What to Expect

  • Trek to Thadepatti (3600 mt.).
  • Kathmandu as the trailhead.
  • Three villages – Chisapani, Thadepatti, and Shermathang – presenting magnificent views of all or some of these majestic elevations: Mt Annapurna, Mt Manaslu, Ganesh Himal, Langtang Himal, Dorje Lakpa as well as Mt Gaurishanker.
  • Passes through settlements that highlight mainly the Tamang and Sherpa cultures.
  • Spreads across two national parks, Shivapuri and Langtang,

About Helambu Trekking

The Helambu Trekking is one of the best options for genuine trekking close to theKathmandu Valley. The area is easily accessed from the northeastern edge of the valley and then the trails climb into the hills to the north from there. Helambu provides a culturally rich area to experience astonishing natural scenery and typical rural lifestyle. This serene area receives fewer tourists than the more popular trails, allowing visitors to get closer to both culture and nature. It also offers a genuine taste of trekking in the fertile hills of Nepal. This trek is ideal for people with extra days in Kathmandu and looking for something unique. With the convenience of access to the valley, you can be in the thick of the jungle and surrounded by villages and farmland in a relatively short time. Along the way, viewpoints offer breathtaking panoramas of the Himalaya.

The Helambu Trekking area is populated chiefly by people who call themselves Sherpa and people of the Tamang ethnicity. The residents in this area have cultural ties Tibet and their customs and traditions adhere to a Buddhist way of life in the tranquil hills. Along the trails are exquisite monasteries, mani prayer stones, and prayer flags and other icons of Buddhist faith.

Helambu lies at a relatively moderate elevation with no extreme passes to cross. Therefore, it is an all seasons trek. Trekkers often combine a journey to Helambu with the Langtang Valley Trek by way of the holy Gosainkunda Lake and the mountain pass Laurebina La. This is a highly recommended adventurous option that will be an unforgettable experience of mountains, culture and natural scenery.

If you have the interest to extend your travels deeper into the mountains and would like the thrills of a high pass, then please see our Langtang Valley and Helambu Trek by way of Gosainkunda. Overall, the Helambu Trek is more relaxed and relatively easier than other treks in Nepal. The altitude is lower and hiking will be unhurried with the deeper enjoyment of the ageless serenity and lifestyle of the hills.

Our Helambu Trekking begins from the edge of Kathmandu Valley. The route leaves the bustling city behind as we ascend through Shivapuri National Park through thick forests. We cross a ridge with spectacular views of the Himalaya to the ridge top village of Chisapani. Beyond Chisapani, the route visits scenic villages of Kutumsang, Tharepati, and Tarkegyang before dropping down to the rushing Melamchi River. We then meet the road and take a picturesque ride back to Kathmandu.

Please Note: Our Helambu Trek has set departure dates from Kathmandu and this trek can be personalized to accommodate your specific wishes and timetable. We can arrange a combination of this Helambu Trek with the Gosaindkunda, Langtang, and Tamang Heritage Trail Treks for people with the time and interest as well as other inviting options in the area.

Outline Itinerary

  • Day 1Arrival at Kathmandu Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 2One hour drive to Sundarijal by private car/van and trek to Chisapani (2,194 mt.). Walking 5 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 3Chisapani to Kutumsang (2,446 mt.). Walking 7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 4Kutumsang to Tharepati (3,597 mt.). Walking 6:30 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 5Tharepati to Tarkeghyang (2,600 mt.). Walking 5-6 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 6Tarkeghayang to Sarmathang (2,621 mt.). Walking 7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 7Sarmathang to Melamchi Pul Bazaar (846 mt.). Walking 7 hours. Overnight at guest house.
  • Day 8Drive back to Kathmandu by bus. Driving 5 hours. Overnight at hotel.
  • Day 9Transfer to Airport for your final departure from Nepal.
Explore Detail ItineraryTrip MapPrint Pdf

What's Included

Price Includes

  • Pick up & Transfer to and from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) to your hotel in Kathmandu.
  • Two nights accommodation at 2/3 star hotel in Kathmandu (breakfasts included).
  • Transportation as per the itinerary.
  • Tea-house lodging during the journey.
  • Standard Meals during the journey (breakfast, lunch, dinner).
  • Expert Guide (registered and licensed by the government) with accompanying porters (generally, one porter for every two clients). (High Camp Adventure covers the staffs’meals and accommodations as well as wages, transport, insurance, and essential gear.)
  • Equipment (Sleeping bag, Down jacket, Walking poles).
  • Conservation Area and National Park entry fees.
  • Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card.
  • Trekking Map.
  • Medical kit.
  • Government taxes.
  • Our service charge.
  • Farewell Dinner in Kathmandu the eve of your international departure.

Price Excludes:

  • International plane ticket to and from Nepal.
  • Major meals in Kathmandu (other than breakfast).
  • Personal Expenses including laundry, telephone calls, bar bills, drinks and snacks.
  • Personal clothing and gear.
  • Travel Insurance.
  • Shower fees at lodges, fees for recharging electronic equipment, and personal expenses along the trail.
  • Tips for Guides, Porters and Staff.
  • Expenses incurred by cancellation and events beyond our control, for example, weather delays, trail detours, political unrest, illness and et cetera.
Departure note

Please take a look at our fixed departure dates for this trek. If they do not fit with your schedule, then please let us arrange an itinerary that is more suitable to you and your requirements.

Useful Information

Accommodation

All the accommodation as per the itinerary is included in the package cost. We have chosen the 2/3 star hotel in the cities for your comfort and safety. The hotels can be upgraded to more deluxe ones upon your request. While trekking in the Mountain, our guides will choose the best available lodge of the village from their past experience. As some villages have limited number of lodges, in a peak season like in Spring and Autumn, you may have to share the room with some stranger trekker as well. Comfortable two men tent with mattress and four seasons sleeping bag will be provided for the camping trek. Our crew will try to set the camp in a scenic place. All the hotel and camping accommodations are as per twin sharing basis unless you are of different gender.

Meals

Nepal is such an easy place to get several vegetarian options so no worries if you are a vegetarian or vegan. You can enjoy typical Nepali food as well as continental, Italian, Indian and Tibetan. Freshly cooked and hygienic dinner and breakfast are served at the camp and lunch will be served on the way to the next destination which will be prepared by our own chef. Only breakfast is served in Kathmandu whilst farewell dinner on the eve of your international departure is served from our side. All the meals (B/L/D) are on full board basis during the trek.

Trekking Crew

An experienced and licensed Guide and necessary porters will assist you during the trek. In a group with more than 8 clients, 2 guides will be provided for the betterment in service. In a teahouse trek, generally, one porter is provided for every two clients who carry between 15 to 20 kg. However, on a camping journey, more porters are required. All the camping equipment such as kitchen, dining, dome and toilet tents, kitchen equipment, fuel, and all consumable goods have to be carried from Kathmandu which needs more manpower. All of our guides and porters are fully insured so you don't' have to worry about them in case of emergency. Our team believes that our customer care is the first priority.

Physical Fitness and Experience

Helambu Trek is a moderate trek which is fit for those who has the ability to walk 5-6 hours of walking uphill and downhill in a day carrying a personal day pack. Some days are longer with 7- 8 hours of walking as well. Helambu Trek is high altitude trek which demands more physical, however having strong determination, positive vibe and average physical fitness can complete this trek. Some time mental aspect also plays a vital roll in an altitude. Doing some physical exercise a few weeks prior to the trip is better but technical skill is not required for this trek. If you are taking medicine for heart, lung or blood diseases, please kindly consult your doctor and inform to High Camp Adventure.

Travel Insurance

This is a real adventure in high altitude so obtaining a travel insurance is always a good idea for your safety and is highly recommended too. Your travel insurance policy should cover helicopter evacuation and medical expenses in an emergency. There is not any Nepalese insurance company to sell travel insurance policy so you better buy a good one from home. There are some insurance policies which covers only in low altitude below 4000 mt. and some only in high altitude above 4000 mt. So before you purchase it, please double check the policy what it covers and where are you going.

Best Seasons

Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to November) are the best months for Helambu Trek. Where normally days are sunny, the temperature is perfect, the sky is clear and Mountain remains crystal. This trek can be done in Monsoon (June to August ) but you should not expect the great weather and Mountain view. You can do it in Winter (December to February) if you are used to with extreme cold temperature.

Ground Transportation

Highway in Nepal is safe, however, sometimes transport can be halted due to a landslide, strike or by political unrest. Add a cushion of a few extra days in your onward travel schedule, advised as a margin of safety for your international flight from Nepal. We, therefore, advise that you schedule at least an extra days cushion in your itinerary to avoid conflicts with international flights out of Nepal. In that case, High Camp Adventure can arrange activities with your additional days in Kathmandu before your flight home.