Humla Limi Valley Trekking - 21 days

On arrival at Kathmandu international airport, received by our office staff and guide and then a short drive to your hotels in the hub of Kathmandu city. After checking in your rooms getting refreshed join with other members for Humla and Limi Valley trekking briefing with useful information regarding treks and other details for your enjoyable stay in Nepal with us, includes welcome dinner in an authentic Nepalese restaurant with Folk Culture program.

Morning, depart from the hotel for exciting tour at places of great interest within Kathmandu city, steeped with historical and religious monuments temples, monasteries as listed in World Heritage Sites, after an interesting tour afternoon at leisure for Humla and Limi Valley trek preparation.

As per time for flight to Nepalgunj located Nepal Far South West transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport for scenic sweeping flights of about 50 minutes to land at low warm areas at Nepalgunj city airport. During airborne fantastic views a panorama of snow-capped mountains from the take-off in Kathmandu to landing at Nepalgunj airport, on reaching at Nepalgunj airport terminal transfer to a nice hotel within its city area. Nepalgunj, situated close to Indian border of UP (Utter Pradesh), where culture and local people with strong Indian influence in culture and way of life.

Having early breakfast at the hotel in Nepalgunj transfer to airport for another short flight to Simikot facing amazing views of Api and Shaipal with other range of peaks.On reaching at Simikot after 40 mins meet our other trekking crews for the journey into inner Humla and Limi areas where our guide transfer you in the best available lodge and hotels at Simikot, which is also a headquarter town of Mugu-Humla and Karnali region located on route hidden areas of Limi and towards South West Tibet border near Mt. Kailash.The people of Simikot and Mugu area, populated by Nepalese Hindu known as Thakuri, regularly trades with Tibet which falls north-westwards where our walk leads on the same old Himalayan trade trail following along Humla-Karnali close to the border of Tibet at Hilsa.

Trek starts with short climb of an hour to a little pass just of 3,000 m, and then steep long downhill to Dharapuri, where walk leads high above Karnali River within pine forest past farm villages, as well encountering local people of both Hindu and Buddhist carrying their heavy loads all the way up the steep trail.

A short walk today following Karnali River, on high slope above the river and as well walking almost on the same level along the river side, where river finds its own way through narrow gorges past high rocky slopes, as our walk leads along fields of barley, buckwheat, rice and potatoes. On reaching at Kermi, afternoon free to enjoy natural hot springs close to the village of 30 minute walk, Kermi a small agricultural village as well first Buddhist village on the route, from Kermi onwards all the villages enriched with Buddhist culture of strong Tibetan origin. There are two interesting Buddhist monasteries close to Kermi: Laikyo Gompa, a few hundred years old, is about 45 minutes from the campsite and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa, less than half a century old, is about 30 minutes from the campsite seldom visited by foreign visitors.

Walk on flat with some gradual uphill, through fields of barley and buckwheat, after few hours cross over a small pass, and then descend to reach a big iron suspension bridge over Sali River. Walk leads within beautiful pine forest with views of emerald green Karnali River to reach at Yalbang for overnight camp.In and around Yalbang with several interesting sites to visit above the village stands beautiful monastery: the Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery tour of the monastery with a huge stone of Tibetan mantra carved on it. The Namkha Khyung Dzong is the biggest monastery in the region, with around 130 monks living there.It belongs to the Nyingmapa lineage, the oldest Buddhist sect founded by Guru Ringpoche, an important tantric Guru of 7th century.Inside the monastery a large statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and some smaller statues with statue of Guru Rinpoche, monastery has a school and a clinic, which you can visit as well.

Leaving Yalbang, the path leads high above Karnali River again passing small village of Yangar, as walk continues on wonderful path carved out of the rocks, as walks takes you on three-sided tunnel.As walk progress witness the environment that change as it get rockier where tall pine trees make way for smaller bushes, then crossover Karnali River over a suspension bridge.The path climbs high above the Karnali River and goes along the upper site of a deep gorge, along the walk meeting big flocks of sheep carrying salt, an old trade with Tibet that still exists.Around the route with many temporary restaurants and shops, which can be a nice place for a tea, noodle soup or just to refill your stock of snacks, like coconut biscuits.After few hours of pleasant walk reaching at charming village of Muchu for overnight stop or we might continue an hour walk to Tumkot. 

From here walk leads to a climb with few steep in between, and then leaving Tumkot, observe the landscape change as it gets more rocky and desolate.The few trees left for low juniper bushes where part of the trail leads over dirt road which is being built at the moment and then walk past small village of Pani Palwang with couple of teahouses along the road, which makes a nice place for a cup of tea or a lunch break. It’s another few hour walk to Yari or Thado Dunga, just after Yari for overnight camp.

Today adventure leads over high Nara La pass at 4,620 meter with long climb, but rewards you with fantastic views, as path climbs heading into desolate landscapes where trees disappear completely and the landscape looks more like Tibet terrain, encounter big caravans of mules, dzopa or yaks. The bigger yaks are an especially impressive sight and walk past few teahouses at Tado Dunga; from here the trail becomes steeper. Where walk leads to few hours climb over a pass, after crossing the pass with few big tents (tent hotels, serving foods and drinks).Where you look Nara La pass in the far distance, but due to high altitude a hard climb, the pass marked with pile of stones (it brings good luck to add one!) and strings of Tibetan prayer flags, carrying the prayers far away with the strong wind.As walk continues with views ahead of Tibetan side and back towards Yari far below, on the other side of the pass where the areas are similar to Tibet surrounded by barren mountains in brown, copper, ash and dark yellow colors.From the pass a long descent to Hilsa, close to the border of Tibet for overnight stop.

On leaving Hilsa, crossing a big iron bridge to other side of the river that connects to wider trail high above on the slope, as trail follows Karnali River towards east direction till Manepeme village is reached for overnight camp, after a climb on gradual steep ups and downs with views of dramatic landscape of bare, steep rocks in amazing colors.

Morning walk leads to climb and winds up through high and steep rocks, after few hours reaching a small path on almost level for a while and then walking near an interesting meditation cave, Ya Yip Phuk. A meditation cave of Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo (985-1055), a famous translator of Buddhist scriptures, where his activities were crucial to the revival of cultural exchange between Tibet and India, paving the way to the so-called second dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet. The trail is surprisingly green at some parts, with some juniper trees and bushes among the bare rock. The path climbs very steeply for about half an hour to Lamka La, a pass of above 4,300 meter, after the pass, with grand views and easy walk on downhill to Til (more or less 2 hrs). As you approach the village coming towards various chörtens (stupas) the first thing you notice from Til, are white buildings attached high to a slope a place with a monastery of Til with some retreat houses next to it. At Til houses are built with stones that completely merge with the environment surprised to be back into environment of much greener, the village surrounded by birches and terraced fields with barley of both bright yellow in September-October, two beautiful snow capped mountains with impressive glaciers towers above the village. The village of Til is a beautiful authentic Tibetan village, like all villages around Limi Valley as you enter the village passing a gate chörten and observe villagers with original Tibetan dress: the men a long thick brown coat, with one sleeve down, the women a long brown or blue coat, with their heads covered with a long colorful cape.Most women wear beautiful jewelry, with big turquoise stones. The older people spend a big part of the day praying, spinning their prayer wheels around. Most prayer wheels carry the famous mantra “Om mani padme hum”, which means more or less “blessed is the jewel in the lotus”. This is the mantra of Avalokitesvara, the buddhisatva (a Buddhist half god, who stays on earth to help humanity reach enlightenment) of compassion.

An easy day walk to Halji, allows you time to explore the villages and visit the monasteries where path follows Limi River upstream and is relatively flat walking.Along the way chances of spotting some mountain goats and blue sheep! If you are very lucky you might even see a snow leopard from here on. From Til takes few hours to reach at Halji as the village blends with the environment and enter the village passing a gate chörten after which a very big mani wall appears, a low wall with many stones in which holy mantra’s and Buddhist deities are carved. In Halji the monastery, Rinchenling Gompa, is in the village itself. It’s built in the 14th Century and belongs to the Kagyugpa lineage. The main Gompa (monastery of Limi Valley) serves as religious centre of the area it has been beautifully restored (with help of Nepal Trust) and has many interesting parts to visit. The main hall has a beautifully decorated statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. In smaller rooms you can find the complete Kenjur (Buddhist scriptures), masks and costumes used during festivals and more beautiful statues. Close to the village there is a clinic, a micro hydro power plant and solar plant built by Nepal Trust that you can visit as well.

From here walk on moderate trail of some hours from Halji to reach at Jang, following Limi Khola. Jang the third and last village within Limi Valley and other smaller villages; It’s very special to be in such a secluded place where Tibetan culture still retains relatively untouched, as far from the modern day world as you can be.

On leaving Limi Valley and its authentic Tibetan villages with friendly people, in near future it might not be the same, where walk leads through completely desolate landscapes. The trail goes up slowly but steadily till overnight camp at Talung is reached.

Morning leads to spectacular pass of the adventure, a tough climb but rewards reaching on the highest spot of the trek, at above Nyalu La a 4,940 meters high pass, sometime approaching snow and ice, which makes the climb more challenging, from the pass breathtaking 360° views of Humla with Tibet landscapes includes holy Mount Kailash (6,714 m) and Mount Saipal (7,031 m) with more snowcapped mountains that stretch out before you .From the pass steep descend to the lake of Selma Tso at 4,630 meter wher trail continues going down, following Salli River, to our campsite at Shinjungma with grand views of Mount Saipal.

Today reaching back into civilization at Kermi village as our route drops below 3,000 m for first time after ten days, a pleasant walk into pine and birch forest along Salli Khola (stream), with rocks towering on both sides of the trail.Finally the path meets Karnali River and turns east towards Kermi village for overnight stop with time to relax your body in the hot springs.

Another long day to reach at Simikot where first part leads to Darapuri and Majgaon at 2,290 m and then with pleasant walk from Majgaon where climb leads for few hours from Karnali River up to reach on top of a pass at above 3,000 meters. From here downhill walk takes you back at Simikot for well-deserved chill beer and a hot shower to end the day at Siumikot and in the comfort of nice hotel / lodge after being in tents for many nights around high Humla and Limi Valley.

Morning from your lodge at Simikot transfer to its small airstrip for scenic short flight to land at Nepalgunj airport, here with times to get refreshed before catching another flight back to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu transfer to your respective hotels with free afternoon for individual activities.

We have planned a free day for you to enjoy extra leisure day in Kathmandu after scenic trek around Humla and Limi Valley, on this day free for individual activities and shopping souvenirs, or join in for another exciting tour around Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur at places of great interest.

Your last day in Nepal, country of Himalayan wonders and as per your international flight time depart for homeward bound or to next respective connecting destinations. Our staff and guide transfer you to Kathmandu airport after a mesmerizing memory and great time on Humla and Limi Valley Trekking.