Start with forest, yak pastures and glacier views at about 3,830 m, with an optional viewpoint climb.
A cluster of high alpine lakes, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, especially at the August full moon festival.
The high point of the trek, a rocky crossing with wide mountain views.
Descend through Sherpa and Tamang villages with monasteries, orchards and terraced hills.
Langtang, Gosaikunda and Helambu together give variety of landscape, culture and altitude.
Wooded slopes that are especially colourful in spring.
Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal and many peaks on the Tibetan border.
The trek starts and finishes by road with no flights, easy to link to any Nepal itinerary.
This route combines the best of the northern hills near Kathmandu. After walking up the Langtang valley to Kyanjin Gompa, you come back down, climb to Sing Gompa and Gosaikunda, cross the Laurebina Pass and then follow the Helambu ridge down to the Melamchi valley.
The pass day is the challenge. The trail passes several lakes and climbs high, then descends steeply to Ghopte, so a good fitness base and a steady pace are important. Rest days and sensible sleeping heights keep the schedule safe.
The cultural contrast is a highlight. You move from Tamang villages to Hindu pilgrimage lakes to Sherpa-influenced Helambu, with monasteries and prayer walls along the way. Facilities are simple, with cold nights at Gosaikunda. Times and heights here are approximate and vary between sources.
| Duration | 16 days, including drives and the Kathmandu arrival day |
|---|---|
| Start / End | Kathmandu, drive to Syabrubesi; finish at Melamchi Pul Bazaar and drive to Kathmandu |
| Highest point | Laurebina Pass, about 4,610 m (some sources say up to 4,700 m) |
| Distance | Roughly 145 km on foot |
| Walking per day | About 3 to 8 hours; the longest day is the pass crossing |
| Difficulty | Moderate to strenuous; long days, cold nights and a high pass |
| Best seasons | March to May and mid-September to November |
| Accommodation | Simple teahouse lodges; basic and cold near the lakes |
| Group size | Private trips or small groups |
| Permits | Langtang National Park permit and TIMS card, plus a local entry fee in Helambu; we arrange them, and a licensed guide is usually advised |
Meet your guide, check your kit, collect permits and rest. A good day to buy or rent warm gear.
Meals: welcome dinnerA long mountain road past Trishuli and Dhunche, where the national park begins.
Drive: 7 to 8 hoursA steady climb beside the Langtang river through forest, with a chance to see langurs.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursLeave the trees behind and walk into the open valley with views of Langtang Lirung and yak pastures.
Walking: 5 to 7 hoursA shorter day to the monastery settlement beneath glaciers. Take time to rest and adjust.
Walking: 3 to 5 hoursOptional climb to Kyanjin Ri or Tserko Ri for big views, or visit the cheese factory and monastery.
Walking: 3 to 8 hours, optionalA long descent down the valley, back through forest.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursClimb over a ridge and traverse to the Tamang village of Thulo Syabru, with terraces and views.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursA steady climb through forest to the cheese-making monastery settlement, also called Chandanbari.
Walking: 3 to 5 hoursClimb above the tree line along a ridge with views, reaching the sacred lakes. Nights here are very cold.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursPass a series of lakes, cross the high rocky pass and descend steeply to the Ghopte shelter. A long, demanding day.
Walking: 6 to 8 hoursCross the Tharepati ridge and descend through rhododendron and fir to Melamchi Gaon, a Sherpa village.
Walking: 6 to 7 hoursRolling trail through villages and forest to the large Sherpa village of Tarkeghyang and its monastery.
Walking: 5 to 6 hoursA gentler day on the ridge with views and apple orchards, ending at the monastery village of Sermathang.
Walking: 3 to 5 hoursDescend a long hillside trail down to the road. A tiring but rewarding finish.
Walking: 4 to 6 hoursReturn by road in a few hours and enjoy a farewell evening in the city.
Drive: 3 to 5 hoursSnow on the Laurebina Pass can force a change of plan in early spring or late autumn. Keep a spare day before your international flight. Altitudes and walking times are approximate.
It is moderate to strenuous. There are 13 days of walking, several long days and a high pass. You should be fit and used to walking 5 to 7 hours daily.
Yes. Gosaikunda sits at about 4,380 m and the pass is over 4,600 m. The plan climbs gradually and has a rest day at Kyanjin. Tell your guide about any symptoms straight away.
In good conditions it is a long hard walk, not a technical climb. Snow or ice can make it risky, so your guide may turn back or wait. Microspikes can help early in the season.
Usually a Langtang National Park permit, a TIMS card and a local entry fee in the Helambu area. We arrange them. Rules change, so we confirm before you travel.
Spring (March to May) for flowers and autumn (October to November) for clear views. Winter is very cold at the lakes, and the monsoon brings rain and leeches.
Simple teahouses with shared bathrooms. At Gosaikunda and Ghopte rooms are basic and cold, so bring a warm sleeping bag.
Thousands of pilgrims visit Gosaikunda at the Janai Purnima full moon. It is a rich cultural experience, but also the monsoon and crowded. Ask us if you want to plan around it.
Yes. You can return from Gosaikunda or finish at Sundarijal instead. Ask us about alternative routes.
A guide is strongly recommended because of the pass and the many trail junctions. One porter for every two trekkers is included.
Warm layers, a down jacket, waterproof shell, gloves, hat, sleeping bag rated to about minus 10 degrees Celsius, trekking poles and sun protection.
Yes. It should cover trekking up to at least 5,000 m, medical treatment and evacuation. Send us the details before arrival.
Lower villages often have a signal, and many lodges sell Wi-Fi or a local SIM data pack for a fee. Higher up and in remote valleys the connection is slow or absent, so tell family to expect quiet days. Wi-Fi is not included in the price. A local SIM bought in Kathmandu is a cheap backup.
Lodges serve dal bhat, noodles, soup, eggs, pasta, momo and pancakes, and dal bhat comes with refills. Vegetarian and vegan meals are easy to arrange. If you need gluten-free food or have allergies, tell us when you book so your guide can brief the kitchen, though choices narrow as you climb. Meals on trail days are included. City meals are not, apart from breakfast and the two special dinners.
Tap and stream water is not safe to drink untreated. Lodges sell boiled or bottled water for a fee, which is not in the price. Many trekkers bring purification tablets or a filter bottle to save money and plastic. Your guide can show you where it is safe to refill.
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at Kathmandu airport, hotel nights in Kathmandu with breakfast, a guided city tour, and a welcome and farewell dinner are included. See the Included tab on this page for the full list. Extra hotel nights outside the itinerary are not included, so ask us if you need them.
A 20% deposit secures your booking. Send an enquiry from this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the dates and how to pay. The balance is paid in Kathmandu before the trek. For cancellation and refund terms, see wildpasstreks.com/booking-policy/
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