Lauribina Pass Trek at a glance
How the grades compare across routes: Nepal trek difficulty grades explained.
Overview
The Lauribina Pass Trek walks out of the Kathmandu Valley on foot and climbs north to the pass from its quieter, southern side. It starts at Sundarijal on the valley rim, crosses Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park to Chisapani, and follows the long ridge of Helambu through Hyolmo and Tamang villages before rising into the high country at Tharepati, Ghopte and Phedi. From Phedi you cross Lauribina La (about 4,610 m) and drop to the sacred lakes of Gosainkunda, then descend through Sing Gompa to the road at Dhunche.
Doing the route in this direction puts the cultural part first and the altitude later. The first days are spent on forested ridges with long views back to the Kathmandu Valley and ahead to the Langtang and Jugal ranges. The climb to the pass is then concentrated into a few steep days, so the itinerary includes a short day to Phedi before the crossing to help you acclimatise.
The upper section between Tharepati and Gosainkunda is remote, with simple lodges and no villages, and the pass can hold snow well into spring. It suits trekkers who are comfortable with long ascents and want a traverse that ends at the lakes rather than starting there.
Licence-verified guides you contact directly can advise on snow conditions on the pass and whether your pace allows an extra night before the crossing.
🌟 Trail Highlights
- Starting on foot from Sundarijal on the Kathmandu Valley rim
- Hyolmo villages and monasteries of the Helambu ridge
- The quiet high ground of Tharepati, Ghopte and Phedi
- Crossing Lauribina La at about 4,610 m from the south
- Arriving at the sacred lakes of Gosainkunda
- Descent through Sing Gompa's forests to Dhunche
Lauribina Pass Trek itinerary
- Day 1
Sundarijal to Chisapani
A short drive from Kathmandu to Sundarijal, then a steep climb past the reservoir into Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park. Chisapani sits on a ridge with views over the valley on clear evenings.
- Day 2
Chisapani to Kutumsang
Follow the ridge through farmland and small villages, passing Pati Bhanjyang and Gul Bhanjyang. Kutumsang is a Hyolmo village spread along the crest.
- Day 3
Kutumsang to Tharepati
Climb through rhododendron and fir forest above the last farms to Tharepati, a high point on the Helambu ridge. On a clear day the Jugal and Langtang peaks line the northern horizon.
- Day 4
Tharepati to Ghopte
A quieter trail contours north-west through forest and over small streams to the lodges at Ghopte. This stretch is remote, with no villages until Gosainkunda.
- Day 5
Ghopte to Phedi
A short, deliberate day up to Phedi at the foot of the pass. Arriving early gives you time to rest and acclimatise before the crossing.
- Day 6
Over Lauribina La to Gosainkunda
Start early for the steep climb to Lauribina La (about 4,610 m), passing a string of small lakes near the top. Descend to Gosainkunda, where lodges sit on the shore of the main lake.
- Day 7
Gosainkunda to Sing Gompa
Walk down past Laurebina, with views west to the Ganesh Himal and Manaslu ranges on clear mornings. Sing Gompa (Chandanbari) has a small monastery and a cheese factory.
- Day 8
Sing Gompa to Dhunche
A steep descent through forest to Dhunche, the district headquarters of Rasuwa and the road head for the drive home.
- Day 9
Dhunche to Kathmandu
Drive back to Kathmandu via Trishuli Bazaar. Allow most of the day, as the road can be slow.
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 Lauribina Pass 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–$35 per day, set by the guides below
- Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park (NPR 1,000, about USD 6): the first fee on this route, paid at Sundarijal before the climb to Chisapani.
- Langtang National Park (NPR 3,000, about USD 19): needed for the ridge from Tharepati onwards; the pass and the Gosainkunda lakes beyond it are inside the park.
- TIMS card (NPR 2,000, about USD 13): because this crossing joins two routes on the Tourism Board's guide-and-TIMS list (Helambu and Gosaikunda), one card from your agency covers the whole walk with your licensed guide.
- Rates change periodically; your agency can confirm today's fees when it books the permits.
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.
Walking north from Sundarijal means day one starts barely an hour from central Kathmandu, with no long bus ride. The trade-off comes at the end: you finish at Dhunche, 7–8 hours from the city on a narrow, slide-prone mountain road through Trishuli Bazaar, where a private jeep saves time over the public bus.
📸 Trail Checkpoints & Scenery Gallery
Lauribina Pass Trek FAQs
Is it better to cross Lauribina La from the Helambu side or from Gosainkunda?
From Helambu you start lower and gain height over several days, then cross the pass and finish at the lakes. From Gosainkunda you reach high altitude sooner and spend the second half descending through Helambu. Either works; this direction suits people who prefer to warm up on lower ridges first.
How steep is the climb to Lauribina La from Phedi?
The final climb from Phedi is the steepest part of the trek, roughly 1,000 m of ascent on a rocky trail that can hold snow and ice. Most groups start before dawn and reach the top in 3–4 hours.
Why is there a short day to Phedi?
The jump from the Helambu ridge to the pass is large, so a short day to Phedi gives you an extra night around 3,600 m before going to 4,610 m. It also means you start the crossing fresh and early.
Can the pass be crossed in winter?
Lauribina La is often snowbound from December to February and can hold snow into March. Crossing in winter depends on conditions and needs an experienced guide; in heavy snow the route may be impassable.
Who lives along the Helambu section?
The ridge villages such as Kutumsang are mostly Hyolmo (Yolmo), a Tibetan Buddhist community with its own language and monasteries, alongside Tamang settlements. Lodges here are often family homes.
How remote is the section between Tharepati and Gosainkunda?
There are no permanent villages between Tharepati and Gosainkunda, only seasonal lodges at Ghopte and Phedi. Carry snacks and water treatment, and check in advance that lodges are open, especially early or late in the season.
What permits do I need for this direction of the trek?
You need the Shivapuri-Nagarjun National Park fee at Sundarijal, the Langtang National Park permit and a TIMS card arranged through a registered agency. Together they come to NPR 6,000, about USD 39.
Guides who lead the Lauribina Pass 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.
