Where Is The Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek Located?
The Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek is located in the Rasuwa district of Bagmati Province in the central development region of Nepal. It is one of the nearest treks from the capital city, Kathmandu (1,355 m/4,446 ft).
The trek is part of the Langtang National Park, the first Himalayan protected area of the country, which was established in 1976. It rests in the lap of the Langtang mountain Range. For this reason, the entire area is called the Langtang Region.
Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking Altitude
In terms of the altitude, the Langtang Valley consists of several villages. Among them, the Langtang Village and Kyanjin Gompa are the villages along the trekking trail, standing at an elevation of 3,430m (11,255 ft) and 3,870 meters (12,697 ft), respectively.
The highest point of the valley is Tsergo Ri (5,033 m/16,500 ft), which you will hike on your acclimatization day in Kyangin Gompa. On the other hand, Gosaikunda is the name of the holy lake sits at an altitude of (4,380 m/14,620 ft).
Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking Duration
The duration of Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking is less than two weeks. It generally takes 11 to 12 days to complete the trek with a slow pace of walking. Just in case, if you are a slow walker and your speed is lower than the average, then it might take you 14 days to finish but not more than that.
During the trek, you will need to walk for 6 to 7 hours a day. Nevertheless, the walking hours also vary depending on your speed. The mentioned hours are just an average time.
What Is The Distance Of Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking?
Regarding the total distance, the trek normally spans between 110 to 130 km (68 to 80 mi). Also here, it depends on specific trails, side trips, and where you begin and conclude the trek. The typical starting point of the trek is Syabrubesi (1,503 m/4,655 ft) and the ending point depends on the hikers.
Most people end their journey after reaching the district's headquarters, Dhunche (2,030 m/6,660 ft) and return to Kathmandu or to the place they reside in Nepal from there by taking a public vehicle. However, some choose to hike further from Dhunchhe and conclude in Sundarijal (1,460 m/4,790 ft), situated in the Kathmandu district and from there it is only one hour of driving to the capital city.
What Is The Difficulty Level Of Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking?
The difficulty level of the Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek is moderate. In spite of the fact that you will need to walk for several days like 11 to 12 to complete, the journey is still not considered challenging due to its trail, which is not so technical and easy to follow.
In fact, the difficulty level also varies depending on your pace. If you follow the proper guidance about how to walk at high-altitude destinations, then the trek is easy for you to end. But if you don't take the guidance seriously and rush while ascending to the point where you are staying overnight, you will suffer from altitude sickness in no time at all.
Hence, you should also be very careful while trekking at an elevation. Just because the trail is not technically hard and easy to pass, doesn't mean you can walk in whichever style you want. If you don't want any trouble during trekking, you should better hike with calm and no rush.
Also, check Langtang Valley Trekking Difficulty
Altitude Sickness On Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking
High altitude sickness typically begins once you reach up to 1,800 m. When you finally make it up to 3,000 m, you are so close to developing it in your body if you don't take the elevation seriously and keep ascending quickly.
You already know the height of the destination here which is above 3, 000 m, means you'll have a high chance of suffering from altitude sickness in the Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek. There are three different types of altitude sickness. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is mild, on the other hand, High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE) are severe and the possibility of dying is high once you develop them in the body.
Symptoms Of AMS, HAPE, And HACE
AMS
- Headache (The most common one)
- Vomiting
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble breathing
- Weakness
HAPE
- Severe trouble breathing
- Constant Cough
- Chest tightness
- Rapid heartbeat
- Extreme weakness
- Blue and grey discolouration of the skin, lips, and nails
- Crackling sound in the chest and back while breathing
HACE
- Severe Headache
- Difficulty walking straight
- Confusion
- Changes in behaviour
- Nausea or vomiting
- Seizures
- Difficulty staying awake
- Unconsciousness (in advanced phase)
The symptoms of AMS are like a normal fever and when that fever worsens, it turns to typhoid. Likewise, if you don't look after yourself while dealing with those symptoms of AMS and still dare to ascend further, it'll result in either HAPE or HACE and an almost 90% chance of losing your life. In HAPE and HACE, fluids build up in the lungs and in the brain, respectively, causing you to go through any one of their symptoms.
Preventive Methods For Altitude Sicknesses
There's an old saying 'Prevention is better than cure.' So, curing yourself after suffering AMS, HAPE, or HACE is one thing but it's always better to stay away from these altitude sicknesses from the beginning of the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek. Below are the preventive methods to keep yourself away from such circumstances:
Please note that the Diamox is optional. Try to avoid taking it. However, if you don't feel confident and fear suffering from altitude sickness while trekking, then you may take it only by consulting your doctor. And don't take it if you already have a problem with your heart or liver.
What Are The Accommodation Options On The Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek?
Both destinations are popular and among the most visited places in Nepal. Thus, you don't need to worry about finding tea houses for your accommodation during Lantang Valley Gosaikunda trekking. They are all available at every point of the route and equipped with modern facilities like internet, hot showers, electricity, and Western food items on the menu.
But you cannot expect these hotel businesses along the trail to be like we have in city areas. In such a high-altitude location and a remote area, finding the facilities of accommodation for our ease is already a big thing and we should be very grateful for having them.
What Are The Permits And Costs For The Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek?
There are two permits needed for Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking and costs accordingly. They are as follows:
Langtang National Park Entry Permit
It costs NPR 3,000 per person which is around USD 25. You can easily obtain it at the Nepal Tourism Board (NTB) in Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. Alternatively, you can also get it upon reaching Dhunche at the gate of the national park and it is compulsory.
Trekkers' Information Manangement System (TIMS)
It is required for visitor safety and tracking purposes, costing NPR 1,000 (roughly USD 10) per person for independent hikers. Whereas for hikers travelling with a guide or through an agency, it costs NPR 2,000 (approximately USD 20) per person. You can obtain it at NTB or the Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN) office in Ganeshsthan Marg, Kathmandu.
Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking Cost
Speaking of the cost of Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking, it varies depending on how you spend money during the trek. We cannot expect a normal price for necessary things such as room, food, water, etc. on the trekking trail, as we do in cities or our hometowns.
This is because trekking routes in any country are always situated in remote parts. The Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda are located in the Himalayan Region of Nepal. It is tough to carry the supplies to such altitude on a vehicle due to the road conditions.
Some hotel businesses along the way that can afford the price hire helicopters to carry the supplies from below-market areas to their place. Some use donkeys, horses, Yaks, and even humans to bring supplies and such methods make essential things expensive. Therefore, it is always crucial to spend money wisely while trekking after knowing all these things.
If you don't want any hassle during your journey and go through trekking agencies, the cost is according to the number of people in a group. It is approximately between USD 600 and 800 per person. Everything, except your personal and sudden expenses, is already included in the package. The larger the group the cheaper the price here.
But if you go all by yourself or just by hiring a guide or porter, then it thoroughly depends on you. Regarding the daily wage of the guide and porter, it is around USD 30 to 35 and USD 20 to 25, respectively.
Non-veg items are expensive on the trail and it is not good to consume meat while hiking at high altitudes. You can save your expenses from getting higher by not consuming such foods and only prefer veg meal while you can.
Packing List For Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking
Trekking falls under the hard adventure activities. You should be fully prepared for the trek by packing all the necessary equipment in your backpack that is enough for your journey. Even if the trail is easy and accommodation facilities are available there, you can't take it lightly and should carry everything needed during the adventure.
However, what to pack and what not also depends on the season you plan to go. Below are the trekking essentials for the Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek that you should be aware of in order to make your journey successful without facing any obstacles:
- Quality down Jacket with a capacity to handle the temperature of at least below -15 degrees Celsius.
- Quality down pants (especially, if you are trekking during the winter).
- Quality Backpack of at least 55L.
- One pair of inner fleece gloves and outer waterproof or down gloves.
- Thermal Set for innerwear, especially for overnight stays at hotels.
- One set of quality trekking shirts and pants.
- One set of shirts and pants for overnight stays.
- Quick dry sporty towel.
- Warm woollen hat for overnight stays at teahouses.
- Buff mask and cap to protect facial skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays while hiking.
- First-aid kit with stuff like painkillers, medical wound tapes, bandages, Oral Rehydration Salt (ORS), water purification tablets, altitude sickness medicines (Acetazolamide and Dexamethasone, with a doctor's prescription), etc.
- Sunscreen of at least +50 SPF to avoid facial skin burn from UV rays.
- A body lotion to moisturize your skin during cold temperatures.
- Lip balm to prevent dry lips.
- Enough snacks such as protein bars, cookies, chocolates, dry fruits, etc. to energise your body while hiking.
- Enough regular socks for hiking and warm woollen socks for overnight stays.
- Quality trekking shoes that can resist both water and snow.
- Adjustable trekking poles for support while ascending and to avoid knee pain.
- Quality water bottle for both normal and hot water.
- Headlamp with extra batteries for early morning hikes and nighttime use at hotels.
- UV-protection sunglasses to protect eyes from UV rays and prevent snow blindness.
- All the required permits.
- A power bank to charge your gadget, as the electricity can sometimes go off in remote areas.
- Enough Nepalese currency notes for the trek, as the ATM boots are not available everywhere in the area like in the cities.
- A sleeping bag liner for extra warmth and hygiene purposes.
What Is The Best Time For Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking?
Spring and Autumn (fall) are always considered the best seasons for trekking to any destination. So, without any question, they are the best time for the Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek. As for the months, March to May falls in spring and September to November in autumn.
There are the following reasons why these seasons are known as the best for trekking in the Langtang Region or anywhere in Nepal:
- The weather conditions are perfect with mild temperatures, clear skies, warm days, and cool nights in both seasons.
- Both spring and autumn offer you stunning views of the peaks in the Langtang Mountain Range. But, in contrast, autumn delivers a clearer view of the peaks because it is a post-monsoon season.
- The chance of nature-related problems like landslides, floods, and muddy and slippery trails is very low during spring and autumn.
- The mild temperature allows you to have a relaxing trekking experience, which is not certain during winter and monsoon.
- Wildflowers and lush green forests during spring and autumn, respectively make the landscapes along the trail even more captivating.
- You will get the opportunity to experience several festivals in Nepal while trekking during these seasons: Holi (festival of colour), Nepali New Year, and Buddha Purnima (Birthday of Lord Buddha) in spring, whereas, Dashain and Tihar (the country's biggest festivals) in autumn.
- All the hotels along the route are open to give you clean accommodation and authentic hygienic food.
However, it is always critical to stay in touch with the weather forecast. The weather can change at any time, as it is an unpredictable thing. Just because you are planning to go for the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek during spring and fall does not mean that you will enjoy your adventure to the fullest.
Yes, there is a very low chance of the weather acting weird during these seasons. But you should always be smart enough to check for the forecast for the dates of your journey while you are planning and keep monitoring it during the trek every day before you begin hiking.
Is Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking Possible During Off Season?
Winter and monsoon are known as the off-season for trekking because the weather does not often get clear, especially during monsoon. Speaking of the months, December to January is considered winter and June to August is monsoon.
Although the difficulty level of the trek is generally moderate, it can become moderate to challenging during winter because the difficulty level also depends on the season. So, in the morning and night, the temperature in the Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda is extremely cold.
In the daytime, it is mostly sunny, allowing you to feel the warmth from the sun while hiking. It means you should be very concerned about keeping your body warm, especially in the morning and at night.
Nevertheless, at high-altitude locations during winter, there is a very high chance of heavy snowfall at any time. So, you can also experience snow in the daytime while hiking sometimes, causing you to feel freezing and making the routes slippery.
During monsoon, it is very dangerous to go on a trek in this region, as landslides might happen at any time and most hotel businesses also stay closed until the next season. Furthermore, most of the trail gets muddy and leech bites are unavoidable, making your journey more difficult. For this reason, the difficulty level during the rainy season is considered challenging.
If you are the one who seeks extreme adventure, the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek is still possible during the off-season. Monsoon can cause you to take risks at a high level but trekking in winter is fine. However, a first-timer, especially from a hot region might feel uneasy during cold temperatures.
Overall, a winter trek in the Langtang Valley and Gosaikunda is okay. All you have to do is be very careful with the weather and fully prepare for the trek with the necessary equipment according to the season.
Nevertheless, there are also some benefits of going on a trek in this area during the off-season and they are listed below:
- There are very few crowds along the trail, allowing you to enjoy your adventure peacefully.
- You don't need to worry about rooms at tea houses getting fully packed.
- You can capture the real face of Nepal's Himalayas covered with thick snow in winter and green-lush landscapes in monsoon.
- You can immerse in the local culture freely, as there is no trekking traffic along the route during the off-season.
Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trekking Itinerary
Day 1: Drive to Syabrubesi (1,503 m/4,655 ft) from Kathmandu (1,355 m/4,446 ft)
Day 2: Trek to Lama Hotal (2,470 m/8,103 ft) from Syabrubesi
Day 3: Trek to Langtang Village (3,430 m/11,255 ft) from Lama Hotel
Day 4: Trek to Kyanjin Gompa (3,865 m/12,675 ft) from Langtang Village
Day 5: Acclimatization Day and Hike to Tserko Ri (5,033 m/16,500 ft) and Back to the Hotel
Day 6: Trek to Ghodatabela (2,950 m/9,678 ft) from Kyanjin Gompa
Day 7: Trek to Thulo Shyaphru (2,250 m/7,382 ft) from Ghodatabela
Day 8: Trek to Sing Gompa (3,330 m/10,925.2 ft) from Thulo Shyaphru
Day 9: Trek to Gosaikunda (4,380 m/14,620 ft) from Sing Gompa
Day 10: Descend to Dhunche (2,030 m/6,660 ft) from Gosaikunda
Day 11: Drive Back to Kathmandu
Please note that this is just a regular itinerary for the Langtang Valley Gosaikunda Trek. However, it can be modified according to your requirements.
