Langtang Valley & Gosainkund Trek –
10 days…Trot at your pace & behold the love of God as you
hike through beautiful alpine valleys in perfect harmony of the Himalaya…
Trip Portfolio:
Trek Grade: Moderate
/ Adventurous
Trekking & Camping: 06-07
days on the trail
Trip Duration: 09-10
days. Kathmandu - Kathmandu
Accommodation: Hotel/teahouse
lodge or camp – optional
Transportation: A
private car or tourist coach – depending on the number of people.
Meals: Provided
on the trail
Maximum elevation: Laurabina
Bhanjyang at 4610m
This can
be construed to be a Pilgrimage trek {depends on the way you look at it} that
blends with adventure and takes you to the holy lakes of Gosainkund…the hike
also cuts across high passes with magnetic mountain landscapes in view. It’s a perfect holiday for those seeking
adventure amidst the divine presence of God that can be seen in the beauty of
nature. This trek will give you sublime peace & help you get rid of your
demons…
A Geographical Profile:
Langtang valley is situated
directly north of Kathmandu in the Central
Himalayan Region. This area was declared a National Park in 1976 and remains
the second largest Park in Nepal,
covering 1710 sq.km that lies on mountainous terrain south of the Nepal-Tibet (China)
border.
Within its boundaries are some 45
villages, with the main objective of the park being to preserve the regions by
allowing the local folks to follow the traditional land use practices which are
compatible with resource protection.
The area offers a range of
cultures with the main three ethnic peoples living in the area. They are the
Tamangs, Yolmus and Bhotias who originated from Tibet in the past 500 years till
the mid 20th century. In a southern section of the park lies a small area of
sub-tropical chestnut forest, along with unique Sal forest. The hill forests
(2000-2,600m) across the southern slopes of the park consist of Chir Pine,
Rhododendron, Nepalese Alder and Oak. Moving north and higher, the Montane zone
(2,600-3000m) are mainly Mountain Oak, fading to Silver Fir, Hemlock and Larch
in the lower sub-alpine zone (3000-3,6000m); throughout these zones, several
species of Rhododendron trees form a twisted and colorful under story,
continuing higher to tree line Birch and Fir forest that are the last to
survive. It is here at 3,600-4000m that Juniper and Rhododendrons shrubs slowly
dissolve into the expansive alpine grassland meadows. Here, the elusive snow
leopard is still thought to comb the alpine heights for prey. The park is also
well known for its populations of red panda, Himalayan black bear, wild dog,
Himalayan thar, ghoral (mountain antelope) and more than 250 species of birds.
Langtang at present is the third most
popular trekking area in Nepal
after Annapurna and the Everest region. This
fabulous trek, a perfect combination of moderate and vigorous walking lead to
the high alpine valley in the backdrop of high snow capped peaks, & in the
spring, this area literally becomes a natural garden of wild colorful flowers.
Become a pilgrim, and head to the shimmering lakes at Gosainkund. There, you will find peace and serenity
alongside Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims.
It is but natural that this area is called sacred, affording views
extending all the way to the Annapurnas.
Cross Laurabina Yak La Pass at (4,615m), adjoining the Gosainkund and
Helambu regions. At this higher
altitude, the terrain transforms to arid alpine above tree line and the
villages get sparser. Descend on steep
mountain trails high above the valley. Traditionally,
Langtang area is one of the most culturally wealthy regions in Nepal.
Prominent to this region north of Kathmandu,
are peoples of Tibetan origin found on these Tamang Heritage Trails.
A detailed itinerary that gears you up for the trip:
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu.1, 300m.via
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, you
will be received by our staff and will be escorted to your to your Hotel, where
one of our leaders or a Sherpa guide will give you a brief orientation of the
Hotel, Kathmandu, Trek/Camping, things you should & should not do & other
related information that you might require while in Nepal. Your first overnight
in the valley of temples
Day 02: Kathmandu -Dhunche
1,965m. Approx 6-7 hours drive.
We take an early morning drive after breakfast to Dhunche;
the bus ride takes you through a winding uphill and downhill road, the drive also
passes through many rural towns and farm villages; one of the bigger towns on
the way is Trisuli Bazaar, this place lies in the sub-tropical climatic zone. The
road from here climbs uphill to a cooler region leaving the rice paddy fields behind
to maize and millet terraced fields as the weather changes with the culture and
the people as well. On arrival at the entrance of Dhunche 1,965m, the one and
the only major town of the Langtang area and Rasuwa district. There's a
Langtang National Park headquarter office where your Trekking and Park permits
are checked by the Royal Nepalese Army that serve as the Park wardens also. Overnight
camp
Day 03: Trek to Upper Syabru
2,720m. 5-6 hours walk.
The trek today follows the road for a while, then reaching a
small settlement of Barkhu, leaving the road behind the trail which leads
uphill for an hour & then the path comes to a pleasant walk through the
rain and bamboo forest; after leaving the forest and entering the farm fields,
the climb starts uphill, passing through farm terraces till upper Syabru is
reached, & rows of houses can be seen perched like a locomotive with wagons
on a ridge. Syabru has a monastery near a helipad just a few minutes up from
the main village. Overnight camp
Day 04: Trek to Singh Gompa / Chandanbari 3,250m - 4-5
hours.
The walk from here follows a winding uphill trail above the
Monastery, as the trek gains more height, superb views of Ganesh-Himal,
Manaslu, Langtang and the Annapurna range in the far west can be seen as we
reach higher ground, after few refreshing stops on the teahouse route, our
journey continues an hour uphill from farmlands into the cool shade of alpine
forest. Once out of the thick forest, we come to a meadow with one or two
teahouses, where a lunch break can be had here depending on the availability of
clean fresh water. From this spot the walk is almost gradual with a good hike
through the pines and rhododendron forest with views of Dhunche town down
below. On arriving at Singh Gompa, the first few houses are a cheese processing
factory, & we set up our overnight camp near the Monastery.
Day 05: Trek to Gosainkund 4,380m. 6 hours walk.
The trek today offers more spectacular views of an array of
snow peak ranges of Langtang to the north and Ganesh-Himal range north west
along with Manaslu and Annapurna range due west, the walk is gradual up in the
beginning for an hour, as we enter the woodland of oaks, pines and rhododendron
after being in the cool shade of the forest, we come to a clearing where one or
two teahouses are located. After a brief stop here amidst excellent views of
the Langtang range, the trail continues uphill leaving the tree lines and lush
vegetation behind for dwarf rhododendron, juniper and alpine shrub bushes. Its
time to set up camp
The walk leads uphill passing through few teahouses at
Laurabina, with more views of the north western Himalayan range, after
Laurabina which means {a place of walking sticks}, during the auspicious time
in and around August in the full moon as per the Nepali Luna calendar, pilgrims
come here to pay homage and where a ritual bath at the Gosainkund pond delivers
pilgrims to paradise as per local beliefs; and visitors drink of its holy water
which is said to relinquish the sins of a hundred lifetimes and Hindus pilgrims
come here to change their holy threads, too, on the way back here at the top of
Laurabina pass at 4,165m. Most of the pilgrims leave their walking sticks
behind, needing no more as they head down, after a hard strenuous climb up. On
reaching the top ridge, the trail descends for half an hour coming near the
first two ponds, Saraswati and Bhairab kund after a pleasant walk a short climb
brings us to our overnight camp at Gosainkund near the shore of this glacial
pristine pond. Hereabouts, you can see lots of ritual traces left behind by the
pilgrims.
Day 06: Rest day at Gosainkund for a local hike and
acclimatization.
Another well deserved rest-day free from the hassles of
packing. here at Gosainkund one can walk around the lake or go for a short hike
to the top of the nearby hills for more magnificent panoramas of the great
central Himalaya and all the way to Manaslu and Annapurna range to the far
west. We set up camp for the night
Day 07: Trek to Sing Gompa 4-5 hrs.
After a wonderful time at Gosainkund, we retrace the journey
back to Sing Gomba or Chandanbari where the walk leads to a small climb up to
Laurabina ridge and then its all the way downhill to our overnight camp at Singh
Gomba.
Day 08: Trek to Dhunche. 5-6 hrs.
The walk leads towards down hill slopes most of the way
through the serene forest of rhododendrons and pines trees and to farmlands; on
reaching the bottom, we come to a river, and from here another hour of good hiking
brings us to Dhunche for the overnight stop.
Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu.
In the morning after breakfast, amidst the merry chirping of
birds, the drive takes us to a winding road passing through several villages of
Kalikastan and Trisuli & from Trisuli Bazaar, a 3-4 hours of scenic drive
brings us back to Kathmandu. Overnight at your
hotel
Day 10: Transfer to the Airport for International departure.
Today, as per your international flight time, keep your
confirmed air ticket, departure tax (in local currency) and your passport
handy. Our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from
this wonderful country, Nepal. It was wonderful meeting you!! Take care on your
way home.
Note: The above itinerary should be taken only as a guide line; it could
change due to weather, availability of clean water and campsite, trail or any
other unforeseen conditions relating to environmental hazards that can be
unpredictable. In case of any trek Itinerary alteration or if your program
needs to be re-routed to any other area, your Group Leader or Sherpa Guide’s
decision will be final after consulting with the group.
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