Helambu Trek - Nearest Trek from Kathmandu

Today, as you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport, an introductory guide from the Nepal Hiking Team welcomes you, transfers you to the hotel, and briefly describes the overall Helambu trip.

After fortifying yourself with a hearty breakfast, you’ll leave your hotel this morning to transfer by private vehicle to the town of Sundarijal. The route takes just an hour and is essentially contiguous with Kathmandu. It’s all on foot from Sundarijal, where your path rises steeply near a small hydroelectric plant. You’re now approaching the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, a formally protected watershed and wildlife reserve. As you leave the urban environment of Kathmandu behind, you’ll be amazed by how quickly you find yourself surrounded by lush greenery and rural fields.

The first settlement we’ll come across is called Mulkharka; its residents are mostly of Tamang background, and the village is a popular destination for day hikers who want to spend an afternoon away from the city. There are also some trickling waterfalls coursing through large boulders in the forest here that are sure to please nature lovers. Continuing past Mulkharka, you’ll traverse a wooded ridge of oak and rhododendron and arrive at Chisapani after about four hours on the trail.

Wake up early to enjoy the sunrise; on a clear day, you can take in a gorgeous panorama of the Langtang Himal range from here in Chisapani. After breakfast, you begin the trek to Kutumsang. Your route today takes about seven hours, descending to cross scenic meadows and fields on the approach to the little villages of Pathi Bhanjyang and Gul Bhanjyang. 

Then it’s back to climbing: you’ll ascend along a ridge leading to today’s high point, a pass at approximately 2,620 meters. As you hike, look for intricately carved mani stones along the path.

These carvings represent sacred Buddhist mantras, and passing them on to the left is considered appropriate. Today’s hike ends when you reach the town of Kutumsang, a village of traditionally built homes and hillsides shrouded in mist. You can obtain exceptional views of Dorje Lhakpa’s pyramidal summit from here.

This portion passes through a forest of fir and rhododendrons as it climbs to the Yurin Danda ridge. From this excellent viewpoint, you’ll enjoy remarkable panoramas of the Langtang Himal and the high-altitude Gosaikunda Pass. 

After you take some photographs, you descend gradually to pass by an army checkpoint near the densely wooded region of Magengoth. 

This is a beautiful part of the trail, and it’s a good place to take a break before making the final ascent to Tharepati. A clear day in Tharepati will reward you with a good look at the distant peaks of Dorje Lhakpa, Gaurishankar, and several other Himalayan giants.

Today’s trek takes you through two major villages of the Helambu region. After breakfast, you begin a long, steep descent to the first village, Melamchi Gaon. This is a spreading community with many houses draped with prayer flags, vast pastures with occasional grazing horses, and a colorful Gompa, or monastery. 

Then, the path ascends through scattered Sherpa settlements as it approaches Tarkeghyang. Several large stupas and an essential monastery in Tarkegyang represent the Helambu Trek's cultural elements. This village is a spiritual center of the Helambu region.

Today is a special day of this trek as you hike toward the spiritual treasure of the region, Ama Yangri Peak. This is the highest point you reach in this journey. As you ascend towards the point, you can see the colorful prayer flags ornamenting the area. 

Here, you can find a Gompa, beautifully preserved with the Hyolmo people's faith. The area provides breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views of the mountains if the weather is clear. The visible mountains are Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Kinsung Himal, and distant Manaslu and Ganesh Himal.

Ama: Mother watching over a village like her own child

Yang: Laxmi (Goddess of wealth)

Gri: Peak or a hill

After the steep ups and downs of the last few days, today’s trek is comparatively easier. After that, you hike for about four hours to reach the town of Shermathang, but the path is mainly flat and passes through Lush forest.

Keep an eye out for mani walls and chortens along this route as you hike through the smaller villages of Parachin and Gangal. You cross some small streams along the way before catching a glimpse of the Melamchi Khola River valley to the south. 

Shermathang is widely known for its apple orchards, widely spaced homes, and ancient monasteries. Stroll around town and enjoy good views of the Jugal and Ganesh Himal ranges. 

After enjoying a leisurely breakfast in Shermathang, you begin hiking by descending past rice fields and vast, grassy meadows. You cross a few bridges and pass through small villages dotted with chortens and mani walls as you approach the Sherpa village of Melamchi Pul Bazaar.

There are several guesthouses here, sometimes used by trekkers doing the Trek in reverse. From here, you drive back to Kathmandu and take a final glimpse of the rolling hills and terraced agricultural fields of Nepal’s green countryside. 

When you arrive back in the city, take some time to check back into your hotel and relax: you’ve completed the Helambu Trek!

Your trekking adventure with the Nepal Hiking Team has ended, and it’s time to bid a fond farewell to Kathmandu.

A designated member takes you back to Tribhuvan International Airport about three hours before the scheduled departure of your outgoing flight.

We trust you’ve enjoyed your holiday in Nepal, and we can’t wait to welcome you back next time!