Helambu Trek - 9 Days

Once you are out of the arrival terminal at the Tribhuwan International Airport, you will be greeted with a marigold garland or a silk scarf called Khadak by one of the representatives from the Himalayan Trekkers. Then, you will be escorted to the designated hotel in Thamel via a private vehicle. After the check-in procedures at your hotel, you may take a brief rest. In case of your early arrival, there will be a pre-discussion session regarding the trip at our office or the hotel lobby. If you arrive late, then the session will be done the next morning. 

In the evening, you are free to explore Thamel, a popular tourist hub bustling with loud music, foodies, roamers, and various activities that give you a glimpse of lifestyle here, and catch a peek of temple structure at Thaity, Shree: Gha, and many other corners.

Start the day with a warm and delightful breakfast at your hotel and prepare for the guided city sightseeing. You will explore some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites today such as Swoyambhunath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Stupa.

Our first stop is Swayambhunath, one of the oldest temples of Nepal at the top of the hillock to the west of Thamel. It is popular among the foreigners as “Monkey Temple” because of the large number of monkeys here.  

The journey then speeds up as it approaches Patan, the city of festivals, feasts, art, and culture. The old Patan Durbar plaza, Krishna Mandir, Ganesh Mandir, and many more temples and attractions make the city a popular tourist destination. We examine the city's art, history, cultural significance, and architectural craftsmanship.

Boudhanath, located northeast of Kathmandu, is the next stop. The stupa here is one of Nepal's largest spherical stupas, and Buddhist and Hindu visitors flock here throughout the year. The vivid atmosphere in this area is created by the aesthetic monks, prayer hymns, rolling Mani Wheels, and effused incense sticks.
Pashupatinath Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is another wonderful location to not miss when visiting Kathmandu. Non-Hindus are not permitted to enter the temple premises; however, photographs of the traditional cremation ceremony and temple can be taken from the opposite bank of the sacred Bagmati River. 
After the full day of exploring, you will be taken back to your hotel. Once there, recharge your batteries and arrange your gear or luggage for the next day's adventure.

We will drive an hour to Sundrijal after an early morning brunch. It is the starting point of our walk and is located in the valley's foothills. We start our trek to Chisopani from Sundarijal, which would take roughly four to five hours. We will come across a small hydroelectric facility as we begin our walk. We continue on the trail to Shivapuri National Park. Soon after, after climbing over a ridge at 1895m and around 600m above Sundarijal, we arrive at the first settlement, Mulkhara. The Tamang people make up the majority of the population. Mulkhara has tea and snack stores, so we can take a quick rest there. Then we hike over the ridge and through dense woods of oaks and colorful rhododendrons (if it is springtime) before arriving in Chisapani.

After our morning breakfast, we set off towards Kutumsang, today’s destination. The hike begins with a gradual ascent through meadows and pastures along with the breathtaking vistas of the Langtang Mountains. Then, we reach Pathi Bhanjyang and Gul Bhanjyang after a few hours walk. The trail ascends the hill from Gul Bhanjyang to another pass, from where we make a decent downhill and reach Khutumsang for the night. 

We will be treated to stunning vistas of the snow-capped peaks that lie ahead as we travel to the north of the Himalayas. We ascend higher on a steep trail that largely passes through fir and rhododendron forest with no permanent settlements. The walk continues to Yurin Danda, which offers spectacular Himalayan views. We soon arrive in Magen Goth, where a few lodges are located near a pleasant meadow with mountain views. We travel above the settlement to a mountaintop that offers a pristine view of enticing peaks and massif. Finally, the trail ascends through the dense forest on the ridge to Tharepati, our shelter for today.

Soon after breakfast, we descend from the ridge via the dense forest, terraced fields, and a tiny settlement, crossing the stream and admiring the green vegetation, wildlife, and gorgeous monastery to Melamchi Village. From here, the trail descends through dense forest before crossing a suspension bridge to arrive in Helambu's largest village, Tarkegyang. The Sherpa lifestyle, culture, and two oldest monasteries are also popular in the village. We will visit the village's ancient monastery, which is one of the region's oldest and largest monasteries. Because the majority of the residents belong to the Hyolmo caste, the settlement is known as Helambu.

Today's hike is shorter and easier than previous hikes. We descend from Tarke Ghyang through the dense forest, taking in the tranquil greenery and the massive snow-capped mountain. After a few hours, we arrive in Shermathang, a Sherpa village with views of the Jugal Himal, Ganesh Himal, Langtang, and Rolwaling ranges. 

We descend from Shermanthang to Melamchi Pul Bazaar on the final day of our walk, passing through lush forest, terraced agriculture, and numerous tiny Sherpa communities. We have a pleasant stroll down the lovely valley to the Melamchi River today. We stop for a few minutes or eat lunch at Melamchi Pul bazaar before driving back to Kathmandu.

Once at your hotel in Kathmandu, you can rest for the remainder of the day or take a stroll around the markets to purchase some items as a memento of this trip. Also, you will be invited to the farewell dinner held for you at a restaurant where you can get the traditional Nepali food along with a fun cultural program.

The journey to Helambu closes here with lots of memory and enjoyment. 

You will be transported to the airport for your return journey home or to your next destination. We send you off the departure terminal and we hope to see you soon!