• Best trek for: Easy-going, accessible trekking
• Difficulty: Easy
• Trek duration: Seven days
• Max. elevation: 3,640m
• Accommodation: Trekking lodges
• Start/end point: Kathmandu

The closest trek to Kathmandu — it starts from the northern outskirts of the city — takes you on a fairly gentle amble through terraced fields, wild forests, flower meadows and through lots of little villages with views of the mountains. The highest point reached on this trek is 3,640m, so it can be done as a mid-winter trek when higher routes might be snowed in.

You can make an enjoyable week-long circuit (a good option for those with little time and/or trekking experience), but most people choose to use Helambu either as a walk in or out route to Gosainkund and the Langtang Valley. However, be aware that doing this will involve crossing into Helambu via high-altitude passes at either Laurebina La (4,610m) or the very challenging, sometimes dangerous and often snowbound, Ganja La (5,106m). Trekking on these routes involve steep climbs and big changes in altitude, posing a real risk of AMS.