Day 1
Sundarijal to Chisapani
5 hrs / 10 km / sleep 2,140 m
Trek from Sundarijal through Shivapuri National Park, climbing to Chisapani for sunset views.
Langtang
Helambu Trek
The closest Himalayan trek to Kathmandu, passing through Tamang and Hyolmo villages with views of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Jugal ranges. A cultural immersion trek.
Easy5 days3,640 mMar - May, Sep - Nov, Dec - Feb
Photo: Wikimedia CommonsOverview
Trek overview
Long-form route context for planning, pacing, and realistic expectations.
Key Highlights & Takeaways
- Hyolmo village culture
- Langtang & Ganesh Himal views
- Close to Kathmandu
- Rhododendron & oak forests
The closest Himalayan trek to Kathmandu, passing through Tamang and Hyolmo villages with views of Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Jugal ranges. A cultural immersion trek.
This itinerary is synced from TrekGuard mobile app data and includes 5 planned days, 40 km of walking, and 2,200 m of total elevation gain.
Highlights include Hyolmo village culture, Langtang & Ganesh Himal views, Close to Kathmandu, Rhododendron & oak forests.
Itinerary
Daily route plan
Day 2
Chisapani to Kutumsang
6 hrs / 12 km / sleep 2,470 m
Walk through rhododendron and oak forests with views of Langtang range.
Day 3
Kutumsang to Tharepati
5 hrs / 9 km / sleep 3,640 m
Ascend through alpine forests to Tharepati pass, the highest point of the trek.
Day 4
Tharepati to Tarkeghyang
5 hrs / 8 km / sleep 2,560 m
Descend through forests to the Hyolmo village of Tarkeghyang with its ancient monastery.
Day 5
Tarkeghyang to Melamchi Pul
5 hrs / 12 km / sleep 870 m
Descend through Sermathang to Melamchi Pul Bazaar. Bus back to Kathmandu.
Altitude profile
How high you sleep, night by night
The single biggest safety factor on a high trek is how fast your sleeping altitude rises. Here's the shape of this itinerary.
1,460 m
Start
3,640 m
Highest sleep
3,640 m
Max altitude
5
Nights
See which days climb too fast and add rest days to build a safer schedule.
Check acclimatization →Map
Interactive route preview
Leaflet route rendering with checkpoints, altitude markers, and GPX geometry where published.
Route preview
Route map not published yet
Day-by-day itinerary is available below. GPX/KML for this trek will appear here when published - always verify the trail locally before walking.
GPX and KML downloads
Static route references for offline planning.
GPX/KML files are not published for this route yet. Itinerary data is available now.
- Duration
- 5 days
- Altitude
- 3,640 m
- Updated
- 2026
Route files are planning references only. Always follow current trail conditions, local notices, and guide advice.
Packing checklist
Use a mobile-friendly checklist for clothing, electronics, medicine, documents, and trail gear.
Altitude and safety
Prepare before pushing higher.
Climb gradually and take acclimatization seriously.
Check weather, wind, and daylight before long days.
Descend and seek help if altitude symptoms worsen.
Helambu Trek FAQ
Straight answers on length, altitude, permits, season and cost for the Helambu Trek, generated from the same route data the TrekGuard app uses.
How many days does the Helambu Trek take?
The TrekGuard planning itinerary for the Helambu Trek runs 5 days and covers 40 km of walking. Treat it as a baseline: weather, flight delays and how you acclimatize can add days, so build slack into your schedule.
How high does the Helambu Trek go?
The Helambu Trek tops out at 3,640 m. The highest place you sleep on this itinerary is about 3,640 m, which matters more for altitude illness than the daytime high point.
What permits do you need for the Helambu Trek?
The Helambu Trek normally requires: Langtang National Park Entry Permit. Permit rules, fees and issuing offices change between seasons - confirm the current requirements with the Nepal Tourism Board or a registered agency before you travel.
When is the best time to trek the Helambu Trek?
Mar - May, Sep - Nov, Dec - Feb is the usual window for the Helambu Trek. Outside it you are trading stable weather for either monsoon cloud and leeches or deep winter cold and snow-blocked passes.
How difficult is the Helambu Trek?
The Helambu Trek is rated easy, with 2,200 m of total ascent over 40 km. Walking days are roughly 5-6 hours. No technical climbing skills are required on the standard route.
Can you get altitude sickness on the Helambu Trek?
Yes. The Helambu Trek reaches 3,640 m, well above the 2,500 m mark where acute mountain sickness (AMS) becomes possible for anyone, regardless of fitness or age. Keep sleeping-altitude gains gradual, take the built-in rest days, and descend if headache, nausea or breathlessness get worse rather than better. This is general information, not medical advice - see a travel-medicine clinician before the trip.
Where does the Helambu Trek start and finish?
The Helambu Trek starts at Sundarijal and finishes at Melamchi Pul, in the Langtang region.
Is there phone signal on the Helambu Trek?
Coverage on the Helambu Trek is: variable by village and carrier. Assume you will lose data for long stretches - download map packs, the GPX track and the forecast before you leave the last town, and carry a power bank.
Read next
Guides for the Helambu Trek
Long-form articles covering acclimatization, permits, packing and navigation for this route.
12 min read / 2026
5 Best Offline Apps for Nepal Trekking in 2026
Honest comparison of five offline Nepal trekking apps - TrekGuard, Gaia GPS, Mapy.com, Organic Maps, Maps.me - on maps, GPX, altitude safety, battery, and cost.
8 min read / 2026
Choosing a Nepal Trekking App: GPX, Offline Prep, and Packing
What to look for in a Nepal trekking app, and how TrekGuard helps with GPX routes, offline prep, altitude awareness, and packing checklists.
9 min read / 2026
Do You Need a Guide to Trek in Nepal? Solo Trekking Rules by Region
Where a licensed guide is legally required in Nepal, where enforcement is inconsistent, and where solo trekking is still realistic - plus what a guide actually changes for your safety above 4,000 m.
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Planning aid - not a guide or rescue service. GPX lines, checklists, forecasts, and altitude readouts support your judgment. Trails, weather, permits, and illness can change faster than any app. Download offline map packs before signal ends; live map tiles and fresh weather need network. SMS SOS sharing needs cellular texting - not satellite.
Get it on Google Play
Ready for your next Nepal & mountain adventure?
Download map packs on Wi‑Fi, pull weather while online, then use GPS altitude, planner & safety tools on trail - free on Google Play. Not a guide or rescue service.
Free on PlayNo ad SDK in Play buildPrivacy-firstOffline packs after download