Nepal is considered one of the best trekking destinations globally because of its scenic beauty and magnificent mountain views. Located in the Langtang region of Nepal, the Gosaikunda Lake Trek allows you to explore this beautiful lake on a short and adventurous trek north of the capital Kathmandu. The Langtang Gosaikunda trek combines one of Nepal’s easiest and most picturesque treks with a scenic portion along the Gosaikunda trail.
You will witness the views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Annapurna, and many others on this Trek. However, the climb up Luaribina Pass is quite challenging.
The Gosaikunda trekking trails include long, steep, and descending climbs, a sub-alpine deep forest with blue gentians, epiphytic orchids, and primroses as beautiful vistas of glacial mountains and charming villages. This Trek takes place in a less-traveled area than the Annapurna and Everest regions, allowing you to enjoy silently getting into the Himalayan peaks.
The Gosainkunda lake trek offers breathtaking views of the Langtang Himalayan range, Manaslu, and Ganesh Himal as well. Not to mention, Gosainkunda Lake is also the source of the Trisuli River.
At 4,380 meters above sea level, Gosaikunda Lake is an important Hindu and Buddhist religious site. As a pilgrimage site, Gosaikunda is visited by thousands of pilgrims every year during Janai Purnima. Here, pilgrims pray for the well-being of their loved ones and take holy baths. A trek to the lake makes for an unforgettable experience.
Additionally, the Gosaikunda lake is considered sacred in Hindu religious belief. People believe that the god Mahadev drunkenly felt thirsty due to the grief of his deceased wife. The legend says that Gosaikunda lakes were naturally constructed when he struck the rocks with his holy stick, and water came out.
Pilgrims of all ages attend the festival, but mostly middle-aged and the elderly come to take holy dips; however, many young people and tourists visit the lake to experience the amazing Gosaikunda Trek.
TIMS Card and Langtang National Park Entry Permit are required for the Gosainkunda trek since you enter Langtang National Park and walk through the Langtang valley. These permits mostly determine Gosainkunda trek costs. You need them both for legal reasons as well as to ensure your safety while trekking.
Additionally, the revenue from these permits is used to maintain and rebuild the safer trails. You can obtain the permits at either of the Nepal Tourism Board offices in Kathmandu or Pokhara. However, TIMS cards can be obtained at Trekkers’ Agencies Association of Nepal and also at Dhunche, the beginning of the Gosainkunda trek.
Regarding accommodations, you can choose from various lodges and tea houses en route to Gosaikunda. Most of them provide basic amenities, such as hot showers and bathrooms. Some of the lodges provide WiFi as well.
As you will ascend to high altitudes in a matter of days on the Gosaikunda Lake trek, it is very important to adapt your body to the altitude as you gain altitude. Furthermore, taking part in the Trek requires participants to walk for many hours daily.
Therefore, people with lung disorders or breathing problems should either stay away or take precautions before participating in such activities since high altitudes are difficult to adjust to. Not to mention that altitude sickness can be a big issue for some individuals.
The list mentioned below is the list of items for our group on the Gosaikunda trip. Because of the cold conditions at high altitudes, we recommend bringing these items with you on your Trek.
We have designed the Gosaikunda Lake Trek itinerary to keep you away from altitude sickness with ample rest periods in between walks.
Leaving Kathmandu in the early morning, we get to the Machha Pokhari bus station and then head to Dhunche, which is 2,030m/6,660ft above sea level. On the way, we will see scenic settlements and meadows. We will reach Dhunche in about 5-6 hours through a beautiful scenic route and along the Trishuli River.
Dhunche is the headquarter of the district of Rasuwa. When we arrive in Dhunche, we can stroll around the village and meet locals. After a wonderful evening with locals, we can stay overnight at a homey teahouse.
On our second day of trekking, we will start from Dhunche and hike towards Chandanwari. After hiking for approximately two hours, we will reach Deurali (2,500 meters), a small village, on our way to Chandanbari. The trail leads us to Dhimsa (2,900m) after 3 hours of hiking.
From Dhimsa, the climb becomes more difficult as the trail climbs steeply uphill through pine forests. The climb to Chandanwari is the most challenging part of the hike.
We will spend the night in Chandanwari after eating a hearty meal with lots of cheese in the evening.
This morning we will hike uphill to Gosaikunda (4361m) following our hearty breakfast in Chandanwari. Today's hike will be more tiresome than yesterday's. From the beginning, the trail gradually ascends. We will hike on a rough and narrow trail all the way to Gosaikunda. As we ascend, you will have to walk through barren hills and be exposed to cold breezes. Make sure you bring warm clothes.
We will trek for about an hour to two hours and reach Cholangpaty (3500m), where there are clear and close views of Langtang Ri(7205m), Manaslu(8163m), Langtang Lirung(7234m), and Ganesh Himal(7422m).
A further 2 hours of walking will lead us to Lauribinayak (3900m). From here, we can see the beautiful Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Masalu and Langtang Ri. Our next stop will be Sakyamuni's Hindu temple, which carries Hindu and Buddhist values. Another half-hour of hiking will take us to our first lake, Saraswati Kunda, then Bhairav Kunda, and the Mighty Lake Gosaikunda.
Our morning will start with breakfast at our hotel, and then we'll explore Gosaikunda before proceeding downhill to Dhunche via Lauribinayak, Dhimsa, and Deurali. Today is our last trekking day, so let's enjoy the views of the mountains, pine forests, and the delicious cheese of Chandanwari.
As we descend, hiking will be more relaxed and enjoyable. Several protected species of birds are also along the trail, such as Wood Snipe, Snow Partridge, Tibetan Snowcock, etc. Finally, after hiking for roughly 7 hours, we get back to Dhunche and stay here for the night.
Our journey ends today. We will have breakfast in Dhunche after enjoying a wonderful rest in one of the tea houses. After breakfast, we depart from Dhunche on a coach to Kathmandu and take the scenic route passing along the vast Trishuli River, through meadowlands, and through picturesque villages.
The itinerary mentioned above is the general plan arranged by Pokhara Info. However, the above itinerary is only a guideline; it might change due to availability of lodging and campsites, fluctuating weather conditions, unforeseen political, trail, and environmental, or any other factors beyond our control. After consulting with the group, your trek leader will decide the best way to reach a final decision if this occurs.
If the itinerary is unsuitable for you, please let us know, and we will customize it. We will be able to make changes to the itinerary if clients want to do so.
There’s certainly a reason why Pokhara is a top traveling destination for tourists, national or international. However, suppose Pokhara is a destination you wish to travel to in the near future. In that case, you’d be surprised to learn about all the exciting activities in Pokhara you can indulge in while there.
Hearing about all the beautiful lakes, amazing hotels, and the clean city along beautiful hills and mountains might look mind-boggling for oblivious thrill-seekers.
Additionally, choosing between rafting, hiking through the surrounding hills, sunset and sunrise, seeing from various hilltops, trekking, cycling throughout Pokhara valley, boating in various lakes, paragliding from Sarangkot, chartered flying, sightseeing, or bungee jumping might seem hectic.
All the activities mentioned above feel extremely exhilarating while planning for a trip to Pokhara and its surrounding area, which, to be honest, are exciting and enchanting.
But, since you can’t spend all your time out of your work or hometown, you must plan the best activities that’d be worthwhile.
Booking a tour guide or arranging for an activity planner might be a good option but might cause unnecessary expenses. Therefore, in order to minimize your travel expenses, we have put a little effort into you and chosen the best activities that’d make your trip productive and enjoyable.
So, here are five of the top activities to partake in Pokhara for the best experience.
The first activity in this list is the most obvious one. Even people who’ve never been to Pokhara might have heard about the joy of flying in Pokhara’s sky via paragliding. And, there’s a good reason for its popularity.
Flying in the beautiful sky of Pokhara while hundreds of thousands of people spend their daily lives below on the ground would surely be exhilarating. Paragliding allows people to experience the world through a bird’s eye and fly in between the clouds.
In Nepal, if you wish to indulge yourself in paragliding, there’s only one place for that. That’s from the hilltop of the beautiful Sarangkot hill in western Pokhara. Nonetheless, this natural spot is the most suitable one for a great takeoff.
When you get to a certain elevation, you will be able to see the beautiful Pokhara valley alongside all the pleasant and luscious hills with greenery all over them. Not to mention that you’d be able to view the mighty Phewa Lake in its full glory.
Despite these natural attractions, here are a few more of reasons why you should partake in paragliding:
Availability of expert and professional paragliding guides
So, if you were on a fence, be sure to add paragliding to your to-do list.
Pokhara, along with its sister city of Lekhnath, which lies within the Pokhara valley, is also called the city of lakes. Furthermore, these lakes are famous for their beauty and the enchanting view they provide. And a great way to take in these lakes’ beauty and richness can be through boating in the lakes themselves or sightseeing the surrounding area.
The conservation committee of the two beautiful Phewa and Begnas lakes has arranged for a great boating infrastructure. From affordable to luxurious boats available to rent and use, you can make a whole day out of these lakes with your friends and family.
You can visit the gorgeous Pame region or the multiple picnic spots on the opposite side of Phewa Lake. Additionally, Phewa Lake consists of Barahi Temple in the center of the lake, which thousands of religious people visit yearly and can only be reached by boat.
Similarly, you can travel to Majhikuna village, which lies on the opposite shore of the Begnas Lake, via a boat and enjoy the delicious fish from the lake itself caught by the local fishermen.
Though two of these lakes allow luxurious boating services, six of the rest lakes lack the luxury of the first two. Nonetheless, this insufficiency is fulfilled by the beautiful trees surrounding the lakes and the hospitality provided by the local people. Thus, be sure to visit these lakes when in Pokhara.
During dry seasons, bungee jumping is an enthralling adventure sport that everyone should try once in their lifetime. With breathtakingly beautiful locations, Pokhara offers exceptional bungee jumping locations in places such as Hamja, where you can feel amazing adrenaline flow in your body that you’ll always have in your memory.
There are multiple bungee jumping spots in Pokhara. But, it’s only allowed for people above 18, so if you have kids with you, better keep them waiting until they grow up.
Additionally, bungee jumping is an affordable activity where about 4500 rupees can be enough for a jump.
When in Pokhara, the view of Mount Machhapuchre, along with the mountains in the Annapurna range, provides your eyes with a glimpse of heaven. But, if you spend a bit more money, you can admire the Himalayas from a much closer range and with a much better view.
With Ultralight flight booking, you can ride on a small plane that provides you a tour of all the mountains mentioned earlier from a much closer distance. Furthermore, this flight, cheaper than mountain flights, allows the traveler to enjoy the view of settlements and the green hills and houses in Pokhara valley from a bird’s view.
While extremely safe, ultralight flights provide a personalized experience that cannot be duplicated anywhere other than Pokhara.
An underrated activity that suits the landscape of Pokhara is cycling. Multiple hills, as well as the beautiful blacktopped roads throughout Pokhara city, are perfect for day-long bicycling trips.
Furthermore, with bicycling packages available for multiple individuals throughout Pokhara, getting a hold of a few cycles can be equally convenient.
Bicycling Routes in Pokhara
If you really look into it, there are more than 30 amazing biking routes within the Kaski district. But, since the routes around Pokhara city are just as enthralling as any other, here are a few of the best routes in Pokhara.
If you had a certain time limit for your visit to Pokhara, the activities mentioned above would all be worth your precious time and money. Although you enjoy these adventures and want more, there are always more activities in Pokhara and basically many amazing things available to do in Pokhara.
Most visitors to Pokhara stop here before starting or after finishing the “Round Annapurana” trekking route. Because of its popularity with travelers, the city itself has relatively modern hotels and restaurants, but you’ll also find ancient lakes, waterfalls and gorges, and, of course, majestic views of the Himalayan Mountains.
Pokhara is a top traveling destination with a lot to offer tourists of all backgrounds. However, suppose you’re thinking of visiting Pokhara in the near future. In that case, you’d be surprised to learn about all the gorgeous locations, hotels in Pokhara, and the activities you can participate in, while you’re there.
Also, during your stay in Pokhara, you’ll be amazed by the many resorts and hotels you can choose from, all equipped with excellent facilities and services.
The idea of all the beautiful lakes, open hills, and mountains surrounding this beautiful city might seem incomprehensible to thrill-seekers. But, after spending a day exploring Pokhara, you’d want the same level of satisfaction from your stay.
You won’t need to worry, though, as you can choose from hundreds of top-notch hotels and resorts in this beautiful city. Of course, that might pose a problem since you just need a single place to rest at the end of the day.
Luckily, we have dug in a bit deeper and researched to help you find the best lodging and dining options in Pokhara. After looking at countless options, here are five of the best hotels to stay at during your trip to Pokhara.
There are many ideal vacation destinations, such as Rupakot Resort – a Himalayan enclave that combines fun activities and exclusive accommodation for holidaymakers while retaining a relaxed Himalayan atmosphere and impressive communal surroundings.
Named after the gorgeous and lustrous hill surrounding the beautiful Rupa taal, Rupakot resort provides its guests with one of the finest lodging experiences in Pokhara. Furthermore, a spectacular view of Mount Annapurna and Machhapuchhre that guests can view from within the resort further adds to the appeal of the place.
Unlike many of the other resorts, Rupakot resort does not lie near the popular lakeside area. As the resort lies on a hill overlooking Lekhnath Municipality, traveling there can be a bit of a commute.
As of recently, the resort has been offering discounted shuttle service, which allows its guests and in-house staff to commute easily back and forth from the resort.
Furthermore, here are a few of the services and amenities provided by the Rupakot Resort team for their guests:
Within the Confines of the property:
The high quality of the resort’s comfort and luxury can make it an expensive place to stay. It costs approximately 15 thousand to 18 thousand rupees per night for the services provided.
With its central location on Pokhara’s famous lakeside, Hotel Barahi offers its guests excellent views of the Annapurna and Machapuchare mountains and easy access to Pokhara’s thriving and enchanting lake street.
Furthermore, its conference halls and pleasant lawns cater to the needs of its guests. Moreover, it is 3 km from Pokhara’s domestic airport, so guests do not need to hassle to get there.
Additionally, the Hotel Barahi team offers its guests the following services and amenities:
Within the Confines of the property:
Furthermore, it costs roughly ten thousand to twelve thousand rupees for the services provided per night due to the high level of comfort and luxury the resort offers.
The beauty of Pokhara attracts visitors from all over Nepal and worldwide. Some like to pay top bucks for their luxurious accommodations here, but not everyone can afford it.
In contrast, Hotel Middle Path and Spa provide top-quality luxurious service at a much more affordable price.
Located at the heart of Pokhara’s top attraction of Lakeside, Hotel Middle Path and Spa is one of the best service-oriented hotels for budget travelers.
Furthermore, with the availability of a beautiful garden, swimming pool, 24-hour front desk service, along with a fine breakfast buffet, no customer would leave the hotel unfulfilled.
Additionally, the Hotel Barahi team offers its guests the following services and amenities:
Within the Confines of the property:
In addition to these amazing services, Hotel Middle Path and Spa is located just 5 minutes of walking distance from the beautiful Phewa Lake. Furthermore, all these amazing services can be had for just 4 thousand rupees. So, do not let this chance pass by.
One of the most unique lake resorts, Fish Tail Lodge, is located on a peninsula between a forest-covered hill and Fewa Lake, offering phenomenal views from every angle. Guests are picked up from the shore of the lake by boat or floating suttles.
Fish Tail Lodge has been providing their services since 1960, initially from unique round cottages which were located amidst a lush green garden.
If you do not prefer the Hi-Fi outlook most hotels provide, this small hotel with very high standards in terms of its services can be your ideal place.
Additionally, the Hotel Barahi team offers its guests the following services and amenities:
Within the Confines of the property:
A typical night’s stay at the resort typically costs between ten thousand and twelve thousand rupees due to its high level of comfort and luxury.
At the base of Sarangkot Hill, overlooking Fishtail and Annapurna ranges in Pokhara, is the Himalayan Front Hotel, part of the Kathmandu Guest House Group of Hotels.
As similar to the services of the owner’s other hotel, Himalayan Front Hotel has been providing luxurious and relaxing stays for their guests for a very reasonable price.
Additionally, the Hotel Barahi team offers its guests the following services and amenities:
Within the Confines of the property:
A hotel of the quality and luxury of this resort can be an expensive place to stay. Although, it costs roughly 5 to 8 thousand rupees per night for the services they provide. In addition, the resort’s hospitality is one the guest will remember for a very long time, and Pokhara info is here to take care of it.