The Langtang Himal is visible from the Kathmandu valley but is amazingly peaceful, life plods on serenely, ignoring the frenetic rush of city life. These northern valleys host Buddhist communities whose ancestry can be traced back to Tibet. Crossed on the Gosainkund Trek, the great brooding ridge of the Laurebina pass separates the Tibetan-inspired scenery of Langtang from the middle hills of Helambu. Seemingly soaring to heaven, These oxygen-starved ridges hide the holy lakes of Gosainkund.

Almost in the backyard of the Kathmandu valley, the ridges and hill of the Helambu region are often passed by without a glance. It’s a shame that this region, so easily accessed, has never really gained the recognition of deserving. The south-facing summy aspect of Helambu offers warmth and hospitality to be welcomed by those itching to get away from it all, but without weeks of discomfort.

Nestling between Ganesh Himal and Langtang in the shadow of Tibet is the Tamang Heritage Trail region of the upper Rasuwa district. It has seen a plethora of new developments recently, putting it firmly on the trekker's map. The fabulous viewpoint of Touche above Nagthali is a stunner, revealing the shy peak of Ganesh I, the elephantine Ganesh V as well as the long-forbidden ancient trading post of Kyirong in Tibet. The Ganesh Himal Trek connecting Manaslu and Langtang is one of the last great Jewels of Nepal, so close to Kathmandu, easy to access and yet so little know.