Kathmandu Valley, Langtang
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.
This trek joins two of the Langtang region's main routes. It first follows the Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa, where the acclimatisation gained from the valley and its viewpoints helps with the second half: a climb across the ridges via Thulo Syabru and Sing Gompa to the Gosaikunda lakes at about 4,380 m.
Gosaikunda is a group of high glacial lakes and a Ramsar wetland, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. Every year, at the Janai Purnima full moon in July or August, thousands of pilgrims walk up to bathe in the main lake. Outside the festival the lakes are quiet, with a few lodges on the shore.
The usual finish is a long descent from the lakes to Dhunche, the district headquarters of Rasuwa, and a drive back to Kathmandu. Strong parties can instead cross the Lauribina La into Helambu and walk out towards Kathmandu. Roads in Rasuwa were damaged by floods in August 2026, so check access at both ends.
Why it is rated strenuous
Sleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Syabrubesi | 1,460 m | - |
| 2 | Lama Hotel | 2,470 m | - |
| 3 | Langtang village | 3,430 m | - |
| 4 | Kyanjin Gompa | 3,870 m | - |
| 5 | Kyanjin Gompa (rest) | 3,870 m | 4,984 m |
| 6 | Lama Hotel | 2,470 m | - |
| 7 | Thulo Syabru | 2,210 m | - |
| 8 | Sing Gompa (Chandanbari) | 3,330 m | - |
| 9 | Gosaikunda | 4,380 m | - |
| 10 | Dhunche | 2,030 m | - |
| 11 | Kathmandu | 1,400 m | - |
About 7 to 11 hours by road via Trishuli and Dhunche, where park permits are checked. Check current access after the August 2026 floods.
Teahouse in SyabrubesiAbout Syabrubesi
Into the forested gorge of the Langtang Khola via Bamboo and Rimche, climbing about 1,000 m.
Teahouse in Lama HotelAbout Lama Hotel
Up through Ghoda Tabela into the open valley and the rebuilt village. Stop at Ghoda Tabela if the climb feels too much.
Teahouse in Langtang villageAbout Langtang village
A short morning walk past mani walls to Kyanjin; visit the monastery and rest.
Teahouse in Kyanjin GompaAbout Kyanjin Gompa
Climb Kyanjin Ri or, for a full day, Tserko Ri (about 4,984 m), and sleep again at Kyanjin. This day builds the acclimatisation needed for Gosaikunda later.
Teahouse in Kyanjin GompaAbout Kyanjin Gompahigh point Tserko Ri, 4,984 m
Back down the valley, mostly downhill.
Teahouse in Lama HotelAbout Lama Hotel
Leave the valley trail below Lama Hotel and contour and climb to the Tamang village of Thulo Syabru on its ridge.
Teahouse in Thulo SyabruAbout Thulo Syabru
A steady climb through oak, fir and rhododendron forest to the small monastery settlement of Sing Gompa, also called Chandanbari.
Teahouse in Sing GompaAbout Sing Gompa
Climb above the trees to Lauribina, with wide views of Langtang Lirung and Ganesh Himal, then along a rocky trail past Saraswati and Bhairab Kunda to the main lake. This day gains about 1,050 m; a night at Lauribina (about 3,900 m) is a gentler option.
Teahouse at GosaikundaAbout Gosaikunda
A long descent of about 2,350 m via Lauribina, Sing Gompa and Deurali to the road at Dhunche. Some groups split it with a night at Sing Gompa.
Hotel or guesthouse in DhuncheAbout Dhunche
About 6 to 8 hours by road via Trishuli, subject to post-flood repairs and landslides.
Hotel in KathmanduAbout Kathmandu
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Approximate route drawn through the overnight stops.
Langtang National Park entry permitNational park
Sold at the Tourist Service Centre in Kathmandu or at park entry points; checked on the road near Dhunche and along the trail. The Nepal Tourism Board's fee table lists NRs 3,000 per entry for foreign visitors and NRs 1,500 for SAARC nationals.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Issued through a registered trekking agency under the 2023 rule; check the current requirement.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Nepal Tourism Board: Park entry fees. Guide rule: Nepal Tourism Board: TIMS card and trekking guide rule.
Nepal trekking permits explainedBest months: Mar-May, Oct-Nov
Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By busfrom Kathmanduabout 8-11 hLocal buses
Local and air-conditioned buses run from Macha Pokhari bus park via Trishuli and Dhunche. Allow 8 to 11 hours, more in the monsoon.
When to set off: Buses for Rasuwa leave Kathmandu's Macha Pokhari bus park in the morning; start early, because the run takes 8 to 11 hours and longer in rain.
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 7-8 h
A hired jeep carries up to about seven people and takes roughly 7 to 8 hours via Trishuli and Dhunche.
Road: A steep hill road that varies from reasonable blacktop to rough, broken sections; a jeep or 4WD is the usual choice and the climb is slide-prone in the monsoon.
When to set off: Leave Kathmandu by about 06:00 so the long hill section is driven in daylight.
By motorbikefrom Kathmanduabout 7-9 hExperienced riders only
A long, rough hill ride for experienced riders only; carry spares and avoid it in the monsoon.
Road: Steep hill road described as anything from okay to horrible, with loose and broken sections.
On footfrom DhuncheA day on foot from Dhunche, either via Thulo Syabru or along the road
Walkers also come down from Dhunche, either on the Thulo Syabru trail or along the road; no stage band is given in the sources read.
Typical seasonal exposure along the route, merged from the stops that have a place page. Seasonal patterns only, never conditions today.
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.
Recorded for Langtang, Syabrubesi, Lama Hotel, Langtang village and 6 more. Landslide damming (Nepal) (Wikipedia)
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.
Recorded for Langtang, Syabrubesi, Gosaikunda, Dhunche and 1 more. Langtang Valley Trek (Wikivoyage)
Floodinghigh in a typical yearJun-Sep
Syabrubesi sits on the valley floor at the Bhote Koshi and Langtang Khola confluence, where monsoon flows run high and a landslide dam breaking out upstream can send a flash flood down the river.
Recorded for Langtang, Syabrubesi, Dhunche, Kathmandu. Landslide damming (Nepal) (Wikipedia)
Altitudehigh in a typical yearAll year
General information, not medical advice: this is high ground where altitude illness is a real risk. Gain height slowly, build in an acclimatisation day, learn the symptoms of headache with nausea, breathlessness or unsteady walking, and go down if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation. Routes in the region reach about 3,870 m at Kyanjin Gompa, 4,380 m at Gosaikunda and roughly 4,610 m on the Lauribina La.
Recorded for Langtang, Langtang village, Kyanjin Gompa, Sing Gompa (Chandanbari) and 1 more. Altitude sickness (Wikivoyage)
Snowhigh in a typical yearNov-May
Snow lies on the Chandanbari ridge and the climb towards Lauribina through winter and early spring; the trail can need care, and the park sees localised snow in January and February.
Recorded for Langtang, Syabrubesi, Lama Hotel, Langtang village and 5 more. Langtang National Park (Wikivoyage)
Coldhigh in a typical yearNov-Mar
December to February brings hard frost and deep cold at this height, with short days and lightly heated lodges; a four-season sleeping bag and down layers are normal kit.
Recorded for Langtang, Syabrubesi, Lama Hotel, Langtang village and 6 more. Langtang National Park (Wikivoyage)
Avalanche terrainmoderate in a typical yearDec-Apr
The upper Langtang valley is geologically active and avalanche paths reach the valley floor; the 2015 earthquake-triggered avalanche that destroyed Langtang village is the extreme case, while snow-loaded slopes in winter and early spring are the ordinary seasonal concern.
Recorded for Langtang, Langtang village, Kyanjin Gompa. Langtang Valley Trek (Wikivoyage)
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep, Dec-Apr
From June to August the forest trails are slippery after rain, leeches are common and the mountains are usually hidden by cloud.
Recorded for Langtang, Lama Hotel, Thulo Syabru, Sing Gompa (Chandanbari) and 2 more. Langtang National Park (Wikivoyage)
Check current conditions before you travel
Nothing here describes the Langtang Gosaikunda Trek today. Trail, road, pass and flight conditions change with the weather and with roadworks. Check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal and the local authority or your licensed operator before and during the trek.
Forecasts for start (Syabrubesi, 1,460 m), highest overnight (Gosaikunda, 4,380 m), end (Kathmandu, 1,400 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Forecast for 1,460 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Forecast for 4,380 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Forecast for 1,400 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
From Gosaikunda cross the Lauribina La (about 4,610 m) to Ghopte and Tharepati, then walk out through Helambu to Sundarijal or Melamchi; adds 3-5 days.
A full-day climb from Kyanjin Gompa to about 4,984 m for views of Langtang Lirung.
Spend an extra night at the lakes to walk around Gosaikunda and the smaller lakes nearby.
About 10 to 12 days from Kathmandu, including the drives. Crossing the Lauribina La into Helambu instead of finishing at Dhunche adds 3 to 5 days.
About 4,380 m. It is the highest night of the trek; the optional Tserko Ri climb earlier in the trek reaches about 4,984 m.
It is possible in fair weather, but snow often covers the trail around Lauribina and the lakes from December to March and some lodges close. Go with an experienced guide.
The Nepal Tourism Board lists the Langtang Gosaikund Trek among routes that require a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card under the 2023 rule. Confirm the current rule before you go.
Floods on 26 August 2026 damaged roads in Rasuwa. Check current access with a licensed agency before you book.
A road-accessed teahouse trek from Syabrubesi up the Langtang Khola to Kyanjin Gompa (about 3,870 m), with an optional climb to Tserko Ri for close views of Langtang Lirung. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.
A short trek that starts on the edge of Kathmandu at Sundarijal and follows forested ridges to Tharepati (about 3,650 m), then visits the Hyolmo villages of Melamchi Gaon, Tarkeghyang and Sermathang before a drive back.
A restricted-area teahouse trek around Manaslu (8,163 m), up the Budhi Gandaki gorge through Gurung and Nubri villages, over the Larkya La (about 5,106 m) and down to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit.
Langtang Gosaikunda · 11 days
