The best time for Gosainkunda trek is Spring (March, April, May) and Autumn (September, October, November, early December). The mild and stable weather, clear mountain views and the best of natural beauty during these seasons make it perfect for trekking.
Spring is the perfect time for you to trek to Gosainkunda to see the best of its nature. You will walk through the lush and dense forests. The flowers, especially all types of rhododendrons are in full bloom. This season also offers a chance to see rare wildflowers and vegetation.
In Autumn, you will find the trail packed with trekkers and pilgrims (Buddhists and Hindu). Trekkers usually opt for Autumn Gosainkunda trek because of the warm weather, dry trails and the clear view of the mountains. And, Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims trek to Gosainkunda in this time of the year to perform ancient rituals in the Gosainkunda lake.
Both these seasons offer a walk underneath clear skies, through dense forests surrounded by the clear views of the Himalayas. You will have easy walk these seasons because of the bearable temperatures and stable weather.
Best Time for Gosainkunda Trek: Spring and Autumn
Here are all the details you need to know about the two best times for Gosainkunda trek.
Spring Trek
Gosainkunda in Spring is a photographer’s paradise. You will feel like taking photographs of everything that you see on the way. The trees and bushes shine with their new leaves and flowers. The rhododendrons fall all over the trail. And, if you are lucky you might spot Danphe or a Red Panda on the way.
Gosainkunda region experiences Spring from March to May. In this season, the average high temperature during the day in Gosainkunda region may range from 18°C-30°C (64.4°F-86°C), which makes it pleasant for walking. But, at night time the low average temperature can become 6°C-18°C (42.8°F-64.4°F).
Plus, there are the least risks of rainfall or snowfall this season. The relative humidity during Spring is also lower than in winter and monsoon seasons. This allows you to see the sharpest of the views of the mountains and the surrounding landscapes.
The beauty of the trail is what attracts trekkers from all over the world to Gosainkunda in this season. In Spring you will find many teahouses bustling in trekkers from many places. You will have an amazing time interacting with them. In the summer trek to Gosaikunda, you do not have to be alone, either on the trails or at the teahouses.
But, if you trek in early Spring, which is towards the end of winter, you may experience unexpected snowfall. Similarly, in late Spring, which is the start of the monsoon, there are chances of rainfall. So, if you plan this trek in late winter or pre-monsoon, it is better to carry raincoats and snowproof jackets to protect yourself from snow and rain.
Autumn Trek
Autumn, which starts from late September and ends in early December, is the most popular trekking season for Gosainkunda trek. During this season, the weather is warm, stable and you can clearly see the views of the mountain. So, Autumn is the first choice for trekkers opting for Gosaikunda trek, the short trek near Kathmandu valley.
The average high temperature during this season in Gosainkunda region may fall in the range of 20°C-28°C (68°F-82.4°F) in the day. While at night, it can drop down to an average low temperature of 6°C-10°C (42.8°F-50°F).
As Autumn is the dry season the humidity and rainfall are low so, you can see the clearest views of the landscapes and mountains. There are very few chances of fogs covering the hills and blocking the views. The mountains, the exquisite views of the lush vegetation is quite mesmerizing and worth exploration.
This is also the same season when Hindus and Buddhists(Shamans) trek to Gosainkunda for religious rituals. The Shamans come to Gosainkunda on August full moon day to dance, celebrate and perform sacred rituals. And the Hindus, on the same day, which is also known as Janai Purnima, come to bathe away all their sins in the Gosainkunda lake.
Trek in this season also means a chance to meet people from all over the world. You not only get to learn about the local culture of the region but may learn about different people and cultures from all around the world.
But, the inflow of many trekkers has its consequences. Trekkers may have a hard time to find a place in the Gosainkunda region in this season as the teahouses easily get packed. So, it is a wise idea to make your advance bookings for accommodation than trying to find one while walking on the trail.
Is Gosainkunda Trek Possible in Other Seasons?
Yes, it is possible to trek in other seasons i.e. winter and summer. Gosainkunda trek is possible throughout the year. But, in off seasons (winter and summer) you may find the trails challenging due to the rain and snow. So, anyone opting for Langtang trek in summer or winter have to prepare extra for the unstable weather conditions. Here are all the details you need to know about Summer and Winter trek.
Summer Trek
Summer in the Gosainkunda region starts from June and ends in August. It is also the time when monsoon enters the region. So, in this season there are episodes of heavy rainfall.
In Summer, the high average temperature can range from 22°C-30°C (71.6°F-86°F) during the daytime in the Gosainkunda region. Likewise, the low average temperature may be from 17°C to 21°C(62.6°F-69.8°F).
After the rainfall, you will be able to see a clear view of the mountains in summer. The atmosphere also becomes cool and fresh. The surrounding landscapes and meadows look extraordinary after the rain. However, the humidity in the Gosainkunda region also increases due to monsoon which may cause fog to accumulate around the hills. This may cause obstruction of the mountain views.
The end of the monsoon is the perfect time for a nature lover to plan a trek. You will get to see the flora and fauna of the region in their best form. You might even spot some rare species as well.
Since monsoon enters in summer, if you trek in this season, you might have to walk in the rain. You may also find leeches, earthworms etc. on the way because of the hot temperature and moisture from the rain. So, you may carry insect repellants, salt, and ointments in case of any insect bites. If you get leeches stuck on your skin, you can remove them using salt.
It is also a good idea to wear rainproof clothes and also carry a raincoat to protect yourself from the rain. Because of the rain, you may find the trekking trails slippery so, walking with trekking poles also helps a lot. A pair of good shoes with a strong grip is like compulsory for all the seasons.
Winter Trek
December, January, and February are the three months in Nepal that make up the winter season. In the daytime in Gosainkunda region, the average high temperature may fall in the range of 6°C-10°C (42.8°F-50°F).
Despite the trail difficulty, Gosainkunda winter trek has become popular because of the views. There is nothing like walking in the snow surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas. You will walk underneath the clear blue sky surrounded by snow-covered landscapes.
If you want to see the unseen views of Gosainkunda region, winter trek is the perfect season for you to trek. But, while packing you may include snowproof jackets and sleeping bags that can withstand a temperature of -20°C (-4°F).
At night the temperature can drop to less than freezing temperature of -6°C (21.2°F). In the mountains in this season, you may notice episodes of heavy snowfalls, blizzards or avalanche. So, walking in this season means you need to prepare mentally for the changing weather conditions.
The trail during these seasons does get difficult due to the thick layers of snow. A pair of microspikes is a very good option for this season. It will help especially when you are trekking downhill.
The cold temperature during this season may cause difficulty in trekking. To avoid this, please do walk on your own pace and hydrate yourself throughout the trek. Dehydration can increase chances of altitude sickness. So, it would be a good idea to carry a water bottle on your hand and keep drinking water throughout the trek.
CONCLUSION
The best time for Gosainkunda trek is Spring and Autumn because of the stable weather, dry trails, clear mountain views, and the lively natural beauty. But, Gosainkunda trek is possible all year round. If you are prepared to bear the cold, rainfall or snowfall, you may opt for Summer or Winter trek to the Gosainkunda region. With proper mental and physical preparation, you can complete the trek in these seasons.
Please feel free to contact Magical Nepal for any information about Gosainkunda trek. You can message or call us for any other information on trekking in Nepal.
