Helambu Trekking with View Nepal Treks, one of the most picturesque area located North East of Kathmandu valley rim. Helambu Trekking is all about exploring the natural splendor and well-preserved culture in an undisturbed and unadulterated environment of Langtang. Being the less traveled trail, Helambu has been able to maintain its cultural uniqueness intact. The jovial nature of people with their unique tradition and lifestyle is the major attraction of this trek.
Helambu trekking starts with An ideal country walks suitable for all types of travelers exploring rich Buddhist culture of Hyalmo people and its lovely villages, one of the least and near vanishing tribe around Himalaya.
This fine and pleasant walk lead around mid hills villages of Tamang, Bhotias and Hyalmo ethnic tribes where you can witness old Tibetan Buddhist religion, culture, and it's interesting monasteries in the backdrop of mountain scenery and tranquil environment.
After a wonderful Helambu Trekking, heading back to Kathmandu downhill to a warmer area through interesting Sermathang village and concluding this beautiful walk at Malemchipul Bazaar with an overland drive back to Kathmandu after an excellent service of View Nepal Treks.
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
Day 02: Drive to Sundarijal and trek to Chisapani 2,300 m - 04hrs.
Day 03: Trek to Gulbhanjyang 2,125 m - 05 hrs.
Day 04: Trek to Kutumsang 2,446 m - 04 hrs.
Day 05: Trek to Thadepati 3, 597 m - 04 hrs.
Day 06: Trek to Malemchigaon 2,560 m - 05 hrs.
Day 07: Trek to Tarke Gyang 2,590 m - 04 hours.
Day 08: Trek to Sermathang 2,610 m - 04 hours.
Day 09: Trek to Malemchipul Bazaar, drive to Kathmandu - 05 hrs drive
Day 10: International departure homeward bound.
Our trekking will have long experience in trekking field. He speaks English and keeps knowledge about the mountain, mountain sickness, people, and culture. Generally, he will have a right to choose a guest house to stop overnight and right to take a necessary decision if the weather is not favorable if you are physically not in good condition or if there any potential danger of life or etc.
We will provide a porter (helper to carry the luggage) with warm clothing with warm clothing’s while going to the high mountain. We give priority to the local porter as much as possible.
There are nice and tiny guest houses in the village on the way to trekking, also known as a tea house. We will accommodate to our trekkers in that guest houses. You will your own room (twin sharing) and a bathroom is outside. They are safe and people are friendly.
The general understanding in the mountain, you buy food from the same guest house where you say. We will buy a freshly cooked food from the local guest house. They will have a standard menu which is set by the Local Lodge Management Committee. You can choose your meal from the menu.
There are rare medical facilities in the mountain. We generally recommend bringing own medicine (a headache, stomach ache, painkiller, Diamox, bandage, iodine, cotton, gauze, hansaplast, common cold, diarrhea, ) to the normal situation. If it is serious, you should go down or call an emergency evacuation.
There is not enough electricity in Nepal. You could expect power cut in some certain time of the day. While you are in the mountain, you will require electricity to charge your battery, mobile, camera or etc. generally they will ask you to pay extra money for charging.
There is bottle water available along the normal trekking trail. Besides that, you can take your own water filter or can buy a medicine to purify the normal water. Further, you can buy boil water as well as in trekking.
Some village has internet facilities. However, you can buy a local telephone SIM card which will help you to buy the internet and use with your smartphone set. You can use for calling to anyone if it requires at the same time.
There require or to use a local transport or you may want to use them as well as. The local people or local club will force to use their transport facilities. The price will be negotiable and a vehicle could be old and with very basic services.
You might have to be rescued due to some accident or serious ill. We can send rescue Helicopter service immediately to bring you back. The helicopter services are expensive in Nepal. We recommend you to buy insurance which covers search and rescue in need. After you rescued, we can help you for documentation to claim the payment.
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, received by View Nepal Treks staff with transfer to your hotels, where our guide / leader will brief regarding Helambu Trek, hotels, lodge on route with do and don’ts with evening group welcome dinner.
Beginning this lovely one week trek with short drive to Kathmandu valley eastern rim at Sundarijal situated 15 k.m. From Sundarijal starting the walk with climb through farm villages, cascade of waterfalls and reaching at Shivapuri National Park, from here walking into forest and scattered farm villages to reach at Chisapani, located on a high ridge of Kathmandu valley North hills, with cool and fresh air at 2,300 m high offering super views of snowcapped mountain ranges of Annapurna-Manaslu-Ganesh Himal, Lang tang Himal extending towards Jugal Himal including Kathmandu valley. At Chisapani enjoy the fabulous sunrise and sunset views as well.
After pleasant morning catching sunrise and views of mountains, starting with downhill walk to Hindu village at Pati Bhanjyang inhabited mostly of Hindu Brahman and Chettries, from here continue with a climb for an hour and then on nice winding path into forest and villages to reach at Gulbhanjyang for overnight stop.
Morning starts with a climb and the short descend leading at Chipplin village, walking through farm villages with views of rolling green hills and snowcapped peaks till Kutumsang, a mix farm village of Sherpa-Hylamo and Tamang ethnic tribes of people offering super views of snowcapped mountains, afternoon free at leisure to explore this small lovely village and its scenic surrounding.
From Kutumsang, morning leads to a climb to cross over Yurin Danda ridge through lovely forest of rhododendron, pines and oak trees as the walk reach to a small pass at 3,510 meter and then with short descent into cool forest area, reaching an open wide area. After some rest a short climb as our route diverts from the main trail joining Langtang and Gosainkund area with Helambu. Morning walk ends at Thadepati for the day with lunch and overnight stop. Thadepati with few fine lodges on this highest point offering grand scenery of rolling hills and high snow peaks of Langtang and Jugal mountain range.
After a nice morning with super views continue walk, start with a descend into dense rhododendron, hemlocks, firs and pines tree lines forest for few hours, as the walk continues further passing several Sheppard’s huts and temporary settlements to reach Melamchi Khola (stream) crossing over leading to a climb at Malemchigaon for overnight stop. A typical mountain village of Buddhist culture where Hyalmo people villages starts, houses windows, doors and furniture decorated with beautiful carvings, after getting organize in the lodge, explore this nice village of Hyalmo people similar to Sherpa and Tamang religion and culture, this tribe is near extinct only few thousand exists in Nepal, India-Darjeeling and Sikkim.
Today, a short day walk to major village of Helambu at Tarke Gyang, morning walk on downhill to Melamchi River and at small farm village, crossing the river on suspension bridge, then climb above the river for an hour reaching at Tarkeghyang village via Nakote village for lunch and overnight stop. Tarkegyang, famous for Buddhist culture, wood carving and delicious green apples also. Afternoon free to explore this lovely village and the old monastery of Ama Yangri situated on top of the village.
Morning after leaving this nice village walk downhill through cool forested path passing many chortens (Buddhist prayer monuments), summer meadows to reach Gangyul a small village, then following the path with wonderful views of rolling hills to reach at Shermathang for overnight stop, another cute and lovely Hyalmo village here with time to visit another old interesting monastery.
After a wonderful time around Helambu and its pristine nature, continue walk for few hours walk on long downhill trail to Melamchi town and a bazaar for the drive back to Kathmandu,. Few hours of pleasant drive reaches at Kathmandu after a wonderful time in the high hills of Himalaya.
Last day in Nepal with wonderful experience and fond memories of Helambu trekking, as per your flight time View Nepal Treks staff transfer you to airport for your final departure homeward bound or to your next destinations.
This journey starts with moderate walk of uphill and downhill, some gradual path involves high altitude above from 2,000 m to 2,500 meters high, as altitude wise it is one of the safest trek without the problem of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness).
This trek leads from warm climate to cooler temperatures as the walk progress above 2,000 meters, with mild alpine climate with morning and night time cooler but the day is bright and sunny sometimes the afternoon can get windy with wind-chill factor. Can be cold as season wise, autumn and winter months can get cold above 2,500 m with strong UV. In spring and summer above ,3000 m with 15°-18° C average and minimum of 0° to 5° C, autumn / winter day time 15°-16° C and can get below -5° C during morn / night time.
One of the safest trekking despite high mountains, chance of altitude getting AMS is less starting with slow moderate walk. If some people get sick with other problem or diarrhea which is normal due to change of foods, air and environment, we do carry medical kit on every trek as our guide have enough medical experience, they will advice what is best and in case of serious illness and accidents, emergency evacuation is necessary by any means of transport including helicopter service to reach nearest hospital.
Normally Satellite and local Cell phone works, when deep gorge and valley like in Melamche-gaon and narrow river valley it won’t work properly sometimes, in case if your cell does not work there are Landlines (STD /ISTD) available along every lodge on route Langtang valley.
On leaving Kathmandu starting from Chisapani for overnight, the lodges are simple with rooms to accommodate 2 people in a room, however if one requires private / single room can be arranged at extra cost. The room in most of the places simple and basic but nice and cozy with warm dining rooms, hot / cold shower available in some lodges with clean toilet facilities. Foods vary according to seasonal vegetables, it is better to stick with vegetarian meals rather than fresh meat products for safe and hygiene wise this is way avoids medical problem on trek, however eggs items are ok. Breakfast of cereal, porridge, corn flakes with milk, eggs (variation as per your choice) and toast, Tibetan bread, pancakes. Lunch simple bread with mild vegetable curry and salad with seasonal fruits, dinner Nepali Dal-Bhat (boiled rice-lintel soup with vegetable) Chinese Fried veg / egg noodles, pasta, Indian Pilau rice, chappati (bread) for birthday and anniversary please let us know in advance so that we can order the lodge to bake cakes on special request.