Gosainkunda Holy Lake Trek

Open each day to see the route notes, overnight rhythm, altitude cues, and the small details that help you understand how the journey actually flows.

1. Day 1

   Arrival day (1,300m/4,264 ft)

   Day details

   Welcome to Kathmandu – the capital city of Nepal. Today is your first day with Amigo Treks & Expedition. Therefore, we send one of our company representatives to receive you at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), who will further escort you to a tourist standard hotel. If possible, we also schedule a meeting at our office for the briefing regarding the trek followed by an introduction session with other team members (especially Sherpas and guides). Today, we also arrange a welcome dinner in one of the most popular local restaurants, where you can also enjoy the ethnic dance and cultural music along with great Nepali food. If your flight arrives late, both the meeting and the dinner can be scheduled for the following day.  Meals included: Dinner (Highlights of the day: Nepali food, Cultural music and Ethnic dance.)

2. Day 2

   Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

   Day details

   The capital, Kathmandu valley itself, is a big storehouse of exclusive natural, cultural and historical sites. Therefore, today, we take you on a few hour tours to the major attractions of Kathmandu valley. After spending few hours observing these wonderful sites, we again meet for a few hours to finalize your clothing and trekking gears (down jacket, trekking boots, sleeping bags etc.) required during the trek. The night will be spent at a hotel in Kathmandu.  Meals included: Breakfast (Highlights of the day: World Heritage sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square (a historical structure offering architectural wonders), the Pashupatinath temple (a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva- lord possessing the power of destruction), Swyambhunath and Boudhanath (a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha- Light of Asia. Optional site:Another World Heritage site ‘Patan Durbar Square’ along with other historical masterpieces like Mahabouddha Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and Kumbeshwor Temple.)

3. Day 3

   Drive to Syabrubesi (1,460m/4,790ft) 9 hours

   Day details

   Today our destination is Syabrubesi. It’s a nine hour drive from Kathmandu. Therefore, we start early. Our guides will come to pick you up at your hotel as per scheduled departure time and escort you to the bus station to catch a bus to Syabrubesi. The journey journey to Syabrubeshi begins towards the north of Kathmandu valley following the Pasang Lamu highway along the north- western hills of Kathmandu passing different settlements. A well paved highway continues till Trishuli Bazaar. From Trishuli Bazaar, following the unpaved yet the main road we continue towards Syabrubeshi passing Dhunche, the district headquarter of Rasuwa. The night will be spent at a lodge in Syabrubeshi.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: scenic drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubeshi via mountain terrain, spectacular view of Ganesh Himal and the peaks of Langtang region, settlements like Kakani, Ranipauwa, Jurethum, Devighat, Battar, Trisuli, and Dhunche, terrace farming and the green hills.)

4. Day 4

   Trek to Lamahotel (2,455m/8,054ft)

   Day details

   Today is the first day of the trek and our destination is Lama Hotel. The trail first drops down to the cross the bridge across the Bhote Koshi River. A right turn from here will take us to, a small settlement of Syabru Besi, then following the a stone paved trail we walk towards the bridge across the Langtang River. We cross this bridge to follow the south bank of Langtang River, through the forest up to another bridge. We cross the bridge and walk towards the road junction. From here, a moderate descent will finally take us to Changdam, also famous as the Lama Hotel which is inside the forest. Today’s walk is an easy walk. The night will be spent at a lodge in Lama Hotel.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Terraced fields, a small settlement of Syabrubeshi, oak, maple, alder and bamboo forest, the experience of suspension bridges as well as lodges for visitors.)

5. Day 5

   Trek to Langtang (3,430m/11,253ft)

   Day details

   Today is the second day of the trek and our destination is Langtang. The walk continues through the forest following the trail along the Langtang Khola crossing Gumnachowk, Chhunama and finally up to Ghodatabela. From here we will ascend to Chamki crossing Thyngsyap village. Then, the trail finally  leads towards Langtang village which is one of the largest settlements of the area. The night will be spent at a lodge in Langtang.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Oak, maple and bamboo forest, settlements like Chamki and Thyangsyap, trail accompanied by waterfalls, Langtang monastery, and Man stones, Tibetan people, culture and lifestyle of Langtang village.)

6. Day 6

   Trek to Keynjing Gompa (3,870m/12,696ft)

   Day details

   Today is the third day of the trek and our destination is Keynjing Gompa. Leaving the Tibetan village, Langtang,  behind, the day’s hike begins towards Keynjing Gompa. We first climb up to the ridge and then a steady climb  will take us to Mumdu and Sindum. From here, we walk up to the cheese factory and then a short climb from here will finally take us to Keynjing Gompa. The view of Langtang gets much better at this point. You can observe Langtang Himal to the northwest and Yansa Tsenji and Kinshung lies to the north. The day will be spent exploring the Keynjing Gompa area. The night will be spent at a lodge in Keynhing Gompa.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Spectacular view of Langtang, Yansa Tsenji and Kinshung, cheese factory, Keynjing Gompa, and experience of thinning vegetation.)

7. Day 7

   Explore day (3,870m/12,696ft)

   Day details

   Today is the fourth day of the trek and we spend our day exploring the area. If your health and fitness level permits, we will walk up to Tsergo RI which is a four hour walk towards the east of Kyanjin Gompa or we hike up to the glacier, if not, we go for side trips like Yak Cheese Factory or Kyanjin Gompa.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Magnificent view of Langtang Lirung, Yansa Tsenji and Kinshung, foot of Langtang Lirung glacier and 360 degree view of Langtang Valley from Tsergo RI, Yak Cheese Factory, Kyanjin Gompa, a famous place for meditation.)

8. Day 8

   Trek to Lamahotel (2,455m/8,054ft)

   Day details

   Today is the fifth day of the trek and our destination is Lama hotel. Following the same trail used earlier to climb, we descend to Lama hotel crossing Tamang villages like Langtang Village, Thyangyap Village, Ghodatabela who share Tibetan culture. The walk continues till the Lama hotel. The trail goes downhill through the forest following the river. The night will be spent at a lodge in Lama Hotel.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: an insight of Tamang culture and lifestyle  influenced by Tibetan culture, Tamang villages, waterfalls, oak, maple and bamboo forest, and different monasteries en route.)

9. Day 9

   Trek to Thulo Sybru (2,250m/7,381ft)

   Day details

   Today is the sixth day of the trek and our destination is Thulo Sybru. Following the trail along the north bank of  the Langtang River, we first walk downhill toward the riverside to cross a bridge across the river. On crossing the bridge the trail descends  following the south bank of the river we walk towards another bridge where the trail split, one leading to Syabrubesi and the other one leading to Thulo Syabru. Leaving the trail that leads to Syabrubesi, we follow the uphill trail to the ridge and drop a little  down to the river and continue towards Thulo Syabru crossing Pairo. The night will be spent at a lodge in Thulo Syabru.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Trail along the Langtang River, if lucky you can spot red pandas, monkeys and various species of birds, and spectacular view of the waterfall and also monasteries and Chortens)

10. Day 10

    Trek to Chandanbari (3,330m/10,925ft)

    Day details

    Today is the seventh day of the trek and our destination is Chandanbari. We first walk up to the ridge of Thulo Syabru that offer interesting views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang mountain and other Tibetan mountains. From here, a steep uphill trail through the fir, oak, hemlock and rhododendron forest, will lead us to Foprang Danda. A light ascend from here and then a flat trail will then take us to Shin Gompa passing Phuung Gompa. We further  proceed until we reach Chandanbari.The remaining day can be spent exploring the cheese factory and the Gompas. The night will be spent at a lodge in Chandanbari.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Trail through the fir, oak, hemlock and rhododendron forest accompanied by the spectacular views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang mountains and other Tibetan mountains, Buddhist monasteries, and exploratory trip to Yak Cheese Factory, which is one of the best cheese manufacturers in Nepal.)

11. Day 11

    Trek to Gosainkund (4,165m/13,664ft)

    Day details

    Today is the eighth day of the trek and we finally reach the destination of the trek, Gosainkunda. Initially a  gentle ascent will take us to Lauribina crossing the cheese factory in Chandanbari enjoy the views of mountains. From Lauribina, passing several roofless huts in the pasture we walk up to the pass (4,165m) which greets us with the first view of the holy lakes. The first lake is Saraswati Kunda, Second lake is Bhairab Kunda and the final biggest lake is Goainkunda From here, we walk up till Gosainkunda. The remaining day will be spent exploring the lakes of Gosainkunda. The night will be spent at a lodge in Gosainkunda. Useful information: There are more than 20 holy lakes in Gosainkunda Basin. Out of these lakes, Bhairabkunda, Saraswatikunda and are the major lakes. During Janai Purnima festival, in the month of August, lots of Hindu devotees come to take a holy bath in this lake. It is believed that the lake was created by Lord Shiva, one of the head Hindu deities while trying to quench his thirst after swallowing the poison that threatened to destroy the world. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Magnificent view of Ganesh and Langtang region, roofless huts, pastures, view of dozens of lakes of Gosainkunda Basin, experience of freshwater lakes situated at an altitude of approximately 4,380m.)

12. Day 12

    Trek to Ghopte (3,430m/11,253ft)

    Day details

    Today is the ninth day of the trek and our destination is Ghopte. Today, our first hike following the rocky trail passing a few lakes takes us to Lauribina Passat (4,630m). Then a steep downhill walk through a rocky trail accompanied by Tinchuli Danda will first take us to Phedi. From Phedi, a gentle walk up and down hill through summer pastures will take us to Ghopte crossing Dhupi Chaur. The night will be spent at a lodge in Ghopte.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Few more lakes of Gosainkunda basin, Tinchuli Dand, summer pastures, steep descend, Lauribina pass)

13. Day 13

    Trek to Melamchi Gaon (2,530m/8,300ft)

    Day details

    Today is the tenth day of the trek and our destination is Melamchi Gaon. Initially the trail takes us down that later ascends through the rhododendron forest till Tharepati Pass. Tharepati Pass is a junction of two important trail to Gosainkunda; via Helambu and via Melamchi. Leaving Helambu trail, we take the trail that descends to Melamchi through pine and rhododendron forest. Melamchi village is a Sherpa village surrounded by beautiful forests.  The remaining day will be spent exploring the monasteries and the village of Melamchi. The night will be spent at a lodge in Melamchi village.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Trail through the pine and rhododendron forest accompanied by the splendid view of Jugal Himal and Numbur and beautiful Helambu village down the trail, Melamchi Gaon- a special Sherpa Gaon surrounded by rhododendron forest and Buddhist monasteries, the unique culture and warm hospitality of the Sherpa people.)

14. Day 14

    Trek to Sermathang (2,590m/8,490ft)

    Day details

    Today is the eleventh day of the trek and our destination is Sermathang. From Melamchi Gaon the trail descends till Melamchi River. On crossing the river, the trail is quite easier compared to other day’s trail as we walk on a flat land, accompanied by beautiful forest. We cross several streams and we walk up to Tarkeghyang, a beautiful  Sherpa village. Then, we further descend till the same trail until we reach Setighyang where the trail to Kangja La, Naya Kanga Trek meets the secondary road. Following this road up and down hill we first ascend to Ghangyul and then descend toward Sermathang. This is another pretty Sherpa village that offers a lot to tourists interested in Sherpa culture. The remaining day will be spent exploring the village. The night will be spent at a lodge in Sermathang.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: blooming rhododendron forest, Sherpa villages like Tarkeghyang featuring one of the oldest and the biggest monasteries of the region and Sermathang – a pristine village offering a lifestyle and culture of the Sherpa people, and trekking trail accompanied by Mani walls, Chortens and other equally important Gompas.)

15. Day 15

    Trek to Malemchi Pul (870m/2,854ft)

    Day details

    Today is the last day of the trek and our destination is Melamchi Pul (Melamchi Bridge). The trail gradually descends through meadows and cultivated fields, passing a number of Gompas, temples, Mani walls, Mane, Chorten and other small and unique settlement of people until we reach the bridge across the Indrawati River. On crossing the bridge, we walk further to cross another bridge a little away from the junction of the Indrawati River and Melamchi River before we finally reach Melamchi Bazaar. The night will be spent at a lodge in Melamchi Bazaar.  Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: A number of temples, Mani walls, Manes, Monasteris, old villages and their particular tradition, trail along the meadows and cultivated fields and the view of snow capped mountains.)

16. Day 16

    Drive to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft)

    Day details

    Today early in the morning after having breakfast we take bus to Kathmandu. It will take about 4-5 hour to reach Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, you will be escorted to your hotel. You can spend the remaining day either relaxing at the hotel or you can also opt for some sight seeing tour. In the evening, a farewell dinner at a very special Nepalese restaurant. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu.  Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner (Highlights of the day:Scenic bus ride from Melamchi to Kathmandu, farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese restaurants in Kathmandu.)

17. Day 17

    Departure day.

    Day details

    This day is the last day of your trip in Nepal with Amigo Treks and Expedition. If your flight is scheduled early morning, then one of our company representatives will escort you to the airport as per your flight departure time. But, if the flight is scheduled later in the evening, you can go shopping and collect a few mementos or simply hang around shopping areas in Kathmandu. However, if you are planning to spend some extra days in Nepal, Amigo Treks and Expedition can also make the arrangements for some other top adventurous activities that you can attend while you are in Nepal. Meals included: Breakfast (The usual day for a trek: Every day, our guides will come to wake you up at around 7:00-7:30am. A western breakfast like porridge, oats, toasts, etc. will be served at around 8:00-8:30am. The lunch will be served from a teahouse menu at about 12-1pm. However, the lunch time can also be postponed on request. The dinner will be served at around 8:30-9:00pm. Your accommodation is arranged at a lodge or also in a tourist standard hotel (subject to availability) where we stop for overnight. While you are walking, you can also request your guide to slow down and stop at the places where you want to take some snaps. After dinner and before going to bed your team leader will brief you regarding the next day’s schedule.)