Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu Trek
Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu Trek
Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu Trek
17 Days Starting and ending in 27.708317,85.320582
Visiting: Nepal
Tour operator:
Tour code:
138
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
12-75
Special diets catered:
Request dietary needs
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Tour Overview
Often overlooked, Langtang treks in the Langtang and Helambu region to the north of Kathmandu provide some of Nepal's most spectacular scenery, and trekking in this area is as good as anywhere in the country. The soaring, snow-capped mountains at the head of the Langtang valley, the beautiful glacial lakes at Gosainkund and the friendly Tamang villages combine to make this a perfect trekking alternative to the better known Everest and Annapurnas treks.
You begin your tour in Kathmandu where you'll have a free evening to explore this bustling city. There's also time for any last minute purchases to take on your trek.
Following the Trisuli River north out of Kathmandu, we drive you to Syabrubesi, a Sherpa village located at the very edge of the Langtang National Park where your trek begins and you spend the first night in a trekking lodge. Staying in lodges allows you to spend more time meeting and talking with other trekkers and guides in the evenings, as well as enjoying a little more comfort at the end of each day and contributing to the local economy.
From Syabrubesi, you then swing east into the Langtang valley, crossing the river several times as you travel up along the gorge-like, lower section of the valley. You pass through oak and rhododendron forests and trek across glacial moraine on your way to the Tamang village of Langtang which was hit hard by the 2015 earthquake.
A little further up the valley is Kyangin Gompa, where you spend 3 nights and have plenty of time to explore the local area. You can do several day-walks such as continuing up through Nubamatang, nestled in a hidden valley, on your way up to view the glaciers which mark the gateway into Tibet.
After backtracking briefly, you then travel through Syabru and Sing Gompa to a high plateau, where the sacred lake Gosainkund is located. Crossing the Llaurebena Pass (4,610m), you continue south, leaving the Langtang region behind as you travel through the scenic Helambu valley to Gul Bhanjyang. From here it's just a few days trek and a bus ride back to Kathmandu.
Once back in Kathmandu you'll have a free evening to explore this interesting and colourful city. Options are also available to do a mountain flight up to view Mt. Everest, or to add extensions to the tour to try some white water rafting, or visit Chitwan or Bardia National Park.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Day 1: Arrival In Kathmandu
Accommodation Name: We welcome you to the airport and take you to your hotel in the centre of Kathmandu, where our Encounters Travel agent welcomes you, helps you settle in and explains the agenda for the rest of your trip.<STRONG> OVERNIGHT: </STRONG> Kathmandu hotel
Day 2 : Day 2: Drive To Syabrubesi (1462M)
Accommodation Name: You will leave the Kathmandu Valley this morning and take a private car / minivan with your guide and porter(s) to the north through the hills and farmland to the town of Syabrubesi (1,462 m), where you will launch your trek (approx. 6 hours' drive). Syab
Day 3 : Day 3: Trek To Sherpagaon (2490M)
Accommodation Name: From Syabrubensi, head east towards the Langtang Valley and follow the route along the northern slopes of the valley above the Langtang Khola through the Rhododendron and Oak forests. Various forms of wildlife are present here, and it is not uncommon for
Day 4 : Day 4: Trek To Ghora Tabela (3035M)
Accommodation Name: Continue climbing through lush forested areas, following the valley of the river, and steadily gaining altitude before reaching Ghora Tabela (3.005 m). Here you get a sight of Langtang Lirung, ahead of you.<STRONG> OVERNIGHT: </STRONG> Ghora Tabela trekk
Day 5 : Day 5 Trek To Kyangin Gompa (3849M)
Accommodation Name: You continue to climb today, passing the ruins of the village of Langtang, which was severely damaged by the earthquake of 2015. On the way, look out for a mani wall (dry stone walls inlaid with Buddhist prayer slates. It's probably one of the longest wal
Day 6 : Day 6: Kyangin Gompa. Optional Hiking Day To Tsergo Ri (4984M)
Accommodation Name: You're here for the next two days, and there's a lot of excursions so keep you busy. If you feel that you have the option of spending a day climbing Tsergo Ri (4984 m) and being rewarded with an amazing view of the snow-capped peaks. Renowned as one of th
Day 7 : Day 7: Kyangin Gompa. Optional Hike Day To Langshisa Kharka (4285M)
Accommodation Name: You have a full day free to enjoy more optional treks or just relax and enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery that surrounds Kyangin Gompa. One alternative is a reasonably level walk up the valley to the secret Nubamatang valley (3,940 m) and Langshisha Kh
Day 8 : Day 8: Trek To The Lama Hotel (2500M)
Accommodation Name: Even though you're going to be on your feet for most of today, this is a pretty simple day, with the journey mostly a fairly steady downhill as you begin to follow the Langtang Khola to Lama Hotel. Along the way, you can enjoy the views of the mountain fr
Day 9 : Day 9: Travel To Thulu Syabru (2260M)
Accommodation Name: Today you proceed along the valley of Langtang, covering a new ground after passing the junction with the path that you descended from Sherpagaon. You will continue to follow the Langtang Khola along the base of the valley, passing by the corn fields, bef
Day 10 : Day 10: Trek To Sing Gompa (3300M)
Accommodation Name: Departing early from Thulo Syabru, you follow a slow zigzag path up the forest and past several small lodges. It's a long, slow climb with excellent views of Ganesh Himal and other Langtang peaks that make these views so unique in this area. As you follow
Day 11 : Day 11: Trek To Gosainkund (4361M)
Accommodation Name: The path follows a ridge with stunning panoramic views of Himalchuli, Manaslu and Ganesh to the west and the high Tibetan plateau to the north. The trail then descends to Gosainkund (4,361 m) (one of many sacred lakes that serve as major pilgrimage sites
Day 12 : Day 12: Trek To Gopte/Gobie Char (3530M) Via Llaurebena Pass (4610M)
Accommodation Name: You ascend from Gosainkund Lake, passing a few smaller lakes before crossing Llaurebena Pass (4,610 m), the highest point of your trek. This pass marks the western border of the valley of Helambu. Your trail takes you along a path that provides breathtaki
Day 13 : Day 13: Trek To Mangengoth (3390M)
Accommodation Name: Today our path passes through a thick forest, including a lot of rhododendron, bringing us to the Thadepati Pass and a good view of Soli Danda. A further ridge hike, some terraced farmland, broad oak forests and a gradual descent will lead you to the lodg
Day 14 : Day 14: Trek To Gul Bhanjyang (2130M)
Accommodation Name: Today you're going south, leaving the Langtang area behind and losing a lot of altitude as you pass through the Helambu Valley to the Tamang village of Gul Bhanjyang (2130m).<STRONG> OVERNIGHT: </STRONG> Gul Bhanjyang trekking lodge<STRONG> MEALS: </STR
Day 15 : Day 15: Trek To Chisapani (2194M)
Accommodation Name: From Gul you have a short ascent before heading down to the village of Pati Bhanjyang and then to Chisopani (2,194 m), where you stay for the night. If you wish, you could cut the trek short and go back to Kathmandu.<STRONG> OVERNIGHT: </STRONG> Chisapan
Day 16 : Day 16: Trek To Sundirajal (1460M) And Drive To Kathmandu
Accommodation Name: From Chisopani you walk a few hours through the forested areas with a view of the Kathmandu basin ahead and below. It's a short walk from here to Sundaria, where we'll pick you up and drive you back to Kathmandu for a short distance.<STRONG> OVERNIGHT: <
Day 17 : Day 17: Tour Ends
Accommodation Name: Your tour will end after breakfast and, if possible, we will move you to the airport for your home flight.<STRONG> OVERNIGHT: </STRONG> <STRONG> MEALS: </STRONG> Breakfast
Day 18 : Day 18: Kathmandu. Free Day
Accommodation Name: Today is a free day to spend relaxing and recovering from your workouts. We still leave it free in case your trek has been delayed. You may want to spend more time exploring Kathmandu and its surroundings; there are a lot of things to see and do. Maybe so
Day 19 : Day 19: Tour Ends
Accommodation Name: Your tour will end after breakfast and, if possible, we will move you to the airport for your home flight.<STRONG> OVERNIGHT: </STRONG> <STRONG> MEALS: </STRONG> Breakfast
What's Included
What's Not Included
More Info
Often ignored, Langtang treks in the Langtang and Helambu regions to the north of Kathmandu provide some of the most beautiful scenery in Nepal, and hiking in this area is as good as anywhere in the world. The steep, snow-capped mountains at the head of the Langtang valley, the stunning glacial lakes of Gosainkund and the friendly villages of Tamang combine to make this a great trekking alternative to the well-known Everest and Annapurnas treks. The Nepal tour starts in Kathmandu with an introduction to your trekking guide and a walking tour of this bustling area. There is still time for any last-minute purchases to be made on your trek. Following the Trisuli River north from Kathmandu, we'll drive you to Syabrubesi, a village in Sherpa, located at the very edge of Langtang National Park, where your trek begins and you'll spend the first night in a trekking lodge. Staying in lodges helps you to spend more time meeting and talking to other trekkers and guides at night, as well as getting a little more warmth at the end of each day and contributing to the local economy. From Syabrubesi, turn east into the valley of Langtang, cross the river many times as you walk along the gorge-like lower part of the valley. You pass through the oak and rhododendron forests and trek through the glacial moraine on your way to the Tamang village of Langtang, which was hard hit by the earthquake of 2015. A little further up the valley is Kyangin Gompa, where you spend 3 nights and have plenty of time exploring the local area. You can take a few day-walks, such as going up via Nubamatang, nestled in a secret valley, on your way up to see the glaciers that mark the gateway to Tibet. After a brief backtracking, you can fly through Syabru and Sing Gompa to the high plateau, where the sacred lake of Gosainkund is located. Crossing the Llaurebena Pass (4,610 m), proceed south, leaving the Langtang area behind as you ride through the scenic Helambu Valley to Gul Bhanjyang. It's just a few days of hiking and a bus trip back to Kathmandu. Once back in Kathmandu, you have a free day to explore this fascinating and colourful area. Alternatively, you may venture out into the nearby valley, where there are many fun places to explore. The itinerary shown below is very versatile and can be greatly shortened or extended depending on the time available. Options are also possible to make a mountain flight to Mt. Everest, or to add extensions to the trip to try some white-water rafting, or to visit Chitwan or Bardia National Park.
Mode of Transport
A/C minibus
Accommodation
Boutique hotel & trekking lodges
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Fully trained English-speaking Nepalese trekking guides are provided on this tour and many of our travellers consider them a highlight of their tour. For parties of 1-6 travellers we provide one trekking guide plus porters, and for groups of 7 to 12, two guides are provided plus porters.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
Visa arrangements are the responsibility of the traveller, and requirements are subject to change by the local authorities.
Many nationals can obtain their Nepalese visa in Kathmandu airport upon arrival (including UK, EU, US, CA, AU, NZ, SA citizens). The costs for a single entry visa are currently:
- up to 15 days - US$ 25
- 16 to 30 days - US$ 40
- 31 to 90 days - US$ 100
An additional $20 fee is charged to convert these into a multiple entry visa which will be needed for any tours returning to Nepal after visiting Bhutan or Tibet.
The visa is obtained in the immigration area at the point where your passport is stamped. Forms to fill in are available in this immigration hall and may also be given out on your flight (if so, do fill them in before you land as it will reduce your queuing time). You will also need to fill in an arrivals card. Once your paperwork is completed, head to the immigration desk and hand over your forms, 2 passport photos, your visa fee and passport. The visa fees are set in US Dollars, but you can also pay in other currencies, but don't rely on getting given change.
Passport Photos: You will need two passport photos for your Nepal visa if you are obtaining it on arrival. If you are doing any trekking, rafting or visiting a National Park (i.e. on many of of our tours), you should bring extras, as some of the permits we may need to get require these. Please bring at least 4 passport photos with you - they will always come in useful later if you don't need them all. -
What is the tipping policy?
While an accepted part of the culture and customs in Nepal, tipping is always optional, and any amounts paid should reflect excellent service. Tipping in Tibet and Bhutan is less prevalent though it is still normal practice to tip your guide and driver at the end of the tour.
We support and follow international guidelines for the employment of any trekking porters we use, including those of the IPPG (International Porter Protection Group). We therefore pay all our porters a higher than average wage, but an additional tip is still normal practice at the end of your trek.
It is normal and accepted for people to tip differently, and you should not feel under any pressure to tip any particular amount. We are often asked for advice on common amounts however, and suggest that you consider around US$ 5-10 per person per day for guides, US$ 3-7 p/p/day for assistant guides or tour leaders, and US$ 2-5 p/p/day for porters and drivers.
Haggling or bargaining is also prevalent throughout Nepal and Tibet, particularly in Kathmandu, and is still done in markets in Bhutan though to a lesser extent in other shops. More often than not the start price is at least double the actual price the vendor will be happy to accept. Do not take offence, but be prepared to bargain if you want to, consider your budget (and what you'd be happy to pay for things at home), pay fairly and enjoy this as part of the experience. Note: if you do offer a price, then you are expected to purchase – do not start bargaining unless you really want to buy.
While you are out in rural/hill areas, we recommend that you should stick to published price lists and pay fair prices for local food, accommodation and services, as this aids local economies (bear in mind that when you are trekking, nearly everything you eat or buy will have been carried there by porters or donkeys). -
Are vaccinations required for this tour?
You should ensure you are fully insured for medical emergencies including emergency evacuation and repatriation.
Recommended vaccinations and other health protection measures vary according to the country you are visiting and where you are travelling from. We recommend you contact your GP/medical practitioner or a travel clinic for current information on vaccinations needed for your destination. You should ensure that you are up to date with vaccines and boosters recommended for your normal life at home, including for example, vaccines required for occupational risk of exposure, lifestyle risks and underlying medical conditions. In addition, additional courses or boosters normally recommended for the countries in this region are:
Nepal: Additional vaccinations: Diptheria, Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Bhutan: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Tibet: Additional vaccinations: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid. Malaria map. Yellow Fever certificate: Required if arriving from or having transitted through an infected area.
Malaria: Vaccinations are not available against Malaria, which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes that can be very serious and sometimes fatal. You should avoid mosquito bites by covering up bare skin with clothing such as long sleeves and long trousers and applying insect repellents to exposed skin. When necessary, sleep under a mosquito net. Mosquitoes are most active during and after sunset. You should consult with your GP/medical practitioner/travel clinic about the most appropriate malaria prophylactic medication to take for the regions you are visiting. In general the lowland regions Bhutan are considered malarial zones, while higher altitudes including central Bhutan including Paro, Thimphu, Punakha and Bumthang are not. Nepal is considered mainly low risk with prophylactics not normally required.
Yellow Fever: This disease is spread by infected mosquitoes that bite during the day. A Yellow Fever Certificate of vacinnation may be required as a condition of entry depending on which country you are arriving from, or that you have travelled or transitted through recently (including connecting flights with stopovers of over 12 hours). You can view this US CDC information about where the virus is present and follow the links to further information detailing which countries need you to have a Yellow Fever vaccination as part of their entry requirements. Please ensure you have this certificate with you and to hand if necessary. Please inform us of any pre-existing conditions such as diabetes or asthma and any prescription medicine you may be taking. We also need to know about any food allergies or physical disabilities that you may have. -
What currencies are required for this tour?
The local currency in Nepal is the Nepalese Rupee (NRs). There are a banks and several ATMs in Kathmandu where you can use a debit/credit card to withdraw cash (Visa, Mastercard), but these are not generally available out of Kathmandu or Pokhara. There are numerous money change shops in the main towns. Travellers cheques can be changed in some banks in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but not elsewhere.
You should ensure you have all the Nepalese rupees you think you will need before you leave for any trekking or visiting any more remote areas (including Bardia National Park). Try to obtain as many small denomination notes as possible, as higher value notes can be very hard to change in remote areas. You can pay with US Dollars cash in some places but should not rely on this.
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Is travel insurance compulsory?
Yes! Travel insurance is compulsory on all of our tours and needs to cover personal accident & liability, medical expenses and repatriation, travel delay & abandonment. We also strongly recommend that you take out cover against cancellation and lost/stolen baggage. Personal medical insurance does not normally provide sufficient cover and is generally not suitable for travel on our tours. You will not be able to join your tour if you have not provided us with details of your insurance or if you arrive without cover in place (no refunds will be due in this event).
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You are always able to change your travel date. However, some charges may apply depending on how long before your departure you make the change. Our flexible booking conditions and reduced charges will apply if you are changing date because of a Covid-19 reason or because your government is advising against travel to your destination. Please check our detailed booking conditions for full details.
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When is my balance payment due?
60 days prior to departure
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
On most of our group tours, solo travellers may choose to form a temporary 'tour bubble' and share a room with another traveller of the same sex in the group. If a room share is not available then a single room supplement may be payable, with the costs for these kept as low as possible. We have also removed compulsory single supplements from many of our tours, and are reducing the cost by 50% on s
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Can I transfer my booking to someone else?
Customers may transfer their booking or any Credit on File to another person who satisfies all the relevant conditions to the tour, provided that we are notified not less than 7 days before departure, and the transferee agrees to these booking conditions and all other terms of the contract between us. The Client and new booker are jointly and severally responsible for any outstanding payments and a transfer administration fee of GBP50 / USD75 / CAD100 / AUD100 / NZD100 / EUR75 / ZAR1000 / INR5000 or GBP100 / USD150 / CAD200 / AUD200 / NZD200 / EUR150 / ZAR2000 / INR10,000 if the transfer is made less than 60 days before departure. Important Note: Certain arrangements may not be amended or transferred after they have been confirmed (for example flight tickets, Gorilla Permits) and any alteration could incur a cancellation and rebooking charge of up to 100% of that part of the arrangements.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Encounters Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform encounters travel, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Encounters Travel requires a minimum deposit of 150 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of encounters travel charges.
Up to 61 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 35% of booking price.
At 41 days before tour starts: Forfeit 70% of booking price.
At 27 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.