Hilsa Limi Valley Trek

This day is dedicated to exploring the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu. Visit the iconic Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple), the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, and the ancient Kathmandu Durbar Square. In the afternoon, meet with your trekking guide for a briefing and final preparations for the trek.

Today, you will take a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, a city in the southwestern part of Nepal near the Indian border. The flight offers scenic views of the Himalayan foothills. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the evening preparing for the next day's flight to Simikot.

Early in the morning, take a flight from Nepalgunj to Simikot, the administrative headquarters of the Humla district. Simikot is the starting point of your trek. After landing, you will have time to explore the local market and acclimatize to the altitude. Simikot offers a blend of traditional and modern lifestyle, with Tibetan influences visible in the local architecture and customs.

Your trekking adventure begins with a descent from Simikot to the village of Dharapuri. The trail initially descends to the Karnali River and then gradually climbs through terraced fields and villages. The route offers a beautiful introduction to the landscapes of Humla, with views of lush greenery and traditional stone houses. The trek today is relatively short, allowing you to adjust to the trekking routine.

Today’s trek follows the Karnali River as you head towards Kermi, a small village known for its hot springs. The trail is mostly flat with gentle ascents, passing through pine forests and barley fields. Kermi is the first Buddhist village on the trek, and you can visit local monasteries like Laikyo Gompa and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa.

The trek continues along the Karnali River, offering scenic views of the surrounding hills and forests. The trail gradually ascends to Yalbang, a picturesque village with a large Buddhist monastery, the Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery. You can visit the monastery and interact with the monks, gaining insights into their daily lives and practices.

From Yalbang, the trail follows the Karnali River, ascending through a gorge. As you trek higher, the landscape becomes more rugged, with fewer trees and more rocky terrain. The village of Muchu offers a glimpse into the traditional Tibetan way of life, and if you continue to Tumkot, you can visit the Dhungkar Choezom Monastery, which belongs to the Sakya lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.

The trek today involves a steady ascent as you approach the higher altitudes. The trail passes through the small village of Pani Palwang, where you can stop for lunch before continuing to Yari or Thado Dunga. The landscape here is more arid, with only a few juniper trees dotting the trail. You will camp in a suitable spot near the village.

This is one of the most challenging days of the trek as you cross the Nara La Pass, the highest point on the trail. The ascent to the pass is steep, but the panoramic views from the top make the effort worthwhile. From the pass, you can see the Tibetan plateau to the north and the Limi Valley to the south. After crossing the pass, the trail descends sharply to Hilsa, a small border town near Tibet.

Leaving Hilsa, you will cross a large iron bridge over the Karnali River and begin the trek towards Manepeme. The trail climbs gradually with occasional steep sections, offering beautiful views of the barren landscape. Manepeme is a remote camping site with few facilities, emphasizing the wilderness of the region.

Today’s trek is long and challenging, as you make your way to the village of Til. The trail passes through steep rock faces and high cliffs, with the option to visit the Ya Yip Phuk meditation cave, an important site in Buddhist history. As you approach Til, the landscape becomes greener, with terraced fields and birch trees surrounding the village.

The trek from Til to Halji is relatively short, allowing you to spend more time exploring the ancient village of Halji. This village is home to the 1,000-year-old Rinchenling Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in Nepal. Halji is the cultural heart of the Limi Valley, and you can immerse yourself in the local Tibetan Buddhist culture.

Today’s trek takes you to the village of Jang, another traditional Tibetan settlement. The trail is scenic, with views of snow-capped peaks and the flowing Limi River. Jang is known for its ancient monastery, and the village offers a peaceful setting to rest and reflect on your journey.

The trail from Jang to Talung involves a gradual ascent as you move deeper into the high-altitude terrain. The landscape becomes more rugged, with fewer signs of vegetation. Talung is a remote campsite, offering a stunning view of the surrounding mountains and a sense of solitude in the wilderness.

Today's trek is one of the most challenging yet rewarding segments of the journey. You will cross the Nyalu La Pass, the highest point of the trek, at an elevation of 4,995 meters. The ascent to the pass is steep and requires careful pacing due to the altitude. Upon reaching the top, you’ll be rewarded with awe-inspiring panoramic views of the Himalayas, including glimpses of Mount Kailash and the distant Tibetan plateau. The descent from the pass is equally steep, leading you down to the campsite at Shinjungma. The total walking distance is approximately 14 kilometers, and it takes about 7-8 hours to complete this leg of the trek.

After the challenging crossing of Nyalu La, today's trek is a more gradual descent as you make your way back towards lower altitudes. The trail leads you through a diverse landscape, starting with high alpine terrain and gradually transitioning to greener valleys. Kermi is known for its hot springs, where you can relax and soothe your muscles after the strenuous trek. The distance covered is around 14 kilometers, taking 5-6 hours.

The final day of trekking involves a steady ascent back to Simikot, where your trek began. The trail offers a mix of landscapes, from terraced fields to pine forests. As you approach Simikot, you'll have time to reflect on the journey and enjoy the last views of the Humla region. The distance is approximately 18 kilometers, with a walking time of 6-7 hours.

In the morning, you'll take a short flight from Simikot to Nepalgunj, where you'll connect with another flight back to Kathmandu. The flights offer stunning aerial views of the mountains and valleys you've just explored. Once in Kathmandu, you'll be transferred to your hotel, where you can relax and enjoy your last evening in Nepal.

After breakfast, you’ll be transferred to Tribhuvan International Airport for your onward flight. If you have extra time, you can do some last-minute shopping or sightseeing in Kathmandu before your departure.