Langtang, Helambu Gosaikunda Trek

This classical trek combines three major areas north of Kathmandu along the border of Tibet Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu. Langtang is a narrow valley that lies just south of the Tibetan border. It is sandwiched between the main Himalayan range to the north and a slightly lower range of snowy peaks to the south. This trek offers an opportunity to explore villages, to climb small peaks and to visit glaciers at a comfortably low elevation. You can trek to Langtang by returning to Kathmandu via the holy lakes of Gosainkund at 4300 meters, thousands of Hindu pilgrims visit the lakes during the full moon festival in August. The lake is also sacred to Buddhists. Gosaikunda is actually the largest of three main lakes the other two being Saraswatikunda and Bhairabkunda. Hindu legend has it that the lakes were formed when the God Siva plunged his trident (Trisul) into the ground in order to obtain water. The Trisuli River has its source in the lakes thus the name.

Helambu valley is very famous for its natural beauty and wonderful climate with superb views of magnificent snow-covered mountains. The area covers typical highland Sherpa villages along with beautiful Rhododendron forests. This region extends from the north to Taramarang to the Gosaikunda Lake and the lower Jugal Himal from the north. The valley is approached from Trishuli River Valley, north of Kathmandu.

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Itinerary / Highlights

Day 01- Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1345meters).
There you will be met by our Airport Representative and transferred to hotel by private tourist vehicle. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02- Pre-trip Meeting and Sightseeing around Kathmandu valley.
In the morning after breakfast at 9 AM, we host a Pre-Trip meeting at your hotel in Kathmandu and introduced your trek Leader/Guide mean time and it will provide an opportunity for individuals to ask questions about the your trek and to introduce you to other participants. This includes a final briefing and preparations for the trip.

PLEASE ADVISE US IF YOU WILL BE ARRIVING LATE AND ARE THEREFORE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE PRE-TRIP MEETING.

In THE PRE-TRIP MEETING All passengers MUST bring:
1. Passport.
2. Four copies of Passport size photos each.
3. Travel Insurance Policy.
4. A writing pen
5. Notepad.

After the Pre-Trip meeting and breakfast your sightseeing trip will start at 9.45 AM in the morning. We provide a private vehicle and professional tour guide. We visit Bodhnath Stupa, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world, where we observe Buddhist monks in prayer in the monasteries surrounding the stupa. After Bodhnath Stupa we visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple in the country, located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. Here we see Hindu holy men (sadhus) meditating, pilgrims bathing and occasionally funeral pyres burning on the ghats. We also visit Bhaktapur Durbar Square, which is a collection of pagoda and shikhara & style temples grouped around a fifty-five-window palace of brick and wood. The attraction of the Bhaktapur Durbar Square is The Lion gate, The Golden gate, The Palace of fifty five windows, Art Galleries, The Statue of King Bhupatindra Malla.

The rest of our time in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel area near by your hotel. Later, we are supplied with our Trek Pack and departure information for tomorrow. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03- Drive to Sybru Bensi (1462meters) by bus 8 hours.
Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi which takes about nine hours by bus or Land cruiser depending on group size. You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Syabru Besi passing through Dhunche. While passing along the road at the bank of Trishuli river you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and green hills. As you pass through Dhunche you feel as if you are heading towards deep land. At the same time, you notice that the road is still under construction. Overnight at hotel.

Day 04- Trek to Lama Hotel (2500meters) 5 hours.
Today, the first part of the trail crosses through Bhote Koshi and follows the Langtang Khola. This trail gradually ascents up to Bamboo passing through Landslide. Afterwards, your trek ascends gently to Rimche (2400meters) through Bamboo (1960meters) which lies at the bank of Langtang Khola. You can have lunch at this place if you like and at the end your trail is level to the Lama Hotel. En route you could see red pandas, monkeys and bears if you are lucky. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 05- Trek to Langtang Village (3307meters) 5 hours.
The trek route follows Gumanechok, Ghoda Tabela literally it means the Horse Stable. After this the trail is slightly gradual and beautiful in the valley with the grazing Yaks. Langtang village is very local and a very old village of this trekking route and the views from here more spectacular as we get closer to mountain. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 06- Trek to Kyanjin Gompa (3798meters) 4 hours.
Today is a shorter walk but enough for acclimatization. The surroundings are interesting also because of the famous Cheese factory. This beautiful valley in the lap of the Langtang Lirung. This is the place to explore the valley and lots of small peaks to climb. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 07- Kyanjin Gompa exploration day.
Today is a day to rest and explore the area. You can visit the monastery and the cheese factory, walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri (4350meters) which is the highest point of this trek, directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang peaks. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 08- Trek back to Lama Hotel (2500meters) 5.30 hours.
Rejoin the trail to Lama Hotel. Overnight stay at guesthouse.

Day 09- Trek to Thulo Sybru (2250meters) 5 hours.
The beginning of the trail gently descents to the Landslide which then goes steeply up to Thulo Syabru. En route you could see red pandas, monkeys and various species of birds. Thulo Syabru is a wonderful village. From where you can enjoy the amazing land feature and the magnificent nature with splendid views of Ganesh Himal (7110meters), Langtang Himal and its ranges. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 10- Trek to Singompa (3250meters) 5 hours.
The trails from Thulo Syabru to Foprang Danda (3200meters) follows a steep ascent path passing through Dursagang (2660meters) along with the views of Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Tibetan Mountain, Hemlock and forests. Now the path gently ascends for a while then it follows a flat level to Sing Gompa. There is a well managed local cheese factory and a Buddhist Monastery. Singgompa provides panoramic views, exhilarating nature and Yak Cheese factory. The cheese manufactured here is considered the best in Nepal. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 11- Trek to Gosaikunda (4300meters) 5 hours.
The first part of the trail emerges and we steadily climb up to Lauribinayak and the top of Lauribinayak gives you an exotic feeling. With a steep ascent all the way to Gosaikunda. You follow a rugged trail with dramatic views to the Manaslu range, Ganesh Himal range, Tibetan peaks and Langtang Lirung. On a clear day, even the Annapurna range can be seen rising up behind and to the north also across the valley is Langtang Lirung. You pass a few huts in the high pasture of Laurebinayak, cross a small ridge and have your first views of the holy lake of Gosaikunda. There are about a dozen lakes in the Gosainkunda Basin the main three being Saraswatikunda, Bhairabkunda and Gosainkunda. According to legend Gosainkunda was created by Shiva when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water to quench his thirst after having swallowed a poison that threatened to destroy the world. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 12- Cross over the Laurebina Yak pass (4610meters) then trek to Ghopte (3430meters) 6 hours.
The trail leaves Gosaikund and climbs through rugged country, past four small lakes to the Laurebina La (4610meters), the highest point of this trek. Keep looking back at the spectacular views of Manaslu and the mountains of the Ganesh Himal, as well as the now familiar Langtang Lirung. You then descend steeply to camp near Gopte. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 13- Trek to Melamchi Gaon via Tharepati Pass (3490meters). 6 hours.
The first part of the trail slightly descends and then begins to ascend through the rhododendron forests until Thearepati and then your trek goes in descending order. Before climbing to Tharepati, a group of herders' huts at 3579meters you cross a stream after coming through rhododendron, oak and juniper forests. From Tharepati the trail gradually descends through pine and rhododendron forest with good views down into the Helambu valley and across to Jugal Himal and Numbur in the Solu Khumbu. Melamchi Gaon is surrounded by beautiful forests, which is mainly inhabited by Sherpa people with their distinctive culture. Some Buddhist monasteries. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 14- Trek to Tarkeghyang (2743meters). 5.30 Hours.
The early part of the trek descends until you cross the stream named as Melamchi. Now you trek gently up to Tarkeghyang passing through Sherpa settlements. Tarkeghyang is a beautiful Sherpa village with one of the oldest and biggest monasteries. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 15- Trek to Shermathang (2621meters). 5.30 hours.
Today the trail is quite easy through flat land with beautiful forests on the way. You trek on crossing some small streams on the way. Situated in a beautiful village on the half way to Shermathang. Shermathang is another pretty Sherpa village where you can visit many ancient monasteries. There you can see Jugal Himal range at the north face of Shermathang village. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 16- Trek to Melamchi Pul Bazaar (846meters). 5 hours.
The trail gradually descends all the way to Melamchi Pul Bazaar through meadows and cultivated fields. Along the way, you come across several old villages with their own particular traditions. Walking today is quite pleasant with mountain views and the possibility of interacting with locals as they are friendly people. Overnight at guesthouse.

Day 17- Drive from Melamchi Pul Bazaar to Kathmandu. 4 hours.
You travel through a gravel and bumpy path up to Lamidanda and then follow the pitched road up to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18- Leisure day in Kathmandu.
Extra day in Kathmandu for relaxing and some shopping , if you are interested in continuing onto Chitwan Jungle Safari, River Rafting Adventure, Kathmandu Shopping Tour or Scenic Everest Flight.

Day 19- Transfer for your final flight departure.
The trip ends, our Airport Representative will drop you to the Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

NOTE: The above information is a guide and standard template of what we provide. The trek can be customized at your request to accommodate your specific requirements.

On adventure trips of this type, weather, local politics, transport or a multitude of other factors beyond our control can result in a change of itinerary. It is, however, very unlikely that the itinerary would be substantially altered; if alterations are necessary the leader will decide what is the best alternative, taking into consideration the best interests of the whole group. Where a change does occur, we do everything we can to minimize its effect, but we cannot be responsible for the results of changes or delays.

Other Details

Accommodation Details

Twin sharing tea Houses / Lodges, Guesthouses accommodation during the trek (14 night's trekking guesthouse).