Gosaikunda Trek
The 4 days Gosaikunda Trek is a short, affordable, panoramic, and moderate-grade trek in Langtang National Park. To start this trek, you’ll take a drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche. And from Dhunche, you’ll trek 17 km to reach the lake in two days. The end of this trek is Gosaikunda Lake, a beautiful freshwater lake at 4,380 meters. In between, the panoramic Langtang mountain range, including Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, and other few of the Annapurna range and Mt. Manaslu, leaves you in awe.
There are two ways by which trekkers reach the Gosaikunda Lake. One is a combined Langtang Gosaikunda Trek, where trekkers first visit to Langtang Valley and then to Gosaikunda Lake. Second, the trekker plans a 3-4 day trek to the lake and returns, making it a shorter trek. Most foreign trekkers prefer the combined trek, whereas almost all Nepali trekkers prefer budget-friendly, shorter ones without trekking to Langtang Valley.
Gosaikunda Trek Highlights
- Trek to Gosaikunda and Bhairav Kunda Lake, two prominent freshwater lakes in the Langtang region.
- Panoramic mountain scenery with more than ten mountains, including Langtang Lirung, Annapurna South, and Manaslu.
- Short, moderate-grade, and best budget-friendly trek in Nepal.
- Absolute trek for beginners with no prior high-altitude trek experience.
- Full-board fixed departure trek in 2025 with a set group size of just seven pax.
- Two-way scorpio ride, one licensed trek guide, handpicked itinerary, and utmost trek safety.
Gosaikunda Trek Cost
Here’s what we’ve set for the 4 days Gosaikunda Trek Cost for the 2025/2026 season.
|
Pax |
Cost Per Person (USD) | Want to book? |
| 2 | 300 | |
|
3 |
280 | Inquire Now! |
| 4 | 260 | |
|
5 or more |
250 |
Cost Details
Cost Excludes
- Other than mentioned on the cost includes
- Personal expenses (additional meals, drinks, etc)
- Emergency rescue by the helicopter
- Travel Insurance
- Accommodation and meals during your Kathmandu stay
- Tipping to your trek guide at the end of the trek
Trek Bookings and Cancelations
How can I make the payment for booking confirmation?
If you want to proceed with the trek booking, you must pay 30% trek cost. Whether trekking in a group or individually, everyone must send us a 30% booking confirmation fee.
Once you decide to book this trek with us, we'll send you our bank details. Using the bank details, with some service charge, you can send the booking confirmation fee. Once we receive your payment, we allocate you a spot in the departure group.
Will I get a refund if I cancel the trek?
The amount of the refund depends on when you cancel the trek. Also, you may have to pay the entire trek cost upon canceling the trek.
- You'll get a 50% booking fee in refund if you cancel the trek 15 days before the trek's start date.
- A 25% refund will be given upon canceling the trek a week before the start date.
- No refund will be made if you cancel the trek within 24 hours of the trek.
- You must pay the entire trek cost if you want to cancel the trek after starting the trek.
- You won't get a refund if you cancel or abort the trek for various reasons.
Gosaikunda Trek Cost for Nepali
Being a holy abode of Lord Shiva, Gosaikunda Lake is a popular high-altitude and pilgrimage trek among Nepali. Also, in recent years, the craze of people for this trekking has been over-to-the-moon. Plus, trekking here is highly affordable.
The guided Gosaikunda Trek Cost for Nepali is Rs. 18,000 (without private transport). However, if you prefer private vehicle transfer and in a group of at least five people, this trek costs Rs. 21,000. The cost of this trek depends on the number of trekkers joining the group. We take eight pax (max) on a departure group.
Why Gosaikunda Lake Trek in 2025?
Want to trek to Gosaikunda Lake and still don’t know if it’s best for you? If so, we’ve got you covered. To help you plan this trek better, we’ve covered several topics that make this trek a wholesome adventure.
Absolute beginner trek
Gosaikunda Lake Trek is one of the short treks in Nepal. Also, difficulty-wise, this trek is moderately difficult. Considering the altitude, the lake sits at 4,380 meters. Trekking to this altitude barely causes altitude sickness among trekkers if trekked with a licensed trekking guide.
The distance from Dhunche to Gosaikunda Lake is 17 km one way. While trekking here with us, you’ll reach the lake on 3rd day morning. We’ve planned our 4 days in the Gosaikunda Trek Itinerary so that inexperienced trekkers get ample rest before pushing for the lake on 3rd day morning.
Also, with our slow-paced but on-time itinerary, novice trekkers barely experience any signs of altitude sickness. With our couple of years of guiding experience, we can proudly mention that our previous clients have yet to experience altitude sickness while trekking to Gosaikunda.
Also, while returning, we don’t make our clients trek down to Dhunche on a single day. Doing so lowers the possibility of getting cramps and extreme fatigue. We make our clients stay at Deurali, and the following day, we’ll trek down to Dhunche and take the Scorpio/jeep back to Kathmandu. On doing this, the itinerary remains the same and offers you the much-needed rest at Deurali from an all-day-long downhill walk from the lake.
Amazing mountain panorama
Gosaikunda Trek from Dhunche is in Langtang National Park, home to the beautiful Langtang mountain range. Almost all the mountains of this region are elegant and stand out during sunrise.
Ganesh Himal, Langtang Lirung, Langtang Ri, and Loenpo Gang are best visible during this trek. Moreover, you’ll also get a glimpse of Mt. Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain and Annapurna South, a 7,219-meter-tall mountain.
The best view of these mountains appears on the 3rd morning as you trek to Buddha Mandir from Lauribinayak. The golden sun rays paint this mountain elegantly. And if cloud covers the valley entirely, you’ll get blown away by the surreal panorama.
Religious Significance
Gosaikunda Lake is a trekking destination and a sacred Hindu pilgrimage site. Considered as an abode to Lord Shiva and Gauri, the myth of this lake links with Samundramanthan during the Mahabharata and Ramayana eras.
Hinduism explains that after lord Shiva drank the poison during Samudra Manthan, he got thirsty and became a madman. He hit a mountain with his trident as he went to the Himalayas for water. The place is now called Trishul Dhara, a prominent feeder of Gosaikunda Lake. As the water started flowing, it got deposited in a natural dam-like place, Gosaikunda.
During Janai Purnima and Gangadasahara, thousands of pilgrims from Nepal and India visit this lake and take a holy bath. Those who couldn’t trek up to this lake visited a pond at the Kumbeshwar Temple Complex in Patan. Legend has it that the Trishul Dhara, the feeder of Gosaikunda Lake, is also connected to a pond at Kumbeshwar Temple.
Gosaikunda Trek Itinerary
We’ve prepared a detailed Gosaikunda Trek Itinerary Breakdown if you’re interested in knowing only the itinerary of this trek. But in the four-day package, we follow this itinerary.
Day 2: Trek from Deurali to Lauribinayak (7.5 km, 6-7 hours, 3,660 meters)
You'll start the trek at 8 am after breakfast at the tea house in Deurali.
Right after leaving Deurali, you'll start climbing for two hours to Dhimsa. The trail between Deurali and Dhimsa can be challenging for some. However, you can stop for a few minutes at multiple rest spots and photographic points.
You'll reach Chandanbari from Dhimsa in one hour. The route to Chandanbari from Dhimsa is simpler than that of Deurali-Dhimsa.
You'll stop at Hotel Yak and Nak at Chandanbari for a tea and rehydration break.
From Chandanbari, you'll trek for 2 hours to Cholangpati and stop for lunch. The trail section between Chandanbari and Cholangpati is one of the most beautiful sections on the route. Also, this section is flat and offers a comfortable trek.
After lunch at Cholangpati, you'll start the climb to Lauribinayak. The route is short, but your trek guide instructs you to trek slowly, taking almost two hours.
Overnight at Hotel Mount Rest at Lauribinayak.
Day 3: Trek from Lauribinayak to Gosaikunda Lake (3 hours, 3 km, 4,380 meters)
You'll reach the lake on the 3rd day of the 4 days Gosaikunda Trek.
You'll start the trek around 5 am from Lauribinayak. There are two main reasons for this. First, when you reach Buddha Mandir atop Lauribinayak, you'll witness a majestic sunrise on the Langtang mountain range. Second, starting the trek earlier gives you ample time to return to Deurali before sunset.
The route to Buddha Mandir is steep ascend. However, the route gets easier past Buddha Mandir. From here, you'll trek for two more hours to Gosaikunda Lake.
Upon reaching the lake, you can take a cold water bath at the lake or go sightseeing around.
You'll have breakfast at 10 am at Hotel Lakeside.
After lunch, you'll descend to Lauribinayak, Cholangpati, Chandanbari, and Dhimsa and settle overnight at Deurali.
Overnight at Hotel Deurali Viewpoint at Deurali.
Day 4: Trek from Deurali to Dhunche (2 hours). Drive to Kathmandu (5-6 hours)
You'll leave Deurali after breakfast at the tea house.
After two hours leaving Deurali, you'll reach Dhunche and stop for lunch. With lunch at Dhunche, you'll prepare to leave Dhunche.
Our Scorpio (private vehicle) will be at Dhunche to pick you up in Kathmandu. You'll reach Kathmandu five hours after leaving Dhunche.
With this, your 4 days Gosaikunda Lake Trek come to an end.
Additional Trek Info
Transportation
For 4 days of Gosaikunda Trek, as per group size, you’ll get a Scorpio or private jeep for transportation. However, for a group of less than four pax, we’ll use public transportation from Kathmandu to Dhunche.
The trek cost includes the transportation from Kathmandu to Dhunche and back to Kathmandu. Before starting and after ending this trek, you’ll get a hotel-bus stand transfer on a taxi.
Note: If you want an airport pickup, you’ve to pay USD 35 for us. You’ll get an airport-to-hotel transfer on a private vehicle.
Meals and accommodation
Tea houses en route to Gosaikunda Lake are decent and offer comfortable overnight accommodations. Also, you’ll get choices for each meal during lunch and dinner.
You’ll get four breakfasts, four lunches, and three dinners.
Breakfast includes Chapati with curry, pancake, omelet, boiled eggs, noodle soup, bread, muesli with milk, and more. The hot drinks for breakfast include lemon tea, milk tea, coffee, and black tea.
For lunch and dinner, the meal menu consists of similar dishes. However, you’ll have options to choose a variety of meals. Dal Bhat with lentil soup is the most common dish. You’ll also have a choice of chicken curry, fried rice, dumplings, noodles soup, Tibetan bread, and Chapati.
For the accommodation, you’ll get a twin sharing room. In Deurali, you’ll get an attached bathroom as well. You’ll get clean beds with pillows and warm blankets.
Gosaikunda Trek Difficulty
Is Gosaikunda Trek difficult? There’s no proper answer to this question. Instead of calling it difficult, we can consider it as a moderately challenging trek. For first-time trekkers, trekking here is challenging due to uphill ascends and downhill descends. However, trekkers with prior high-altitude trekking experience enjoy every section of this trek.
Due to significant uphill sections, almost the entire trail, many trekkers struggle to walk.For this, Gosaikunda Lake Trek is difficult. However, the trekking route is among the best with panoramic mountains, landscapes, and vantage points.
We’ve made a separate Gosaikunda Trek: Easy yet arduous trek blog to help you better understand the trek difficulty.
Altitude Sickness and Prevention
Due to quick altitude gain, some trekkers on the Gosaikunda Trek get altitude sickness. It’s because they trek from Dhunche to Chandanbari in a day. And the next day, they trek to the lake. Ultimately, they get altitude sickness.
However, our four-day trek itinerary is slow-paced. You’ll trek to the lake on the third day without getting altitude sickness.
Headaches, nausea, vomiting, and b are common symptoms of altitude sickness. Most times, trekkers even struggle to breathe and experience troubled sleep.
If you experience these during the trek, kindly report your symptoms to your trek guide. Your guide assesses the situation and provides immediate attention.
After getting altitude sickness, to cure it, descending to a lower altitude is the only option.
The preventive measures for altitude sickness are:
- frequent rehydration with oral salt solution
- adequate healthy meals
- avoid caffeinated drinks, smoking, and alcohol
- Acetazolamide tablets (with consultation with doctor)
Trek Permits
Langtang National Park entry permit is the only permit you’ll need for 4 days Gosaikunda Trek. To learn more about this permit, visit this blog.
After paying Gosaikunda Trek Cost to us, you’ll get the trek permit included. Hence, you don’t have to pay additional fees for the trek permits. You’ll get the permits at the national park checkpost in Dhunche.
Travel Insurance
For 4 days Gosaikunda Trek, we recommend you have travel insurance. Moreover, it must include helicopter rescue coverage up to the highest point mentioned in the itinerary.
Despite this trek being short and easy, you may get altitude sickness. Also, some unforeseen situations can lead to minor to severe injuries. Hence, travel insurance is a must if you’re joining our group for this trek.
With travel insurance, you’ll always be on the safer side. If you get altitude sickness, you’ll get on-time helicopter rescue. The best aspect, your travel insurance covers the entire helicopter rescue cost. Also, if you get critically injured on the trek, a helicopter evacuation can save your life. Moreover, travel insurance covers hospital and medication bills. Moreover, it also compensates for international flight delays and lost and damaged personal gear and belongings.
Note: We can only send a helicopter for rescue if you have a proof of travel insurance policy with helicopter coverage. Also, the trek cost you pay to us doesn’t include your insurance.
Best time, Weather, and Temperature
The reason for Gosaikunda Trek being popular is that trekking here is doable throughout the year. Spring, Autumn, Winter, and Summer, all are the best times for this trek. With clear weather, extended sunshine hours, and rain-free days in Spring and Autumn, the routes often get busier with trekkers. However, on rainy Summer days and snowy Winter days, the trails remain almost peaceful. Moreover, during freezing winter, between January and February, the tea houses remain closed.
Spring and Autumn
For the best weather in Gosaikunda Lake, you must trek here in Spring and Autumn. The crystal-clear weather gives you a fantastic, unobstructed viewing experience. The panoramic Langtang mountain range appears spectacular. Also, with the clear weather at the lake, you’ll get excellent photographic opportunities. In March and May, apart from clear weather, you’ll walk through serene juniper and vibrant rhododendron forests. And, in October and November, the shedding leaves with colorful trails make the walk exquisite.
Winter
The deep snowfall often turns the weather terrible during winter, from December to February. Also, it’s the time when almost all tea houses remain closed in the Gosaikunda Lake area. Hence, these months are not ideal for this trek.
Summer
Summer months, from June to early September, are rainy in Nepal. Trekking to Gosaikunda Lake in July and August is possible. However, the weather barely remains fair. Moreover, leeches, bugs, and frequent downpours often ruin the whole aesthetics of the trek in summer.
Temperature at Gosaikunda Lake
The daytime temperature at Gosaikunda Lake remains 4-5˚C during the Spring and Summer months. However, the nighttime temperature falls close to freezing, around -3˚C. These two season are warmer at the lake. Lower regions’ temperatures during late Spring and throughout Summer remain warm and humid. As a result, you’ll feel the heat and often sweat a lot during the first-day trek to Deurali.
As Autumn progresses, the temperature starts dropping. Hence, you’ll feel significant cold in October and November. However, the lower regions remain warm and dry.
The Gosaikunda Lake freezes in winter and remains frozen even till early Spring. With this, you can expect a drop in temperature to -10˚C to -15˚C. The daytime temperature during December-February remains around -4˚C.
Gosaikunda Trek Etiquette
Gosaikunda Lake is a Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site. The lake holds utmost significance in the Nepali Hindu and Buddhist communities. Hence, every trekker must abide by the regulations at the lake.
Being a sacred abode of Lord Shiva, most trekkers take a holy bath at the lake. Even the foreigners are allowed to take a dip in the lake. However, you can’t take the dip naked. No one is allowed to swim in the lake naked.
Do not spit in the lake. Since the lake itself is sacred, spitting at the lake is strictly prohibited. Moreover, you must respect the pilgrims despite being a different religious practitioner.
You’re not allowed to consume meat (beef, chicken, etc) at the tea houses in the lake. Also, we advise you not to carry any meat while trekking to the lake.
And if you want to learn more about the region, ask your trek guide for detailed information.
Gosaikunda Trek- FAQs
Visa, Arrivals, and Airport Pickup
Will I get an airport pickup from NepTrek?
We'd love to offer you airport pickup upon your arrival in Nepal. However, the trek cost we've set doesn't include the airport pickup.
Hence, if you want a hassle-free airport pickup, we'll send our representative to the international arrivals. For this, you've to pay an additional USD 30.
Will there be a trek briefing session with the manager at NepTrek?
Yes. In the evening, you'll meet with our manager in the lobby of your hotel. Possibly, you'll also meet with your trek guide at the hotel.
The trek briefing session is to inform you of different things about the trek.
If you want to buy trekking gear in Nepal, you can ask for assistance with the trek guide.
Trek Safety and Security
Do my trek guide has first-aid responder training?
Yes. All trekking guides in NepTrek Adventures are certified first aid responders. We prioritize your safety, and thus, we house the trekking guides who are first aid responders.
What are the safety measures if I get altitude sickness during the trek?
Our main goal on the trek will be to keep you free from altitude sickness. However, in some instances, you may get altitude sickness. Thus, we follow every safety protocol if you get altitude sickness.
First thing, your trek guide assesses the severity of the sickness. If your symptoms are mild trek to the lake, the guide will take you to the lake. However, if you are severely sick, you'll get a horse ride to a lower altitude. And if you want a rapid descent, you'll get a helicopter rescue.
Trek guide and Porter
Can my trek guide communicate well in English?
Absolutely. Our guides are fluent in English speaking. Moreover, they're a great storyteller.
Also, if you want a specific language-speaking guide, we'll provide you such. For example, we provide a trek guide who speaks fluent French, Chinese, Spanish, etc.
How many trekking guides will be there with the group?
Since we run groups of 8-10 trekkers, we assign one group leader and an assistant guide. However, if we get a group of 5-6 trekkers, we'll provide an experienced trekking guide. For assistance, there'll be trek porters.
Will I get a porter to carry my backpack?
With this trek cost, you won't get a trek porter. However, if you want a porter to carry your backpack, you must pay USD 60 for the porter charge. You'll get a porter for four days.
Accommodation and amenities
Do the tea houses provide wifi?
Yes. The tea houses provide decent-speed wifi to trekkers. However, the wifi won't function properly due to bad weather.
Note: Using wifi can cost Rs. 200-300. You must pay for wifi.
Will there be electricity to recharge my phones and batteries?
Yes. From August 16, 2024, electricity has reached every place on the Gosaikunda Route. Previously, the electricity was available till Chandanbari.
However, trekkers can now charge their phones and batteries at Lauribinayak and the tea houses on the lake.
Note: Some tea houses ask Rs. 200-300 for the electricity recharge. And some don't.
Can I get a hot water shower at the tea houses?
Yes. You'll get a hot water shower at the tea houses. The hot water shower costs Rs. 200-300.
Note: Not all tea houses provide hot water showers. But you'll get a bucket hot water shower at all tea houses.
Physical Fitness and Preparations
What physical exercises are best to maintain fitness for this trek?
The most physical exercise we recommend to our clients is cardio. It involves cycling, running, swimming, hiking, etc. We suggest you start these exercises at least one month before joining the trek.
Are there any limitations to this trek?
Yes. Age limitations and health issues limit you from trekking to Gosaikunda Lake.
- Aged less than ten years and more than 70 years (not recommended)
- Pregnant women (not recommended)
- Chronic health complications and heart issues (not recommended)
If you're one of these, we suggest you not plan the trek. It'd be challenging and riskier for you and us.
What should I pack for Gosaikunda Trek?
Since it's a four days trek, you don't need to bring many clothes and trekking gear. However, you'll still need proper backpacking for this trek.
We've made a complete packing list for Gosaikunda Trek that you can download here.
Travellers Review
The reviews below are from our clients who did wholesome trekking and tours in Nepal with us. All the reviews here reflect how we run the trekking, treat our clients, and organize the trek and tours. Below listed reviews are from TripAdvisor, which is the most accurate and trusted review platform among travellers.
Have a read at what our clients say about us!!
