Gosaikunda: Best time, Weather, Cost, Altitude Sickness & More

“To walk in nature is to witness a thousand miracles,” as finely said by the author, Mary Davis; nature is where the simplest thing can make you feel like miraculous. Everything that surrounds us is nature, but the modern ambiance took over a long ago. That’s why we plan our vacation, we travel, just to spend some time off from our scheduled-life and as it happens, Gosaikunda is the best place for every nature lover with amazing trails.

Nepal is rather known for the giant Himalayas all around the world, as they are just spectacular as they can be. Along with the towering peaks, there are lakes formed from the water plunged right from the Himalayas and Gosaikunda is one of those Himalayan lakes situated in a very extreme altitude, that is equally adventurous to travel. No wonder it is one of the most-sought-after trekking destinations in Nepal.

About Gosaikunda

Located at an altitude of 4,380 meters, Gosaikunda is remarkable beauty within the periphery of Langtang National Park. The lake covers the total area of 13.8 hectors; however, together with associated lakes, the total complex of Gosaikunda is 1,030 hector. With its serenity and natural beauty, Gosaikunda has been attracting a large influx of tourists; both national and international.

In addition to it, the religious significance of Gosaikunda has upscaled its craze. Adhering to the story of Hindu mythology, Gosaikunda is the abode of Lord Shiva and his wife, Parvati. 

It is believed that Lord Shiva thrust his holy Trident, Trishul into a mountain to extract water so he could drink cool his stinging throat drinking Himalaya water after he swallowed poison. Also, holy Hindu scriptures Bhagavat Puran, Vishnu Puran, Ramayan, and Mahabharat refer to Samudra Manthan which is directly related to the origin of the lake.

On the occasion of Janai Purnima, thousands of pilgrims, both Hindu and Buddhist, make way towards Gosaikunda to take a bath in the holy water of this lake. Apart from its sheer beauty, during the festival, the complex of Gosaikunda lake is filled with a vibrant and joyful environment. You will witness Shamans performing dances, rituals, and chanting holy prayers.

What is the best time to visit Gosaikunda?

Autumn (September-November)

Typically there is two seasons, which is considered best for trekking in Nepal. However, there are rainshadow regions and other destination, where this rule fails, but for Gosaikunda trek, autumn serves the best for you.

During autumn, days are clear and moderate temperature making a perfect time of the year to witness the mesmerizing mountains and the lake of Gosaikunda.

Winter (December-February)

Winter is already cold, and at an elevation of 4,380 meters, you can imagine how extreme it can get. Temperature often goes below zero during night and fogs can obstruct the impeccable view of panoramic mountains. However, Gosaikunda trek can be accomplished even during this season.

Spring (May-May)

Gosaikunda trek during spring is the best to explore its beauty. To trek in the Himalayan foothill, pristine environment, varieties of wildflowers, especially colorful rhododendron in the hillside are the best experience.

Summer (June-August)

It is not the best time for Gosaikunda trek, but still, you can embark on this trek. Days are rather hot, and with monsoon going on, there is a constant threat of rainfall anytime. Also, leeches, earthworm, and soggy weather make summer not- so-best-time for trekking.

Gosaikunda Weather Condition

As Gosaikunda lies at such an altitude, you can expect chilliness throughout the year. Weather in Gosaikunda can be quite unpredictable; fog, dark clouds, wind can occur anytime. However, pack your bag with full preparation for all the situation that can possibly happen.

Gosaikunda Trek Cost

Gosaikunda Trek takes around 5-8 days, and its cost usually ranges from $400 to $600. The total costs include permits (TIMS and Langtang National Park entry permit), transportation during trek, accommodation, and meals, and other costs. 

This is, however, the general picture of cost for Gosaikunda trek. Number of trekking days, trekking routes, choice of accommodation, the season of trekking, size of trekking group; there are many factors that affect the cost of the trek. 

Gosaikunda Altitude Sickness

Altitude sickness is one of the major threat while trekking in higher altitude region. The trek starts to Gosaikunda starts from lower altitude of 2,586 meters at Sundarijal or 2,000 meters at Dhunche and ends at the lake of 4,380 meters.

Usually, trekkers start experiencing altitude sickness form the height of around 3,000 meters. You must not take altitude sickness lightly and must follow the simple rule of acclimatization, keeping yourself hydrated and trekking at a slower pace. Taking altitude sickness tablets like Diamox under the prescription of physician will help you further.

Difficulty, Duration, and Distance of Gosaikunda

Gosaikunda trek has a moderate level of difficulty that can be accomplished with good physical fitness, no skills or training required. The whole trek of Gosaikunda is about 117 km with 35 km of bumpy road form Trishuli to Dhunche. 

The general trekking days of Gosaikunda trek is of five days, which requires about 5-7 hours of walking daily. Exercising prior 2-3 weeks of treks makes the trek easier. 

Gosaikunda Langtang Trek

Gosaikunda is already a rewarding trek that takes towards this mesmerizing Himalayan lake and most panoramic view of incredible mountain range including Langtang Ri, Langtang Ri, Ganesh Himal, and others. 

You can add more excitement to this trek by joining Langtang Valley in this. Langtang Gosaikunda Trek is a remarkable journey that combines the beauty of Himalaya with the remote and spectacular valley of Langtang. Langtang valley that is known for the authenticity of hundreds of year old culture and practice is one of a typical high settlement in Nepal as a whole.

Mainly inhabited by Tamang and Sherpa, originally of Tibetan background, you will get to witness an amazing exhibition of Tibetan culture and practice, along with language, dress, and cuisines.

The trails are challenging but not so strenuous, that includes continuous ascend and descends, constrained rocky paths, steeps, and ridges. Further, on the temperate sub-alpine forest, sky blue gentians, epiphytic orchids and primroses and across glacier mountain view will keep up the charm of trek throughout the journey.

The trek starts from Syabru Besi, and we gradually pave our towards Langtang valley and to Gosaikunda. As we scale further, we pass by many gompas and monasteries, valleys, hills, forested regions, glaciers that make Langtang Gosaikunda Trek even more remarkable.

Gosaikunda Trek Routes

Although the trek can be accomplished from different routes, there are two distinct routes that are very popular; one from Sundarijal and next is Dhunche. So let us look into them for further information.

From Sundarijal

It takes around 30 minutes to reach Sunmdarijal form the main city of Kathmandu. From Sundarijal, we trek towards Chisapani that takes around 5 hours of trekking.

Then on remaining days of the trek, we get past Tuksang and Ghupte, before arriving in Gosaikunda and the next is, we descend towards Dhunche and here ends our Gosaikunda trek.

From Dhunche

We take a ride from Kathmandu to Dhunche that is around 6 hours of bus journey. Then we trek towards Sing Gompa, Laurebina Yak and finally arriving at Gosaikunda.