The Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days takes you on an easy-going journey to the Langtang region of Nepal. This trek usually lasts from 7 to 10 days, depending on the itinerary, and whichever you choose to go with, you will have a great time regardless. Starting from Sundarijal, just 19 km away from the capital city, this trek offers a great blend of cultural and natural experiences. If you are someone who enjoys local authentic culture and scenic landscape views, we are sure you will fall in love with this experience.
Located within the Bagmati Province of Nepal, this trek goes around the Shivapuri National Park and Lantang National Park. Both of these parks are conservation efforts from the governmental level, offering chances of encountering wildlife along the route. It is one of the least crowded trekking routes on the eastern side of Nepal; however, it is also easily accessible from the capital city of Kathmandu.
The Helambu region of Nepal is one of the few regions where Hyolmo people are based in high numbers. The Hyolmo people are an indigenous group of people who have strong roots in Tibetan Buddhism. They have been practicing the teaching of Tibetan Buddhism for centuries, and the learnings and practices have been handed down for multiple generations. Despite the growing tourism industry in the region, the Hyolmo communities have kept their traditions alive and have not been influenced by Western culture in any way.
While the devastating earthquake happened 10 years ago, you can still find remains of the old settlements along the way. The disaster also made the locals switch to safer tin roof houses instead of traditional stone houses. At present, you will find more tin houses than stone ones, which is a safer approach, but it has definitely suppressed their tradition to some extent.
In general, autumn and spring seasons are chosen the most for any trekking destination as they offer the best conditions for trekking, viewing scenes, and other outdoor activities. This trek is no exception. During the autumn season, you can expect a mild daytime temperature paired with extreme visibility that will enhance the scenery of nature along the way. Autumn is also a great season to experience the vibrant culture and tradition of the local region, as it features many festivals. Chances of precipitation are also very low in this season, making it trek-friendly.
On the other hand, spring is also one of the best seasons for this trek since it is the time when nature blooms the most. You will find wildflowers, Rhododendrons, and a lot of wild berries growing beside the trails. This season also has mild daytime temperatures with chilly nights and great visibility for enhanced landscape scenes throughout the journey.
In addition to spring and autumn, you can also do this trek during the summer season, if you are unable to travel to Neal during those seasons. However, you must be prepared for the hot and humid lower regions and city areas. Summer is also closely linked with the monsoon season in Nepal, so you might experience some rain during the trekking days.
The standard Helambu Trek is one of the easiest trekking experiences you can go for. The daily elevation gains are not difficult to achieve at all, the ascents and descents are very manageable, and the daily trek duration features an average of 4 to 5 hours daily. This trek does not feature a single night above 2600 meters, which is a great deal since it keeps us away from altitude sickness.
In addition to that, lower elevation also means we will not be facing lower oxygen levels in the atmosphere, making us tire out prematurely. On a scale of 10, this trek can be given a solid 5.5. It is very beginner-friendly, and you can join the fun even if you do not have any prior trekking experience.
Your accommodation for the entire journey will be arranged on a twin-sharing basis. This means you will share a room with one of the fellow trekkers in the group. You can also upgrade to private rooms at a price, but this comes at a price. Also, you should let us know that you want private rooms when you finalize the booking with us. If you delay providing the information, we might not be able to arrange your preferences.
The tea houses en route are pretty basic, offering the basic facilities with a couple of extras. Their primary role is to provide a safe shelter from the outside elements, not to offer a range of facilities for the tekkers. Your only options during the trekking days are lodges, tea houses, and homestays.
Food options during the trekking days depend on the season, and the local produce is mostly used to prepare different kinds of regional dishes. The locals of the region seldom use packaged items and ingredients, as they are self-sustaining. In general, you can get traditional Nepalese dishes, some Western dishes, and some regional options. As for drinks, you can get tea, instant coffee, and seasonal fruit juice.
Altitude sickness is not a risk on this Helambu Trek itinerary at all. The itinerary does not have any nights over 2600 meters above sea level, while altitude sickness starts from 3500 meters above sea level. Climbing peacefully and spending the nights at high elevation without properly following the preventive measures is the main reason people get altitude sickness. None of that will happen on this trek, and looking at the numbers, you are more than safe from altitude sickness on this trek.
You have to have a Langtang National Park permit and a Shivapuri National Park permit to complete this trek legally. Both these permits are covered by the trek package.
Our Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days package will cost you USD _ per day which covers most of your daily expenses as well as major expenses.
Transportation required for the itinerary we have described above will be covered by the Helambu Trek package. However, this does not mean that your international flights to and from Nepal are also a part of the package. We cover just the ground transportation.
Preparing for this trek is very easy since the trek itself is an easy journey. You must make a 4 to 6-week training plan wherein you focus on stamina building and cardio.
Your extra expenses include visa fees, international flights, extra meals, tips for the crew members, upgraded accommodation, any kind of beverages, travel insurance, emergency medical expenses, and more.
Our trip starts with your arrival at Kathmandu, which counts as the first day of the Helambu Trek itinerary. On the next day, we will be served breakfast at the same accommodation, followed by a ride to Sundarijal, the starting point of this trek. After about an hour of driving northeast, we will reach Sundarijal, from where our trekking days start.
Your arrival in Kathmandu counts as the first day of your Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days. Your flight to Kathmandu will be a scenic one as you will get to see many peaks of the northern Himalayas, from the entire Annapurna range all the way to the Everest region peaks. Once you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport, you will have to get a tourist visa before you can leave the airport premises.
International visitors will be directed towards the immigration desk, where they can ask for a visa application form. After filling out the form with all your legal details, you should pay your visa fees at an adjacent bank counter. You will receive a bank receipt after you pay the fees as per your intended duration of stay. After that, you are supposed to submit your passport, visa application, bank receipt, proof of stay, two passport-sized photos, and return tickets.
Starting the day in Kathmandu, the 2nd day of the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days features an 18 km long drive with a duration of one hour. Heading east from the city center, after breakfast, the trail turns northeast soon after and crosses a bridge. Following the road, we will arrive at Sundarijal and begin preparing for the trek. The total trek distance of the day is around 9 km with an estimated trek duration of 4 to 5 hours. This trek gains us 705 meters of elevation, taking us to 2165 meters above sea level, starting from 1460 meters.
The trek starts from Sundarijal, reaching 1460 meters above sea level. The trail is gently ascending, passing by an old hydropower project. Soon we will reach the entrance checkpoint of the Shivapuri National Park, where our permits will be checked. Walking through the national park, we will soon arrive at Mulkharka Village, reaching 1855 meters above sea level.
From there, we will continue the steady ascent and reach Borlang Bhanjyang at 2430 meters of elevation. This part of the trek takes about 2.5 hours to complete, taking us to the highest altitude of the day. After a filling lunch at Borlang, we will get on the final leg of the day, heading downhill to Chisapani village through wide-open trails and forested sections. This marks the completion of the first trekking day of the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days.
From Chisapani to Kutumsang, we have to cover 12 km of distance and gain about 305 meters of elevation to reach our destination of the day. The trek duration of the day is 5 to 6 hours, starting from 2165 meters and ending at 2470 meters above sea level. While the net elevation change is 305 meters, we will ascend and descend over 600 meters throughout the day. The trails are moderate, going through a couple of different terrains.
Day 3 of the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days starts with a descending trail through a forested section. Passing by tiny villages, we will reach Pati Bhanjyang in about 2 hours of trekking from Chisapani. It is an ideal spot for a short rest, and so we will. Post-break, the trail ascends steeply via forests and ridgelines, offering great views of the landscape. After about 1 hour, we will reach a village named Chipling, 2170 meters above sea level.
Chilping is out next resting spot on today’s trail. From there, we will go on a downhill path to Gul Bhanjyang. After about an hour, we will arrive at Gul Bhanjyang. We have to follow it up with an ascent to Thodung Deurali, sitting at 2460 meters above sea level. Deurali is the lunch spot on the 3rd day of the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days. Post-lunch, we have to go over a series of undulating trails to reach Kutumsang. This final part of the trek takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
Today, the net elevation change of the day is just 60 meters, starting from 2470 meters and ending at 2530 meters above sea level. Moreover, the estimated trek duration of the day is 5 to 6 hours with a total trek distance of 10 km. Starting the 4th day of the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days, we will gradually ascend through a forested section to get to Magen Goth, a high alpine meadow area. This part of the trek takes about 2 to 2.5 hours, going over hills with scenes of Langtang Peak. The terrain is rocky at times.
From there, we will climb further up to Tharepati Pass, which takes about 30 minutes to complete. This short and steep ascent takes us to the highest altitude of the day, 3690 meters above sea level. From the top of the pass, you will get to see a panoramic scene of the entire Langtang Himalayan range, Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar, and more. We will spend some time there, resting and taking photos, before descending.
The descent from the pass is steep, going on for about 2 to 2.5 hours. En route, we will pass many forests with slippery trails. Entering the outskirts of Melamchi gaon, we will be welcomed by a forest of rhododendron and fir.
The following day on the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days, we have to cover approximately 10 km with a negligible net elevation change. However, the cumulative elevation change is about 300 meters, going over some short ascents and descents throughout the trek. The estimated trek duration is 4 to 5 hours, taking us to 2590 meters above sea level.
The trek begins with a plain trail that has some undulating properties, passing by tiny settlements and terraced farmlands. After about 1.5 hours of trekking, we will get to see a stunning scene of the Melamchi valley from a viewpoint. Passing by a couple of Hyolmo villages, we enter a forested section with small ascents all over. This shaded part of the trail takes about 2 hours to complete. Soon enough, we will reach the final stretch of the day, going over a gradually ascending path that takes about an hour to cover.
This is the last trekking day on the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days. Today, we have to cover over 12 km of distance, which takes about 5 to 6 hours. The elevation loss of the day is 1720 meters, which takes us all the way down to 870 meters above sea level, starting from 2590 meters. The initial portion of the trek is a gentle descent passing by Hyolmo settlements, lasting about an hour. Traversing the Melamchi Valley, we have to cross many small streams to reach a lush forest.
From there, the trail steepens and takes us down to sub-tropical vegetation. This part of the trek takes about 2.5 hours, offering occasional views of the surrounding landscape. Descending through mixed forests, we will soon reach the Melamchi River, where the trail turns plain. Soon after, we will get to the final part of the trek, going alongside the river over a dirt path and reaching the Melamchi Pul Bazaar.
The Melamchi Pul Bazaar is a little town with lively markets. There are many shops and restaurants there that trade in local produce and dishes. If you are up for it, we recommend you try some local dishes before heading back to Kathmandu. Your stay here will be more facilitated compared to the previous trekking days.
The next morning, we will head out to Kathmandu after a satisfying breakfast at Melamchi Bazaar. Driving over the Melamchi-Helambu Road, we will head south from the town and turn southwest after passing the Phatkeshwor Temple. Covering about 50 km of distance, this drive will be over in about 2.5 hours since the road conditions are not good.
Day 8 is the last day of the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days. After a morning meal at last night’s accommodation, we will meet up for a short farewell ceremony, wishing you a successful journey ahead, and hoping to see you again for another trek in Nepal. After finishing the final procedures, we will drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport for your next destination.
Accommodation, Food and Drink
Your accommodation for the entire journey will be arranged on a twin-sharing basis. This means you will share a room with one of the fellow trekkers in the group. You can also upgrade to private rooms at a price, but this comes at a price. Also, you should let us know that you want private rooms when you finalize the booking with us. If you delay providing the information, we might not be able to arrange your preferences.
The tea houses en route are pretty basic, offering the basic facilities with a couple of extras. Their primary role is to provide a safe shelter from the outside elements, not to offer a range of facilities for the tekkers. Your only options during the trekking days are lodges, tea houses, and homestays.
Food options during the trekking days depend on the season, and the local produce is mostly used to prepare different kinds of regional dishes. The locals of the region seldom use packaged items and ingredients, as they are self-sustaining. In general, you can get traditional Nepalese dishes, some Western dishes, and some regional options. As for drinks, you can get tea, instant coffee, and seasonal fruit juice.
The ideal season to go on the beautiful Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days is undoubtedly autumn. During this season, you can expect to see some of the most stunning landscape scenes with crystal clear visibility. Many festivals also fall within this season, offering you chances to witness the traditional celebrations of the locals. They might also invite you to join the party.
No, previous trekking experience is not necessary to follow this specific itinerary, as this trek is graded as an easy journey. It is one of the best options for beginners and first-timers who want to experience the Langtang region but do not have any prior experience to go on the other Langtang region treks.
A Langtang National Park permit and a Shivapuri National Park permit are required in order to do this trek. As per the law of the country, trekkers need to obtain these permits; if they are found to have joined the trek without it, they will be fined and returned to the cities. These permits can be obtained at the Tourism Board Office in Kathmandu or Pokhara.
The road to Sundarijal is in good condition; however, there are some potholes en route and a few rough patches as well. However, since the road has many turns, it takes us about 1.5 hours to cover just 20 km of distance.
No, there are no ATMs or currency exchange options available in Melamchi Pul Bazaar. We highly recommend getting cash from one of the ATMs near your hotel in Kathmandu. Or you can use a money exchange service as well, if you have foreign currency to exchange.
The lodging conditions in such villages are very basic; you can expect just the basic services alongside laundry and WiFi connection. The tea houses en route are established with the purpose of providing a safe space to rest and sleep; their main goal is not to have a range of services, but to be useful for travelers.
Yes, hot showers are provided at most of the tea houses along the trek, but they are only prepped after you request them. You will be charged a buck or two for hot showers, which is a standard thing in the highland tea houses. This expense is not a part of the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days package.
Yes, you can charge any kind of electrical device at tea houses. However, charging your electric devices comes at a price. The tea houses will charge you around two USD per hour to have your devices charged. You can also take a power bank on this trek to charge your device en route.
Yes, we will be visiting many monasteries throughout the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days itinerary. Most of the monasteries en route welcome tourists and travelers to visit their buildings, and they are more than happy to host you. However, during certain festivals, entry might be denied as they might be preparing and decorating the monastery for the event.
Yes, trekking poles are absolutely necessary for the steep downhill sections, such as on Day 6. Compared to steep ascents, sharp descents sound easier, which is true to some extent. But, on a deeper level, descending for a long time has its own issues, one of them is the immense constant pressure on your knee joints. Using trekking poles helps you relieve this pressure while also supporting your upper body.
For the unpredictable weather on the trek, we want you to make sure that you have packed a base layer, an insulating layer, and a weatherproof outer jacket. A weatherproof jacket not only serves as a raincoat, but also as a windcheater and protects you from random snowfall. You should also have a pair of sunglasses to go with it.
First off, there are no porters and guides, or travel agencies in Sundarijal to hire. Secondly, if you choose to do this trek without a pre-arranged group, that is considered a private trek, which is a costlier package. So, to answer the question, you can not hire porters from Sundarijal or join the trek solo.
Chisapani is one of the most popular villages around the Kathmandu valley, so you can expect to see a bunch of local tourists who have come to unwind from their daily city lives. Also, peak trekking season attracts a lot of trekkers, which can cause a little bit of a crowd at Chisapani.
No, there is no risk of altitude sickness on day 4, as we cross the Tharepati Pass. You can rest assured that you are completely safe from altitude sickness. There is no need to specifically prepare for the ascent to the pass.
Yes, the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days is completely safe for solo female trekkers, but solo trekking is not a possibility in the region. You must be accompanied by a licensed guide in order to complete this trek and pass the checkpoints en route. Since the route passes through conserved areas, international visitors are prohibited from entering the region without the presence of a responsible guide.
Yes, emergency rescue services are available at any point during the trek for injuries or illnesses. We will contact the helicopter rescue operation to get you out of the trekking trails and to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment. This expense is supposed to be covered by your travel insurance, so it is not a part of the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days package.
No, the Melamchi Pul Bazaar is a local market focusing on local produce and organic goods. You will not find any trekking gear shops or electronics that you might need on the Helambu Circuit Trek 8 Days.
If you are looking for travel in Nepal, Bishnu will help you to make your perfect trip plan. He has been working on this industry for more than 10 years