Festivals & Events

Janai Purnima at Gosaikunda, the story behind Nepal's highest sacred-lake pilgrimage

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 Maya Rai · Jun 23, 2026

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Status, 18 September 2026 The 26 August flood, two days before this year's festival, cut the Rasuwa road to Dhunche and Syabrubesi — the trailheads for Gosaikunda. We are not taking bookings for Gosaikunda or Langtang treks until that access is restored; see…

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The festival

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…

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The trek

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…

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Permits for the Gosaikunda trek

Travel Himalaya Nepal · News

What this means for trekkers

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…

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More Nepal festivals

Nepal festival calendar & dates Lumbini pilgrimage Dashain & Tihar 2026 dates

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