Helambu Gosaikunda Trek

5.0

Adventurers, join us on an unforgettable Helambu and Gosaikunda trek, a less crowded journey. The trek takes you through the breathtaking landscapes of Nepal’s Langtang region.

At a Glance
Location

Helambu & Gosaikunda Lakes

Duration

9 Days

Activities

Trekking

Accommodation

Hotel/Lodge

Meals

All included Except in Kathmandu

Group size

Min 2 Pax.

Best time

Spring and Autumn

Max. Altitude

4609m.

Helambu and Gosaikunda trek is perfect for those seeking both cultural immersion and natural wonders. The trials provide a unique opportunity to experience the life of Himalayan farmers and shepherds. During the trek, you will pass through beautiful rhododendrons, Himalayan pine forests, and fields where yak herds graze.

Along the way, you will witness high mountain passes, such as the Laurebina Pass at 4600m, and have the chance to approach high peaks while immersing yourself in the mountain atmosphere.

Major Highlight

  • Overnight stays in Tamang villages and interacting with the villagers.
  • Witness the views of the snow-capped peaks of Tibet.
  • Walking through beautiful forests of blooming rhododendrons in spring.
  • Visit the Gompa monastery and cheese factory.
  • Discover more about Hindu sentiment related to Gosaikunda Lake.
  • Enjoy rich greenery, flora, animals, and numerous types of birds.
  • Climbing Laurebina Pass for amazing panoramic views of the Langtang Range.

Your Journey towards Helambu and the Gosaikunda Lakes

Our itinerary for a 9-day trek to Helambu and Gosaikunda Lake begins from Kathmandu. The journey starts with a bus ride from Kathmandu to Sermathang, following which the trek takes you through Sherpa villages and forests. The first night’s stay will be at a comfortable lodge, where you can gear up for the adventure that awaits you.

This trekking itinerary will take you through several villages in the Helambu and Tamang regions. You will have the opportunity to experience the Sherpa and Buddhist cultures, including the summer hamlets used by shepherds and their yaks. The villages you will visit are Shermathang, Tharkegyang, Melamchigaon, Syabrubesi, Sherpa gaon, Thulo Syabru, and Langtang.

One of the trek’s highlights is a three-day excursion to the Gosainkund Lakes. Along the way, you will see panoramic views of the Himalayan range, and you will visit the sacred lake, which is revered by Hindus. The lake is frozen from January to May.

The journey back takes you through Chandanbari and Dhuche. Finally, as the adventure ends, reflect on the unforgettable memories you’ve made amidst nature’s beauty. Cherish the bonds formed and the challenges overcome along the way.

 

Itinerary

The Helambu Gosaikunda trek starts from Kathmandu to Sermathang. You can take a local bus that passes through the charming villages of Sankhu, Jarsing Pauwa, and Melamchi Pul. During your journey, you will be treated to breathtaking views of hills adorned with terraced rice fields that seem to stretch on for miles.

The bus ride typically takes around 6 to 7 hours, so you’ll have plenty of time to soak in the beautiful scenery and capture some amazing photographs. Once you reach your destination, you can choose to spend the night in a cozy lodge and enjoy the local hospitality.

If you prefer a more private mode of transportation, you can also request a private vehicle for your journey.

This itinerary offers a comfortable and accessible trekking experience, allowing for a leisurely ascent along the mountainside. The route is estimated to take approximately five hours, with an elevation gain of 60 meters. During the trek, visitors will have the opportunity to stay overnight in Tarkeghyang, the primary village within the Sherpa region.

Additionally, the village offers a stunning stupa and a monastery undergoing reconstruction, providing a unique cultural and historical experience. Accommodations within the village are of a high standard, with comfortable lodge facilities available.

Today marks a thrilling trek that will take you on a pleasant descent towards the serene Melamchi River. Moving down, you’ll be surrounded by spectacular views of the lush greenery and majestic mountains.

After reaching the river, get ready to take on a challenging 2.5-hour ascent towards the charming Sherpa hamlet of Melamchi Gaon. Climbing uphill, you can see stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the small Gompa, a Buddhist temple, that stands tall amidst the stone houses adorned with colorful prayer flags.

The houses in the hamlet are scattered across the mountainside, basking in the warmth of sunlight that bathes the area. You will spend the night at a comfortable lodge accommodation that offers scenic views of the valley below. The trek is expected to last for approximately 5 hours and involves an elevation gain of 550m and a descent of 670m.

Today we’ll start our journey towards Tharepati, where you will find yourself surrounded by dense rhododendron forests. As you trek higher the landscape takes a dramatic transformation and is replaced by a mountainous terrain. Upon reaching the Tharepati Pass, you will be rewarded with a dazzling view of the Langtang range.

Similarly, you will spend your night in a comfortable lodge accommodation. The trek to Tharepati Pass takes approximately four and a half hours.

After crossing the pass, you can begin your descent towards Gopte. The trek from the pass to Gopte takes around two and a half hours. You can take a break at Gopte for lunch before continuing your journey towards Phedi.

Moving forward, you’ll notice a significant change in the landscape and vegetation. The trees and plants become sparse, and the terrain becomes rocky. You will trek for approximately five hours, with an elevation gain of 1160 meters and an elevation loss of 260 meters.

Once you reach Phedi, you can rest for the night at one of the lodges.

Today’s trek takes you to the sacred lake of Gosaikunda. The excursion involves a long climb through a high-mountain landscape that is often covered in cold mist. Our ultimate goal is to reach the Laurebinayak Pass – a magnificent spot situated at an altitude of 4609m. It is undoubtedly the highest point of our trek.

Once we reach our destination, the real magic begins. We will descend to the largest lake in the region, Gosainkunda, which is located at an altitude of 4350m. The sight of this beautiful lake, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and lush greenery, is truly mesmerizing. Gosaikunda is known as a powerful spiritual destination where people go to meditate.

To ensure that our journey is comfortable and relaxing, we have made arrangements for welcoming and spacious lodges to accommodate us. Our trek will take approximately 6 hours, during which we will ascend a height of 1180m and descend 260m.

As you start your descent towards Chandanbari, you’ll find yourself trekking along a winding mountain trail that offers views of the Langtang Himalayas. The trail is surrounded by lush greenery and towering peaks.

The descent takes about 4 hours to complete, during which you’ll be descending a total of 1100 meters. As you traverse the trail, you’ll come across several small villages and settlements where you can interact with the locals and learn about their way of life.

The next part of our journey requires us to traverse through dense forests and move on a long and difficult descent towards Dhunche. This trek will take us approximately three hours, with a notable vertical descent of 1290 meters.

The journey begins with a winding road that leads to Trisuli, where you can experience the scenic views of the surrounding landscape. To reach Kathmandu from Trisuli, you can take a local bus that runs on a slightly better road, offering a comfortable ride.

If you prefer a more private and convenient mode of transportation, you can opt for a private jeep on demand, which will take you directly to your destination.

Itinerary Variations

The Helambu Gosaikunda trek offers diverse experiences for all trekkers. For those seeking a more moderate challenge, the Langtang and Gosainkund Lakes trek (NCE5a) avoids high passes and explores the stunning Langtang region before reaching the holy Gosainkund Lakes.

On the other hand, the Langtang and Ganja La Pass trek (NCE7) caters to seasoned trekkers with its high-altitude adventure. This 13-day itinerary traverses a demanding pass at 5122 meters, providing an unforgettable camping experience in the heart of the Himalayas.

Cost Includes
  • English-speaking guide
  • Porters
  • Meals
  • Accommodation in lodges in double rooms
  • Entry fees to National Parks and registration with TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System)
  • Round-trip transportation by local bus from Kathmandu to the starting point
  • Insurance for Nepalese staff
  • Airport transfers
Cost Excludes
  • Personal insurance covering mountain rescue expenses
  • Visa fees
  • Personal drinks and expenses
  • Hotel nights and meals in Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses and tips
  • Battery charging for your devices in lodges
  • Hot showers
Book your spot

Starting from

€645

Instant Booking

Secure Payments

No Hidden Costs

Trip Difficulty

Medium

5.0

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FAQs

The duration of the trek varies from 7 to 13 days depending on the itinerary and pace. If you wish to customize your itinerary, you can contact the Glacier Safari Trek Team.

The Gosaikunda Helambu trek is considered moderate in difficulty. Beginners can also join the trek but it's advisable to be in good physical condition and consider hiring a guide for navigation and assistance. You can expect 5-6 hours of walking each day with tea house accommodation and limited food options.

Yes, the Gosaikunda Lakes are a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists, with several other sacred lakes like Saraswati Kunda and Bhairav Kunda along the trail.

Yes, Gosaikunda Lake is located within Langtang National Park. It's a sacred alpine freshwater lake situated at an altitude of about 4,380 meters (14,370 feet) in the Langtang Himalayas. Many treks combine visiting the lake with exploring the park, including the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek and the Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda Lake Trek.

The Gosaikunda Lake trek requires two permits. One is a TIMS card for trekker registration and a Langtang National Park Entry Permit for park access.