Overview

The region north of Kathmandu offers a multiple of trekking destination, all accessible without taking domestic flights. The three major areas are Langtang, Gosainkunda and Helambu, which can be combined in many different ways to make treks from seven to 16 days long. Langtang is a narrow valley that lies just south of the Tibetan border. It is sandwitched between the main Himalayan range to the north and a slightly lower range of snowy peaks to the south. Langtang Lirung (7246m) dominates the valley to the north; Gang Chhengpo (6388m) and Naya Kangri(5846m) protects the east end of the valley. The area was desinated Nepal’s first Himalayan national park in 1971. This high and isolated region is inhabited by Tamang whose religious practices, language and dress are much more similar to those of Tibet. A visit to the Langtang valley offers an opportunity to explore village, to climb small peaks and to visit glaciers at a comfortably low elevation.

This is a seven or eight day trek that makes a circuit of the Helambu region. The easiest starting point for this trek is Sundarijal because of its proximity to Kathmandu. It is an easy trek. There are fewer trekkers here than either the Everest or Annapurna regions and good Hotels are abundant and uncrowded. A relatively low altitude trek, the Helambu circuit is one of the most convenient of the short treks close to Kathmandu. It can be completed in only seven days and is well supplied with teahouses. No special permits are rewuired but an entry fee is charged for passage through the Shivapuri Watershed area. The local inhabitants in Helambu re predominantly Tamang with Sherpa people inhabiting the higher villages, particularly Melamchi Gaun, Tarkeghayang and Sharmathang.

While most of the trek is at altitudes below 3000 meters, the high point at Tharepati La pass is 3600 meters and can experience snow even during the main trekking seasons. There are many variations possible for trekking in Helambu but the circuit starting at Melamchi Pul and ending at Sundarijal takes in the best that the area has to offer. To reach Melamchi Pul it is necessary to drive along the Arniko Highway as fas as Panchkhal from where a side road takes you to Melamchi Pul in about four hours from Kathmandu.

From Melamchi Pul the trail climbs up onto the Palchok Danda ridge and passes through the villages of Palchok, Sharmathang and TarkeGyang is particularly attractive with stands of rhododendron and pine interspersed with cleared areas providing stunning views of the Himalayan peaks to the north. Spend some time exploring around these settlements which are wonderful examples of the way of life of high country Nepali people. Particularly interesting are the local Helambu Sherpas who are quite distinct from their cousins from the Everest region.

Crossing the upper reaches of the Melamchi Khola you pass through another Sherpa village, Melamchi Gaun, before the trail reaches the high point of the trek at Tharepati Pass. From here more spectacular mountain views are possible on a clear day. The trail now heads south through the villages of Kutumsang, Chipling and Pati Bhanjyang where the route to Kathmandu through Chisapani and Sundarijal should be taken. The last part of the trek passes through the Shivapuri Watershed area, which marks the northern rim of the Kathmandu Valley. From Sundarijal local transport is available for the one hour drive back into the city.

Short Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 02: Kathmandu to Syabrubeshi ( by car 8 hrs)
Day 03: Syabrubeshi to Lama Hotel ( 6 hrs)
Day 04: Lama Hotel to Langtang Valley( 5 hrs)
Day 05: Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa ( 5 hrs)
Day 06: Kyanjin Gompa ( Rest & Excurssion)
Day 07: Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel ( 6 hrs)
Day 08: Lama Hotel to Thulo Syabru ( 6 hrs)
Day 09: Thulo Syabru to Singgompa ( 4 hrs)
Day 10: Singgompa to Gosainkunda( 5 hrs) - frozen Lake,Holi Lake, Pilgrimage site)
Day 11: Gosainkunda ( Rest & Excurssion)
Day 12: Gosainkunda to Ghopte (7 hrs)
Day 13: Ghopte to Melamchi ( 7 hrs)
Day 14: Melamchi to TarkeGyang ( 4 hrs)
Day 15: TarkeGyang to Saramathang( 5 hrs)
Day 16: Saramathang to Kakani(Melamchi Bazar) ( 5 hrs)
Day 17: Melamchi Pool/Bazar to Kathmandu (by car 3 hrs)
Day 18: Departure

Note: Please email us if you need shorter trek in this region.

Itinerary Detail

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu
Day 02: Kathmandu to Syabrubeshi ( by car 8 hrs)
Day 03: Syabrubeshi to Lama Hotel ( 6 hrs)
Day 04: Lama Hotel to Langtang Valley( 5 hrs)
Day 05: Langtang Valley to Kyanjin Gompa ( 5 hrs)
Day 06: Kyanjin Gompa ( Rest & Excurssion)
Day 07: Kyanjin Gompa to Lama Hotel ( 6 hrs)
Day 08: Lama Hotel to Thulo Syabru ( 6 hrs)
Day 09: Thulo Syabru to Singgompa ( 4 hrs)
Day 10: Singgompa to Gosainkunda( 5 hrs) - frozen Lake,Holi Lake, Pilgrimage site)
Day 11: Gosainkunda ( Rest & Excurssion)
Day 12: Gosainkunda to Ghopte (7 hrs)
Day 13: Ghopte to Melamchi ( 7 hrs)
Day 14: Melamchi to TarkeGyang ( 4 hrs)
Day 15: TarkeGyang to Saramathang( 5 hrs)
Day 16: Saramathang to Kakani(Melamchi Bazar) ( 5 hrs)
Day 17: Melamchi Pool/Bazar to Kathmandu (by car 3 hrs)
Day 18: Departure

Note: Please email us if you need shorter trek in this region.

Date And Cost

AVAILABILITY OPTIONS

Cost Includes

1. Arrival / departure transfers
2. 3 Star hotel accommodations on twin sharing basis with breakfast in Kathmandu
3. Lodge accommodation on Trek area
4. English speaking trekking guide
5. Entrance fees & Permit
6. Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner in trekking
7. Sufficient porter ( 1 for each 2 tourist)
8. Transport for Kathmandu – Syabrubesi & Melauchi to Kathmandu
   

Cost Excludes

Personal expenses, lunch & dinner in Kathmandu, telephone calls, laundry, bar bill

Equipment List

Certain basic trekking equipment is essential on all routes I described in this site. Depending on the area and season, I will provide you with a comprehensive list of necessities. Many of the items on the list are available in Nepal. Here is some recommended Equipments List for trekking in Nepal Himalayas.

Clothing

Lightweight walking boots.
If new one is being bought, "walk them in" to avoid blisters. Also bring spare laces.
A pair of track shoes. To wear in the camp at night or when your boots are wet.
Warm jacket. Fiber fill or down should be adequate. This is especially essential during winter, from December to February.
A rainproof jacket with hood or a poncho. Get the one that is guaranteed waterproof.
Woolen shirts and thick sweaters. During winter months, December through February these items are essential.
Thick sweaters can be purchased in Kathmandu.
A pair of lightweight/ heavy weight trousers. Jeans are unsuitable to wear on treks. Cheap loose cotton pants are available in Kathmandu.
Heavyweight trousers are useful higher up in the mountains in the morning and at night.
Windproof/ waterproof trousers are necessary on all treks going above 10.00ft.
Thermal underwear. Which is excellent to sleep in at night in the winter months.
A tracksuit useful for wearing in camp and in the tent.
2 pair of loose fitting long shorts/skirts.
1 lightweight long sleeved -shirt is particularly suitable for avoiding sun burn.
A woolen hat to wear in the morning and at night. During winter it is an essential item.
A sunhat and ensure it has a wide brim to cover the face and neck.
A pair of gloves. Leather with lining and woolen are best.
1 pair of sandals to wear in the cities and in camp.
2 pairs of thin and 2 pair of thick woolen socks.
"Underwear" normal quantity and swimming costume, hankies.
Equipment & Accessories

Duffle bag or kit bag to carry to gear while trekking.
Daypack: This is a small rucksack to carry personal requirement for the day e.g. toilet items, camera, film towel, soap, a book etc.
Water bottle.
Snow glasses and sunglasses.
2-4 large plastic bags to separate clean clothes from dirty ones.
6-10 smaller plastic bags to dispose garbage.
Wallet and /or money belt with compartment for coins.
Toiletries with large and small towels.
Toilet paper can buy in Kathmandu and some villages in the mountains.
Small headlamp and/ or torch with spare batteries and bulbs candles and lighter to burn toilet paper.
Snow gaiters essential during wither and all treks going over at other times.
An umbrella (optional), which is quite useful to as a sunshade and useful when it rains.
Reading materials, camera and film, game items (optional), note book, rubber band, pen and pencil, envelopes, a diary, a calendar, a pocket knife, binoculars (optional), a small pillow or headrest (optional). Thermoses (optional) - an inflatable sleeping mat, trekking map, adequate quantities of passport photographs.

Note: What ever mentioned above, we can suggest important thing while finalising booking.

Altitude Sickness

When trekking in Nepal Himalayas “Altitude related Problems” are the important factors to be considered because
there is always a real danger of mild to serious problems related to altitude and it is important that trekkers
understand that they will be affected to a greater or lesser extent when they ascend to altitudes over about 3000
meters. Altitude sickness, often known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and it means the effect of altitude on
those who ascend too rapidly to elevation above 3000 meters. The victim can develop severe symptoms very rapidly
if the mild effects are ignored.

We advise you to remember the following suggestion when you are on trekking in the high altitude areas above 3000
meters. The following are the basic symptoms of the altitude sickness and to avoid such sickness we recommend few
important points.

1. Basic Symptoms:
(I) Loss of appetite
(II) Sleep disturbance
(III) Difficult to pass urine

2. Medium Symptoms:
(I) Headache which is bad
(II) Irregular breathing
(III) Nausea
(IV) Mild weakness
 
3. Serious Symptoms:
(I) Slight swelling of hands and face
(II) Cannot stand upright without swaying while eyes are closed.
(III) Can hear gurgling sound in the chest.
(IV) Zero energy.
 
What to do about Altitude Sickness?
Altitude illness can be prevented by acclimatization; that is, by a graduate rate of ascent (not more than 400 –
500 meters), allowing sufficient rest at various intermediate altitudes. The dry air of the mountains tends to
dehydrate you so an increased fluid intake is necessary. Try to drink at least four liters of water a day.
On the trail you can drink hot garlic soup that will help you to some extent. When we reach to our destination
it is better to make some hiking up to a bit higher point and come down to the camp or hotel. This is a really
good way to get acclimatization. You may take Diamox 250mg tablets( as suggested by physician)  the night before flying / going to altitude. Sometimes the symptoms often disappear and the trek can be resumed.

If you feel obviously suffering from the serious symptoms of AMS then descent should not be delayed even if it
night. In such case, should an emergency situation arise, horse, or porter will be arranged;or we carry you and run to lower (descend) altitudes. Pigeon Travel & Tours (p) Ltd will arrange to hire Gammo bag upon request with extra cost. 

The hospital or the clinic will take fees or charges for such services. We can arrange for immediate evacuation,
by horse or helicopter, depending on the severity of the case.It is suggested all trekkers that to bring insurance
which cover helicoptor flight. It may cost you approximately Usd 3000-6000.
 cost