Langtang and Gosaikunda Lakes Trek

Langtang lies north of Kathmandu, in a national park on the border with Tibet. The fourteen-day trip combines the classic Langtang valley route with a separate high-altitude branch to the Gosaikunda lakes. The journey therefore shows not one scenic corridor but two different districts: the glacial valley around Kyanjin Gompa, and the forested ridges with the lake plateau above Sing Gompa.

The first part starts at Syabrubesi. The trail follows the Langtang Khola river through forest to Lama Hotel, then climbs through the settlements of the valley to Langtang and Kyanjin Gompa. Mani walls, chortens, prayer flags and villages of the Tamang people line the way. Kyanjin Gompa opens views of Langtang Lirung and the glaciated part of the massif.

After the descent to Lama Hotel the route does not end but turns towards Thulo Syabru, Sing Gompa and Gosaikunda. The lakes are revered by Hindus and Buddhists alike and are a place of pilgrimage. For the traveller this is the highest and most exposed section of the trip: the forest stays below, the trail gains altitude, and the weather becomes noticeably more changeable.

The compulsory trip does not include an ascent of Yala Peak, Surya Peak or any other summit. Its maximum confirmed point is the Gosaikunda area at about 4361 m. The route calls for no mountaineering technique, but altitude remains a real factor. Before the trip you must know the signs of altitude illness and study the guidance on preventing altitude sickness.

In physical terms Langtang – Gosaikunda sits between a short walking trek and the high-altitude routes to the base camps of the eight-thousanders. There are no domestic flights and no tented camps here, but there are daily stages, long descents and a night above 4300 m. If you want a higher route that reaches an eight-thousander, compare this trip with the Annapurna Base Camp trek.

The main advantage of the Mountain Guide trip is a team leader with the group once four participants or more are assembled. The leader helps assess how everyone is coping, explains the logic of the pace and coordinates the Nepali team. For a smaller group the language and the composition of the accompaniment are confirmed separately before booking.

For a first Himalayan trek it is worth reading in advance about what to consider before travelling to Nepal. On the route itself, decisions about pace, acclimatisation outings and movement through high-altitude sections are taken by the guide.

Day 1. Arrival in Kathmandu, 1350 m.

Participants fly into Kathmandu international airport independently, where a team representative meets them and takes them to the hotel. After check-in there is an introduction, an equipment check and a discussion of the onward logistics. The day is set aside for recovery after the flight. Night at the hotel.

Day 2. Preparation and free day in Kathmandu.

Participants complete their preparation for the trek and buy any missing equipment. Free time can be used to explore Kathmandu independently. Transport, a guide and entrance tickets to sights are not confirmed as included services. Night at the hotel.

Day 3. Road transfer from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi, 1467 m.

The group travels to the start of the route by bus or jeep. The drive takes about seven to eight hours, but the actual time depends on road conditions. The day involves no significant physical effort, yet the road is uneven in places, so it is important to rest on arrival before the first stage. Night at a lodge.

Day 4. Trek to Lama Hotel, 2490 m.

The walking part begins at Syabrubesi. The trail crosses a bridge, follows the Langtang Khola and passes through forest. During the day the group covers about 11.3 km in roughly five hours. The first stage helps everyone find a working rhythm without a sudden move to high altitude. Night at a lodge.

Day 5. Trek to Langtang village, 3300 m.

The route continues to climb through forest and the settlements of the valley. As altitude increases, views of Langtang Lirung and the neighbouring peaks open up. The stage takes about four to five hours. On arrival participants rest and monitor how they feel before the next, higher overnight stop. Night at a lodge.

Day 6. Trek to Kyanjin Gompa, 3798 m.

The group walks about four hours through a more open valley past mani walls, chortens and prayer flags. A stage that is short in time leaves a margin for calm adaptation to altitude and for getting to know the monastery area. Night at a lodge.

Day 7. Descent to Lama Hotel, 2490 m.

After looking round the surroundings of Kyanjin Gompa the group returns along the familiar trail through Langtang and Ghoda Tabela. The descent takes about five hours. Losing altitude aids recovery, but the long load on the knees calls for a careful pace and the use of trekking poles. Night at a lodge.

Day 8. Trek to Thulo Syabru, 2230 m.

The trail first descends to the river and then climbs to Thulo Syabru. The stage takes about five hours and links the group with the route to Gosaikunda. The day combines a descent with a fresh gain in altitude, so it is important not to speed up after the previous stage. Night at a lodge.

Day 9. Trek to Sing Gompa, 3330 m.

The group climbs through pine forest to Sing Gompa, also known as Chandanbari. The stage takes about four hours. The gain in altitude prepares for the next overnight stop by the lakes; after check-in participants rest and check their warm clothing. Night at a lodge.

Day 10. Trek to the Gosaikunda lakes, 4361 m.

The trail climbs through the Lauribina area and reaches the lake plateau. The estimated duration is about five hours. In clear weather there are views of Langtang, Ganesh Himal and other ranges along the way. This is the maximum compulsory altitude of the trip, so the guide monitors the pace and the condition of every participant. Night at a lodge.

Day 11. The Gosaikunda lakes and return to Sing Gompa.

In the morning the group looks round Gosaikunda, Bhairab Kunda and Saraswati Kunda, then descends to Sing Gompa. The stage takes about five hours. Additional ascents of neighbouring peaks are not part of the confirmed itinerary. Losing altitude helps recovery after the highest night. Night at a lodge.

Day 12. Descent to Dhunche, 2030 m.

After breakfast participants descend through the forest belt to Dhunche. The estimated duration is about four hours. This is the last walking stage, so it is important to stay attentive on the descent even though the main part of the route is already behind you. Night at a lodge.

Day 13. Road transfer from Dhunche to Kathmandu.

The group returns to Kathmandu by bus or jeep. The drive takes about seven to eight hours and depends on the state of the road. On arrival participants check into a hotel, rest and prepare their baggage for the international flight. Night at the hotel. This third city night requires separate confirmation, because the package includes only two nights.

Day 14. End of the trip.

At the agreed time there is a transfer to Kathmandu international airport. Participants check in for their flight independently. The departure time is set with road conditions and airline rules in mind.

• A Mountain Guide team leader with groups of four participants or more
• A licensed Nepali trekking guide and that guide's costs for the trip
• Meeting and seeing off at Kathmandu airport
• Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu – two nights, breakfast included
• Lodge accommodation on the trek in twin rooms
• Ground transfers to the start of the route and back, according to the itinerary
• Meals on the trek – breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Tea or coffee with breakfast on the trek
• One porter for every two participants, and insurance for the local staff
• The permits, authorisations and entry fees required for the confirmed route
• A group first aid kit, a pulse oximeter and first aid equipment
• A sleeping bag and a down jacket on loan – to be returned after the trip
• A map of the trekking route
• Arrangement of emergency helicopter evacuation if required – the cost is paid by the participant or the insurer

The working language of the accompaniment for a group of fewer than four participants, the baggage limit per porter, the hotel category and the inclusion of a third night in Kathmandu are confirmed before booking.

• International flights
• Nepal visa – $30 for a 15-day visa, which matches the length of the trip
• Medical insurance covering trekking to at least 4361 m, search and rescue and helicopter evacuation
• The actual cost of helicopter evacuation and of medical treatment
• Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu
• Transport, a guide and entrance tickets during the free day in Kathmandu
• The additional night in Kathmandu, if it is not included when the trip is confirmed
• Single occupancy
• Early check-in, late check-out and additional nights
• Extra drinks, bottled and boiled water
• Hot showers, charging, internet and room heating in the lodges
• Laundry and personal expenses
• Tips for the guide and the porters
• Costs arising if you leave the trip early
• Additional costs caused by road conditions, weather or a forced change to the itinerary

The route can be run for a closed group, a family, a club or a corporate team on its own dates. Before booking we agree the transport, the language the group is led in, the accommodation, porters and any extra night in Kathmandu. The trip can be made more comfortable or given more reserve, but the rate of ascent before Gosaikunda cannot be increased without the guide’s assessment. For groups new to this kind of walking it matters especially to keep the nights at Langtang, Kyanjin Gompa and Sing Gompa, so that a moderate trek does not become a race at altitude. For a group of 4 or more, a Russian-speaking leader from the Mountain Guide team can be confirmed. For a smaller group, the make-up of the team and the language it is led in are set out in an individual quote. A private jeep instead of the group bus, and single occupancy where it is available, can be discussed separately. Tell us your dates, the number of participants, the children’s ages if this is a family trip, and your experience of multi-day walking.

It is best to finish preparing your documents before buying any non-refundable tickets. The entry rules depend on your nationality, and the requirements of the airlines and of any transit countries may differ from Nepal’s own. The current procedure for obtaining a tourist visa is published on the website the Nepal Department of Immigration. For the trek, the documents needed to enter Langtang National Park and to walk the route are arranged for you. Arranging them is included in the package.

Documents:

• A passport with enough validity for the trip
• A Nepali tourist visa, or the documents needed to obtain one
• International air tickets to Kathmandu and back
• Medical insurance for trekking to at least 4361 m
• Confirmation that search and rescue and helicopter evacuation are covered
• Your policy number and the insurer’s 24-hour emergency contact details
• Copies of your passport, visa, tickets and insurance on your phone and in cloud storage
• Documents for a participant under 18, where these apply
• Waterproof document wallet

The given name and surname on every ticket and on the insurance policy must match the spelling in your passport. Check the requirements again immediately before you fly.

The main seasons for this route are spring and autumn. In spring the trails pass through rhododendron forest in flower, and in autumn dry weather and good visibility are more common. A popular season is no guarantee of clear skies, of space at the lodges or of an absence of snow. In summer the monsoon brings rain, cloud, muddy trails and possible delays on the road. In winter the route is not always possible: snow and ice can make the approach to Gosaikunda difficult, and some lodges operate on a reduced basis. Dates outside the main season are confirmed only after the actual conditions have been assessed. The weather in Kathmandu tells you nothing about what the group will meet at the lakes. Above 4000 m you can meet strong wind, snow and a rapid drop in temperature. The final decision on going up to Gosaikunda, shortening a stage or turning back rests with the guide, in the light of the state of the trail and of the group.

On the trek the group stays in teahouses and lodges, in twin rooms. No tents are used. The higher the village, the simpler the rooms, the narrower the choice and the more likely a shared toilet. Single occupancy is not possible on every stage and is confirmed separately. Two nights in a hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast are included. The itinerary involves nights in the city on arrival, after the preparation day and after the return from Dhunche. The third night and the hotel category must therefore be confirmed before payment. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included during the trek. Dishes are chosen from whatever the lodge menu offers; higher up, the choice narrows. Additional drinks and bottled or boiled water are paid for separately. Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu are not included. Tell us about diets and food allergies in advance. A special menu cannot be fully guaranteed at remote lodges, so you may need to bring suitable snacks of your own.

The lodges along the route provide a basic bed and meals, not hotel-standard service. Conditions vary from village to village and depend on the season, how busy it is and the state of the local infrastructure.

Showers: hot water is not available at every lodge and usually costs extra. At the high-altitude stops there may be no shower at all, because of the cold or a shortage of water.

Toilets: at lower altitudes seated toilets are common; higher up, shared or squat toilets are more usual. Bring your own toilet paper, wet wipes and hand sanitiser.

Electricity and charging: at some lodges charging is available for a fee. Power cuts happen, so you need a power bank, spare battery packs and protection for your electronics against the cold.

Internet and phone signal: Wi-Fi and the mobile network are unreliable, especially around Gosaikunda. Continuous coverage along the whole route is not guaranteed.

Laundry: there are laundries in Kathmandu. On the trek, hand-washing is limited by the water temperature and the time available for drying, so bring enough dry underwear and socks.

Heating: a heated bedroom is not part of the standard lodge offering. The communal dining room may be heated in the evening, but that depends on the place and is not guaranteed.

You bring all of your own personal equipment. Before the trip, agree your footwear, sleeping bag and personal kit with the guide, taking the season and the conditions on the route into account. The route calls for no helmet, climbing harness, ice axe or other technical mountaineering equipment. A sleeping bag and a down jacket are listed as available on loan, but their size, condition and temperature rating must be confirmed before the trip. You are welcome to bring your own.

Documents

• Passport
• A visa, or the documents needed to obtain one
• International air tickets
• Medical insurance covering evacuation
• Digital copies of your documents
• Waterproof document wallet

Baggage and personal equipment

• A soft holdall for the baggage carried by the porter
• Summit pack of 30-40 litres
• Waterproof rucksack cover
• Dry bags for clothing and electronics
• A sleeping bag with a comfort rating agreed with your guide
• Folding trekking poles
• Water containers holding at least 2 litres in total
• Light footwear for the lodge
• Your own snacks

Clothing and footwear

• Broken-in waterproof trekking boots
• Light spare footwear for Kathmandu
• Quick-drying base layer, top and bottoms
• Quick-drying T-shirts and a long-sleeved top
• Fleece jacket
• Warm down or synthetic jacket with a hood
• waterproof shell jacket with a hood
• waterproof shell trousers
• Quick-drying trekking trousers
• Thin gloves
• Warm waterproof gloves
• Warm hat
• Buff or warm scarf
• Sun cap or brimmed hat
• Synthetic or wool trekking socks
• A supply of dry underwear and socks
• Gaiters, for snowy or wet weather

Useful extras

• Head torch with at least 12 hours of battery life
• Spare batteries or a rechargeable cell for your torch
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Sun cream
• Lip balm with sun protection
• Power bank and charging cables
• Adapter for Nepali sockets
• Quick-drying towel
• Toiletries
• Toilet paper in a waterproof bag
• Wet wipes and hand sanitiser
• A personal first-aid kit suited to your own medical needs
• Elastic bandage or a personal support brace
• Blister prevention and treatment

Before you pack, read our piece on choosing a rucksack for Nepal and our advice on trekking poles.