Best Of Langtang Gosaikunda & Helambu

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A day further on the forest peters out and you start getting the first tantalizing glimpses of snow-capped peaks. From the Lama Hotel the trail climbs steadily for an hours on the trail crosses to the north bank of the river and climbs steeply for an hour up through the Langtang gorge before the ascent eases and the valley widens out into an area of fir and rhododendron. Pass the Ghumna Chowk which has one hotel. Climb a short steep hill from the river path and soon arrive at Ghoretabela (3010m). At times the trail becomes very steep but only for short distances. Gradually the air becomes thinner and the climate colder.

At Ghoretabela (3010m) the trail leaves the forest and a spectacular view of Langtang Lirung (7246m appears. Ghoretabela was once a Tibetan resettlement camp but is now n army post. There are few good lodges where we’ll stop for hot lunch.

After Lunch, we continue up the valley, leaving the forests behind, the trail ascends steadily up to Langtang village, passing below a monastery about 30min beforehand. Langtang is an interesting Tibetan-style village with stone- walls enclosing houses and fields where you just might see your first yaks. The Langtang National Park headquarters is also located here. After Langtang, you can see a community of typical flat-roofed Tibetan houses and the valley flattens and broadens into open pasture. This is perfect for raising yaks, and you’ll see these imposing beasts everywhere.

Upon arrival at Langtang, we check in to one of the lodges for the night. Rest of the day is free

Dinner and overnight at the lodge in Langtang

Set out through the village and after a short climb arrive at a Chorten. From this point there is an amazingly long Mani stone wall which is truly a memorable sight. Continue along a gently sloping path atop terraced hills and after passing two villages the valley widens and becomes U – shaped. The trail enters a level, dry riverbed and after crossing the flow from the Lirung Glacier, visible on the left side are the Kim shun (6745m) and Yansa Tsenji (6543m). Cross an old lateral moraine and arrive at Kyanjin Gompa. Out here there is a Government rest house, cheese factory and a monastery. From Kyanjin, there are 180 degree views of the mountains at eye to eye level which is simply breathtaking.

PM: You have the option to rest amidst the mountain scenery or climb the northern flank of the Kyanjin RI (4773 m). From the top you can have a bird eye view of the valley below and the views of Langtang Lirung (7,245m) and the Ganesh Himal to the west and the Ganja la Himal to the south and a view of the pass crossing which leads to Helambu. Trek duration 3 ½ to 4 Hrs.

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge in Kyanjing Gompa

Rest day for acclimatization, or have the option to trek to either to the foot of the Langtang Lirung glacier or to Langshisa glacier.

Full day excursion for Kyanjin Gompa / Langshisa Glacier / Kyanjin Gompa with packed lunch: From Kyanjin Gompa enter a wide alluvial delta. Cut across the gently undulating surface and cross a stream to arrive at an airstrip from which the entire outline of the Langtang Lirung can be appreciated. Pass the airstrip and follow the river as Langshisa RI (6427m) appears at the far end of the valley while the form of Gangchempo on the opposite bank is transformed.

Climb the rocky terraced hills from the river path and arrive at the stone huts of Jathang. Beyond Jathang, descend once more to the dry river bed an then return immediately to the terraced hills to see the terminal moraine of the Shalbachum Glacier pushing into the valley. Just before this moraine is Nubamatang with its five stone huts.

Cut across the grassy fields and climb the terminal moraines diagonally for a grand vista – Directly ahead in the wide mountain valley are Pemathang Karpo RI (6830m), Triangle and Pemathang ri. (6842m), to the right is Langshisa ri. Descend to Langshisa Kharka (4125m) for views of Kanshurum (6078m) and Urkinmang (6151m) at the far reaches of the Langshisa Glacier.

After lunch, return back to Kyanjing Gompa

Dinner and overnight the Lodge

Since you’ll be acclimatized and will be descending, you should be able to reach Bamboo in a day’s walk (approx. 6 ½ to 7 hrs) from Kyanjin Gompa.

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge

After breakfast, trek towards Thulo Syabru. The trek begins with a pleasant morning walk through the tropical forest and with a descent on an undulating trail, retracing our step on the main trail to Syabru Besi following on the high side bank of Langtang Khola (river) till you arrive at the teashops just at the foothills. Descend further to the river, cross on a wooden bridge then start to climb till the trail junction. From here take left side trail, the trail undulates for sometime and slowly begins to ascend and traverse across steep, sometime rough country. It is a delightful trail surrounded by beauty- exactly what trekking is about, and in the morning it is pleasantly shaded.

The trail continues to climb to a small lonely tea shop at the ridge, where one can make a brief stop before proceeding to Thulo Syabru. The trail traversesfor sometime, from here you can also have the glimpse of line of houses of Thulo Syabru which sits atop a prominent ridge far above. Descend down to the bridge cross over it then climb up to the village. The climb is through the scattered settlement, terraced farm lands and ultimately to a cluster of houses at Thulo Syabru at an elevation of 2200 m. upon arrival we check in to the lodge, once the room is allocated. One can get ready for the hot lunch.

Rest of the day at leisure or free to explore the village

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge.

Once you leave behind the pleasant village of Syabru, climb past the gompa, school and army post, and switchback up the steep hill above the village. There are a few houses and potato fields steep trail and pleasant teashops in the settlement of Dursagang at 2550m.

The trail continues less steeply, now mostly in forests, past an old chorten to the top of the ridge and two shoddy tea shops at 3000m. Coming out of the forest, the trail climbs a bit more before reaching the top of the ridge. There is a view of Dhunche far below in the valley.

The trail continues across the head of a second valley, then reaches a final ridge at 3260m. The small Buddhist monastery of Sing Gompa is about 100m along the trail to the left. This is the main attraction at Chandan Bari, elevation 3250m. Because you’ll be crossing a 4610m pass, it is essential that you spend the rest of the day acclimatizing to the high elevation.

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge

Since we have done most of the climbing, the trail from Sing Gompa the trail becomes less sever but continues to climb over few the gently slops and ridge through beautiful forest of rhododendron and pine. From Shin Gompa the trail continues climbing steadily through rhododendron and pine forest with the Trishuli Khola far below. The trail crosses over to the Langtang side of the ridge you are climbing and stays in deep forest for a while, and then emerges onto a saddle at Cholang Patti (3380m) where a Coca Cola break awaits you.

When you embark on the trail again, a signpost in Nepali alerts you that you are now entering the Gosainkund protected area where the killing of animals, lighting of wood fires, and grazing of goats is prohibited. Be sure to carry plenty of water today since there are only a few places along the ridge where water is available. There are good views of Langtang Lirung from the north side of the ridge, and looking west, you can see the Mustang, Himalchuli, and Manaslu. It is even possible to see Tibet from here but at a distance. You cross high altitude summer pastures for sheep and goats before going back to the south side of the ridge overlooking the Trishuli Khola.

Laurebina Yak is a tiny settlement with two to three lodges at (3920 m) on a exposed ridge, the chilling wind from the surrounding mountains hits hard in this exposed ridge, so one has to be prepared. Here we stop for a hot lunch.

After lunchthe trek immediately begins with a steep climb up to the ridge where there is small temple a top with a statue of Sakyamuni, the trail somewhat levels and become less sever continue climbing on a gradual trail, as you past the ridges, the valley and the trail gradually becomes narrow, one has to be very careful as it is exposed area. The trail becomes difficult when there is snow fall or if raining so got to careful on this trail. After walking for about an hour you can see good views of the lakes, this also tell us that we are approaching towards Gosainkund. The first lake comes to the view is Saraswati Kund then followed by Bhairavkund and then finally the biggest lake of them all, the Gosainkund. Upon arrival we check in to the lodge for the night. Trek duration 4 ½ to 5 hrs.

Dinner and overnight at the Lodge

After leaving the hamlet of Gosaikund, walk along the northern bank of the river until we meet up with the trail leading to the pass. The climb may require two to three hours depending upon ones staying power. On the way there are many smaller lakes but the most significant one is the SurjaKund, as it is the largest as well as closest to the trail leading to the Laurebina pass. The Laurebina Pass at 4060 m,is at somewhat modest altitude for the Himalaya and presents no technical difficulties.

Cut across a rocky incline east of the guest house and climb a gentle slope between the lakes to Suryakund or Laurebina Pass (4640 m) strewn with cairns. From here descend a rocky incline and continue along a gentle slope into a wide valley.

Though the path is quite narrow it is impossible to lose the path and one soon arrives at a Kharka with several roofless stone huts. Just beyond this point the valley deepens into steep cliffs. Follow the up and down mountain path instead of entering the steep mountainside to the left and cross several tributary mountain streams. The slope eases and emerges to a slope covered with juniper shrubs. Pass a stone hut and then climb steeply on the mountain flank, cross a branch ridge and arrive at Ghopte (3430m) with its small bivouac cave.

(Note : If all goes well and have enough time on our hands, one can continue on to Tharepatti for overnight stay instead of Ghopte because but this extra stretch of trekking entails another 1 ½ – 2 hours of walking most of which is downhill and quite pleasant.)

Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge.

As you descend down the ridge fromGhopte, the trail continues up the ravines and across the boulders, then you make the final ascent to Tharepati at 3630 meters. The trail from Tharepati is all the way downhill till Sundarijal except for a few surprising ascents. From Tharepati it takes 5 hrs to reach Kutunsang and the path is mostly downhill. Duration of Trek 7 Hours.

Overnight and Overnight at Lodge,Kutumsang

From Kutumsang you can easily reach Chisapani in about 6 hours via Gulbhanjyang. The view from Chisapani is spectacular enough to justify a night here.

Dinner and Overnight at the Lodge at Chisopani.

Following the ridgeline, the trail makes an ascent for about 45 minutes to bring one to the crest of the ridge. Then it descends through jungly country passing the deserted ruins of the BuryongBhanjyang Village where once a thriving village was located. Descend steeply further down for about an hour to arrive at the army camp and then continue to descend for another hour  arriving at a large water project which supplies much of Katmandu’s drinking water in an immense pipe.  From here it is about 30 minutes to the settlement of Sundarijal but entails walking on stone steps.

Arrive for a late lunch and later meet waiting vehicles for the 1 hour drive to Katmandu and drop at your hotel.