Gosainkund Helambu Trek Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu: 1,350m.
Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and preparation for Trek.
Day 03: Kathmandu - Dhunche: 1950m, 7-8 hrs drive.
Day 04: Dhunche - Shin Gompa: 3330m, 4-5 hrs Trek.
Day 05: Shin Gompa – Laure Binayak: 3950m, 3-4 hrs Trek.
Day 06: Laure Binayak - Gosainkunda Lake: 4,380m, 3-4 hrs Trek.
Day 07: Gosainkund Lake - Gopte: 3,440m, 7-8 hrs Trek.
Day 08: Gopte - Tharepati: 3,640m, 2-3 hrs Trek.
Day 09: Tharepati - Kutumsang: 2,450m, 4-5 hrs Trek.
Day 10: Kutumsang - Chisopani: 2,160m, 5-6 hrs Trek.
Day 11: Chisopani- Sundarijal: Short drive to Kathmandu: 1,300m, 4-5 hrs trek, 1 hrs drive.
Day 12: Transfer to Airport for Departure.
-
Day 01 Arrival in Kathmandu.
Our Himalayan Paradise Airport representative will meet you outside the terminal. Please look for our company placard. You will be taken to your hotel where you will meet your trekking guide. If you are not too tired, you will enjoy an afternoon stroll in the colorful tourist area of Thamel.Overnight in Kathmandu in a 3-star hotel, breakfast included.
-
Day 02 Full day Kathmandu City excursion.
After breakfast, we set out for sightseeing tours to world heritage sites. Pashupatinath Temple, on the banks of the sacred Bagmati River, is considered the holiest of all Hindu Temples. Boudhanath Stupa boasts the biggest Buddhist Stupa architecture in the world. Patan Durbar Square is the oldest city in the Kathmandu valley, traditionally called Lalitpur – the city of fine arts. There are three famous temples in the square: the Krishna temple, the Kumbheswore temple, the Golden temple. Overnight in Kathmandu at 3-star hotel, breakfast included.
-
Day 03 Kathmandu – Dhunche, 7-8 hrs.
Drive north on a highway that twists and climbs through a variety of picturesque landscapes, scenery and villages, to Kalikasthan and then another 25 km on very rough road to Dhunche, the trail-head. On the way, we have magnificent views of the Tibetan mountain range including Mt. Kerung.
-
Day 04 Dhunche - Shin Gompa, 5-6 hrs.
The trail begins gently weaving through terraced fields and then ascends into thick forests of fir, rhododendron, oak and hemlock. Crossing a ridge, there will be fantastic views of Ganesh Himal ranges, Langtang ranges and Langtang valley. Reaching the neighborhood of Chandanbari we will visit a very old Yak Cheese factory opened under the guidance of the Swiss Government. We can sample fresh cheese and curd. Most people know this area by the name Shin Gompa, as the famous Shin Gompa monastery, is much older and more famous than the cheese factory.
-
Day 05 Shin Gompa - Laure Binayak, 3-4 hrs.
Today as we climb toward the pass, Laure Binayak, we enjoy views of the Ganesh Himal, 7,406m, Mt Manaslu, 8,256m, the Annapurna range, Machhapuchhre 6,997m Himal Chuli, 7,893m and the Langtang range. The area in between Shin Gompa to Laure Binayak is a sanctuary for the endangered red panda. Although it is possible to reach Gosaikund today, most people prefer to stop to acclimatize in this idyllic place as the sunset and sunrise views are spectacular.
-
Day 06 Laure Binayak - Gosaikund Lake, 4-5 hrs.
From Laure Binayak, the trail ascends now in the alpine country above the tree line. You will cross a small ridge from where you get your first view of the holy lake of Gosaikund. There are two other main lakes nearby: Saraswatikunda and Bhairabkunda. The myth is that Gosaikund was created by Lord Shiva when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water to quench his thirst after having swallowed a poison which threatened to destroy the world. Hundreds of pilgrims come here to worship and bathe during the full-moon festival every August. We will enjoy the rest of the day exploring the area and taking photos of the tranquil waters surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
-
Day 07 Gosainkund Lake - Gopte, 6-8 hrs.
Today as the trail ascends from the Gosaikund Lake crossing moraine to reach the Laure Binayak Pass, 4,610m, we see three more alpine lakes. From the pass we descend down the side of a valley, passing through ethnic Sherpa settlements such as Bhera Goth, 4,240m, Phedi, 3,740m, Dipichaur, 3,630m, and finally Ghopte.
-
Day 08 Gopte - Tharepati, 2-3 hrs.
Today the trail descends down to a steam then levels out before it ascends up a barren hill to Tharepati. From Tharepati we get views to the north east of mountains such as Dorje Lakpa, Jugal himal, Gauri Shankar and the Tibetan range.
-
Day 09 Tharepati - Kutumsang, 4-5 hrs.
The trail today descends down through the dense forests of rhododendron, oak and pines to Mangnegoth, where there is a small lodge. Next we follow the ridge and make a steep descent passing through Thulo Syabru to reach Kutumsang.
-
Day 10 Kutumsang - Chisopani, 5-6 hrs.
After breakfast we continue descending and ascending along the ridge, passing typical villages and enjoying the view of the lower Helambu valley below. We can still look behind us to the snow-capped Himalayas.
-
Day 11 Chisopani - Sundarijal - Kathmandu, 4-5 hrs.
Today's trek begins with a moderate 1.5 hour ascent and then the final descent through dense forest of the Shivapuri National Park which overlooks the Kathmandu valley. On the way you will encounter a Tamang village, military post and a waterfall which is a source water and power to Kathmandu. The drive from Sundarijal to Kathmandu is only 15km but takes about an hour.Overnight in Kathmandu in Hotel.
-
Day 12 Final Departure.
Transfer to International Airport and fly to your next destination.
