Gosaikunda Trek
Gosaikunda is one of Nepal's most sacred places, a glacial lake at 4,380m in the Langtang Himalaya that serves as a pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists. The legend: Lord Shiva struck his trident into the earth here to release water when he needed to quench his burning throat after consuming poison to save the world. The lake is named for him (Gosainkund = "Lord Shiva's Lake").
The trek from Dhunche to Gosaikunda follows a ridge through high forest, past the smaller sacred lakes of Saraswatikund and Bhairavkund, to the main lake at 4,380m. From the ridge above the lake, Langtang Lirung (7,227m) and Ganesh Himal fill the northern horizon. Continuing over the Laurebina Pass (4,610m) and descending through the Helambu region connects the Langtang circuit into a complete loop back to Kathmandu, one of the finest multi-region treks in Nepal.
During Janai Purnima (full moon in August), thousands of Hindu pilgrims make the journey to Gosaikunda for ritual bathing, one of the most extraordinary religious events in Nepal. If you are trekking in late July or August, timing with this festival is an exceptional experience. The rest of the year, the lake is quiet and the trail almost entirely free of crowds.
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Trek highlights.
Trek in pictures.
Interactive circuit map.
The full 8-day circuit on a topographic map. Click any marker for details. Switch between Topo, Satellite, and Standard views using the layer control.
8 Days. Every detail planned.
Airport transfer. Hotel check-in and pre-trek briefing. Gear check.
7-hour drive north to Dhunche, the gateway to Langtang National Park. Langtang National Park permit checked at Dhunche. Overnight lodge.
Steep initial climb through dense rhododendron and oak forest. Sing Gompa (Chandanbari) is a small settlement around a historic monastery with a cheese factory, a welcome stop before the high section.
Climb through high-altitude scrub and finally the open landscape above treeline. Pass the smaller sacred lakes (Saraswatikund, Bhairavkund) before reaching Gosaikunda at 4,380m. The lake's deep blue colour against the surrounding peaks is extraordinary.
Full day at Gosaikunda, morning walk around the lake perimeter (sacred clockwise circuit), visit the Gosaikunda temple on the shore, and afternoon hike above the lake for panoramic views toward Langtang Lirung and Ganesh Himal.
Cross the Laurebina Pass (4,610m), the highest point of the trek with views north into Tibet and the Langtang range. Descend through the Helambu highland to Tharepati.
Long descent through Helambu villages to the road head at Melamchi Pul Bazaar. The cultural transition from Tibetan Buddhist to Sherpa to Hindu Newar as you descend is fascinating.
2-hour drive back to Kathmandu. Afternoon free for shopping or sightseeing.
Transparent, all-in pricing.
Included in your price
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Trek altitude at a glance.
How hard is this trek?
Best time for the Gosaikunda Trek.
Weather on the Gosaikunda Trek.
Everything you need to know.
Open any card for in-depth notes on accommodation, food, altitude, permits, money and the small print that matters on the trail.
Your safety, planned in detail.
Altitude is the main risk on this trek. Here is exactly what we carry, who we call, and where the nearest help is at every stage of the route.
Common health risks
- •Altitude sickness, because the climb from Dhunche to Gosaikunda gains height quickly
- •Snow and ice on Laurebina Pass (4,610m) in winter and after storms
- •Road delays after the August 2026 flood damage in Rasuwa
- •Limited lodges on the Helambu side in the off season
Travel insurance — required
- ✓Must cover trekking to at least 5500 metres
- ✓Must include helicopter evacuation and emergency medical care
Emergency protocols
Our guides carry a pulse oximeter and first-aid kit and check oxygen levels daily at altitude. Anyone with signs of HACE or HAPE goes down at once. Helicopter evacuation is possible in clear weather, but storms can stop flights, so a guide may have to help you down on foot.
What to pack.
Plan Your Trek
Planning guides for the Gosaikunda Trek
Written by our guides, these cover the permits, altitude, timing, and kit you need before you go.
Common questions.
GeneralWhat is the religious significance of Gosaikunda?+
Gosaikunda is one of Nepal's most sacred lakes for both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists. Hindu mythology holds that Lord Shiva struck his trident into the earth here to release water after drinking the world's poison to save it from destruction. The lake's name derives from 'Gosain Kund', essentially 'Shiva's Lake.' Tibetan Buddhist tradition holds that Guru Rinpoche, who brought Buddhism to Tibet and Bhutan, meditated here. Every year at Janai Purnima (August full moon), tens of thousands of pilgrims make the journey to bathe in the sacred water.
GeneralWhen is the Janai Purnima festival at Gosaikunda?+
Janai Purnima falls on the full moon of the Nepali month Shrawan, typically late July or early August. It is one of Nepal's most important Hindu festivals (a day when men renew the sacred thread worn across the chest). At Gosaikunda, the festival draws tens of thousands of pilgrims who walk the same trail you trekked, bathe in the lake at dawn, and camp around the shore. If you can time your trek for this, it is one of the most extraordinary cultural experiences in Nepal. Book months in advance, accommodation in the area fills completely.
GeneralCan I combine Gosaikunda with the Langtang Valley trek?+
Yes, a 14-day combined trek visits both the Langtang Valley (Kyanjin Gompa, 3,870m) and Gosaikunda (4,380m). The connection is via a high ridge trail that requires good fitness and a full day of trekking between the two valleys. This combined route, Langtang Valley + Gosaikunda + Helambu, is one of the finest multi-week treks in Nepal, covering Tamang culture, Tibetan Buddhist gompas, Hindu sacred lakes, and the Helambu Sherpa communities in a single loop. We design this as a custom itinerary on request.
GeneralHow difficult is the Gosaikunda trek?+
Moderate. The maximum altitude is Laurebina Pass at 4,610m, higher than Annapurna Base Camp (4,130m) but lower than EBC (5,364m). The daily walking distances are 5–7 hours with significant altitude gain on Days 3–5. The descent through Helambu is long (Day 7, 6+ hours) but all downhill. No technical sections. The main challenge is the sustained altitude on Days 4–5 at Gosaikunda, our guides monitor oxygen saturation and we acclimatise at Sing Gompa (3,330m) the night before reaching the lake.
Built different. On purpose.
Named guide before you book
Name, photo, licence number and WhatsApp. The same guide meets you at the airport and finishes the trek with you.
100% private, zero strangers
Your group, your pace, your schedule. We have never placed strangers together on a private trek. Not once.
Transparent all-in pricing
Permits, guide, porter, accommodation and all meals included. What you see is what you pay — no upsells on the trail.
Deposits from 10%
The earlier you book, the lower your deposit. The balance is due 15 days before departure, and our booking terms list every refund tier.
