25 Jun 2024 Himalaya Trip
The Dhunche to Gosaikunda Distance is approximately 18 kilometers. The Dhunche to Gosaikunda Trek is a well-known trekking route in the Langtang region of Nepal. It is a moderate to difficult trip that takes you through lush forests, alpine meadows, glacier lakes, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery. The trek begins in Dhunche, a tiny village 117 kilometers north of Kathmandu.
The route takes you past various traditional Tamang villages, where you may learn about their distinct culture and way of life. Along the trip, you’ll see several Buddhist monasteries, Chortens, and prayer flags. The trek concludes in Gosainkunda, a holy lake at 4,380 meters. The trek is typically done in four to five days, depending on your pace and itinerary.
This walk is best done between March and May and between September and November when the weather is dry and stable. During these months, you may enjoy clear mountain vistas and pleasant. This trek has some stiff climbs and decent, high-altitude hiking. You should be in excellent physical shape and have some prior trekking experience for this trek. You should hire experienced trek guides and porters to ensure your comfort.
Highlights
- You can discover a famous holy lake in the beautiful Langtang region.
- Enjoy a low-altitude, gentle hike that’s perfect for everyone.
- The Gosaikunda trek offers breathtaking views of Ganesh Himal, the Langtang mountain range, and the majestic Mount Manaslu from Laurie Benyak.
- While traveling from Dhunche to Gosaikunda Lake, you will find a cozy tea house daily with delicious food options.
- You can see the unique flora and fauna of this region.
Langtang Gosaikunda Trek Fact
- The word “Langtang” has a hidden meaning in Tibetan dialects: “Lang” means yak, and “Teng” means follow. This makes sense because you’ll see many yaks in the upper Langtang Valley.
- Langtang borders Tibet, an autonomous region of China, and is home to about 4,500 people, mostly the Tamang ethnicity.
- Every July, 10,000 visitors come to Gosaikunda Lake for a big ceremony during Janai Purnima, celebrating the lake’s religious significance.
- Langtang National Park boasts incredible diversity with 18 ecosystems, from tropical forest at 1,000 meters to alpine scrub at 3,000 meters to perennial ice at 5,000 meters.
How Challenging is the Gosaikunda Trek?
The Gosaikunda trek can be quite challenging. It would help if you hiked through steep and rocky paths in the Himalayas, often at high altitudes where the air is thin. The terrain of trails can be rough, with uphill climbs and downhill stretches that can be tough on your legs. Altitude sickness is also a concern for some people due to the heights they reach. You must have good physical fitness and proper preparation to handle the trail’s difficulty.
To elaborate, the Gosaikunda trek typically spans around 5 to 7 days, depending on your pace and itinerary. It is not just the physical exertion that makes the trek demanding; it is also the fluctuating weather conditions that trekkers must endure. Temperatures can drop significantly, especially at night, so warm clothing is essential. The high-altitude lakes, including the sacred Gosaikunda Lake itself, are often surrounded by snow, adding to the trek’s beauty and difficulty.
The lack of oxygen at higher altitudes can also lead to altitude sickness, a severe condition affecting even experienced trekkers. Symptoms like headaches, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath can impact your ability to continue. Acclimatizing properly is crucial by taking gradual ascents and ensuring adequate hydration and rest.
Most Popular Trekking: Langtang Gosaikunda Trek
Gosaikunda Trek Route – 5 Days
Our Gosaikunda trek begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche. You can enjoy driving with a great countryside view despite the poor road conditions. Most of the road is not blacktopped, including the Dhunche headquarters of Rasurva, where you’ll spend the night. The hike also begins in Dhunche the following day, and the path is covered with bamboo bushes and rhodendron trees. Cholangpati is where you will spend the night before heading to Gosaikunda.
Another notable feature of this journey is the viewpoint at Goisaunda, where you can see the Langtang Himalayan Range. Returning from here to Dunche takes another two days. The Gosaikunda trek itinerary we will offer is four days, meaning you will walk for four days. Some of you can even do it in 3 days, but the Gosaikunda trip in 3 days is difficult.
What can you see from Dhunche to Gosaikunda Trek?
The Gosaikunda trek is a popular trek that provides a diverse mix of Himalayan landscapes, including lakes, national parks, and wildfires. Gosaikunda Lake is located in the Langtang National Park. It is home to endangered animals such as the red panda, Himalayan mountain bear, musk deer, Himalayan wild goats, and snow leopards. While trekking/hiking to Gosaikunda Lake, you may see rhododendrons, orchids, magnolia, and other plant species.
During the Gosainkunda Lake walk, you can see the majestic Langtang Lirung (7246 Meters), Gangchhenpo (6388 Meters), Dokpu Peak (5930 Meters), Naya Kangri (5846 Meters), Yala Peak (5500 Meters), Ganesh Himal, Mt Manaslu (8,153 Meters) and many more peaks. If you take the Gosaikunda pass, you will see the charming Melamchi village, Dorje Lakpa, and Jugal Himal. If you pass the Gosainkunda Lake, you’ll arrive at Helambu.
Best Time for the Trek
The best times to trek in Gosaikunda are spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Trekking to Gosaikunda is always possible, although it is better to have an enjoyable journey if the weather is pleasant. Spring is also known as the flower-blooming season in Nepal. This is the second-best season for trekking in Nepal. Along the way, you can see the whole forest covered with flowers such as rhododendrons and magnolia in the forest National Park. The weather is pleasant, with a meager chance of rainfall and snowfall.
Another best season to start Dhunche via the Gosaikunda trek is autumn since the weather and temperature are ideal for trekking activities across Nepal. The days are typically bright, and you can see the breathtaking mountain views throughout the day. This is the most excellent time to start your trek and discover Nepal’s mountains. In Kathmandu and other towns, the weather is neither hot nor cold, but in the mountains, the cold season begins gradually.
Required Permits
Like other Nepalese treks, the Gosainkunda trek is inside the Langtang National Park, so you must get permits before beginning your journey. The Nepals Army cares deeply about the National Park and takes full responsibility for visitors who miss or attack the wildlife while hiking the Gosaikunda trek.
It would help if you got a National Park permit at the Army checkpoints at the Dhunche, Ghoda Tabela, and Trisuli Hydropower dams. It would be best if you had your passport for the licenses. A Langtang National Park entry permit is necessary for this trek, and you must pay NPR 3000. You should also have a TIMS card, which you can get from a registered trekking agency or Tourism Board in Kathmandu. It costs NPR 2000.
Trek Difficulty
The Gosaikunda trek starts from Dhunche at 2000 meters and reaches Gosaikinda at 4380 meters. It is a moderate trek. The total trek distance is about 117 kilometers, including a bumpy 35-kilometer road from Trishuli to Dhunche. A typical 5-day itinerary involves daily walks of 5-7 hours. It can be challenging for you if you are not used to walking or being physically fit. It would be best to prepare for trekking by hiking, climbing, and jogging beforehand.
Altitude sickness, or Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), is expected during high-altitude treks above 3000m. The Gosaikuda trek starts at 2000 meters in Dhunche and goes up to 4380 meters at Gosaikunda, so awareness of AMS is crucial. So, you should drink plenty of water and take a slow pace to avoid the problem.
Conclusion
The distance from Dhunche to Gosaikunda is quite far. This trek takes you through diverse landscapes and altitudes, the starting point in Dhunche at 2000 meters above sea level, to beautiful Gosaikunda Lake nestles at 4380 meters. The journey offers both physical challenges and stunning natural beauty to trekkers, making it an adventure worth preparing for.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Dhunche to Gosaikunda Distance
What is the starting point of Gosaikunda?
Dunche is the starting point of Gosaikunda. Dunche is also the headquarters of the Rasuwa district.
How far is Dhunche from Trishuli?
The Gosaikunda trek spans approximately 117 kilometers, with a rough 35-kilometer road from Trishuli to Dhunche.
Why do people visit Gosaikunda?
Gosaikunda is one of the holy pilgrimage sites. Hindus believe the sacred lake of Gosaikunda formed when lord shiva pierced a rock with his trident. Every year, during the Gangadashahara and Janai Purnima festivals, thousands of devotees from Nepal and India visit this sacred lake.
How many days does it take to reach Gosaikunda from Kathmandu?
The direct distance from Kathmandu Valley to Gosaikunda Lake is 67.5 kilometers. It typically takes about seven days to complete this trek, 32.4 kilometers from Sundarijal Chisapani to Gosaainkunda. It is an easy trek in Nepal.
How much does a Langtang Trek cost?
The Langtang Trek costs NPR 20,000 per person for five days. It includes the transport, food, and accommodations for the trek.
Is Gosaikunda safe?
Gosaikunda is entirely safe, as the houses and buildings have undergone numerous renovations after the earthquake.
Which trek is most scenic in Nepal?
The most scenic trek in Nepal is Annapurna Circuit. Along the route, the trek will take you through plunging valleys, deep gorges, rivers, lakes, glaciers, snow-topped peaks, and Gurung and Thakali villages.
