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Gosaikunda Helambu Budget Trek is the perfect introduction to trekking in Nepal as you enjoy the glorious mountain vistas, untouched indigenous culture and diverse Himalayan wildlife. It is the slightly shorter/easier version of the 11-day Gosaikunda Helambu Trek available at the most reasonable price.
The Langtang and Helambu Districts lie to the north of Kathmandu. The east-west Langtang Valley is set between the high border ranges and a lower range to the south – which includes the Gosaikunda Lakes. The Helambu District lies further south in the softer Middle Hills just north of the capital. The trekking region is less crowded than the most popular routes, yet offers broader Himalayan panoramas than elsewhere. The Gosaikunda Helambu Budget Trek offers a superb panorama of the Langtang range along with views of Gauri Shankar, Ganesh Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Shishapangma and Jugal Himal as well as glimpses of Manaslu.
This 8 day Gosaikunda - Helambu trek explores the region south of the Langtang Valley; and from ridges offers a fuller view of the High Himalaya. The first day is steep and two other days are long: demanding pre-fitness and stamina. The Laurebina La crossing at 4 610m/15 210ft is not difficult. From the pass, drop 1 200m for a warmer and more comfortable night.
A drive north of Kathmandu through rural scenery on the Northern Highway leads to the start of the trek at Dhunche. The trail sets out through rhododendron, oak, pine and fir forests creating the possiblity of coming across some rare wildlife including Red pandas, Pikas, Muntjacs, Musk Deer, Ghorals, Himalayan Thars and many more. As you climb to Shin Gompa, you can explore the Buddhist culture of this region. Spend an afternoon at the lovely Gosaikunda Lakes exploring the sacred region. Gosaikunda is revered as a holy mythological lake by devotees of both Hindu and Buddhist faiths. It receives a huge influx of pilgrims during the full moon on Janai Purnima festival.
The ascent of the Laurebina La is not long or difficult: from its summit there are breathtaking 360 o views: including a Himalayan panorama from the Annapurnas in the west across the northern chain to Manaslu in the east.
The downward trek into the green Helambu District offers lush forests, terraced farmlands and a mix of Brahmin, Chhetri, Tamang, and Yolmo cultures to explore. The last village is only an hour’s drive from your hotel in Kathmandu.
The best time to perform the Gosaikunda Helambu Budget Trek is during the spring (March - May) and autumn (September - November) seasons. These periods generally have stable weather, moderate temperature and clear skies. This will provide you with the best views and an easier trekking experience. It is advised to not perform this trek during monsoon season (July/August) as the trails can be quite slippery and dangerous due to the rain.
The Gosaikunda Helambu Budget Trek is a moderate difficulty trek that can performed as a teahouse or camping trek. You will walk for an average of 6 hours a day over steep and hilly trails that will lead up to altitudes of 4600 meters at most. As such, decent physical fitness and stamina is recommended. However, no prior trekking experience is necessary for this trek.
Day 01:Kathmandu – Dhunche (1 950m/6 440ft), 7-8 hrs drive
Day 02:Dhunche – Deorali (2 660m/8 730ft) - Chandan Bari/Shin Gompa (3 330m/10 930ft), 5-6 hrs
Day 03:Shin Gompa – Laurebina Yak (3 950m/12 960ft), 3-4 hrs
Day 04:Laurebina Yak – Gosainkund Lake (4 380m/14 450ft), 3-4 hrs
Day 05:Gosaikunda Lake – Laurebina La (4 610m/15 213ft) – Gopte (3 440m/11 290ft), 6-8 hrs
Day 06:Gopte – Tharepati (3 640m/12 010ft) – Kutumsang (2 450m/8 090ft), 6-8 hrs
Day 07:Kutumsang - Chisopani (2 160m/7 130ft), 5-6 hrs
Day 08:Chisopani – Sundarijal (1 350m/4 430ft) – Kathmandu (1 300m/4 260ft), 4-5 hrs, 1 hr drive hrs.
From you hotel, we take the tarred Northern Highway from Kathmandu that snakes northeast through Middle Hill forest and farmland to cross the Tadi Khola at Devighat, near its confluence with the Trisuli Nadi from Tibet. It then swings northeast up the Trisuli Valley to Betrawati, snakes over a pass to Ramche and continues, more sedately, to Dhunche. Overnight in Dhunche.
An upward day: begin up a road from the lower end of the village to a trail through fields on the south bank of the Trisuli Khola. Cross to the north bank and head steeply up the narrowing valley to a spur before turning NE to Deorali. Continue upwards, for ~1hr, through stands of fir and rhododendron towards a higher ridge and on to a clearing. An hour on is a small hamlet and later a single teahouse with views over the valley. The next ridge leads to the hamlet of Dimsa (3 030m) and a fork: the right trail leading to an army post and final pull, through scrub oak, to Chandan Bari and the Shin Gompa. The Gompa has a cheese factory; both worth visiting! Overnight in Chandan Bari.
Views of the Ganesh and Langtang Himals continue as the trail steadily rises. A sanctuary for the preservation of the endangered red panda (in Nepalese: cat bear) has been created on the northern slopes.
With altitude, trees are gradually replaced by scrub vegetation: Chalang Pati’s (3 550m) open panorama makes a good tea venue. The views broaden as the trail continues to rise with Manaslu (8 156m) appearing in the east while the sweep of peaks, including some north of the border, stretches to the Annapurnas in the west. Enjoy a free afternoon and night in Laurebina Yak.
Catch the sunrise on camera before breakfast. Hike to a ridge and pass waterfalls from the Saraswati Kund (4 100m, lake). A high, exposed trail overlooks the south-western Trisuli Valley then the Bhairav Kund. Ahead is the largest lake; Gosain Kund with the village on its north-western shore. A ridge behind the village offers good viewpoints: including semi-frozen lakes to the S. These lakes are holy to both Hindus and Buddhists. There is an important Hindu Temple to Shiva in the village. A revered festival is held annually over full moon in August. Afternoon exploration and overnight in Gosaikunda.
Approximately 1½ hrs is needed to summit the La, passing three smaller lakes and the Sura (Sun) Kund. Summit views are magnificent. The 1 200m descent follows a stream to a seasonal ‘high camp teahouse’ before dropping down to Phedi (3 740m). A rocky trail then undulates down several ridges, eventually descending into pine and rhododendron forest below the cliffs of the Thare Danda (ridge). Finally, negotiate more ravines before ascending to Gopte’s ridge. Overnight in warmer Gopte.
Trek across several rocky ravines with old boulder-strewn moraine beds before climbing to a high, windy ridge and the village of Tharepati. Views to the NE include Gauri Shankar, Dorje Lakpa, the Jugal Himal, and ranges into Tibet: including Shisha Pangma (8 027m/26 335ft), China’s only 8 000m peak.
A further 1 200m descent over a succession of ridges, promises a more comfortable night. It begins steeply through dense pines to Magin Goth (3 290m); in hilly Helambu. Then climb the Mera Danda (3 510m) for the last good sighting of the Langtang Himal. A further valley crossing heads for Panghu Danda (3 350m). Then follow ridges down, past a waterfall, through fir and rhododendron forest to the fields surrounding Kutumsang. Overnight in Kutumsang.
Initially the trail climbs past granite cliffs, then meanders to the Tamang village of Golphu Bhanjyang (2 140m). It then continues gently upward to Thotong (2 260m) and the Lapchu Danda (2 420m). Fine views over this lovely region continue to the south from high ground. The trail then descends through terraces and new forest to substantial Chipling (2 170m). Finally, negotiate two lower ridges before rising gently to Chisopani: with distant peak views to the north once more. Overnight in Chisopani.
Chisopani lies on the northern border of the Shivapuri National Park; and is Kathmandu’s chief water catchment basin. Walk through dense forest, up to the Borlang Bhanjyang (2 430m) before undulating to Mulkharka (1 800m) and descending to Sundarijal on the southern border of the park. A car will return you to your hotel in Kathmandu.
