Helambu Village Trek

Trip Duration 10 Nights/11 Days
Trip Code NAP-HEL-305
Trip Grade Easy and moderate trail,
Trip Cost Prices on request
Best Time Sept – Nov / March - April

Overview

Helambu village trek is situated in the northern part of the country; about 75-kms from Kathmandu and the area is inhabited by Sherpas. This trek offers with a diverse range of brilliant green valleys, misty rhododendron forests and distant horizons of snowy peaks, Helambu is the ideal for the short trek. There are simple teahouses along this route, yet the area remains relatively unspoiled by tourism. You will experience the Yolmo culture of high mountain villages and watch enthralled as the farmers toil in the fields using hand made tools and teams of water- buffalo. You can include Helambu in a Langtang trek, either via Gosainkunda or across the (5106m) Ganja- La. In winter, both of the high routes from Langtang are usually snow- covered.

This trek starts from Kathmandu after 1 hours drive to Sundarijal, which is just 13km from Kathmandu. We then continue ascend to Chisapani where we spend first night just outside valley. Chisapani offer great view of mountain and landscape. Helambu provides an instant Himalayan trek for those with limited time. This trek is an easy and enjoyable trip conducted at the average altitude of (3500m). The trek takes you through Tharepati to Tarkegyang, where a choice of trails opens up. However you go along the south ridge through Sermathang, down to the river at Melamchi Pul Bazzar, the site of a mega project to bring drinking water to Kathmandu via a series of tunnels. The trek concludes with a drive down to Kathmandu via Panchkhal, after a night's camp at Melamchi Pul.

Highlights

  • Cultural heritage sites in Kathmandu
  • Sundarijal hydropower project
  • Buddhist monastery and cultural experience
  • Beautiful Helambu village
  • Stunning Mountain views of Langtang Range
  • Unique ethnic group and majority of Tamang, Chhetri, Brahamn & Tibetan
  • Ecologically well managed bio-diversity

Trip Summary

Trip Grade Easy and moderate trail,
Trip Duration 10 Nights/11 Days
Trip code NAP-HEL-305
Trip Start/Ends Kathmandu, Sundarijal/Melamchi Pul Bazzar, Kathmandu
Maximum Altitude Tharepati (3810m)
Trip Cost Prices on request
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 16 persons in one group
Accessibillity Easy to transfer to and from Kathmandu to trail-head by a short drive trek too
The Route Maximum altitude (3810m) easy and moderate trail, a popular short trek.
Season Sept – Nov / March - April
Trip Facilities 3+ hotel in city on B/B and best available teahouse/lodge on mountain

Itinerary

Arrive in Kathmandu: Upon arrival at Tribhuwan international airport, welcomed by our representative and transfer to hotel. The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. A pre trip meeting and briefing will held all together with you at hotel about the daily program activities by company representative and your trip Leader/Guide where you can discuss your final questions all together.

After breakfast the day will start with a guided tour of Kathmandu's historical and spiritual key attractions; including the historic Kathmndu Durbar Square, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swayambunath) and then finally visit to Patan Durbar square which is situated the heart of the city constitutes the focus of visitor's attraction. In the evening there will be pre-trip discussion where you can meet your group leader/guide then you can ask any questions you may have.

Drive from Kathmandu to the Sundarijal northern edge of the Kathmandu valley for about 1 hour by private transport, there is a small dam and a hydroelectricity station. The walk leads to a climb through wet, subtropical forest to an oak forest and on to Mulkharka, the sprawling Tamang settlement from where you can have a view of the entire Kathmandu valley. The trail again ascends through oak forest to a pass called Burlung Bhanjyang (2440m) then the route heads down the ridge through a forest of oak and rhododendron to Chisapani, for the overnight stop. Chisapani, offers fabulous panoramic views of the Jugal himal range including Langtang, Ganesh himal and as far towards Mt. Everest in the far east and Manaslu, Annapurna towards far west.

The trail continues to drop down on a good, sometimes level and crosses meadows and fields to Pati Bhanjyang. This is a Brahman and Chhetri village on a saddle at the bottom of the ridge at 1860 meter. From here the trail starts climbing up again on a series of steep switchbacks to Chipling (2170m) where we can stop for lunch. At the upper end of this village the trail makes another steep, 200 meter, climb on a stone staircase to the top of the Jhogin Danda ridge. From the ridge the trail descends through forest to a large Chorten overlooking the Tamang village of Gul Bhanjyang, which is a delightful, classic hill village with a pleasant main street.

From Gul Bhanjyang the first part of the trail climbs up a steep, eroded trail through rhododendron forest passing only a few shepherds’ huts to a pass at 2580 meter. The treks proceeds north up the Yurin Danda ridge and affords views of Langtang and Gosaikund Peaks. We will cross the pass at 3510 meter before we descent to Magen Goth where we stop for lunch. After lunch we ascending/descending trail again, passing through forests, across flower-strewn meadows and crossing streams till we reach Tharepati (3640m) 

The first part of the trail begins with downhill trail towards a narrow valley when dense rhododendron and oak forest starts. And, shortly after crossing a small suspension bridge the trail goes uphill for a while. And, then we will reach a culturally prosperous Sherpa village called Melamchi Gaon. We will have our lunch here then again start our trek to Tarkeghayang. From the Melamchi village, the trail goes down for a while and then we will meet a small suspension bridge again. After crossing the bridge the trail goes steep up for around 2 hours then we will reach Tarkeghyang which is the largest village in the Helambu region. The stone houses here are building close together with narrow alleyways separating them. The Gompa of this village has a large brass prayer wheel.

The trail leaves the village and makes a sweep around the wide valley to the pretty Sherpa village of Ganyul at 2520 meter. The people in this village practice Drukpa Kagyu Buddhism, the same as the national religion of Buthan. From here the trail drops over a ridge but soon starts climbing up again through deep forests, crossing a number of streams to a crest at 2620 meter. We continue our way passing the large Gompa at Chumnik, before another gentle climb leads as to the village of Sermathang. In the afternoon we can visit the Gompa here.

From Sermathang the trail follows the ridge all the way down to Malemchi Pul Bazaar, making a drop of 1730 meter. The trail passes Chorten after Chorten in the settlements of Nigale, Gyalsha and Raithani Gyang. From here we descent through chir pine forest to yet another chorten at Kakani, which is the last Sherpa village on the trek, and we now enter the lowlands inhabited by Brahmans and Chhetris. From Kakani the trail drops steeply to the attractive village of Dubhachaur in a saddle at 1610 meter. Continuing firther down the ridge our trail will eventually bring us to a large suspension bridge which crosses the Indrawati River and brings us into Malemchi Pul Bazaar.

After breakfast, drive to Kathmandu . Along the way you can enjoy with good scenery views. You'll be arriving at Kathmandu late afternoon then you have free time for shopping.

This full day at leisure to rest, relax or explore the local area in Kathmandu or do a bit of last minute shopping. You also have the option of doing some sight-seeing. Evening will have farewell meeting & dinner at Nepali typical restaurant.

After breakfast you will have some free time until the time to leave the international airport for your final departure.

Cost Included

Fee: Langtang national park entrance permit and TIMS card 
Activities: Sightseeing, hiking and trekking trip as per the itinerary. 
Accommodation: 4 nights hotel in Kathmandu on twin sharing bedroom and 6 nights teahouse/lodges on twin or multi shared bedroom during trekking 
Food: Full board on Teahouse [Breakfast, lunch and dinner] during the trekking and 4 breakfast in Kathmandu. 
Staffs: Leader/Guide and supporters and their daily wage, food, and accommodation
Transportation: Airport arrival/departure transfe, Kathmandu to Sundarijal and Melachi Pool to Kathmandu transportation.
Company and Government’s service charge: All applicable Government taxes and official service charges. And Crew’s, daily wages/salary, food, equipment, air and road-head transportation

Cost Excluded

  • International and domestic flight
  • Travel/medical insurance coverage personal accidents, medical and emergency Helicopter rescue
  • Personal travel and trekking equipments 
  • Lunch and dinner while in city
  • Items of a personal nature such as normal drinks, hot shower, dessert, laundry, internet and phone call.
  • Expenses occurred due to unavoidable Events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc.
  • Tips/Gratuities for your trekking crews
  • Temple and Monastery entrance fees
  • Optional activities
  • And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Trip Notes

Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.

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