Pilgrimage Way to Gosaikunda

Gosaikunda area known as pure, holy Lake and sacred site for Hindus and Buddhist. Alpine freshwater lakes in the Langtang National Park of Nepal.

Gosaikunda lake has low algal production and have very clear waters.

Hindus regards Gosaikunda as the home of the Hindu gods Shiva, the god of power and destruction and Gauri, the manifestations of Goddess Parvati. She is the divine energy, Mother Goddess.

Hindus believe that Lord Shiva create the lake by pushing his Trishul to the mountain to fetch the water, to calm his throat after swallow the poison.

The Sacred Significance

Thousands of pilgrims will come to this area during the Janai(sacred thread) Purnima(full moon) festivals.

The waters are sacred and have special significance during this festival. Hindus come to the Lake to bathe away their sins, pains and sadness on the date of Janai Purnima.

They taking bath from morning to evening in the freezing chilly water, while worship the water and meditate in front of the lake.

In This festival the men who have to perform religious ceremonies, Bratabandhan will change the sacred Janai.

Bratabandhan is a Hindu ceremony performed as a symbolic representation, a boy who has grown up and is ready to follow religious rules with faith.

Only Men worn Janai around the neck or hand. They wore Janai every day all the year as a reminder of the promise of loyalty throughout their lives.

There are three types of rope in janai, which symbolize the body, speech and mind. The three ropes of the thread knotted as symbolic markers, that the men who wear this sacred rope has complete control and responsible of their act in this life.

The local Tamang shamans come to Gosaikunda to dance, bang dhyangro drums and perform sacred rituals around the lake. It is a big day to observe the Shaman culture.

In this moment, Pilgrims of all ages, from young to elder, walk up the mountain.

Even though the high-altitude trek is difficult, the cultural and religious value of the holy water gives the pilgrims incentive to tackle the route.

Janai Purnima Full moon celebrate a round of August/September. These trek to Gosaikunda could be your bucket list to experience pilgrimage way to Gosaikunda.

In which district is Gosaikunda located?

Gosaikunda lie north from Kathmandu between Helambu, Langtang Valley, and Langtang National Park.

It locate at an altitude of 4,380 meter (14,370 ft) in the Rasuwa District.

It is the smallest district by area in Nepal.

Origin from the word ‘Rasowa’ which is combine two Tibetan words Ra (sheep) and Sowa (grazing).

It is famous for its sheep and grazing land.

How to reach Gosaikunda from Kathmandu?

Distance from Kathmandu to Gosaikunda is 41.5 km

To reach Gosaikunda, you need to drive for a seven-nine hour ride to Dhunche, the headquarters of Rasuwa district.

The road condition from Kathmandu to Dhunche is bumpy. Using bus is not recommended. You can hire a jeep, it more expensive but more comfortable ride.

Jeep Cost from  Kathmandu to Dhunche is around USD$170–USD$350. It’s comfortable for 4  until 7 person if you use seats at a back site.

After a drive from Kathmandu (1400 meter) to Dhunche (2030 meter), you can overnight at Dhunche.

Next day, continue to walk up to Chandanbari (3330 meters) and Laurebinayak (3700 meters).

From Laurebinayak you can go walk up to Gosaikunda lake (4380 meter).

The day after, you can continue back to Chandanbari and Dhunche.

 

How difficult is Gosaikunda?

Level difficulty of Gosaikunda trek is moderate. The trail has many incline steep star from Dhunche to Chandanbari.

You need to be fit in “Good fitness level” (using a three minute step test to check your fitness level).

The trail in this trek is challenging for the beginner. You need to walk 6-7 Hours/day.

Do I Need TIMS for Gosaikunda?

Since 2018, trek to Gosaikunda lake did not require TIMS, but Local Area permit.

Gosaikunda Lake locate in Langtang National Park, so you also need Langtang National Park Entry Permit. You can get Langtang National Park Entry Permit at Nepal Tourism Board office, Kathmandu or at Dhunche.

So, you need two permits for Gosainkunda trek. One is the Local Area Permit, and the other one is the Langtang National Park Entry Permit.

Authorities use these permit revenue to managing and developing trekking trails in Langtang Region.

Do I Need Guide to trekking to Gosaikunda?

It is always better to have a guide to help you during the trekking to high altitudes area.

They also can help you speak with Local.  Weather in Himalayan Mountain is unpredictable.

Certified guide will help you make sure you can finish your trek, read the weather and recognize your fitness condition.

Do I need to use Travel Agencies?

Yes, I suggest you to use travel agencies that have experience and excellent reputation to handle trekking in Himalayan.

Use local travel agencies, if you wish. It will very helpful for local communities.

It better to use travel agencies. Either hire a guide and porter only from them or full-board trekking.

Full-board trekking means they provide services include trekking permit to record trekker data and  entry permit for conservation/national Park, guide, porter, teahouses/lodge, necessary equipment such as sleeping bags and down jackets, Airport pick up and drop off service, and also meals (Dal Bhat) during the trekking.

Use agencies service can give you benefit because you can have someone to help you during the trek, so you can more focus to enjoy the scenery and experience your pilgrim journey, trekking to Gosaikunda and stress-free.

You can avoid unnecessary hustle to manage permits, accommodation, and teahouse.

Full board trekking cost around USD$550 for 6 days trekking from Kathmandu to Gosaikunda and back to Kathmandu.

There are hundred travel agencies in Nepal. To choose the good travel agencies, with a fair price and honest information sometime is difficult for the first time trekker that go to Nepal.

If you never use travel agencies before, research among many tour agencies.

I recommend you to contact mountain hike Nepal.

You can choose tour agencies by research yourself, discuss with your tour agencies about your condition, and how long you will stay.

If they always said it possible, whatever your health condition, then you need to be full minded.

Compare and gather the information.

Do I Need Insurance to trekking to Gosaikunda?

Yes. The highest elevation is 4380 meter at Gosaikunda Lake.

The challenge to trek in high elevation is Altitude sickness. It occurs above 2,500 meters (8,000 ft)

When you trek from Dhunche to Chandanbari, you walk uphill, increase the altitude up to 1300-1600 meters. people continue to Laurebinayak and stay there.

Rapid increase in elevation and top activity can risk a prior episode of altitude sickness

I suggest you to buy insurance travel that covers trekking in High Altitudes.

You need to check the small print of your policy and make sure they cover you for adventure activities and over 4000 meter altitude.

Many travel insurance companies and cheaper policies do not cover people trekking over 4000 meters.

What about the food in Gosaikunda Trek?

Vegetarian food.

You can buy meals for breakfast on Langtang Trek around USD$3-USD$4, Lunch around USD$4-USD$5 and Dinner around USD$4-USD$5.

Drinking water around USD$2. I suggest you to bring your own water bottles, to save environment.

You can refill with boiled water in the teahouses and reduce buy mineral bottle to reduce plastic and help sustainable travel.

The typical meals for breakfast are Bread and chapatti, Fresh Soup, Eggs, Pancake, and Porridge. The typical meals for lunch and dinner are same.

They are Rice, Pizza, Potatoes, Noodles, Chowmein, Spaghetti, Nepal set Meal/Dal Bhat, Pasta & Macaroni, Momo, Vegetable Pizza and salad.

All these foods served by teahouses along the trail.

You can read complete articles here, about the food in Langtang trail.

Practical guide during Trek to Gosaikunda

Save budget, not always an excellent choice when you go to trek in High Altitudes, Himalayan Mountain.

If you want to save budget by trekking without guide, without experience, taking a bus to the remote area, and doesn’t buy good insurance that cover your trekking, then it’s not good.

Having knowledge always better than nothing

Research yourself about the area. Even you book trekking agencies to help you arrange the trekking, manage teahouses, provide guide and porter, but don’t get not only information from website agencies.

Read not only a review in TripAdvisor, try to research in other blogs and forums.

Maybe you will get some knowledge that you don’t get from trekking agency’s website.

My Final Though

Trekking in Gosaikunda is not competition. Either compete with time or your ego.

Walk, stroll and hire trek agencies so you can discuss your fitness condition.

Walk slow will help your body to adapt with the elevation and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.

Gosaikunda lake, sacred lake with prime view of great Himalayan Mountains.

The religious significance of Gosaikunda lake, amazing views of the Langtang Himal mountain range. Glorious experience with local communities, from village to village, and pilgrim site will be your unbelievable-pleasant journey.

 

 

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