This trek to northeast of Kathmandu valley bound on the north by a wall of 5,000m peaks is an interesting 7-days loop. Tamangs and Sherpas inhabit the Helambu region, which offers excellent views of Jugal Himal. The trek begins from Sundarijal, a Himalayan river-fed water reservoir and climbs onto the Shivapuri ridge offering gorgeous views of Gauri Shanker (7,134m), Langtang Lirung (7,246m) and Ganesh Himal (7,405m). Following a ridgeline the trail passes through Kutumsang (2,460m), the first permanently inhabited village of this course and climbs through cool rhododendron forests (crawling with leeches during monsoon) to Tharepati (3,597m), the highest point of the trek. The trail from Tharepati plunges 1,000m to a tributary of the Melamchi Khola and above it the aging village of Melamchi-gaon. The gompa set on the to Tarke Ghyang commands excellent views of Dorje Lakpa (6,996m) and Ganja La to the north. The next few days walk is through interesting Melamchi Khola valley to Talamarang and the paddy fields of Melamchi Pul Bazaar. From Melamchi Pul Bazaar, Kathmandu is a few hours drive via Panchkhal valley and Dhulikhel.

Itinerary