Langtang Helambu Trek

The Langtang Valley and the Helambu Valley are two distinct basins separated by a lek or high region called Gosainkunda (kundameans lake). Each area could be trekked separately, but as a single trek it comprises some of the greatest trekking in Nepal.

The Langtang Valley, sacred lakes of Gosainkunda and rolling farmland of the Helumbu offer a wide variety of superb natural beauty, wildlife and culture. The LangtangGosaikundaHelumbu Trek is the most accessible but least commercialized of Nepals trekking routes, perhaps because its peaks are less famous than the 8000m peaks, though equally spectacular. The trailhead of the LangtangGosainkundaHelumbu trek is only a days drive away from Kathmandu. The isolation has helped this pleasant land to retain its natural and cultural. The unique cultures of Tamangs, Newars and Sherpas remain unaffected by outside influences. Trails through rhododendron, oak, pine and bamboo forests are filled with wildlife, including red panda playful grey langur monkeys, the iridescent Impeyan Pheasant, the national bird of Nepal and the snow leopard.

The 17-day journey into the Langtang region begins after a 10-hour bumpy bus ride from Kathmandu to the trail head at SybruBensi, 1400m. In the Langtang Valley, which runs eastwest and tantalizingly close to the Tibet border, you get great views of the snow-covered south face of LangtangLirung, 7227m, rising out of the lush green Shivapuri forest. The Langtang portion takes about a week. The trek begins with a brisk climb up a gorge of the Langtang Valley to where it opens into a U-shaped glacial valley. Two Sherpa villages in the upper valley are Langtang, 3300m, and KyanjinGompa, 3750m, which has a small monastery, a yoghurt and cheese factory. From KyanjinGompa we can climb either of two equally awesome peaks, depending on your stamina. The more challenging is TsergoRi, 4984m, a 6hr or 7hr round trip, and the relatively easy one, KyanjinRi, 4773m, which takes a mere two to three hours from KyanjinGompa.

From KyanjinGompa the trail to Goasaikunda goes down the valley and turns off to ThuloSyaphru and then climbs steeply through mossy rhododendron forests to the monastery and cheese factory of Sing Gompa, 3250m. Above Sing Gompa, the trail ascends through a pine forest until it emerges above the tree line for another spectacular view of snow-capped peaks; another place to stop and enjoy a spectacular view is the Laurebinayak La pass.

After climbing to the barren glacial moraines and rockslides of Gosainkunda, 4000m, we relax in alodge on the shore of Gosainkundas crystal clear and frigid lakes with the backdrop of the snowy peaks behind. Hindu worshippers who make a yearly pilgrimage to bath in these icy waters, recount the legend of how Shiva, having saved the world by drinking a dangerous poison, struck this mountainside with his trisul to create the lake and cool his burning throat. This is the origin of the famous Trisuli River.

After climbing two hours southeast of Gosainkund we reach the Laurebinayak La pass, 4610m, for more splendid mountain views and then make a steep descent to the small hamlets of Bera Goth and Phedi, and Gopte 3530m.

From Gopte the trail starts climbing up onto the windy and sometimes snowy ridge at the settlement of TharePati, 3510m, and then descends into the lush Helambu (Helmu) Valley of glaciers, alpine meadows and cheese factories. The welcoming Sherpas who live here call themselves Hyalmo after the name of their sacred valley. Helambus northsouth valleys and ridges lie just beyond the northeast rim of the Kathmandu Valley. The rolling green hills and fertile valleys mean a wide range of elevation though the highest point is not more than 3200m. The mighty peaks of LangtangHimal are seen in the distance. Two interesting villages along the way are MelamchiGaon and Tarkeghyang, which means 100 horses. History tells that Kantipur, a King of Kathmandu, called on a Buddhist Lama from this place, to stop an epidemic. The King gave 100 horses to the Lama as a reward. This Lama built a temple in 1727 and called it Tarkeghyang. The original temple is no longer there. It was rebuilt later in a Bhutanese style. The trek finally descends into a verdant gorge of the LangtangKhola to MelamchiBazzar.

Trekking LangtangGosaikundaHelumbu is ideal for anyone with time constraints or those who want to cut out the uncertainties of air travel that may be delayed by weather. The Langtang Valley, the sacred alpine lakes of Gosainkunda and the rolling farmland of Helambu are as spectacular as anywhere else in Nepal.