Festivals & Events
On the August full moon, tens of thousands climb to a sacred 4,380 m lake in Langtang. Here is the festival, the trek, and how to plan it.
By Laxman Rawal · Jun 23, 2026
Key facts Janai Purnima 2026 falls on Friday, 28 August ; Gai Jatra follows on Saturday, 29 August . The pilgrimage centres on Gosaikunda , a sacred lake at 4,380 m in Langtang National Park. More than 30,000 pilgrims reach the lake for the full-moon night…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Janai Purnima is the sacred-thread festival. Across the country, Brahmin and Chhetri men replace the janai , the cord worn across the chest, in a ritual of renewal; priests tie the yellow raksha protection thread on the wrist of anyone who asks. At Gosaikunda…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
The classic approach drives from Kathmandu to Dhunche or Syabrubesi (a long 7 to 9 hours), then climbs through rhododendron forest to Chandanbari, Cholangpati and Lauribina before the trail breaks out above the tree line into the lake basin. Most reasonably…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
Our honest take August is monsoon, and we will not pretend otherwise — the road to Dhunche can be slow after heavy rain, the lower trail is muddy and leechy, and afternoon cloud is the rule. But the lake basin sits high above the worst of it, and walking to a…
Travel Himalaya Nepal · News
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