Langtang, Gosaikunda and Helambu Trek

Our trail initially crosses the Bhote Koshi, flowing down from Tibet, which is literally only a few kilometers away. We then gradually climb up through the sub-tropical forests, teeming with bird-life, to join the trail from Syabru. We follow the river, climbing through uninhabited forest of oak and rhododendron and maybe catching a glimpse of languor monkeys roaming through the trees. We continue climbing along a steep trail to our tea house in the forest.

As we continue climbing today there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. At Ghora Tabela [3000m], the trail emerges from the forest. Once there was a Tibetan resettlement project here, but now it is a Nepalese army post though it has no permanent inhabitants. The trail continues to climb gently and the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during the summer months. There is a monastery, which we can visit shortly before arriving at Mundu ; the village of Langtang, the headquarters of the Langtang National Park. The houses of Langtang and its neighboring villages are of the flat-roofed Tibetan style, surrounded by stonewalls enclosing fields of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley.

The trail climbs gradually through small villages and yak pastures as the valley opens out further and the views become more extensive. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. Here there is a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory. We should arrive at Kyangjin by lunchtime allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area. It is a dramatic setting, with snow-covered peaks surrounding us in all directions

Today we rest and explore the area. We can visit the monastery and the cheese factory, walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri [or ‘peak’ – 4.350 m] and Tserko Ri [5.000m] ]directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang peaks.

From Kyangjin we retrace our route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch we continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel.

We continue retracing our steps towards Syabrubesi, enjoying the glorious forested hills of Nepal. Thulo Sayasbru is a beautiful Sherpa and Tamang village from where you can observe the miraculous vista of Langtang Himal and Ganesh Himal.

Dawn brings the usual early morning crowing of eoosters and chirping of birds – Just another day in the Himalaya! Today the height gains really adds a new dimension with panoramic views passing monasteries and schools on the way. The trail climbs fairly relentlessness through the rhododendrons. You also cross the Tamang Heritage region as Thuman Village and Nagthali hillside comes along.

Today is one of the special day where tranquils of forest gives way to high ridges and where views are sensational for most of the way . It is fairly possible for those who has already acclimatized after the Langtang to make it to Gosaikunda. We walk via laurebina (3910m) with some lovely tea houses and lodges. We then leave Laurebina behind climbing steadily passing some high open meadows , stone walls and many small half hearted cairns. We will cross two of small lakes before , we reach Gosaikunda.

Gosaikunda lake is believed to be where Shiva came to cool his burning throat, having swallowed the poison that engulfed the world and threatened to destroy it.

Today we shall cross the high pass of Laurebina [4610 m] leaving this holy place. We choose to trek towards Ghopte instead of Phedi. We keep to the north side of the lake and climb to three gushing water spouts. We across some smaller lakes and lodges with rocky and eroded trails. There is great view down the tadi Khola Valley to the south.

You will steeply descend over 1,000 meters in altitude from the highest point along the trek (3650 m) and enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding mountain ranges all the way to Langtang.

Today we trek towards Melamchigoan crossing suspension river. This village is also called Melamcheghyang locally in honour of the village temple ( Gyang) . The village has monastery and a curious shrine traditionally link and said to have been built by Guru Rinpoche in the form of a hermitage in the rocks.

Today we descend further passing numbers of chortens continuing to lose altitude , the trails and new dirt road for the bridge over Melamchi Khola. The trail for Tarkegyang continues up the ridge line spur from a chorten before we cross another stupa . Tarkegyang ( 2590 m ) is a small Yolmo Village with a small monastery of not great antiquity. It has become quite large settlement in recent year with more number of lodges. Few trekkers head for the Ganja La but we stay overnight here.

Today we depart from Tarkegyang leaving the the initial dirt road and go uphill through the forest before we reach the town of Sermathang. This village is further 2 hours around the hillside and steady up in the forest before the dirt road. This village like the Tarkegyang , also has few monasteries . It has very impressive view of Dorje Lakpa and view of the Panch Pokhari lake areas and glimpse of Jugal Himal towards northeast. We will spend our final night in a comfortable resort with Hot shower, dance and more.

Today we head though Tallthik down to Melamchi Bazaar at the confluence of the melamchi Khola and Indrawati Khola. Melamchi can be hot place for much for trekking season. With so many motorable roads heading ever further north and all over the Hillsides , the walk can be a short affair. The old trail drops in around 3 hrs to Thimbhu where the road is encountered in earnest. It is then a question of when the next transportation leaves from Melamchi bazaar to Kathmandu. The drive is around 2 hours.