Helambu circuit trek itinerary, day by day

The Helambu circuit takes eight days from Kathmandu: a one-hour drive to Sundarijal, seven walking days over the Shivapuri ridge to Chisapani (about 2,180 m), Kutumsang (about 2,470 m) and Tharepati (about 3,650 m), then down through the Yolmo villages of Melamchigaon, Tarke Ghyang and Sermathang to Melamchi Bazaar (about 820 m), and a 3 to 4 hour drive back. It covers about 90 km on foot with about 6,700 m of climbing, and the first two days are the hardest.

The walking times below are estimates from distance and climb, checked against operator itineraries, so real times differ with pace, load and weather. The route data sits on the Helambu trek page, and the background is in the Helambu region guide.

The 8 days at a glance

Day 1: Sundarijal to Chisapani (about 2,180 m)

Take a bus or jeep from Kathmandu to Sundarijal, about an hour, then walk. The trail climbs steep stone steps beside the water pipeline, passes the reservoir and enters Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, where you register your permit. It is about 8 km with 780 m of climbing through oak and rhododendron forest. Chisapani is a ridge village with lodges and long views of the Himalaya on clear mornings. Enjoy the sunset and the first night in the hills.

Day 2: Chisapani to Kutumsang (about 2,470 m)

The long ridge day. The route follows the Shivapuri ridge via Gul Bhanjyang, about 17 km with 1,500 m of climbing and 1,200 m of descent, through forested hills and farm villages with road crossings in places. Gul Bhanjyang has lodges for lunch, and the route enters Langtang National Park after the checkpost. Kutumsang is a Yolmo and Tamang village with a small gompa and lodges. Our table gives 6 to 8 hours, and the route notes give 7.5 to 9 hours, so start early and carry water.

Day 3: Kutumsang to Tharepati (about 3,650 m)

About 10 km with 1,330 m of climbing, 5.5 to 7 hours. The trail rises through fir and rhododendron forest to the ridge, opening onto meadows and views of Langtang Lirung and the Jugal range. Tharepati is a high saddle with a few lodges and cold, windy nights. Put on warm layers early, eat well and drink plenty of water. This is the highest night of the trek, so watch for headaches.

Day 4: Tharepati to Melamchigaon (about 2,540 m)

A short, steep descent of about 5 km and 1,170 m, 2 to 3 hours, through fir forest and rhododendron, with the Melamchi valley opening ahead. Melamchigaon is a Yolmo village of stone houses, mani walls and a gompa, with lodges and apple orchards. The air feels warmer. Spend the afternoon in the village and rest your knees.

Day 5: Melamchigaon to Tarke Ghyang (about 2,580 m)

About 6 km with 680 m of climbing and 650 m of descent. The trail crosses the Melamchi Khola on a bridge and climbs to Tarke Ghyang, known for its large monastery, long mani wall and traditional houses. It is a good place to learn about Yolmo culture, so walk the village in the afternoon and visit the gompa, respecting local customs. The route notes say 3 to 4 hours, our table says 4 to 5.

Day 6: Tarke Ghyang to Sermathang (about 2,580 m)

About 10 km with 700 m of climbing and 670 m of descent, 4 to 5 hours, along the ridge through forest, meadows and small villages, with views of terraced hills and the Melamchi valley. Sermathang is known for its monastery, apple orchards and views, and it has simple lodges. Take poles for the steep stone steps.

Days 7 and 8: down to Melamchi and back to Kathmandu

Day 7 is a long descent of about 17 km and 1,890 m to Melamchi Bazaar at about 820 m, on footpaths and sections of road through forest, farms and villages, with the air getting warmer and more humid. Poles spare your knees. Melamchi Bazaar is a busy town on the river, rebuilt after the 2021 floods, with hotels and shops. Day 8 is the drive to Kathmandu, about 3 to 4 hours by jeep or bus along the Melamchi road. Leave early, and keep a spare day if you can, because landslides in the monsoon can cause delays.

The two days that decide it

The circuit is shorter than most teahouse treks, but it has two days that wear people out. Days 1 and 2 add up to about 25 km and more than 2,200 m of climbing, nearly all of it on stone steps and ridge paths, with the second day the longest of the trek. People who arrive in Nepal two days earlier often feel it in the calves.

The other thing to plan around is Tharepati. At about 3,650 m it is much higher than every other night, and the nights are cold and windy. Most walkers cope well, but anyone with a headache should sleep lower, at Melamchigaon, rather than push on. If you have time, sleeping at Kutumsang (about 2,470 m) and then climbing to Tharepati is the normal pattern, and the next day's descent of about 1,170 m is the quickest cure for altitude symptoms. Our altitude sickness basics cover the signs.

Permits and the guide rule

You register at Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park at Sundarijal, where the entry permit is NPR 1,000 for foreigners as of October 2026, and you need a Langtang National Park entry permit, NPR 3,000 for foreigners per entry, for the section from Kutumsang. A TIMS card may be requested where the local office asks, and the Nepal Tourism Board lists it at NPR 2,000 for foreigners (SAARC nationals NPR 1,000), plus any agency service charge. Helambu is not a restricted area.

On the guide rule, a licensed guide through a registered agency is required in restricted areas, and under the Nepal Tourism Board rule of April 2023 in national parks and conservation areas, where 2026 operator reports say checkpoints enforce it in Annapurna and Langtang, the strictest, but not in Khumbu (checked 19 October 2026). Part of the circuit is in Langtang National Park, and our route data marks a guide as required, so plan on one. See the guide rule by region and the Langtang National Park permit guide.

Lodges, food and costs

Lodges at Chisapani, Kutumsang, Tharepati, Melamchigaon, Tarke Ghyang and Sermathang offer dal bhat, noodles, eggs and tea in simple rooms with blankets. Facilities are basic and prices rise with altitude. Carry cash for the whole trek, because there are no machines beyond Sundarijal and Melamchi. The transfers from Kathmandu to Sundarijal and from Melamchi back are lines to check, since our sources publish no fares. As of October 2026 the neighbouring Langtang cost data gives a dal bhat of NPR 600 to 1,000 between 2,500 and 3,800 m, a guide day of NPR 2,700 to 4,000 and a porter day of NPR 2,100 to 3,400, as operator market ranges, not official rates. The route data counts eight guide days and seven porter days.

Season and packing

March to May and October to November are best. Winter is cold but clear at low altitude, with snow above Kutumsang that can block the ridge, and the monsoon brings leeches, rain and landslides. Pack broken-in boots, waterproof layers, a warm jacket, a sleeping bag rated to about minus 5 C, hat and gloves, sunglasses, sunscreen, poles, a headlamp, water purification and a first-aid kit; add a down jacket in winter and leech socks in the monsoon. See the Nepal trek packing list.

Extensions, sharing and more

From Tharepati you can continue over the Laurebina La to Gosaikunda and Dhunche, adding three to four days; read the Gosaikunda itinerary first, and note that the Dhunche side was affected by the August 2026 floods, so check current conditions. You can also add a day at Tarke Ghyang or Melamchigaon. The guide and porter are the shared costs, so post your dates on the Helambu partner page. The route guides category and the day-by-day itineraries hub list the other plans.

The regional data is on the Langtang region page, which includes Helambu.