Lying some 72 kilometers north-east of Kathmandu, the Helambu region consists of the country situated at the head of the Melamchi Khola (River). Bounded on the north by a wall of 5000m peaks, it extends north-west to the Gasainkund Lakes and east towards the lower slopes of the Jugal Himal. The region is corrugated by a number of valleys and ridges running north south through which run the headwaters of the Sun Kosi River the Yangri and Larkye, with the Melamchi Khola being the western most tributary. The population is predominately Sherpa and there are several picturesque Sherpa villages and Buddhist monasteries scattered around the Melamchi Khola. The principal villages are Melamchigaon, Tarkyeghyang and Sermathang. Tarkeghyang with its fine Gompa is the largest village. Beautiful views can be obtained from Yangri Danda, north of Tarkyeghyang. The region's proximity makes it the nearest Sherpa community to Kathmandu. Being easily accessible, it is the ideal area for those with a limited time for trekking, especially in the spring when the rhododendrons are in bloom. Although it is not endowed with towering peaks as in the Khumbu and Annapurna regions, its 16,400 ft/5,000 m 19,680 ft/6,000 m. peaks provide a beautiful backdrop to this charming region. Moreover, unlike the Khumbu, it is relatively unspoilt and less trekked. To the north is Langtang Himal, with Langtang Lirung (23,767 ft/7,246 m) prominent among the snow capped peaks. To the north east Dorje Lakpa (22,927 ft/6,990 m.), Madiya Peak (22,304 ft/6,800 m.) and Phurbi Gyachu (21,838 ft/6,658 m.) stretch out eastwards forming the Jugal Himal range. Far to the north west Ganesh Himal stands aloof, separated by the Trisuli Gorge.