A complete Guide and Information for Langtang Gosaikunda Trek

Langtang Valley is located north of Kathmandu and is the closest Himalayan region from Kathmandu which offers you powerful views of the Himalayas like Langtang Lirung (7246m), Ganesh Himal (7422m), Longshisha Ri (7245m), Yala Peak, Dorje Lakpa (6989 m. ) etc. Then you can see Salima, home to the diverse flora and fauna living in this valley, as well as the warm-hearted Sherpas and Tamang’s.

A Guide to the Glacial Valleys of Nepal: Langtang Gosaikunda

A paradise for mountain lovers and a gateway for spiritual seekers, the Langtang Valley “valley of glaciers” and the Gosaikunda (Pristine Lake) trek are the most popular treks. On the one hand, this walk shows the biological diversity of Nepal and on the other hand, it is a great example of unity in diversity as it is a combination of Buddhist and Hindu religious beliefs. Thus making travel suitable for people from all walks of life.

Langtang Valley is located north of Kathmandu and is the closest Himalayan region from Kathmandu which offers you powerful views of the Himalayas like Langtang Lirung (7246m), Ganesh Himal (7422m), Longshisha Ri (7245m), Yala Peak, Dorje Lakpa (6989m. ), etc. Then there is the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit this valley, along with the warm-hearted Sherpas and Tamang’s.

Now, you might think “What would be the level of difficulty to reach such a destination that rewards you with jaw-dropping views?” To remove your distress, this trek can be done by beginners as well if they are willing.

Langtang Gosaikunda trek along with Kathmandu city tour

The trip starts with a Kathmandu city tour (Darbar Square, Buddha Nath, Pashupatinath, Swayambhu) which gives you a brief history of how the entire city and temple complexes were established. But keeping in mind the short vacation time, there is plan to do Langtang Gosaikunda trekking without going to Kathmandu city.

From Kathmandu, enjoy a scenic drive through the hilly landscape to Syabru Besi. The trek officially starts from Syabru Besi through lush bamboo and rhododendron forests along the Langtang Khola River which draws you to its source. The Langtang Valley is reminiscent of the 2015 earthquake and has only recently been hit by tourism.

As you reach higher altitudes, diverse vegetation and topography can be encountered. Alpine birds, mountain cliffs and yaks grazing on snow-capped rivers welcome you to the ancient Kyanjin Gompa. This place can be considered as an open air museum which preserves one of the most sacred Buddhist relics, monasteries, mani walls, flying prayer flags and mani wheels. Also, bless your taste buds with Paneer Factory’s local specialty ‘Yak Paneer’.

Kyanjin Ri’s accent offers a 360 view of the Himalayan mountains while the Gosaikunda waterfall quenches your spiritual thirst through Lauribina. The sacred lakes will not only give you peace but will amaze you with their pure beauty. It finally reaches Kathmandu through Chisapani and Sundarijal.

Trip Facts:

Before you start your journey, it is best to address yourself with basic information regarding the entire journey. Some of the trip facts have been mentioned below:

Destination: Nepal
Starting point: Kathmandu
Ending point: Kathmandu
Max Altitude: 4985 meters (Tsergo Ri)
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Best season: February-May & Sept-December
Accommodation: Tea House/ Lodge
Trekking route: Kathmandu- Syabrubesi- Lama Hotel- Mundo via Langtang village- Kyanjin Gompa- Tsergo Ri- Descent to Kyanjin Gompa- Lama Hotel- Thulo Syabru- Lauribina- Gosaikunda- Ghopte- Mangengoth- Gul Bhanjyang- Chisapani- Sundarijal- Kathmandu

Trip Highlights:

Now that you are well known about trip facts why not add a little bit of spice to the trip and jump to its highlights. They are:

• Visit UNESCO heritage sites inside Kathmandu Valley
• 360-degree view of Himalayan ranges
• Get to taste local cuisine and yak cheese that energize you throughout the trip
• Experience warm hospitality from native inhabitants acculturation
• Visit the deepest lake of Nepal with religious significance and myth, Gosaikunda, believed to be created by Lord Shiva
• Witness rare flora, fauna, and natural vegetation in the national park

Difficulty in Langtang Gosaikunda Trek:

Langtang Gosaikunda trekking levels are easy-moderate and suitable for beginners as well who are excited to trek. It is said that there may be difficulties due to various external factors such as climate, altitude, means of transport, height.

The increase in altitude results in unpredictable weather and altitude sickness. So, you should make sure to bring the right type of clothes and drink plenty of water while climbing. If symptoms of altitude sickness occur, take Diamox tablets and reduce your walking speed. Read more about what are the symptoms of altitude sickness.

This trek is best enjoyed in spring and autumn. Rhododendron patches and lush green terrain await you during this auspicious time. Avoid the heat as rain can make the terrain cold and slippery, making your trek more challenging. Don’t forget your travel buddies, leeches, and earthworms!! However, winters can be equally challenging due to extreme cold.

To minimize difficulties, make sure you have suitable trekking gear, are physically fit, and mentally strong.

Which is the best time or season to visit Langtang Gosaikunda?

February to May, June (Spring) and September to December (Autumn) can be considered the best time for this trip.

The onset of spring brings color to the Langtang Valley with colorful Rhododendron, jasmine and wild flower and mustard fields. Mild temperature between 12-20 degrees Celsius without rain and snow gives you the best experience of the trek. This is the best time to encounter rare red pandas and snow leopards. If not, visit the national park where there are various species of musk deer, hawks, deer, etc.

Autumn in Langtang region is known for warm and clear weather and perfect view of snow capped mountains under clear blue sky.

What kind of accommodation services can you expect?

Generally, a good hospitable tea house or lodge is the accommodation to rely on in the Langtang region. Services and facilities may vary depending on the altitude level and accessibility of the area, but be assured of your basic needs. Most of the lodges offer comfortable and clean rooms with delicious food, and warm hospitality.

Additional necessities like WIFI, hot shower and sometimes electricity may not be available in higher areas due to remoteness or if available you may have to pay extra for it. So you might be a bit disappointed due to the lack of standard service. Trek can allow you to stick to the basics and be grateful for them.

What kind of food will you be provided on the trek?

Tea houses and lodges offer you three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with a multi-choice menu ranging from western food to Nepali cuisine. You will have the option of having a variety of drinks to stimulate yourself and snacks for an extra charge. Courses may vary and choices may decrease as you move into rural areas.

For breakfast, you will be served roti, chapati, pancake, egg, soup, and so on from 7-9 am while lunch is served with more carbohydrate-rich courses like pizza, momo, dal bhat, noodles, etc. , dinner is usually freshly served food to encourage you to continue your journey.

There is a popular saying among trekkers in Nepal, “Dal Bhat Power, 24 Hours” This trek is not complete unless you choose Dal Bhat among other courses. The meal set is cheap and you can be assured of an energetic journey ahead without any discomfort or illness. This may be your only support for food once you hit the altitude due to lack of transportation.

What are the festivals you can celebrate?

Nepal is a country where gods live more than humans. Later, the diversity of castes and religions added to this never ending list and as a result Nepal celebrates festivals and rituals almost every day. Especially if you visit in August-November, you will be amazed by the hype and crowds of Jatra and festivals in the capital Kathmandu.

Langtang and Gosaikunda may not offer much in terms of festivals but the trek itself highlights the religious significance of both Hindus and Buddhists. If you visit these places on an auspicious occasion, you will absorb great energy due to the various ancient and powerful shamanic rituals performed in the Kunda.
Some of the festivals celebrated are:
Festivals: Sonam Lhosar, Janai Purnima
Religion: Buddhism (Tamang), Hinduism
Months Celebrated: February, August

Essential Equipment for Trekking:

Proper trekking gear is the key to a successful and exciting trek. No matter what difficulties you face, if you have the right kind of trekking equipment, you can mitigate it to some extent.

No doubt this trek is suitable for beginners, but the wilderness of this remote paradise may test the patience of anyone. So, it is best to stay prepared for any kind of circumstances. Check out the list of trekking gears.

Type of trekking permit required

As the starting point of the trek is Syabru Besi Naka, TIMS card is mandatory for trekkers coming to Langtang area. You can get cards from both Kathmandu and Pokhara from NTB and TAAN.

A permit from Langtang National Park is required for trekking through Langtang National Park. You can get it from NTB or Dhunche entry point in Kathmandu. It costs $15 for citizens of SAARC countries and $30 for others.

How can you get there and the time required to get there?

Your trek to Langtang officially starts from Syabru Besi (80 km from KTM) where you can reach by public bus, jeep or private drive. If you want to see the city and the hustle and bustle of local residents, you can board the bus from Fish Pond at 7-9 am. You can also opt to take a private jeep or bike to blend in with the scenery. Within 7-8 hours of drive, you can reach there.

A 7-8 hour trek to Lama Hotel via Syabru Besi (11 km) takes you through bamboo forests to a wide upper valley with grazing lands and grasslands. Gradually, you can reach Canjin Gompa (3817 m above sea level) through Langtang Valley by trekking for 3-4 hours.

What kinds of flora and fauna will you get to see?

Langtang National Park is home to a variety of flora and fauna that enrich its ecology. The trek will surprise you with lowland subtropical bamboo to tall trees, colorful rhododendron to subalpine vegetation like silver-fir, hemlock, etc.

There are 46 species of mammals including rare species like snow leopard, red panda, musk deer, Himalayan tiger. 70 species of butterflies and 345 species of birds add color to the landscape of lush vegetation and make your trip enjoyable.

What are the special characteristics of local residents?

The local inhabitants of the Langtang region are of Sherpa, Tamang and Bhotia origin. The valley has ancient monasteries, Buddhist relics, gem walls, the people here practice the Buddhist Bon-Po culture. The spiritual people intimately connected with the valley offer you the best hospitality you will ever experience.

Feel free to interact with people and live their lifestyle. The best way to know about the specific place you will do during this trek. If you are interested, participate in local farming and invest your time in rural lifestyle.

Conclusion:

Langtang and Gosaikunda trek is a great alternative to Annapurna Base Camp or Everest Base Camp trek. Experience the wilderness in the lap of the Himalayas, cross forests and raging rivers, expand your social horizons by interacting with locals, and come to the most diverse ecological reserve.

This holiday, why not avoid the tourist circuit and opt for a more approachable, serene, peaceful trek to Langtang and Gosaikunda. The trekkers in many ways contribute towards the development of the region by paying their visit. The overall economic and socio-cultural environment may get transformed through trekking. So, let’s not wait! Pack your bags and hurry to the mountains.