Helambuचिसापानी
A ridge-top lodge village above Kathmandu, the first night of the Helambu trek.
Chisapani, whose name means cold water, is a small cluster of lodges on a ridge just north of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, about a day's walk from Sundarijal on the north-east rim of the Kathmandu Valley. It is the first overnight stop on the Helambu trek and a popular two-day hike from Kathmandu on its own.
On clear mornings, mostly in autumn and winter, the ridge looks north to a long line of peaks from Ganesh Himal and Langtang to Jugal Himal and Dorje Lakpa. Below lie terraced hills and villages that drain towards the Melamchi and Indrawati rivers.
The trail from Sundarijal follows the pipeline of an old drinking-water scheme for Kathmandu before climbing through the forest of the national park. Chisapani was badly damaged in the 2015 earthquake and its lodges were rebuilt. The surrounding villages are mainly Tamang and Brahmin-Chhetri farming communities.
Watch sunrise
Walk a few minutes up the ridge at dawn for the clearest mountain views.
Continue to Kutumsang
A full day of about 6-7 hours along the ridge via Pati Bhanjyang, Chipling and Gul Bhanjyang.
Forecast for 2,215 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
Several lodges on the ridge; busy at weekends with hikers from Kathmandu.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Drive to Sundarijal (about 30-60 minutes from central Kathmandu), then walk about 4-5 hours through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
Nearest hub: Kathmandu
Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By busfrom Kathmanduabout 0.5-1 hLocal buses
Buses run to Sundarijal from Boudhanath; the Helambu trek starts at the Sundarijal trailhead at about 1,390 m.
When to set off: Leave Kathmandu early so the first walking stage is done before the afternoon cloud.
By car or jeepfrom Kathmanduabout 0.5-1 h
A taxi or car reaches the Sundarijal roadhead on the north-east rim of the Kathmandu valley in well under an hour.
Road: Short sealed city and valley road to the Sundarijal roadhead.
When to set off: Leave Kathmandu by about 07:00 to start walking in the morning.
On footfrom Kathmanduabout 4-5 hAbout 4-5 h and roughly 12 km from Sundarijal, climbing about 800 m
On foot from the Sundarijal roadhead through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, via Mulkharka and Burlang Bhanjyang.
When to set off: Start walking from Sundarijal in the morning: the climb to the ridge is about 800 m with little shade near the top.
Permit required
The Helambu trek crosses Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park near Sundarijal and Langtang National Park on the higher ridge; both charge entry. The route is on the Nepal Tourism Board's list of treks requiring a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Nepal Tourism Board: Park entry fees.
On the Helambu Trek.
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Steep forested hillsides on these ridges shed small slides and washed-out trail sections during monsoon rain; rocky trails stay slippery after rain or frost.
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
From June to August the forest trails are slippery after rain, leeches are common and the mountains are usually hidden by cloud.
Snowmoderate in a typical yearJan-Mar
The upper part of the Helambu ridge, around Tharepati, takes snow in late winter and early spring, which can make the high traverse slow or impractical.
Coldmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
December to February nights are near or below freezing at these altitudes and lodges are lightly heated; bring a warm sleeping bag and down layers.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
A short trek that starts on the edge of Kathmandu at Sundarijal and follows forested ridges to Tharepati (about 3,650 m), then visits the Hyolmo villages of Melamchi Gaon, Tarkeghyang and Sermathang before a drive back.
Drive to Sundarijal, then walk about 4-5 hours uphill through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park.
Yes. The trail from Sundarijal crosses Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, which charges an entry fee.
On clear days a line of peaks from Ganesh Himal and Langtang to Jugal Himal and Dorje Lakpa.
Trek stop · 2,470 m
A ridge village on the Helambu trek, a day below the high point at Tharepati.
Trek stop · 2,590 m
A Hyolmo village with a gompa below Tharepati on the Helambu trek.
Trek stop · 2,625 m
A Hyolmo village at the southern end of the Helambu trek, linked by road to Melamchi.
Trek stop · 2,600 m
The largest Hyolmo village in Helambu, with closely built stone houses and a gompa.
Trek stop · 3,650 m
A high ridge stop at about 3,650 m where the Helambu and Gosaikunda trails meet.
Valley or region
Hyolmo villages, monasteries and apple orchards in the hills north-east of Kathmandu, on a trek that can start from the city's edge.
National park or conservation area · 2,732 m
Forested hills on Kathmandu's northern rim, protecting the valley's water sources, with day hikes to Shivapuri Peak, Nagi Gumba and Jamacho.
Town or village · 1,400 m
Nepal's capital, a sprawling valley city wrapped around a medieval Newar core, with major Hindu and Buddhist sites and the country's main airport.