Trekking Routes: Helambu

Days 5-8

Day 5: Tarke Gyang to Tharepati Tarke Gyang to Malemchi Khola: 2 hours; Malemchi Khola to Malemchigaon: 2 hours; Malemchigaon to Tharepati: 4 hours. Elevation Gain: 5,300 ft. (1,615m). Elevation Loss: 2,800 ft. (853m). If you aren't looking forward to the long and arduous trek up to Tharepati, you might want to spend a few days in Tarke Gyang, making day trips up to some of the high pastures above the village. There are excellent views to the north from within a few hours of Tarke Gyang. If you feel like moving on from Tarke Gyang, descend to reach the river (6,200 ft.; 1,890m) in about 2 hours. Cross the bridge and climb the steep trail to Malemchigaon (8,300 ft.; 2,530m), which takes about 2 hours also. Here in Malemchigaon, you will have to show your Langtang National Park entry permit (which you purchased for Rs650 [$9.85] when you got your trekking permit in Kathmandu) before continuing into the park to Tharepati. There are lodges in Malemchigaoun if you prefer to postpone the final push to Tharepati. From Malemchigaon, the trail leads up a very steep mountainside. This trail is often hard to follow and can be slippery. It takes at least 4 hours to reach the Tharepati Pass (11,500 ft.; 3,505m). This climb of more than 5,000 feet (1,524m) in 1 day is grueling. In the winter, snow makes the going even more difficult, and the trail becomes even harder to follow. Prayer flags mark the pass, where there are several lodges. Day 6: Tharepati to Kutumsang Tharepati to Mangegoth: 2 hours; Mangegoth to Kutumsang: 4 hours. Elevation Gain: 1,375 ft. (419m). Elevation Loss: 3,675 ft. (1,120m). From Tharepati, there are two possible routes. The trail north climbs up to the 15,100-foot (4,602m) Surjakund Pass and links the Helambu trek with the Langtang trek by way of Gosainkund. This route is usually not passable in winter and is even difficult during the rest of the year. Though it is possible to cross the Surjakund Pass without a guide, it is not recommended. See "Gosainkund," above, for details about that trekking route. If you are only making a circuit of Helambu, follow the ridge to the south, and in an hour you will pass the lodges at Mangegoth. This is a very remote area of high pastures and oak and rhododendron forests. If you are going to see any wildlife other than birds, this is probably the most likely area. For the first 3 hours the trail descends gradually, but the second half of the day's trek is a steep descent to Kutumsang (8,097 ft.; 2,470m), a small village on a windy ridge saddle. The Langtang National Park office here will probably check your national park permit. There are a couple of lodges beside the park office and several more as you head south out of the village and up the ridge. Day 7: Kutumsang to Pati Bhanjyang Kutumsang to Gul Bhanjyang: 2 hours; Gul Bhanjyang to Chipling: 2 hours; Chipling to Pati Bhanjyang: 2 hours. Elevation Gain: 1,375 ft. (419m). Elevation Loss: 3,675 ft. (1,120m). From Kutumsang, the trail climbs the ridge before making a steep descent to Gul Bhanjyang, which has several lodges and is also in a saddle. Climb up the ridge from Gul Bhanjyang, continuing to head south, and in 2 hours you will reach Chipling, where there are some teahouses. A steep and rocky trail descends from Chipling to another saddle, where there are a few lodges. The trail then ascends another ridge before dropping down to the saddle on which Pati Bhanjyang is built. Day 8: Pati Bhanjyang to Kathmandu Pati Bhanjyang to Sundarijal: 5 1/2 & hours. From Pati Bhanjyang, retrace your steps back to Sundarijal.

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