Helambu Cultural Trekking

  • Trip duration 10 Days
  • Trip GradeModerate
  • Travelers Rating Write a review
  • Trip cost US$ 790

Helambu region, the nearest to Kathmandu Valley is easily accessible, yet it is not crowded. Although Helambu is recognised as one of the oldest routes in Nepal, it has fewer visitors recently. The trail passes through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and rhododendron forests, bamboos and enchanting waterfalls, rivers, rivulets. Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) (from west through), Mount Everest (8,848 m), Ganesh Himal (7,422 m), Langtang Lirung (7,227 m), Sishapangma (8012 m), Dorje Lhakpa (6966 m) and Gauri Shankar (7,134 m) are among the mountains that can be viewed in this trek.

The region is the home to Hyolmo people who are the descendents of the neighboring Tibetans. Since the trek is famous for its cultural and traditional aspects, the journey focuses not only on nature’s beauty but also the cultural aspects of the locals, including the architecturally important infrastructures. The place is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Buddhists with the monasteries, Buddhist shrines and prayer flags scattered around. Additionally, the way to the Gosainkunda, Hindus’ Holy lake site, also meets this route at Thadepani.

Mount Fishtail Adventure has designed this 10-day package that also covers the sightseeing of UNESCO World Heritage sites in and around the Kathmandu Valley.

Hotel / Accommodations

Three-night accommodation in a star hotel in Kathmandu, six-night in the standard teahouse lodge in mountains during the trek. You may have to share a bed with a companion during the mountainous trip. But if you need, $ 150 can fetch you single supplement for the whole trip in the mountains.

Food:

You will be served with breakfast during your stay in Kathmandu. All other meals will be provided to you by Mount Fishtail Adventure Pvt Ltd which includes welcome dinner. We provide you with breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the journey. When you are on the mountain, you will be served with local foodstuffs such as Dal Bhat (gram soup and rice), noodles, Tibetan bread made of buckwheat, apple pie, spaghettis, soup, salad, hot drinks.

Best time to travel

Autumn season (from mid-September to mid-December) and spring season (from March to May) are the best time to travel in Helambu region. Generally, the weather is sunny throughout the year, but the temperature can fall to biting cold at night. Winter season (from December to February) is also good for trekking in the region despite the cold temperature. One can enjoy the scenic view of the vegetation during the spring.

Points to consider

As the trek is along the gentle path, a person with an average fitness can do this trek. You are likely to walk 6 to 7 hours a day. Besides that, you will require getting medical advice from a doctor if you have any health defect. You will have to inform us prior to the journey.

Although you do not require any technical and physical training for this trek, we suggest you to keep up walking as a preparation since walking in the high elevation may be a bit difficult.

Trip Highlights

  • Magnificent views of Dhaulagiri (8,167 m) (from west through), Mount Everest (8,848 m),
  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath temple and Kathmandu Durbar Square
  • The descendents of Tibetans, Hyolmo people.
  • The most sacred pilgrimage sites for Buddhists with the monasteries, Buddhist shrines and prayer flags 

Outline itinerary

Day 01:Arrival to Kathmandu

Day 02:Sightseeing in and around Kathamandu Valley

Day 03:Kathmandu to Sundarijal and trek to Chisapani (2,194 metres or 7,199 feet)

Day 04:Chisapani to Kutumsang, 6/7 hours, (2,448 metres or 8,032 feet)

Day 05:Kutumsang to Thadepati (3,650 metres or 11,975 feet)

Day 06:Thadepati to Melamchi Gaun (2,530 metres or 8,300 feet)

Day 07:Melamchi Gaun to Tarkeghyang (2,600 metres or 8,530 feet)

Day 08:Tarkeghyang to Sermanthang (2,690 metres or 8,826 feet)

Day 09:Sermanthang to Melamchi Bazaar and drive back to Kathmandu

Day 10:International Departure

Cost Includes

    • Airport pickup and drop by private vehicle  
    • 6 nights’ accommodation in twin sharing bed room. 3 nights’ accommodation in Kathmandu with breakfast.
    • All Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner include Continental, Chinese, Indian and Nepali cuisine while on trek.
    • Welcome dinner and Farewell Dinner
    • Entrance fee for various venues and a tour guide on full day sight-seeing.
    • English speaking trekking guide and one porter to carry luggage and belongings of two persons, during the hiking.
    • All transportation during the tour
    • Government taxes, park permit fee, trekking permit, required documents

Cost Excludes

    • Nepal entry visa fee
    • Lunch and Dinner, extra accommodation in Kathmandu
    • International airfare and airport taxes
    • Items of personal expenses such as alcoholic drinks, mineral waters, cold drinks, laundry bills, cigarettes, phone calls etc
    • Extra cost on shower, battery charge, extra porters during the trek
    • Personal travel and rescue insurance
    • Rescue charge if needed (we can arrange), any kind of unforeseen expenses etc
    • Personal trekking equipment
    • Gratitude/Tips for the Crew

Detail Itinerary

Day 1Arrival to Kathmandu Mount Fishtail receives you on your arrival, from Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu. After 20 minutes drive (5.9 km), we arrive hotel in Thamel, a hub for visitors in Nepal. Thamel provides accommodation and shopping centres, keeping in mind, the needs of visitors and guests. After taking rest for a while, we have welcome dinner (Traditional Nepali cuisine) and briefing of tour programmes

Day 2Sightseeing in and around Kathamandu Valley After breakfast we begin our full day sight-seeing trip. We visit four places, the (UNESCO) world heritage sites. We visit Pashupatinath, the most famous Hindu temple. Another famous Buddhist temple “Swoyambhunath” situates on western part of Kathmandu valley. It is said that Shakyamuni Buddha preached sermon to the local people amidst the monkeys at the hill. That is how the place got the name “Monkey temple.” We visit Boudhanath stupa, the largest spherical stupas in Asia. After lunch, for the rest of the day, we hang out in Patan Durbar square, once one of the principalities among three kingdoms in the valley during the period of Malla dynasty. The square is famous for its architectural design and handicraft carvings.

Day 3Kathmandu to Sundarijal and trek to Chisapani (2,194 metres or 7,199 feet) Vehicle drops us in Sundarijal after breakfast, from where the trekking starts. Sundarijal lies in the northern outskirt of Kathmandu valley. The trail starts with the concrete steps beside water pipeline supply to the Kathmandu. We pass through woods and villages. The trail offers great view of green hills and vegetations. It takes four hours to ascend to Chisapani (2,215 m). Here, we stay overnight.

Day 4Chisapani to Kutumsang, 6/7 hours, (2,448 metres or 8,032 feet) After breakfast we start the journey on the descent of farm lands and meadows. This path offers the great view of Langtang Mountain range. We cross Gul Bhanjyang ascend to the ridge and further descend down and ascend through the woods and several villages until we arrive at Kutumsang. Overnight stay at Kutumsang.

Day 5Kutumsang to Thadepati (3,650 metres or 11,975 feet) After breakfast we head for Thadepati. The steep trails on the ascent of a hill through rhododendron and fir forests lead us to Thadepati. This phase of the trek, only in birds tweeting and hooting offers the most unique experience. Taking a break for the lunch in a teahouse in the locality, we continue the journey until we arrive at Thadepati. Overnight stay at Thadepati!

Day 6Thadepati to Melamchi Gaun (2,530 metres or 8,300 feet) After breakfast, we head for Melamchi Gaun along the trail descending through the forests. We visit a monastery in Melamchi Gaun when we arrive there. Although the lifestyles of Sherpas here vary from the Sherpas in Solukhumbu, they have the same cultural value as they follow the same Tibetan Buddhism. We explore the village before we stay overnight there.

Day 7Melamchi Gaun to Tarkeghyang (2,600 metres or 8,530 feet) After breakfast, we follow the trail down the Melamchi River through the forest, cross it and advance on the ascent before we reach a village called Tarkeghyang. Since this is the biggest village of Helmu People and has the oldest and the biggest monastery in the region, the settlement is also called Helambu. We view the mountains as we explore the village in the afternoon. Overnight stay in Tarkeghyang.

Day 8Tarkeghyang to Sermanthang (2,690 metres or 8,826 feet) After breakfast, we follow the fairly easy trail as it does not intercept to the higher altitude on this day. The path offers the great view of mountains that meanders along the boundary of a valley called Parachin on the edge of a Sherpa village. We continue hiking along the trail until we arrive at Sermanthang. We stay here overnight.

Day 9Sermanthang to Melamchi Bazaar and drive back to Kathmandu In the morning after breakfast, we trek along the path with relatively same altitude. The easy path leads us to Melamchi Bazar after. The surrounding offers the marvellous views of green hills with chestnut, fern plants, and rhododendron. We halt at the Melamchi Bazar, a settlement with small market, home for sherpas, Tamangs, Brahmins and Kshertris. A private vehicle picks us up from here and drive to Kathmandu. On the way, we halt at Dhulikhel, a settlement along the Araniko Highway. From here, we enjoy the spectacular view of countryside, farms and fields. We continue drive to Kathmandu and check in hotel. We take rest and prepare for the farewell dinner arranged by Mount fishtail Adventure.

Day 10International Departure Mount Fishtail Adventure arranges to send you to the airport three hours prior to the scheduled flight time.

Departure Detail

Trip Map

Read Reviews