Overview
Overview of the Holy Gosaikunda Trek
The Gosaikunda lake, known as a “holy lake” among locals and tourists alike, is an alpine freshwater lake. It is located in Langtang National Park, at northern Kathmandu, with an altitude of 4,380m. The area fosters many glacial lakes, Gosaikunda lake being the holiest of all.
The Holy Gosaikunda lake gained its holy moniker as several Hindu and Buddhist people believe that the water coming from the lake can wash away their sins, aside from the lake vicinity itself being a divine place for locals. The epics of Ramayana and Mahabarata – in the Hindu mythology – are directly linked to the origin of Gosaikunda. It is believed that Lord Shiva nailed his holy trident into a mountain to obtain some water after having swollen some poison. Hence the Trisuli river originated. Thus, numerous pilgrims do this route once in a lifetime.
Highlights of the Holy Gosaikunda Trek
The Gosaikunda lake trek is also a one-of-a-kind experience especially for those who want to experience the spirituality offered by the place. It will take trekkers across Gosaikunda’s amazing views as the lake is being flocked by pilgrimages every year. The lake remains frozen for a total of six months during the winter season, and once it melts, the Trisuli river is then formed as a result. The Gosaikunda trek is a comfortable 9-day trek with moderate-grade level of difficulty, making it perfect for trekkers who want to improve their skills up a notch while surrounded by an outstanding scenery.
The best time to visit Gosaikunda is during the month of August, wherein several pilgrims trek to Gosaikunda to wash off their sins. The Gosaikunda itinerary includes trekkers passing through the breathtaking beauty of Langtang National Park, along with views of Himalayan snow-capped mountains, rich flora and fauna, as well as an opportunity to have a rich cultural experience by getting to know the numerous Tibetan villages that live within the vicinity.
The Gosaikunda trek passes through varied landscapes and green forest ranging from subtropical to alpine environment, terraced fields, waterfalls, streams, hills and scenic mountains view. Trekkers will also be able to experience the rich cultural heritage, which will lead them to the welcoming Tibetan villages being tribes known for their warm hospitality and willingness to immerse trekkers in their unique Tibetan culture.
What you can do before or after your Holy Gosaikunda Trek
We at Himalayan Treks allow full customisation for our customers, which is why we also have add-ons and trip extensions which can be perused by interested trekkers. Some popular trip extensions availed by our clients include a day or more exploring the historic sites of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur or why not pay a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage Chitwan National Park. Likewise, it’s also possible to extend your trek to link it with other treks in the same Langtang area, for instance the Langtang Valley trek. However, if you are looking for a different experience altogether, we can recommend the Everest Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Circuit trek.
