Pilgrimage Tours

Nepal has a unique and multi-cultural yet harmonious society, a kind of its own in the world. Home to an over 2500 years old culture & civilization, there are several Buddhist shrines and Hindus temples all over the Kingdom. People of almost all faiths of the world such as Hindus, Muslims, Christians and Buddhists are living harmoniously in Nepal for many centuries and have their own pilgrimage sites. The peaceful existence of people of Nepal belonging to different faiths is an excellent demonstration of its communal harmony. Nepal houses a significantly large number of religious shrines, visited by thousands of pilgrims from all around the world. The beautiful and artistically designed Hindu temples, mosques, churches of Nepal are not only places of worship but also show the architectural richness of the country. On Nepal Pilgrimage Tours, visit the sacred pilgrimage sites of Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism.

On your Nepal Pilgrimage Tours with World Vision Travels and Tours you will visit the most sacred and important pilgrimage sites of Nepal. Join in the festivities of the celebrations of different religious days on Nepal pilgrimage tours and also feel the spiritual ambience of the holy sites of Nepal. Visit and explore the unique and diverse religious colors of Nepal. We assure that it will be a lifetime experience for you.

Gosaikunda is a glacier lake in Langtang. This lake is believed to have been created by Lord Shiva when he thrust his Trishula (trident) into a mountain to extract water so that he could cool his stinging throat after he had swallowed poison. There is a large rock in the center of the lake, which is said to be the remains of a Shiva shrine. People often claim that they see Shiva lying in the water. Devotees gather here in hordes on the full moon night of August to take holy dips in the lake. Gosaikunda is situated at the altitude of 4380 mt. to the north of Kathmdnu on the Langtang trekking trail. The holy lake is a two day long trek from Dhunche, which can be reached through an adventurous 118 km mountain road from Kathmandu via Trishuli Bazaar.

You follow a rugged trail with dramatic views; to the west Himal chuli (7893m) Manaslu (8156mm) and Ganesh Himal (7406m). On a clear day, even the Annapurna range can be seen rising up behind and to the north across the valley is Langtang Lirung. You pass a few huts in the high picture of Laurebina, cross a small ridge and have our first views of the holy lakes. There are about a dozen lakes in the Gosainkunda Basin, the main three being Saraswatikunda, Bhairabkunda, and Gosainkunda. The most auspicious day for the Pilgrimage is Full moon day (Shrawan Purnima) in July. Many pilgrims from Nepal and India take a bath in the Lake.

Day 01:

Drive from Kathmandu to Sundarijal (1350m.) which takes about one hour and trek from Sundarijal to Chisopani. The unpaved road from Kathmandu turns into a trail near a small hydroelectric plant. The trail will enter through the Shivpuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve. The first settlement you will come across is Mulkharka with Tamang inhabitants. The route heads down the ridge through a forest of oaks and rhododendron to Chisopani (2300m.)

Day 02:

Trek from Chisopani to Kutumsang (2446m.) and it takes about eight hours. The trail continues to drop from Chisopani on a good, sometimes level, trail that crosses meadow and fields. You will then descend through Pathi Bhanjyang till Gul Bhanjyang. The trail climbs the ridge from Gul Bhanjyang to another pass at 2620m. The meadow makes a good camping spot, its downhill to Kutumsang at 2470m, in a saddle atop the ridge.

Day 03:

Trek from Kutumsang to Magen Goth (3514m.) which takes about three hours. The trek continues north up the Yurin Danda ridge and affords views of the peaks. The trail climbs above Kutumsang on a steep, eroded trail mostly through fir and rhododendron forest where there are no permanent settlements. The trail then descends to Magen Goth.

Day 04:

Trek from Magen Goth to Ghopte (3430m.) via Tharepati Pass (3650m.) and it takes about five hours. You continue to climb, steeply at first then more gradually, the trail makes some ups and downs passing through the forest, across flower strewn meadows and crossing streams. You will reach Tharepati which consists of a few Goths and lodges. From the top of this famous ridge the trail ascends through the forest, climbing in and out of ravines across the head of the valley, Giant cliff towers far above.

Day 05:

Trek from Ghopte to Gosaikunda (4361m.) that takes approximately seven hours. The trail ascends through the meadow of bushes and some rhododendron trees. The trail gradually ascends to Phedi (3500m.) The trail ascends along side a stream through alpine trees. The trail then is bit rough and crosses moraines but it is well marked with rock cairns.

Day 06:

Rest at Gosaikunda. The large lake Gosaikunda is at an elevation of 4361m. There are several small stone shelters for pilgrimage on the north-western side of the lake. Hundreds of people come here to worship and bath in the lake during the full moon festival each August. You will witness some black and white stones in the lake with an individual story about Lord Shiva and his creation.

Day 07:

Trek from Gosaikunda to Chandanbari (2350m.) which takes about five hours. The trail gently ascends for a short through different chortens and small Shiva temples. The trail then descends to Laure Binayak to Singh Gompa. The Gompa, which houses a statue of the Green Tara, is one of the famous destinations for the trekkers. You can witness small cheese factories and several lodges here. The trail now will go through the forest and reach Chandanbari.

Day 08:

Trek from Chandanbari to Dhunche and it takes about four and half hours. You trek along gradual descent path. On the way you walk through several forests and villages as well.