Helambu Cultural Trek is a specially designed trek route to offer you the best of serene and peaceful Langtang. About 80 kilometers north of Kathmandu, Langtang Helambu Trek is a popular trekking region in central Nepal famous for its captivating beauty, rich culture, and diverse landscapes. Home to the native inhabitants called Hyolmo People, Helambu Trek is also often known as Hyolmo Heritage Trek.
Helambu Cultural Trek is a low-altitude trek that is most suitable for those people who cannot spare great lengths of days to travel to the foothills of the eastern and western Himalayas. If you want to witness and be the part of rural alpine Nepalese lifestyle while also enjoying the panoramic views of peaks like Langtang Lirung Ganesh Himal Massif, and DorjeLakpa, Helambu trek is the perfect choice for you. It offers you a rare chance to explore the unique and ancient Hyolmo culture amidst the picturesque setting. During the trek, we will come across several highland Sherpa and Tamang villages dotting both sides of the Melamchi River.
The natives of the region, the Tamangs, and Sherpas are originally of Tibetan origin, whose culture and traditions date back to hundreds of years. Due to the far-flung location and remoteness, the lifestyle and settlements have not changed much even in the 21st century. During our trek, we will be able to see and stay in intricately made stone houses with carved windows, doors, and porches. The true Himalayan identity of the Hyolmo people is also reflected in the beautiful traditional dresses and boots they adorn. Moreover, if our trek is scheduled around Buddhist festivals like Lhosar and Buddha Purnima, we will have the rare chance to be part of these ancient festivals and rites. The region used to be a part of the ancient trade route to Tibet, which is still reflected in its way of life. To date, most people are sheep and yak herders, with some growing hardy grain and vegetables. As you witness the uniqueness and grandeur of the Helambu Sherpa culture, you will notice that it is much more different than the mainstream, popular culture and traditions of the Solukhumbu Sherpas of eastern Nepal.
The eleven-day-long Helambu cultural trek commences from Sundarijal to Chisapani. The route traverses to MelamchiPul Bazar blending all the wonderful natural, cultural, and adventurous heritages in between. At first, the trail descends through oak forests, passes through parts of Shivapuri National Park, and continues to beautiful hamlets like Tarke Gyang and Sermathang. While descending, we will return through the picturesque villages of Tarke Gyang and Sermathang. We will come a full circle when we trek back to MelamchiPul Bazar while returning.
In this way, Helambu Cultural Trek perfectly encapsulates a wholesome and fulfilling trekking experience that comprises the best of both cultural and natural beauty the Helambu region has to offer. It gives you a rare chance to experience and be part of the rich Hyolmo culture while living in the close vicinity of inspiring silver peaks.
Itinerary Detail Close All
On arrival meet our TH staff for a courtesy transfer to respective hotels in the heart of Kathmandu at the Thamel area, an interesting place for shopping and having meals in one of the many world-class restaurants, pubs, and bakeries. Our guide will inform you of details regarding the Helambu Cultural Trek.
Start this wonderful outdoor journey with a morning short drive towards the eastern Kathmandu valley rim at Sundarijal which is situated at a distance of 15 k.m. from Kathmandu city, from this small town at Sundarijal our trek begins with an uphill walk through a small farm village, a beautiful cascade of waterfalls and reaching an entrance of Shivapuri National Park, from here through a patch of forest and passing many scattered farm fields and villages then reaching the ridge top at Chisopani where the air gets cooler as this small village stands at 2,300 meters overlooking a grand panorama of snow-capped mountains from Annapurna-Manaslu-Ganesh Himal, Lang tang Himal towards Jugal Himal range, view of whole Kathmandu valley, this spot offers stunning sunrise and sunset views as well.
After an enjoyable morning with the sunrise over the grand mountain panorama, the walk starts with a downhill path to a nice village of Pati Bhanjyang which is a Hindu Brahman and Chhetris village, from here our walk carries on with a slow climb uphill for an hour then on the gradual winding through patch of forest and villages reaching at Gulbhanjyang for overnight stop after a good day’s walk of 4-5 hours.
Today the walk is quite short, starting by following the trail with a climb uphill and sometimes downhill which leads to another popular village of Chipplin, from here walk continues through farm villages overlooking a grand panorama of surrounding green landscapes and rolling hills till the day ends at overnight stop in Kutumsang, a nice Sherpa-Yolmos and Tamang village with great views of snow capped mountains, afternoon free at leisure to explore this small pretty village surrounding.
From this nice village start the fresh morning walk with a climb north up to the Yurin Danda ridge through serene rhododendrons, pines, and oak forests and to a small pass at 3,510 meters and then with a short descent to the forested area.
Then this pleasant trek passes through the cool shade of rhododendron forests and comes to an open area, where there’s a Nepal army post and with few small teahouses, after this exposed place walk leads to a short climb diverting from the main path that joins to Gosainkund area, our wonderful walk completes at Tharepati for lunch and overnight stop. Tharepati with a few lodges and teahouses is the highest point of this trip offering grand panorama and awesome views of rolling landscapes and high stunning peaks of Langtang and Jugal Mountain range, afternoon free at leisure or for a short walk around this fabulous spot
After a wonderful time at the highest spot of this trek at Thadepati, our journey continues with a short climb to the top ridge, then heading downhill path through a dense forest of rhododendrons, hemlocks, firs, and pines tree lines.
The walk carries on further passing through several Sheppard’s huts and temporary settlements and then reaching Melamchi Khola ( stream), crossing the river, and then with a gentle climb reaching our overnight stop at Malemchigaon, a typical mountain and hill village of Buddhist religion inhabited with Yolmo’s and Tamang ethnic tribes, the houses windows and doors and furniture decorated with pretty intricate carvings, here after lunch free at leisure to explore this nice village.
Today another short day walk towards the main village of Helambu area at Tarke Gyang, he trails steeply descends to the Melamchi River from the village, then crosses the river by a suspension bridge, then the walk leads to a climb above the river for an hour reaching the overnight spot at Tarkeghyang village via Nakote village, Tarkegyang, renowned for its famed green apples and intricate Tibetan design wood carving on furniture and other products. Afternoon at leisure, visit this lovely village, where its windows and furniture have nice traditional carving, and visit the oldest Buddhist monastery, Ama Yangri on the top of the village.
Slowly and gently as this wonderful journey comes to an end losing altitude day by day from here onwards on the downhill and flat land walking through beautiful forests and enjoying a visit to these villages of the Helembu area, our walk continues through many chortens and summer meadows to reach Gangyul a small village, then following the path with wonderful views of green rolling hills and natural vegetation and reaching at Shermathang for overnight stop, this is another pretty Hyalmo village of Helambu area, here with time to visit another old monastery.
After a wonderful time in the high mountains walk ends after a few hours of trekking towards Melamchi Bazaar with a drive back to Kathmandu, the morning starts with an easy descent reaching a warmer area as the road leads to a lower area in the flat land till it reaches Dubachaur and walking further reaching a bridge over Melamchi Khola, and to busy Malemchipul Bazaar, with a short rest here after completing the walk of this memorable and impressive trek, and then an interesting drive of four hours reaches Kathmandu after a wonderful time in the high hills of Himalaya.
The morning after breakfast at a given time our city and cultural guide will guide you in and around Kathmandu at places of interest and importance, as Kathmandu Valley is full of World Heritage Sites the holy Pashupatinath temple, Bouddhanath (Little Tibet), Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) & monasteries, ancient Kings Palaces and courtyard in Kathmandu; after an interesting sightseeing back to the hotel
Last day in Nepal with a wonderful memorable time in the Himalayas around Helambu Cultural Trek with Team Himalaya and transfer to the airport for the flight back home or to respective destination.
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What Is Included ?
- Pickups and drops from hotels and airports.
- 3-night Tourist star hotel with Breakfast in Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu To Sundari Jal, malemchipul to Kathmandu by local transport.
- Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour guide with private vehicle.
- All meals during the trek. (BREAKFAST, LUNCH AND DINNERS).
- All necessary paperwork, national park permits, and Tims card.
- All our government taxes, VAT, and tourist service charges.
- An experienced, knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and English-speaking Trek guide and porter to carry Luggage. (2 trekkers 1 porter)
- Food, drinks, accommodation, insurance, salary, equipment, transportation, and medicine all stuff.
- Twins share comfortable and clean private rooms during the trek.
- Down jacket and sleeping bag by team Himalaya (which need to be returned after the trek).
- Trip achievement appreciation certificate.
- Fresh fruit is seasonal during the trip.
- Group medical supplies (first aid kit will be available)
- Helambu cultural Trekmap.
- Official expense.
- Travel and rescue arrangement
What Is Excluded?
- Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu.
- Personal expenses (phone calls, laundry, bar bills, battery recharge, extra porter, bottle or boiled water, shower, etc)
- International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing tour entrance fees.
- Travel and rescue insurance
- Excess baggage charge
- Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early, late, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than scheduled.
- Tips for trekking staff and drivers (tipping is expected ).
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