Trekking · Gosaikunda
Gosaikunda from Sundarijal
The southern route to Gosaikunda from Sundarijal — up through Helambu and over the Lauribina La pass.
You can trek to Gosaikunda from Sundarijal, the southern trailhead on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley, by walking up through the Helambu region and crossing the Lauribina La pass at about 4,610m to reach the lakes from the south. It is the reverse of the classic Helambu traverse and takes a week or more, but it needs no long drive and builds altitude gradually — one of the three main approaches in our Gosaikunda trekking routes overview.
Why start at Sundarijal
Sundarijal sits at the northeast edge of the Kathmandu Valley, a short drive from the city, so you skip the long, winding 7-to-8-hour road to Dhunche entirely. The whole approach is on foot, which means a slow, steady gain in altitude — a real advantage for acclimatisation compared with the steeper Dhunche route. The trade-off is more walking days.
The route through Helambu
From Sundarijal the trail climbs to Chisapani on the rim of Shivapuri, then heads north through the green, terraced country of Helambu, home to Hyolmo (Sherpa) and Tamang villages such as Kutumsang, Mage Goth and Tharepati. Beyond the villages the path climbs past high camps like Ghopte and Phedi toward the Lauribina La pass, the crux of the route, before dropping to the Gosaikunda lake basin on the far side. For the southern half of the walk in detail, see our national guide to the Helambu trek.
What to expect
This is a moderately strenuous trek. The trail is non-technical, but the pass is a long, high day, so you must be well acclimatised and pick clear, settled weather. From the lakes you can continue down to Dhunche, or simply reverse the route. Many trekkers do the traverse the other way as the Gosaikunda to Helambu trek, descending to Sundarijal rather than climbing from it.
Timing and seasons
Aim for autumn (October to November) or spring (March to May), when the Lauribina La is reliably open and the weather is settled. Winter often blocks the pass with snow, and the monsoon brings cloud, rain and leeches in the lower forest. Plan dates with the best time to visit Gosaikunda.
Before you go
You need a Langtang National Park permit and a licensed guide — see Gosaikunda permits and cost. Because the route stays high for days, read the Gosaikunda altitude and safety tips and our national altitude sickness in Nepal guide before you set out. Then plan the rest of your trip from the Gosaikunda travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can you trek to Gosaikunda from Sundarijal?+
Yes. Sundarijal, on the edge of the Kathmandu Valley, is the southern trailhead. From here the trail climbs through the Helambu region and crosses the Lauribina La pass at about 4,610m to reach the lakes from the south. It is the reverse of the popular Gosaikunda to Helambu traverse.
How long is the Sundarijal route to Gosaikunda?+
It takes about a week or more, longer than the Dhunche approach, because you climb the whole way on foot from low country rather than starting from a high roadhead. The pay-off is a gradual ascent that aids acclimatisation and no long mountain drive.
Why choose the Sundarijal route?+
It avoids the long, winding 7-to-8-hour drive to Dhunche, starts within easy reach of Kathmandu, and builds altitude slowly through scenic Hyolmo and Tamang villages. The trade-off is more walking days and a high pass crossing, so it suits trekkers with time who want a gentler altitude profile.
Is the Sundarijal route harder than from Dhunche?+
It is longer but not necessarily harder, because the gradual ascent helps with altitude. The crux is the Lauribina La pass, a long, high day near the lakes, so good acclimatisation and settled weather matter. In winter the pass is often blocked by snow.
