Gosaikunda Lake Trekking

The start of the 4 hr trek, firstly downhill to the camping area before turning northwards to a suspension bridge over the Bhote Kosi. The trail on your right from the bridge leads to the village of Old Syabru. Past the village, a fairly gentle trek through the woods, replete with monkeys, to reach Doman. Then, climb steeply over a rocky ridge to meet the trail from Thulo Syabru. The entire reaches of the region are a deciduous zone rich in birdlife and flowers that harbors the elusive red panda. A long climb through forests gets you to another trail junction, beyond which the gradient eases as the trail gets you to close proximity of Langtang Khola. Further half an hour climb to a bridge over the Langtang Khola, then cross the bridge to the north bank, trail once more climbs through the wooded gorge alongside a series of waterfalls to Langtang View Hotel, and then ascends further to Lama Hotel.

Day starts on the trail that continues to follow the Langtang Khola, gaining more altitude all along, to Ghora Tabela (Horse Stable) at 2970m., where the exquisite views of Langtang Lirung appear over the skyline. Further ahead, the path remains fairly constant before a steepish uphill climb brings you to the upper section of the valley. The trail then zigzags higher and higher to Thangshep. The valley broadens and curves ahead as the trail continue to rise interrupted by pleasant level-stretched sections. The way now channels through dry-stone walls, eventually emerging on to the Tibetan style village of Langtang.

A pleasant morning’s walk through charming mountain scenery will keep your cameras quite busy. Leaving the village, the trail goes across yak pastures and meandering streams before rising up an old moraine, ultimately heading up valley through a series of mani walls with Gengchempo (6387m) forming a prominent landmark to the east. Descend into a small stream bed, and up the other side to yet more mani walls to reach a broad valley past the Tamang settlements of Mundu (3410m) and Sindum (3410m). Beyond these, you continue to gain altitude in modest steps, then cross a wooden bridge over a stream and climb onto moraines as Kyanjin Gompa becomes visible flanked by spectacular mountains, notably Langtang range and Langshisa. The highlight of the day is the hike to the picturesque Lantang Lirung Glacier (4300m/1hr uphill) in the afternoon. Or, just roam around the village visiting the famous, half a century old, cheese factory.

Retrace your steps back over the same route to Lama Hotel.

Again take the same route that we trekked on Day 7, wading through the jungle and river valley, until past the Bamboo Lodge where we meet the uphill trail to the left heading towards the Sherpa village of Thulo Syabru.

We start with steep uphill trail above the village following the upper trail to Dursagang (2550m). The gradient eases as the trail makes its way through resplendent rhododendron forest to Chandan Bari (3250m), the next major village famous for its landmark, Sing Gompa. The trail cuts across the ridge top and enters a level-stretched section through forests as it crosses the head of a valley. Then trail continues across the head of a final ridge and soon to the village. On the later part of the trek, climb steeply up the ridge, then cross behind the ridge while the trail stays in deep woods to emerge onto a saddle at Chalang Pati (3380m). A final ascent and there you’re in Laurebina amidst the astounding views of Annapurnas, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal and Langtang Lirung.

The divine beauty of the holy lake is the high point of the entire trek. Set out on a trail high up on the ridge (4100m), the first of the lakes Saraswati Kunda appears below. The trail then crosses a rocky spur, a short distance ahead the much larger second lake, Bhairabh Kund, comes into picture. Keep to the ridge and finally drop about 20m to the third and largest lake, Gossainkund. Look out for the fabled black rock at the centre of the lake, venerated as the head of Shiva.

The last but the longest trek day commences on a same trail you traversed on earlier days to appear once again in Laurebinayak, from where you enter the lush forest of scrub, oaks, firs and rhododendrons. The trail heads downwards throughout passing the village of Chandan Bari (Sing Gompa) and continues to descend through the forest up to a suspension bridge. The trail flattens out somewhat before converging on to a road at Dhunche where your ride awaits to transport you to Kathmandu