Helambu & Langtang Trek

- south to north from Kathmandu -

Nepal - Trekking

The beginning of this trek is quite close to Kathmandu and progresses towards the north, starting from the area of Helambu between fields, forests, low mountains and Sherpas and Tamang populations, to cross the Laurebina-la pass and enter Gosainkund, with its set of small sacred lakes, and the Langtang valleys, very close to Tibet.

16 days / 15 nights full trip in Nepal (minimum recommended)

13 days’ trek

Medium. With no technical difficulties

Highest altitude 4772m/4980m

Highest altitude overnight 3910m

Local mountain guide English-speaking

Meals and overnight in lodges during the trek

Accommodation in hotel in Kathmandu

Transfers in private vehicle (bus in option)

$1.170*

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We could almost say that you can start this trek as soon as you leave your accommodation, and in fact, you could do so. You have here a route whose starting point is very close to Kathmandu, just north of the city, progressing through the area of Helmu, which in sherpa becomes Helambu that has remained as the best-known name of the region, with beautiful sherpa villages like Tarkeghyang and was explored by the mythical Bill Tilman there in 1949 in what was perhaps the first trek in the history of Nepal. As you will see, our proposal starts in Thimbu, but it could also start in Sundarijal, just about 45 minutes from downtown Kathmandu.

The road goes always north, looking to cross the Laurebina-la pass from where we have great panoramic views from the Annapurna, Manaslu to the peaks of the closest Ganesh Himal.

Just crossed the pass, we have the lakes of Gosainkund (or Gosainkunda). Sacred lakes, as they were created by Shiva himself with his “trishul” (trident) melting a glacier to quench his thirst due to being poisoned. Tradition says that this water reaches the Kumbeshwar water pokhari (well) in Patan by the underground. Every August full-moon is filled with Hindu and Buddhist devotees who come to bathe in its icy waters.

But we continue even further north to enter the Langtang valley, first following its mighty river into the thick forest, and then entering the alpine pastures where the yaks are at their leisure, already very close to Tibet with whom Langtang inhabitants have always maintained commercial ties because of their proximity. We end up in an open valley surrounded by white mountains between 6000 and 7000 meters high.

A route far from the great multitudes of other more recognized treks, very varied in its landscape, as natural as human, between communities sherpas and tamang, with a strong presence of Buddhism. We cross thick forests, in one of the areas with the most presence of the red panda (that we will hardly see) and also of langur and many birds of all type, passing to alpine zones with moraines, rocky grounds and pastures where the production of the nak milk cheese (the female of the yak, yaks do not make milk!) is one of the main industries.

Although the route can be done in both directions without a problem, and in fact, most agencies do it from north to south, we think it is better to do it in a northern direction, with the Himalayan peaks facing us and they will gradually enter in our vision, and gain height in a more progressive way.