settlements with grazing yaks and teahouses where the herders serve delicious curd and yak cheese. Just after entering the headquarter of Langtang National Park you can visit a monastery. We reach Langtang Village after 5 h walking. Enjoy the atmosphere of the Tibetan style village and the hospitality of the Tamang people!
After Langtang we walk along a beautiful carved mani wall to the small settlements of Mundu (3,442 m) and Sindum. We walk farther along yak pastures, cross several rivers and climb a moraine from where we see the monastery of Kyanjin Gompa (3,860m) and the gigantic icefall of Langtang Lirung and Langtang Kinshung (6,781 m). We reach our camp by lunch time and take a rest in the shade of the Kyanjin Ri(4,773 m) for further acclimatization.
Today you can relax in the beautiful surroundings of Kyangin Gompa or participate in a strenuous 6 h long hike to the striking brawn conical shaped Tsergo Ri (4,984 m) or make a day hike to Langshisha Kharka (4,100 m). On the way you enjoy beautiful mountain panoramas over Langshisha Ri (6,427m), Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m), Gang Chhenpo (6,388 m), Langtang Lirung and Langtang Kinshung glacier.
From Kyangjin Gompa we retrace our route to Langtang Village to Ghora Tabela. Looking back over your shoulder, you still have unforgettable panoramas over the Langtang Range. After lunch we continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel (about 1,400 m) and walk 15 minutes further for the tiny village of Rimche where you can enjoy a beautiful sunset and a view over Thulo Syabru.
We leave Rimche early and hike downhill in approximately 5 hours to the pleasant village Thulo Syabru village which is located at 2,250 m and consists about 70 houses many with elaborately carved wooden houses.
From Thulo Syabru we make a 1,080 m long climb through forests of hemlock, oak and rhododendron and pastures to the top of the ridge at Phoprang Danda (3,190 m). Here we ascent further through silent moss covered and spruces forests to another valley and a ridge situated at 3,260 m before we reach our camp place Sing Gomba (3,330 m) after 3-4 h walking. In the village find water-driven prayer wheels, as well as a monastery and a yak cheese factory.
From Sing Gomba we climb 600 m to a high point where there are views of Ganesh Himal, Manaslu (8,156 m), Himalchuli and Peak 29 as well the Langtang Himal and peaks in Tibet. The trail ascends further now ascends into alpine country, above the treeline, to a small temple. After climbing a little bit more we soon start to see the Goisakund lakes, each dedicated to a different deity. It takes about 45 minutes to walk around the Saraswati and Bhairav Kund until the third and largest lake, the Goisakund siatuated at 4,400 m comes at sight. The Goisakund Lake has a black rock in the middle, said to be the head of Shiva. Every year during the full moon between mid-July and mid-August, thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in this lake and pay homage to Shiva. You have stunning views over the lake from the prayer flag decorated viewpoints situated at 25 minutes above the village. To circumambulate the lake like the Hindu and Buddhist devotees you need another 45 minutes. Walking duration Sin Gomba-Goisaikund: 5-6 h.
A climb of a little more than 300 m over a rocky trail brings us past four more lakes to the top of Lauberina Pass (4,610 m). From the pass we drop more than 1,000 m passing alpine country and camp at Phedi. We walk 5 – 6 h hours today.
Descending from the ridge at Gopte, the trail makes numerous ups and downs across ravines and the bolders of old moraines. After the trail descends through rhododendron and juniper forests we reach the meadows of Tharepathi.
Descending 1200 m through a rhododendron and fir forest that gradually changes to one of prickly leaved oak brings us to the small village of Kutumsang, the first permanent settlement after Sin Gomba, situated in a notch at 2470 m. Where we camp tonight. We walk 5 h today.
From Kutumsang we start climbing to gain a ridge. After the route goes up-and-down along the ridge until we reach the Tamang settlement of Ghul Bhaniyang where we will have our lunch. After lunch we start to hike until Chipling village. We walk 5 h today.
A descent brings us to Patti Bhaniyang followed by a climb through open farmland to the flat area on top of the ridge called Chisapani. Here we enjoy good views of the Himalaya to the north.
We ascend to Burlang Bhanjyang, to a notch on the Shivapuri ridge where we look down into the Kathmandu Valley. We descend to Sundarijal and conclude our trek with a bus journey back to Kathmandu. Back in Kathmandu you will enjoy a long shower in the hotel and a nice meal in one of the pleasant restaurants in Thamel.
Rest Day or Sightseeing in Kathmandu.
Extra days:
If you wish to stay longer in Nepal: Traveltimes Treks can offer you plenty of suggestions, we can arrange rafting and safari trips, helicopter flights, mountainbiking, multi day tours to the old historical city of Bhaktapur, the mountain stations Nagarkot & Dhulikhel or retreats in the serene monasteries of Namobuddha and Kopan.
Drop at Tribhuvan International Airport. Hope you enjoy the trip to Nepal.
Trip Format
For those of you new to trekking, you have a wonderful experience in store. Trekking is walking, generally on good trails, usually up and down (sometimes 600 m a day), carrying only a day pack, through magnificent scenery. The day starts early, and often the bulk of the day’s kilometers will be covered in morning hours. After lunch, the shorter afternoon hike brings you to camp.
Nepal is like not home. It is exotic, it is wonderful, but it is also different. Great elevation changes, differences in customs and language, menu variations, camp limitations, and the many other mysteries and wonders of travel in Nepal are all conditions you must be physically and mentally prepared for. The itinerary may change. You may meet unknown hardships as well as unexpected pleasures. Come with an open mind and positive spirit.
You should be in good physical shape for this trip and feel comfortable hiking 12 to 20 km per day on a trail while carrying a day pack of about 5 kg. The trek has been planned as moderate with a rest day planned. Several other half-days are planned as well. Most will find it a moderate trek, but if you are out of shape and not used to mountain trails with lots of ups and downs, you may find it strenuous. Your enjoyment of the trip and the integrity of the group depend on the stamina and conditioning of each individual.
A program of cardiovascular conditioning such as running, swimming, biking or aerobics is essential, but try to supplement your exercise with hiking on steep hills or running up and down steps. The more you can condition by closely simulating the activities of trekking, the better off you will be. While the trip is rated as moderate overall, several days will be strenuous, and good conditioning is essential to your enjoyment of the trek. A principal requirement is a cheerful willingness to accept and even savor the many surprises that this exotic region of the world will undoubtedly have in store for us.
The pace on the trek that will be leisurely and unregimented. You are encouraged to walk by yourself or in small groups. Take time to visit local houses and temples, share a cup of tea or rakshi with our porters and the locals in the many chiyaa houses. Pursue interests in photography, bird-watching and botany, and sample the culture of the area you are traveling through.
Included in the Cost
- All sightseeing in Kathmandu including guide, vehicle for World Heritage Centers. •
- Twin-sharing accommodation in Potala Guest House in Kathmandu.
- All the tented nights. 3 meals everyday by own cook and trekking crew
- Drinking water- boiled
- Private bus Kathmandu – Dunche – Syabru Besi – Kathmandu.
- Assistance of our staff, adequate equipment for our staff, salaries, food and trekking insurance.
- Langtang National Park fee & TIMS (Trekking Information Management System) card.
Not Included in the Cost
- Personal items •
- Trekking gear including sleeping bag, appropriate clothing (you can get in rent or buy in Kathmandu).
- Meals in Kathmandu except welcome dinner, one breakfast and last dinner in Kathmandu.
- Cold drinks or bottled/canned beverages including soft drinks, alcoholic beverages Tips and expenses of personal nature.
Map
Related Tours
Langtang Valley Lodge Trek
Langtang – Gosaikunda Lakes Trek – highly recommended!
Apr 2022
From our welcome in Kathmandu to all stages of our Langtang – Gosaikunda Lakes trek with Dawa at Traveltimes, we had an amazing time. Dawa knows the country, the culture, the wildlife, and many people along the trail and in lodges and shares his knowledge in a way that draws you into the culture. Our 2 weeks on the trail will keep us in wonderful memories for a long time to come.
If you don’t have a lot of time, just doing the Langtang portion of the trek is well worth considering.
We have trekked with Traveltimes Treks in past years and highly recommend them for any trek you have your eye on.
Tony K, USA