The headquarters of the Humla district, Simikot, is located in the Karnali zone, in the north-western part of Nepal, bordered by India and the Tibetan autonomous region. Due to its geographic structure, Humla is one of the remote and isolated regions in Nepal. The Simikot Trekking Trail goes along with Mugu and Dolpo districts in the Trans-Himalaya region. As this is a less-frequented trekking trail, mostly you are walking through isolated villages with unique cultures and traditional and virgin nature. This area is untouched by modernization and preserved natural beauty, culture, and tradition.
For the Simikot, you need to go camping and organize the trip; there are no teahouse facilities like in another trekking region in Nepal. Upper Humla Karnali valley to Manasarovar and Kailash trip in Tibet is most common trip routes in this region. There is another trekking route for a two-week circuit through the Limi Valley, and next is a potential three-week trek connecting Nyin and Limi valleys. From Simikot, the trail goes south along the bank of the Humla Karnali River deep below Simkot 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 bring 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. A beautiful Saipal Himal (7,031 m) is one of the highest mountains of this trip; pasture land 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 praying flag has been flirting with every house and 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 of 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 alternate route for the Humala trip, you can fly from Surkhet to Simikot, but flights are flying occasionally; it is a kind of game. Most of the time the helicopter charter flights from Surkhet 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 the Simikot is from Sanfebagar in Accham District (10 days hike for a local). Another alternative is to walk out of Humla into Bajura District and the Kolti Airport and sit there and guess when the next aircraft will arrive.
This trip starts from Simikot with an amazing flight behind the Himalayan range and mountain scenery. Then, climb up 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. Simikot to Hilsa can do a tea house or homestay trip with 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 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 Jun 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 Himalaya then?
