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Gosainkunda Helambu Trek

Trip Length: 11 days
Highest Point: 4,610m (Lauribina Pass)
Trip Grade: Moderate
Accommodation: Teahouse
Walking Time: Approx 6 hrs per day
Trek Region: Langtang/Helambu
Starting Point: Syafrubensi
Ending Point: Melamchi Bazaar

Trip Highlights

  • Unique culture, tradition and lifestyle of Tamang and Hyolmo people
  • Beautiful settlements like Chandanbari, Melamchi Gaon and Sermathang
  • Ancient monasteries like Sing Gompa, Melamchi Ghyang and Tarke Ghyang
  • Traverse Lauribina Pass (4610m) to enter Helambu region
  • Tranquil Gosainkunda and other lakes - a Ramsar site and a popular pilgrimage
  • Breathtaking views of peaks of Ganesh, Langtang and Jugal ranges

Overview

Gosainkunda Helambu Trek offers you an opportunity to visit the beautiful Gosainkunda and other lakes before crossing a high Himalayan pass to enter Helambu region. During the trek, you will get opportunity to enjoy hospitality of two indigenous groups -- Tamang in Langtang side and Hylomo in Helambu side. The characteristics of the two region is different. While the Langtang region remains often busy with visitors, Helambu lies in off the beaten region. During this trek, you will witness lots of ups and downs and geographical and cultural diversity. Fast flowing rivers, radiant waterfalls, terraced farmland, lush forest, ancient monasteries, terraced farmland and warm, and friendly and hospitable people are the major attractions of this trek. The trek with a drive to the picturesque mountain town of Dhunche. From Dhunche, you will walk past the settlements of Deurali, Sing Gompa and Cholang Pati to reach Gosainkunda Lake complex - a Ramsar site. From Gosainkunda, cross Lauribina Pass to descend to Helambu region. After passing through the settlements of Ghopte and Thadepati, make a descend to the picturesque Melamchigaun village. Next day, drop to the Melamchi River and walk through the village of Tarkeghyang to a qunitessential Hyolmo village of Sermathang. From Sermathang, a easy walk will take you to the marketplace of Melamchi from where you will board a waiting car and drive to Kathmandu.
Trip Inquiry

Trip Itinerary

Day 1
Arrival in Kathmandu (1330m)

Our representative will meet you upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport and transfer you to your hotel. Remaining time is free for independent activities. You can simply take a rest in your hotel room, or step out in the neighbor for a short stroll. In the evening, meet your guide and discuss about your equipment and trek program.

O/N: Hotel
Day 2
Full Day Sightseeing

Today, our tour guide will take you for full-day sightseeing of Kathmandu Valley as we complete your permit formalities. We begin the day with a visit to Swoyambhunath Stupa -- a landmark Buddhist temple in Kathmandu and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Popular among tourists as Monkey Temple, the main attraction is a white-washed dome and a glittering golden spire. Then we move on to Kathmandu Durbar Square -- another UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here you can see temples and monuments dating back to 17th century. It used to be the seat of Malla rulers and the now deposed Shah kings. After lunch, we move to Bouddhanath Stupa -- the biggest stupa complex in South Asia and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also a white-washed dome capped by a glittering golden spire. The ambience here is quite amazing as you can see incense sticks burning and pilgrims circumambulating the stupa chanting sacred mantras. It is believed to have been built in the 5th century. Then we move on to our hotel.

O/N: Hotel
Day 3
Drive to Syafrubensi (1550m) -- Approx 7 hrs

After breakfast, we start our drive to Syafrubensi. We leave Kathmandu from Nagdhunga pass and drive down winding roads to Galchhi Bazaar on the Prithvi Highway -- that links Kathmandu with Pokhara. From there, we take the right road along the banks of the Trishuli River and start driving toward Syafrubensi. After crossing Betrabati, we start getting views of different snow-capped mountains, notably of Ganesh Himal and Langtang ranges. The narrow road snakes through lush forest, terraced field and the beautiful countryside. Passing through small towns like Kalikasthan and Dhunche, we finally reach Syafrubensi after crossing powerhouse of a hydroelectric project.

O/N: Lodge
Day 4
Trek to Thulo Syabru (2330m) -- Approx 5 hrs

We begin our trek today. The trek is easy as we gain altitude gradually. The trail passes through sparse settlements and lush forests of fir, pine and rhododendron. Chirping of birds add fun to our trek. Thulo Syabru village was devastated by the earthquakes of 2015. But the village has stood up and now serving trekkers heading to the Gosainkunda Lake and other treks of the region. It is one of the biggest Tamang settlements in the Langtang region.

O/N: Lodge
Day 5
Trek to Chandanbari (3250m)

The day begins with a steep climb and the trail is more or less the same throughout the day. Walking through oak, hemlock and fir forests, we reach to a beautiful monastery named Phulung Gompa. Continuing our walk, we reach Chandanbari which also goes by the name Sing Gompa thanks to an ancient monastery. Here, you can visit cheese factory -- one of the oldest in the region -- where you can taste dairy products made from yak milk.

O/N: Lodge
Day 6
Trek to Gosainkunda Lake (4300 meters) -- Approx 7 hrs

This is going to be a long and tiring day as we gain altitude of some 1,000 meters. After few hours, we enter the alpine region -- trees look stunted and shrubs and small bushes are the only vegetation we see. Though the walk is initially difficult, it is easier in the afternoon. After a few minutes of walk from Lauri Binayak, we get first view of the Gosainkunda Lake Complex. There are numerous lake in the area. But the most beautiful and important is the Gosainkunda Lake which is also a Ramsar site.

O/N: Lodge
Day 7
Cross Surya Pass (4610m) and Trek to Ghopte (3430m)

We will explore the lake in the morning and walk along its banks as we climb up to Surya Pass. We first reach at top of a ridge which offers breathtaking views of Gosainkunda and other lakes. As we climb further, to more smaller lakes come into our view. We come across yet another lake, Surya Kunda, which signal that we are nearing the pass. After taking pictures at the pass, we leave the Langtang Region and enter the Helambu region. We make a descent to High Camp, then to Phedi and further to Ghopte where we will stop for the night.

O/N: Lodge
Day 8
Trek to Melamchi Gaon (3490m) -- Approx 6-7 hrs

The walk today is mostly downhill. From Phedi, we descend further to Magengoth. From here, the trail climbs up to Thadepati -- a small settlement with few lodges. Thadepati is the meeting point of two trails -- one coming from Kutumsang and one from Melamchi Gaon. We take the left trail to Melamchi Gaon. The trail is mostly downhill as we enter the Helambu region -- the land of the Hyolmos. Melamchi Gaon is a bustling village seated on a plateau above the Melamchi Khola River. The biggest attraction here is the Melamchi Ghyang Gomba and a government school which is best known for academic excellence in the entire district.

O/N: Lodge
Day 9
Trek to Shermathang (2600m) -- Approx 7 hrs

We resume the trek after breakfast. The trail is downhill till Melamchi Khola. After crossing the river, it is uphill until Tarkeghyang. Tarkeghyang is named after Tarkeghyang Monaster -- one of the oldest monasteries in the region. There is another monastery below the village going by the name Chari Gumba. We continue our walk through beautiful Hyolmo settlements of Gangyul to the village of Sharmathang. The walk is easy as we do not get any altitude today. Shermathang is a bustling Sherpa village in the Helambu region. Helambu region used to be synonymous with apples some years ago. However, locals have chopped down all apple trees due to pest attack.

O/N: Lodge
Day 10
Trek to Melamchi Bazaar; and drive to Kathmandu

On our final day of the trek, we make a short descent to Melamchi Bazaar. The walk is beautiful as it passes through beautiful settlement, terraced fields and lush forests. We cross the Melamchi Khola River before the reaching bazaar from where we board a waiting bus and start driving toward Kathmandu. The drive takes some three hours. Upon your arrival in Kathmandu, we will transfer you to your hotel.

In the evening, we will organize a farewell dinner in your honor.

O/N: Hotel
Day 11
Departure

Your last day in Nepal. Our representative will transfer you to the international airport for your return flight. If your flight is later in the afternoon, we can arrange you some activities if you are interested. While returning back, you will have plenty of time to reflect on this beautiful trek and plan your next holiday.

Trip Map

Need Assistance?

If you want to customize your trips, need any logistics or permits for filming, guidance for climbing and rafting then feel free to contact us directly and start planning your trip to Nepal.

Bhoj Raj Bhat
+977 9851087675
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Bishnu Bhattarai
+977 9851230792
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Gosainkunda Helambu Trek

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West Himalaya Treks & Expeditions
7 th Floor Shankhamul Tower
Shankhamul Marga
Shankhamul, Kathmandu , Nepal
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