Gosainkunda Trek

You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Dhunche. Stay overnight at lodge.

The first part of the trail ascends gradually by a mineral water factory up to Ghatte Khola (stream). Crossing a suspension bridge over this stream, you begin to trek steeply up until you reach Sing Gompa through pine, silver oak and rhododendron forests along with marijuana plants. Stay overnight at lodge.

You follow a rugged trail with dramatic views. To the west lies Himal Chuli (7893m.,) Manaslu (8156m,) and Ganesh Himal (7406m.) On a clear day, even the Annapurna range can be seen rising up behind and to the north across the valley is Langtang Lirung. You pass a few huts in the high pastures of Laurebina, cross a small ridge and have your first views of the holy lakes. There are about a dozen lakes in the Gosainkunda Basin, the main three being Saraswatikund, Bharab Kunda and Gosainkunda. Stay overnight at lodge.

The trail leaves Gosainkund and climbs through rugged country, past four more small lakes to the Laurebina La [4610m], the highest point of this trek. Keep looking back for 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. Stay overnight at lodge.

Until Tharepati, the trail ascends through forests of rhododendron, oak and bamboo along with other natural vegetation. 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. Stay overnight at lodge.

 From Kutumsang, you climb a pass at 2620m, before descending to the Tamang village of Gul Bhanjyang. Beyond Gul Bhanjyang, your trek ascends to a ridge with splendid views, stretching from the Annapurnas and Manaslu in the west to Numbur in the east. You then descend to Pati Bhanjyang, a large Tamang village with a few shops and a police check post. From here it is almost a two hour climb to Chisopani. Stay overnight at lodge.

Leaving Chisopani, the trail passes through meadows and cultivated fields and then climbs through oak and rhododendron forests to Burlang Bhanjyang. From here there are magnificent views, from Annapurna in the west to Ganesh Himal and Numbur in the east. This ridge marks the northern rim of the Kathmandu valley. You now begin descending steeply through dense forests of oak, pine and rhododendron to cross a dam and then follow a large water pipe which supplies much of the water for Kathmandu. Soon you are down into Sundarijal where you pick up your transport back to Kathmandu.