Kathmandu Valley, Helambu
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.
Helambu is a region of Hyolmo villages, gompas and apple orchards north-east of Kathmandu, between the Melamchi valley and the high ridge that leads to Gosaikunda. The classic trek begins at Sundarijal on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, so you can walk out of the city without a long drive.
The first days follow ridges through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and pine and rhododendron forest to Chisapani, Kutumsang and the high point at Tharepati, with views of the Langtang, Jugal and Dorje Lakpa ranges. The trail then drops into the Hyolmo heartland, where village gompas, stone houses and terraced fields set the tone.
The trek is relatively low, which makes it a good option in winter or for a first trek in Nepal, and dirt roads now reach the upper villages, so it can be shortened. Strong walkers can join it to Gosaikunda over the Lauribina La.
Why it is rated moderate
Sleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chisapani | 2,215 m | - |
| 2 | Kutumsang | 2,470 m | - |
| 3 | Tharepati | 3,650 m | - |
| 4 | Melamchi Gaon | 2,590 m | - |
| 5 | Tarkeghyang | 2,600 m | - |
| 6 | Sermathang | 2,625 m | - |
| 7 | Kathmandu | 1,400 m | - |
Drive 30-60 minutes from central Kathmandu to Sundarijal, then climb stone steps beside the old water pipeline and through Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park to the ridge at Chisapani. Views of the Langtang and Jugal ranges on clear mornings.
Teahouse in ChisapaniAbout Chisapani
Along the ridge via Pati Bhanjyang, Chipling and Gul Bhanjyang, with several climbs and descents through farmland and forest.
Teahouse in KutumsangAbout Kutumsang
Into the forest of Langtang National Park via Mangengoth, climbing about 1,200 m to the open ridge at Tharepati, where the trail from Gosaikunda joins.
Teahouse in TharepatiAbout Tharepati
A steep descent of about 1,000 m through forest to the Hyolmo village of Melamchi Gaon and its gompa.
Teahouse or homestay in Melamchi GaonAbout Melamchi Gaon
Down to the Melamchi Khola and up the other side of the valley to Tarkeghyang, the largest Hyolmo village, with its old gompa and stone lanes.
Teahouse or homestay in TarkeghyangAbout Tarkeghyang
An easier walk contouring through forest, orchards and farmland to Sermathang.
Teahouse or homestay in SermathangAbout Sermathang
By jeep or bus down to Melamchi Bazaar and on to Kathmandu, roughly 5 to 7 hours. You can instead walk down to Melamchi Bazaar in 4-5 hours.
Hotel in KathmanduAbout Kathmandu
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Trail geometry from OpenStreetMap.
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park entry permitNational park
For the Sundarijal to Chisapani section; paid at the park gate or the Tourist Service Centre in Kathmandu. The Nepal Tourism Board's fee table lists NRs 1,000 per entry for foreign visitors.
Langtang National Park entry permitNational park
For the higher trail, including Tharepati. The Nepal Tourism Board's fee table lists NRs 3,000 per entry for foreign visitors.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Issued through a registered trekking agency under the 2023 rule; check the current requirement.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Nepal Tourism Board: Park entry fees. Guide rule: Nepal Tourism Board: TIMS card and trekking guide rule.
Nepal trekking permits explainedBest months: Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
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.
Typical seasonal exposure along the route, merged from the stops that have a place page. Seasonal patterns only, never conditions today.
Snowhigh in a typical yearDec-Apr
The ridge around Tharepati takes snow in late winter and early spring, when the traverse and the Lauribina La link can be slow or impractical.
Recorded for Helambu, Chisapani, Kutumsang, Tharepati and 3 more. Helambu (Wikipedia)
Coldhigh in a typical yearDec-Feb
December to February brings hard frost and deep cold at this height, with short days and lightly heated lodges; a four-season sleeping bag and down layers are normal kit.
Recorded for Helambu, Chisapani, Kutumsang, Tharepati and 4 more. Langtang National Park (Wikivoyage)
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.
Recorded for Helambu, Chisapani, Kutumsang, Tharepati and 4 more. Langtang National Park (Wikivoyage)
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Melamchi river carries a documented monsoon flash-flood and debris-flow risk: in June and July 2021 long monsoon rain loosened material upstream, the river was dammed and the breach swept away homes, roads and bridges in the valley.
Recorded for Helambu, Melamchi Gaon, Tarkeghyang, Sermathang and 1 more. 2021 Melamchi flood (Wikipedia)
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep, Dec-Apr
From June to August the forest trails are slippery after rain, leeches are common and the mountains are usually hidden by cloud.
Recorded for Helambu, Chisapani, Kutumsang, Tharepati and 4 more. Langtang National Park (Wikivoyage)
Altitudemoderate in a typical yearAll year
General information, not medical advice: above about 3,000 m altitude illness becomes a real risk. Gain sleeping height slowly, learn the symptoms of headache with nausea, breathlessness or unsteady walking, and go down if they get worse. See a doctor before travelling and carry insurance that covers helicopter evacuation. The Helambu ridge tops out at about 3,650 m at Tharepati, and the Lauribina La link to Gosaikunda is higher again.
Recorded for Helambu, Tharepati. Altitude sickness (Wikivoyage)
Road blockagesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The jeep roads up from Melamchi Bazaar to the upper villages are earth tracks that soften and slide in monsoon rain, so the drive can be slow or interrupted.
Recorded for Helambu, Tarkeghyang, Sermathang, Kathmandu. Landslide damming (Nepal) (Wikipedia)
Check current conditions before you travel
Nothing here describes the Helambu Trek today. Trail, road, pass and flight conditions change with the weather and with roadworks. Check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal and the local authority or your licensed operator before and during the trek.
Forecasts for start (Chisapani, 2,215 m), highest overnight (Tharepati, 3,650 m), end (Kathmandu, 1,400 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
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.
Forecast for 3,650 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Forecast for 1,400 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Gosaikunda over the Lauribina La
From Tharepati head north-west via Ghopte and the Lauribina La (about 4,610 m) to the sacred lakes, then out to Dhunche; adds 3-4 days and needs good weather.
A steep climb above Tarkeghyang to a hilltop with views of the Jugal and Langtang ranges.
A day hike to Shivapuri peak from the Kathmandu side of the park.
About 5 to 7 days from Kathmandu. Dirt roads to Tarkeghyang and Sermathang let you shorten it, and you can add 3 to 4 days to cross to Gosaikunda.
The highest point is Tharepati, at about 3,650 m. Most nights are between about 2,200 m and 2,600 m.
Yes, it is one of the better winter treks, though snow can lie around Tharepati. The lower villages are usually clear.
The Nepal Tourism Board lists the Helambu Trek among routes that require a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card under the 2023 rule. Confirm the current rule before you go.
The Hyolmo (Yolmo) are the Buddhist people of Helambu, who speak the Yolmo language; their villages are built around gompas called ghyang.
The Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa combined with the climb to the sacred Gosaikunda lakes (about 4,380 m) via Thulo Syabru and Sing Gompa, finishing at Dhunche. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.
A road-accessed teahouse trek from Syabrubesi up the Langtang Khola to Kyanjin Gompa (about 3,870 m), with an optional climb to Tserko Ri for close views of Langtang Lirung. Check road access after the August 2026 floods.
A short, low walk south-east of Kathmandu from Dhulikhel to the Buddhist pilgrimage site of Namo Buddha, on to the farming village of Balthali, and down to the old Newar town of Panauti. No permit needed.
Helambu · 7 days
