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Helambu Trek

Helambu Trek

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Trip Information

Trip Duration

9 Nights 10 Days

Difficulty Level

Moderate

Destination

Nepal

Maximum Height

3690 m

Guiding Method

Trekking

Best Season

All Time

Highlights

  • Explore the beautiful village of Melamchi Gaun.
  • Feel the warmth of Tamang and Sherpa people.
  • Affords splendid views of stunning peaks from Mt.Manaslu to Mt.Gaurishankar.
  • Trek through Sherpa and Tamang villages and soak up the local culture.
  • Sunrise and Sunset views from Chisopani just incredible.

Helambu trek is one of the shortest treks and specially designed for those who want to take a break and enjoy trekking in short time available. Helambu region lies at the northern side of Kathmandu and is an easy and comfortable trek compared to others. The walk mostly passes through the plain area but there are also occasional uphill and downhill walking. The trail passes through Sherpa settlement area where we can explore the traditionally and culturally rich Sherpa lifestyle. In addition to this, the trek offers the extraordinary beauty of natural landscapes, hills, valleys, colourful rhododendron forests and number of rivers, brooks, waterfalls and streams along the way.

The trek takes you closer to the beautiful Himalayan peaks. The breathtaking view of Mount Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Langtang and many others will keep you feel excited and rejuvenated during the trek. You can also visit several temples and Gompas throughout the journey.

The journey begins with a drive from Kathmandu to Sundarijal and from Sundarijal the trek begins. Then the trek moves ahead through Helambu trail and comes to end at Melamchipul. From there the drive will bring you back to Kathmandu. 

 

 

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Altitude Graph

Itinerary

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, we offer you pick up facility from the airport and manage your stay at the most comfortable hotel in the city. You get to meet the team of trekkers and together we prepare for the trek. At the evening we offer you lavish welcome dinner with authentic Nepali Cuisine.

Accommodation
3 Star Hotel

Meal
Dinner

Transportation
Private car

We offer you a short trip to historical and cultural sites around Kathmandu valley: Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa and Pashupatinath temple. You can also do some souvenir shopping during the sightseeing. After sightseeing, we head back to the hotel and get our clothing and trekking equipment ready and prepare for the trek.

Accommodation
3 Star Hotel

Meal
Breakfast

Transportation
Private car

We start our journey with an easy drive from Kathmandu to Sundarijal. After about four to five hours’ drive we reach Sundarijal and from there out trek begins. We start with an uphill climb through stone steps. We then reach the entrance to Shivapuri National park. After the registration, we enter the park area. The area is surrounded by dense forest. The walk ahead will take us to Sundarijal dam site. We keep following the stone steps that will after a while take us to the top where there is traditional human settlement area. From there we can have a view of Kathmandu valley and also view of mountains like Mount Ganesh, Langtang and Manaslu. From there the trail leads us downhill towards Chisopani. After reaching Chisopani we take rest for some time and in the evening stroll around the village exploring the traditional lifestyle. We will spend the night at Chisopani.

Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Leaving Chisopani behind we start our trek early walking through the village areas. Mainly there are Brahmins and Chhteris living there. Walking ahead we reach Pati Bhanjyang and from there the trail will take us to a crossroad from where we follow the trail towards Thankune Bhanjyang. We continue our trek and after a while, we reach a Tamang village. After that we finally reach Kutumsang. We will stay overnight at Kutumsang.

Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

From Kutumsang we follow the trail ahead and head towards Thadepati-our destination for the day. We pass through Bolamche and Singlang on our way. Walking ahead we come across a beautiful waterfall on our way. The trail moves ahead and we reach Kyuola Bhanjyang. Continuing our trek we then shortly reach Mangengoth, where there is an army check point. Passing through the Gompa we finally reach Thadepati pass. There are many lodges around the area and we will be spending our night in one of the lodges there.

Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Today we head towards Melamchi Gaon from Thadepati. Thadepati is pass where there is a junction to either trek towards Ghopte or Melamchi Gaon. Leaving the trail to Ghopte, we move ahead towards Melamchi Gaon, a Sherpa village. We pass through Bolgang on our way. The dense rhododendron and oak forest add beauty to the place. There is also green pasture land and lodges at Melamchi Gaon. We enjoy the view and spend the night there.

Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

From Melamchi Gaon, we take the downhill trail towards Melamchi river. We cross the river and again walk through the forest area. There are many small streams and brooks along the trail. We then pass through Tarkado and head ahead Tarkeghyang. On the way, we can also visit Gekye Gompa. Tarkeghyang is a small and attractive Sherpa village that is rich in traditional Sherpa culture. We then come to a crossroad and follow the trail towards Gangyul. We come across Mani walls and Gompas on our journey. We finally reach Sermathang and prepare for our night stay at a lodge.

Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

We start the trek early with a downhill walk starting from Sermathang and through the Sherpa villages, farmland and many temples and Gompas on our way. Moving ahead we come across Indrawati river. We cross the bridge and walk ahead. We come across the next and passing through the bridge we finally reach Melamchi Bazaar. We will be spending the night in a lodge there.

Accommodation
Basic Teahouse / Lodge

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Walking

Today we head back to Kathmandu from Melamchipul. After around 4-5 hrs drive we will reach Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu we take rest and muse over our trek. At the evening we organize farewell dinner for you and celebrate the successful completion of the trek and prepare for final departure.

Accommodation
3 Star Hotel

Meal
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Transportation
Public bus

Today is the final day and we get ready for the departure. We offer you the facility to drop at the Tribhuvan International Airport. We exchange final greetings and wishes and hope to see each other next time as well. We wish pleasant journey and bid the final goodbye.

Meal
Breakfast

Transportation
Private car

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What's Included

Meal

  • Breakfast,Lunch and dinner during the trek.
  • Fresh seasonal fruits after the dinner (while on the trek).

Accomodation

  • Stay in the city at finest hotel (Can upgrade of the accommodations to luxury hotels / lodge is possible at extra cost).
  • Lodge expenses during the trek.

Staffs & Crew

  • Insurance of guide and porter.
  • Licensed, experienced and English speaking trekking guide.
  • A porter and his entire expenses.

Transportation

  • Airport pickup and drop facility.
  • Kathmandu-Sundarijal and Melamchi-Kathmandu by public bus

Permits & Paperworks

  • All necessary paperwork and trekking permits (National Park Permit, TIMS)

Activities

  • Full day guided city tour in Kathmandu (Day 2) by a private vehicle.

Other

  • Down jackets and sleeping bags (provided upon request).
  • Nepal Ascent Treks duffel bag, t-shirt, and trekking map.
  • First aid medical kit

Complimentary Extras

  • Local sim card
  • Welcome and farewell dinner at one of the finest Nepalese Restaurant with traditional ethnic music and dance.
  • 1 hour trekkers massage / Yoga after the trip completion.

What's Not Included

  • International airfare to and from Kathmandu
  • Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porters, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc.)
  • Cost incurred during the tour around the city.
  • Nepal arrival visa.
  • Cost for additional trips.
  • Travel insurance which covers emergency rescue and evacuation.
  • Tipping to staffs (as an appreciation).
  • Meals in the city except for breakfast and other mentioned special dinner.
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu in case of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain(due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary

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Essential Info

Physical Fitness

Many people have questions as to what level of physical fitness is required for visiting Nepal, and that is extremely reliant on what activity the visitor is engaging in. With that said, for a standard trek of moderate grading (Everest Base Camp Trek is an example of moderate) the daily activity will be 7-8 hours, and elevation will generally not exceed 5,500 meters. The day’s trekking is sustained and will involve both long steep climbs, and descents with a variety of terrain underfoot from well-trodden paths, to rocks covered with ice or snow. A typical day would include a number of climbs or descents of 500 meters or more, starting after breakfast, resting at lunch, then continuous trekking until arriving at the teahouse.

In preparation for the trek, it is important to begin a training requirement at least 4 months before departing for Nepal. Three to four hours of aerobic exercise like running, walking, swimming, cycling & some gym work per week is the minimum and most will find it beneficial to add some basic strength training to their physical fitness routine. One of the best ways to prepare is to take practice hikes with a daypack roughly the same weight as what you will be taking on the trek. Do this only after a baseline of fitness has been reached. Moving fast is not the end goal, rather endurance is the focus, and will provide a more enjoyable and safe adventure.

Trekking Seasons in Nepal

There are two main seasons in which Nepal sees the most amount of visitors. Fall (September through November) being the most popular, and spring (March to May) coming in close behind. The summer months of June, July and August are the monsoon season and as such the trails are mostly washed out, and roads can sometimes be impassible due to landslide activates. Not to mention the view is non-existent. Still, there are a few places that lie in rain shadow areas and see significantly less rain if any at all, and summer can be a good time to visit these places. Winter is dry, but extremely cold and high passes become inaccessible due to ice and snow conditions. The temperature doesn’t usually fluctuate to a greater degree and the daytime temperature is around 20-25 degrees. However, the temperature starts to decrease as you gain altitude. The temperature can drop to around 0 to -10 degrees at night when staying at tented camps in Himalayan regions. However, it does not change as much in lower hilly regions and the nights are slightly colder than days.

Fall is the most popular because it’s after the monsoons, and the air is dry, the days are sunny, and everything is green in the lower valleys from the excessive rains. Spring is a popular choice because some rain returns, but the weather is generally warm and dry, and flowers are in bloom in the lower elevations.

Trekking Day

A typical trekking day begins with a cup of tea at around 6 in the morning. It is advised to pack your trekking gears in a duffle bag and essential supplies in your day pack in these early hours. After having breakfast, we begin the trek and head along the trail at around 8 am. The morning walk is designed to be longer as we begin with refreshed bodies and enthusiasm. Following a good morning’s walk, we make stop for lunch at around 11.30 am. The lunch involves group meals enjoying the vicinity around the stop. You can explore the surrounding or use the time according to your own consent. After resting for about an hour or two, we resume our trek to reach teahouse or camp by 3-4 pm. The afternoon walk is relatively shorter and can involve games and side trips as organized by the trekking guides. You also can enjoy breaks during the trek to relax, read or stroll around the area. You can converse with the local people and observe their lifestyle. Dinner is served around 7 in the evening to round off the day.

Meals and Accommodations

During the length of the trek, the accommodation style is commonly referred to as teahouse. These are family-run basic lodges that fill the role of the restaurant, meeting place, and boarding house for tourists. Electricity can be found in the rooms, which means one light bulb, and one or two outlets for charging electronics. The common areas are also lit by electricity. Teahouses may use solar, hydroelectric, or have electrical lines running into the village, so the commonality and availability of electricity may vary.

Most teahouses have private rooms, though if the trek is in a more remote or high altitude place dormitories are the norm. Each room has 1 or 2 single beds with basic bedding, and the bathroom is shared. Expect a mix of western and squat style toilets in the bathrooms.

Breakfast and dinner are taken at the teahouse and these lodges have large family style dining rooms centered on a stove to provide heat. The menu will have Nepali style western foods such as pasta, pizza, pancakes, burgers, and fries. Also on the menu is the traditional Dal Bhat meal. This is a lentil soup with rice and vegetable or meat curry. Most menus will also offer a smattering of local cuisine.

Travel Insurance

Many expeditions and tours require that travel insurance is purchased prior to arriving in Nepal, but other treks and tours may not. However, travel insurance is definitely an important consideration. There are a number of reasons to consider insurance. Firstly, it may be required, so check to see what is being asked for by the company. Second, Nepal is a landlocked country, and there are few direct flights. Travel in and out can encounter some disruptions and if purchasing insurance, make sure flight delays and cancellations are included. The next reason to choose insurance is that, though every safeguard is in place during your tour, there are always extenuating circumstances that may result in an accident. Read the fine print of insurance policies to ensure trekking or any other activity you are engaging in is covered, as some policies have stopped covering trekking in certain places. It is impossible to have a relaxing trip without the comfort of good insurance, so do the research and choose carefully.

Nepal Visa Entry Procedure

For entry into Nepal, there are visa requirements everyone (except Indian nationals) must complete before being allowed to pass through immigration. This is for air travel as well as overland transportation. Most visitors may obtain a visa to enter Nepal, however, there are exceptions. There are a number of entry points where you can obtain the visa upon arriving by land, but Tribhuvan International Airport is the only one for air transport.

Visa on Arrival Tourist Visa

Three options are available for entry

15-day single entry: US $30

30-day single entry: US $50

90-day multiple entries: US $125

Please have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the time of entry, and have cash ready, preferably in US dollars, though there are other currencies Nepal Immigration accepts. If you are entering via overland, you must have US cash and 3 passport photos. For arrival by air, the kiosks at the airport take your picture for you.

For the most up to date list of exceptions for visa on arrival or to obtain the most current visa information, visit the Nepal Department of Immigration website.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

Acute Mountain Sickness is usually seen in un-acclimatized people shortly after ascent to high altitudes. The condition occurs due to the thinning of air as the altitude increases. The condition, if not taken seriously and treated immediately, can be life-threatening and its symptoms can be seen generally above 3000 meters. Some of the symptoms of AMS are nausea, vomiting, tiredness, shortness of breath and cerebral pain. The treks are designed to properly acclimatize you to the change in high altitude climate and sufficient precautionary measures too are taken to take utmost caution. We also equip our staffs with cell phones and satellite phones in occurrence of any emergency cases. We are greatly driven to keep the safety and security of our clients as our foremost concern.

Drinking Water

Water is essential for life, and clean water is imperative while on holiday. When choosing to visit less developed countries it is a concern that all travelers should consider. A few options are available when trekking or traveling in Nepal that will mitigate any chances of drinking contaminated water which could cause disruption of an otherwise fun adventure. The first consideration to take into account is that tap water should not be ingested. That even means when brushing your teeth. Most will choose to buy bottled water and if doing so make sure the cap has not been opened previously. Plastic bottle refuse is a problem, and with that being said there are other options on the market to assist in making water drinkable. Your local outdoor store can help with choosing what option might be best to use in conjunction with a reusable bottle. Your guide can also steer you to water that has been filtered and purified so ask him or her what is available.

Arrival Instruction

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our company representatives are stationed to welcome you to the country. We request you to carefully look for your name being held by our representatives following the events upon landing. The representatives are responsible to escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You will see men offering you to carry luggage and take you to your destination as you exit the airport. We request you to pay no attention to these people and follow the designated representatives and follow their instructions. You will also need to keep an eye on your luggage and belongings to avoid any complications.

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Price per person

US$ 968 US$ 1,187

EMI & Group discount available.
Sittal Simkhada

Tour Operator

Talk to Sittal +9779851058663

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