Travel Nepa

About Helambu
Helambu (also known as Helmu) offers primitive cum medieval excitement in a jeweled setting of jade green mountains and turquoise streams. It lies about 45 miles north of Kathmandu.
Here is Helambu –gay and glamorous, colorful and contrasting .And here is the world of Sherpas, formed by the Himalayan snows, dotted with smart houses and set off by delighteful fresh Rolling Meadows. All around the alpine region of Helambu are the unspoilt areas of Himalayan beauty, welcoming you to leisurely exploration.
Here you can breathe in the clear air sweeping down from the snow-capped mountains of Gosaithan, Langtang and Loenpogang. The villages of Helambu have every ingredient needed for an ideal vacationing – the lure of distance, the romance and color of high altitude .This blissful piece of land lies where the gentle sun meets the cooling Himalayan breeze.
Each of the three major villages Tarke Ghyang, Melemchi, Sermathang has a distinct characteristic of its own .They are only hours apart on foot. Wherever you visit , the scenery is spectacular , the climate is inviting (average temperature 50⁰ Fahrenheit), the hospitality is spontaneous .Warm friendliness is the keynote of what may be called the Helambu spirit. And pervading all are the enchanting overtones of the Himalayas – the smiling faces, the haunting folk song and dances, the colorful costumes, varied food and tasteful décor.
The Helambu region extending from north of Taramarang to the three –limit of the lower Langtang foothills covers several highland Sherpa villages scattered around and above the Melemchi gorge. The real Helambu highlands begin from Timbu and Nurpugaon above keul.
A Journey through this region offers trekkers any type of relaxation he seeks from untroubled rest in soothing surroundings to exciting mountain climbing in the lower Himalayas, the backdrop to all Nepalese landscape.
The forested foothills northward towards the main Himalayan chain have many different Himalayan fauna. Even apart from the mythical Yeti ,Himalayan fauna found in the outskirts of Helambu include many animals remarkable for their size and looks, among them the snow leopard, the Himalayan black bear, wild sheep and goats of many kinds including the largest kinds magnificent horns such as Thar , Ghoral, musk deer and the Yak. The Yak, the sheep and other domesticated cattle are indispensable to the economy of the mountainfolk of Helambu.

TARKE GHYANG:
The “Big Sherpa Village” of Helambu is a land of dramatic contrasts that surprise and delight its many trekkers. Bigger than all the other Helambu villages, it is a ‘City in mainiature’ of alpine meadows, snow-capped peaks, sparse cattle country,green fields, lavish rhododendrons and safe-to-watch glaciers.
Nestling on a crescent base under the towering slopes of Tangri Danda (16805 ft) .Tarke Ghyang sits quietly in incredible beauty at an altitude of 9000 feet above sea- level.
Tarke Ghyang is one of the starting points for many of the treks into the interior of the Langtang Himal.Abridle path branches off from here to Langtang Valley (16805 ft) via Yangri, Keldumbh.This trek is one of the most difficult in the Nepal Himalayas.
From the village of Tarke Ghyang , a steep bridle path leads to breath- taking Yangri look-out , where the alpine pastures reach up to a height of 12000 ft.and extend over big stretches towards Langtang.Yangri Danda is famous for the immense panorama it offers.IT overlooks the northern Himalayan ranges against the vastness of the blue sky to the northwest and northeast.Langtang , 2377 ft, Loenpogang 23238 ft,Dorje Lakpa 22929 ft ,Phurbi Chyachu 21844 ft are some of the many peaks which can be viewed from here in all their majestic glory and grandeur.The bridle path to Yangri is occasionally closed owing to snowfall during winter and early spring.
Out of difference to the religios susceptibilities of the local people , hunting of wild life animals and birds in and around the vicinity of Tarke Ghyang village is prohibited. Shooting with the camera is a better substitute, producing a more enjoyable trophy. In consequence.It is a fairly common sight to see the timid browsing peaceful deer among the barley fields, secure in the well-founded belief that they will not be molested by men.
Tarke Ghyang derives its name from Tarke Ghyang monastery. The Ghyang or monastery itself is situated in a very attractive spot commanding the most beautiful panoramic view of the snowy range. It has white- colored walls. Prayer flags flap in the wind.
MELEMCHI:
A small Sherpa village half way between Melamchi Khola (=river) and Thare or Yurin mountain, it is perched on a flat land on the precipices of Thare or Yurin Danda.The village of Melemchi is situated at a altitude of nearly 7000ft above sea level.The Melemchi valley is a rift between two mountain groups: the Yurin massif on the west rising to 10000ft.On the precipices of these two giants stand Melemchi and Tarke Ghyang villages which are just parallel to each other, although the village of Tarke Ghyang is much higher. Aveil of mist overcasts the depths of this rift, giving even greater majesty to these high accessible walls that tower over the murmuring snow-fed Melemchi.
From the Melemchi Khola the climb to Melemchi village is not very steep and winds though groves of trees, tiny brooks and small huts.At some points, the Melemchi River valley below opens out in all its serenity and grandeur.Melemchi is bare, beautiful, bashful and lonely.
Yurin or Thare, 2 miles up from Melemchi lies on an important pilgrim route to famous Gosainkunda Lake.Those interested in trekking should take time to visit the glacial lake takes the trekker through some of the best scenery in the Himalayas.
SERMATHANG:
About 6 miles east of Tarke Ghyang village, situated at an altitude of 8670ft , Sermathang is a beautiful Sherpa village with high mountains towering above, which bears the same name and the river Melemchi flowing below.Close by is the famous apple orchard .Its fruits are as good as any of those grown elsewhere.
The natural beauty of Sermathang is greatly enhanced by the surrounding hills.Sermathang has many quite and delightful promenades.The bridle path to Palchok and Ghyangyul villages affords excellent views both to the north and the south.
KAKANI:
Overlooked by the snow- capped peaks of the Himalayas, Kakani is a pretty little way side Sherpa village which lies on the way to Tarke Ghyang from Timbu Village.Scenically , the village of Kakani which stands on a ridge between Tarka Chhassa and Yemba Lama , at an altitude of 7500 ft, is one of the most picturesque spots in the region.
The quite scenic charm of Kakani village amidst rhododendron forest , is one of the most interesting villages of Helambu.This Kakani should not be confused with another of the same name, which is motorable from Kathmandu (29 km)
There are altogether eight monasteries in Helambu , these are:
1. Sermathang Ghyang
2. Chhumi Ghyang
3. Ghyanggyul Ghyang
4. Sete Ghyang
5. Dejinthang Ghyang
6. Tarke Ghyang
7. Chhero Ghyang
8. Melemchi Ghyang

A part from the rites performed in the village monasteries and attended by the normal congregation, there are many ritual performances which attract men and women from all the villages of Helambu .The villagers of Helambu are happy and joyous, and love to dance and sing at the slightest excuse. For them even a small event is big enough to be celebrated .Sherpas of Nepal as other people of the hills share one common trait – their love for nature and its expression in dances and music. Helambu has a larger number of rituals, rites and ceremonies. The entire village –men, women and children turn out gaily dressed and profusely ornamented with gold and silver jewelleries.
The Route
From To Height(in feet) Distance(in miles)
1. Kathmanadu Sunderijal 5000 8
2. Sunderijal Mulkharka 6550 3
3. Mulkharka Khasrubas 7300 2
4. Borlang Borlang Bhanjyang 8014 1
5. Borlang Bhanjyang Chepu Bhanjyang 7600 2
6. Chepu Bhanjyang Pate Bhanjyang 6500 3
7. Pate Bhanjyang Thana Bhanjyang 7300 2
8. Thana Bhanjyang Taramarang 4100 5
9. Taramarang Mahanka 4800 4
10. Mahankal Keul 5000 4
11. Keul Timbu Village 5000 4
12. Timbu Village YembaLama 6900 2
13. Yemba Lama Kakani 7500 1
14. Kakani Tarka Chhassa 7200 2
15. Tarka Chhassa Tassithang 8200 2
16. Tassithang Tarke Ghyang 9300 2
Alternative Route
There is a regular bus service from Kathmandu to Pachhkhal from where one can trek to Taramarang. From Taramarang one can follow the main trail to Helambu via Mahankal or one can also chattered a chopper or plane also.
Religious Rites and Ceremonies
Numerous religious rites and ceremonies take place in the village monasteries (Gombas) of Helambu. The Monasteries are the focal points of Sherpa life .The performances of seasonal and domestic rituals are mainly held in the monasteries. It is easy to identify Buddhist monasteries and Sherpa village of Helambu with their scared streamers flying and their prayer flags fluttering in the wind.
Loshar Festival: The most important ceremony of the Sherpas of Helambu , Loshar festival is held every year in the month of Magh (January-february) for several days to mark the beginning of the New Year of Sherpas.
Dhumju Festival: This festival is held in the month of Jestha (April- May). Its dominant element is masked dances set to music.
Yangri Ko Thijyo: All the villagers of Tarke Ghyang throng to the scared shrine of Yangri every year of Baishak Purnima (full moon day of Baishak-April) .Set amidst the splendor of snow capped peaks Yangri is reached through steep climbs and short trek for the three hours from TarkeGhyang on winding mountain trail, Baishak Purnima (April) is the anniversary of Lord Buddha’s birth- Enlightenment and death.
During ceremonies the Lamas of Helambu recite prayers from the sacred texts, turning prayer wheels at the same time .The Lamas burn incense and light butter –fed lamps. Organizer of the rites and helper prepare potatoes, fried rice, tea, Chhang (home brew)-alcoholic etc and these are served at intervals in which the villagers who attend the rite also join with pleasure.
The walls inside the village monasteries of Halambu are well decorated by fresco paintings