Langtang Gosaikunda Helambu Circuit Trek

Take a day tour to five of the Kathmandu Valley’s cultural world heritage sites: Swayambhunath, the famed “monkey temple;” the city’s historical Durbar Square with ancient temples, unique art, architecture, and the chance to see the Kumari (living goddess); Patan’s Durbar Square; the Hindu temple Pashupatinath and Bouddhanath, the world’s largest stupa.
A car and driver will take you to each site-entrance and wait for you. (Entry tickets and lunch are not included.)

The tarred Northern Highway from Kathmandu heads NW 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 NE up the Trisuli Valley to Betrawati, snakes over a pass to Ramche and continues, more sedately, to Dhunche. Continue to Syabru Besi (where the Trisuli becomes the Bhote Koshi Nadi above its confluence with the Langtang Khola). Overnight in Syabru Besi.

The Langtang Khola rises from the Langtang and Porong Ri glacier fields on the Tibetan border in the NE of the valley. It then flows in a SE direction, flanked by the ice capped Langtang Range along the border and a lower parallel snow range to its south. Walk SE, along the north bank to a bridge: cross onto a narrow trail high above the south bank, through oak, rhododendron and bamboo forests. Forest wildlife includes numerous birds, grey langurs, red pandas, wild boars, Himalayan black bears, et al. 
At Bamboo (1 930m), the trail crosses to the northern side of the stream, into drier scrub forest, and passes several waterfalls before climbing to the split-village of Renche (2 400m). The path then rises gently to Changtang and the Lama Hotel. Overnight in Lama Hotel.

The trail climbs gently at first, then more steeply through mixed rhododendron, oak, hemlock and maple forest. Intriguing glimpses of the Langtang Himal appear to the north. Later, drop back to a quaint teahouse at the river, before climbing to the hotel-settlement and army post of Ghora Tabela (2 970m).
Beyond is the broad, U-shaped valley carved by the Langtang, Shalbachum and Lirung Glaciers. Climb the hillside through scrub forest and terraced fields of barley, buckwheat, and potatoes, to the village of Thangshyap. Due to the destruction of the village further up the valley. Follow the trail to Chamki (3 300m) and Ghumba (3 400m, with an interesting gompa). Water driven prayer wheels and mills should then have heralded the village of Langtang (3 430m) in its lovely valley: also headquarters of the National ParkOvernight in Langtang Valley.

Impressive twin waterfalls drop from a cliff-cleft above the former village of flat-roofed stone and wooden homes. Cattle and yaks grazed above the town. Local cheeses, breads and apple pie pampered to foreign tastes.Langtang Lirung (7 227m/23 712ft) is north of the trail.

Ascend to a ridge beyond the former village and a long mani wall on the trail to Mundu (3 440m) then down to Sindum (3 280m). Descend to a huge boulder and bridge at the river, before climbing to Yamphu (3 640m). Drop to cross the Laja Chu beneath a glacial moraine – from the top of which are great views of the icefall from the Langtang Lirung and Kinshung Peaks. Kyanjin Monastery is ahead: climb a final ridge and descend to the village below it. After lunch, explore the village and gompa. Overnight in Kyanjin Gompa Village.

This is a scheduled acclimatization day. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) experts recommend at least a 24 hr rest period. Keep active: climb high and sleep low is the acclimatisation advice.

A morning hike up the trail on Tsergo Ri (5 000m, at the top) overlooks the impressive glacier from Langtang Lirung (7 227m) with great views of Kinshung (6 781m) and Yansa Tsenji (6 567m). Towards the W, Dorie Lakpa (6 966m), Ganchenpo (6 387m), Dshabu Ri (5 202m) and Urking Kanggari (5 863m) are prominent peaks. To the NE, some 5km beyond the border is landmark Shisha Pangma (8 027m/26 335ft), China’s only 8 000m peak. A trail south of Kyanjin leads to the difficult pass over the Ganja La (5 130m, frequently snow bound) to Helambu.

Wander back to Changtang, enjoying the views on this easier walk. Overnight in Lama Hotel.

Walk back to the bridge over the Langtang Khola and cross to Bamboo (1 930m) and continue to Pairo (1 800m) for lunch. Ascend to a T junction: with great NW views of the Ganesh Himal. Turn south (left) and trek up to the hamlet of U Kyang. Continue to the large village of Thulo Syabru. Overnight in Thulo Syabru.

Today’s trail involves a 1 000m/3 300ft ascent with great NE views of the Ganesh Himal, the Langtang Valley and its northern Ranges. The trail zigzags up through potato fields and on to Dursagang (2 740m) before rising through forests of oak and hemlock, then through rhododendrons and open pastures towards a ridge at Phoprang Danda (3 190m). A broad trail then follows the ridge before rising to a second ridge of spruce: and a final ridge with the village of Chandan Bari – and 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 and the sweep of peaks, including some north of the border, stretching 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 finally 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). After that 1 200m descent over a succession of ridges 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. Overnight in Kathmandu.

Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport for your flight to your next destination.