Helambu Circuit Trek

Today is your departure day for Nepal. To book your flight, please open the given link to get information about airlines offering flights to Nepal and see which airlines are flying from where in Nepal. https://www.tiairport.com.np/all-flights

Upon arrival in Nepal, Jagadamba Holidays representatives will welcome you at Tribhuvan International Airport with a Jagadamba Holidays placard (Jagadamba Holidays signboard). In case of late night arrival, private transportation to the hotel will be arranged by the representative.

Clients will be notified of tour briefings and group meeting times by a representative. In the meeting we discuss the travel plans and services and introduce the trek or tour guide as per the itinerary. You must completely fill up a legally binding travel form and a non-liability disclaimer form. If any person’s tour payment is due, such person must pay at this meeting. Stay overnight at Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel.

After breakfast, we will drive for one hour to reach Sundarijal. The distance between Kathmandu and Sundarijal (1,375 m) is about 17.5 kilometers via Jorpati. Sundarijal lies at the foot of the northeastern range of the Kathmandu Valley and is the starting point of Helambu Circuit Trek. The trek starts from Sundarijal to Chisapani, which takes 4 to 5 hours. The trail takes us to Shivpuri National Park. After walking 1,895 meters and 600 meters from Sudarijal, you will reach Mulkhara, a settlement of Tamang village. We will take a short break at Mulkharka for tea and snack. We then walk along the ridge and through dense forests of oak and rhododendron. During spring, the forest will bloom with multicolored rhododendrons. We walk through the forest until we reach Chisapani.

The distance Sundarijal and Chisapani is about 10.60 km and it takes about 5-6 hours to reach there. During our trek today we will climb 1,050 meters and descend 300 meters. During the trek, lunch will be arranged in between or at the destination depending on your appetite. After arriving at Chisapani, trekkers spend the evening at leisure or trek around with a guide. We will spend the night here. Stay overnight at a Hotel Himalayan Vista in Chisapani.

Chisapani is a great Himalayan destination near the capital of Nepal which can be done in a day trip. “Chisapani” literally means cold water. The Nepali word “chiso” means cold and pani means water. It is located at an altitude of 2,215 meters above sea level in Shivapuri National Park. From here one can enjoy the panoramic view of snow capped mountains and green mountains and it is a famous place to watch the sunrise and sunset view of Langtang, Everest, Annapurna and Manaslu mountains. Recently, a man-made lake has also been built near Chisapani which is called Dhap Dam or Dhap lake or Dhap Tal. This scheme is a very important step to clean the holy Bagmati River and make it pristine, clean and beautiful. This will not only protect the natural beauty of the Bagmati River but also increase the tourist attraction of the area. Tourists can enjoy the beautiful view of the lake and enjoy the fresh cool air near the dam. The greenery and forests around the dam provide great opportunities for nature lovers to explore the biodiversity of the area. It will be an ideal spot for photography enthusiasts and the crystal-clear pools reflect the mountains beautifully, making the early hours of the day a picture-perfect sight. Apart from this, tourists can also observe flora and fauna in Shivapuri National Park. Explorer Detour is in Chisapani, so we will be staying in Chisapani tonight. Stay overnight at a Hotel Himalayan Vista in Chisapani.

We wake up early to watch the magnificent sunrise from the Chisapani view. Watching the early rays of the sun fall on the Himalayan range will be a sight to behold in your lifetime. After breakfast, we proceed to Kutumsang, which takes about 5 to 6 hours. The trek passes through many grasslands and agricultural fields as you enjoy stunning views of the Langtang hills. We then descend the cliff to the small and pleasant village of Pati Bhanjyang. We begin the trek to Gul Bhanjyang, climbing a rock to a pass. Another downhill walk from the pass takes you to Kutumsang which is your destination for the night.

The distance Chisapani and Kutumsang is about 15.50 km and it takes about 8-9 hours to reach there. During our trek today we will climb 1,290 meters and descend 930 meters. During the trek, lunch will be arranged in between or at the destination depending on your appetite. After arriving at Kutumsang, trekkers spend the evening at leisure or trek around with a guide. We will spend the night here. Stay overnight at a Mountain View Lodge in Kutumsang.

After breakfast at the lodge, we head north to get beautiful views of the snowy peaks ahead. We climb steep paths through pine and rhododendron forests in an uninhabited area to reach to the destination. The forests are lush, dense and blooming with Nepal’s national flower – the rhododendron. The trek continues to Yurin Danda, allowing you to enjoy magnificent views of the Himalayas. Soon, we reach a few lodges in Magen Goth, which are located on the edge of the meadow and offer spectacular mountain views. We arrive at Tharepati on foot.

The distance Kutumsang and Thadepati is about 11.30 km and it takes about 6-7 hours to reach there. During our trek today we will climb 1,300 meters and descend 140 meters. During the trek, lunch will be arranged in between or at the destination depending on your appetite. After arriving at Thadepati, trekkers spend the evening at leisure or trek around with a guide. We will spend the night here. Stay overnight at a Sumcho Top Lodge in Thadepati.

After breakfast at the lodge, our journey will begin. Today’s walk will be enjoyable as you will get a chance to observe the different culture and lifestyle of the people of the local ethnic community. This walk will take about 5 hours. First, we head east from the ridgeline, and descend to reach the charming village of Melamchi. The village has many sacred Buddhist stupas, shrines and monasteries visited by Guru Rinpoche. This village is inhabited by Sherpas, but these Sherpas are slightly different from those who live to the east in Solu Khumbu.

We then drove through some Sherpa settlements to Tarke Ghyang enjoying the view of the Himalayan peaks. You will also visit the Old Monastery at Tarke Ghyang, one of the oldest and largest monasteries in the region. The village is called Helambu as most of the inhabitants belong to the Hyolmo caste. Literally Helambu is a term used to refer to a collection of Tamang and Sherpa villages in the area of the Helambu Valley.

The distance Thadepati and Tarke Ghyang is about 10.70 km and it takes about 6-7 hours to reach there. During our trek today we will climb 720 meters and descend 1750 meters. During the trek, lunch will be arranged in between or at the destination depending on your appetite. After arriving at Tarke Ghyang, trekkers spend the evening at leisure or trek around with a guide. We will spend the night here. Stay overnight at a Hotel Tarkeyghyang in Tarke Ghyang.

Ama Yangri Peak trekking is a newly discovered hidden gem of Helambu in the Langtang region. It is famous among foreign and local tourists who like to trek the mountain within a week. Since the mountain view from here is similar to Poon Hill in Annapurna region, this trek is also known as Poon Hill Trek of Kathmandu Valley. It is located northeast 80 km from Kathmandu. Ama Yangri Peak trek is less popular but one of the best short trekking destinations and sunrise and sunset view points near Kathmandu in Helambu region. Ama Yangri Peak is located at an altitude of 3771 meters above sea level. Ama Yangri is considered the patron goddess of the Helambu area. It takes around 4 hours to climb Ama Yangri peak from Tarke Ghyang. The trail leads through dense forest to the summit which unveils incredible views of the Helambu region and high snow capped peaks. There are no teahouses on the way, so it is better to carry food and enough water. Helambu Circuit Trek, also known as “Hyolmo Heritage Trek”, is a simple, scenic and geographically interesting trek where people can experience the mountains with great opportunities to encounter mountain views, green landscapes and unique Hyolmo culture. Devotees from home and abroad come to Ama Yangri on the day of Chaitra Purnima. As part of the ritual, they climb to the top of this mountain before waking up in the morning and watch the sunrise. Return to the hotel after completing the Ama Yangri Peak tour. We will spend the night here. Stay overnight at a Hotel Tarkeyghyang in Tarke Ghyang.

After breakfast at the lodge, our journey will begin. A pleasant trek awaits you as we do not gain much altitude. The route through Tarke Gang offers stunning views through dense forests, streams and waterfalls. During today’s trek you will come across many small villages between Parachin and Sherpa villages. From Gangyul, you will trek further to reach Sarmanthang. It is a beautiful settlement with many Buddhist monasteries. Tonight we will stay in Sermathang.

The distance Tarke Ghyang and Sermathang is about 10.50 km and it takes about 5-6 hours to reach there. During our trek today we will climb 380 meters and descend 400 meters. During the trek, lunch will be arranged in between or at the destination depending on your appetite. After arriving at Sermathang, trekkers spend the evening at leisure or trek around with a guide. We will spend the night here. Stay overnight at a Helambu Mountain Resort in Sermathang.

The purpose of this trek is not only to walk in the Himalayan region but also to explore the Hyolmo culture and customs of the Hyolmo tribe. Thus, we designed a rest day at Sermathang to visit villages, visit Stupas, Gompas and interact with local people and learn about their daily life style. According to information from the Nepal Tourism Board, “Sermathang, Tarke Gang and Melamchi Gang are the largest and oldest cultural villages inhabited by the Hyolmo/Yolmo community, a culturally rich ethnic group in Helambu, Langtang region. The Hyolmo/Yolmo are considered one of the 59 distinct tribal groups recognized by the Government of Nepal as they have a distinct cultural identity with their own language and cultural traditions. Sermathang is also known as the chosen pilgrimage site of Tibetan Buddhist Guru Rinpoche (the founder of Tibetan Buddhism). He walked through the region and the places where he meditated are often considered sacred by his followers. Some believe that meditating on these holy places helps them attain enlightenment quickly. It is a 30 minute walk from the main village, you can also visit the Buddha statue on the edge of town or one of the many Buddhist stupas leading up to the village. There is also an old monastery destroyed by the earthquake and a new monastery built recently. If any of you are interested in learning more about the Hyolmo/Yolmo people of the region and Tibetan Buddhism, you can purchase the guide book available on www.amazon.com. The name of the guide book is ‘Guide to the Hidden Land of the Yolmo Snow Enclosure and its History‘. We will spend the night here. Stay overnight at a Helambu Mountain Resort in Sermathang.

After spending a wonderful time in Sermathang, you will descend to the Melamchi Pul Bazaar. First we have breakfast at the lodge and then our journey begins. From here, walk downhill to Melamchi Bazaar on a forested path. Crossing several streams and waterfalls you reach Bazar. Many different ethnic groups, mostly Sherpas, inhabit this main bazaar. From there we will take a transport back to Kathmandu.

The distance Sermathang and Melamchi Pul Bazar is about 17.50 km and it takes about 5-6 hours to reach there. During our trek today we will climb 120 meters and descend 1890 meters. During the trek, lunch will be arranged in between or at the destination depending on your appetite. After arriving at Melamchi Pul Bazar, trekkers spend the evening at leisure or trek around with a guide. We will spend the night here. Stay overnight at a Melamchi Heritage Hotel in Melamchi Pul Bazar.

We will travel 71 km from Melamchi Pul Bazar to Kathmandu by private vehicle or public bus and it will take around 4 hours. A scenic route that follows the Melamchi River for some time, offering panoramic views of the countryside and farmland. Private transfer from Melamchi to Kathmandu is also possible instead of public transfer. There are no private vehicles in Melamchi, so to pick up from Melamchi, you have to book a vehicle and send it from Kathmandu. Stay overnight stay at Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel.

We can arrange local sightseeing tours on request and this is not part of the trekking package tour. Price will depend on your choice of destination and service request. You hire both a guide and a vehicle. Also entrance fees apply to all UNESCO monuments. Stay overnight at Kathmandu Guest House in Thamel.

After breakfast, you should leave your room and store your luggage at the hotel and relax in the hotel lobby or explore the surrounding local market for last minute shopping for friends and family until you head to the airport for your flight back home.

Due to limited space at Kathmandu Airport, all airlines have requested to report at the check-in counter three hours before the actual flight departure time. Therefore, we will pick you up from the hotel three and a half hours in advance, as the estimated travel time to the airport is around half an hour.

We hope that your visit to Nepal and the activities you do during your visit will remind you to visit Nepal again in the future. As per the service policy of Jagadamba Holidays, your journey will conclude with a farewell at the airport. Have a safe and pleasant journey ahead. Thank you, see you again!