Gosainkunda Lake Trek at a glance
How the grades compare across routes: Nepal trek difficulty grades explained.
Overview
The Gosainkunda Lake Trek climbs from the Trishuli valley north of Kathmandu to a cluster of high glacial lakes in Langtang National Park, then crosses the Lauribina La pass and descends through the Helambu region back towards the Kathmandu valley. It makes a loop that needs no flights and starts and ends within a day's drive of the capital.
Gosainkunda itself, at about 4,380 m, is a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists. Thousands of pilgrims walk up for the Janai Purnima full-moon festival in July–August, while for most of the year the lakeshore is quiet, with a few lodges and a small temple. The approach passes through forest of oak, fir and rhododendron, the monastery and cheese-making settlement around Sing Gompa, and the ridge at Laurebina with views across to the Langtang, Ganesh and Manaslu ranges.
Beyond the lakes the trail crosses Lauribina La at about 4,610 m, the highest point of the trek, and drops into Helambu, where Hyolmo and Tamang villages sit on forested ridges above terraced fields. It suits fit walkers who have done a multi-day trek before and want altitude, culture and solitude without the long approach of the eastern routes. Licence-verified guides you contact directly can tell you how they pace the climb to the lakes and the pass.
🌟 Trail Highlights
- The sacred Gosainkunda lakes, a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site
- Crossing Lauribina La (about 4,610 m) between the lakes and Helambu
- Views of the Langtang, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu ranges from Laurebina
- Sing Gompa monastery and the cheese-making settlement at Chandanbari
- Hyolmo and Tamang villages of Helambu on the way out
- A loop that starts and ends within a day's drive of Kathmandu
Gosainkunda Lake Trek itinerary
- Day 1
Kathmandu to Dhunche
Drive north from Kathmandu via Trishuli Bazaar into the Langtang National Park area, where the park permit is checked. Dhunche is the district headquarters of Rasuwa and has lodges and shops for last supplies.
- Day 2
Dhunche to Sing Gompa (Chandanbari)
A steady climb through forest of oak, fir and rhododendron, with little level ground. Sing Gompa has a small monastery, and the settlement is known for its cheese.
- Day 3
Sing Gompa to Laurebina
A short day that gains height steadily along the ridge via Cholangpati. Keeping the day short helps acclimatisation, and on clear afternoons the views from Laurebina reach across to Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal and Manaslu.
- Day 4
Laurebina to Gosainkunda
The trail climbs across open slopes past the first lakes, Saraswati Kunda and Bhairab Kunda, before reaching Gosainkunda. Spend the afternoon walking around the lake and its small temple.
- Day 5
Gosainkunda over Lauribina La to Ghopte
An early start for the climb to Lauribina La, the highest point of the trek, past smaller lakes. The descent through Phedi is long and rocky before the trail reaches the basic lodges at Ghopte.
- Day 6
Ghopte to Tharepati
A shorter day through rhododendron forest to Tharepati on the ridge between the Gosainkunda and Helambu sides. The extra afternoon is useful after the pass.
- Day 7
Tharepati to Kutumsang
Follow the ridge south through forest and small clearings with views back to the high peaks. Kutumsang is a Hyolmo village with lodges spread along the trail.
- Day 8
Kutumsang to Chisapani
The trail descends through Gul Bhanjyang and climbs again over the ridge into Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park. Chisapani looks back north to the Langtang and Jugal ranges on a clear morning.
- Day 9
Chisapani to Sundarijal and Kathmandu
Walk down through the national park forest to Sundarijal on the edge of the Kathmandu valley. From there it is a short drive back into the city.
This trek climbs above 3,000 m, where the pace of the climb matters. See our guide to altitude sickness on Nepal treks for how to prevent, spot and respond to it.
Best time to trek
The best months for the Gosainkunda Lake Trek are Mar–May, Oct–Nov.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
How does it compare with other routes? See our month-by-month guide to trekking in Nepal.
Permits & costs
- Permit & park fees
- NPR 6,000 per person (≈ US$39)
- Guide day rates
- $25–$40 per day, set by the guides below
- Langtang National Park (NPR 3,000, about USD 19): bought before you leave Kathmandu or at the park post in Dhunche, where the road ends and this trek begins; the climb through Sing Gompa to the lakes is all inside the park.
- TIMS card (NPR 2,000, about USD 13): the Nepal Tourism Board names the Gosaikunda trek as a route that needs one, issued by your registered agency along with your licensed guide.
- Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park (NPR 1,000, about USD 6): paid on the last morning, when the trail from Chisapani drops through the park's forest to Sundarijal.
- SAARC nationals pay lower park rates.
- Rates change, so confirm the current fees with your agency before you travel.
Every fee and rule, trek by trek: our guide to Nepal trekking permits. Which routes need a licensed guide: do you need a guide to trek in Nepal? What a day rate covers, tips and flights: how much a trekking guide costs in Nepal.
Getting there & back
Road update, October 2026: floods on 26 August swept away the road bridge at Betrawati, on the way to Dhunche. Jeeps have crossed a temporary bridge there since 11 October, and the trekking agencies' association reported Gosainkunda safe for trekking. Expect delays, and confirm the road with your guide before you travel.
The walk begins at Dhunche, the Rasuwa district headquarters about 120 km north of Kathmandu: a 6–8 hour bus ride via Trishuli Bazaar, or quicker by private jeep. Because the route crosses Lauribina La and descends through Helambu, you finish at Sundarijal on Kathmandu's northern rim, an hour or less from Thamel. Monsoon landslides can delay the Dhunche road, so keep a buffer day before your flight home.
📸 Trail Checkpoints & Scenery Gallery
Gosainkunda Lake Trek FAQs
How difficult is the Gosainkunda Lake Trek?
It is a strenuous but non-technical trek. The climb from Dhunche to the lakes gains more than 2,400 m in three days, and the day over Lauribina La is long with a rough descent. Good fitness and some previous multi-day trekking make it much more comfortable.
Is altitude sickness a risk on this trek?
Yes. Gosainkunda is about 4,380 m and Lauribina La about 4,610 m, reached quickly from Dhunche at under 2,000 m. The itinerary keeps the day to Laurebina short for acclimatisation; drink plenty, climb slowly and descend if symptoms such as a worsening headache or nausea appear.
Do I need a guide for Gosainkunda?
Since 1 April 2023 Nepal requires foreign trekkers in national parks such as Langtang to trek with a licensed guide arranged through a registered agency. Above Laurebina the trail is less obvious in snow or cloud, so a guide who knows the pass is useful in any case.
Which permits do I need?
Three: the Langtang National Park permit, shown at Dhunche on day one; a TIMS card, which the Nepal Tourism Board requires on the Gosaikunda route and your agency issues with your licensed guide; and the Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park fee for the final descent from Chisapani to Sundarijal. Together they come to NPR 6,000 (about USD 38).
When is the best time to go?
October–November and March–May usually bring the clearest weather and passable conditions on Lauribina La. Winter brings snow that can close the pass. The monsoon (June–September) is wet, and in July–August the Janai Purnima festival brings large numbers of pilgrims to the lake.
What is accommodation like?
Teahouses are simpler and fewer than on the Langtang Valley route. Lodges at Gosainkunda, Ghopte and Tharepati are basic, with shared toilets and cold rooms, and can fill up during festivals. A warm sleeping bag is worth bringing.
Can I combine Gosainkunda with the Langtang Valley?
Yes. Many trekkers walk up the Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa first, then cross to Gosainkunda via Thulo Syabru and Sing Gompa, which also helps acclimatisation. That combination usually takes 12–14 days.
Guides who lead the Gosainkunda Lake Trek
Every one of them is licence-verified by our compliance team. Open a profile to read about them, then send your dates — they reply to you directly with their own price.
