Nepal Trekking Area
Nepal Trekking Information
Trekking in Nepal >> Langtang Region Trekking >> Gosainkunda Festival Trek
Gosain Kunda trek combines the remote and spectacular valley of Langtang,
with the high mountain lakes at Gosain Kunda. Visit the beautiful Langtang
National park and then trek to the end of the valley to view the wonderful
mountains views. Following the Trisuli River north out of Kathmandu,
we travel through Trisuli Bazaar and Dhunche to Syabru Bensi, a Sherpa
village located at the very edge of the Langtang National Park. We then
swing east into the Langtang valley, crossing the river several times
as we travel up along a gorge-like, lower section of the valley. We
pass through oak and rhododendron forests and even cross glacial moraine
on our way to the Tamang village of Langtang.
A little further up the valley is Kyangin Gompa, where we stop overnight and sample the local yak cheese. We pass through Nubamatang, nestled in a hidden valley, on our way up to view the glaciers, which mark the gateway into Tibet. Backtracking, we travel through Syabru and Sing Gompa to a high plateau, where the sacred lake Gosain Kunda is located. Crossing the Laurebena Pass (4610m), we continue south, leaving the Langtang region behind us as we travel through the Helambu valley to Gul Bhanjyang.
The scene of Gosainkund, located at elevation 4360 meters, north of Kathmandu and just south of the Langtang range, is quite exciting, and is well worth the climb (often through rain) up to the site. Traditional faith healers called jhankris, dressed in belted white robes and crowned with porcupine quills and peacock feathers, perform ritual dances to throbbing drumbeats night and day. Thousands of people from all over Nepal and parts of India gather in boisterous song, dance and earnest devotions, camping and cooking in make-shift shelters. Visitors are welcome. In the morning the lake’s edge turns red with vermillion powder and the air is impregnated with sweet incense. Devotees dip in the freezing waters and change their sacred threads.
Highlights of Gosainkunda Festival Trekking
