Gosaikunda Trek is a short, beginner-friendly journey in the heart of Langtang National Park. This trek takes you to Gosaikunda Lake, one of the most beautiful and high-altitude lakes of Nepal. It is part of a group of 108 sacred alpine lakes in the Gosaikunda region. The number 108 also holds deep spiritual meaning, matching the number of beads traditionally found on Hindu and Buddhist prayer malas.
During this 6-day trek, you reach an altitude of 4,380 meters (14,370 feet) at Gosaikunda Lake. Along the way, you can also explore other beautiful sacred lakes, including Saraswati Kunda, Bhairab Kunda, and Surya Kunda.
The adventure starts with a scenic drive from Kathmandu toward Dhunche. Starting from Dhunche, your trekking journey begins. You will pass through the rhododendron forests, peaceful villages, and alpine landscapes. En route, you will witness the breathtaking views of Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Manaslu, and Dorje Lakpa, plus distant peaks across the border in Tibet/China.
Every day you will stay in the teahouse with simple twin rooms and warm meals. No need for camping and no technical skills are required. The trail mainly involves steady uphill and downhill walking, demanding moderate levels of fitness.
Gosaikunda Lake is waiting for you. Our fixed departure runs throughout the spring and autumn seasons. Please tell us your dates, and join us for an unforgettable journey to Gosaikunda.
Gosaikund is the main highlight of this trek, but the trail strings together several sacred lakes as you climb higher.
Among the 108 lakes in the Gosaikunda basin, Gosaikunda Lake is the largest and most revered. According to Hindu mythology, this lake was created by the Lord Shiva to get cold water to soothe his throat after swallowing a deadly poison during the cosmic ocean churning (Samudra Manthan). Buddhists believe that Guru Ringpoche took meditation here approximately 600 years ago.
Saraswati Kunda lies below Gosaikunda Lake at an altitude of 4,350 meters (14,272 feet). The lake is named after Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, wisdom, and learning. It is one of the first sacred lakes you encounter as the forest gradually gives way to open alpine landscapes.
This subsidiary lake is situated below the Gosaikunda lake at an altitude of approximately 4,240 to 4,300 meters. The lake is associated with Bhairav, a powerful form of Lord Shiva in Hindu tradition. You can see Bhairab Kunda along the trail as you approach the main Gosaikunda basin.
Surya Kunda is one of the upper lakes of the Gosaikunda basin, situated at an altitude of approximately 4,600 to 4,610 meters. This lake is also named after the Hindu deity Surya, which means the god of light, energy, and life.
Our 6-day Goksaikunda trek package starts from USD 400. However, the exact price depends on the group size, as we offer a group discount.
| No. of traveler | Price per traveler |
| 1 | $ 450 |
| 2 – 8 | $ 425 |
| 8 plus | $ 400 |
Your journey to Gosaikunda Lake begins from Kathmandu. Early in the morning at the scheduled time, we will reach Mahha Pokharai bus station. Then, with your trekking guide, we will ride toward Dhunche. The route passes alongside the Trishuli River, offering scenic views of green hills, rivers, and rural villages along the way. The bus stops in the middle of the journey for lunch and short breaks. Since the bus journey is long and tiring, we request you to wear comfortable clothes and shoes and carry snacks with you. Tonight you will spend the night at Dunche Hotel.
After waking up, we will refresh and enjoy our hearty breakfast in Dhunche. Then we get ready for our first trek. Today our destination will be Chandan Bari, which is also known as Sing Gompa. Leaving Dhunche, we first pass through Deurali, a small charming village with a few tea houses. From here, the trail continues through dense forests, with small streams and waterfalls. As we gain altitude, the landscape changes and the trail becomes steeper.
Walking further through beautiful pine and rhododendron forests, we will reach Dhimsa. Once we reach Chandan Bari, we check in to the teahouse and rest for a while. Later, we can visit the famous Yak Cheese Factory and Sing Gompa Monastery.
Enjoy the peaceful, surrounding Himalayan atmosphere and explore the local Buddhist culture. Then enjoy a warm meal in the teahouse and spend the night here.
Hiking from Chandan Bari to Gosaikunda is more demanding. Today’s journey will be long and tiring. The trail takes you through beautiful rhododendron and pine forests toward Laurebinayak. From here, you can enjoy breathtaking views of Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, and Langtang Ri, which will keep you entertained.
After this, the landscape turns into rugged mountain terrain toward the sacred lakes of the Gosaikunda region. Then, finally, in the evening time you will reach Gosaikunda Lake. You will check in at the teahouse, and later you can explore the lake, which is surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Hindu and Buddhist people consider it a holy place, and pilgrims visit here particularly during the Janai Purnima festival.
Then we return to the teahouse, enjoy warm tea, feel the spiritual vibe and relax. Spending the night on the shore of Gosaikunda Lake is one of the most memorable experiences of this trek.
Early in the morning, we will wake up and step outside the teahouse to explore the sunrise over the Himalayas and over the holy lake. Then you will visit the local Shiva shrine for worship and offerings. You can take a dip in the lake. Then you can return to the teahouse for breakfast. After this, you can do a short hike nearby ridge north of the lodges or explore nearby smaller connected ponds like Saraswati Kunda and Bhairab Kunda.
After lunch, we will hike back to Laurebinayak. The descent is short, and the walk becomes easier as we lose elevation. Tonight we will spend time in the Laurebinayak teahouse.
After breakfast, we retraced our steps from Laurebinayak. Passing through the Cholangpati, Chandanbari (Sing Gompa), and Deurali, you will arrive at Dhunche and spend the night in the hotel.
Now it's time to end our journey by driving back to Kathmandu. Follow the Trishuli River through the same route you drove on before; you will reach Kathmandu. Then you can celebrate the successful completion of your Gosaikunda Lake Trek with your team.
Collaborate with our specialists to create a unique itinerary.
Choose from our scheduled group trips below, or contact us to plan a private or family adventure tailored to your schedule.
Gosaikunda Trek is considered moderately difficult in terms of difficulty level. However, beginners or first-time trekkers with no experience can participate in this trek. But they should consider these factors before starting this journey:
Trekking to Gosaikunda Lake is possible all year round. However, for the best scenery, pleasant weather and the opportunity to take a bath in the holy Gosaikunda Lake, it is best during spring and autumn.
In spring(March to May), the long sunlight hour, gradual increase in temperature creates perfect time for trekking. Also, the blossom of rhododendron in forest trails attracts the visitor by creating a beautiful landscape.
In autumn(Sep to Nov), the weather remains clear most of the time. The surrounding mountain peaks are visible due to good visibility and a clear sky. Gosaikunda Lake water remains cold and freezing most of the time, but in this season it is more comfortable for a holy dip compared to other seasons. For this reason, it is a favourite and popular season for travellers.
In winter (December to February), the lake remains frozen, and snowfall happens at high altitude. If you love snowy conditions, trekking in winter is possible, but packing warm clothes is essential. Taking holy baths in winter can be risky as it can cause hypothermia, frostbite, or other cold-related health problems.
In summer/monsoon(June to August), the constant rainfall disrupts the road conditions. Also, the trekking trail can be slippery and muddy. Another major trouble that can happen for the trekkers is leeches, which are active in this season. Dark cloud formation and poor visibility can obstruct the beautiful views.
Travellers heading for the Gosaikunda Trek must obtain a permit to enter the National Park legally. Permits will be checked at the checkpost, and you need to carry this permit throughout the trek. Here are the required permits:
Note: These permits will be applied for by us and provided to you before heading from Kathmandu. To process these permits, we will need a scanned passport and a PP-size photograph from you.
On this 5-day Gosaikunda Trek you trekking journey starts from Dhunche, which stands at an altitude of approximately 2,030 meters (6,660 feet). From here, to reach the Gosaikunda Lake, which sits at 4,380 meters (14,370 feet), the risk of altitude sickness remains high. Therefore, trekkers need to be very careful about altitude sickness symptoms.
The early symptoms of altitude sickness are headache, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, loss of appetite, and difficulty sleeping. These mild symptoms can be cured by taking rest, taking warm soup and descending to a lower altitude. If we neglect it, then it can result in HACE and HAPE, which are the deadly forms of AMS.
To prevent altitude sickness, you can follow these preventive measures:
To reach the starting point of the trek, which is Dhunche, High Route Adventure will arrange a local bus for you. This local bus departs from the Gongabu bus station early in the morning(6 AM - 8 AM).
You need to be here at the scheduled time as mentioned in the ticket we provide you. From Machha Pokhari bus station to Dhunche, the travel time is around 6 to 8 hours. The bus will stop in the middle of the drive for lunch and a short break. The return journey is similar through the same route.
Special note: Travellers can also use private transportation if they are in a group by paying extra fees. For this, you need to inform us during booking.
From Dhunche to Gosaikunda, there are a limited number of teahouses compared to other popular trekking routes like the Langtang and ABC treks. This teahouse offers the basic facilities of lodging and food.
Note: Single Private rooms are extremely difficult to find once you head above Dhunche. Single rooms are virtually non-existent in higher sections of the trail.
There is no separate restaurant on the trekking trail. You will eat in the teahouse where you stay. This teahouse is run by local people from the surrounding mountain village. Mostly the people here are from the Tamang and Sherpa communities. They prepare fresh food for you using local ingredients.
Let’s see what you can expect in the teahouse menu:
Trekking in the traditional village, which takes you to a height of 4,380 meters (14,370 feet) and involves disconnecting from road transportation, involves certain risks. This might include altitude sickness, falls or injuries, sudden illness, and unpredictable natural events such as floods and landslides.
In such a case, if emergency evacuation is required and you don't have travel insurance, you might need to pay huge bills out of pocket. A good policy covers major things like helicopter evacuation, medical expenses, trip delay and other unforeseen travel-related emergencies. Having insurance protects you financially and provides relief in mind. Depending on the coverage and provider, insurance may cost around USD 100.
Gosaikunda Lake water is cold in all seasons, and during winter it freezes. There have been past incidents of casualties, so take extra precautions before entering the lake.
Gosaikunda Trek is a short teahouse trek from Kathmandu; therefore, you don't need to carry huge things with you. Carry only essential items with you. Here is the packing list you can follow:
Real experiences shared by trekkers and travelers who joined our trips.
Reminded me of trekking in Jotunheimen, but on a completely different scale. The silence around the frozen lake in October was surreal — just wind, prayer flags, and the crunch of snow underfoot. Guides were knowledgeable and safety-conscious, which mattered a lot given the altitude. One of the best treks I’ve done outside Scandinavia.
A moderately challenging trek with deep religious significance for Hindus, since the lake is linked to Lord Shiva. The trail from Sundarijal was scenic, passing through rhododendron forests before the terrain turns rocky and alpine. Food options got repetitive by day three, but the sense of accomplishment at the lake made up for it.
Nunca vi nada assim! I mean — I’ve never seen anything like it! Coming from Rio, the cold was a shock, but the views of the Langtang range from the ridge near Gosaikunda were worth every shiver. Locals were incredibly kind, offering hot tea whenever we passed a teahouse. A trek that stays with you long after you’re back home.
Beautiful landscapes, but be prepared for altitude sickness — I underestimated it. Took an extra acclimatization day near Cholangpati which I highly recommend. The final push to the lake in thin air was exhausting but the turquoise water against the snow was unforgettable. Would suggest better waste management along the trail, though.
A quiet, spiritual journey. I visited during the Janai Purnima festival and was amazed by the number of pilgrims bathing in the sacred lake despite the freezing temperatures. The trail from Dhunche was steep but well-marked. I wish there had been more information in English about the mythology behind the lakes — would love to have understood more.
Absolutely stunning. The lakes at Gosaikunda are otherworldly, especially in the early morning mist. The climb from Lauribina Pass was tough on the lungs, but the reward at the top made every step worth it. Tea houses were basic but cozy — brought back memories of hiking in the Highlands, just with much bigger mountains
