Helambu Trek

The 8-9 hours long drive north from Kathmandu passing by Kakani, Ranipauwa, Trishuli, and Dhunche will bring you to Sybrubensi. he journey is scenic, and you will pass through several small towns and villages along the way. The road winds up and down, and you will cross several rivers and streams. The road is bumpy and can be quite rough in some places, so be prepared for a long and uncomfortable ride.   As you get closer to Sybrubensi, you will notice the landscape becoming more mountainous and rugged. You will see several snow-capped peaks in the distance, and the air will become cooler and fresher. Once you reach Sybrubensi, you can check into a tea house or a guest house and rest for the night. Sybrubensi is a small town located at an altitude of 1460m, and it serves as the starting point for the Langtang trek. It is a beautiful place surrounded by lush green forests and mountains, and you can spend the evening exploring the town and enjoying the views.

The trail passes by the suspension bridge over Bhote Koshi River and you reach an area of settlements and school which is the old Sybrubensi. Then you follow the trail up to Bamboo where you take a lunch break. As you leave Bamboo and cross Langtang Khola, you can notice the vegetation beginning to get sparse. You ascend up to Upper Rimche and then proceed towards Lama Hotel. Overnight in Lama Hotel.

The trek begins as a gentle climb which gets steeper as the day continues. The path meanders through beautiful rhododendron and pine forests. You can see glimpses of Langtang Lirung (7234m) from here on. You cross by the Langtang National Park checkpoint at Ghodatabela (2970m). The trek from Sybrubensi to Lama Hotel is approximately 6-7 hours long, covering a distance of around 12km. The trail follows the Langtang River, and you will pass through several small villages and dense forests. The trek starts with a gradual ascent through the forest, and you will cross several suspension bridges over the Langtang River. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, and you will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. As you climb higher, you will notice a change in the vegetation, with rhododendron and bamboo forests giving way to pine trees. You may also spot some wildlife along the way, such as monkeys, birds, and even bears if you're lucky. After around 3-4 hours of trekking, you will reach the village of Bamboo, where you can take a short break and refuel. You pass by numerous Mani walls, prayer wheels are driven by flowing water, patches of villages, scattered yaks grazing in the grassland to finally reach Langtang village for the night halt.

After breakfast, you will leave Langtang village and head towards Kyanjin Gompa. The trek today is rather easy, so you can leisurely walk, observing the mountains getting closer. The trek from Langtang Village to Kyangin is approximately 3-4 hours long, covering a distance of around 6km. The trail continues to follow the Langtang River, and you will pass through beautiful landscapes and mountain vistas. The trek starts with a gradual ascent through the valley, and you will pass through several small villages and yak pastures. The trail is well-marked and easy to follow, and you will be rewarded with stunning views of the surrounding mountains, including Langtang Lirung, Langtang Ri, and Dorje Lakpa. In three to four hours you reach Kyanjin Gompa where you get a breathtaking view of Gangchempo (6386m) and Langtang Lirung (7215). You can take a lazy stroll around the settlement, visiting the cheese factory, and Kyanjin monastery.

The rest day at Kyangin can be utilized in two ways; either by relaxing amidst nature or by taking an excursion trip from Kyanjin Gompa either to Kyangin Ri (4773m) or Tserko Ri (4984m). Ascending northward from Kyanjin Gompa for about 2-3 hours will reach you to Kyanjin Ri which is an excellent viewpoint for the vista of Langtang Lirung (7234m), Kinshung (6781m), Yansa Tsenji (6567m), Dorje Lhakpa (6966m), Gangchempo (6386m), and Langshisha Ri (6427m). You can also move ahead and climb Tserko Ri (4984m) which is about 5 hours away from Kyanjin Gompa.

You will walk the trail back to Lama Hotel, today. The descending route (with a few exceptions) passes by Sindum, Mundu, Langtang village, Thangshyap, Ghodatabela, and Gumanechok to finally Lama Hotel. The walk is approximately 6-7 hours long.

You walk uphill to Upper Rimche and then descend to Langtang Khola. An easy walk leads you to Bamboo where you stop for lunch and brief relaxation. Moving further ahead, you reach a junction of two trails, one leads to Sybrubensi and the other to Thulo Syabru. Take the latter path and walk further ahead until you reach the last part which requires the steep climb. You finally reach the destination of the night, Thulo Syabru.

The trail to Sing Gompa passes through monasteries, school, army posts, and forests of oak and rhododendron reaching ridge at Foprang Danda. The path then continues across the ridge from where Sing Gompa is an easy 100 m walk. Sing Gompa hosts several lodges and a small cheese factory. Overnight in Sing Gompa.

You set out to Gosainkunda Lake which is the main highlight of the trek. After crossing the bridge, the climb begins towards Cholang Pati (3380m) through the dense forests. Your walk will be accompanied by the view of peaks like Hiunchuli (6441m), Manaslu (8156m), and Langtang Lirung (7234m). After an hour-long walk, the two lakes Surya Kunda and Saraswati Kunda will be visible. As you walk further ahead and cross the spur, you reach Bhairav Kunda. Walk up to the ridge, and then descend 20m to reach the pristine Gosainkunda Lake. This lake is usually crowded on the full moon of August when pilgrims from all over the country come here to take the dip in the holy water which is said to wash away the sins. Overnight in Gosainkunda.

The trail moves on to the northern side of Gosainkunda Lake and climbs through the rugged terrain of Laurebina La Pass at 4610m. There is a ridge across the valley with the steep trail across its face. The trail then descends through the forest, moving in and out of ravines across the head of the valley. A giant cliff is seen at a distance called Thare Danda beyond which is Gopte (3359m). Overnight in Gopte.

You start off descending along the ridge through forests of rhododendron and juniper, passing by a stream before finally climbing to Tharepati, a small area with several herders’ hut. The trail then goes down through pine and rhododendron forest giving impeccable views of the entire Helambu valley, Jugal Himal Range, and Numbur Himal (6959m).

The trek today follows a rather easy route. A short climb to cross the ridge and then you follow an easy trail through forest and amazing views of various snowcapped mountains. After you reach Kutumsang, you climb a pass before descending to the Gurung-Tamang settlement of Gulphu Bhanjyang. You can see the majestic peaks like Annapurna (8091m), Manaslu (8156m), and Numbur Himal (6959m).

You move towards Chisapani after breakfast. It is an easy climb to cross a pass before descending to Pati Bhanjyang which is a large Tamang village. It takes about 2 hours more to reach Chisapani from here. A temple that lies in its periphery gives the amazing panorama of mountain peaks like Ganesh Himal (7422m), Manaslu (8156m), and Langtang Lirung (7234m). Overnight in Chisapani.

You wake up early to watch the sunrise glistening in shades of red and golden as the sunrays fall upon the mountains. You will trek through Borlang Bhanjyang (2440m) which is close to Shivapuri Hill, from where you descend to Sundarijal via Mulkharka. The van awaits you at Sundarijal bus park to drop you back at the hotel. The entire evening is for you to relax and let go of the trek strain from our body.