Gosainkunda Frozen Lake Trek

Overview

The Gosainkunda Frozen Lake trek begins from Dhunche, the headquarters of Rasuwa district. A day’s walk through birch, rhododendron and oak forests takes you to Chandanbari which is home to Shing Gompa (a local monastery) and a cheese factory. The best and challenging part of the trek is the crossing of Laurebina Pass (3910m) on your way to Gosainkunda. The trail and pass affords splendid views of Lantang Himalayan ranges including Langtang Lirung (7234m), Langtang Ri (7205m), Dorje Lakpa (6966m).

You will reach Gosainkunda on the third day where you can spend time appreciating the beauty of the lake. During winter, the water in the lake freezes as temperature falls below zero degree Celsius.

Designated as a Ramsar site, Gosainkunda is an alpine freshwater lake located at an altitude of 43780m. The lake lies within Langtang National Park in Rasuwa district and is regarded as a sacred site by both Buddhists and Hindus.

Every year in August, during full moon, hundreds of pilgrims visit the lake to offer prayers and bathe in its freezing water. Buddhist shamans from Tamang community living nearby make a pilgrimage to the lake as they dance around to the beats of Dhyangro meant to invoke their ancestral deity. The Hindus on the other hand regard the lake as the home of Lord Shiva and Parbati.

Given its richness in biodiversity, Langtang has pristine natural vegetation that provides habitat for such endangered species as red panda, Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, wild dog etc.

Afterwards, you will retrace your way back to Dhunche and then to Kathmandu.

Gosainkunda Frozen Lake trek is a tea house (lodge) trekking and has been graded ‘moderate’. The best time for doing this trek is Spring (Mar-May) and Autumn (Sep-Nov) though the route is open throughout the year. There are buses operating regularly between Kathmandu and Dhunche.

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 : Drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche (1966m.)

Drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche (1966m.) takes about five hours. You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Dhunche. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 2 : Trek from Dhunche to Sing Gompa (3250m.)

Trek from Dhunche to Sing Gompa (3250m.) takes about five hours. 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.

Day 3 : Trek from Sing Gompa to Gosainkunda (4361m.) via. Lauribina La (3920m.)

Trek from Sing Gompa to Gosainkunda (4361m.) via. Lauribina La (3920m.) takes about five and half hours. The first part of the trail is a gentle ascent up to Lauribinayak. The trail then ascends steeply all the way to Gosainkunda. You follow a rugged trail with dramatic views of Himal chuli(7893m) Manaslu range (8156mm), Ganesh Himal range(7406m), Tibetan peaks and Langtang Lirung. On a clear day, even the Annapurna range can be seen rising up behind and to the north, across the valley, is Langtang Lirung. There are about a dozen lakes in the Gosainkunda Basin, the main three being Saraswatikunda, Bhairabkunda, and Gosainkunda. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 4 : Trek from Gosainkunda to Sing Gompa (3250m.) or Chandan Bari

Trek from Gosainkunda to Sing Gompa (3250m.) or Chandan Bari takes about four and half hours. The trail descends all the way to Sing Gompa passing Lauribana Pass with magnificent mountain views and forests. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 5 : Trek from Sing Gompa to Dhunche (1966m.)

Trek from Sing Gompa to Dhunche (1966m.)takes about six hours. The first part of the trail descends through pine, silver oak and rhododendron forests along with marijuana plants. You then cross a suspension bridge over the Sing Gompa Stream. The path then stretches at a flat level through some human settlements and mineral water factories up to Dhunche. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 6 : Drive from Dhunche to Kathmandu by Tourist bus

Drive from Dhunche to Kathmandu by bus takes about five hours. It is a pleasant drive back to Kathmandu.

Inclusions

What is included?

Airport pick-up and drop-off services by private A/C car or Van
Trekking guide/s
Porters (1 porter carries 25 kilograms of luggage)
All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Accommodation in Lodge (Tea houses) during the trek
Sleeping bags, down jackets, duffle bags and trekking sticks if required
Entry Permit for Langtang National Park
Trekkers' Information Management system (TIMS) card
All land transportation wherever applicable
Insurance and equipment for the trekking staffs
First aid kit
Rescue assistance (In case of emergency, we will organize prompt and professional rescue services. To arrange timely evacuation/rescue by helicopter, you must be well insured from a reliable travel insurance company that covers both helicopter evacuation and medical treatment cost.)
One farewell dinner in Kathmandu with live cultural performance at authentic Nepali restaurant on the last evening
Souvenir

What isn't included?

Personal nature expenses
Drinks, beverages, hot shower, etc.
Travel insurance
Tips
Meals & hotel accommodation in Kathmandu

Trip code	NET-TR-GFL
Package name	Gosainkunda Frozen Lake Trek
Duration	6
Max. elevation	3730 m
Level	MODERATE
Transportation	Tourist Bus<br>
Accomodation	2-3 Star Hotel Accomodation in Kathmandu. Lodge Accomodation during Trek
Starts at	Kathmandu
Ends at	Kathmandu
Trip route	Kathmandu - Dhunche - Sing Gompa - Lauribina La - Gosainkunda - Sing Gompa - Dhunche - Kathmandu
Cost	USD 0 per person