Tailored Travel – Helambu Trekking, Nepal
Basic travel information
Hiking in the Himalayas of Nepal, the quiet area of Helambu and the Langtang National Park. An easy but varied new hiking trail north of Kathmandu offers bamboo and alpine rose forests, waterfalls, views of the Himalayan snow peaks, and a sheer dose of traditional mountain Tibetan Buddhist culture. We spend the night hiking in traditional, modest inns.
MINIMUM GROUP SIZE 2 people
Itinerary
DAY 1 – KATHMANDU
Arrival in Kathmandu, transfer from the airport to the hotel.
NOTE: Hotel accommodation according to international practice from 14:00. If your flight arrives in the morning, when booking your trip, select the day before arrival as the arrival date.
ACCOMMODATION AT
HOTEL MOON LIGHT OR SIMILAR
DAY 2 – THANGKUNE, CHIPLING
We drive about 4 hours north of Kathmandu, to Thangkune, where we start our hike. We first descend to Pati Bhanjyang, from where we ascend to Chipling Village (2170m). Walking about 3h. (A)
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE
DAY 3 – KUTUMSANG
On the second day of hiking, we first ascend along a ridge to a Buddhist stupa to admire the scenery that opens up into the mountains before landing in the village of Golphu Bhanjyang. From there we continue to the sherpa village of Kutumsang (2470m) on the border of Langtang National Park. Walking approx. 6h.
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE
DAY 4 – MANGEN GOTH
We ascend through the oak forest and admire the scenery of the lower slopes of the Himalayas and Shivapuri that open behind us. We continue to Mangen Goth (3220m), surrounded by rhododendrons, where we stay. Walking approx. 5h.
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE
DAY 5 – THAREPATI
We start the day with a hike up the hill above the village to admire the panorama of the Langtang Himalayas that opens from there. We continue to the village of Tharepat (3640m) where we crossed the Gosaikunda hiking trail longer than the crossroads. Walking approx. 5h.
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE
DAY 6 – MELAMCHI GHYANG
From Tharepat, our route turns east and descends steeply over 1000 meters. We pass through rhododendron bushes and mountain pastures to the sherpa village of Melamchi Ghyang (2630m). Walking approx. 5h.
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE
DAY 7 – TARKYE GHYANG
We begin the day’s hike by crossing the river along a suspension bridge, and continue to the other end of the valley, to the largest village in the Helambu area, Tarkye Ghyang (2560m). Walking approx. 5h.
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE
DAY 8 – SERMANTHANG
The day’s hiking trail to the sherpa village of Sermanthang (2610m) runs through flat terrain through pastures and mountain forests. In clear weather, the route offers great views of the Ganesh Himal, Langtang and Gosainkunda peaks. Walking approx. 5h.
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION IN
GUESTHOUSE
DAY 9 – MELAMCHI BAZAAR – KATHMANDU
We end our hike with a short descent from Sermanthang, surrounded by pastures and farms along the road to Melamchi Bazaar, where we say goodbye to our local bearers and mountain guides before driving back to Kathmandu for the night.
ACTIVITIES
HIKING
ACCOMMODATION AT
HOTEL MOON LIGHT OR SIMILAR
DAY 10 – RETURN
Airport transfer. (A)
MEALS: [A] BREAKFAST [L] LUNCH [I] DINNER
Climate in Nepal ranges from tropical or subtropical to very cold upland mountain tundra. Southern and central Nepal has a tropical climate. Daytime temperatures vary between 20 and 35 degrees during the hiking seasons, but in the evenings it can be cool. In the mountains, at altitudes above 3,000 meters, night temperatures may drop to the frost side at the beginning and end of hiking seasons. Nepal’s hiking seasons can be divided into spring and autumn. In the spring the mountains are full of snow and magnolias and alpine roses bloom. The sky is often clear in the mornings and there are often clouds in the afternoons. The monsoon season in Nepal begins in June and continues through mid-September. After the monsoon season, it is again a good time to visit Nepal. Nature is green after a long rainy season and the skies are clear.
The top culture is typical in Nepal. However, it is good to remember that it is always voluntary. If the service has been good in the restaurant, you can leave 5-15% of the total amount of the invoice to the waiters. With the hike, you can book a total of about € 5 / day of hiking in local currency for the tips of the plaintiffs and guides.
Bottled water can be bought in the cities, but with hiking this is not possible. So remember to bring your own refillable drink bottle. During hikes, you can drink boiled purified water, which is sold in hiking lodges, or use iodine-based water purification tablets, which can be purchased on site. Both options are safe. For hikes, food is ordered from local hiking lodges.