Trip Details

  • Destination: Nepal
  • Trip Difficulty: Easy
  • Trip Style: Trekking
  • Transport: Public Vehicle
  • Food: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse or Lodge
  • Group Size: 16
  • Max Elevation: Tharepati (3650m)

Highlights

  • Explore the Shivapuri National Park.
  • Scenic view of  Ganesh Himal (7,406m), Langtang Lirung (7,345m) and Gaurishankar (7,145m).
  • Visit the ancient monasteries, shrines, and stupas.
  • Explore the Buddist culture and other ethnic groups of people.
  • Visit the sweet apple farm.
  • The Losar celebrations in winter will give you a great chance to explore the traditions, culture, and lifestyle of the locals.
     

Description

Helambu trek (2,560 m) is one of the popular trekking trails in the Langtang region. Helambu region of highlands villages is home to the Hyolmo people of Nepal. Helambu is popular for its sweet apples, monasteries, and pilgrimages.

Located in the Shindhupalchok district of Nepal, the trails are adventurous and exciting with scenic views provided to you. The trekking routes are not so far from modern civilization, it's about 80 km from Kathmandu.

During the trek, you can see the scenic view of the snow-covered peaks such as Ganesh Himal (7,406m), Langtang Lirung (7,345m) and Gaurishankar (7,145m) including the Langtang Himalayan range. The beautiful green vegetation and flora and fauna fill the trekking trails. You can see the beautiful Helambu valley, rivers, streams, landscapes, waterfalls and walk through the rhododendron and oaks forest.

Mostly, Buddhist people live in these areas. The people are very kind and friendly. You might also come across the Hyolmo, they are an indigenous group of people and are native residents of the Helambu valleys. You’ll enjoy the antique lifestyle, culture, and tradition of these people.

The benefit of this trek is that the area is less crowded and free from noise and air pollution. While you walk through the trails, you can explore the sacred monasteries, gompas, and stupas.

Helambu trek requires 6 days to complete successfully. On the first day of the trip, you’ll drive to Sundarijal for an hour and start the trek from Sundarijal (1,400 m) to Chisapani (2,135 m). You’ll be ascending uphill while passing through different villages, beautiful landscapes, waterfalls, rivers, streams, and many more while the amazing Langtang Himalayan ranges accompany you.

After you reach Tharepati (3,650 m) you’ll start to descend downhill and on the next day, you’ll reach Tarke Ghyang (2,560 m) also popularly known as Helambu. Your trek will end after reaching Melamchi (850 m). Then you’ll return back to Kathmandu (4 hours) on a private jeep or bus and departure.

6 Days Helambu Trek Itinerary

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Driving duration: 1 hour & Walking duration: 4 hours

The first day of Helambu trek starts with a short drive towards Sundarijal from the hotel you’re staying at. Sundarijal is one of the places where you can find natural beauty within the crowded cities of Kathmandu. This place is famous for waterfalls, rivers and beautiful views of Kathmandu valley.

After you reach Sundarijal, your trekking journey starts towards Chisapani. You’ll start the trek by ascending uphill on an unpaved trail along with a small hydroelectricity plant. The trail takes us further towards Shivapuri National Park.

Then you’ll come across the first settlement Mulkharka dominated by Tamang community. After taking some rest, tea and snacks break at Mulkharka, you’ll continue the trek until you reach Chisapani.

After you reach Chisapani, you’ll enjoy the mesmerizing view of the mountains and surroundings. Overnight stay in a teahouse at Chisapani.

  • Meals: Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 2135m

Walking duration: 7 hours

On this day, you’ll be trekking from Chisapani to Kutumsang. Kutumsang is a long but small village with a gentle climate and a peaceful atmosphere.

Early in the morning, you’ll start the trek by watching the beautiful sunrise from the Chisapani viewpoint. You’ll then descend the trek by passing through the meadow fields while the Langtang Himalayan range accompanies you.

After you reach a place called Pati Bhanjyang, you start to ascend uphill towards Gul Bhanjyang (2140m). You’ll be passing through rhododendron and oaks forest and different types of flora and fauna until you reach Kutumsang. Overnight stay in a teahouse at Kutumsang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 2470m

Walking duration: 6 hours

Today, you’ll continue the trek from Kutumsang to Tharepati. You’ll start by heading towards the north of the Himalayan which offers panoramic views of the Helambu valley, Langtang mountain range, and some snow-covered peaks.

You’ll be ascending uphill through steep and narrow trails until you pass through the light populated oaks and rhododendron forest to Magen Goth.

You’ll reach Tharepati after a short walk from Magen Goth. Overnight stay in a teahouse at Tharepati.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 3650m

Walking duration: 6 hours

On this day, you’ll continue the trek from Tharepati to Tarke Ghyang. You’ll head towards the east of Himalayan while the trail rapidly descends downhill through small Sherpa villages of Malemchigaon (2,530m). You can visit the old but artistic monasteries and Gompas.

As you walk through the mesmerizing views of landscapes, green vegetation, flora, and fauna with the Langtang Himalayan range accompanying you, the small village of Tarke Ghyang will welcome you.

Tarke Ghyang is popularly known as Helambu since most of the inhabitants belong to the Hyolmo caste. Overnight stay in a teahouse at Tarke Ghyang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 2560m

Walking duration: 4-5 hours

Today, you’ll trek from Tarke Ghyang to Shermathang. The trekking trails are flat and easy towards Shermathang. Genital descends through the dense forest, waterfalls, and streams will offer some picturesque views.

After crossing several small villages between Parachin and the Sherpa village of Gangyul, you’ll reach Shermathang. Overnight stay in a teahouse at Shermathang.

  • Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Accommodation: Teahouse
  • Altitude: 2610m

Walking duration: 3 hours

Drive duration: 4 hours

This will be the final day of the Helambu trek. Melamchi is the settlement for Hindu and Buddhist people. The Buddhist people are extensive in the high mountains. You’ll continue the trek from Shermathang to Melamchi by descending downhill and come across many old villages and terraced fields that people do farming on.

After you reach Melamchi, you’ll rest for a while and enjoy your time in the Melamchi bazaar. Then a private jeep will pick you up and you’ll be on a return towards Kathmandu. After you reach Kathmandu, the Helambu trek comes to an end and departure.

  • Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
  • Altitude: 1320m

What to Expect

Cost Includes

  • Airport Pickup and Drop  
  • Teahouse accommodation during the trek
  • Three meals a day (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner) during the trek
  • Private Vehicle (Kathmandu to Sundarijal)
  • Local Bus (Melamchi to Kathmandu)
  • English Speaking Trekking Guide with Insurance, Transportation, Food and Accommodation
  • All Trekking Permits (Shivapuri Nagarjun Permit, Langtang National Park Entry Fee and TIMS card)
  • Daily seasonal fresh fruits after dinner 
  • A first aid kit carried by the guide (Oximeter to measure your oxygen and pulse in high altitude) 
  • All Government and Local Taxes

Cost Excludes

  • International Flight Ticket and Nepalese Visa Fee
  • Hotel & Meals in Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses (Wifi, Phone calls, Laundry, Bar bills, Battery Recharge, Water, Shower, and Tea / Coffee)
  • Other costs not mentioned in 'Cost Includes' section
  • Travel and Rescue Insurance
  • Tips for Guides, Porters, and Drivers

Useful Information

Helambu Trek Difficulty

Helambu trek is a moderate trek, however, there are some difficulties that come along the trek.

Altitude sickness is one of the hassles that may occur during the trek. Any age group of people can get altitude sickness. It does not matter if you are young, fit or old. Keep your body hydrated, walk gently and take lots of rest and follow what your guide suggests. Then you are free of the risk of altitude sickness.

Helambu trek demands 6-7 hours of walk most of the time and the trek will end within a week. So, it is not hard to complete the trek. 

If you have experience in trekking and can walk for hours then you can complete this trek with ease. Even if you are not experienced and physically fit you can do the trek, however, it might be a little hard for you. We suggest you do lightweight exercise 2-3 weeks before the trek starts.

Another difficulty is the weather and temperature. As you elevate higher and higher the stability of the climate gradually decreases. You might experience rain, cold, heat and snowfall sometimes. So, you’ll need useful and the right trekking gear and equipment to protect yourself from the climate conditions. 

Any age group of people can complete the trek successfully. We provide you with guides who are professional and experienced in the trekking field. They will help you with everything that falls under the trek.

Best Time for Helambu Trek

The Helambu trek is doable at any time of the year. However, you’ll need proper trekking gear and equipment and initialize proper planning for the trek. 

But the best time for Helambu trek or any other trek in Nepal is in spring (March to May) and autumn(September to November) season. You can spot the green and clean atmosphere in these seasons. The mountains and Himalayan range, rivers, waterfalls, landscapes, gorges, and streams are beautifully seen.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is one of the best seasons to trek in Nepal. The weather and temperature are perfect and stable throughout the day. You can see the snow-covered peaks up close including the mountain range without any distractions of clouds blocking the views.
The skies are clear and beautiful with a clean and green atmosphere. The temperature in the Helambu is between 15-20 degrees. Lower regions along the trek are even warmer making it pleasant for trekkers.

Summer (June to August)

If you are ready for the heat, June, July, and August month is the best. These months are summer seasons in Nepal. However, you’ll experience lots of rainfall which results in a slippery path and can be hard for trekking. 
Monsoon begins around June and the rainfalls occur till August. The temperature during the days usually ranges from 10-28 degrees and gets cold at night from 10- 13 degrees. 

If you don’t want to face rainfall, starting early is the best thing to do. You can enjoy the clear morning views and end the trek at noon. The weather is not so good in the afternoon and evening. 

Autumn (September to November)

Another best season for trekking in the Nepalese Himalayas is Autumn. September, October, and November are the trekker’s favorite months for trekking. There is not much difference between Spring and Autumn. Nature's beauty is at its full glory in these seasons.
However, in early September you might experience slight rainfall because of the monsoon season coming to an end. From mid-September to November, you can see travels from around the world in Nepal. The temperature and weather are mild and stable throughout the day but the nights are colder. 

Winter (December to February)

As Spring and Autumn are famous for trekking in Nepal, winter is also famous in the Langtang region. You have to get ready for the cold as the temperature of Helambu itself can be as low as -6 degree, which tempts the trekkers to visit this region in pleasant climatic conditions. 
December and January are the coldest months. The winter starts in December and the cold weather gradually decreases in February. The skies and views are clear and beautiful. The snow covers the trails and the surroundings are beautiful.
There are fewer crowds in this season and make your journey more peaceful and enjoyable. For experienced trekkers, it can be easy and enjoyable but it might be hard for the people who have less experience and beginners. 

Food and Accommodation in Helambu Trek

To provide the best accommodation and food available in the area is our responsibility. In Kathmandu, you can enjoy a wide range of food and accommodation as per your requirement. But as you start your trek, the food and accommodation facilities might decrease. 

6 days Helambu trek includes 5 days in a lodge or teahouse. The accommodation facilities are basic but the rooms are clean and comfortable. The people in the teahouse are the best when it comes to hospitality. These teahouses make your trip more exciting and adventurous.

For food, you’ll be tasting basic Nepali flavors and dishes (Dal Bhat, Dhindo, local bread, Momo, pancakes and many more). These foods are healthy and tasty. It will provide lots of energy and protein as required for the trek. You’ll be your breakfast and lunch at the teahouse.

Permits and Fees required for Helambu Trek

As Helambu lies in the Langtang region, the permits for Helambu Trek is similar to the Langtang trek permit. You’ll need two types of permits to do the trek TIMS card, Langtang National Park Entry Permit and pay the Shivapuri National Park Entrance fee.

TIMS card 

Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) is an essential permit that every trekker must carry while trekking the Nepalese Himalayas. There are three types of TIMS cards pink, blue and green.

  • Pink cards are for SAARC nationals: NRP 600 Rs / about $6
  • Blue cards are for foreign trekkers who travel in a group: NRP 1000 Rs / about $10
  • Green cards are for individual foreign trekkers: NRP 2000 Rs / about $20

Langtang National Park Entry Permit
 
Langtang National Park Entry Permit is the second one required for Helambu trek.

  • Permit for SAARC nationals: NPR 1500 Rs / about $15 
  • Permit for other foreign nationals: NRP 3000 Rs / about $30

Shivapuri National Park Entrance Fees

During the Helambu trek, you’ll enter the Shivapuri National Park from Sundarijal. You need to pay a certain amount of money for the entry pass.

  • SAARC nationals: NRP 400 Rs / about $3.4
  • Foreign national: NRP 500 Rs / about $5

Note: 13% VAT (Value Added Tax) is excluded in these prices and permit is not required for the individual below 10.