Gosainkunda Lake trek passes through 4,380 meters (14,370ft) above sea level in the Langtang National Park of Nepal. The Gosaikunda Lake is sacred to the Hindu people and visited hugely in August-September during the special festival called ‘Janaipoornima’. They believe taking a dip into the lake will wash all sin from their body and soul.
Hindus also have a very strong faith that it is Lord Shiva who created the holy lake. After taking poison from ‘Samudramanthan’, he desperately needed cold water to quench the heat of the poison so he used his trident to dig up the land to obtain water. ‘Kunda’ is the Nepali word for lake and there are many Kundas in this area. Gosaikunda is the most important one among several lakes.
Brief Itinerary:
| Day | Route | Altitude | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche | 2,030m/6,660ft | Drive: 8-9 hours |
| 02 | Trek Dhunche to Sing Gompa | 3,350m/10,991ft | Trek: 5-6 hours |
| 03 | Trek Sing Gompa to Gosainkunda Lake | 4,380m/14,370ft | Trek: 5-6 hours |
| 04 | Trek to Tharepati crossing over Gosainkunda pass | 4,609m/15,122ft | Trek: 6-7 hours |
| 05 | Trek Tharepati to Kutumsang | 2,470m/8,104ft | Trek: 4-5 hours |
| 06 | Trek Kutumsang to Chisapani | 2,300m/7,546ft | Trek: 4-5 hours |
| 07 | Trek to Sundarijal, then drive back to Kathmandu | 1,350m/4,430ft | Trek: 3-4 hours |
This Lake is also known as the Frozen Lake as it remains frozen during winter. The Gosainkunda Lake trek starts at Dhunche and passes through lush green and rhododendron forest, varied landscapes and villages inhabited by ethnic Tamang tribe. Gosaikunda or Lauribinayak pass (4,609m/15,122ft) is one of the highlights of this trekking.
The pass remains closed in winter because of snow. Gosaikunda Lake can also be included with Langtang Valley for more keen trekkers. The trek ends at Sundarijal passing through some beautiful terraces and some splendid Buddhist monasteries around the delightful villages. Sundarijal is the famous watershed area and the biggest resources of Kathmandu’s drinking water supply.
Best Season for Gosaikunda Lake Trek
- High Season: The best time for Gosaikunda Lake trek is from mid March until May and September to November. Exceptionally, massive numbers of Hindu pilgrims visit the Gosaikunda Lake during August-September for a religious cause.
- Low Season: Early December is also feasible to trek but can be very cold and June is preferable before the monsoon starts.
- Off Season: The pass remains closed during January and February due to snowfall and landslide can affect the road journey between Kathmandu and Dhunche during July and August.
Overview
- No internal flights required
- Mixed culture of Tamang and Lama Societies
- Spectacular views of Langtang Ri and Ganesh Himal
- Visit of the pilgrimage site – Gosainkunda Lake
- The adventurous Lauri Binayak pass (4,609m/15,122ft)
- The great countrysides, terrace farming and beautiful landscapes
- Impressive vegetation and flowers on the route
