Getting around · Gosaikunda
How to Get to Gosaikunda
The drive to Dhunche and the walk up via Sing Gompa, plus the Sundarijal approach over the pass.
The short answer: drive from Kathmandu to Dhunche in Rasuwa, then walk up over a few days via Sing Gompa to the lakes. There is no flight to Gosaikunda — the whole approach is by road and on foot — but the trailhead is far closer to the capital than the great Everest or Annapurna lakes, which is part of the trek's appeal.
The standard route: via Dhunche
Most trekkers travel 7 to 8 hours by road from Kathmandu to Dhunche (about 1,960m), the district headquarters of Rasuwa and the usual roadhead, on a winding mountain road shared with the Langtang and Tamang Heritage routes. From Dhunche the trail climbs steeply through oak and rhododendron forest to Sing Gompa (Chandanbari), the key acclimatisation stop, then on past Saraswati Kunda to the Gosaikunda lake basin over a couple of climbing days.
Buses and shared jeeps run from Kathmandu's Macchapokhari area toward Dhunche and Syabrubesi; a private jeep is faster and more comfortable. For the same corridor in more detail, see our guide to Kathmandu to Syabrubesi.
The southern approach: via Sundarijal and Helambu
An alternative is to start low at Sundarijal, on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley, and walk up through the Helambu region, crossing the Lauribina La pass to reach the lakes from the south. This is the reverse of the Gosaikunda to Helambu trek and takes a week or more, but it needs no long drive and builds altitude gradually.
Combining with Langtang
You can also start at Syabrubesi, walk the Langtang Valley first, then climb to the lakes via Sing Gompa for a longer combined trek.
Practical tips
- Allow a full day each way for the drive to and from Dhunche.
- A licensed guide is required for trekking in Langtang National Park; permits are arranged in Kathmandu.
- Plan the timing with the best time to visit Gosaikunda, and read our broader getting around Nepal guide. Then book a base with where to stay in Gosaikunda.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Gosaikunda from Kathmandu?+
Most trekkers drive 7 to 8 hours from Kathmandu to Dhunche in Rasuwa, the usual roadhead, then walk up over a few days via Sing Gompa to the lakes at about 4,380m. There is no flight; the whole approach is by road and on foot.
Where does the Gosaikunda trek start?+
The standard trailhead is Dhunche, at about 1,960m, reached by road from Kathmandu. An alternative lower start is Sundarijal on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley, from which trekkers walk up through Helambu and cross the Lauribina La pass to reach the lakes from the south.
How long does it take to walk up to Gosaikunda?+
From Dhunche it is usually two to three days of climbing to the lakes, with an overnight at Sing Gompa to acclimatise. The longer Sundarijal and Helambu approach over the pass takes a week or more, depending on your route and pace.
Can you reach Gosaikunda from Syabrubesi?+
Yes. Some trekkers combine Gosaikunda with the Langtang Valley by starting at Syabrubesi, walking up the valley first, then returning and climbing to the lakes via Sing Gompa. It is a longer combined trek but links the two highlights of the region.
