The headquarters of the Humla district, Simikot, is located in the Karnali zone, in the northwestern part of Nepal, bordered by India and the Tibetan Autonomous Region. Due to its geographic structure, Humla is one of the most remote and isolated regions in Nepal. The Simikot Trekking Trail goes along with the Mugu and Dolpo districts in the Trans-Himalaya region. Since this trekking trail is less frequented, you will mostly walk through isolated villages that feature unique cultures and pristine natural environments. This area is untouched by modernization and preserves natural beauty, culture, and tradition.
To visit Simikot, you must camp and organize your trip, as there are no teahouse facilities available like those found in other trekking regions of Nepal. The most common trekking route in this region is the upper Humla Karnali valley trip to Manasarovar and Kailash in Tibet. There is another trekking route for a two-week circuit through the Limi Valley, and next is a potential three-week trek connecting the Nyin and Limi valleys. From Simikot, the trail goes south along the bank of the Humla Karnali River deep below Simikot and east past several exciting villages called Bargauon-the-Dojam, then further up the Nyin Valley and the remote northeastern corner of Humla. To the northwest, a high as well as a low trail brings you along the upper Humla Karnali river valley and eventually to Tibet.
A more northerly trail takes you to the remote but inhabited Limi Valley. The beautiful Saipal Himal (7,031 m) is one of the highest mountains of this trip; pastureland with a herd of yaks and wild goats makes your trip superb. If you like to study the almost century-long history of Tibet, then the Simikot trip will be best. The culture, tradition, and people's lives have been preserved for centuries. They are staying in stone huts plastered with mud houses and making their livelihood with animal husbandry. People here are practicing Bonpo Buddhism; every village has a monastery, chorten, stupa, and mane wall. The colorful Buddhist prayer flags have been fluttering near every house and on most of the hills. The main tribes of Humla are Nyinba, Bynes, Limipa, and Khampa; still, they are following the polyandry marriage system in society.
The main access to the Humla Simikot Trekking is Nepalgunj to Simikot (2910 m) by scheduled flights. There is a direct bus service from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj and a flight from Kathmandu. As an alternative route for the Humla trip, you can fly from Surkhet to Simikot, but flights are infrequent and somewhat unpredictable. Usually the helicopter charter flights from Surkhet are for the shipment of food, medicinal herbs, essential oils, and some other export products. Indian pilgrimage tourists make the charter flight to Simokot and visit the Manasarovar and Kailash trips. There is no motorable road in the Humla so far. The shortest walk to Simikot is from Sanfebagar in Accham District (a 10-day hike for a local). Another alternative is to walk out of Humla into Bajura District, reach Kolti Airport, and wait there to guess when the next aircraft will arrive.
This trip starts from Simikot with a wonderful flight behind the Himalayan range and mountain scenery. Then, climb to Nara La pass (4,560 m) through the typical villages of Dharapori, Kermi, Yalbang, Muchu, Tumkot, and Yari; then, heading to Limi Valley from Hilsa (3,674 m), make a loop back to Simikot via Nyalu La (5,001 m). Limi Valley is isolated, extending from Hilsa Pass to another pass (Chang La) between Nepal and Tibet. Manepeme, Tiljung, Halji, Jang, Tholing, and Talung (Limi) Camp are unforgettable stays with hidden treasure. Then you will retrace the trail from Kermi. This place is untouched by modern changes and is believed to be the present form of the mythical Shangri-La. Travelers can choose to do a teahouse or homestay trip from Simikot to Hilsa, which offers very basic facilities.
Simikot is in a restricted area; you need a special permit through an authorized trekking agency. For this, you need to be at least two people in a group and have a proper trekking guide. We at Nepal Mother House are glad to organize the Humla Simikot trek by expert local guides and porters according to your holiday schedule and requirements. As this is a rain shadow area, there is less rain during the monsoon, so June and July are also good times for Simikot trekking. But mid-September to November in autumn and March to May are the best times in spring. Why not join us for your lifetime experience in the Himalayas, then?
Simikot Trekking awakens one to a world free from mass tourism, not only about getting to a destination. This walk transports one not only across space but also through time and spirit with Limi Valley's wild horses, Yasra Gumba's mystery, historic monasteries, and sheer beauty of nature.
Simikot welcomes you to calm down and feel every step, regardless of your interests—trekking alone, a nature lover fascinated by Himalayan biodiversity, or a storyteller pursuing true culture.
