Gosaikunda is a moderate level trek whose difficulty depends on a lot of external factors. Like the mode of transportation, the route you choose or the weather of the season you are trekking to. These factors determine whether the trek is going to be easy or difficult.
The major highlight of the trek is the 108 lakes, the religious site for both Hindus and Buddhists.
The fact that it is short and near to the capital city makes it popular among the foreign tourists. The trek does not require any technical climbing so the trail is easier. During this trek, you will go to the elevation of 4380m at Gosaikunda.
Gosaikunda trek is an awesome short trek which leads to the beautiful holy lake of Gosaikunda. It lies in the Langtang region and is very close to Kathmandu.
Let us usher you through several aspects that help in making this trek a lot less difficult.
Table of Contents
Distance and duration
The Gosaikunda lake lies in the Langtang National park. It lies at an altitude of 4380m (14,370ft) in the Rasuwa district. The Gosaikunda trek starts from the lowest altitude of 2000m i.e Dhunche to the highest altitude of 4380m i.e the Gosaikunda.
The Gosaikunda trek is about 117 km with 35 km of bumpy road from Trishuli to Dhunche.
In a standard 5 day itinerary, you will be walking approx 5-7 hours daily. Since you will be walking a lot, it can be difficult for someone who doesn’t walk normally or is not involved in physical work.
So, preparing yourself prior to the trek is the best way to make this trek easier. You can do it by hiking every day for about 4 to 5 hours and by climbing stairs and jogging etc.
Apart from that, this trek doesn’t require any ice climbing or technical climbing. Hence it is a much easier trek, unlike other trekking regions.
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Weather and temperature
The weather and temperature do play an important role in determining the difficulty of any trek.
Spring in Gosaikunda is the time the forest becomes very colorful because of rhododendron and magnolia flowers. It is one of the best time to trek Gosaikunda. So, it is is quite a comfortable time to trek.
Autumn is the best time to do the Gosaikunda trek. Because during this time the field is full of crops, the forest is very green and there is less chance of rain. The maximum temperature reaches up to 33-degree Celsius (day) and the minimum drops to around 6-degree Celsius (night). The weather during this time is awesome and your treks are quite comfortable.
Winter in Gosaikunda is quite cold but a proper clothing will keep your problems at bay. The only challenge during summers are the leeches, eathworms, and soggy weather.
Altitude sickness
One of the most common problems people face during trekking is Acute Mountain sickness. You are likely to get altitude sickness when you are trekking more than 3000m.
The Gosaikunda trek starts from a lower altitude of 2000m at Dhunche to 4380m at Gosaikunda.
Ignoring the effects of altitude sickness could be problematic. You can keep this trek a lot simple by following the basic rules. Drinking plenty of water or taking a slow pace will solve a lot of issues.
Further, you can take Diamox, a medicine that helps during altitude sickness.
Budget
Gosaikunda trek is a budget-friendly trekking destination. It costs approx USD 450 to USD 550 including transportation, meals, accommodation, and a tourist guide. The cost is a major factor that influences to make a trek easy or difficult.
The Gosaikunda trek starts from Dhunche and to get to Dhunche you can either take a bus, a jeep, or a car.
The bus ride takes 6 hours 15 min and costs USD 5 (NRS 500). While a 4WD ride takes approx 2h 53 min and costs around USD 120 ( NRS 12000) with four seating. You can also rent a car where the fuel cost is approx USD 9 to 14.
Hence taking a jeep or car is much easier and will save you a lot of time but the cost is higher.
The permit cost around USD 10 ( NRS 1000 )per person through a trekking company. While for free individual trekker it costs USD 20 (NRD 2000) per person.
Packing tips for Gosaikunda trek
In order to make your trekking smooth, convenient and less difficult it is very important to pack wisely.
Before taking the Gosaikunda trek it is always a good idea to check on the weather and the climatic condition.
During winters since the trekking region at higher altitude is cold, it is very important that you pack warm clothes. Warm insulating jackets, beanies, warm socks are a must.
As for the monsoon, prepare yourself with rainproof jackets and pants. Also, to reduce the risk of leeches on the trail, do not forget to carry insect repellants.
The other months you can pack light with full sleeve shirts and light pants. However, morning and nights can be cold. Carrying a water bottle is a must to stay hydrated irrespective of any season.
Also, we recommend you to pack under 20 kgs. Overpacking can be a trouble for both you or the porter.
Last Say,
Gosaikunda is a short and moderate trek which can be challenging at times. But with a little bit of preparation, you can easily complete the trek. It is absolutely doable.
Besides the great natural beauty, the myths of Gosaikunda itself makes the trek an outstanding experience. The magnificence of the surrounding mountains and the glory of Gosaikunda lake makes this trek extraordinary.
For further question and queries, please feel free to contact us. We are more than happy to plan the trip for you and guide you with all the necessary information.
Want more information? Send us your query, and our experts will get back to you within 24 hrs.
Madhav started working as a porter in 2001 and then moved on to work as a trekking guide. After working in the trekking and tourism industry for eight years, he co-founded Mosaic Adventure in 2009.
Madhav has trekked to most of the trekking destinations in Nepal, including Everest Base Camp Trek, Annapurna Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, Poon Hill Trek, Jomsom Muktinath Trek, Indigenous Peoples Trek, Langtang Valley Trek, Mardi Himal Trek, and all of the day hikes around Kathmandu.
He has also extensively traveled to other countries such as Australia, the USA, the UK, France, Hong Kong, Japan, China, the Philippines, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Thailand, Turkey, and India. Madhav is the one who answers most of your questions about trekking and tours and helps to plan your trip by giving a personal touch.
