Langtang Helambu Trek

Welcome to Kathmandu, the city of temples, you can call it the most developed city of Nepal as of now, and it is here, where we are located to serve you in a way you want right from TRIBHUWAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, where you can see us waiting for you with our TRAVEL MAX GUIDE SIGNBOARD, and your name so that you can spot us at once, and you will be taken to your hotel in a vehicle or to our office where you can ask us questions, having tea or coffee, after all these activities, if you have time, then there is nothing better than spending your time in Thamel, the tourist hub which is just outside the door of our office, you ask us, what you want to eat, what you want to enjoy, we will show you that the tourist like you most desired in a new place.

The sightseeing that you are going to do, today, comprises of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and they can be categorized as Stupas, Temples, and Palaces. The sightseeing can be personalized, according to your interest, and all the effective route planning for the sightseeing will be done by the city guide of TMG.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

From the hotel where you are staying, nothing is near the Kathmandu Durbar Square. It was a ceremonial site; it was a palace where the would-be kings used to be coronated in the past, now it is a palace cum museum, and to be there is to experience how the royals spend their life. Stand among the monuments, temples, and statues that back to the 17th and 18th centuries. 

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Be well prepared in advance because this stupa is located at quite an altitude and is more than 2,000 years old. This is the most important of all the Buddhist Stupas in Nepal and has a fascinating face of Lord Buddha on every side, and its base has the stonework of 5 Dhyani Buddhas – Vairocana, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi, and Aksobhya, and each of these represents the wisdom of Lord Buddha. People flock to this stupa to see the birds-eye view of Kathmandu.

Pashupatinath 

Pashupatinath is as old as the hills, but the Hindu Committees of Nepal, looks after it, such as renovation and maintenance, and there are new adds on in and around the temple. Pashupatinath is the most important temple of Lord Shiva and located not far away from the heart of Kathmandu. Only Hindus are permitted to enter from the main gate to Pashupatinath Temple. As a visitor, you will enjoy the rich combination of architecture from a distance. If you are lucky, then you might see the Hindu Cremation taking place.

Bouddhanath 

Bouddhanath is also a stupa. It is one of the holiest pilgrimages of the Buddhists. It has a white doom just like Swayambhunath, whatever the myth is, it contains the bones of Kasyapa Buddha (Buddha incarnation), while others say it contains the bone of Lord Buddha. Around the base of the stupa are 108 small images of the Dhyani Buddha Amitabha. Go anytime to enjoy these images.

From the capital of Nepal, you head off to a village called Syabrubesi on a bus. From the highway and the window of the bus, you will see green hills as well as the Trishuli River which is well known for rafting. The bus takes you to Dhunche, another prominent village. On the way to this village as well as earlier, there are terraced fields that have rice and maize plantations. Also what you see is the view of Ganesh Himal, a snow-covered mountain, and the smooth highway up to Syabrubesi becomes rough.

After breakfast, you trek along with the Langtang Khola, a river. You follow the trekking trail that goes uphill, and you also walk on the trekking trail that goes downhill. This combination takes you to the oak and rhododendron forest. Rhododendron is the national flower of Nepal. As you trek further from this forest, there is a suspension bridge over the river and from its end, you follow the ascending trekking trail, a hard uphill which will take you to the place that you can rest, Lama Hotel.

There is an uphill trail. Walking on it, you will see the magnificent view of the mountains; you will also come across beautiful waterfalls. On the way, there is a pasture in a place called Ghoda Tabala which in the Nepali language means a horse stable. From there, you will see the stunning view of Langtang Himal. Seeing this, you will trek through small villages, meet herders, and visit a Buddhist monastery. These are in the valley, and in this valley, there is also a village called Langtang, not only one of the oldest villages, but also a village that offers the stunning view of the mountains.

After you have your breakfast, you walk uphill. As you walk further, you come to a village called Mundu as well as Sindum and Yamphu. You will also come across water mills, prayer wheels, and Chortens which are the places of worship for the Buddhists; you will also climb a moraine which is a viewpoint. From there you not only see the stunning view of Langtang Lirung, but also the breath-taking icefall. After seeing these, you will reach where you will see engraved on the largest mani wall of Nepal. From there, you move to Kyanjin Gompa which has Kyanjin Ri, a viewpoint of 4000 m plus.

You head off to Tsergo Ri, which is the summit, which is covered with snow, and which is a viewpoint. On the summit, there are colorful Buddhist flags, and from there, you will see the spectacular view of Kyanjin Ri (4,773 m) and Langtang Lirung (7,227 m). Before heading or after reaching this summit, you can visit the monastery and a cheese factory, then you will see the spectacular ice faces and ascend Chorkari RI (5050 meters), another viewpoint which is not only the highest viewpoint, but also the viewpoint from where you can see breath-taking, stunning, and spectacular view of Langtang Peak.

Descending is full of fun, but tiring. With exhaustion, you follow the trekking trail that goes all the way downhill from Lama Hotel, seeing the beautiful snow-clad mountains. Walk downhill slowly because there is no ascending trekking trail. This walk will pay you off because the view of the mountains keeps on coming to your eyes, for example, Langtang Lirung and others, and you will be in the middle of natural beauties.

The trekking trail takes you to a village called Rimche. The trekking trail goes uphill although the elevation is decreasing. As you are going down, you will reach the Langtang Khola, a river. This river is crossable, and from there you head to Bamboo and Landslide Lodge. Before you reach Thulo Syabru, you pass through these villages, but Thulo Syabru is different because it offers the breath-taking view of Langtang Lirung (7,227 m). Before you reach Thulo Syabru, the highlights of today’s trek are the forest of pine and juniper and a beautiful waterfall.

The trekking trail changes from a small trekking trail to a broad trekking trail as it goes downhill and through the forest of rhododendron, hemlock, and Oak and to Shin Gumba. This trekking trail also takes you to Gosaikunda, but you are not going there today because you have to acclimatize because tomorrow you are ascending 4000 m plus. On the way to Gosaikunda, you are coming across Chorten which the Buddhists regard highly from the religious point of view. What a contrast because Gosaikunda is highly regarded by the Hindus. Not only the Hindus, but also a non-Hindu like you can visit it; you will also reach Garta village and a monastery before reaching Shin Gumba, you will also see the stunning view of Langtang Lirung, and this village not only has a monastery, but it also has beautiful landscapes and is most popular for cheese.

Today is a special day because you know you are heading to Gosaikunda Lake, one of the highlights of the Langtang Helambu Trek. On the way to this lake, you will come across other lakes like Saraswatikunda and Bhairab Kunda. In the Nepali language, Kunda means pond. Besides this, you will see the beautiful view of the mountains like Manaslu (8156 m), Annapurna, Hinchuli, and Ganesh Himal (7,422 m). Besides, you will see other lakes, and they are 12 in number. But the most important ones are Saraswatikunda, Bhairab Kunda, and Gosainkunda. Saraswati is the goddess of knowledge, and Bhairab is another form of Lord Shiva, the most powerful deity of the Hindus. Lord Shiva created Gosaikunda to quench His thirst. Gosaikunda is surrounded by mountains.

You head towards the Laurebinayak Pass (4610m). From this Pass, begins the Helambu Region, and from the summit of this pass, you will see the view of the lakes from the air. In this region, following the trekking trail, you head to the Melamchi valley. The trail takes you to moraines as well as to cairns. Furthermore, it takes you to small hills from where you can enjoy the stunning view of the Himalayas. This is also the trail that takes you to Surya Kunda. Seeing all these, you head to Ghopte which is 3000 m plus.

You walk uphill and downhill in a dense forest. Following uphill and downhill, you reach a village called Thare Pati. As you are on the way to this village, you will come across a ridge which shows the stunning view of Soli Danda. From this ridge, you are taken to a suspension bridge. Crossing like this type of bridge adds fun because what you see below is a glacial river, and from this bridge, you head to one of the most beautiful villages of the Helambu Valley called Melamchi which you already know, and which is very popular among the Nepalese, especially living in Kathmandu.

You reach a stupa, a small stream, a forest, Ama Yangri, and the highest point you trek today on the way is 3800 m. On the way, you will see lots of stupas and the Buddhist prayer flags. Besides, you will see the stunning view of Mt. Shishapangma and the Langtang Ranges. These mountains lie in a stone throw distance. Seeing these mountains, you head to a yak pasture. You also walk on stone steps before reaching Tarkeghyang, a beautiful Sherpa Village.

After breakfast, you start your trek. You will find the trekking trail easy and pass through lush forest and beautiful villages. Besides this, you will pass by Chortens, a monastery, and a mani wall. You will also reach villages called Parachin and Gangyul. The people of the former village practice Drukpa Kagyu Buddhism. When you reach Sermathang, you will not only find it beautiful, but also as a viewpoint from where you can see the stunning view of Ganesh Himal, Jugal Himal, and the Langtang Ranges, including the last view of the Helambu Region.

After breakfast, you follow the down trekking trail. This trail takes you to meadows, fields and beautiful villages. Here, the fields mean cultivated fields. Seeing this, you reach Melamchi Bazaar, a small village market. Perhaps, you may be interested to buy local goods here.

On the way, perhaps, you would like to remember the beautiful aspects of the Langtang Helambu Trek. When you reach Kathmandu, we are waiting for you in our office. After rest, if you have time, then you can use it to visit Thamel, the tourist hub of Kathmandu.

It’s up to you how would you like to spend your day? You can take a rest in a hotel, or you can buy some gifts for your friends and relatives. You can visit Thamel which has lots of tourist shops which sell Nepali hand-made goods. You can ask your guide which not only sells these but also which gives a discount. In the evening, you will join the farewell dinner with the TMG’s team.

A company representative will drop you to the airport in a private vehicle.