Helambuतार्केघ्याङ
The largest Hyolmo village in Helambu, with closely built stone houses and a gompa.
Tarkeghyang is one of the largest villages of Helambu, a tight cluster of stone houses with carved wooden windows around an old gompa, on a slope above the Melamchi valley. On the Helambu trek it is usually reached from Melamchi Gaon across the valley, and it is the place where many trekkers spend a slower day.
Ama Yangri, a hilltop above the village, is a popular viewpoint for the Jugal and Langtang ranges. A dirt road now reaches the village from Melamchi Bazaar, so it is also possible to end the trek here and drive back to Kathmandu.
The Hyolmo people of Tarkeghyang follow Tibetan Buddhism and speak the Yolmo language. Many families have relatives working abroad, and the village has a long link with Kathmandu. Apples grown in Helambu are well known in the valley markets.
Hike to Ama Yangri
A steep climb above the village for mountain views; go early with a local guide.
Walk to Sermathang
An easier contouring walk of about 3-4 hours through forest and farmland.
Forecast for 2,600 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
Lodges and homestays in the village.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
On foot from Melamchi Gaon (about 5-6 hours), or by jeep on a dirt road from Melamchi Bazaar.
Nearest hub: Kathmandu
Nearest hub: Melamchi. Times are typical ranges, not schedules, and vary with roadworks, weather and the season.
By car or jeepfrom Melamchiabout 3-5 h
Jeeps run up dirt roads from Melamchi Bazaar, which is itself about 3 to 4 hours from Kathmandu.
Road: Rough earth road climbing from the valley floor to the Hyolmo villages; a jeep or 4WD is normally needed and conditions change year to year.
When to set off: Leave Melamchi Bazaar in the morning: the track is slow and drivers avoid it after dark.
By motorbikefrom Melamchiabout 3-5 hExperienced riders only
A steep, loose climb for experienced riders only, and poor going in the monsoon.
Road: Steep earth track with loose surfaces above Melamchi Bazaar.
On footfrom Melamchi Gaonabout 5-6 hAbout 5-6 h from Melamchi Gaon, down to the river then up roughly 700 m
On foot across the Melamchi Khola from Melamchi Gaon.
When to set off: Start early: the stage drops to the river and climbs roughly 700 m on the far side.
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.
Road blockagesmoderate in a typical yearJun-Sep
The earth road up from Melamchi Bazaar softens and slides in monsoon rain, so the jeep ride can be slow or interrupted.
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.
Walk the Helambu trek via Melamchi Gaon, or take a jeep on the dirt road from Melamchi Bazaar.
The old gompa, the stone village lanes and the Ama Yangri viewpoint above the village.
About 2,600 m; sources range from about 2,560 to 2,740 m.
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 · 2,590 m
A Hyolmo village with a gompa below Tharepati on the Helambu trek.
Trek stop · 2,625 m
A Hyolmo village at the southern end of the Helambu trek, linked by road to Melamchi.
Trek stop · 3,650 m
A high ridge stop at about 3,650 m where the Helambu and Gosaikunda trails meet.
