Trip Facts

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Trip Duration 21 Days
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Trip Difficulty Moderate
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Maximum Altitude 4,949 m/ 16,236 ft.
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Best Season To Visit March, April, May, September, October, November

Trip Overview

Limi Valley is in Humla which is one of the most remote districts in Nepal. There are only a few tourists trekking this trail. Humla lies hidden in the far northwest. Limi Valley is located in the north part of the district and was only opened for trekkers in 2002 AD. This trek is one of the most beautiful treks passing through a remote pristine village yet to be discovered.

The major attractions of this Limi Valley trek are the scenery, landscape, and traditional Tibetan cultures that we come across. During this trek, you have the opportunity to encounter the elusive snow leopard, Himalayan blue sheep, jackals, hyenas, and musk deer.

Due to its isolated location, Humla is still  “off-the-beaten trek destination”.

Trip Itinerary

Day 01: Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,302m/4,270ft)

You will be received and escorted to the hotel by our staff, refresh yourself and take some rest or explore the area around your hotel. Accommodate in a hotel.

Day 02: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and Trek preparation

Kathmandu is the cultural heart of Nepal and has been a famous destination for tourists ever since Nepal opened its borders to visitors. Today after breakfast we will explore Kathmandu valley, a guided tour will be conducted to major world heritage sites inside the valley. As Kathmandu valley is a beautiful combination of Hinduism and Buddhism we will visit historical sites like; Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath (monkey temple) and Buddhist shrine of Bouddhanath which is one of the largest stupa in the world. After the tour you will prepare yourself for the trek, will be briefed about the trek; buy all the trekking equipments required and overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Kathmandu to Nepalgunj 45mins flight

We will be transferred to the airport and will take our flight to Nepalgunj; if it’s a clear day then you will be able to see amazing views of Himalayan range. After landing in Nepalgunj you will be escorted to your hotel. Nepalgunj is in Terai region, it is usually very hot during summer. You will have the afternoon to yourself to explore Nepalgunj or to relax at the hotel. We will stay the night here in the hotel.

Day 04: Nepalgunj to Simikot (2,950m/9,678ft) 45mins flight

We have an early breakfast and will be transferred to airport and take flight to Simikot. Along the flight we will get to see views of snow capped mountains, Simikot airport is just gravel airstrip. After we land we walk up to our lodge and leave our luggage there and explore the village. Simikot is a small village with majority population following Hindu religion and it is worth staying overnight here. As the village is in higher altitude it is a good idea to stay here today as it will help your body acclimatize.

Highlights

  • Spectacular scenic flight
  • Explore picturesque Simikot village

Day 05: Simikot to Dharapuri (2,300m/7,545ft) 4hrs trek

After having breakfast we rejoin our trail and begin to trek; as we begin trekking the trail takes a short ascent to a small pass, from the pass we then descend steeply to Majgaon passing through pine forests. From here the trail gradually descends through landscapes a lot greener and finally arriving at Dharapani where we will camp our tents and rest the night here.

Trip Highlights:

Beautiful landscape and walk through shaded forest of pine trees.

Day 06: Dharapori to Kermi (2,670m/8,759ft) 3hrs trek

Today is a short trek day; after having breakfast we begin to trek. Leaving Dharapuri behind, we trek following the Kamali River, the trail goes up and down hill until the trail enters a narrow gorge with high rocky slopes. Few hours of trekking will take us to Kermi, a small agricultural village with all the people following Buddhist religion. As we will reach our destination early we can relax in the natural hot spring near the village. There are two ancient monasteries near the village; Laikyo and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa. Just before the village is a campsite offering amazing views of the mountain, we will also camp our tents here for the night.

Trip Highlights:

  • Visit Laikyo and Lhundrup Choeling Monastery
  • Enjoy spectacular backdrops of mountain from campsite
  • Visit hot spring and relax there
  • Explore Kermi village
  • Narrow gorges with high rocky slopes.
  • Walk through cultivation field

Day 07: Kermi to Yalbang (3,020m/9,908ft) 5hrs trek

After breakfast we begin to trek along fields growing barley and buckwheat, the trail is mostly flat and a bit of uphill. As we follow the trail we cross a small pass, after crossing the pass we descend to Sali River. We cross the river and continue trekking through dense pine forest, through the trail we’ll come across Mules and Dzopa’s. Trekking further will take us to Yalbang. The village is an interesting destination with many things and places to explore around, above the village is a monastery: Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery, it is the biggest monastery in the region. The monastery has a school and a clinic and around 130 monks live here. We will walk up to a camping site and camp our tents here for the night.

Trip Highlights:

  • Trek along the fields of barley and buckwheat
  • Walk through thick wooded area of pine trees
  • Encounter with Mules and Dzopas
  • Visit Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery

Day 08: Yalbang to Muchu (3,120m/10,236ft) 4hrs trek or Tumkot (3,380m/11,089ft) 5hrs trek

After having breakfast we leave Yalbang behind and begin to trek; the trail ascends high above the Karnali River to the village of Yangar. The trail is mostly flat and few on carved rocks, as we continue trekking higher the environment changes from big pine trees to small bushes and the trail gets more rocky. The trail crosses Kamali River and just as we cross the river then the trail starts to ascent to upper site of a deep gorge. Few more hours of trekking further will take us to the village of Muchu, we camp our tents here or trek an hour more to the village of Tumkot. Nearby the village there is a very interesting monastery of Sakya lineage known as the Dhungkar Choezom Monastery. If we decide to spend the night here then we will camp our tents in a camping site near the monastery.

Trip Highlights:

  • Beautiful view of wild-flowing Karnali river along the way.
  • Walk through pine forest and bushes
  • Visit Dhungkar Choezom Monastery
  • Observe traditional life style and sheep and donkey loaded sacks of stuffs for trade
  • Walk through pine trees and rocky hillocks.

Day 09: Tumkot to Yari (3,700m/12,139ft) or Thado Dunga (3,750m/12,303ft) 5hrs trek

We will have our breakfast in the camp and rejoin the trail; the trail gradually ascends uphill, with few steep climb. As we begin to trek we can see landscapes changing as the trail gets rockier, there are only few Juniper trees through the trail. As we continue to trek we arrive at a small village of Pani Palwang where we can stop for lunch, we cross the village and ascend to the village of Yari which is only a couple of hours far from here. After we reach Yari we can camp our tents here or we can a bit further to the next village Thado Dunga which is in 50m higher altitude than Yari. There is a suitable camping site near these villages where we will camp the night.

Trip Highlights:

  • Pass through various landscape
  • Explore the village and encounter with local people passing by

Day 10: Yari to Hilsa (3,720m/12,204ft) [via Nara La (4,620m/15,157ft)] 7-8hrs trek

Today is a challenging trek day; we cross Nara La pass. After having breakfast we begin to trek along steep trail, as the trail ascends the landscape gets more desolated and trees starts disappearing. Along the trail we will come across mules, yaks and dzopa. Although the trail is long and tiring we will be offered with amazing views, we will reach Tado Dunga which is the base camp for Nara La pass, from here the trail gets much steeper until we reach the pass. We will have two optional trails to cross the pass, we will choose the old traditional trail as it is more gradual and offers beautiful views into Tibet. From the top of the pass it is a long descend to Hilsa, close to border with Tibet. After a long tiring day we will reach Hilsa and camp our tents for the night.

Trip Highlights:

  • Traverse Nara La high pass
  • Incredible vistas of natural scenery
  • Amazing views of Tibet from the top of Nara La Pass

Day 11: Hilsa to Manepeme (3,990m/13,090ft) 4-5hrs trek

After having breakfast we leave Hilsa behind and cross a big iron bridge, as we cross the river the trail gets slightly challenging. As we climb we rejoin with the large trail that follows the Karnali River, from here the path gradually climbs with few steep ups and downs in some part of the trail. We continue trekking through the gradual trail we will reach Manepeme where we camp for the night.

Trip Highlights:

  • Traverse iron bridge
  • Enjoy beautiful scenery along the way
  • Walk through barren landscape

Day 12: Manepeme to Til campsite (4,000m/13,123ft) 7-8hrs trek

After having breakfast in the camp we begin to trek; rejoining today’s trail we then trek through high, steep rocks. There are two trails that we can choose to trek through; a small path which stays leveled for a time being or the larger path going steeper up. The smaller trail passes through the mediation cave, Ya Yip Phuk. The cave plays an important role in the history of Buddhism; it was the meditation cave for Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo who was a famous translator of Buddhism scriptures. As we trek we come across some green parts with juniper trees and bushes, we continue trekking to Lamka La pass from where it is an easy descend trek to Til. As we get closer to the village we will be witnessing Chortens as a signal that we’re getting closer. The village is surrounded with birches and terraced fields surprising you with the greenery that the village has. The village is an authentic Tibetan village with two beautiful snow capped mountains towering it just above. From here we trek further down from Til to a campsite near the river, we will camp the night here.

Trip Highlights:

  • Meditation cave called Ya Yip Phuk
  • Pass through greenery area of juniper trees and bushes
  • Walk through terraced fields and explore typical Tibetan village and people’s lifestyle
  • Amazing view of mountain from Tibetan village

Day 13: Til campsite to Halji (3,660m/12,007ft) 2-3 hrs trek

Today is a short and easy trek day; we start trekking following the Limi River through a flat trail. Trekking only for few hours until we see Halji before us, along the trail we can come across mountain goats, blue sheep and if lucky enough than snow leopards. Once we reach the village we will have enough time to explore the village, we can visit the monastery of Rinchenling Gompa that is in the village itself, the main gompa in the Limi valley built in 14th century is a major attraction of the village. For the rest of the day you can either explore the village further or relax in the camp.

Trip Highlights:

  • Encounter with mountain goats, blue sheep and snow leopards
  • Explore picturesque village namely Haji with Mani wall built up with several stones with sacred mantras and Buddhist idol carved on them.
  • Visit monastery of Rinchenling Gompa

Day 14: Halji to Jang (3,930m/12,893ft) 4hrs trek

Today is also an easy trek; after breakfast we follow the Limi Khola to Jang. Jang is a Tibetan settlement and the third and last village in the Limi valley, the village is beautiful and cultural as the Tibetan culture here is still being practiced without being influenced by the modern culture. We can visit Jang’s Falgeling Monastery during afternoon as we will have enough time. We will camp here for the night.

Trip Highlights:

  • Explore Tibetan settlement and culture
  • Visit Jang’s Falgeling Monastery

Day 15: Jang to Talung (4,370m/14,337ft) 7-8hrs trek

Today we trek for longer time compared to other days. We will have an early breakfast and begin to trek leaving Limi valley and all the Tibetan villages behind, from here there won’t be any villages until Kermi.     As we begin trekking the trail gradually ascends through impressive, desolated landscapes. Crossing rivers several times and the thin air will slow down our pace. We will then find a suitable camping site near a river where we will camp the night or we can trek up to Tungling camp for overnight.

Trek Highlights:

  • Explore Tibetan village and local people
  • Walk through desolated landscapes
  • Traverse rivers many times

Day 16: Talung to Shinjungma (3,620m/11,876ft) [via Nyalu La (4,940m/16,207ft)] 7-8hrs trek

Today’s trek will be challenging and memorable as today we will trek to the highest point of our trek. As we begin to trek the trail is comparatively east as its flat and we cross few rivers, the stones in the trails can be frozen so we must be careful while trekking. Then it is a steep and a very tough climb to the top of the pass, once you reach the top you will be rewarded with mesmerizing 360 views into Humla and Tibet: (Mt. Saipal and Mt. Kailash). Now we descend steeply to Lake Selma Tso and further down following the Sali River to the campsite at Shinjungma where we will camp the night.

Trip Highlights:

  • Incredible backdrop of Tibet: (Mt. Saipal and Mt. Kailash
  • Attention-grabbing 360 views into Humla
  • Visit Selma Tso Lake

Day 17: Shinjungma to Kermi (2,670m/8,759ft) 6-7hrs trek

After having an early breakfast we rejoin the trail. Today’s trek is respectively pleasant as we trek along the Salli River and through pine and birch forests, today we return to Civilization at Kermi village. As we continue trekking we meet the Karnali River again and then from here we trek to Kermi village, once we reach the village we can relax in the nearby hot spring.

Trip Highlights:

  • Pleasant walk along Salli river and blanketed pine and birch forests
  • Explore Kermi village, local culture and people
  • Unwind nearby hot spring

Day 18: Kermi to Simikot (2,950m/9,678ft) 6-7hrs trek

We have an early breakfast and begin to trek; the route at first is pleasant till Dharapuri and Majgaon. From Majgaon the trail ascends steeply up to the pass and from the top of the pass it is less than an hour descend to Simikot. After we descend down to Simikot we will go to our lodges and refresh ourselves and rest. We will accommodate the night here in the lodge.

Trip Highlights:

  • You will see vegetation and trees
  • . Walk through the pine and birch trees
  • Explore Kermi village

Day 19: Simikot to Nepalgunj / Nepalgunj to Kathmandu

We will be transferred to the airport from where we will fly to Nepalgunj and from Nepalgunj we again take another flight to Kathmandu. After landing in Kathmandu our vehicle will transfer us to the hotel. You can either stay in the hotel and relax or explore the city. We will accommodate the night here.

Day 20: Spare day in Kathmandu

We will wake up late and have a good proper breakfast. You will have the whole day to yourselves to either rest in your hotel or explore Kathmandu valley. We will rest the night in Kathmandu.

Day 21: Back home

Leisure time and explore Kathmandu until the departure time when you will be transferred to airport and fly back home.

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