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The Gosaikunda Lake Trek is one of the most beautiful and easily accessible treks near Kathmandu; the trail leads you into the heart of the sacred Gosaikunda Lake. This journey takes you through the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and the Langtang National Park, places where you can spot unique Himalayan wildlife and rare species such as the Red Panda, Himalayan Thar, and the colorful Danphe pheasant. We offer expert-led, safe itineraries that provide a perfect, moderate high-altitude adventure and a memorable Himalayan trekking experience to the sacred alpine lakes.
The standard Gosaikunda Lake trek begins with a short drive to the Sundarijal (1,460m) from Kathmandu, which serves as our official Sundarijal starting point for the Helambu and Gosaikunda routes. Following the Gosaikunda trek itinerary, you will ascend through lush oak and rhododendron forests and past high ridges to reach the holy Gosaikunda Lake (4,380m). A major highlight of our Gosaikunda trek package is crossing the challenging Lauribina La Pass (4,610m), which offers the best panoramic views of Langtang Lirung (7,227m), Ganesh Himal (7,422m), Manaslu (8,163m), and even the distant Annapurna range. To ensure trekkers' safety and proper altitude adjustment, our 2026/2027 itinerary includes overnight stays at traditional settlements like Chisapani (2,215m) and Lauribina (3,910m) to rejuvenate your spirit on your journey.
We provide a variety of Gosaikunda trekking programs (usually 6–9 days) intended for all ability levels, with expert guides and all necessary trekking permits (Langtang National Park and TIMS). The difficulty level of the Gosaikunda Lake hike is moderate, but with appropriate planning, it is highly achievable. We use local porters and help with their economy by giving some work; also, it ensures your adventure supports Tamang and Sherpa mountain families. The best time to visit Gosaikunda Lake is in the spring (March–May) for blooming flora or autumn (October–November) for crystal clear skies. These months are the best seasons for a Gosaikunda trek, with stable weather and favorable conditions.
For adventurers seeking to extend their adventures beyond the Gosaikunda trek, the Langtang region provides great alternative treks. You can extend Langtang Valley Trek for glacial views, tackle the remote Tamang Heritage Trail, or explore the wild Helambu Circuit. These experiences can be combined with the Gosaikunda Lake trek to provide a fully immersive and thorough Himalayan experience.
The Gosaikunda Lake trek is the ultimate spiritual journey; it offers a world-famous path into the heart of the Langtang region. This trek is an easily accessible trek that directly supports the local Tamang and Sherpa communities; also, we exclusively use local porters and help with their economy by giving some work to ensure sustainable tourism. Reaching the sacred Gosaikunda Lake (4,380m) and experiencing the alpine sunrise rewards you with a breathtaking view, placing you face-to-face with the towering Ganesh Himal and Langtang Lirung. Throughout the Langtang National Park, you will encounter rare wildlife and plant species found nowhere else on earth. This Gosaikunda hike is best in the spring to see the blooming rhododendrons or in the autumn for the clearest, most crisp Himalayan panoramas.
Yes! The Gosaikunda Lake trek is flexible, and we encourage you to customize your itinerary to make it yours. You don’t need to handle the plans alone—we are here to help you design the perfect package. Whether you want a faster pace for a challenge, extra days to visit the Monasteries in Sing Gompa, or a side trip to extend Langtang Valley Trek or the Helambu Trek, the choice is yours. We can also arrange transportation to Sundarijal or a return from Dhunche via private Jeep or bus to suit your needs. Simply contact us with your ideas, and we will tailor the plan to match your pace and interests.
Drive: 45–60 mins | Trek: 4–5 hours
Your journey begins with a short drive to the northern edge of the Kathmandu Valley. At Sundarijal (1,460m), enter the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, following a trail alongside a massive water pipeline and cascading waterfalls. Ascend through stone staircases into cool oak and rhododendron forests. You will pass through the traditional Tamang village of Mulkharka (1,800m) before reaching the ridge-top settlement of Chisapani (2,150m). On clear days, the horizon reveals the first stunning views of the Langtang and Jugal Himalayan ranges.
Overnight: Mountain Teahouse in Chisapani
Trek Duration: 6–7 hours
Awake to a sunrise over the Himalayas before descending through green meadows to Pati Bhanjyang (1,860m). The trail today is a scenic "Nepali flat" (short ups and downs) through terraced farmlands and tropical forests. After a steady climb through the hills of Gul Bhanjyang (2,130m), you reach Kutumsang (2,470m). This village serves as a vital cultural crossroads, offering a closer look at the rural lifestyles of the hill-dwelling communities against a backdrop of Ganesh Himal (7,422m) peaks.
Overnight: Mountain Teahouse in Kutumsang
Trek Duration: 6–7 hours
The trail intensifies today as you ascend into higher altitudes. Trek through ancient, moss-covered rhododendron and fir forests where you may spot the Himalayan Monal (Danphe). You will crest the Tharepati Pass (3,640m), a magnificent vantage point for the Dorje Lakpa (6,966m) and Shisha Pangma (8,013m) massifs. From here, the path descends slightly along a rugged, quieter forested trail toward Ghopte (3,440m), a peaceful wilderness stop located in a rocky overhang near the base of the high ridges.
Overnight: Mountain Teahouse in Ghopte
Trek Duration: 6–7 hours
This is the spiritual and physical highlight of your trek. The trail climbs steeply along an exposed ridgeline, offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the Langtang region. After crossing Phedi (3,730m), you will tackle the ascent toward the Lauribina La Pass (4,610m)—the highest point of your journey. As you descend from the pass, the turquoise "Hidden Lakes" come into view. You will reach the shores of the sacred Gosaikunda Lake (4,380m), a major pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Shiva, surrounded by ice-capped peaks.
Overnight: Mountain Teahouse at Gosaikunda
Trek Duration: 5–6 hours
After a peaceful morning by the holy lakes, begin a long, scenic descent. The trail takes you through Lauribina (3,910m), where the panoramic views of Manaslu (8,163m), Annapurna (8,091m), and Ganesh Himal (7,422m) are at their most spectacular. Enter the deep pine and hemlock forests of the Langtang National Park to reach Sing Gompa (3,580m). Here, you can visit a historic Buddhist monastery and the famous Himalayan Yak Cheese Factory to sample some of the freshest cheese in the mountains.
Overnight: Mountain Teahouse in Sing Gompa
Trek: 3 hours | Drive: 6–7 hours
The final leg of your trek is a pleasant downhill walk through lush forests, frequently visited by various bird species and occasional langur monkeys. Upon reaching the bustling district headquarters of Dhunche (2,030m), your trekking permits will be checked one last time. After a celebratory local lunch, board a private Jeep or bus for the scenic drive back to Kathmandu (1,400m), winding along the Trishuli River and terraced hillsides to your hotel.
End of Adventure
October 2, 2024
“Just got back from the Langtang valley trek with Sam. The trek was amazing, a bit hard in places but the views more than made up for it. We saw (and went up) the mountains, saw Yak and monkeys, and stayed in some homestay type tea houses. The organisation was faultless and everything went very smoothly. Sam was an enthusiastic and experienced guide, who adjusted the pace and rests for the day to ability. He speaks English very well and would often translate for us, knew some great places to stay and helped with experiencing local food and culture. The porter Sanka, walked with us, and was always ready to lend a hand when needed. Between Sam and Sanka we felt very safe and well cared for, we only had to worry about the walking and enjoying the scenery!”
October 2, 2024
“Cannot recommend Above and Beyond trekking and Sam enough! We had a really wonderful time. Sam was very kind and attentive and we felt 100% safe with his judgement at all times. Sam organised a wonderful trip and was able to cater for our trip with two friends of very different walking experience. We both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Sam also helped us to experience Nepali culture first hand, we stayed at many small family run tea houses and were able to feel part of the family, Sam was very good at inviting us into the kitchens to watch food being prepared and explained everything that was going on. We felt really included at every step of the way. Sam is a very fair guide and person and treats his porter and staff very well. Would definitely use him again. A wonderful company!”
October 12, 2025
“Above and Beyond Trekking made my first time visiting Nepal an absolute joy! Sam and the crew are very experienced and have a true passion for what they do. You will feel like family at the end of the trip and have memories that will last a lifetime. Couldn’t recommend them enough to friends and family! Dhanyabād!”
October 12, 2025
“From the views to booking the best hotels, serving the best food, accommodating the varying needs in our group and pampering us at every possible turn, our guide and porters truly went above and beyond our expectations each day. We have lifetime memories and lifetime friends! Anyone looking for a fun, challenging, and life changing experience that supports local Nepali’s, this is the guide service you’ve been dreaming of!”