Langtang and Helambu Region

A region of great natural beauty and pristine walking trails, Langtang Region is rarely visited by trekkers. Located close to the Nepal-Tibet border north of Kathmandu, the region offers a raw wilderness trekking experience. Unlike the more popular and well-facilitated Everest and Annapurna trails, Langtang still retains its rustic charm. The amenities at the popular stops of Kyangjin Gompa and the new Langtang Village may have been upgraded in recent years, but most of the villages along the Langtang trail still seem suspended in time.

A visit to the Langtang Region offers you a rare opportunity to observe authentic Tibetan culture. The inhabitants of the region are known as Tamangs and most of them migrated from Tibet during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. They came from Kyirong County as horse traders and settled in the hills and valleys of the Langtang Region. The inhabitants haven't given up on their Tibetan roots and follow the Tibetan way of life. They speak the Tibetan language, follow Tibetan Buddhism, and have preserved their Tibetan culture and traditions.

Most villages as well as the trekking trails lie within the Langtang National Park. The park is home to rare Himalayan wildlife and vegetation, glaciers, rivers, and soaring Himalayan peaks. Some of the major treks in the region are the Langtang Valley trek, Gosainkunda Trek, Ganja La Pass Trek, Tilman Pass Trek, and the Tamang Heritage Trail Trek. The region also offers excellent opportunities for novice climbers to practice their climbing skills. Yala Peak, Kyanjin Ri, Baden Powell Peak, and Naya Kanga are all great destinations for young or novice climbers.

Helambu Region is popular for its short hiking trails and apple farms. It is one of the few trekking regions that lie close to Kathmandu. Inhabited by the Hyolmo community who come from Tibetan stock, a journey through Helambu will let you experience traditional Hyolmo hospitality and culture. Trails along the Helambu, overlook the majestic snow-covered summits of Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, Yala Peak, Ganesh Himal, and other giants. Dotted with verdant forests and mountain villages, a hike through the Helambu Region offers a perfect respite from the chaos of Kathmandu.

Most of the treks to Helambu begin from Chisapani, Sundarijal or Timbu. The trails traverse the dense forests of the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and follow the narrow mountain ridges skirting the valley. One of the popular destinations in the region is Ama Yangri Peak. Regarded as a guardian deity of Helambu by the Hyolmos, the peak can be easily accessed on foot without any technical maneuvers. To explore the region one can embark on the Helambu Trek. Its route meanders through the Hyolmo villages of Tarke Ghyang, Sermathang, and Melamchigaon.

The Helambu Region is also a sacred Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The region is regarded as a 'beyul' (sacred hidden valley) by the followers of Tibetan Buddhism. One can find several ancient Buddhist shrines and caves where saints like Milarepa and Padmasambhava meditated.