Simikot Trekking

Arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu; you will be picked up by our Nepal Mother House staffs to check in Hotel at Thamel. It is a touristic hub of the city from where you can go shopping, tour Durbar squares, visit different temples and meet the need of your taste buds with any food you want to eat that why we choose Thamel for you.

This is your second day in Nepal; we introduce the Guide and other staff and organize permit and paper work. While organizing restricted area permit, we need your Nepal visa which must be validate entire trip and original passport with 4 copy of PP Size pictures each of you. So, normally it is not possible organized all your permits before your Nepal arrival, according to Nepal immigration rule. Or you may explore to the Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath Stupa and Durbar Squares and shopping for the trekking.

Today, you will fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj. There is not direct flight Kathmandu to Simikot, so at list you need to stay one night in Nepalgunj before you catch a plane to Humla. Nepalgunj is a business hub for both the city dwellers and those who live high mountains. As Nepalganj is just five miles (8km) by Indian border, so the traditional and culture is similar like Indian. And it comes as no surprise that it looks more like an Indian city than it is a Nepali one. Nepaljung is Terai region the temperature is high here and the condition humid for most part of the year. You will check in to the hotel for an overnight stay.

Today you will fly to Simikot. It takes about 45 minutes flight from take off to touch down from Nepalgunj. The flight is a amazing through the ridges and ravines in the spectacular mountains. Landing at the Simikot Airport is no less adventure as it is just a graveled airstrip but it has planning to become asphalt soon. You feel like you are in a different world due to the sudden rise in altitude and decrease in temperature. The high mountains climate with fresh air makes your breathing cool and fell refreshing. You are staying night in the tented camp or you can stay at Guest House.

This is you first day trip. After hot breakfast day starts with the hike to a pass (3,150m) which is approximately an hour. Then the trail is a descent of about an hour to Majgaon. Mostly the trail goes through the pine forest where you can see local Hindu and Buddhist people in their traditional dress accompanied by their herds of cattle. Cattle are main transportation modes in this area. They carry the load for the people in this part of the world because there is no motor able road. If people have not their cattle then people carry their loads on their backs with head strip and take them to destination. When you passing Majgaon, the trail get rough; one corner it is descent and it is ascent the next corner. Some people called Nepali flat for this particular topography. At higher you have green and lush scenery. When you decide to call it a day, your night will be spent in a tented Camp.

Today the trail goes through the Karnali River Side with unusual one for some in that the track keeps altering the elevation within matters of a couple hundred meters. Sometime the trail goes through the narrow gorges of Karnali River with high rocky slopes and there will be moments when you find yourself walking right at the bank of the river. Then you will walk by pattern of cultivation land by local. They grow barley, buckwheat, potatoes, bean and rice and doing animal husbandry. Today you will enjoy hot spring at Kermi after 30 minutes hiking. People of here and further above are following the Buddhism, you can see Monastery and Chorten with beautifully craft Mane wall every village. There are popular two monasteries, Lakiyo Gompa and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa. The first one was from few hundred years old, within 45 minutes walking distance from the camp. To get latter one takes 30 minutes from the camp, is relatively new and was built less than a century ago. The trekkers not often visit the monasteries, but you may batter you visit this for new experience. Rest of the day you will wonder around the village. During the night time you have strange howls of jackals and hyenas keep reminding you that you are at the lap of the nature.

Today the trail is more easer. Except a small pass, most of the trail to the Yalbang is flat with nice scenery alongside the fields with different species of lizards and other creatures. The walk on big iron suspension bridge over the Sali River will be great fun for your journey. From here the trail descent from this point forward. You might want to stop few minutes for sipping tea and coffee nibbling some cookies. The trip is better from here as there are beautiful pine and rhododendron trees above your head and bright green Karnali down the hill. As cattle are main transportation means of this area, you do not be surprised if you bump by caravans of mules and Dzomo (hybrid of yak and cow). The local villagers are travelling for trade from Simikot to Nyinba Valley and Taklakot. This is main trade hub across the Tibetan border.

In the Yalbang village, there are many places and heritages site to spend extra days as explore. You may visit to the Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery. The monastery is ancient structure with beautiful craving and Tibetan mantra at wall. This is one of the biggest monasteries in the region where are about 130 monks living. The monastery originally comes from the Nyingmapa Lineage, the oldest Buddhist lineage. According to the legend it was founded by Guru Rimporche in 7th century, who is a great magician. Inside the monastery there is a huge statue of Shakyamuni Buddha and other smaller statues along with that of Guru Rimporche. There is Buddhism school and a clinic. You may participate for praying ceremony in the monastery which is happened at every morning and noon. You will soak with the spiritual vibes by being a part of the ritual. Please be quiet and remain behind the monks near one of the walls they had there. If you like to know more about monastery, the monk will guiding you to solve your curiosity. This night makes more fun by melody of jackals and hyenas coming from the distant bushes.

After having breakfast, the journey continues on as we catch up with the trail from where we left off. The trail is heading to the Yangar village where the Karnali River leaves below. Today most of the path is flat except at some parts of the journey there are three sided tunnel like trails that are fixed out of huge boulders. The climate is change every half or an hour walking. The greenery begins to disappear and so do the smaller bushes. The pine forest finished here and appraiser huge part of rocky hillocks. Then, you will across the big wooden suspension bridge over Karnali River. Begin to climb through the Rocky Mountains, where the party is only getting started and you can tell that by looking. The trail continues to climb until it reaches the climax of the deep gorge. You flow emerald green Karnali bottomless under the gorge still embraces the same charm and continues to keep you a company. Do not need to be surprised, when you witness ancient trade methods still existing in same old fashion like the sheep carrying the sacks of salt on their backs. Then, trail goes through the army camp and stop for the quick tea coffee with snacks.

It takes 3 to 4 hours to get t in Muchu village. If you have energy left, we heading to Tumkot about additional an hour walk. Tumkot is beautiful village; where the main trail breaks down two parts for a small market. The north part of the same market is Tumkot. If walk 20 minutes on top of a rocky mountain, you get in Dhungkar Choezom Monastery, which is affiliated to Shakya Lineage. This is considered one of the important monasteries in the Tibetan region. This is the only Shakya monastery in Humla districts. Should the warden of the monastery be available he will give you insight on every minute detail that the monastery has in its bosom. It is a heart blowing to see that the monastery with bad shape and needs an immediate renovation though. You will stay overnight in a tent.

The track of today continues to go up and steeper with similar climate, vegetation and the landscape. After a few hours hike the climate begins to change. The landscape becomes more rocky and barren despair green pine trees and starts to see short and low junipers. You have sight of under construction trail. Further more on the end of the road brings you to the Pani Palwang village with some tea houses. This place is a perfect for the lunch break. From here the Yari or Thado Dunga is just an hour and half. You will stay overnight in the tent which by the way is going to feel like nothing less than a five star hotel suite after all the day hard work.

Today the trail is quite harder; we need to cross Nara La Pass an elevation of 4,560 meters. The trees are despair and start to see dry marine land with beautiful landscape looks more like that of Tibet. Often you will see herd of Dzopas, Mules and Yaks on the trail. Especially yaks with huge body and long hair interested to see. The trail from Thado Dunga is steeper and harder. Often you might want to stop for a cup of tea and water enjoying with beautiful scenery. To get in top of Nara La, there is still two more hours. Today you might see some snow on the trail as first time of the trip. The trail for today will just half after the top. On the top you can see the piles of stones, and Buddhist prayer flags looming in the air, this is symbol of bring good luck on you. Furthermore, you are captivated the breathtaking view of Tibet on the one side and spectacular view of Yari Village down below. Beautiful landscape with barren mountains in brown, copper, ash and dark yellow colors as far as you can see. The rest of the trail from here is an unstable descent down until Nepal and Tibet border. There is optional trail if you want to play it safe and go through the dirt road which takes a bit longer or take a steep short cut. You are staying overnight at tent. This will be like nothing you have ever done before.

You will leave the Hila after cross the big iron bridge over the Karnali River, some time there is traffic jam of donkey and trekkers. Then, walk along a narrow trail that winds its way up until you connect with the main route on the higher hill. Again the trail fallows the Karnali River all the way to Manepeme. Most of the trail today is up and down, this will be perfect training rest of the trip. Due to amazing landscapes, jungle and barren mountains blow your mind away and you won’t fell tired. And no prizes for guessing, you will be spending your night in a tent.

This is your day twelfth of trip, still you need to climbing up continues. After couple of hours walking you will choose a small path that stays at the same level for a while and the wider path that starts going up instantly. This narrow trail takes you to a very old meditation cave, Ya Yip Phuk. A famous translator of Buddhist scriptures Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo (985-1055 AD), meditated in this very cave. He had great contribute to exchange cultural exchange between Tibet and India by his movement. Finally he led to spread the Buddhism in Tibet. Now the trail is appearance teeming with lush and green plants. You can see uncontrolled juniper trees along with some other shorter greenery.

The trail keeps going up until you have arrived at Lamka La an elevation of 4,300 meters. Than it descent all the way to Til, you will find it batter walking. As you get closer to the Til, you will find Chörtens (Stupas) as sign of settlement. You will see white buildings attached to the slope, which got to be the monastery with some retreat houses in the edge of the Gumpa. But you still have some time before you see the actual human settlements. The houses are perfectly colored to disguise in the surroundings. Finally you have arrived at Til, you will find the background has gotten green curtains for it. There is cultivation land around with barley fields. During the September and October it looks bright yellow colour with beautiful snow mountains behind you.

Til is a beautiful village like any other village in Limi Valley. The culture and people life style here is like similar Tibetan people. There is a Chorten to the village gateway. They conserve former Tibetan culture, they wear their traditional dresses, men wear a long thick brown coat, with one sleeve down and the women wear a long brown or blue dress with a colorful apron made from yak wool. They have long colorful cape to keep their heads worm. Big turquoise stones jewelry looks them beautiful. The old age spend most part of their day in spiritual activities, spinning around prayer wheels and humming “Om Mani Padme Hum” meaning roughly “blessed is the jewel in the lotus”. This mantra (chant) is believed to be possessed by Avalokitesvara, the Buddhisatva (a Buddhist half god) who supposedly stays on Earth to anchor humanity to enlightenment and compassion. When you call it a day, you head to a tent and get a sound sleep.

The thirteen day of trek is less work and more fun relatively easy and smooth walk. You will walk few hours to get in Halji and have spare daylight, by the time this give you opportunity to wander around the village and have a look around the monasteries. The Limi River fills Karnali’s shoes as Limi River accompanies your trail. Keep an eye around because you never know when those highly endangered species are going to show up. Please, do not miss out such an opportunity. With luck on your side, you might come across mountain goats, deer, snow leopards, and even blue sheep. This place is behind the Himalaya treasure. The trail goes through the Chörten and big Mani wall, Mani walls are low walls built up with many stones with holy mantras and Buddhist deities carved on them. The Rinchenling Gompa is affiliated to Kagyugpa Lineage; it is the holiest Monastery in the region built on 14th century and is also the centre of religious activities in the Limi Valley. The main hall has a well decorated idol of Shakyamuni Buddha. Other rooms have smaller statues, a completed version of Kenjur (the Buddhist scripture), masks and costumes used during different cultural carnivals. They do not charge you for the entrance but you have to pay 500 NRS for the picture. Your stay overnight will be at one of the teahouses or your own tented camp.

This is relatively a relaxed trek of about five hours. Most of the time, the path goes through the Limi river bank. The companionship of Limi River makes every single second worthwhile. Jang is the third and the last village of Limi Valley. And like all other village it is nothing short of dignity, surprises and beauty. As far as Jang is from the modern hustle and bustle and as free as it is from the modernism, Tibetan cultures come alive here at their purest. Here is a beautiful Gompa which you can visit after paid 500 NRS. You can stay night in the tea house also.

Today is best part of the trek, that until Kermi through the wilderness trail no human settlements and most fantastic landscapes. The trail gets harder at times and crossing few wooden brides on the rivers and streams. The trail remains slow and steady goes up until Talang. You will be staying in tent for overnight at Talang.

Today is day sixteenth of the trek, this will take you at highest point of the tour. Nyalu La pass is highest point with 5,001 meters from the sea level. Walking at such high elevation with tiny trail is an adventure itself even though, you will enjoy with beautiful mountain and nature. Snowy trail, 360 degree view of Humla and Tibet, the glimpse of glorious mountains like Mount Saipal (7031m), and Mount Kailash (6714m) make you unforgettable trip. Taking some pictures on the top, rest of the path climbs down after you across the pass. The altitude fall down quickly, at 4630 meters elevation there is a tranquil Selma Tso Lake. The downward slope continues on its course all the way down to Shinjungma , where you camp setting for overnight stay. The vegetation and climate is changing very much, the Sali River, steep slopes, Mount Kailash.

Your first day walking in the human settlements in days after your trek started. You will get back to Kermi Village today with 3,000 meters below altitude after long time. But the walk does not get any better due to you will be treading on the solid grounds amidst pine and birch trees and Sali River by your side. The trail takes you to the Karnali River and your parade heads eastbound. You can relax at hot spring; dip your tired body into the hot pound before seeing off your day in a tented camp.

The day begins with few ups and downs along the road and nice landscape. The trail is smooth up to Darapuri (2300m) and Majgaon(2290m) you will enjoy very much. Then, after Majgaon the trail decides to turn aggressive. It takes two hours walk up the hill from the Karnali River until you reach a pass at the height of 3,000 meters. From there on, it is another half an hour walks to get in Simikot. You have hot water proper shower after long time and walking around the market. You will be spent the night in a tent.

You trip end on day 18 th, with Limi Valley end. Back to Kathmandu via Nepalgunj is long way due to few flights, unpredictable weather and geographic condition. You will collect with some life long memories during this tour. Your flight will be earliest possible in the morning to make sure in schedule. During spare time, you will scan through the market in Thamel for some souvenir. We will provide you suite cozy hotel after about two weeks and half tip.

Your trip concludes airport transportation fly for your won destinations from Tribhuvan International Airport.