Melamchi Gaon, also called Melamchi Ghyang, is a Hyolmo village on the slopes above the upper Melamchi Khola, reached by a steep descent from Tharepati. Its houses spread across terraced fields around a gompa, and it is the usual overnight stop after the high ridge on the Helambu trek.
This is not Melamchi Bazaar, the road town far down the valley where many treks end. From Melamchi Gaon the trail drops to the river and climbs the far side of the valley to Tarkeghyang, the next large Hyolmo village.
The Hyolmo people of Helambu follow Tibetan Buddhism, and each village has its gompa, called ghyang locally, which is why several village names end in ghyang. Hyolmo communities speak the Yolmo language, a Tibetic language. Farming of potatoes, barley and apples, and herding, go alongside trekking.
Visit the gompa
Ask before entering, remove shoes and walk clockwise.
Cross to Tarkeghyang
Down to the Melamchi Khola and up the other side, about 5-6 hours.
Forecast for 2,590 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Mar-Apr, Oct-Dec
A few lodges and homestays.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
On foot from Tharepati in about 3-4 hours, or from Tarkeghyang across the valley in about 5-6 hours.
Nearest hub: Kathmandu
Nearest hub: Kathmandu. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
On footfrom Tharepatiabout 3-4 hAbout 3-4 h from Tharepati, descending roughly 1,000 m
On foot from Tharepati, a steep descent of about 1,000 m, or across the valley from Tarkeghyang in about 5 to 6 hours.
When to set off: A downhill morning; the forest trail is steep and slippery after rain, so allow more time in the monsoon.
Permit required
The Helambu trek crosses Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park near Sundarijal and Langtang National Park on the higher ridge; both charge entry. The route is on the Nepal Tourism Board's list of treks requiring a licensed guide and an agency-issued TIMS card.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Nepal Tourism Board: Park entry fees.
On the Helambu Trek.
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Landslidesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
Steep forested hillsides on these ridges shed small slides and washed-out trail sections during monsoon rain; rocky trails stay slippery after rain or frost.
Floodingmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The Melamchi river carries a documented monsoon flash-flood and debris-flow risk: in June and July 2021 long monsoon rain loosened material upstream, the river was dammed and the breach swept away homes, roads and bridges in the valley.
Othermoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
From June to August the forest trails are slippery after rain, leeches are common and the mountains are usually hidden by cloud.
Snowmoderate in a typical yearJan-Mar
The upper part of the Helambu ridge, around Tharepati, takes snow in late winter and early spring, which can make the high traverse slow or impractical.
Coldmoderate in a typical yearDec-Feb
December to February nights are near or below freezing at these altitudes and lodges are lightly heated; bring a warm sleeping bag and down layers.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
A short trek that starts on the edge of Kathmandu at Sundarijal and follows forested ridges to Tharepati (about 3,650 m), then visits the Hyolmo villages of Melamchi Gaon, Tarkeghyang and Sermathang before a drive back.
No. Melamchi Gaon is a Hyolmo village high in Helambu; Melamchi Bazaar is the road town far down the valley.
About 3-4 hours of steep descent.
The local word for a gompa, or Buddhist temple, used in many Helambu village names.
Trek stop · 2,215 m
A ridge-top lodge village above Kathmandu, the first night of the Helambu trek.
Trek stop · 2,470 m
A ridge village on the Helambu trek, a day below the high point at Tharepati.
Trek stop · 2,625 m
A Hyolmo village at the southern end of the Helambu trek, linked by road to Melamchi.
Trek stop · 2,600 m
The largest Hyolmo village in Helambu, with closely built stone houses and a gompa.
Trek stop · 3,650 m
A high ridge stop at about 3,650 m where the Helambu and Gosaikunda trails meet.
