- Length
- 9 days
- Highest point
- 4,610 m
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Starts
- Dhunche / Syabrubesi
- Group size
- 2–12 People
- Sleeping
- Tea House
<p>Trek to the sacred Hindu and Buddhist alpine lakes of Gosaikunda (4,380m).</p>
- Gosaikunda Lake (4,380 m) — the most sacred Hindu high-altitude pilgrimage lake in Nepal
- Lauribinayak Pass (4,609 m) — high-altitude crossing between Langtang and Helambu valleys
- Sacred lake chain at dawn: Suryakunda, Bhairavkunda, Gosaikunda reflect the Himalayan sky
- Langtang National Park — red panda, Himalayan tahr, and snow leopard territory
- Tharepati ridge (3,608 m) — sweeping views of the Ganesh and Jugal Himalaya
- Authentic Tamang villages on the descent to Helambu — rich Buddhist culture
- Janai Purnima festival atmosphere (July–August): thousands of Hindu pilgrims at the lake
- Less-crowded alternative to Everest and Annapurna — true off-radar Himalayan trek
The climb, day by day
Day 1Kathmandu — Drive to Dhunche1,950 m
Drive northwest from Kathmandu (5–6 hours) through the Trishuli River gorge and terraced hillsides to Dhunche (1,950m), the headquarters of Langtang National Park and starting point for the Gosaikunda pilgrimage route.
- Distance
- –
- Walking
- Drive
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 2Dhunche to Sing Gompa3,330 m
Trek steeply uphill through dense rhododendron and bamboo forest, passing yak pastures and small Tamang settlements to Sing Gompa (3,330m), home to a centuries-old cheese factory and a small gompa. Fine views of Langtang Lirung (7,227m) begin to appear.
- Distance
- 11 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 3Sing Gompa to Lauribina Yak4,610 m
Trek above the treeline through juniper scrub and open alpine meadows to Lauribina Yak (4,610m), the last permanent settlement before the sacred lakes. Dramatic views in all directions including Ganesh Himal and Manaslu.
- Distance
- 9 km
- Walking
- 4–5 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 4Lauribina Yak to Gosaikunda Lake4,380 m
Reach the holy Gosaikunda Lake (4,380m), one of the most sacred sites in Nepal — Hindus believe the lake was created by Lord Shiva and bathe here in their thousands during the Janai Purnima festival. The lake sits in a dramatic glacial bowl surrounded by rocky peaks.
- Distance
- 5 km
- Walking
- 2–3 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 5Gosaikunda — Explore Saraswati Kund — Rest Day4,380 m
Full day to explore the Gosaikunda lake complex. Visit Saraswati Kund and Bhairab Kund, smaller sacred lakes above Gosaikunda. Watch pilgrims perform puja rituals. Acclimatization rest in preparation for the pass crossing tomorrow.
- Distance
- 5 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 6Gosaikunda — Cross Lauribina Pass — Ghopte3,430 m
Cross the Lauribina Pass (4,610m), from where Himalayan views stretch from Ganesh Himal to Langtang and beyond. Descend steeply through alpine meadows and rhododendron forest to Ghopte (3,430m).
- Distance
- 12 km
- Walking
- 6–7 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 7Ghopte to Kutumsang2,470 m
Traverse the ridge through oak and rhododendron forest, with occasional views north to the snow peaks, descending to the small Tamang village of Kutumsang (2,470m).
- Distance
- 14 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 8Kutumsang to Chisapani2,215 m
Continue along the Shivapuri-Nagarjun ridge trail, descending through oak forest and terraced farmland to Chisapani (2,215m), where panoramic views of the Himalaya stretch from Dhaulagiri to Everest on a clear day.
- Distance
- 16 km
- Walking
- 5–6 hours
- Meals
- B, L, D
- Night
- Tea House
Day 9Chisapani — Sundarijal — Drive Kathmandu1,400 m
Final descent through Shivapuri National Park and the forest reserve to the Sundarijal reservoir and dam. Short drive or walk to Sundarijal village and then by vehicle back to Kathmandu city.
- Distance
- 9 km
- Walking
- 3–4 hours
- Meals
- B, L
- Night
- –
The price includes
- Government-registered English-speaking guide
- Porter (1 per 2 trekkers)
- Langtang National Park entry permit
- TIMS card
- Kathmandu–Dunche/Syabrubesi bus and return bus
- All teahouse accommodation on trek
- 3 meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Altitude illness kit and pulse oximeter
- All government taxes and service charges
You pay separately
- International airfare to/from Kathmandu
- Nepal entry visa fee ($30–$50 on arrival)
- Comprehensive travel insurance with emergency evacuation
- Meals not listed in daily itinerary
- Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Tips for guides and porters
- Beverages, hot showers, and battery charging at teahouses (payable direct)
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Any costs arising from illness, injury, or early departure
The Gosaikunda Lake Trek is a 9-day journey to one of Nepal's most sacred pilgrimage sites — a string of sixteen alpine lakes at 4,380 m in the Langtang National Park, of which Gosaikunda is the most revered: a Hindu holy lake visited by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims during Janai Purnima (full moon, July–August) and renowned for its crystal-clear waters and surrounding 6,000 m peaks.
The approach from Syabrubesi climbs through the Sing Gompa forest and Laurebina La (4,610 m) to reach the lake basin. The high plateau above the lakes offers panoramic views of Langtang Lirung (7,227 m), Ganesh Himal, and Dorje Lakpa on clear days. The descent via Sundarijal returns through rhododendron forest — the full traverse from Syabrubesi to Sundarijal is the classic Gosaikunda route, covering varied terrain with excellent acclimatisation staging.
Best seasons: October–November and March–May (avoid August monsoon). Access: Kathmandu–Syabrubesi bus (included). Max altitude: Laurebina La 4,610 m.