The trek is easy and provides the spectacular views of the Langtang (7245m), Ganesh Himal (7405m), Dorje Lhakpa (6990m) and other small mountains of Langtang Himalayan range. The warm and friendly people of helambu are mostly Buddhists. It is an ideal trip for those who have a short time and like to combine both cultural scene. You will enjoy visiting the culturally rich Tamang villages, Buddhist Gompas and the fantastic landscape with rice fields.
Helambu is a lush region to the North of Kathmandu inhabited by Sherpas and Tamang people although the Sherpas of this region differ in their practices from their cousins in the Everest region.The trek passes through some beautiful forests and very interesting villages on route.
Program ( 8 Days )
The road turns into a trail near a small hydroelectric plant at Sundarijal bus stop from where you will begin your trek. The uphill trail passes through the Shivapuri Watershed and Wildlife Reserve adorned with bamboo and rhododendron forests until you reach Mulkharka village for lunch. Resume trekking as you descend down the ridge through the forest of oaks and rhododendron to Chisopani (2300m). Chisopani offers magnificent views from Annapurna to Everest and beautiful sunrise and sunset views.
Intially, the trail crosses through the Bhote Koshi and follows the Langtang Khola. This trail is a gradual ascent up to Bamboo passing through a landslide. Afterwards, you trek gently down to Rimche (2400m.) through Bamboo (1960m.) which lies at the bank of Langtang Khola. The end your trail is level to Lama Hotel and while en-route you can see red pandas, monkeys and bears if you are lucky. Stay overnight at lodge.
At Ghora Tabela, the trail emerges from the forest. The trail then continues to climb gently and the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements. There is a monastery here which you can visit shortly before arriving at the village of Langtang, the headquarters of the Langtang National Park. The houses of Langtang and its neighboring villages are of the flat-roofed Tibetan style, surrounded by stone walls enclosing fields of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley.
The trail climbs gradually through small villages and yak pastures as the valley opens out further and the views become more extensive. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. You should arrive at Kyangjin by lunch time allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area.
You take a day off for rest and to visit the monastery and the cheese factory. Walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri (4350m.), directly behind the village, for a breathtaking panorama of the Langtang peaks. Stay overnight at lodge.
From Kyangjin you retrace your route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. Later, you continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel. Stay overnight at lodge.
This day you trek along a flat leveled path until you reach Sherpa Gaon (2500 m.) passing through terraces and green hills. Sherpa Gaon is a Sherpa village with amazing traditions and Buddhist culture. There are houses made of stone, wood and zinc and a few modern houses. The next part of your trek is full of ups and downs until Bhanjyang village. Finally, your trek goes steeply down to Wangal before becoming a gradually descending path to the Kerung river. After crossing the suspension bridge over the river, it merely takes 15 minutes to reach your destination, Syabru Besi.
You drive through scenic foothills to Kathmandu.