About Langtang Gosainkunda Helambu Trekking
Langtang Gosainkunda Helambu Trekking is naturally and culturally one of the most beautiful and accessible trekking routes in Nepal yet one of the least commercialized, perhaps because its peaks are less well-known, though they are just as spectacular. Isolation has helped to preserve Langtang cultural and natural heritage. The distinct cultures of Tamangs, Newars, and Sherpas remain unaffected by outside influences.
Two distinctly unique valleys could be trekked separately, but as a single trek, they make for an amazing variety of superb natural beauty, wildlife, and culture. A high glacial region separates the Langtang Valley from the Helambu Valley. This place is called Gosainkunda, as Kunda means Lake. There are beautiful glacial lakes here, most notably the legendary lake believed to have been created by Lord Shiva.
The trailhead at Syabrubensi, 1400m, is only an 8 hours drive from Kathmandu. The Langtang portion takes about a week. The Langtang Valley runs east-west and extends up to the Tibet border. The trek begins with a brisk climb up a gorge of the Langtang Valley, to where it opens into a U-shaped glacial valley.
Two Sherpa villages in the upper valley are Langtang, 3300m, and Kyanjin Gompa, 3750m, which has a monastery and a yogurt and cheese factory. From Kyanjin Gompa, we can climb either of two equally awesome peaks, depending on your stamina. The more challenging is Tsergo Ri, 4984m, a 6hr or 7hr round trip; the relatively easy one, Kyanjin Ri, 4773m, is a mere 2-3 hour hike from Kyanjin Gompa.
From Kyanjin Gompa, the trail to Gosainkunda goes down the valley and turns off at Thulo Syaphru. A steep climb through the mossy rhododendron forest takes you to the monastery and cheese factory of Sing Gompa, 3250m. Above Sing Gompa, the trail ascends through a pine forest, emerging above the tree line where there is a spectacular view of snow-capped peaks.
After reaching the barren glacial moraines and rockslides of Gosainkunda, 4000m, we relax along the shore of Gosainkunda's crystal clear and frigid lakes with the backdrop of the snowy peaks behind. Hindu worshippers recount the legend of how Shiva, having saved the world by drinking a dangerous poison, struck this mountainside with his trisul to create the lake and cool his burning throat. Devotees make a yearly pilgrimage to bathe in these icy waters, which are the origin of the famous Trisuli River.
After climbing two hours southeast of Gosainkunda, we reach the Laurebinayak La Pass, 4610m; this is another highlight of the trek, with exceptional mountain views. The steep descent passes through the small hamlets of Bera Goth, Phedi, and Gopte, 3530m.
From Gopte, the trail climbs onto the windy and sometimes snowy ridge of Thare Pati, 3510m, a small settlement. From here, the trail descends into the lush Helambu (Helmu) Valley of alpine meadows, rolling green hills, fertile valleys, and cheese factories. Helambu valleys and ridges run north-south, and the highest point is not more than 3200m. The mighty peaks of Langtang Himal are seen in the distance.
An interesting village is Tarkeghyang, which means 100 horses. History tells that Kantipur, King of Kathmandu, called on a Buddhist Lama from this place to stop an epidemic. The King rewarded the Lama with 100 horses. That Lama built the Tarkeghyang temple in 1727. The temple was rebuilt later in a Bhutanese style. The final stretch of the trail descends into a verdant gorge of the Langtang Khola to Melamchi Bazaar, which lies just beyond the northeast rim of the Kathmandu valley.
The Langtang Gosainkunda Helambu Trekking is as spectacular as any trek in the Himalayas of Nepal. Moreover, this trek is close enough to Kathmandu to avoid the uncertainties of air travel, which depends on the weather. There is less risk of altitude sickness as the elevation range is less than most treks, which means it's slightly less strenuous and the temperatures more moderate. Get in touch to know more about the trip, itinerary, travel guide, time duration, and private or group departures.
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