Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Issue 1 | Page 18

© RMT

Langtang
and Helambu

18

“Phu is a tiny settlement just near the border with
Tibet.WhenIfirstwalkedtowardsthislittlevillage
it felt almost like magic” – Billi Bierling, climber.
On a clear day in Kathmandu, bright white peaks rise over
the forested ridges of the Shivapuri National Park as if
curious to see what is going on in the bustling city. You
can literally walk out of the Kathmandu valley towards
these mountains and into the Helambu and Langtang
trekking areas. Helambu, is a beyul (hidden valley) one of
108 sacred Himalayan valleys, places of peace and refuge
revered by Tibetan Buddhists. The welcoming Sherpas,
distance relatives of the Sherpas of Everest, call themselves
Hyalmo after the name of their beyul. Here is a green
and pleasant land of quiet villages, terraced slopes and
pine forests leading upto the Langtang National Park.
It’s perfect for relaxed trekking. Many small and secluded
holy lakes are found around here. At Gosainkunda, under
August’s full moon, you can witness Hindu followers of

January 2012 - Issue 1

Shiva bathing in its icy waters before changing their sacred
Janai thread. The Great Himalaya Trail passes over into
Langtang, via the challenging 5308m Tilman Pass from
where you can see right into Tibet. The descent delivers
you into another, very different beyul, of glaciers and
majestic snowy peaks of which Langtang Lirung at 7227m
is the shining star. Take time to explore this stunning
landscape and keep alert for signs ofsnow leopard. If it’s
autumn, stop in Kanjin Gompa or Langtang and sample