Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu.
You will be greeted at the airport by a representative from Outdoor Expeditions and transported to your hotel. Unwind from your flight and meet us in the evening for a welcome dinner at a traditional Nepalese restaurant.
Day 2: Kathmandu sightseeing and trip preparations.
Relax for the afternoon and enjoy a guided tour of Kathmandu’s unique attractions. We’ll spend the day exploring several of the city’s most famous cultural landmarks like the sacred Hindu pilgrimage site Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bhagamati, Swayambunath (Monkey Temple), and Bouddhanath, Nepal’s largest and most revered Buddhist stupa. In the evening we’ll meet with your trekking guide and team members for a trip briefing and preparations for the journey.
Day 3: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj 150m/490ft: 1 hour flight
An hour’s flight from Kathmandu will take us to Nepalgunj, an interesting town on in Western Nepal bordering the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. Explore the mixture of Hindu and Muslim cultures that influence the town and visit Bageswory temple or the Muslim Bazaar. Overnight in a hotel.
Day 4: Fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot 2950m/9678ft: 45 minutes flight
Depart from Nepalgunj for a thrilling 45 minute flight to the airstrip in Simikot. Spend the night in a tented camp in Simikot.
Day 5: Trek from Simikot to Dharapuri 2300m/7545ft: 4 hours walk
We make an early ascent over a high pass at 3150m/10334ft. Our trail continues through lush pine forests to the village of Majgaon. We’ll stop for lunch and carry on over a series of forested hills to our overnight stop at Dharapuri.
Day 6: Trek from Dharapuri to Kermi 2670m/8759ft: 5 – 6 hours walk
We follow the Karnali River along a trail that proves to be somewhat of a roller coaster with many continuous ups and downs. The scenery changes constantly as we descend to the river banks and ascend again along the canyon wall high above. Passing through a series of farming villages, we reach the Buddhist settlement of Kermi. Two interesting monasteries are located in the hillsides a short walk from Kermi, the centuries old Lakiyo Gompa, and the more recently built Lhundrup Choeling Gompa.
Day 7: Trek from Kermi to Yalbang 3020m/9908ft: 5 hours walk
Our trail travels high above the Karnali river through a pristine forest. After a two hour ascent to a ridge, we descend gradually to Yalbang, a village rich with cultural heritage. The largest monastery in the region, Namkha Khyung Dzong, is located here, housing around 130 monks. Inside the monastery are many interesting statues, including an enormous statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.
Day 8: Trek from Yalbang to Tumkot 3380m/11089ft: 5 hours walk
Arise in the morning to join the monks in their morning prayers in the monastery. Depart after breakfast to ascend into a rugged landscape, following a trail that narrows at times between rock formations that achieve the effect of being tunnels. Crossing the Karnali river, we ascend high into the canyon to Muchu, stopping to rest before our final ascent to Tumkot. A half hour climb from Tumkot will take us to the Dhungkar Choezem Monastery, the only monastery in the Humla region belonging to the Shakya lineage.
Day 9: Trek from Tumkot to Yari 3700m/12139ft: 5 hours walk
The scenery changes as we continue our ascent, becoming more rugged and mountainous. The forests of pine have now given way to hearty Juniper. Today’s climb will be challenging, with long uphill sections and rocky trails. We’ll stop in Pani Palwang to rest our tired legs before the day’s final ascent to Yari.
Day 10: Trek from Yari across the Nara La 4620m/15157ft to Hilsa 3720m/12204ft: 6 hours walk
Today is our most challenging day as we make an arduous ascent across rugged, arid landscape to the Nara La. Incredible mountain scenery unfolds as we close on the day’s high pass – a spectacular vista of sand colored mountain ranges and the stark beauty of the Tibetan plateau is sprawled before us. Passing a collection of stones festooned with colorful prayer flags, we see a bird’s eye view of Yaru village deep in the valley below us. Descending steeply along the Tibetan border, we reach Hilsa as the sun begins to set.
Day 11: Trek from Hilsa to Manepeme 3900m/12795ft: 5 hours walk
We cross an iron bridge after departing Hilsa and reunite with the Karnali river. We follow the river across a spectacular valley flow surrounded by rugged peaks, passing over several rocky slopes to Manepeme.
Day 12: Trek from Manepeme to Til 4000m/15092ft: 6 hours walk
We follow our trail through lush stands of Juniper to an interesting cave called Ya Yip Phuk, where the famous Buddhist Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo, who was active in spiritual exchanges between India and Tibet, was said to have meditated. Passing Lamka La, our trail flattens out, passing a series of Gompas before entering the fertile valley where Til is located. Til is a beautiful village whose scenery and inhabitants have a distinctly Tibetan appearance.
Day 13: Trek from Til to Halji 3660m/12007f: 3 hours walk
An easy walk along the Limi River today will take us to Halji, home to Rinchenling Gompa, a 14th century structure which serves as the region’s spiritual center. The main hall of the well-kept Gompa houses an impressive statue of Shakyamuni Buddha. Inside the Gompa you will find Buddhist scriptures, ceremonial masks, and costumes on display. We arrive early to provide time for exploring the Gompa and surrounding village.
Day 14: Trek from Halji to Jang 3930m/12893ft: 4 hours walk
Continuing along the Limi River, our trail today is general flat and traverses through a spectacular expanse of pristine valley floor. The shady trails to Jang will feel like a trip back in time. Upon reaching Jang, the last village in the Limi Valley, we’ll have a chance to explore another Gompa and admire the seemingly untouched culture of village life.
Day 15: Trek from Jang to Talung 4370m/14337ft: 8 hours walk
Today’s ascent is long and challenging, with many streams crossings and ridgelines to navigate. The lack of human settlements in this area provides for a real sense of wilderness. The tranquility of the forest surrounds us and we can observe many local birds and species in an undisturbed environment. The day ends with a long, gradual ascent to our campsite near Talung.
Day 16: Trek from Talung across Naya La 4940m/16207ft to Shinjungma 3620/11876ft: 8 hours walk
The trail’s highest point is reached today after a challenging climb to the Naya La. From here we take in an astounding panorama of the Humla region and Tibetan Plateau. We’ll cross a snowy expanse at nearly 5000 meters, ascending from the altitude to Shinjungma among the majestic peaks of Mt. Saipal and Mt. Kailash.
Day 17: Trek from Shinjungma to Kermi 2670m/8759ft: 7 hours walk
Kermi will be a welcome return to civilization after our long stretch through uninhabited wilderness. We depart along the Sali River through forests of pine and birch to the Karnali river, where we turn and head eastward. You’ll be glad to find a natural hot spring bath to relax in near Kermi before heading to bed in the evening.
Day 18: Trek from Kermi to Simikot 2950m/9678ft: 6 hours walk
Our final day on the trail commences with an easy stroll passed the settlements of Darapuri and Majgaon. We make a hard ascent after Majgaon to a pass at 3000m, after which a half hour’s walk will take us to Simikot, the stopping point of our journey.
Day 19: Fly from Simikot to Nepalgunj and Kathmandu: 45 minutes, and 1 hour flights
Depart from Simikot after breakfast to Nepalgunj, and board the next available plane for Kathmandu. We’ll arrive in Kathmandu in the evening and transfer you to your hotel. Spend the evening taking care of any last minute shopping or sightseeing after an amazing trip.
Day 20: Depart Kathmandu
Take care of any last minute shopping or sightseeing as time permits. You’ll be picked up at your hotel three hours prior to your departure flight. Thanks for traveling with Outdoor Expeditions. Farewell and Namaste.
