Overview
Simikot Limi Valley Trekking is one of the most remote and culturally rich trekking adventures in far-western Nepal, located in Humla district near the border of Tibet. This trek takes you through the isolated yet stunning Limi Valley, which is often called a hidden gem due to its unspoiled landscapes, authentic Tibetan culture, and off-the-beaten-path experience. Unlike the busier trekking routes of Nepal, the Simikot Limi Valley trail offers a pure wilderness experience where trekkers can explore high mountain passes, ancient monasteries, traditional villages, and breathtaking Himalayan scenery.
The trek usually begins with a flight to Simikot, the district headquarters of Humla, and continues through rugged trails, crossing high passes such as Nara La (4,580m) and Nyalu La (4,940m), offering panoramic views of Mount Kailash, Saipal, Api, and other snow-capped peaks. The Limi Valley is known for its unique Tibetan Buddhist heritage, centuries-old monasteries, mani walls, and prayer flags, which reflect the deep-rooted traditions of the local people. The valley is also rich in biodiversity, with chances of spotting wildlife such as blue sheep, Himalayan marmots, and even elusive snow leopards in the higher elevations.
Apart from its natural beauty, the trek is equally rewarding for cultural exploration. The Limi Valley villages—Til, Halji, and Jang—are among the last remaining places in Nepal where authentic Tibetan culture is still preserved in daily life. Trekkers can witness traditional lifestyles, unique stone houses, and warm hospitality while experiencing a slower, simpler way of living. Since the region is still relatively unexplored, the Simikot Limi Valley Trek is ideal for adventure lovers seeking solitude, cultural immersion, and an untouched Himalayan trekking experience far away from the commercial trails of Nepal.
Trip highlights
Detailed Itinerary
As you fly into Kathmandu, you'll have beautiful views over the valley, the snow capped mountain peaks in Himalaya, and of the terraced fields below. As per your arrival time, our representative will be at the airport to receive you and transfer you to your booked hotel. Overnight in Hotel
Today after the breakfast we will proceed for sightseeing tour in and around the Kathmandu valley. The Durbar Squares, Pashupatinath temple, Swoyambhunath temple and Boudhanath temple are the major sight-seeing areas around the Kathmandu valley. These all are listed in a world heritage sites. The Durbar Square shows us the regal life of ancient periods. Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages. Swoyambhunath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa is the Buddhist temple which is very popular around the globe. Swoyambhunath is also known as money temple stands on the hilltop west of the Kathmandu valley. It can also be known as the viewpoint of Kathmandu valley. Boudhanath temple is the biggest Chhorten ever made around the world. Overnight in Hotel
This flight flies over the whole range of the western part of the Himalayas like Langtang, Manaslu, Annapurna, and Dhaulagiri. Comparatively, it is warmer than Kathmandu, and Nepalgunj lies near the Indian border. Overnight at Hotel. Meals Included : Full Board
In the early morning, we have to be at the airport as we take the flight to Simikot which takes 45 minutes splendid flight by traversing the Churen Himal. We meet our crew member in Simikot who have walked there a week early. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included : Full Board
First day walk starts with short climb for an hour to reach a lesser pass at 3,000 m high, rewards you with grand views of surrounding landscapes, and then downhill to reach at Dharapuri, walk lead above Karnali River and within pine forest past farm villages, coming across Humla people carrying loads all the way up a steep trail.
Walk on nice farm field area and terraces to reach overnight stop at a small farm village of Dharapuri. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
We have a short day to walk today as we only walk for 3 hours before reaching Kermi. So we can have a late start after exploring the Dharapuri village in the morning. We start following the trail along the mighty Karnali where we see the fields of barley, buckwheat, rice and potatoes. Kermi has the majority of Buddhist people and its major attractions are Laikyo Gompa and Lhundrup Choeling Gompa, both are about half an hour walk from our campsite. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
After a warm breakfast, we walk for 2 hours and cross the Sali River. On the bank of the river, there is a small settlement with a few tea shops. We walk further on a high trail through the pine forest and the clear Karnali River below the cliff. On the way, we encounter a lot of Mule caravans. Usually, the caravan leaders are the local villagers moving from one place to another for barter and trade. In 4 hours we reach the Namkha Khyung Dzong Monastery of Nyingmapa lineage with about 135 monks living in. further 45 minutes of walk leads us to Yalbang our overnight camp. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
The path goes high above the Karnali River again and passes the little village of Yangar. The path is mostly “Nepali Flat”. At some parts the path is spectacularly carved out of the rocks, and we find walking in a kind of three-sided tunnel. The environment gets changed as we walked in rockier and the big pine trees make way for smaller bushes. You cross the Karnali River by a big wooden suspension bridge. The path climbs high above the Karnali River and goes along the upper site of a deep gorge. You see the emerald green Karnali River far below you. Along the way you may meet big flocks of sheep carrying salt, an old trade still existing today. Sometimes we see big, kind of army tents. These are temporary restaurants and shops, which can be a nice place for a tea, noodle soup or just to refill your stock of snacks, like coconut biscuits. After 3 to 4 hours, we arrive in the charming village of Muchu. Trekking further around 1and half hours we get to the village of Tumkot nearby Karnali River we can fix our campsite for the overnight. Close to the campsite and the village lies a very interesting monastery of the Sakya lineage, the Dhungkar Choezom Monastery, one of the most important Sakya monasteries in the Tibetan region. The monastery lies on a hill, it’s a 20-30 minutes climb to get there. It is the only Sakya Monastery in Humla, and one of the few monasteries of this lineage in Nepal. A caretaker will be explaining the monastery and their valuables. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
Adventure today leads to high Nara-La pass at 4,620 m a long climb, rewards you with grand views of surrounding landscapes and mountains of both Nepal and Tibet side.
Our route climbs heading into desolate terrain where vegetation fades completely as country looks more like Tibet dry terrain, coming across big caravans of mules, dzopa or yaks.
The bigger yaks are an especially impressive sight and walk past few teahouses at Tado Dunga; from here path is steeper, as walk leads to few hour climb over Nara-La. Continue journey with views ahead of Tibet side and back towards Yari far below, on the other side of the pass where areas are similar to Tibet landscape surrounded by windswept mountains of brown, copper, ash and dark yellow colors. From the pass a long descent to Hilsa, close to the border of Tibet for overnight stop. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
After Hilsa town / village, cross a big iron bridge to other side of the river that connects to wide trail high above on a slope, as walk follows Karnali River towards east direction till Manepeme village is reached for overnight camp. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
Morning leads to climb as it winds up through high and steep rocks, after few hours reaching a small path on near level ground for a while and then walk to an interesting meditation cave called Ya Yip Phuk. A meditation cave of Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo (985-1055), a famous translator of Buddhist scriptures, where his activities were crucial to the revival of cultural exchange between Tibet and India, paving the way so-called second dissemination of Buddhism in Tibet.
The path surprisingly green at some parts, with few juniper trees and bushes among the bare rock, as walk climb for an hour to cross Lamka-La, a pass of above 4,300 meter, after the pass downhill to Til (more or less 2 hrs).
On reaching the village encountering chörtens (stupas) with white building attached on high slope, a place with a monastery of Til.
At Til houses are built of stones that blends with surrounding environment where some areas around are much greener, the village surrounded by birch and willow trees with terraced fields of barley, views of snow capped mountains with impressive glaciers towers above the village.
Til an authentic Tibetan village like all villages around Limi Valley here you can observe villagers in original Tibetan dress. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
An easy day to Halji, allows time to explore around villages and visit of monasteries as walk starts following Limi River upstream on relatively flat trails.
Along the way chances of spotting some mountain goats and blue sheep! If you are very lucky you might even see a snow leopard from here on.
From Til takes few hours to reach at Halji as the village blends with the environment and enter the village passing a gate chörten after which a very big mani wall appears, a low wall with many stones in which holy mantra’s and Buddhist deities are carved.
In Halji the monastery, Rinchenling Gompa, is in the village itself. It’s built in the 14th Century belongs to Kagyug-Pa lineage.
The main Gompa (monastery of Limi Valley) serves as religious centre of the area it has been beautifully restored (with help of Nepal Trust) and has many interesting parts to visit. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp.Meals Included: Full Board
It’s an easy 4-hour walk from Halji to Jang, following the Limi Khola. Jang is the third and last village in the Limi Valley and as with the other villages, it’s a magical place to be. It’s very special to be in such a secluded place where the Tibetan culture still continues relatively untouched, as far from the modern day world as you can be. Jang has a beautiful Gompa which you can visit (entrance is free, but also here you have to pay Rs 500 to make pictures). Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
The second spectacular pass day of this trek! It’s a very tough, but rewarding climb to the highest point of the trek, the Nyalu La, at 4940 meters. There can be snow and ice, which makes the climb more challenging. From the pass you have breathtaking 360 degrees views into Humla and Tibet. On very clear days you can even see the holy Mount Kailash (6714 m) in the distance. Besides, you can see Mount Saipal (7031 m) and many more snow capped mountains which are stretching out before you. From the pass, it is a steep downward slope to Lake Selma Tso at 4630 meters. The trail continues going down, following the Sali River, to the campsite at Shinjungma. Getting lower, the nature changes dramatically and suddenly you see trees! You have many beautiful views, steep slopes full with trees, with at the horizon Mount Saipal. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
We get back down decent about 1000 meters and we reach to Kermi which we have already passed before. The trail we pass through is rocky, interesting landscape and beautiful turning of Karnali River. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
Today’s trek is about seven hours as we head to Darapuri (2300m) and then on Majgaon (2290m) from where we climb to above the Karnali River. After crossing through the 3000m pass we have a spectacular view back to the Nyinba Valley (4050m). After a further 30 minutes on the trail we arrive at Simikot where we will stay the night. Overnight at Teahouse/Camp. Meals Included: Full Board
Early morning 45 minutes sweeping wonderful flight to Nepalgunj over the Himalayan foothills, overlooking stunning views of the snow-capped peaks.
On arrival at Nepalgunj depending upon the connecting flight schedule to Kathmandu. If it’s in the afternoon, we will have time, a few hours for refreshment in the comfort of the Hotel at Nepalgunj. We then connect with a flight back to Kathmandu and received and transferred to your hotel. Overnight in Hotel
You can explore around the Heritage sites in the city, stroll down the streets of Thamel for local cultural experience, visit nearby monasteries, relax at a nearby spa centers or do some souvenir haunting in the local bazaar. Overnight in Hotel
As per your flight time you will be transferred to the airport for your flight back home or any other destinations. The airport check-in is 3 hours prior to the departure time and the hotel checkout time is 12 PM.
Or inform us if you want to stay longer for short tours such as Jungle Safari at National Parks, Mountain Biking, Rafting, a Tibet tour, a Tour to Bhutan or India Tour. We will be happy to assist you.
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Trip facts
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Trip duration : (17 Trek Days + 4 Days in Kathmandu) 21 days -
Grade : Moderate to Fairly Challenging -
Activity : Cultural sightseeing tour and trekking -
Trek Type : Lodge / Camping Trek -
Accomodation : Hotel / Tented Camp -
Transportation: Private vehicle & Domestic Flight -
Max Altitude : 5001 m
Gallery
Extension Tours
Paragliding
Jungle Safari
Pokhara Tour
