Langtangधुन्चे
The district headquarters of Rasuwa and the road-side start of the Gosaikunda trail.
Higher seasonal exposure: landslides (Jun-Sep), road blockages (Jun-Sep).
Dhunche is the administrative headquarters of Rasuwa district, a hillside town on the road from Kathmandu to Syabrubesi. Just outside town is an entry point of Langtang National Park, where permits are checked on the road. Trekkers pass through on the way to Syabrubesi, and those heading for Gosaikunda often start or finish their walk here.
The town has government offices, shops and simple hotels, and looks across the Trishuli valley. From Dhunche a steep trail climbs to Deurali and Sing Gompa, then on to the Gosaikunda lakes, about two days away.
Dhunche, also known locally as Dhunlang, is ward 6 of Gosaikunda Rural Municipality and was a village development committee before the 2017 local-government restructuring. Most of the surrounding population is Tamang. The town was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake. Floods reported on 26 August 2026 damaged roads and infrastructure in Rasuwa; check current access before travelling.
Start the Gosaikunda trek
Climb to Sing Gompa in about 5-6 hours, then on to the lakes the next day.
Arrange permits
Park permits are checked at the entry point near town; carry them from Kathmandu.
Forecast for 2,030 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
Simple hotels and guesthouses in town.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
On the Kathmandu-Syabrubesi road via Trishuli, normally about 6-8 hours by bus or jeep; check current road access after the August 2026 floods.
Nearest hub: Kathmandu
Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By busfrom Kathmanduabout 6-9 hLocal buses
Dhunche is the district headquarters stop on the Kathmandu to Syabrubesi road. Allow 6 to 9 hours, more in the monsoon.
When to set off: Rasuwa buses leave Macha Pokhari bus park in the morning; this is a full day on the road.
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 5-8 h
A jeep or car via Trishuli and the Pasang Lhamu road; the climb above Trishuli is steep and slide-prone in the monsoon.
Road: Mostly sealed but steep, narrow and broken in places; a jeep or 4WD is the comfortable choice.
When to set off: Leave Kathmandu by about 06:00 to arrive in daylight.
By motorbikefrom Kathmanduabout 5-8 hExperienced riders only
A long hill ride for experienced riders; the surface varies and the monsoon makes it worse.
Road: Steep hill road with loose and broken sections above Trishuli.
On footfrom Sing Gompa (Chandanbari)A long descent of roughly 1,300 m from Sing Gompa, usually done in a day
Walkers come down to Dhunche from Sing Gompa and Gosaikunda; the sources read do not give a stage time, so no band is set.
Permit required
This stop is in or on the way into Langtang National Park; the park entry permit is needed, and the route is on the Nepal Tourism Board's list of treks requiring a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Nepal Tourism Board: Park entry fees.
On the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek.
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslideshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Kathmandu to Trishuli, Dhunche and Syabrubesi road climbs steep hillsides that soak up monsoon rain, and landslide blockages are a normal feature of the season in these hills.
Road blockageshigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Expect the Rasuwa road to be slower in the monsoon: the bus run that takes 8 to 11 hours in dry weather typically takes longer when it rains, and slides can hold vehicles up.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Trishuli and Bhote Koshi run high and heavy with debris through the monsoon, and valley-floor road sections beside the rivers are the parts most often damaged.
Coldmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
December to February nights are near or below freezing at these altitudes and lodges are lightly heated; bring a warm sleeping bag and down layers.
Snowlow in a typical yearJan-Feb
Localised snowfall is reported in January and February. At this altitude it rarely lies for long, but it can slow the trails and roads higher up the valley.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
The Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa combined with the climb to the sacred Gosaikunda lakes (about 4,380 m) via Thulo Syabru and Sing Gompa, finishing at Dhunche. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.
Normally about 6-8 hours by road via Trishuli. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.
Yes. It is the most direct start: about 5-6 hours to Sing Gompa, then 4-5 hours to the lakes.
On the road near Dhunche, where permits are checked.
Valley or region
Hyolmo villages, monasteries and apple orchards in the hills north-east of Kathmandu, on a trek that can start from the city's edge.
Valley or region
A glacier valley north of Kathmandu, walked from Syabrubesi through forest and yak pastures to Kyanjin Gompa under Langtang Lirung.
Town or village · 845 m
A river-junction market town in Sindhupalchok and the road gateway to Helambu, rebuilt after the 2021 floods.
Lake · 4,380 m
A sacred alpine lake at about 4,380 m in Langtang National Park, a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site and a high point between Langtang and Helambu.
Lake · 4,100 m
Five holy lakes at about 4,100 m below the Jugal Himal in Sindhupalchok, a pilgrimage at Janai Purnima and a quiet trek.
Trek stop · 3,330 m
A forest settlement with a small monastery on the climb to the Gosaikunda lakes.
Trek stop · 1,460 m
The road-head village in Rasuwa where the Langtang Valley trek begins.
Trek stop · 2,210 m
A Tamang ridge village that links the Langtang Valley with the Gosaikunda trail.
Valley or region
The trekking region closest to Kathmandu: glacier valleys, holy lakes and Hyolmo villages across Rasuwa, Nuwakot and Sindhupalchok.