The closest are to Kathmandu that can offer a spectacular trek in the Nepalese Himalayan highlands is to the north of it. The area of Langtang, Gosainkund and Helambu, which is populated by the Sherpa community, provides easy access and superb mountain scenery with its range of Himalyan peaks: Langtang Lirung, Dorje Lakpa, Gangchemo, etc. The high Langtang valley with its scattered Sherpa villages and glaciers offers great opportunity for trekking and climbing of small peaks. From Langtang, hiking to the sacred Gosainkund lake and crossing the pass leading down to the Helambu region allows for an extended trek of 15 days or more into the Helambu region can be organized from Kathmandu.