Helambu Trek
Nepal’s Helambu trek is culturally and ecologically rich, home to Helmo, Sherpa, and many Tamang ethnic groups. It is a short hike from Kathmandu and is convenient for travelers interested in discovering real Tamang and Sherpa culture.
Helambu Trek is considered by many to be the best short-distance Trek in Nepal because of its remarkable natural beauty, culture, and history. Some of its most notable features are Buddhist temples, monasteries, Buddhist villages, and mountain cattle grazing on rich alpine pastures.
The Helambu Trek is an easy-moderate trek in the Langtang region of Nepal. The Helambu trek offers beautiful mountain scenery of Langtang, the Ganesh Himal, and the Rolwaling region of Nepal, beautiful valleys, and a mixture of cultures.
Helambu trek is an easy-moderate trekking route in the Langtang region. Helambu valley trek is suitable for all age groups, especially family, academic, or club groups. Spring & Autumn season is best for trekking in Helambu valley. However, we can arrange it according to the travelers’ wishes and holiday schedules. A minimum of one week is required for the Helambu valley trek.
About the Region
Sundarijal is the starting point for the Helambu Trekking routes. You then explore Shivapuri National Park, Chisopani, Sermathang, Kutumsang, Thadepati, and Melamchi Pul Bazar, which are in the Helambu region. A number of Buddhist monasteries and rice terraces can also be found on the Trek, which passes via thick forests with great Himalayan views.
This Trek offers breathtaking views of Langtang at 7245 m, Ganesh Himal at 7405 m, Dorje Lhakpa at 6990 m, and other small mountains in the Langtang Himalayan range.
The hospitable and friendly people of Helambu are mostly Buddhists. These trips are ideal for those with short vacation times and who like to combine cultural activities. You will enjoy discovering the culturally rich villages of the Tamang, Buddhist Gompas, and the wonderful landscape of rice field villages.
In comparison with the Annapurna treks and portions of the Everest treks, the main benefit of this Trek is its less crowded nature and lack of noise. Aside from this, the Trek offers a unique cultural experience and beautiful scenery. Despite being so close to Kathmandu, the Helambu region remains relatively untouched by the modern world.
Additionally, Helambu trekking trails pass through Shivapuri National Park, which covers an area of 159 km2. It features a lot of vegetation and contains many kinds of wildlife.
Necessary Permits and Accommodations
For oblivious trekkers, two permits are needed for Helambu Trek, the Langtang National Park Entry Permit and the Local Area Permit. In addition, the Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park entrance fee must also be paid.
During the trekking trail, you’ll find basic tea houses. The guesthouses are clean and comfortable, but they’re not as luxurious as those in Kathmandu. While WIFI is available in some places, it isn’t everywhere. You can use your mobile data instead if necessary.
Preparing for the Trek
From Kathmandu to Helambu, the hikes are neither high altitude nor much rural; furthermore, they are fairly short and relaxing, with beautiful sceneries throughout the journey. So it would be great if you prepared accordingly.
The Helambu Trek Itinerary
You need to acquire a Nepalese visa for foreign explorers and get to Kathmandu. After a wonderful day exploring the beautiful Kathmandu valley, you need to get to Sundarijal to begin the Trek.
Day 2: Towards Gul Bhanjyang
From Pati Bhanjyan at 1770 meters, the trail climbs and descends thro' Chipling at 2170 meters. From Chipling, the trail climbs again at 2470 meters before descending a forest ridge to Thodang. As you walk along the forest ridge, the trail continually descends to a huge chorten with a view of Gul Bhyanjyang village, at 2140 meters, a typical Tamang hill village with a pleasant main street.
Day 3: Reaching Magengoth
At 2620m, we come to another hill. After that, we descend to Kutumsang. At Kutumsang, the Langtang National Park office is where you must show your park permit, which costs Rs.300. After that, we will climb for 4 hours through the forest to reach Maggengoth, our destination for today, after Kutumsang.
Day 4: From Magengoth to Tharepati
Today we reach an altitude of 3,600 meters near the viewpoint. We will go for a short walk today. Then, we will climb uphill for about 3 hours to Tharepati. While trekking along this trail section, you will have the opportunity to enjoy spectacular views and experience the beauty of nature. Then, we make lunch and camp in Tharepati with a view of mountains such as Manaslu and Langtang Himalayas.
Day 5: Off to Melamchi
Following breakfast, the descent towards Melamchi Gaon at 7900ft will take 3 hours as we pass through the jungle area and Melamchi River. In the afternoon, we will reach Melamchi Gaon, where we will set up camp for the night near a big village and a monastery.
Day 6: Off to Tarke Ghyang
After breakfast, we will follow a 2-hour descent. Today, the trail will take us to Tarkeghyang village (2600m), known as the largest Sherpa settlement in Helambu, where we will cross a bridge and pass through a jungle. You will have the opportunity to observe and learn about the Sherpa culture and tradition after crossing the bridge and continuing on to Tarkeghyang. This normally takes 3 hours to complete.
Afterward, we will return to Sermathang, which is more accessible and through flat land with small beautiful forests, and then we'll be able to see the villages of Helambu. In the meantime, we'll be able to observe local farmers working hard in the fertile lands depending on the time of the year. Finally, you'll reach the village of Sermathang (2,610m) after passing a couple of streams and waterfalls. It might take you about 4 hours to walk there. We spend the night there.
Day 7: Finally, Melamchi Bazaar
We gradually descend through meadows and cultivated fields all the way to Melamchi Pul Bazaar, where you can see majestic views of rivers and the Himalayas. Along the way, we pass through old villages with their own traditions and customs.
Cost includes:
- Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
- Three meals per day throughout the Trip(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Accommodation during the trek.
- Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
- Guide and a porter with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
- First Aid kit.
- Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
- TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
- All needed government tax/vat.
Cost excludes:
- International Airfare.
- Your travel insurance.
- Sightseeing entrance fees
- Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
- Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
- Tips for Guide and Porters
After you’ve enjoyed the thrilling and joyful experience, you can choose whether to visit other beautiful places in Nepal or head back home. No matter what you choose, we hope you have a fantastic time.
We can accommodate group tours for this trip; however, you may also opt for a private tour according to your liking. We can arrange private trips at any time of the year at any date of your choosing. Please let us know what your preferred travel dates are so that we can accommodate you.
Finally, after finishing the Trek, we travel by car or a local bus to return back to Kathmandu after lunch, about a 2-3 hour drive. We will spend the night after the Trek at a hotel in Kathmandu and cherish the beautiful locations and memories we made along the Trek.
Chisapani Nagarkot Trek
The short Chisapani Nagarkot hike is an ideal weekend getaway from the city hustle and bustle. Chisapani Nagarkot can be accessed year-round, so you can hike this trail year-round. The Trek to Chisapani Nagarkot in Kathmandu Valley Ridge is a short and easy one that combines typical life, ethnic culture, and mountain scenery.
The Chisapani Nagarkot Trek is ideal for children, families, students, and those who have limited time in Nepal and still want to explore rural Nepal. The Trek provides an exceptional experience away from the hustle and bustle of city life. At the same time, the Trek provides an exceptional contrast to the busy life of Kathmandu city for people from there, other cities in Nepal, or for people living abroad.
The Journey around the mesmerizing destinations through the outskirts of the Kathmandu valley is full of pleasant hilly trails with stunning natural landscapes away from the crowds in the city. As a perfect retreat for explorers wishing to experience Nepal’s striking beauty within a short time, this adventure can be the perfect one for you. Besides the health benefits of the Chisapani Nagarkot Trek, the Trek is also a great opportunity to enjoy Kathmandu valley’s serene surroundings.
About the Region
The trek starts in Sundarijal, a 1 hr drive from Kathmandu Valley, and ends in Changu Narayan. It is one of the most eye-pleasing and classic treks in Nepal. Trekking in the Nagarkot area is best suited for those limited in time, budget, and beginners who still want to experience Nepal’s natural beauty and culture. Trekking is a perfect way to explore blended cultural and natural features.
A dense jungle walk, terraces, farming, traditional lifestyles, world heritage sites, massif chain of the Himalayas surroundings, and temples are major reasons for the Trek’s popularity. Both domestic and foreign tourists enjoy the Trek equally. As a strategic hilltop fort built to monitor the external activities of other kingdoms, Nagarkot is located 32 km east of Kathmandu valley and 2175m from sea level.
Preparing for the Trek
From Chisapani to Nagarkot, including Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, your hikes are neither at a high altitude nor rural; however, they are long yet relaxing. So you should prepare accordingly.
Our group of friends took these things with us on our first trip to the area. We recommend you do the same.
- Energy drink and water bottle
- Backpack
- Flashlight
- Walking stick
- Well-fitting gloves, socks, and hiking shoes or boots
- First aid kit
- Sun Protection cream
- Sleeping bag rated to -10°C +
- Trekking bag (Rucksack)
- Duffel bag
- Large plastic bags
Nonetheless, if you forget any of these items, you can easily find them in trek shops at the start of the Trek.
Trek Itinerary
Day 2: From Chisapani to Nagarkot
Our walk today will be through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and the forest. We have seen Himalayan black bears, Indian leopards, and other wildlife here. If you're lucky enough, you might see some smaller animals, such as mongooses, porcupines, jungle cats, pangolins, etc. If you're a birder, be sure to see the yellow-throated marten, along with dozens of other species.
While hiking, we will stop for lunch at Chauki Bhanjyang or Jhule before continuing to Nagarkot in time to observe the sunset over the Himalayan range. The many hotels in this famous hill station, which range from inexpensive to deluxe, allow us to enjoy a good dinner before taking in the views from the watching tower or from another location. The hill station is located at an elevation of 2,175m and offers stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest at 8,848m, Cho Oyu at 8,188m, Makalu at 8,463m, and Manaslu at 8,163m, plus spectacular sunsets. We stay overnight at a lodge in Nagarkot.
Day 3: The Final Day
Today, our goal is to capture a spectacular sunrise over the snowcapped mountains as early as possible in the morning. The Nagarkot sunrise is quite popular among people from Kathmandu. You can see a beautiful mountain range as the clouds rise and drop, revealing and hiding and revealing the majestic peaks again. You can take in all of these experiences while enjoying the fresh cool air while eating a hot breakfast.
On the way back from this feat of nature, we reach Changu Narayan Temple, some four hours (mainly downhill) away. This is an ancient temple in Nepal dedicated to Lord Vishnu, believed to be the oldest in the country.
UNESCO and other organizations have worked hard to restore the Changu Narayan Monument Zone following the 2015 earthquake. In addition to the temples, the impressive living museum in the region offers a glimpse into Nepali and Newari culture, art, and history, untouched by the earthquake.
Afterward, we can return back home by bus or a private vehicle. The drive to Kathmandu from Changu Narayan is relatively short.
This three-day trekking package is perfect for those who enjoy hiking in scenic areas for three days and staying overnight in a resort. It offers a pleasant experience of the countryside and excellent mountain views. If you decide to continue with the Trek, remember to treasure all the wonderful memories you experience during the Trek, both during and when you get home.
Cost includes:
- Arrival & Departure transport via private Car/Van/Bus.
- Three meals per day throughout the Trip(Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Accommodation during the trek.
- Nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with B/B.
- Guide and a porter with Insurance, food, and accommodations.
- Sightseeing in Kathmandu or Pokhara valley with a car and tour guide
- First Aid kit.
- Trekking permit (Conservation fee).
- TIMS card (Trekking information management system) is like a permit.
- All needed government tax/vat.
Cost excludes:
- International Airfare.
- Your travel insurance.
- Sightseeing entrance fees
- Nepal Visa fee (US$ 50 for 30 days and US$ 30 for 15 days; you should get a visa open your arrival)
- Any kind of drinks, items of personal expenses like hot shower, battery charge, telephone, missing meal, WIFI Porters, etc.
- Tips for Guide and Porters
After you’ve enjoyed the thrilling and joyful experience, you can choose whether to visit other beautiful places in Nepal or head back home. No matter what you choose, we hope you have a fantastic time.
We can accommodate group tours for this trip; however, you may also opt for a private tour according to your liking. We can arrange private trips at any time of the year at any date of your choosing. Please let us know what your preferred travel dates are so that we can accommodate you.