Helambu Trek – 9 Days

Trip Information

Best Season

Helambu trek is pleasant all year round but the most perfect time to admire the beauty of the region is in autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). for the best visibility of high mountains and the grandest views of the villages, these months are the best time to visit Helambu.

During autumn, the warm temperature, clear sky, and least possibility of rain and snow create a pleasant atmosphere for this trek. In spring after the end of winter, the topography of the area transforms with a variety of Rhododendron trees in lush bloom, a mix of Confers, Oaks with Orchids, and ferns. The entire forest is covered with tall grasslands covered in wildflowers colorful with moderate temperatures and sunny weather.

Elevation and Distance

Helambu village lies around 75 km away from the capital with the highest elevation of 3650 m above sea level at Tharepati. The trek begins from Sundarijal which lies at a distance of 17.5 km from Kathmandu at an altitude of 1350 m above sea level.

On our 9-day itinerary, you will be walking for 7 days exactly therefore covering 10 to 15 km per day walking for about 6 to 7 hours most days.

Maximum/Minimum walk per day

We will be hiking for 7 days from the 3rd day of the Helambu trek. Most of the days, we will be walking for 6 hours a day however some days can be tough needing us to hike for 7 to 8 hours.

Such as on day 5, when we trek from Kutumsang to reach Tharepati, we will walk for 7 to 8 hours. Likewise, on day 8, we will again hike for the same duration as we trek from Sermathang to Melamchi Pul Bazaar. These two days require the maximum walking hours.

The least we walk on the entire trek is on day 6 when we trek from Tharepati to Melamchi Gaon. We will hike only for 4 to 5 hours on this day.

Difficulty and Acclimatization

The Helambu trek is considered one of the easiest low-altitude treks in Nepal near the capital. The highest height we attain is at Tharepati at 3650 m. The entire trekking period consists of 6 to 7 hours of hiking each day which is easily achievable if we enjoy good health and fitness.

We have reserved the second day after you arrive in Kathmandu as a rest day for a sightseeing tour of the valley. This will give you enough time to familiarize yourself with not only the local culture but also with the local climate and weather conditions.

In addition, our ascend during the whole trek will be progressive providing you ample time to acclimatize.

Preparation and training

The Helambu trek is a relatively easy trek perfect for keen walkers who can walk for around 5 to 6 hours a day with a light backpack. Trekking at higher altitudes is more physically challenging than walking at lower altitudes. However, if we are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive spirit, self-confidence, and strong will, then we can successfully complete this journey.

Exercising and jogging regularly for several weeks before the trip is a good benefit for increasing strength and stability. Previous hiking experience will be an addition but no technical expertise is required for this trip.

Alternate Routes

You can easily incorporate the Langtang Gosaikunda trek with our short Helambu trek. This trek will allow you to visit the sacred Gosaikunda Lake of Nepal equally important for Hindus and Buddhists. You will also get the opportunity to hike through the secluded village of Langtang. you will also cross the mighty 4984 m high Lauribinayak Pass before reaching the Langtang village.

You will begin your journey with a drive from Kathmandu to Syabrubensi and hike through Lama Hotel, Langtang village, Kang Jin Gompa, Tserko Ri at 4984m, and return to Kang Jin Gompa.

You will now make your way to Lake Gosaikunda crossing Lama Hotel, Thulo Syabru, Sing Gompa. Then you hike to Melamchi Gaon via Gopte and return to Kathmandu crossing Tarkeghyang, Sermathang, and Melamchi Pul Bazaar.

At least 14 to 17 days is needed to complete this trek.

Altitude Sickness

Helambu trek does not pose the risk of altitude sickness as we will be traversing in a relatively low altitude area of Nepal. The elevation of 3650 m at Tharepati is the highest altitude we gained in this trek. The trail is pretty easy and straight leading you through the dense forest, rice fields, and paved roads.

However, the mild symptoms of altitude sickness may occur when crossing the height of 2500 m. nausea, headache, vomiting, and dizziness are some of the symptoms you may suffer. If so, please inform our guide who is well trained in providing first aid treatment when needed.

Transportation, Meals and Drink

Our Helambu trek package encompasses all your transportation, accommodation, and food expenses. Our tour package includes airport pickup and drop services including before and after the trek. We also cover all ground transportation by private vehicle in the city. When driving from Kathmandu to Sundarijal, we will travel by local bus. At an additional fee, we can also arrange for private transportation by jeep.

Regarding meals, we will provide a healthy breakfast every morning with a heart welcome dinner on your arrival in Kathmandu. During the trek, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in our tour package.

You will be treated to a variety of ethnic Nepalese and Tibetan cuisine as well as a variety of Western food to choose from. The area has several tea shops every hour so they are usually run by locals providing basic and minimal facilities.

Likewise, for drinking water, you can refill with boiled water or cold filtered water from any tea shop. However, the bar and beverage bills, tea, coffee, cold drinks, mineral water, hot showers, telephone bills, and laundry are excluded from our service.

Communication, Gadgets charging, and Internet/wifi

You can have access to 24-hour communication, internet, and gadget charging services during this trek. Almost all lodges along the route to Helambu are well equipped with WIFI connections and electricity.

Some lodges may offer these services free of cost in lower regions. But as you gain height, the lodges in the remote villages of Kutumsang and Tharepati may charge extra costs for these services.

You can also purchase NTC or NCELL SIMS for communication and unlimited internet services.

Permits

On the Helambu trek, you will be walking through Shivapuri National Park, and Langtang National Park. So you need a Langtang National Park permit and a Shivapuri National Park permit for this trek.

Shivapuri National Park permit comes at the cost of NPR 1000 (approximately USD 10) per person and Langtang National Park permits cost NPR 3000 (approximately USD 30) per person.

Apart from the entry permit to the Park, you must also obtain the TIMS Card (Trekkers Information Management System). the blue colored TIMS card is for those who travel in groups and costs USD 10 per person. The green TIMS card are for solo trekkers and costs USD 20 per person. The pink-colored TIMS are for SAARC Nationals who have to pay USD 6 per person.

What to expect?

Helmabu trek offers extraordinary views of the Langtang mountain range, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, Langshisa Ri, Gangchenpo, Sishapangma, Dorje Lhakpa, Annapurna mountain range, and Mount Manaslu.

All along the route, we traverse through the terraced fields, Tamang and Sherpa villages, ancient monasteries, alpine meadows, and dense rhododendron and pine forests.

Despite being so close to the capital, the Helamby region has remained untouched. The Tamang and Sherpa villages give you the chance to observe the unique blend of Tamang and Hyolmo culture.

Besides the insight into their ancient culture, you will also see numerous magical waterfalls, cascading rivers through large rocks, and wildlife of the region itself.

And of course, you will have a day to take a short tour of important monuments of the capital including Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, and Durbar Square.

Trip Extension

If you have a few more days to spend in Nepal, we offer several other trips and tour programs in Nepal. Such as the short Pokhara tour, Chitwan National Park trip, or Nagarkot tour. They are close to Kathmandu and need only a week to ten days to complete.

If you are an adventurer, the Annapurna or Everest base camp trek are some other options for you.

We have listed numerous trips on our website. You can click each trip for detailed information and contact us for booking these trips. We will make every effort to make your dream vacation come true.