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Gosaikunda Lake Trek Itinerary

A sacred alpine lake at about 4,380 m, close to Kathmandu. A 7-day plan from Kathmandu with daily stops, altitudes and walking times, an altitude profile, warnings and permits. Pick your start date and add it to your calendar.

Duration

7 days

5 walking, from Kathmandu

Highest point

4,380 m

Gosaikunda

Difficulty

Moderate

Langtang (Gosaikunda)

Best months

March to May + October to November

Spring and autumn

Planning guide, not a substitute for a guide. Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources by 10 to 150 m and by an hour or more. Weather, trail damage and road changes alter plans. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Plan your dates

Add rest or spare days

Altitude profile

The height you sleep at each night. Dots: green rest day, amber and red a bigger climb than the usual guideline. Triangles mark the highest point of a day.

0k1k2k3k4k5k3,000 m: altitude guidelines startDay 1: Dhunche, about 1,960 mDay 2: Chandanbari, about 3,330 mDay 3: Laurebina, about 3,910 mDay 4: Gosaikunda, about 4,380 mDay 5: Chandanbari, about 3,330 mDay 6: Dhunche, about 1,960 mDay 7: Kathmandu, about 1,400 m1234567Day

3 days climb faster than the usual guideline (about 500 m a night above 3,000 m, and a rest day roughly every 1,000 m). This is common on the standard route. Go slowly, drink plenty, and add the rest days above if you can.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Kathmandu to Dhunche

    Sleep: Dhunche · about 1,960 m (sources: 1,960 to 2,030 m)About 5.5 h by jeep, or 6 to 8 h by bus

    Drive on the Syabrubesi road. Dhunche is the headquarters of Langtang National Park, and permits are checked here.

  2. Day 2

    Dhunche to Chandanbari (Sing Gompa)

    Sleep: Chandanbari · about 3,330 m (sources: 3,210 to 3,580 m)Walking 4 to 5 hSleeping altitude +1370 m

    A steep climb through oak and rhododendron forest. The gain is large, so go slowly. Sources give Chandanbari between 3,210 and 3,580 m.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 1370 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  3. Day 3

    Chandanbari to Laurebina

    Sleep: Laurebina · about 3,910 mWalking 2.5 to 3 hSleeping altitude +580 m

    A short day past Cholangpati (about 3,650 m), sleeping high at Laurebina to help acclimatise, with mountain views at sunset and sunrise.

    Your sleeping altitude rises about 580 m. The usual guideline above 3,000 m is no more than about 500 m a night.

  4. Day 4

    Laurebina to Gosaikunda

    Sleep: Gosaikunda · about 4,380 mWalking 2 to 3 hSleeping altitude +470 m

    A steady climb above the tree line to the lakes and the small temple on the shore.

    You have climbed about 2420 m since your last rest day. Rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.

  5. Day 5

    Gosaikunda to Chandanbari

    Sleep: Chandanbari · about 3,330 m (sources: 3,210 to 3,580 m)Walking 4 to 5 h

    Descend the same way, with a steep final section.

  6. Day 6

    Chandanbari to Dhunche

    Sleep: Dhunche · about 1,960 m (sources: 1,960 to 2,030 m)Walking 5 to 6 h

    A long descent of nearly 1,400 m, hard on the knees.

  7. Day 7

    Dhunche to Kathmandu

    Sleep: Kathmandu · about 1,400 mAbout 5.5 h by jeep, or 6 to 8 h by bus

    Drive back to Kathmandu.

Permits

  • Langtang National Park entry permit
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Fees and rules change, so this page does not quote prices. Check the current fee with your agency or the permit office.

Altitude sickness basics

  • Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night, and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing.
  • Headache, nausea, dizziness and unusual tiredness are early signs. Do not go higher with symptoms.
  • If symptoms get worse, or you feel confused or unsteady, go down immediately.
  • Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and do not travel alone. Ask a doctor about medication before you go.

General information, not medical advice.

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Gosaikunda Lake Trek Itinerary from Kathmandu

Gosaikunda is a group of alpine lakes sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, at about 4,380 m in Langtang National Park. The standard trek goes from Dhunche up a steep forested ridge through Sing Gompa (Chandanbari) and Laurebina to the lakes, and returns the same way.

The climb from Dhunche to Chandanbari gains more than 1,300 m in a day, which is why many itineraries add a night at Laurebina. Laurebina Pass (about 4,610 m) lies beyond Gosaikunda on the way to Helambu and is not part of this out-and-back plan.

Day-by-day itinerary (7 days)

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Dhunche. Sleep at Dhunche (about 1,960 m). About 5.5 h by jeep, or 6 to 8 h by bus.
  2. Day 2: Dhunche to Chandanbari (Sing Gompa). Sleep at Chandanbari (about 3,330 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  3. Day 3: Chandanbari to Laurebina. Sleep at Laurebina (about 3,910 m). Walking about 2.5 to 3 h.
  4. Day 4: Laurebina to Gosaikunda. Sleep at Gosaikunda (about 4,380 m). Walking about 2 to 3 h.
  5. Day 5: Gosaikunda to Chandanbari. Sleep at Chandanbari (about 3,330 m). Walking about 4 to 5 h.
  6. Day 6: Chandanbari to Dhunche. Sleep at Dhunche (about 1,960 m). Walking about 5 to 6 h.
  7. Day 7: Dhunche to Kathmandu. Sleep at Kathmandu (about 1,400 m). About 5.5 h by jeep, or 6 to 8 h by bus.

Altitudes and walking times are compared from several operator itineraries and differ between sources. Confirm your route, permits and fees with a licensed agency or guide.

Best time

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Permits

  • Langtang National Park entry permit
  • Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required

Altitude sickness

Above 3,000 m, raise your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a night and rest about every 1,000 m of climbing. Do not go higher with symptoms, and descend if they get worse. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked questions

How many days is the Gosaikunda Lake Trek from Kathmandu?

This plan takes 7 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with 5 days of walking and the rest for travel and rest. Itineraries from operators vary, and you can add extra rest days on the page.

How high does the Gosaikunda Lake Trek go?

The highest point most itineraries reach is Gosaikunda, at about 4,380 m.

What is the best time for the Gosaikunda Lake Trek?

March to May and October to November. Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) are the best seasons. Autumn has the clearest skies and is the busiest. Spring is warmer, with rhododendrons in bloom, but afternoon cloud is common. June to August is monsoon, and December to February is cold with snow at height.

Do I need a permit for the Gosaikunda Lake Trek?

Langtang National Park entry permit. Check at the time of travel whether a TIMS card or a local-government permit is also required. Fees change, so confirm the current amounts with your agency.

How many days is the Gosaikunda trek?

This plan takes 7 days from Kathmandu back to Kathmandu, with a night at Laurebina. A rushed 5-day version exists but it is fast and strenuous for the altitude.

Can I walk from Gosaikunda to Helambu?

Yes. The longer route crosses Laurebina Pass (about 4,610 m, some sources 4,680 m) to Ghopte and Tharepati and descends to Helambu and Sundarijal. It needs more days and is a harder trek than this out-and-back plan.