Langtang & Helmbu Trekking Area

Although they are not as well known and popular as the Everest Base Camp Trek or the Annapurna Circuit these two trek offer a number of distinct advantages. The treks are north of the Kathmandu Valley, so both are easily accessible form Kathmadu. Indeed you can leave your hotel in Kathamandu and set foot on the Helambu trail within an hour. The Helambu Trek only takes a week so it is ideal for people who do not have the time for one of the longer treks. Since it stays at relatively low altitudes it does not require fancy cold weather equipment and clothing.

The Helambu Trek only takes seven days starts from Sundarijal at the eastern end of the Kathmandu Valley and does not climb above 3500m. It makes a loop through the Sherpa-populated Helambu region to the north-east  of Kathmandu and only the first day's walk is repeated on the return trip The trek's main drawback is that it does offer fine Himalayan views, like some other treks. but it can be trekked on a village-inn basis as there are guesthouses and lodges in many of the villages along the trail. The Sherpa people of the Helambu region are friendly and hospitable, just like their better known kinfolk of the local diet but is also exported to the Nepali lowland in exchange for rice and other produce.

Langang Lirung (7246m) is visible to the north of Kathamandu on clear days. The Langtang trek takes up to two weeks and leads to the foot of glaciers high in the Langtang Valley. The trail passes through Tibetan and Tamang villages and offers fine views of the Ganesh Himal. Though the trek passes through comparatively lightly populated and undeveloped areas, it its still possible to stay at village inns along the route. Ascending from just 541m at Trisuli Bazzar to 3800m at kyanjin Goppa the trail passes through an eve-changing climate and offers trekkers an exceptional diversity of scenery and culture.

The Langtang Trek, on the other hand gives you the opportunity to get right in through remote and relatively unpopulated areas. If you want real adventure then these two treks can be linked by high-altitude passes, either via the Gosainkund lakes or across the 5106m Ganja La.