Langtang and Gosaikunda Lakes Trek

Langtang lies north of Kathmandu, in a national park on the border with Tibet. The fourteen-day programme 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 programme: the forest stays below, the trail gains altitude, and the weather becomes noticeably more changeable.

The compulsory programme does not include an ascent of Yala Peak, Surya Peak or any other summit. Its maximum confirmed point is the Gosaikunda area at about 4,361 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 4,300 m. If you want a higher route that reaches an eight-thousander, compare this programme with the Annapurna Base Camp trek.

The main advantage of the Mountain Guide programme 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, 1,350 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 needed 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, 1,467 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, 2,490 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, 3,300 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, 3,798 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, 2,490 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, 2,230 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, 3,330 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, 4,361 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 programme, 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 programme. Losing altitude helps recovery after the highest night. Night at a lodge.

Day 12. Descent to Dhunche, 2,030 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 tariff lists only two nights.

Day 14. End of the programme.

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 programme
• 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 programme
• 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 programme
• 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
• Entry visa where required for your nationality, payable separately at the current authority tariff
• Medical insurance covering trekking to at least 4,361 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 programme 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 programme early
• Additional costs caused by road conditions, weather or a forced change to the programme