thumbnail image

The Langtang Trek

This beautiful nation of hills and mountains makes for an excellent paradise for travelers, adventurers, and explorers looking for great trekking or sightseeing experience. With its stunning hills and mountains, a country like this makes a fantastic trekking or sightseeing destination for adventurers, travelers, and explorers. One of the short hiking routes in Nepal, the Langtang trek offers fantastic views from a lowland jungle with banana trees and monkeys to mountains and glaciers above the valley floor. However, Short doesn’t necessarily mean easy. The Trek starts off quite challenging, with many long and steep climbs that one would expect in a trek in Nepal. Despite that, the thrill and beauty of Nepal you get to experience during this Trek can rarely be matched by any other place in the world.

About Langtang Mountain Trek

Langtang is 120km north of Kathmandu, on the border with China; it runs through the areas of Nepal that were most affected by the earthquake. As you trek along Langtang’s ridge, you’ll pass through stunning forests, yak pastures, and alpine meadows. At the end of the Trek, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of vast valleys.

In the Langtang Valley, you will find the most breathtaking landscapes, authentic culture, and heartwarming hospitality that will make your trip a memorable one. The valley is only an hour or so from Kathmandu and is one of Nepal’s most lovely regions.

Although the Langtang Mountain trek is not the most popular Trek, like Everest Base Camp Trek or Annapurna Base Camp Trek, it provides travelers with a sense of adventure and thrill that these other treks may not provide. On top of that, Views of the Himalayas, Langtang valley, and beyond Tibet can be seen from Kyanjin Ri, a destination on the Trek.

Preparing For the Langtang Trek

The tallest peak on the Langtang Himalayan circuit is the Langtang Lirung peak at an altitude of 7,234 meters. However, the highest point on our Trek is on Kyanjin Gompa at an elevation of 3,800 meters. This might not be much for frequent trekkers, but it still is quite an elevation for newcomers. Therefore, people with lung diseases should avoid or take precautions before engaging in such activities due to the difficulty of adapting to such a high altitude. In addition, people might experience altitude sickness when they are at such elevated altitudes.

The Trek can be easy to moderately difficult depending upon your liking of hills and off-road paths. The best time to engage in these treks would be during the transitional seasons from March to June and September to November. However, the cold can be a big factor during the journey.

Necessary Permits

You’ll need a TIMS card for the Langtang trek, as well as a national park permit, which costs around NPR 5000 or around US$40 per person. TIMS cards can be obtained from the Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu, located at Pradarshani Marg, Bhrikutimandap.

Accommodations and facilities

The trekkers have to spend nearly all of their time in small tea houses along the Langtang route. The services and facilities offered in such places are quite basic; however, the hospitality from the locals is excellent.

Itinerary and The Trek itself

Completing the whole Langtang Trek might take up to 5 days to 10 days, depending upon your pace during the Trek. Initially, you need to acquire a Nepali visa if you’re not from Nepal and get to Kathmandu. When in Kathmandu, you need to either book a private vehicle or ride the local bus that’ll take you to Syabrubesi. 

From Lama Hotel, the trail continues climbing through the forest with occasional glimpses of Mount Langtang Lirung between the trees on the trail. The path continues for five to six hours and passes through Ghoda Tabela, a small settlement with few livestock and remnants of the 2015 earthquake in Nepal. Finally, after reaching Mundu, you get to rest there for the night.

From Mundu, the trail ascends through yak pastures, and the views widen as the valley opens up further. Finally, after crossing small streams and moraines, it leads to the settlement of Kyangjin. At more than 3,800 meters, Kyangjin is the highest point of the Trek unless you decide to climb one of the peaks of Langtang. So, you need to take a rest day and enjoy and adapt to the elevation. 

On the fourth day, you can choose whether to rest and enjoy the Kyangjin hospitality or explore some more. The monastery and cheese factory are both worth visiting, as are the ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or the ascent of Kyangjin Ri right behind the village.

If you return to Kyangjin from the main trailhead, you will retrace the path you just took up the valley, following the Langtang Khola to Mundu village and on to Ghora Tabela. The return hike will be shorter than the ascent. After lunch, continue down the steep slope to Lama Hotel.

The hike back from Lama Hotel is fairly simple. While enjoying the quiet forests and hills, you can retract your steps back toward Syabru Besi. Although if you should take a detour from Rimche to Syabru Besi via Sherpa Gaon if you're feeling fit. The journey will take longer, but it'll surely be worth it.

If you have more time, you should consider adding the nearby Tamang Heritage Trail to the tour, which offers another 4-6 days of hiking and offers an inside look into the ethnic Tamang people. 

 

The difficulty of the Trek

Despite the Langtang trek being shorter than most trekking tours in Nepal, the difficulty is not a walk in the park. The steep path and cold weather can make it difficult for inexperienced travelers. If unsure, a trekking guide can be hired for a better experience. Additionally, getting traveling insurance before embarking on the Trek can be a good safety blanket.

Cost includes:

  • Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
  • Three meals per day throughout the Trip(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
  • Accommodation during the trek.
  • Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
  • Guide and a porter with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
  • First Aid kit.
  • Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
  • TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
  • All needed government tax/vat.

Cost excludes:

  • International Airfare.
  • Your travel insurance.
  • Sightseeing entrance fees
  • Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
  • Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
  • Tips for Guide and Porters

After you’ve enjoyed the thrilling and joyful experience, you can choose whether to visit other beautiful places in Nepal or head back home. No matter what you choose, we hope you have a fantastic time.

We can accommodate group tours for this trip; however, you may also opt for a private tour according to your liking. We can arrange private trips at any time of the year at any date of your choosing. Please let us know what your preferred travel dates are so that we can accommodate you.

Finally, after the completion of the Trek, take good rest as you cherish the beautiful moments you experienced during the Trek while on your trip back home. This Trek is certainly deserving of its reputation for its rich cultural legacy, amazing views, and the hospitality of the locals that can make a trek to Langtang an unforgettable experience for you and your friends.

 

thumbnail image

Gosaikunda Trek

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.

About the Region

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.

Permits and Accommodations

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. 

Preparing For the Gosaikunda Trek

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.

  • Warm clothes, including jackets, sweaters, and thermal wears
  • Water bottles and thermos
  • Tents if you plan to camp by the shore of Rara Lake
  • Backpack
  • Portable fire stoves
  • Snow Glasses and flashlight
  • Well-fitting gloves, socks, and shoes or boots
  • Trekking sticks
  • First aid kit
  • Moisturizers and lip guard
  • Energy bars

We have designed the Gosaikunda Lake Trek itinerary to keep you away from altitude sickness with ample rest periods in between walks.

The Gosaikunda Trek Itinary

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.

Cost includes:

  • Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
  • Three meals per day throughout the Trek(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
  • Accommodation in lodges and tea houses during the trek.
  • Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
  • Trekking Guide and a porter (Shared by two clients) with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
  • Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
  • First Aid kit.
  • Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
  • TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
  • All needed government tax/vat.

Cost excludes

  • International Airfare.
  • Your travel insurance.
  • Sightseeing entrance fees
  • Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
  • Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
  • Tips for Guide and Porters

Note

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.