Nepal's one of most famous religious places for both Buddhism and Hinduism is Gosaikunda lake situated at an altitude of about 4315 m. in north east of Kathmandu surrounded by Himalayas. Every year during Full Moon day in August, thousands of Buddhists and Hindu pilgrims come here for pilgrimage and it is quite a sight to visit during the festival as well as the lake is worthwhile to visit all year round.
The large rock lies in the center of Gosaikund lake is religious symbol of a Shiva shrine. According to religious belief channel carries water from the lake directly to the tank at the Kumbheshwar Temple in Patan (Kathmandu Valley), 60 km south west. In the occasion of Full Moon Festival, Shamans ("Dhami Jhankris") come from all over Nepal arrive to the lake and have religious dancing and singing ceremony.
On Janai Purnima, a full moon day, Hindus chant the powerful Gayatri Mantra and change their Sacred thread (janai), while a rakshya bandhan, a red or yellow protection cord, is tied around the wrists of other Hindus and Buddhists by the priest. Here they emulate Lord Shiva by bathing in the sacred lake of Gosainkunda. Those unable to make the trek celebrate at Shiva's Kumbheswor Mahadev temple in Patan. Here, a pool with an image of Shiva at its center is filled with water believed to have come from Gosainkunda.
This moderate trekking starts from the northeast side of Kathmandu Valley and goes north towards the picturesque Langtang Valley. An interesting extension to this trek can be a visit to the Langtang Valley. Apart from this trek extension, other adventure activities once you are back in Kathmandu are always possible.
| Day 01: |
Drive KTM/SUNDARIJAL:
Ascend to Borlang and continue northwards to Patibhanjyang- camp at Patibhanjyang 6000 ft. |
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| Day 02: |
PATIBHANJYANG/GULBHANJYANG:
Ascend again to Namche Danara 8257 ft. and descend to Gulbhanjyang7024 ft. |
| Day 03: |
GULBHANJYANG/YAK KHARKA:
Continue ascending to Thandang Danra 8700 ft. Have lunch at Mani. The trail then follows towards Rhododendron forest. Cross Kutum Sang Village and camp at the Yak pasture 10,000ft. just after crossing the pass above Kutum Sang. |
| Day 04: |
YAK KHARKA/THAREPATI:
The trail continues north toward Turia Danda ridge, entering for and rhododendrons forest. Climb gradually again to Tharepati 11,800ft. - a small settlement of herders. |
| Day 05: |
THAREPATI/GOPTE:
Descend gradually for about 2 hours, and then ascend gradually to reach the camping place across the stream beyond Gopte 12,000ft, have lunch in the opening of forest by the small stream. |
| Day 06: |
GOPTE/GOSAINKUND LAKE:
The ascent to Laurebine pass (15,121 ft ) takes about 6/7 hrs. The ascent does not involve any technical climbing. Have lunch before crossing the Pass. From the Pass to Gosainkund Lake 14363ft. the descent is of about 1 hr. |
| Day 07: | OBSERVE GOSAINKUND FESTIVAL |
| Day 08: |
SYABRU/KHANGJING:
Descend to the stream from Gosaikund and ascend for 7300 ft about 2 hours, before reaching the villages of Bhargu and Munga. Descend to the confluence of Bhote Kosi and Langtang Khola at Sapru- Besi for lunch stop. The track now ascends to a small village before getting is to the thin pine forest and Khanjung village for camp. |
| Day 09: |
KYANGING /GHORA TABELA:
After gaining altitude of about 500 ft, the track passes 10,000 ft through thin pine forest and windy spurs to Sherpa Gaon a small Sherpa village. Have lunch beyond the village of Langtang stream. Follow the western bank of the stream through narrow gorge of bamboo and pine forest to Ghora Tabela, and old horse breeding ground for camp. |
| Day 10: |
GHORATABELA /SHINGDUM:
Beyond Ghora Tabela, Langtang valley opens up. The 11,000ft track passes through villages, Yak pastures and a Tibetan refugee camp. Have lunch stop near Mandrung village. Head towards Shingdum which is located near the Swiss Dairy Farm for camp. One will see a typical Sherpa- Tibetan mixed tribe living in this beautiful valley surrounded by the majestic peaks of Langtang Lirung and Dorjee Lhakpa. |
| Day 11: |
SHINGDUM:
Local excursion and rest in the area. |
| Day 12: |
SHINGDUM /GHORA TABELA:
Return by the same route. |
| Day 13: |
GHORA TABELA /BAMBOO:
Return by the same route. |
| Day 14: |
BAMBOO /DHUNCHE:
Today, you will have a pleasant walk on shady track till Grang village (6500 ft) where you stop for lunch. After lunch, descend a little to Hokajhunda 1500 ft and then ascend another 500 ft before descending gradually to Dhunche, a big village with a school, a clinic and some Government offices. Langtang and Lirung can be seen from here. |
| Day 15: |
DHUNCHE /RAMCHE:
The track steadily gains height on the eastern bank of 6000 ft Trisuli River passing through well-maintained fields and villages. Have lunch stop at Manigaon 4000 ft. After ascend of about 2000ft Ramche village 6000 ft is reached for camp. |
| Day 16: |
RAMCHE /KATHMANDU:
Trek up to Betrawati and drive to Kathmanu. |
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Gosainkunda Jatra
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