Ama Trekking Hiking from Kathmandu is a great weekend escape in Nepal’s Helambu region, about 90 km from the country's capital. It is the hidden gem nearby city named after the sacred deity “Ama Yangri,” “the mother of Yangri,” offering a pleasant and challenging trekking spot. The trekking trail begins from Tarke Gyang serving as the trek starting point and takes you to an altitude of 3,771m at Ama Yangri Peak. Trekkers from the top of the peak are rewarded with 360-degree views of snow-dusted giants like Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, and Jugal Himal, and that of some of the top of the world, such as Annapurna (8,091 m), Manaslu (8,163 m), and Mt. Everest (8,848.88 m).
The Ama Yangri Hike itinerary from Kathmandu can typically span from two to three days and begins with around a 5 hour drive from Kathmandu to Tarke Gyang along the beautiful countryside with several tiny yet charming villages. The moderate trek, one of the best beginner-friendly short trekking routes, leads through thick rhododendron forests, terraced farms, and remote hamlets and provides adventure lovers with a much-needed break from the daily chaos of city life, best for those seeking the natural, cultural, and spiritual aspects of the Helambu region in a short time.
Accompanied by the calming sounds of birds and prayer flags as you move through several Buddhist monuments like monasteries, gompas, mani walls, and Chhortens (stupas), the Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu in Nepal is just the perfect destination for a family of trekkers. It is not only affordable but also good for any average health hiker' who has never engaged in mountaineering, hiking, or trekking in life, regardless of how old or young an individual is. While the actual Ama Yangri Hike from Kathmandu Cost may depend on the mode of transportation, shelter, food, and personal interests, we at Happyland Treks have started offering first come first serve and group discounts for 2025 and 2026. Reserve your seat now!
Trip Highlights
- An adventurous yet scenic drive to and from Tarke Gyang with interesting bumpy roads around the typical Himalayan village.
- It is one of the easiest and shortest treks offering a quick nature escape close to the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal.
- A pleasing walk and drive through the forests of pine, oak, and rhododendrons will give you the chance to encounter wildlife protected under the Langtang National Park of Nepal.
- Thrilling climb to Ama Yangri Peak at 3,771 m above sea level, serving as one of the best viewpoints to see the Langtang Himalayas along with Dorje Lakpa, Ganesh Himal, Manaslu, Annapurna, Mt. Everest, and others.
- Glimpses of the culture of locals from the Himalayas and their heartwarming hospitality, etc.
Trip Facts
Duration: 3 Days
Trip Grade: Easy to Moderate
Country: Nepal
Region: Langtang
Maximum Altitude: 3,771m above sea level at Ama Yangri Peak
Starts: Kathmandu
Ends: Kathmandu
Activities: Trekking, Hiking, Walking
What makes Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu special?
Ama Yangri Peak, at an altitude of 3,771 m above sea level, is one of the highest peaks near Kathmandu Valley, making it one of the best short bucket list hikes from Kathmandu city, including in the years 2025 and 2026. Though the Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu is one of the great and discovered trekking routes due to its immediate escape to nature, rich culture, and views of snow-clad mountain peaks, its popularity is increasing.
The scenery from the top of Ama Yangri is spectacular and can be compared to Poon Hill in the Annapurna Trekking Region of Nepal. Located in the Helambu region of the Sindhupalchowk district, it covers a shorter distance than Poon Hill, rewarding with an equally beautiful route, brimming with diverse landscapes, lush forests, and quaint yet lovely mountain villages. Here’s a brief discussion of why hiking to Ama Yangri from Kathmandu is your must-visit destination.
Off-the-beaten experience
Despite the Ama Yangri Peak's closeness to the capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, the hiking route to Ama Yangri is comparatively less trodden than some of the other trek routes to nearby peaks such as Shivapuri, Nagarkot, Chisapani, and Kakani. The trekking trail sees a lower number of trekkers and hikers even during the seasons that are considered the peak trekking and climbing seasons of Nepal, such as the Everest Base Camp (EBC) Expedition, Annapurna Base Camp Hike (ABC), and Langtang Valley Trek.
Whether you drive or trek, the Ama Yangri Trekking route offers you tranquil forests of rhododendrons, especially vibrant during the spring when it is freshly bloomed. Away from the humdrum of city life, the villages are peaceful. Dotted with several prayer flags, mani walls, monasteries, and stupas, the trail showcases an uncanny representation of the influence of Buddhist culture, teachings, and learnings. Therefore, located northeast of Kathmandu in the Helambu region, the Ama Yangri Trek is a hidden gem, an ideal destination for individuals seeking solitude and serenity.
The rich culture of the Hyolmo people of the Helambu region of Nepal
Similar to other trekking regions of Nepal, the Helambu region is also home to diverse ethnic communities but is majorly dominated by indigenous people of Tamang. Native to the Himalayas, the Tamangs from the Helambu region prefer calling themselves the Hyolmo Tamang, with a distinctive way of life, culture, traditions, cultural attire, and dialects. Other than the Hyolmo Tamang, Sherpas are yet another Himalayan tribe residing in the area. Both communities are active practitioners of Tibetan Buddhism, offering you a chance to experience their rich culture and tradition from the inside.
Along the way to Ama Yangri, specifically in the village of Tarke Gyang, you will get to encounter locals engaged in their daily activities, such as farming and animal husbandry. Their life is simple but deeply connected to nature, hills, mountains, and their people, who cherish the guests as a form of god. Therefore, the cultural immersion is further enhanced as you spend nights in one of the teahouses, lodges, or guest houses opened by Himalayan local communities who not only provide you with homemade, freshly cooked meals but also folklore of the region.
As the local guides bridge the cultural and language gap between you and the locals, the Ama Yangri Hike from Kathmandu is an opportunity to enjoy the warm hospitality of the Tamang people, see their culture, and taste local cuisines, promising an authentic hiking experience.
Gorgeous mountain views
Right from the beginning of the Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu, as you leave the Kathmandu Valley behind, trekkers can relish the spectacular vistas of the Nepalese Himalayas completely covered by snow. Perched above the sky, surrounded by rolling hills, terraced farms, and dense forests, the Langtang Himalayan range, like Langtang Liring, Dorje Lakpa, and Ganesh Himal, creates a majestic backdrop. The mountain views are most grand from the top of the Ama Yangri Peak (3,771 m/12,372 ft).
The peak is one of the least visited and rarely climbed sacred rocky hill stations that the locals revere as the guardian deity who protects the entire region and its people from natural calamities. Hyolmo people climb the peak as part of their centuries-old cultural rites and rituals on an annual basis to worship the deity and seek blessings, serving as one of the highly popular pilgrimage destinations nestled amidst the sky-towering Himalayan ranges.
On a clear weather day, from the top of Ama Yangri, you can see the magnificent views of the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Mt. Everest (8,848.88 m), as well as providing a profound sense of serenity, accomplishment, and adventure-like never before. If you make it earlier in the morning, the sunrise view is out of this world as the first ray of sun covers the whitewashed mountain, and slowly the lush hills and surroundings are bathed in golden hues. For mountain enthusiasts, nature lovers, and seekers of isolation, the Ama Yangri Trek rewards you no less.
Sneak peek into the Langtang National Park
Yes, you heard it right: the Ama Yangri Trek from Kathmandu is part of the Langtang National Park of Nepal. Established in the year 1976, it is Nepal’s first Himalayan National Park, spread over an area of 1,710 square kilometers in the Nuwakot, Rasuwa, and Sindhupalchok districts, including more than 26 villages, including Langtang Valley and Helambu Valley.
The national park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna including rare wildlife such as red panda, Himalayan Tahr, musk deer, and many species of birds that you may get to encounter on your luck even on the way to Ama Yangri Trekking route from Kathmandu. For wildlife aspirants, it is just the right vacation destination to see and adore some of the interesting untamed fauna and flora, especially when you have only limited holidays left in Nepal and are looking for a short yet fulfilling wildlife, culture, and mountain experience.
Beginners and budget-friendly
Unlike some of the high-altitude treks in the Himalayas of Nepal, such as the Annapurna Circuit Trek, the Manaslu Circuit Trek, or the Annapurna Circuit with Tilicho Lake Trek, which takes you 5,000 m above sea level, the Ama Yangri Trekking from Kathmandu is a low-altitude hike in the Helambu Region with almost very very less possibility of acute mountain sickness (AMS) or altitude sickness. As there are not any extended trekking days, and it is mostly through low altitudes not greater than 3,771 m above sea level in the prime destination itself, Ama Yangri, the hike is mostly a pleasurable, convenient one even for freshers without any age criteria.
Further, the trekking trail is easily accessible from Kathmandu via road. To reach the trek starting point, you do not have to board mountain flights or take long drives from Kathmandu, and it can be completed in 2-3 days. The roads and trekking trail are both well established; hence the trip here is 100 percent guaranteed, even during summer/monsoon seasons when you are mentally and physically prepared for possible blockage of the road caused by floods and landslides. If you are looking for an exceptional beginner- and budget-friendly hiking option nearby Kathmandu that promises 100 percent departure, go no further than Ama Yangri Hiking.
Best Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu 3 Days Itinerary and Cost for 2025 and 2026
The 3-day itinerary for Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu begins with a thrilling drive to Tarke Gyang (2,600m), covering around 75.6 km in 5-6 hours based on the traffic of the day. Tarke Gyang is both the Ama Yangri Trek starting and ending point, set in the center of lush hills and snow-capped mountain peaks and features one of the religiously and culturally significant monasteries of the Helambu Trekking Region of Nepal after which the village is named, Tarke Gyang. After spending the first night here, you will begin to walk early in the morning to arrive at the Ama Yangri Peak the very next day. The hike includes making your way through green valleys, alpine meadows, and snowy trails as you move closer and closer to the peak, precisely in the winter season from late November to February.
The trek is gradually ascending and rewards everyone who takes part in this short Himalayan voyage with a complete 360-degree panorama of surrounding Himalayan peaks, including Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Jugal Himal, Dorje Lakpa, and others, where the enchanting natural melodies of Himalayan birds in a tranquil natural setting add much to the scenically rich landscapes. The Ama Yangri Peak and its area have a lot to offer: serenity, side exploration, cultural encounters, and whatnot. Nonetheless, the 3-day is the ideal route and itinerary for the Ama Yangri Hike from Kathmandu, offering a balanced Himalayan voyage to one of the highest peaks nearby Kathmandu, also the pilgrimage site.
This Ama Yangri Hiking 3 Days Itinerary from Kathmandu ensures a comprehensive short trekking experience with ample cultural interaction and encounters, unspoiled natural beauty, and an unparalleled sense of adventure as you stand atop the peak without long trekking days, high-altitude steep ascents and descents for several weeks, and exploration without rush in step. Further at Happy Land Treks, we are offering the best competitive discounts on the 3-Day Ama Yangri Hiking Cost from Kathmandu for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
Though the package cost may vary depending upon the level of services you have selected, our Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu Trip Cost includes all essential trekking logistics such as meals, accommodation, transportation, permits, guides and their salaries, travel insurances, and basic needs. Additionally, we also offer customized journeys according to your interests and financial limits. Reach out to us today and get a customized package that works out best for you. You will remember us for the epic trekking, touring, expedition, and climbing journeys with no hassle.
Optional itinerary for 2 Days Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu by private transport
For those in great physical conditioning, you can complete the Ama Yangri Hike from Kathmandu in just 2 days. If you are an experienced hiker, trekker, or climber, you can choose to ride a private jeep back to Kathmandu from Tarek Gyang instead of a day of rest and nights after a successful summit of Ama Yangri. Novices can also do so, but you must be in good shape both mentally and physically, which otherwise helps you to save the expense of a one-night accommodation and dinner, which looks like this:
Day 1: Kathmandu to Tarke Gyang Drive by private Jeep, overnight in TarkeGyang. (2600m/8,530ft)
Max. altitude: 2,600m/8,530ft
Meal: Breakfast-Dinner
Accommodation: Local-Lodge
Early in the morning, right after breakfast, you will be picked up by a guide from Happy Land Treks and driven in a private jeep to Tarke Gyang. You will catch lunch on the way, and by afternoon, you will have already made it to the destination of the day, Tarek Gyang, at the heart of the Langtang Himalayas with a stunning view of Ama Yangri Peak.
Day 2: Tarke Gyang to Ama Yangri hike (3771m/12,372ft), back to Tarkegyang, and then Kathmandu
Max. altitude: 3,771m/12,372ft)
Meal: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Accommodation: Local-Lodge
The round trip from Tarke Gynag to Ama Yangri takes around 5-6 hours. Therefore you will begin at 6 am, reach the peak, and you will be filled with a profound sense of adventure, achievement, and tranquillity as you stand amidst the lush hills, snow-clad mountain peaks, and views of green valleys below.
After spending adequate time here, you will return around 1-2 pm for lunch at Trake Gyang and head back to Kathmandu by private jeep. If everything goes as planned, around 7:00 pm, you will check in at your hotel in Kathmandu.
Itinerary 3 Days from Kathmandu by local transport
Day 1: Kathmandu to Tarke Gyang (2,600m)
Max. altitude: 2,600m/8,530ft
Meal: Breakfast-Dinner
Accommodation: Local-Lodge
The Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu itinerary begins with an early morning drive to Tarke Gyang from Nepal’s capital city, Kathmandu, after breakfast. Generally, the tourist bus/jeep/local bus of your preference, if any, takes you through Timbu via Melamchi Helambu road with stunning views of lush hills, rivers, and mountain ranges.
The joyous drive continues for around 5-7 hours, covering approximately 60 km, stopping at one of the local lodges, teahouses, or guesthouses for the night. The picturesque village of Trake Gyang is known as the “Gateway to Ama Yangri Peak,” welcoming you with magnificent views of the surrounding snow-capped peaks, including Ama Yangri itself.
Day 2: Hiking from Tarke Gyang to Ama Yangri Peak 3771m, and returning to Tarke Gyang
Max. altitude: 3,771m
Meal: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Accommodation: Local-Lodge
During this day, you rise from bed earlier than usual and embark on a hike until you are at the top of Ama Yangri, which is 3,771 meters above sea level. From the village of Tarke Gyang at an altitude of 2600m, the trail climbs steeply on the pleasant Himalayan terrain for 2-3 hours, passing through temperate forests, meadows, and typical Himalayan slopes similar to those of Langtang villages. In between there will be a lunch hour, which will create an opportunity of relaxing and viewing nature while away from the busy world.
Despite the tough and somewhat demanding terrain due to the high-altitude steep parts requiring a moderate level of fitness to pull through with some gentle exercise, it is beautiful to catch stunning views of the Helambu region, Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Gaurishankar, Annapurna, and Manaslu, and in good weather, even the Everest peak (8,848 m), the top of the world.
Day 3: Tarke Gyang to Kathmandu drive and overnight in Kathmandu (1,400m)
Max. altitude: 2,600m/8,530ft
Meal: Breakfast-Lunch-Dinner
Accommodation: Local-Lodge
The Ama Yangri Hiking from Kathmandu concludes this day with a drive back to Kathmandu from Tarke Gyang. It will be epic to wake up with unparalleled mountain scenery and board a private vehicle passing through narrow mountain roads where the lush hills, gushing rivers, and snow-clad mountains add much to the landscape one more time.
Lunch is at Melamchi Bus Park, leaving you with ample time to reflect on the journey and continue the ride. The feelings can be overwhelming to return to urban hustle from serene rural charm deeply connected to nature, its people, and mountains.
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