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Trip Details
Start/End: Kathmandu to Kathmandu
Duration: 11 days
Difficulty: Easy to Medium
Maximum Elevation: 3,690m (Thadepati )
Best Time: October - November & March - April
Accommodation: Lodges/Tea houses
Helambu Circuit Trek is a short and attractive off-the-beaten trail trek. This trek is a combination of beautiful natural sceneries and culture, people, and traditions. The trail has the view of breathtaking mountains from the middle of lush forests and green valleys. There are the ascending and descending trekking trails. There are monasteries and traditional villages where you can observe the local life that takes you back in time. At a point in the Helambu Circuit Trek, you will reach a village where you can experience the Yolmo culture.
The trek starts from Sundarijal after a short drive from Kathmandu. Then it enters Shivapuri National Park and continues the trek ascent up to the Chisopani, Kutumsang, Thadepati, and Sermathang. The trek ends at the Melamchi Pul in the Helambu region This trek provides magnificent mountain views such as Langtang Lirung (7245m), Ganesh Himal (7405m), Dorje Lhakpa (6990m), and much more like small peaks of the Langtang Himalayan range. As we follow the trail through beautiful Tamang villages and Sherpa villages, they provide such an amazing Himalayan view and a number of splendid Buddhist monasteries along the way. Besides the amazing Himalayas and typical culture, the trek offers diverse flora and fauna as well as wild animals. The Helambu region is less crowded than other regions like Everest or Annapurna.
The area offers you a chance to explore a broad range of cultures. The main ethnic people living in the area are the Tamangs, Bhotias and Yolmus. The Yolmo locals of the Helambu region are often called ‘Sherpas’. Although, neither their languages and customs nor their clan structure resemble that of the Solukhumbu Sherpas of Everest. They are considered to be more similar to Langtang Bhotias, and may also have originated from the Kyirong area of Tibet, just over the border. Their religion and monasteries show their rich Buddhist culture. At lower elevations, other mid-hill tribes and castes reside including Brahmins, Chhetries, Newars, and some Gurungs.
Trip Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrival in Kathmandu, pick up at the airport and transfer to hotel
Day 02 : City Sightseeing around Kathmandu
Day 03 : Drive Kathmandu to Sundarijal and trek to Chisapani(1,350m/4428ft)
Day 04 : Trek Chisapani to Gul Bhanjyang (2,200m/7,215ft - 5hrs.)
Day 05 : Trek Gul Bhanjyang to Magingoth(3,300m/10,825ft - 5hrs.)
Day 06 : Trek Magingoth to Melamchigaoun (2,560m/8,399ft - 5hrs.)
Day 07 : Trek Melamchigaoun to to Tarke Gyang (2,580m/8,465ft - 5hrs.)
Day 08 : Trek Tarke Gyang to Kakani (2,400m/7,872ft - 4hrs.)
Day 09 : Drive Kakani to Kathmandu
Day 10 : Leisure in Kathmandu
Day 11: Final Departure, you'll be drop to airport.
Trip Info
Best Time for Helambu Circuit Trek
Spring (Feb-May) and Autumn (Oct-Dec) seasons are the ideal seasons for trekking. Although Helambu Circuit Trekking can be arranged anytime throughout the year. Springtime is fairly perfect for trekking in the Helambu region as it offers a crystal clear view of the mountains and sceneries every day.
Accommodation
Accommodations on the mountain are in tea hoses or trekking lodges. The rooms come generally in double occupancy with a wooden bed, blankets, and attached bathrooms (not everywhere). You can get spectacular views from the rooms of mountain tea houses. Single rooms are also available and they are mainly provided for solo female travelers.
Permits
You will need two permits for Helambu Circuit Trek. The Langtang National Park Entry Permit costs $30 and the Local Area Permit costs $20. Also, you will need to pay $5 as the entrance fees to Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park. Both these permits and the entrance fee are compulsory. You will have to show your permits at different points of the trail. You can get the permit at Kathmandu or at the trail but it will add fines or you can allow us to take care of the essential permits for your trek.
Helambu Circuit Trek Highlights
- Scenic drive to Sundarijal
- Breathtaking Himalaya view of Langtang, Helambu, Ganesh Himal, and much more
- Diverse flora and fauna, beautiful monasteries, stupas, and Maniwal (Prayers wall).
- Visit local villages along the way
- Explore local culture and traditions of Tamang and Sherpa people and lifestyle
Helambu Circuit Trek is preferred for trekkers who have limited vacation time and want to explore natural beauty along with diverse cultures and traditions. This trek is an easy and delightful trip conducted at the average altitude of 3500m. There are simple teahouses along the Helambu circuit route. Yet the area remains relatively unspoiled by tourism. You will experience the Yolmo culture of high mountain villages, awe at amusing vistas of lonely high mountains, and watch the farmers toil in the fields using handmade tools and teams of water buffalo.