Gosaikund (Frozen Lake) Trek 07 Days

The Langtang Himalayas are within easy reach of Kathmandu. But they rival any alpine area on the planet for staggering natural beauty. The Langtang region remains one of Nepal's hidden treasures with far less tourist traffic than the Everest or Annapurna regions.

 

 Gosainkunda is commonly known as "Frozen Lake". Not only trekkers, but also religious pilgrims aspire to this trek at moderately high elevation (4300 m). The pilgrims have a belief that if one takes a dip into the pond, sin comes out of the body. The Langtang Gosainkunda trek is one of the most beautiful trekking in Nepal. Kund is a Nepali word, means: lake. There are 108 kunds in this area and mainly visible from the routes are Saraswati Kund, Bhairab Kund, Surya Kund and Goshaikund is the famous and most important one.

It is believed to have originated from the digging of the land by the Trishul (holy 3 pointed sword) of lord Shiva after he drank the poison from samudramanthan and desperately wanted cold water to drink to quench the overwhelming heat of the poison.It is also believed that the water from Gosaikund Lake disappears into an underground channel and comes out at Kumbheswar pool in Patan near Kathmandu.

We drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche (112 km) passing Trisuli Bazaar, which is the site of a major hydroelectric power station. From here, we walk to Sing Gompa and on to Laurebina to reach Gosaikund. As the trail climbs, there are great views of the Annapurnas, Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung (7,246 m.) Gangchenpo (5,846 m.), Dorje Lakpa (6,966 m.) and other peaks. The Gosaikund area contains a cluster of three lakes, Gosaikund being the largest.

Best season to visit: In the spring (February / March to May/ June) when the rhododendrons, the national flower of Nepal, are in bloom. Also in the fall (September to November / December) or post-monsoon when the weather is temperate and the skies are clear.

Trek Grade: Moderate. This is not a difficult trek although it has some steep climbs. No mountaineering skills required. This itinerary offers a gradual gain of the altitude to greatly reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

Maximum altitude: 4300m at Gosainkunda.

Length of trek: It is advisable to spend two weeks around this region (Langtang Valley and Gosainkunda) to fully experience the full scenic and cultural splendor.

Accommodations: This is traditionally a teahouse trek with well-maintained facilities along the route. It can also be organized as a camping trek as the valley floor can provide comfortable camping spots in good weather. Camping trek rates and fees are considerably higher as more resources are required.

Additional Information: Trekkers must beware of snowfall and avalanches that can block the narrow entrance. Our experienced porters/guides will help you to avoid potentially unsafe situations.

Outline Itinerary

 

Day 01	Kathmandu to Dhunche (1950m) (117 km/ 7-8 hours): Drive by bus/jeep.
Day 02	Dhunche to Sin Gompa: Trek.
Day 03	Sin Gompa to Gosainkunda Lake: Trek.
Day 04	Gosainkunda to Tharepati: Trek.
Day 05	Tharepati to Kutumsang: Trek.
Day 06	Kutumsang to Chisopani: Trek.
Day 07	Chisopani to Kathmandu via Sundarijal (15km/ one hour): Trek, drive by bus/car

Detailed Itinerary

 

Day 01: Kathmandu to Dhunche (1950m) (117 km/ 7-8 hours): Drive by bus/jeep.
Leaving the hotel we drive west to Balaju, a small district on the Kathmandu Ring Road and follow the Trishuli Highway along the base of Nagarjung until we leave the valley. A further 15 minutes drive later; we start climbing to the pass at Kakani, a small viewpoint on the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley. On a clear day the view is good from here and we see our first snow capped mountains - the Ganesh Mountain Range and Langtang. The descent is quite amazing down to the Trishuli Valley as we snake our way down past Ranipauwa and other small villages loosing about a thousand meters in altitude. We cross the Battar Khola and climb slightly to arrive on the plateau of Battar and past the armies barrack just before dropping down to the Trishuli River. The drive now slows a little as we are on the dirt road following the Trishuli River. At Betrawati we cross the bridge and start climbing zigzagging through Tamang and Brahmin villages among terraced fields. Looking down the view is quite pleasing of the Trishuli River snaking away in the distance. We climb a little past Kalikasthan until the road traverse the mountainside high above the valley. Before arriving at the district headquarters in Dhunche, trekkers are required to register at the Langtang National Park Headquarter. We will stay overnight in a Hotel at Dhunche.

 

 

Day 02: Dhunche to Sin Gompa: Trek.

This is a steady climb up to Shing Gompa through very thick forest. There is a (Yak) cheese factory here, and an old Gompa (Monastery), you can visit if the caretaker is available.

 

Day 03:  Shing Gompa to Gosainkunda Lake: Trek

Leaving Shing Gompa you pass a slope with stumps of burnt trees caused by forest fire many years ago. The trees have not managed to regenerate very well but the slope make good pasture for the grazing animals. This morning is a comfortable walk climbing gently as we delve in and out of the forest to Cholangpati on a saddle. This section of woodland has been classified as Red Panda Reserve so, as a result of bigger population, occasional sightings on the trail is not unknown. The vista looking north from here is fantastic of the Langtang.There is a sudden change in the vegetation as we climb from here, from sparse rhododendron bush to rhododendron scrub. The climb is steady as we gain 400m more to Laurebina for lunch. Laurebina is a great viewpoint looking across to the Ganesh Himal and on a clear and non-hazy day one can even see as far as the Annapurnas. We start the afternoon zigzagging up the ridge to a temple. The climb gets less steep from here as we carry on with the climb and continue to gain altitude until after a flight of steps we come on a ledge where on either side in small niches are housed a couple of images of gods. Bhairabkund, first of the two lakes, and the lodges of Gosaikund are in view from here. We descend the steps and gradually climb up to Gosaikund. There is a small Shiva Temple and Hindus come here on pilgrimage to bathe in the holy waters of the lake that is said to wash away the sins and cleanse the soul. There is a trail around the lake for an afternoon walk. Look out for white-capped redstarts, robin and alpine accentors and dippers.

 

Day 04: Gosainkunda to Tharepati:  Trek.
After a quick drink we can climb up to the viewpoint behind the lodges for the stunning view that it is well known for. The mountain views from here include – Langtang and the Lendi peaks in Tibet, The
Ganesh Himal, and on very clear days even Manaslu and the Annapurnas. It is a great vantage point looking over the lakes and the peaks surrounding.
After breakfast, we set out along the trail following the shores of the lake and start climbing up uneven stone steps past the prayer flags at the spring, the source of the lake. The ascent is gradual this morning as we pass two more lakes, until we arrive on the Laurebina Pass (4610m) at the third lake Suryakund.
We are surrounded by tremendous views throughout this morning. The descent is gentle at first, and then gets steeper as we pass a lone teashop to Phedi. Drop steeply further to cross a stream and from this point the trail undulates with some steep ascents and descents for the rest of the day’s walk. There is fantastic view looking over the valley as you walk through a very lush vegetation of mainly juniper, rhododendron and bamboo. After about two and a half hours later we climb steeply onto a ledge, and then descend to Ghopte. The trail drops a little to begin with and then undulates until emerging out of the forest we climb up to Tharepati. There is a great view from here mainly of the Jugal Himal Range east of Langtang including, Dhorje Lhakpa, Phurbi Chyachu, Gauri Shanker, and even Shisapangma, Cho Oyu and as far as Numbur.

 

Day 05: Tharepati to Kutumsang: Trek.

After breakfast, we descend down the steps and follow the ridge taking in the view, and steadily descend through the forest occasionally emerging at small clearings with derelict houses of Megengoth. This area is resident to the Satyr Tragopan, rare specie of pheasant that are occasionally seen on the trail.

After the small pass at the Deurali (small pass) we descend gently to begin with arriving at a small lodge, the descent then becomes steeper as the trail courses through the forest on deeply rutted water eroded path. Emerging out of the forest after about two hours later we arrive at a grassy knoll with a stupa, and then reenter the forest and drop down to Kutumsang.

 

Day 06: Kutumsang to Chisopani:  Trek.

After Breakfast, We walk through the village and gently climb past the healthcare center for about an hour up to a tea house then descend past another tea house and further down on a rocky path to the Tamang Village in Gol Bhanjyang. We continue through the village past the stupa and on a much wider path to Thodong Danda.From Thodong Danda, We climb a little to Chipling Danda from where we should be able to see Chisopani, our destination, and then descend steeply down a rocky and rough path to Chipling Village. This is a very authentic Tamang village, with thatch-roofed houses as we pass through before descending further down to Tinkune Bhanjyang. It is a fairly level walk from here to Pati Bhanjyang, then a steady climb up to Chisapani. We will stay overnight in a hotel in Chisopani.

 

Day 07: Chisopani to Kathmandu via Sundarijal (15km/ one hour): Trek, drive by Taxi / car

After Breakfast, we Leave Chisopani and enter the Shivapuri National Park. We follow the wide trail forking out to the right for a short while before taking a smaller path off the main as we start climbing through the National park.
Shivapuri National Park is resident to a very big population of wild boar, deer, leopard and many species of bird. It is a gentle climb for about two hours and then descends down to Sundarijal as we pass the reservoir. Our transport should be waiting to drive us to our hotel in Kathmandu.

 

Price includes:

• Arrival and departure by Car.  (Airport to City, City to Airport)
• Ground Transportation from Kathmandu to Dhunche by bus, Sundarijal to Kathmandu by Taxi or Private Car.
• All meals (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) and Accommodation in Trek.
• Best quality Sleeping bags, dawn Jackets.
• First Aid Kit
• Langtang National Park permit  (Nrs. 1000 Per person) and Shiva Puri national park permit. (Nrs 500 per person)
• English speaking Experienced Guide (Licensed by Government) and Porters (1 porter for 2 client).
• All necessaries for Nepalese staff (all meals, accommodation in teahouses, equipments, insurance etc).
• Certificate of Trek completion from Himalayan Humanity Trekking.

Price Excludes:

• Any bar bills (alcoholic drinks, mineral water and cold drinks),
• Client's personal insurance and Personal expenses,
• Meals and Accommodations in Kathmandu.
• Rescue,
• Tips for staff (porter/Guide) etc

 

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