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Shaiva

Gosaikunda Yatra

Struck from the rock by Shiva's trident after he swallowed the poison of the churning ocean. At Janai Purnima, thousands bathe here in a single night at 4,380 metres to wash away what they carry.

Reserve your place

Duration
5 days
Maximum altitude
4,380 m
Grading
Moderate
Accommodation
Hotels in Kathmandu, tea houses on the trail

Day by day

How the journey runs

  1. Day 1 Kathmandu to Dhunche 1,960 m

    Two routes. Galchi is about seven hours; Kakani takes two hours longer on a rougher track but gives you the Ganesh Himal the whole way. We take a jeep rather than the local bus.

    Overnight
    Dhunche
    Meals
    Dinner
    On the move
    7 to 9 hrs
  2. Day 2 Dhunche to Chandanbari 3,330 m

    Past the Shiva temple and up to Deurali, then a long quiet walk through forest below Sing Gompa. Birds, rhododendron, and a monastery at the top of it.

    Overnight
    Chandanbari
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    5 to 6 hrs
  3. Day 3 Chandanbari to Gosaikunda 4,380 m

    The long day. Through the Kani gate, past Cholangpati with the Langtang range opening up, then Laurebina. You pass Saraswati Kunda and Bhairav Kunda before Gosaikunda itself, turquoise from glacial silt.

    Overnight
    Gosaikunda
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    6 to 7 hrs
  4. Day 4 Gosaikunda back to Dhunche 1,960 m

    The same trail in reverse, which is a different walk entirely going downhill with the valley in front of you.

    Overnight
    Dhunche
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    On the move
    7 to 8 hrs
  5. Day 5 Dhunche to Kathmandu

    The drive back down.

    Overnight
    Not applicable
    Meals
    Breakfast
    On the move
    7 to 9 hrs

The price

What is and is not included

Included

  • Private transport, including airport pickup and drop and every drive
  • Accommodation throughout, hotels in Kathmandu and tea houses on the trail
  • Three pure vegetarian meals a day
  • Tea or coffee twice daily
  • Langtang National Park permit and all other permits
  • Temple entry permissions
  • Acharya-led ritual guidance
  • Medical kit including altitude medication
  • Emergency support, day or night
  • Farewell gifts

Not included

  • International flights to and from Kathmandu
  • Nepal visa fees
  • Any extra nights beyond the itinerary
  • Personal medical expenses
  • Travel and altitude insurance, which we ask you to arrange yourself
  • Personal spending and shopping

When to come

The season for this yatra

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

Best months: March, April, May, August, September, October, November.

Before you go

What to sort out first

Whether you can do it

  • Gosaikunda sits at 4,600 metres and the walk up is steep in places.
  • Normal fitness is enough if you have been walking regularly beforehand. Altitude, not distance, is what turns people back.
  • At Janai Purnima the lakeside is crowded and cold overnight. If that worries you, the same darshan is reachable by helicopter.

Permits you will need

  • Langtang National Park permit, NPR 3,000 per person. We arrange this.
  • Local area permit. We arrange this too.
  • You need your passport and two photographs at the time of booking.