Helambu Circuit Trek, 12 days
Discover the local Sherpa culture in unspoiled villages in Nepal. An impressive 12-day circuit with a certified guide from the GuideSource team.
Himalaya
12 Days
Mar - May, Sep - Nov
High
Intermediate
Description
Take a different kind of trek to the heart of the Sherpa, Tamang and Yolmo cultures, in the impressive context of the mountains north of Kathmandu. This tour covers an itinerary through unspoiled sites. This 12-day program is an unforgettable trip to traditional Nepal!
To begin this tour, we will meet you at the Kathmandu International Airport. On the second day, you will discover the impressive landmarks of the city of Kathmandu. And on the third day, we will drive to Sundarijal (1,350 m) to begin our trekking adventure.
One of the most impressive stops in our itinerary will be Melamchi Gaon (2,640 m), a village mainly inhabited by Sherpa people, with their own very distinctive culture. Another Sherpa village we will visit is Tarkeghyang (2,743 m).
All along the views and natural landscapes are unmatched. This includes sights of Mounts Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar, Langshisa, Jugal, Numbur and others, as well as of the Helambu valley and its beautiful forests.
Most of the villages we will visit have tea houses to receive visitors, which is where we will stay along our way.
We will also discover impressive Buddhist monasteries along the way, like the one in Tarkeghyang, which is the oldest and larger one in this area. Also, Tarkeghyan – which is also referred to as Helambu – got its name from the ancient Helmu caste, which is the caste to which the Sherpa people living here belonged to originally.
Have a look at a detailed day by day itinerary below.
The difficulty level for this program is Moderate.
On this program, you will join one of the certified and experienced guide of the GuideSource team. We have been guiding groups up in these mountains for more than 35 years, and we are proud to say that we have had zero serious or fatal accidents.
Join one of our groups soon! We would love to have you come along one of our itineraries.
Interested in this Helambu Circuit Trek, 12 days? Request your booking! If you are interested in other programs of similar extension in this area, have a look at the 9-day trek around Namobuddha, and the 12-day Langtang Valley Trek in Nepal.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Porters
- Mountain guide expenses
Price details
- All accommodation includes full board
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival day in Kathmandu
Meeting at the Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport (1,300 m)
Transfer to the hotel
Briefing on the itinerary for the next days
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 2: Kathmandu
Tour around Kathmandu, including World Heritage Sites like the Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupati Nath, the famous ‘Monkey Temple’ Swayambhu Nath and the Bouddha Nath Buddhists shrine
Optional: last minute shopping for the next days
Overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu
Day 3: Kathmandu - Sundarijal
Transfer to Sundarijal (duration: 1 hour drive)
Trek towards Chisopani (2,300 m) – Duration: around 4 hours
Trek to the Shivpuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve
Trek across the Mulkharka settelment, house of the Tamang habitants
Arrival in Chisopani (2,300 m)
Overnight at Chisopani
Day 4: Chisopani - Kutumsang
Trek across meadows and fields from Chisopani towards to Gul Bhanjyang, via Pathi Bhanjyang
Trek from Gul Bhanjyang to another mountain pass (2,620 m)
Descent to Kutumsang (2,446 m)
Overnight at Kutumsang
Trekking time: 7 hours
Day 5: Kutumsang - Magen Goth
Trek towards north up to the Yurin Danda ridge – views of nearby peaks
Climb up above Kutumsang on a steep, eroded trail
Descent to Magen Goth (3,541 m), where there are a few lodges and “Goths”, sheds for domestic animals
Overnight at Magen Goth
Trekking time: 3 hours
Day 6: Magen Goth - Tharepati Pass - Melamchi Gaon
Gradual ascent through a forest with beautiful rhododendron, oak and other trees
Arrival in Tharepati, a great viewpoint – views of snow caped mountains like Dorje Lakpa, Gaurishankar, Langshisa, Jugal, Numbur and others
Gradual descent through the pine and rhododendron forest – views of the Helambu valley and across to Jugal Himal and Numbur in the Solu Khumbu
Arrival in Melamchi Gaon (2,640 m), mainly inhabited by the Sherpa people with their distinctive culture
Possible visit to some Buddhist monasteries
Overnight at Melamchu
Trekking time: 6 hours
Day 7: Melamchi Gaon - Tarkeghyang
Early descent towards the Melamchi stream
Gentle trek towards Tarkeghyang (2,743 m) passing, a beautiful Sherpa village with one of the oldest and largest monasteries
Overnight at Tarkeghyang
Trekking time: 6 hours
Day 8: Tarkeghyang - Shermathang
Trek across flat land with beautiful forests on the way
Arrival in a Sherpa village halfway to the next stop
Arrival in Shermathang (2,621 m), a beautiful Sherpa village with ancient monasteries – views of the Jugal Himal range
Overnight at Shermathang
Trekking time: 4 hours
Day 9: Shermathang - Melamchi Pul Bazaar
Gradual descent to Melamchi Pul Bazaar (846 m), through meadows, cultivated fields and traditional villages
Pleasent walk and interaction with the locals
Overnight at Melamchi Bazaar
Trekking time: 5 hours
Day 10: Melamchi Pul Bazaar - Kathmandu
Transfer from Melami Pul Bazzaar to Lamidanda
Transfer to Kathmandu
Overnight at hotel
Dribving time: 6 hours
Day 11: Kathmandu
Day at your leisure. Options:
go on a new trekking program
explore the Thamel for last day of shopping
Farewell dinner
Overnight at hotel
Day 12: Departure from Kathmandu
Transfer to the International Airport
End of program
About the guide
-GuideSource
5.0
(10)
We started in 2007 in order to provide a high quality adventure touristic services. Our aim is guest satisfaction during the whole trek and expedition. A well-organised and enjoyable trip is our prime objective.
Languages
Nepali | German | French | English
Certificates
AMGA | NNMGA
What people are saying about -GuideSource
This is a super beautiful trek in spring and in winter! Loved it.
Excellent trip.
I recommend this trip!
Tabitha
Our guide Dr Flemming was excellent. He went above and beyond what we expected. We felt very safe and well trained to practice our climbing. Location was perfect and even though rain had been forecasted, they worked with us to make sure we could climb safely.
Damilola
I had an enlightening day with Roger, the experience has increased my desire to learn more about rock climbing and commit time to mountaineering and absolute pleasure worth every minute of my time and money.
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