Langtang Gosainkunda Trekking in Nepal is much more than just ticking your bucket list. It is a wonderful Himalayan trekking that mixes trekking adventure with the incredible cultural wonders of the Tamang people. When you find cultural riches in addition to mind blowing views of the Himalayan range, you certainly enjoy it to its fullest.
Overview
Langtang Gosainkunda Trek takes you to explore the wonders in the Langtang and Gosainkunda region of the Himalayas. Although the region received significant, devastating effects of the earthquake in 2015, it has already come back in to life. National Geographic, Lonely Planet, and Rough Guides etc. have recommended Langtang region as a must visit destination. Trekking to Langtang and Gosaikunda will let you explore and exploit the wonders from lower to high altitude with spectacular views from Tserko Ri, 5,000 meters above sea level.
This trip is one of the most wonderful Himalayan trekking trips in Nepal. Once you are in the trip, you will take back so many fascinating memories to cherish for sure.
Itinerary
Today is the day of your arrival in Kathmandu, Nepal. As soon as you come out of the Kathmandu airport, you will find our representative waiting for you in the waiting area right outside the arrival lounge. You will be warmly greeted and welcomed by the representative and led to the vehicle. Our vehicle will take you to the trip hotel, most of the time in Thamel, that is 20-30 minutes drive, depending upon traffic, from the airport.
After you check into the hotel, you can take relaxing time on your own as there are no activities scheduled for today, except our trip briefing meeting. We will let you know about the briefing timing upon your arrival.
Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel. We come to take your for a wonderful cultural heritage tour of Kathmandu valley. As part of the tour, we are going to visit four of the UNESCO Heritage monuments in Kathmandu valley. The places we visit today are incredible mixture of culture, history, spirituality, art and stories. Overnight in Hote.
Swoyambhunath
Believed to have been created on its own, this Budhhist stupa is the oldest of all the monuments in Kathmandu valley. Standing atop a small hillock, Swoyambunath, known as monkey temple amongst tourists, provides a fascinating view of the valley, surrounding hills and snow-capped mountain at the distance on a clear day.
Patan Durbar Square
One of the three medieval palace squares, Patan Durbar Square holds its medieval art and architectural grandeur. Amazing skill of the artisans is evident in each and every building that stands in the square. The square comprises of medieval palace, temples and museum.
Pashupatinath
This site is the most sacred Hindu temple area in the country. But, as the temple is strictly a Hindu only area, non-Hindu tourists go there to watch the unique Hindu cremation rituals on the bank of River Bagmati. The death rites of Hindu family there are so engrossing and heart-touching which make you feel the moment. It’s not any kind of intrusion in being there and watching somebody being cremated in an open ground. It’s a great cultural experience.
Boudhanath
This giant Buddhist stupa is considered as the biggest one in the world. This small square with giant shrine has a powerful presence of the spiritual vibrations. It’s an important pilgrimage site for the people following Tibetan Buddhism.
We get ready for a day long drive to Syabrubesi, the trek starting point, after early breakfast. The road journey heads towards the destination through a narrow highway that goes outside Kathmandu and winds through beautiful green hills. Most of the stretch of the drive today goes through beautiful mountain sceneries and also passes through several towns and villages along the way. Eventually, we reach Syabrubesi after about seven hours of drive and laze around this small and charming town.
We get ready for a day long drive to Syabrubesi, the trek starting point, after early breakfast. The road journey heads towards the destination through a narrow highway that goes outside Kathmandu and winds through beautiful green hills. Most of the stretch of the drive today goes through beautiful mountain sceneries and also passes through several towns and villages along the way. Eventually, we reach Syabrubesi after about seven hours of drive and laze around this small and charming town.
We are going to enter the Langtang valley today. The first part of the day takes us through a gentle uphill and it becomes steeper as we go higher. We walk through forested area and cultural villages. We enter the Langtang National Park after checking in to the area at Ghoda Tabela check post. As we walk slowly ahead on our pace, we can see the Langtang valley getting wider as we approach there.
Langtang village was swept away by the destructive earthquake in 2015 so we do not see the village in the place where it used to be before that devastation. Now, guest houses are built a little further ahead in the place called Mundu. We reach Mundu and laze around for the rest of the day.
We trek to Kyanjing Gompa today. Our walk takes us higher in the elevation and deeper into the Langtang Valley. We can feel influence of the Buddhist culture in the region as we trek along the trail. We pass along chhortens, mani walls, prayer flags; all of them representing the Buddhist cultural traditions. When we reach Kyanjing, we will be welcomed by spectacular view of mountain peaks. We go around the village to explore the awesomeness of the place.
We spend an additional day here in Kyanjing Gompa but we won’t necessarily stay idle. We go for an amazing hike to Tserko Ri that stands at 5,000 meters above sea level. Our day starts before the break of dawn to meet the sunrise view from the top. Stunning views of the mountain peaks along with a spectacular sunrise over the Himalayas make our day wonderful. Later, we trek back to Kyanjing village and spend the whole day exploring the spiritual beauty of monastery there and the view.
We are returning back to Lama Hotel on our trek today. After spending wonderful time at Kyanjing Gompa and hiking to Tserko Ri, we are now ready to descend back to Lama hotel and then trek towards Gosainkunda. We stop overnight at Lama Hotel today to take the route to Gosainkunda tomorrow.
Our trek for the day today takes us to Thulo Syabru village on the way to Gosainkunda. The day starts with an uphill trek towards a beautiful village and then descends all the way to Langtang Khola. The stretch of the trail today comprises some good experiences of cultural riches in the region and, of course, the natural beauty is not to be missed.
It is a short day of walk to Shin Gompa today. We are taking it easy today to acclimatize with the high altitude climate. Rushing to Gosainkunda in a single day from Thulo Syabru will be a little difficult at this elevation so we are trekking only up to Shin Gompa today. We trek past Garta village and head towards the destination today. We spend the day exploring around Shin Gompa.
We are trekking to Gosainkunda today. The trail today passes through such amazing places that provide spectacular views of the mountain ranges. We eventually reach Gosainkunda, the holy lake for Hindus. The third lake amongst nine other lakes is considered as the holiest of all. This place is an important Hindu pilgrimage site that is surrounded by stunning mountains. Once we reach there, we explore and enjoy serenity of the surrounding.
It’s the last day of trekking portion in the trip. We are trekking all the way back to Dhunche for overnight stay. It’s a huge drop on the elevation, almost 2,700 meters. It’s a long day of descending, descending in elevation, with the trail involving ascent and descent. Several days of exploration of the Langtang valley and Gosainkunda area comes to end today when we reach Dhunche, the district headquarters of Rasuwa.
We get ready for early morning start to drive back to Kathmandu. The same road that we took earlier to go to Syabrubesi to start the trek takes us back to Kathmandu. Once we are in Kathmandu, we go to hotel and spend the whole day at leisure on our own. Finding relieving massage, good food, souvenir shopping, and wandering around can keep you busy for the day.
A farewell dinner is scheduled for this evening. We will let you know the departure time for dinner once we reach Kathmandu.
The final day of the trip, we drive you to airport for your scheduled flight homebound or other destination. We will pick you up 3 hours prior to your flight schedule.
The Trip Cost Includes
- Airport Pick and Drop for both International and Domestic flight by Private vehicle.
- Welcome, Farewell dinner with cultural program.
- 3 Nights Tourist Standard Hotel Accmmodiation in Kathmandu with B/B basis.
- Half Day Guided Cultural Tours in Kathmandu with all the Entrance fees.
- 2 Nights Tourist Standard Hotel Accmmodiation in Pokhara with B/B basis.
- Transportation from Kathmandu-Pokhara-Kathmandu by Tourist Coach.
- Transportation from Pokhara-Nayapul-Pokhara by local jeep.
- Standard Lodge Accommodation (best available) with twin sharing basis during the trek.
- Full Board Meals (3 Meals a day) while on the trek.
- Trekking Permit (ACCAP) and Trekker's Information Management System (TIMS) card fees.
- Professional & highly expertise Government Licensed holder Trekking Guide.
- 2:1 Porters to carry luggages.
- All expenses of the staffs (Guides/Porters) that includes Food, Accommodation, Salary, Insurance, Equipment during your travel period.
- All the necessary trekking gear for porters like jacket /trousers, trekking shoes, gloves, shocks, sunglasses etc.
- Friends Adventure Team's Sleeping Bag, Walking Poles and Duffel Bag, to be return after trip completed.
- Comprehensive First Aid Kit.
- Arrangement of all rescue and evacuation promptly, in Worst Condition
- Group Trekking Gears.
- Trekking Map, Friends Adventure Team's special Souvenir.
The Trip Cost Excludes
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
- Any packed food/snacks, aerated drinks, energy drinks, mineral water, alcohol, cigarettes, chocolates, nutria-bars.
- All desserts, sweet things like chocolate, cake, pie, pudding.
- Items of personal nature, Laundry Expenses.
- Clothing, Packing Items or Bags, Personal Medical Kit, Personal Trekking Gears.
- Any additional staff other than specified.
- Medical and Travel Insurance and Emergency rescue by any means of Transportation including Helicopter evacuation if required.
- Rescue, Repatriation, Medicines, Medical Tests and Hospitalization expenses.
- Airfare of international flights.
- Nepal entry visa fee (Visa issuance is easy at the arrival).
- Gratuities to guide, porters and driver (Not mandatory but expected as customizetripomary thank you for the service).
- Any other item not included in "Cost Includes" Section.
Frequently asked Questions
The Royal Trek is Easy trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will to, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 1710m. This is the elevation of Saklung. Saklung is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, hot water facility could be free at lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, The Royal Trek can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during off season.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
