Helambu Trek

Open each day to see the route notes, overnight rhythm, altitude cues, and the small details that help you understand how the journey actually flows.

1. Day 1

   Arrival day (1,300m/4,264 ft)

   Day details

   Welcome to Kathmandu – the capital city of Nepal. Today is your first day with Amigo Treks & Expedition. Therefore, we send one of our company representatives to receive you at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA), who will further escort you to a tourist standard hotel booked for you in Kathmandu. If possible, we also schedule a meeting at our office for the briefing regarding the trek, which is followed by an introduction session with other team members (especially Sherpas and guides). Today, we also arrange a welcome dinner in one of the most popular local restaurants, where you can enjoy the ethnic dance and cultural music along with great Nepali food. If your flight arrives late, both the meeting and dinner can be scheduled for the following day. Meals included: Dinner (Highlights of the day: Nepali food, Cultural music and Ethnic dance)

2. Day 2

   Kathmandu Valley sightseeing and trek preparation (1,300m/4,264 ft)

   Day details

   The capital, Kathmandu valley itself, is a big storehouse of exclusive natural, cultural and historical sites. Therefore, today, we take you on a few hour tours to the major attractions of Kathmandu valley. After spending few hours observing these wonderful sites, we again meet for a few hours to finalize your clothing and trekking gears (down jacket, trekking boots, sleeping bags etc.) required during the trek. The night will be spent at a hotel in Kathmandu.  Meals included: Breakfast (Highlights of the day: World Heritage sites like Kathmandu Durbar Square (a historical structure offering architectural wonders), the Pashupatinath temple (a Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva- lord possessing the power of destruction), Swyambhunath and Boudhanath – (a Buddhist shrine dedicated to Lord Buddha- Light of Asia). Optional site:Another World Heritage site ‘Patan Durbar Square’ along with other historical masterpieces like Mahabouddha Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and Kumbeshwor Temple.)

3. Day 3

   Drive to Sundarijal and hike to Chisopani (2,165m/7,103ft) 4-5 hours

   Day details

   Today is the first day of the trek and our destination is Chisopani. Starting early, an hour drive towards the north east of the Kathmandu valley will take us to Sundarijal, which is the starting point of this trek. Initially, following the Sundarijal water treatment plant, we hike up on a narrow lane accompanied by small tea shops and houses. Then we follow stone steps and after a short hike through the forest, the trail enters the Shivapuri National Park. After a short national park formality at the army barrack, we continue towards Mulkharka crossing the dam of Sundarijal. Crossing Mulkharka, we reach the top of the ridge through Rhododendron and Oak forest, where we can enjoy the magnificent mountain views. The trail then drops down to Chaisapani.  On reaching Chisapani, we rest for some time and then walk around the village in the evening to observe the lifestyle of people. The night will be spent at a lodge in Chisapani. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day:A walk through rhododendron and Oak forest in the Shivapuri National Park, Sundarijal dam- the main water supply for Kathmandu Valley, Sundarijal water treatment plant, Sundarijal river and waterfalls, magnificent view of snow capped peaks like Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Dorje Lakpa and Gaurishankar from the top of the ridge and the beautiful settlement of Tamang people at Mulkharka and Chisapani.)

4. Day 4

   Trek to Kutumsang (2,470m/8,103ft) 6-7 hours

   Day details

   Today is the second day of the trek and our destination is Kutumsang. From Chisapani, the trail first descends to Pati Bhanjyang. A few ups and downs from here, crossing the fields and meadows on a stony path will then take us to Gul Bhanyag. The trail then leads us to another pass, from where we trek downhill to finally reach Kutumsang.  The night will be spent at a lodge in Kutumsang. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Brahmin and Chhetri settlement at Pati Bhanjyang, Tamang Settlement at Gul Bhanjyang, stony path accompanied by various monasteries,  and Chortens, Manistones and cave at Kutumsang, beautiful campsites, fields and meadows, and the splendid views of Langtang mountains. )

5. Day 5

   Trek to Tharepati (3,690m/12,106ft) 6-7 hours

   Day details

   Today is the third day of the trek and our destination is Thadepati. Today’s walk is mostly uphill through Pine, Fir and Rhododendron forest. First, we hike up to Kyuola Bhanjyang enjoying a 25m long waterfall en route. From here, we further hike up to Thadepati crossing Mangengoth and few other small settlements. Thadepati Pass is the highest altitude achieved during this trek, which is also a junction of two important trails to Gosainkunda, via Helambu and Melamchi. The night will be spent at a lodge in Thadepati. Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day:Walk through the beautiful of Oak, Fir and Rhododendron, and the breathtaking view of Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar, Langshisa, Jugal, Nambur and other peaks of Langtang region, experience of Thadepati Pass, the highest altitude covered in this trek.)

6. Day 6

   Trek to Melamchi Gaon (2,530m/8,300ft) 3and half hours

   Day details

   Today is the fourth day of the trek and our destination is Melamchi Gaon. Leaving Gosainkunda trail and Helambu trail we take Melamchi trail and head towards Melamchi Gaon. The walk continues through pine and rhododendron forest. We cross two suspension bridges and finally reach Melamchi village, which is a Sherpa Village surrounded by beautiful forest. The remaining day will be spent exploring the monasteries and the village of Melamchi. The night will be spent at a lodge in Melamchi Village. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day:Trail through the pine and rhododendron forest accompanied  by the splendid view of Jugal Himal and Nambur and beautiful Helambu village down the trail, Melamchi Gaon – a special Sherpa Gaon surrounded by rhododendron forest and Buddhist monasteries, the unique culture, lifestyle and sincere hospitality of the Sherpa people.)

7. Day 7

   Trek to Sermathang (2,590m/8,497ft) 6-7 hours

   Day details

   Today is the fifth day of the trek and our destination is Sermathang. From Melamchi Gaon the trail descends till Melamchi River. On crossing the river, the trail is quite easier compared to other day’s trail as we walk on a flat land, accompanied by beautiful forest. We cross several streams and we walk up to Tarkeghyang, a beautiful Sherpa village. Then, we further descend following the same trail until we reach Setighyang, where the trail to Kangja La, Naya Kanga Trek meets the secondary road. Following this road up and down hill we first ascend to Ghangyul and then descend toward Sermathang. This is another pretty Sherpa village that offers a lot to tourists, who are interested in Sherpa culture. The remaining day will be spent exploring the village. The night will be spent at a lodge in Sermathang. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: Blooming rhododendron forest, Sherpa villages like Tarkeghyang featuring one of the oldest and the biggest monasteries of the region and Sermathang – a pristine village offering a lifestyle and culture of the Sherpa people, and trekking trail accompanied by Mani walls, Chortens and other equally important Gompas.)

8. Day 8

   Trek to Malemchi Pul (870m/2,858ft) 6-7 hours

   Day details

   Today is the last day of the trek and our destination is Melamchi Pul (Melamchi Bridge). The trail gradually descends through meadows and cultivated fields, passing a number of Gompas, temples, Mani walls, Mane, Chorten and other small and unique settlement of people until we reach the bridge across the Indrawati River. On crossing the bridge, we walk further to cross another bridge a little away from the junction of the Indrawati River and Melamchi River, before we finally reach Melamchi Bazaar. The night will be spent at a lodge in Melamchi Bazaar. Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Highlights of the day: A number of temples, Mani walls, Manes, Monasteries, old villages and their particular tradition, trail along the meadows and cultivated fields and the view of snow capped mountains.)

9. Day 9

   Drive to Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264 ft) 5-6 hours

   Day details

   Today early in the morning after having breakfast we take bus to Kathmandu. It will take about 4-5 hour to reach Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu, you will be escorted to your hotel. You can spend the remaining day either relaxing at the hotel or you can also opt for some sightseeing tour. The night will be spent at a tourist standard hotel in Kathmandu. Meals included: Dinner (Highlights of the day:Scenic bus ride from Melamchi to Kathmandu, farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese restaurants in Kathmandu.)

10. Day 10

    Departure day

    Day details

    This day is the last day of your trip in Nepal with Amigo Treks and Expedition. If your flight is scheduled early morning, then one of our company representatives will escort you to the airport as per your flight departure time. But, if the flight is scheduled later in the evening, you can go shopping and collect a few mementos or simply hang around shopping areas in Kathmandu. However, if you are planning to spend some extra days in Nepal, Amigo Treks and Expedition can also make the arrangements for some other top adventurous activities that you can attend while you are in Nepal. (The usual day for a trek: Every day, our guides will come to wake you up at around 7:00-7:30am. A western breakfast like porridge, oats, toasts, etc. will be served at around 8:00-8:30am. The lunch will be served from a teahouse menu at about 12-1pm. However, the lunch time can also be postponed on request. The dinner will be served at around 8:30-9:00pm. Your accommodation is arranged at a lodge or also in a tourist standard hotel (subject to availability), where we stop for overnight. While you are walking, you can also request your guide to slow down and stop at the places where you want to take some snaps. After dinner and before going to bed your team leader will brief you regarding the next day’s schedule.)