Helambu Trek

The Helambu Trek covers the diverse range of brilliant green valleys, misty rhododendron forests, and distant horizons of snowy peaks and the vivid contrast of Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist cultures. The Helambu trek is the ideal short trek and this Helambu region remains relatively un-spoilt. Here in Helambu you will experience the yolmo culture of high mountains villages, marvel at vistas of lonely high mountains and watch enthralled as the farmers toil in the fields using handmade tools and teams of water buffalo. Helambu valley trek noted for its scenic grandeur and pleasant climate, lie in the north of the Kathmandu Valley. In Helambu one can stay in highland monastery villages and small settlements in pristine forests. The Sherpa village's of Helambu focuses the charming enclave of farmers and yak herders.

The Helambu Trek starts with a scenic drive through the Nepali country side to Sundarijal. The most accessible of all trekking regions, Helambu offers a low altitude, distinctly enjoyable walk. In Tamang and Sherpa villages meet friendly and hospitable people with strong family and cultural ties. 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 Thadepati to Tarke Gyang, where a choice of trails opens up. However we go along the south ridge through Shermathang, down to the river at Melamchi, the site of a mega project to bring drinking water to Kathmandu via a series of tunnels. The Helambu trek ends with a drive down to Kathmandu, after a night's camp at Melamchi Bridge bazaar.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01:Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 02:Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour. Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 03:Drive to Sundarijal & trek to Chisapani (2300m.). Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 04:Trek to Kutumsang (2446m.) 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 05:Trek to Thari pati (3650m.) 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 06:Trek to Tarkeghyang (2743m.) 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 07:Trek to Shermathang (2621m.) 4 hours. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 08:Trek to Malachi Pul Bazaar (846m.) 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 09:Drive back to Kathmandu by bus/jeep. 7 hours.  Overnight at hotel. B.L.D

Day 10:Transfer to airport for your onward Journey. B "Farewell!"

Note: B = Breakfast, B.B = Bed & Breakfast, B.L.D = Bed, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

If the above itinerary does not meet your needs, we can design individualized travel plans based on your preferences.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

  1. Airport / Hotel / Airport pick up & transfer by private car / van
  2. Three nights accommodation with breakfast at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu
  3. Kathmandu city tours, inclusive of all entry fees, tour guide by private car / van.
  4. Meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with tea & coffee during the trek
  5. Twin sharing lodge to lodge accommodation during the trek
  6. One highly experienced, helpful and friendly guide, porters (1 porter for 2 people) and their food, accommodation, salary, equipment, and insurance
  7. All surface transfer to/from KTM by jeep/bus
  8. Nepal Hiking Team duffle bag, down jacket and sleeping bag during the trek
  9. Nepal Hiking Team T - shirt (yours to keep)
  10. Shiva puri National park permit
  11. TIMS Fee- Trekkers' Information Management System
  12. Government taxes & office service charge.

OUR SERVICES EXCLUDE THE FOLLOWING DURING THE TRIP:

  1. Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  2. Travel insurance
  3. International airfare
  4. Nepal entry visa: you can obtain a visa easily upon your arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. (a multiple-entry tourist visa good for 30 days can be obtained by paying US $ 40 or equivalent foreign currency. Similarly, multiple-entry tourist visas for 90 days can be obtained by paying US $ 100. Please bring 2 copies of passport-size photos.)
  5. All cold drinks such as: alcoholic beverages, mineral water, Coke, Fanta, juice, etc.
  6. Hot and cold showers during the trek
  7. Personal shopping and laundry
  8. Personal trekking equipments
  9. Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is appreciated but it is not mandatory)

Day 01: Arrive at Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) Kathmandu.
You are welcomed by hospitable meeting and then you will be transferred to hotel. Our airport representative will explain briefly the program upon arrival. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 02: Trek Preparation and Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour.
Sightseeing of world heritage sites in Kathmandu valley including, Kathmandu Darbar square, Swayambhunath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa & Pasupatinath Temple. Overnight at hotel. B.B

Day 03: Drive to Sundarijal & trek to Chisapani (2300m.) 4 hours
After breakfast, about 8:00 o’clock we drive to Sundarijal (1350m.) by private vehicle about one hour and trek to Chisapani (2300m.) which takes about four hours. The unpaved road from Kathmandu turns into a trail near a small hydroelectric plant. The trail will enter through the Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve. The first settlement we will come across is Mulkharka with Tamang habitants. The route heads down the ridge through a forest of oaks and rhododendron to Chisapani (2300m.). Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 04: Trek from Chisapani to Kutumsang (2446m.) 5 hours
After breakfast trek to Kutumsang which takes about seven hours. The trail continues to drop from Chisapani on a good, sometimes level, trail that crosses meadow and fields. You will then descend through Pathi Bhanjyang till Gul Bhanjyang. The trail climbs the ridge from Gul Bhanjyang to another pass at 2620m. The meadow makes a good camping spot, its downhill to Kutumsang at 2470m, in a saddle atop the ridge. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 05: Trek from Kutumsang to Thari pati (3650m.) 5 hours
After breakfast trek to Thare pati which takes about five hours. The trek continues north up the Yurin Danda ridge and affords views of the peaks. The trail climbs above Kutumsang on a steep, eroded trail mostly through fir and rhododendron forest where there are no permanent settlements. Now you will be in Thara pati. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 06: Trek from Thari pati to Tarkeghyang (2743m.) 5 hours
After breakfast trek to Tarkeghyang and it takes about six hours. The early part of the trek descends until you cross the stream named as Melamchi. Now you trek gently up to Tarkeghyang passing through Sherpa settlements. Tarkeghyang is a beautiful Sherpa village with one of the oldest and biggest monasteries. Tarkeghyang, also known as Helambu is named after the Helmu caste. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 07: Trek from Tarkeghyang to Shermathang (2621m.) 4 hours
After breakfast trek to Shermathang which takes about four hours. This day the trail is quite easier through flat land with beautiful forests on the way. You trek on crossing some small streams on the way. There is situated a beautiful village on the half way to Shermathang. To add your joy, Shermathang is another pretty Sherpa village where you can visit many ancient monasteries. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 08: Trek to Malachi Pul Bazaar (846m.) 5 hours. Overnight at guesthouse. B.L.D

Day 09: Drive back to Kathmandu by bus/jeep. 7 hours.  Overnight at Hotel. B.B

Day 10: Transfer to Airport for your onward Journey. B "Farewell"

Our trek departs every day upon your request throughout a year. Please let us know your convenient tour dates.

Upon Arrival

When you arrive at Tribhuban International Airport, our staff will greet you and transport you to your accomodations. After resting, the next day you will have a sightseeing tour of the city's most influential cultural landmarks. Before departing for your trek, we will review your itinerary, introduce you to your guide and help with the final preparations for your journey.

Accommodation

You will be spending three nights at a 3-star category hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast, normally the Hotel Vaisahi, Samsara Resort or Hotel Vajra. During the Langtang Trek, we provide the best available lodges/guesthouses on a twin-sharing basis. Some guesthouses are basic with shared washing and toilet facilities. If you are travelling in a group, you will share a room with someone else of the same gender from your group. If you prefer a single room, you may indicate your preference on request and pay a supplement. Keep in mind that there are several places which do not allow single accommodations during peak season, but we will try our best to accomodate your preferences if possible.

 

Meals and Drinking Water

We provide quality food in sufficient quantities (breakfast, lunch and dinner) from guesthouses chosen from a menu . Tea or coffee is also included with meals. While trekking your guide will help with menu selection and ensure that you get the best value meals possible. Although the food is usually plentiful and delicious, you should be aware that the menu is not normally extensive due to the extreme locations. Most teahouses offer a variety of rice and noodle dishes, as well as soup and seasonal vegetables. A variety of cereals, bread and egg dishes are generally available for breakfast. There will also be plenty of snacks available such as biscuits, chocolate and soft drinks and in some areas you will find fresh fruit in season. You can buy bottled mineral water from local lodges and shops en route or you can also ask your guide to fill your water bottle with boiled water and treat with water purification pills.

 

Our Trekking Guides and Staff

Your guide's role is to ensure that all aspects of the trip run smoothly. He will share his local knowledge, and provide advice on how to fill your free time as well as co-ordinate the day-to-day running of the tour - although occasionally he may need your understanding if things do not go according to plan. If you have any problems on the tour, please let your guide know so that steps can be taken to correct the situation.

We are a well-established adventure company and we employ professional trekking guides with comprehensive knowledge of English and all required supplementary crew members (everyone has basic communication skills). We also provide training for our staff, thus enhancing their work efficiency. Our guides are intimately familiar with all local castes and customs along the trails and will share with you many cultural insights that are not covered in any guide book. You will have many chances to learn Nepali phrases and other cultural aspects throughout your trek. All of Nepal Hiking Team’s guides receive training in the following courses.

  1. Trekking Guide Training &licensed- Government of Nepal, Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation department of Hotel Management & Tourism Training Centre
  2. Eco Trekking Workshop and Adventure Meet TAAN (Trekking Agents Association of Nepal)
  3. Intensive Wilderness First Aid KEEP (Kathmandu Environmental Educational Project)
  4. English Language KEEP
  5. Conservation and Biodiversity TAAN
  6. Rock, Ice Climbing and Mountaineering (Climbing leaders) Nepal Mountaineering Association

 

Acclimatization

We are experts in operations at high-altitude. Every trip we run has a sound acclimatization program. We created itinerary to allow for gradual height gain spread over a number of days. There is no way of predicting who will suffer from altitude, but for the vast majority of people, a slow ascent will produce minimal effects. Acclimatizing takes time and there are no safe shortcuts. For all trips to altitudes in excess of 3,000 meters, our guides carry medicines essential to the treatment of altitude illness; they are trained to track symptoms as well as administer medications.

 

Travel Insurance

To be adequately protected in terms of insurance, you will need specialized travel insurance for participation in hazardous activities. A travel insurance policy that covers emergency evacuation, trip injury, lost baggage, theft, liability, medical treatment and expenses is strongly recommended. Make sure the insurance covers all the activities that you will be undertaking during your stay in Nepal such as trekking and climbing. Our agency can arrange for the appropriate policy based on your trek.

 

Climate and Weather

The climate of Nepal is as varied as its geography. The low-lying Terai has a sub-tropical monsoonal climate. The Himalayan foothills, where most of our treks take place, are best in the cool dry season from September to May. The traditional trekking season in Nepal is late September to December, with October and November generally recognized as having the best weather. Spring is also a popular time of year with warmer weather and the advantage of seeing spring flowers and rhododendrons in bloom. The visibility is good and days are pleasantly warm, although nights can be cold, and snow is possible above 3,000 meters.

The Langtang Region Trek is likely to have a wide range of temperatures depending on the altitude and the time of day. In the mountains up to 3,500m the nights will be cool, normally around 5 degree C, and during the day temperatures sometimes rise to 25 degree C. At higher altitudes temperatures range from about 15 degree C to -15 degree C.

 

Group Size

We bring together a small group of likeminded people to give them a memorable and insightful travel experience with an invaluable opportunity to interact in a fun-filled environment. Our travel group generally comprises a maximum of 12 members. We need a minimum of 2 participants to run our fixed departure dates. For individualized trips, no minimum or maximum applies. If you would like to travel independently or with your friends, families and colleagues, you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient time frame for any number of people.

 

Responsible Travel

The beautiful environment of the Himalaya is also an extremely fragile one. At Nepal Hiking Team, we are extremely conscious about the environment and aim to minimize the detrimental impact as much as possible. As deforestation is one of the greatest environmental threats, we do not have campfires and we use kerosene as cooking fuel. We also discourage trekkers from using wood-fuelled hot showers in lodges along the way. Many lodges, however, now provide solar energy, a far more eco-friendly alternative.

Garbage disposal is another major problem. Some of the busier trails are at times strewn with litter and garbage thrown by irresponsible trekking groups. Our staff members are well motivated towards eco-friendly practices. We carry the non-biodegradable garbage, apart from that which can be safely and easily burned at the campsite. Our aim is to help protect and preserve this beautiful environment for future generations of trekkers to enjoy.

The following is a list of clothing and accessories that we recommend for treks and climbs in Nepal. This is not intended to be a comprehensive clothing and equipment list, rather it is intended to act as a reminder of those items that we feel are essential for your comfort and convenience. However we recognize that you may have your own personal preferences for clothing which may be equally as suitable.

 

Head

  • Sun hat or scarf
  • Light balaclava or warm fleece hat
  • Sunglasses with UV protection

 

    Upper Body

  • T-shirts (2)
  • Light and expedition weight thermal tops
  • Fleece jacket or pullover
  • Fleece Wind-Stopper jacket (optional)
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell jacket
  • Down vest and/or jacket (optional)

 

    Hands

  • Lightweight gloves
  • Heavyweight gloves or mittens with a waterproof shell outer

 

    Lower Body

  • Underwear (4)
  • Hiking shorts (2)
  • Lightweight cotton long pants
  • Light and expedition weight thermal bottoms
  • Fleece or wool pants
  • Waterproof (preferably breathable fabric) shell pants

 

    Feet

  • Thin, lightweight inner socks (4)
  • Thick, warm wool hiking socks (4)
  • Hiking boots with spare laces
  • Camp shoes (sneakers and/or sandals)
  • Gaiters (Optional)

 

    Accessories

  • Sleeping bag rated -10C. to -20C (Depending on trekking region)
  • Headlamp (e.g. Petzl Zoom) with spare bulbs and batteries
  • Small pad or combination lock-to-lock trek bag
  • Basic First Aid Kit (see Health and Medicinal)
  • Large plastic bags - for keeping items dry inside trek bags
  • Daypack (approximately 2500 to 3000 cubic inches)
  • Thermarest sleeping pad (Only Camping Trek)
  • Water bottles (2)
  • Toiletries
  • Small wash towel

 

    Optional items

  • Binoculars
  • Books (Highly Recommended)
  • Compass
  • Playing cards/backgammon/chess set
  • Swiss Knife

 

    Recommended Mountaineering Kit

    In addition to the items mentioned above for trekking, the following is a list of the additional specialized items which are required for the trekking peaks.

  • Plastic or leather mountaineering boots, with gaiters and crampons that have been tested for a good fit.
  • Fleece trousers or silhouette
  • Additional mits and gloves suitable for climbing
  • Ice axe, and ski poles (note - ice axes can be rented in Kathmandu)
  • Climbing helmet
  • Alpine climbing harness.
  • 2 x tape slings
  • 2 x screwgate karabiners
  • Descender/abseil device
  • Ascender

*Trip Cost: US$ 750.00*

Get USD 50.00 OFF per person
For a booking of two or more people.

Trip Length: 10 days

Activities: Trekking, Sightseeing

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Max Elevation: 3,650m/ at Tharepani

Meal: Full board on trek, Breakfast at Kathmandu

Accommodation: Hotel/guesthouse

Transportation: Bus/Jeep

Best Month: Jan - May and Sept - Dec

Group Size: 01 Minimum and 12 Maximum

Trip Highlights

Sightseeing Tour of Historical, UNESCO World Heritages Sites in Kathmandu,

Scenic drive to/from Kathmandu

Landscape, local culture, interaction with local peoples, view of Langtang Himalayan ranges, including Annapurna, Jugal Himal, Gaurishanker etc..

Online Inquiry

Testimonials/Reviews

We had wonderful time on our 11 days holidays to Langtang valley trekking, our guide Rabin and porter Bhim were amazing and very affective and professional. Also your company followed through with everything is promised.
Thank you so much again for arranging such a great trip. More

Gorse’s Family - Villa de Las Fuentes 1, Ave. 22D Norte - No 503 Panama.

You may also like.......

langtang valley trek + Langtang Gosaikunda Trek + Helambu Trek + Ganga La Trek + Tamang Heritage trail Langtang Valley Trek The Langtang valley trek starts from the lower Langtang Valley, through its forests, abundance of wildlife.
USD 750.00 For 11 Days!

Gosaikunda Trek Langtang Gosaikunda Trek This classical trek combines three major areas north-east of Kathmandu along the border of Tibet.
USD 950.00 For 16 Days!

Helambu Trek Helambu Trek Helambu trek is a short and easy trek in Nepal and can easily be accessed from Kathmandu.
USD 700.00 For 10 Days!

Ganga La Pass Trek Ganja La Pass Trek Ganja La pass trekking is a popular, tough and daring trekking track in Langtang region
USD 1650.00 For 16 Days!