13 DAYS LANGTANG VALLEY

TREK # 16
13 DAYS LANGTANG VALLEY & GOSAINKUNDA LAKE TREK

DAY 01:
We drive from Kathmandu to Trishuli via Kakani, an excellent spot to view Mountain range, for about 4 hours and from Trishuli it's a steady drive of about another 4 hours up to Dunche (1970m) and it's 110 km in total. Dunche is our campsite for today. From here we have excellent views of the high peaks. The most notable are Gheng (6581m), and Langtang Lirung (7246m) to the north and Ganesh peak (7460m) to the west.

DAY 02:
Crossing the Trishuli river (1680 m) as it drains away from the Gosainkund Lakes, we climb steeply through beautiful Chir and Blue pine forest. This is usually an excellent day for wildlife and birds. By the time we reach Syabur (2130m), out camp site, the views the Langtang valley are magnificent and more and more of the snow peaks of Tibet became visible.

DAY 03:
We descend to the Langtang river (1890m), cross and head upriver through an impressive gorge. For the rest of the day, there is almost no human habitation but the forests of rhododendron and prickly leafed oak, alive with birdlife. We camp at Gomna (1804M), just as the valley starts to widen again.

DAY 04:
The valley is now the typical glacier-worn-shaped valley, in contrast to the steep water-worn V-shaped valley, we passed through earlier. Keep our eyes open for the Himalayan Thar, a large mountain goat often seen on the higher slopes. Views of the valley and its soaring peaks are vary impressive. We lunch near the Tibetan village of Langtang. After Lunch, we continue through the Yak pastures under the great snow peaks to Kyangin Gompa (3800m) and camp.

DAY 05:
Today is a rest and exploration day. From out campsite, the views of Langtang Lirung (7246m), Langtang Ri (7239m), Lonpo Gang (7100m), and Dorji Lakpa (6989m) are magnificent. This is a day to rest and relax or if you wish, there are several worthwhile excursion up to the glaciers. A 2 hours climb to Yala, a small cheese factory provides spectacular views. The valley is in the midst of exceptionally rugged and beautiful mountain ranges, ringed with glaciers, snowfalls and huge moraines.

DAY 06:
We retrace our steps downhill to Gomna. A very pleasant walk.

DAY 07:
We descend downhill to cross the Langtang river again. We have plenty of time to enjoy the large stands of Larch, the flowers and the valley views. After lunch, we climb steeply ton Syabru and camp.

DAY 08:
A day climbing through forests of fir and rhododendron. The only signs of human habitation are the occasional shepherd's huts. At the points where water is found. We camp near the deserted Sing Gompa(3254m).

DAY 09:
A steep rugged trail but adequately compensated for by dramatic views: to the west-Himal Chuli (7893m), Manaslu (8156m), and Ganesh peak (7406m). And possibly even the Annapurna ranges. Towards the north, across the valley is Lngtang Lirung. We pass the few huts in high yak pastures of Laurebina (3901m), cross a small ridge and have our first views of the Holy Lakes. There are over a dozen lakes in the Gosainkund Basin, the main three being Saraswatikund, Bhairavkund and Gosainkund. According to the legend, Gosainkund was created by Lord Shiva when he pierced a glacier with his trident to obtain water to quench his thirst after swallowing some poison. Camp at Gosainkund (4300m).

DAY 10:
We continue over rugged trails and pass several trains and pass several other smaller lakes to the Thare Pati Pass (4602m), then descend along a ridge to the treeline past beautiful waterfalls, through juniper and rhododendron forest,n we descend to the huts to Thare Pati. This is a long but very interesting day and we camp at Thare Pati.

DAY 11:
We drop steadily all day through fir and rhododendron forests and then through prickly leafed oak forest. We camp at the Tamang village of Gul Bhangjyang (2130 m). This ridgewalk provides excellent views of the mountains and the Helambu valley.

DAY 12:
The day's walk consists of gentle 'ups & downs' generally following a ridge to camp just above Chisopani (2194m) with excellent panoramic views of the Himalaya from Ganesh to Everest.

DAY 13:
We climb to the small pass at Burlang Bhagjyang (2438m) and take our last look at the great line of snow peaks of the Himalaya before descending to the Kathmandu valley and Sundarijal (1457m) from where we drive back to Kathmandu.