Helambu Trek
Also known as Helambu Circuit / Sundarijal–Chisapani–Helambu Trek.
Helambu Trek is an easy 5-7-day teahouse trek in the Langtang region of Nepal, reaching 3,690 m. It starts at Sundarijal and ends at Melamchi Pul Bazaar (via Sermathang).
Key facts
- Region
- Langtang (Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Sindhupalchok)
- Duration
- 5-7 days, 4-6 hours walking per day
- Distance
- 75 km
- Maximum altitude
- 3,690 m
- Difficulty
- Easy — Low maximum altitude (3690m at Tharepati) with modest AMS risk, well-developed teahouse infrastructure, and short access from Kathmandu. Days involve sustained ridge climbs and descents on good trails, so basic fitness is needed, but there are no passes above 4000m and no technical terrain.
- Trek type
- Teahouse, point-to-point route
- Best season
- Autumn (Oct-Nov) and Spring (Mar-Apr); doable most of winter due to low altitude
- Guide
- Not mandatory
- Restricted area
- No
- Budget cost
- NPR 25,000–35,000
- Comfortable cost
- NPR 35,000–50,000
- Guided cost
- NPR 55,000–85,000
- Getting there
- Kathmandu → Sundarijal (taxi ~45min-1h or local bus via Chabahil/Jorpati, ~1-1.5h) → trek → Melamchi Pul Bazaar → Kathmandu (local bus, 3-4h)
- Altitude sickness
- Low overall — the route only briefly exceeds 3500m at Tharepati and sleeping altitudes rise gradually.
Weather
Mostly below 3000m so temperatures are mild; Tharepati ridge (3690m) can get snow Dec-Feb but the trail is rarely blocked for long. Monsoon (Jun-Aug) brings leeches, mud and obscured mountain views. Haze reduces views in late spring (May).
Permits
- Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry — NPR 1,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: Park gate at Sundarijal
- Langtang National Park entry — NPR 3,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: Nepal Tourism Board Kathmandu or park checkpost (upper Helambu falls in the park)
- TIMS card — NPR 2,000 for foreigners. Where to get it: Through a registered trekking agency (NTB rule since April 2023)
Itinerary
- Day 1: Kathmandu / Sundarijal to Chisapani, 4-5 h, 2,215 m — Shivapuri NP forest, Mulkharka Tamang village, first Himalayan views from Chisapani
- Day 2: Chisapani to Kutumsang, 5-6 h, 2,470 m — Pati Bhanjyang, Gul Bhanjyang villages, terraced farmland, rolling ridgeline
- Day 3: Kutumsang to Tharepati, 5-6 h, 3,690 m — Rhododendron and fir forest, Magin Goth, entry into Langtang NP, panoramic view of Jugal and Langtang ranges
- Day 4: Tharepati to Tarke Ghyang, 6-7 h, 2,600 m — Steep descent to Melamchi Gaon (2530m), Hyolmo Buddhist villages, gompas, Ama Yangri views
- Day 5: Tarke Ghyang to Sermathang, 4-5 h, 2,610 m — Gentle balcony trail through Hyolmo villages, monasteries, apple orchards, Jugal Himal views
- Day 6: Sermathang to Melamchi Pul Bazaar / Kathmandu, 3-4 h, 830 m — Long ridge descent through farmland to the Melamchi valley