Undertake the Langtang Gosaikunda trek to explore the mystique and splendor of the Langtang Himalayas while learning about the indigenous Tamang communities. This adventurous trek offers beautiful mountain landscapes and varied flora and fauna, making it excellent for nature lovers who prefer longer journeys. It is best suited for novice trekkers with good physical fitness and those seeking a slightly more challenging experience than the Langtang Valley trek.
Located north of Kathmandu, the Langtang region is one of Nepal's most scenic areas. As you trek along this inspiring trail through Langtang National Park, you might encounter wildlife. Though less famous than the Langtang Valley trek, the Langtang Gosaikunda trek has much to offer. You'll pass through traditional Tamang villages, ascend Kyanjin Ri (4,773m) and Tserko Ri (4,984m), and visit the sacred Gosaikunda Lake, a site of pilgrimage for both Hindu and Buddhist visitors.
The trek winds through rhododendron and pine forests, follows the Langtang River, and crosses suspension bridges. You’ll stay in guesthouses, experiencing the local village life. The trail has a strong Tibetan Buddhist influence, with stupas, chortens, and prayer wheels adding to the cultural richness of the journey.
Trek to sacred Gosaikunda Lake, visiting Langtang village and Kyanjin Gompa, enjoy a dazzling array of rhododendron forests, meadows, and waterfalls, and be immersed in the calm alpine forests of the Langtang region.
- An off the beaten track, less crowded trek in the Langtang region leads to the sacred Gosaikunda Lake.
- It offers hiking through lush rhododendron forests and alpine woodlands with panoramic views, alongside visits to serene villages.
- Cross suspension bridges, walk past scenic waterfalls, and encounter various birds and wildlife.
- Explore the rich culture of the Tamang and Sherpa households.
- Visit Kyanjin Gompa and trek up to Tserko Ri for stunning mountain panoramas.
- By joining this trek, you’ll support the local community while enjoying beautiful scenery.
What to Expect on the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
Commonly known as the Langtang Gosaikunda trek, this journey is an expansive experience through the highest reaches of the Himalayas, an area designated as a national park that certainly partakes of a spate of adventure-the Langtang Valley itself and the Gosaikunda area. This region is renowned for its tranquil atmosphere, providing a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in nature's serenity.
Rich and Diverse Fauna and Flora in the Mighty Himalayan Scenery of Langtang National Park
Langtang National Park, situated close to Kathmandu, provides one such rare opportunity to encounter vast varieties of wildlife, endangered species notwithstanding. Although spotting such animals is uncertain, the area is relatively small, so chances are better to see elusive red pandas in bamboo forests, Himalayan tahr, and various bird species.
The park's rich biodiversity exists in forests of oak, rhododendron, pine, and bamboo, easily accessible. Trekking north of Kathmandu Valley, you will be rewarded with splendid views of the Langtang ranges, with peaks such as Langtang Lirung and Ganesh Himal massive above the clouds. Nature and mountain lovers are bound to be mesmerized by the stunning views, including verdant jungle, terraced fields, pasture lands, and rugged gorges. Photographers and videographers will discover that it offers something distinctive: the eye-catching background of the formidable Himalayas overall enhances imagery and the hikers' experience.
Why the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek is Off the Beaten Path and What Makes Gosaikunda Lake So Sacred?
Though Nepal is home to tourists for around 70 years and has allured those with a wanderlust for stunts in the lovely hills and Himalayas, popular trekking destinations, Everest attention, and Annapurna are largely commercialized and crowded during peak spring and autumn seasons. Sometimes these busy routes diminish the peaceful, mystical atmosphere of the Himalayas. In contrast, the Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek remains a less-trodden area compared to other trekking areas of Kathmandu. With numerous routes and side treks, it is rich in places allowing trekkers to discover even more remote, peaceful locations, away from any large crowds. It's a place to relish uncrowded beauty, rural indigenous life, various cultures, wildlife, and fabulous scenery.
Set at an altitude of 4,380 meters, Gosaikunda is glacial freshwater, surrounded by the majestic Ganesh, Manaslu, and the Langtang ranges, and is considered very sacred amongst Hindus and Buddhists. As per Hindu belief, the lake was created by Lord Shiva to cool his burning body after the cosmic churning of the ocean, during which he drank the poison. He made it by striking the rock with his trident. The area around Gosaikunda is rich in Buddhist monasteries and chortens, adorned with rainbow-colored prayer flags, and symbolizes quite harmoniously the two religions. The lake becomes a pilgrimage site each August during the festival of Janai Purnima, when it draws many devotees and trekkers, acting as a place where spirituality comes to visit natural beauty in a truly unique manner.
Why Explore Kyanjin Gompa, Tsergo Ri, Langtang Glacier, and Experience Laurebina Pass on the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek?
Kyanjin Gompa, Tsergo Ri, and Langtang glacier are among the most remarkable sites in this culturally and religiously significant part of Langtang region. Rising to an elevation of 3870 m, Kyanjin Gompa is the most important Buddhist monastery-and-factories producing cheese nearby. Due to serenity, the trekkers will be at liberty to appreciate the engrossing lifestyle of the villagers' settlement here. Apart from this, the Kyanjin Gompa offers an incredible view of surrounding mountains and lower pasturelands, the excellent acclimatization site. Hence, it is the last traditional village of Langtang Valley endowed with beautiful view and cultural wealth, which provides a real taste of trekking in Nepal. Towering up as the major peak to the north, Tsergo Ri offers stunning vistas of Langtang district, visible wholly traversing in a wide circle.
Laurebina Pass at 4610 m is the highest point along the Langtang Gosaikunda 14 day trek, it is another terrific destination. Gorgeous views of the towering mountains, gushing like ocean waves, are granted there. The Laurebina Pass excites the trek when it gets steep and lofty with unpredictable weather between the Gosaikunda Lake and Helambu, thus making the journey more exciting and rewarding to the trekkers and adding zeal to the overall experience of exploring the Langtang Gosaikunda region.
How Much Does the Trek Cost on a 14 Day Langtang Gosaikunda Itinerary?
The 14 day itinerary for the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek can be variable, depending on your choice of route and adapted trekking speed. However, uncertainties in weather can require you to make spontaneous changes. Nepal Nomad Trekking provides an extended standard package, the arrangement of which can be done according to one's preferences and financial needs.
We can customize your itinerary fully based on your personal requirements, and it is best discussed before starting the hike. You are free to either add or subtract days from the package to suit the needs of each trekker. It is also important to include buffer days for acclimatization and until the end of the trek to allow for any extension to your stay in Langtang Valley.
Typically, expect to shell out between USD 1,500-2,200 per person for the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek. This cost should cover the duration of the trek, the necessary permits, accommodation, meals, porters, and guides. One of Nepal's premier travel, tour, and trekking operators, we provide for you a rewarding 14 day itinerary that includes great adventures in each turn-and that's something you cannot afford to miss.
