Writhed in Hindu mythology and set between the snow-topped Himalayas of Langtang National Park, freezing Gosaikunda lake is perched at a whopping 4,380 meters above sea level. Depending on the time of year you see them, its waters will either be a deep cobalt blue, eerily reflecting the stone towers of the surrounding summits, or a brilliant white, dusted with fresh snow plumes and ice.

For trekkers, the site is one of the highlights of the Dhunche-Helambu route, which can be joined in the Kathmandu Valley or started at the trailheads in Syabru Besi. That leads past babbling rivers and showcases panoramic vistas of the Langtang Himal from the tips of Laurebinayak, all before your Gosaikunda tour guide leads the way up to the hidden valley of the lake itself.

And it's not just intrepid types that are determined to reach this long-lost body of water. It's a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, too. Believed to be the celestial abode of Gauri and Shiva, it's connected to famous episodes of the Ramayana and Mahabharata. That brings thousands of devotees up the zig-zagging mountain paths, particularly during the annual Ganga Dussehra celebrations in spring or early summer.