Humla Limi Valley Trek

Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,300m/4,264ft)

Upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, our company representative will meet and welcome you to Nepal and then you'll be transferred to your confirmed hotel. Once you finish the check-in procedure, you can rest & relax at the hotel. Later you will be accompanied by the office staff for a short tour of Thamel to make you familiar with some good restaurants, ATM's, money changer and other necessary places you might need during your stay in Thamel.

Day 2: A full day sightseeing around Kathmandu valley, the capital city

The very next morning, after breakfast you will leave for a full day sightseeing tour around Kathmandu valley. You can visit the sacred Pashupatinath Temple and Swyambhunath, very ancient and essentially enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The biggest Buddhist Stupa at Boudhanath and the fine arts and historical architecture of Kathmandu Durbar Square reflecting the ancient Nepalese culture which is the highlights of our guided tour.

A visit to Patan City will enchant you with its famous fine arts and historical architecture. On return to your hotel, you will have time to explore the local area, have dinner and perhaps take a leisurely stroll through the famous streets. Finally, day ends with an Authentic Nepalese Dinner in Nepali Cultural Restaurant.

Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj (150m/492ft) & transfer to Hotel

We board a plane to reach Nepalgunj situated in South Western Nepal, in the lowlands of Terai. This is a flat land area with a majority of Hindus and Muslim community. Nepalgunj is hot and humid most of the year. You can spend the evening strolling around the Market which is crowded but yet interesting.

Day 4: Fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot (2,910m/9,544ft).

After breakfast, we board the aircraft to fly to the Simikot airport. As you step out of the aircraft you witness a different world. Simikot lies in the midst of Himalaya and is headquarter of the Humla district. Simikot airport also serves as the starting point of the trek/drive to the Famous Kailash/Manasarovar.

Day 5: Trek from Simikot to Dharaouri (2,300m/7,544ft)

Your trek today starts with a short climb of about an hour to a little pass that's just over 9,800 ft (3000 m). After the pass, it's a long and steep descent to Dharapori. Your trek today will take around 4-5 hours, and will take you high above the Karnali River, partly through pine forests, and pass through a few villages. Along the way, you will meet local people, both Hindu and Buddhist, who are sometimes carrying their heavy loads all the way up the steep trail. Tonight is your first night camping, with the site located near the Karnali River.

Day 6: Trek from Dharaponi to Kermi (2,670m/8,757ft)

Your walk today is rather short, giving you a chance to recover. The trail keeps on following the Karnali River, sometimes high on the slope, with the river far below you, and sometimes dipping back down so that the trail is almost level with the water. This section of the river finds its way through narrow gorges with high rocky slopes. You will walk along fields of mainly barley, buckwheat, rice, and potatoes.

In the afternoon you can relax in one of the two natural hot springs close to the village. It's a 30-minute uphill walk, passing Kermi village. Kermi is a small agricultural village and is the first completely Buddhist village on the trail (from Kermi onwards, all the villages are Buddhist). There are two interesting monasteries close to Kermi: Laikyo Gompa, a few hundred years old, is about 45 minutes from the campsite and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa is about 30 minutes from the campsite. Both are seldom visited by tourists. 

Day 7: Trek from Kermi to Yalbang (3,020m/9,905ft)

The trek begins early in the morning through flat terrains towards the barley and buckwheat fields. After 2 hours, you will arrive at a small pass as it ascends through steep uphill terrains. Shortly after, you will make a quick 20 minutes descend until you reach the big iron suspension bridge over the Sali River.

The trail follows through dense pine forest stretching across to Yalbang village. You finally arrive at Alabang village after 5 hours of a hike. Here, you can see beautiful landscapes and vegetation. Today, you will have plenty of time to explore the beautiful monastery like the Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery around the Yalbang village 3,020m.

Day 8: Trek from Yalbang to Tumkot Khola (3,100m/10,168ft)

You will bid farewell to the Yalbang village and follow the path above the Karnali River. After 20 mins, you will arrive at the small village of Yangar. The path ahead follows the winding trails in a three-sided tunnel as the surrounding environment changes to rocky terrains.

The trail passes through big pine trees and small bushes towards the wooden suspension bridge over the Karnali River. Shortly after, the path climbs uphill along the upper side of a deep gorge. After 4 hours, you will finally arrive at the campsite in Tumkot 3,380m. You will enjoy a decent meal and sleep for the night at camp. 

Day 9: Trek from Tumkot Khola to Yari (3,663m/12,014ft)

Leaving Tumkot the trail climbs slowly but steadily, with a few steep climbs in between. Pretty soon after leaving the village, you will notice the landscape changing: it's getting more and more rocky and desolate. The few trees left are low junipers. Part of the trail goes over the dirt road that is being built at the moment.
   
It is still uncertain when and if the road will ever be finished. You will cross the small village Pani Palwang—a couple of teahouses along the road—which makes a nice place for a cup of tea or a lunch break. Itʼs another 1 ½ hour to Thado Dunga, just after Yari. Your trek today will take 7 hours total, and you will camp just past the Yari village.

Day 10: Yari to Hilsa (3,720m/12,201ft) via Nara La Pass (4,620m/15,153ft)

Today you cross the Nara La pass at 14,000 ft (4,330 m). Itʼs a long and tiring climb, but the views are your reward! As the trail climbs, the landscape gets more desolate. Trees disappear completely and the landscape looks more and more like Tibet. Sometimes you will encounter large caravans of mules or yaks (the bigger yaks are an especially impressive sight). You will pass a few teahouses at Thado Dunga, and from here the trail becomes steeper.

It’s still 2 hours climbing to the pass, and if there happens to be snow it will take a bit longer. Typically, this day's trek takes 5-6 hours. At about half an hour from the pass you will cross a few big tents (these are tent hotels, serving foods and drinks). You can see the Nara La pass in the distance, but due to the altitude, it's still a hard climb to get there. You will recognize the pass by the pile of stones (it brings good luck to add one!) and the strings of Tibetan prayer flags, carrying the prayers far away with the strong wind. You have breathtaking views ahead into Tibet and back towards Yari far below.

At the other side of the pass, it looks like you are in Tibet. You are surrounded by barren mountains in tones of brown, coppers, ash and dark yellows. From the pass, it’s a long descent to Hilsa, close to the border with Tibet

Day 11: Trek from Hilsa to Manipeme (3,990m/13,087ft)

Hilsa is the nearest port of Tibet- during the high season you will see thousands of Indian pilgrims crossing the border towards Mount Kailash in Tibet. After breakfast, you will cross the suspension bridge of the Humla Karnali River and immediately turn north through the newly built road towards Limi Valley, as you cannot cross the Nepal-Tibet border. This valley is famous for snow leopards and bharal, Himalayan blue sheep. After trekking for 4-5 hours, you will camp at Manipeme at an elevation of 12,900 ft. (3,930 m). The camp gets its name from the Mani Mantra engraved on a large rock. 

Day 12: Trek from Manipeme to Til Village (4,000m/13,120ft)

The trail begins to go uphill through rocky terrains for about 2 hours. You will follow the trail between a small path leading towards a steeper path as you pass through interesting meditation cave Ya Yip Phuk. From here on, you will hike the steep climb for about 30 mins and reach Lamka La pass at 4,300 meters.

The trek gets easier as the walk is mostly an easy descent down to Til for about one and half hour. Til is an authentic Tibetan village surrounded by green natural vegetation like all villages in the Limi Valley. You finally arrive at Til 4,000m after 6 hours of gradual ascend and descend through the changing landscapes of Limi valley.

Day 13: Trek from Til Village to Halji (3,660m12,004ft)

Today is an easy hike from Halji as you have plenty of time to wander around the villages and monasteries. You will walk on the flat surface following the Limi River upstream towards a gate chorten with big mani wall encrypted with holy mantras. It’s a short 3-hour hike to the village of Halji. Upon your arrival, you will come across Rinchenling Gompa a 14th Century Monastery. This monastery belongs to the Kagyugpa lineage. Rincheling Gompa is the main religious center of the Lim valley. You will stay for the night at a tea house in Halji 3,660m.

Day 14: Trek from Halji to Jang (3,930m/12,890ft)

Today, your destination for the trek ahead is the village of Jangh 3,930m, Jang is the last valley in the Limi valley and a quiet majestic place to be. You will hike the trail for an easy 4 hours hike following the Limi Khola. The trek today is quite as you won’t come across any small village settlements along the way. So, you will enjoy the amazing experience of the tranquil natural diversity of the Limi valley at its finest. It is a special adrenaline to be at a such a quiet and secluded place of Nepal.

Day 15: Trek from Jang to Talung (4,360m/14,300ft)

You will leave the village of Jang after you enjoy breakfast early in the morning. The trek starts as you ascend through the steady climb uphill. The air gets thinner at a higher elevation so you will need to walk with periodic breaks. You will leave the Limi valley and hike for 8 hours to the village of Talung. You will stay for the night in Talung village 4,370m at a tea house. The option for accommodation is to a minimum because the trail goes through remote landscapes and terrains. Therefore, you have to set camp at some destinations for the night.

Day 16: Trek to Shinjungma (3,620m/11,873ft) via Nyalu La (4,940m/16,203ft)

On this day, you will cross the second pass of the trek, the path ahead is adventurous but yet tough and strenuous. However, the climb to the highest point of the trek at the Nyalu La 4,940m will offer you the spectacular views of Humla Bandley and landscapes stretching to Tibet.

You will hike through the steep path downwards to lake Selma 4,630m overlooking the splendid views of Mount Kailash 6,638m and Mt.Saipahl 7,031m. Further down the trek, you will follow the Sali river to the campsite for today at Shinjungma 3,620m. Along the way, you have many more beautiful views of Mount Saipal. After the exhausting 8 hours of hike and gradual descend, you will rest for the night at the campsite.

Day 17: Trek from Shinjungma to Kermi (2,670m/8,757ft)

Today, your trek leads you back to civilization to Kermi village. For the first time on your trek, you will descend down for 3,000m through pine and birch forests. The hike is a relatively easy walk along the beautiful Salli Khola with rocks towering on both sides of the trail. Shortly, the trail meets the Karnali river. The 7 hours to Kermi village trek will certainly exhaust you. So you will relax your tired muscles in the hot springs in the Kermi village 2,670m. You will enjoy dinner and spend the night at a tea house.

Day 18: Trek from Kermi to Simikot (2,950m/9,676ft)

It’s 6 hours long hike to Simikot as the trail heads towards Darapuri 2,300m at the start of the trek. Eventually, you will continue a pleasant walk towards Majgaon 2,290m and commence an uphill climb for 2 hours waits above the Karnali River. Just after you cross a pass at over 3,000 meters, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery of Nyinba valley 4,050m. You will hike for 30 minutes further on the trail to reach Simikot and stop for the night.

Day 19: Flight Simikot (2,910m/9,544ft) - Nepalgunj (150m/492ft) – Kathmandu (1,400m/4,592ft).

You will overlook a beautiful morning sunrise from your tea house at Simikot. After having breakfast, you will board a morning flight to Nepalgunj flying over the Himalayas and snow-capped peaks. Upon your arrival at Nepalgunj airport, you will shortly board a connecting flight to the beautiful city Kathmandu. You will reminisce the memorable trip of your trek as you enjoy the scenic mountain flight to Kathmandu.

Day 20: Leisure day in Kathmandu

Leisure day at Kathmandu. You can ask your guide to take you on a sightseeing trip inside Kathmandu Valley. On this day you can go to the various museums around the valley including the Narayanhiti Museum which earlier used to be the residence of the last king of Nepal. You may also go to the hilltop of Nagarkot. After some sightseeing around the world heritage sites in the valley, you will have a farewell dinner and enjoy with your Nepali friends and guide. You might even make plans for extending your stay for Chitwan jungle safari, rafting activities, and more with your guide.

Day 21: Departure

Finally, it’s SEE OFF TIME. There is nothing to do but trade emails with your travel companions and organize your photos. You will be picked from Hotel by representatives of Wongchhu Peak Promotion staff and dropped at Tribhuvan International Airport 3 hours earlier than your flight time with a hope to see you again. On your way home you'll have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.