Gosaikunda Trek

How difficult is Gosaikunda Trek

The Gosaikunda Trek is considered to be a moderately difficult trek. It does not need any technical climbing knowledge nor does it require any prior experience with high altitude. However, it involves physical efforts for several days.

The toughest part about trekking to Gosaikunda is the altitude level involved in reaching the lake. The lake itself has an elevation of 4,380 meters. This causes the human body to be under immense strain. Some of the symptoms that people usually experience while trekking at such an altitude include shortness of breath and tiredness.

As for the trek itself, there are some pretty strenuous sections, notably the one from Chandanbari to the lake. In case of rain or snow, the path becomes quite slippery, which is why having a pair of good trekking shoes with a sturdy sole is important. And lastly, as soon as you approach the lake, the cold weather kicks in.

At the end of the day, if you are in decent shape and have a positive attitude, you will be fine. The toughest section is certainly the Gosaikunda View Trek, which takes place around the holy lakes, but believe me, when you finally reach the top and witness the view, you’ll completely forget about tired legs.

Preparation for the Gosaikunda Trek

If you plan on enjoying the beautiful scenery and not simply focusing on the fact that you’re walking for many hours straight, it’s important to be well prepared before the start the trek in the Gosaikunda region. The ideal scenario would be if you started your training at least four-six weeks prior to flying out there. It’s important to focus on cardio, such as running or biking, and also on exercises like squats and lunges.

Regarding your belongings, there’s no point in bringing anything else except for the necessary things, since this is a long trip. In particular, it is crucial to bring layered clothes, a strong sleeping bag suitable for sub-zero temperatures, trekking poles, and a rain jacket. As for the last thing, a down jacket is a must-have near Gosaikunda Lake, when the temperature plummets once the sun sets.

Acclimatization will be key during this hike. All of the routes have a gentle ascent planned, but that does not mean that your body will take kindly to the high elevation. If you find yourself suffering at high altitude, do yourself a favor and give in to acclimatization rather than fighting against it. Sometimes, all that’s needed is to descend a few hundred feet.

Pack along a little first aid kit that contains medications such as Diamox, which helps with altitude sickness. You should also pack some purification tablets for any water sources.

Cultural Festivals on the Trail

There’s a truly amazing atmosphere surrounding the Gosaikunda trek when it coincides with Janai Purnima Festival. The trekking itself becomes wild, with thousands of people making their way to the lake to take a bath in its sacred waters and perform their prayers. Accompanying the crowds on foot is one of the most spiritual experiences you can have in the mountains.

Local Tamang communities also have their festivals. Lhosar, the New Year celebration among Tamangs, includes lively dances, music performances, and other festivities. If you visit during Lhosar, you’re sure to enjoy the festivities in the villages.

Dashain and Tihar, Nepal’s two largest national festivals, will also have an effect on your journey during October and November. You will be able to notice how all tea houses are decorated and how all people are consuming special foods. These are absolutely wonderful opportunities to get a closer insight into the core of Nepali culture, which is totally infectious.

Don’t forget to treat all local festivities with deep respect. Never start taking pictures without permission, and never join any festivals if not invited to do so. All locals are extremely hospitable, and curiosity is the key to unforgettable experiences.

Visa and Permit Requirements

The Nepal Tourist Visa must be possessed by all foreigners before joining this Gosaikunda Trek. One of the simplest methods would be getting the visa upon your arrival in Kathmandu airport and it normally takes only between 15 to 30 minutes. In case you belong to the type who plans beforehand, then you can obtain one even prior to leaving your country from the Nepalese embassy located in it.

Alongside the visa, you will have to carry two particular permits. These include the Langtang National Park Entry Permit (NPR 3,000 or USD 25) as well as the TIMS (Trekkers’ Information Management System) card (USD 15), when going alone.

These permit are arranged by us “Epic Trek Nepal“. You just enjoy the trek and do remember to carry with you plenty of passport photographs and also a couple of photocopies of your passport. You should keep all the documentation within reach as, without doubt, you will have to present them at different checkpoints on the way.

Language & Communication

The official language of Nepal is Nepali, but most of the local people who reside on the trail during the Gosaikunda Trek speak this language as their mother tongue. As the Tamang people is dominant in this area, expect to find a lot of Tamang language spoken by the residents and tea house owners in these places. It’s an amazing language to listen to due to its beautiful rhythm.

The positive thing about Gosaikunda Trek is that English is common here. Many tea house owners, guides, and porters along the trekking route will know how to speak English fluently at a basic or intermediate level. There will be no problems communicating with them in English when it comes to arranging food or the daily itinerary.

Still, knowing a few basic sentences in the language can make a huge difference. Namaste for example is a very easy word that goes a very long way in opening a conversation. Adding some ‘Dhanyabad’ (thank you), or even asking “Kati ho?” (how much?), would prove to the local that you do care about their culture and traditions, and they would really appreciate it even if your Nepali is not perfect!

Your trekking guide takes care of the rest for the most part. They act as the cultural link between you and the locals, translating complex words, sharing local etiquette, and communicating effectively with the mountain people.

Trip Extension and Side Trails

A number of trails are there if you want to extent the Gosaikunda Trek. Of course, if you have enough energy to spend in the area, the Langtang Valley Trek can be used as an extension of the main trek. You will get a chance to go much deeper into the valley and even reach its northern edges at the border with Tibet. The combination of these two treks will allow you to have a more “complete” adventure.

Alternatively, you can choose the Helambu Trek that is a wonderful supplement to the main tour. In fact, the trail goes along the territory to the south of Gosaikunda and passes through a whole series of authentic Sherpa and Tamang villages.

In case you opt for the Gosaikunda View Trek package, there is a shorter diversion trail from Laurebina Pass that allows you to have amazing panoramic views of several sacred lakes like Saraswatikunda and Bhairavkunda. The small lakes lie just beside Gosaikunda Lake and have some interesting stories behind them in Hinduism.

The next one is the Tamang Heritage Trail, which can be considered a secret trail. It runs through the lesser-known villages in lower Langtang. You get an opportunity to see the true culture of the region that many people overlook while trekking. Even adding a few days to your trek itinerary will make your adventure unforgettable.

Mobile Network, Internet & Charging Facilities

The mobile phone connectivity along the Gosaikunda Trek is inconsistent, but this can be managed. Below Dhunche and towards the bottom half of the trek, both Ncell and NTC offer good services. However, as you climbs further to reach Chandanbari and then Gosaikunda, it’s not unusual to experience problems with the signals.

At the same time, the Ncell service has slightly better coverage than NTC along the middle portion of the trekking trail. One must consider getting the Nepal Telecommunications Corporation (NTC) or Ncell SIM cards from Kathmandu before leaving for the trip. They are affordable and handy during emergencies when a signal bar shows up somewhere above.

WiFi service is available at some tea houses in Dhunche and Chandanbari, but do not expect that you will stream Netflix on it. It is quite slow and comes at the cost of some money (about 1 – 2 USD dollar). You will be able to send a quick message to confirm that you are still there, while making calls is practically impossible once you get into the thick of the hiking experience.

Power supply services are available  in most of the tea houses on the route of the Gosaikunda Trek Itinerary with some fee charge. It will cost you approximately 1 – 2 USD dollar to recharge your phone. I would strongly advise you to bring a high-quality power bank since power outages tend to happen more often at a high altitude. A solar charger would also be a nice addition.

Don’ts on This Trip

A respectful attitude toward the environment and the local culture ensures a pleasant trip for the tourists. There are several activities that you need to avoid while trekking through the Gosaikunda region.

Avoid littering at any stage of your journey. The Gosaikunda Lake area is considered a place of worship, as well as a protected ecological zone. Littering within the territory of this location is extremely inappropriate. Take care to carry all your trash with you from the beginning of the tour.

Do not neglect acclimatization during your journey. Some tourists underestimate the difficulty level of the trek and start trekking intensively during the first few days of their journey. Such behavior will increase your chances of developing high-altitude sickness.

Do not touch or interfere with any religious structures such as prayer flags, mani stones, or shrines that you come across on the trekking trail. One is expected to walk clockwise around stupas or chortens. Also, it is wise to inquire permission before taking any photographs of any religious processions that may be underway.

Never drink stream water or water that you may find flowing out of taps during trekking in the region. Take your purifying pills or filter bottle without fail at all times as one cannot afford to fall ill in the area. There are chances of contracting a stomach disease if proper precautions are not taken.

Lastly, do not underestimate weather changes during your trek. It can easily turn from bright sunshine into freezing rain within minutes. As such, carry appropriate rain and cold weather gear, even if it seems bright and sunny outside.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance on the Gosaikunda Trek is mandatory, not an option. Just think about it, this trek takes you to an elevation of 4,380 meters. In case anything happens to you there, you need to be evacuated by helicopter, which could cost you several thousand dollars. While travel insurance might seem like nice to have, it actually prevents a medical situation from turning into a financial one.

When choosing travel insurance, ensure that it covers your trek at elevations over 4,000 meters. Many people are unaware that typical travel insurance policies come with a hidden small print that excludes high altitudes. Make sure your policy covers evacuation by helicopter, medical evacuation, and trip cancellation or extended hospitalization.

As a final step, it is crucial to communicate your insurer to your guide prior to starting your journey. If anything goes wrong, your guide should be able to immediately contact the provider. This could literally save your life for the Gosaikunda View Trek.

Health and Safety on Gosaikunda Trek

The matter of your health and safety is important while on the Gosaikunda View trek. The most frequent one is the problem of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS). It usually manifests itself through severe headache, vomiting, or complete exhaustion. In case you start experiencing such symptoms after you have reached altitudes higher than 3,000 meters, don’t pretend everything is alright; notify your guide immediately and go down.

Hydration is probably the easiest measure one can take to ensure their well-being when traveling at high altitudes. Your intake of water should not be lower than 3–4 liters per day. As tempting as a cold beer might be at the end of the day, you are better off without it, especially during the first couple of days at the top.

The sun way up there is not something to be laughed at either. No matter how cloudy it may seem, it is an extremely intense exposure. Sunscreen lotion needs to be applied, and sunglasses worn along with protection for the head from either a hat or a buff. The windburn and sunburn will start causing discomfort within minutes after reaching 3,500 meters.

Remember the trail on Gosaikunda Trek Itinerary are in remote places where the nearest hospital can be several hours or even days away. Therefore, it helps to carry a small first aid kit containing blisters plasters, painkillers, antiseptic cream, and rehydration salts.

In conclusion, the Gosaikunda Trek considered a highly valuable and relatively easy experience for the majority of tourists. All that needs to be done is following the guide’s recommendations and listening to your own body while taking into account the altitude of the location. Just make sure you are ready for your trip after leaving Kathmandu. Follow all of these recommendations, and the Gosaikunda Trek will provide you with an unforgettable mountain adventure.