Simikot to Mt. Kailash via Limi Valley

On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport where you will be received by Dream Tibet guide and staff with warm welcome and then transfer to your hotel in the hub of the city, with time for talks and briefing regarding your stay in Nepal and of Simikot to Mt. Kailash viaLimi Valley trekking with full information of the trip.

In Kathmandu half day tour around Kathmandu at places of great interest, as Kathmandu valley steeped with history and culture with most of the world heritage sites of Pashupatinath a Hindu temple, Bouddhanath Stupa Buddhist sites also known as ‘Little Tibet’.

Afternoon as per the flight time for Nepalgunj transfer to Kathmandu domestic airport where 50 minutes flight brings you at Nepal Far South in Nepalgunj with super panorama of peaks during air-borne and on reaching Nepalgunj transfer to near airport hotel with afternoon free to see the the city areas of Nepalgunj.

Starting after having early breakfast with connecting flight to Simikot, on reaching Simikot received by our trekking and camping staff, Simikot headquarter town of Mugu / Humla district around far North West Nepal offering stunning views of Mt Api and Saipal peaks.

From Simikot begin our first day walk to overnight camp at Dharapuri village, leading to a climb through farm fields of barley into forested ridge then downhill towards farm villages to reach Dharapuri for first overnight camping of this trip. Around far west region villages inhabited mostly by Thakuri people of Hindu religion, people around Mugu and Humla been in trade with Tibet for hundreds of years using same trail to Tibet border of 5-6 days walks.

After Dharapuri village, journey continues leading to a climb and crossing a stream reaching the last village of Thakuri people and the end of rice fields. From here on ups and down path around grazing area and crossing Sally- Khola (stream) nearby beautiful waterfalls to our overnight camp a short distance from Kermi village, this place with hot springs of an hour walk.

Morning starts with an uphill through Yangar village on paved path built with rocks and woods and then crossing suspension bridge over Humla Karnali River, and then climb to a stream past apricot garden area and finally reaching Muchu village to our overnight camp, this small village with an old monastery and a border Police Check Post.

After a nice stop at Muchu, our journey descend towards Thumkot village, after a break then climbing away from Humla-Karnali River walking on a steep-sided narrow gorge. From here a long hour trek leads slowly to a climb reaching at Torea village for overnight camp, with afternoon free at leisure to catch up with your dairy and explore this village.

As the walk progress altitude gains with morning climb to reach a small ridge at 3,500 meters high, from here countering on ridge top, offers grand vista of Yari valley area and high snowcapped peaks, after a short stop walk leads by an irrigation canal to a large wide valley of Jhyakthang chu this place marked with prayer walls entering into Buddhist culture villages of Tibetan influence. 

From this camp morning walk leads to a climb on a ridge with huge rock atop at Nara Lagna pass at 5,000 m / 15,030ft, the highest spot of this walk on Nepal side. The pass offers grand panorama of Tibetan plateau with Humla Karnali River down below and green barley fields of Sher or Sera, distance views of Api and Saiphal peaks. After a pleasant stop walk downhill on dusty trail to Humla Karnali River to reach Nepal border at Hilsa village, a frontier post with few tents and stone houses surrounded with barley fields, just across the bridge a stone pillar marks Nepal-Tibet border.

Morning an hour climb to Sher in Tibet, on leaving Nepal, where our Tibetan guides and driver will receive for an interesting drive to Taklakot also known as Purang in Tibetan. Taklakot an important major market town for Tibetans, Nepali and as well for Indian traders with a separate bazaar areas, during summer months an important wool trade takes place between nomadic Drogpa herdsmen and Nepali traders our overnight stop in local guest house.

After Taklakot or Purang within Tibet with complete change of environment with the local people including town and way of living, from Taklakot a holy pilgrimage begins with a scenic drive to Lake Manasarover on leaving Karnali River valley; As the drive continues over pass and then reaching a flat barren and arid country beneath massive Mt. Gurla Mandhata at 7,728 meters, from here drive leads over Thalladong pass 5,050 meters high with views of Rakshesh Lake and holy Mt. Kailash.

From the pass downhill to Chu Gompa located by the western bank of Lake Manasarover for overnight stop in a guest house or camping (depending upon the season for Indian and Tibetan pilgrims)

Rest day for acclimatization and to explore around Lake Manasarover, a holy lake located between Mt. Kailash 6,714m and the Gurla Mandhata mountain range at 7,694 m. Manasarover floats beneath the shadow of holy Kailash as the lake formed in the mind of Gods.

The best time to circle around Manasarover is in late autumn and early spring, when the streams and rivers are shallow. An optional circuit with drive around Manasarover Lake can be done on request taking about 5 hrs.

After a wonderful rest at holy Manasarover Lake, a short drive to popular Darchen town of the area which is also the start and end of holy Kailash circuit or kora, Darchen with hotels and guesthouses a busy place with hundreds of pilgrims during auspicious time for parikrama / kora (circumambulation). From Darchen drive leads North West at holy spot Tarboche where our walk begins with view of Kailash West Face.

Kailash stands at 6,714m, heart of ancient Shangshung kingdom supposed country of pre- Buddhist Bonpos origin. After 4 hrs walks brings you at Diraphuk Gompa for overnight stop in a simple lodge.

After Dhiraphuk, morning walk on nice path for an hour and then climb to reach the top at Dromo-la the highest point of Kailash walk, a holy spot at 5,470m /18,525ft. A big boulder represents goddess Dolma or Dromo (Tara) this place festooned with prayer flags. This spot is the physical and spiritual high point of pilgrimage.

From here descend to the bottoms of the hill and then walk to Zutul-Puk Gompa for overnight stop, Zuthul means cave. The place is named after a cave where poet, saint Milarepa meditated; his footprint still remains on the roof.

Last day of holy walk kora or parikrama, an easy morning walk of few hours on broad plain passing many prayer mani walls, then coming to a narrow valley with short section of gorge as the route turns towards west to Darchen, last leg of the walk make a dramatic exit from river valley on to the plain as walk passes to mani walls decorated with carved yak skulls.

A short walk from brings you at Darchen and end of this great trek in Tibet, from here drive back to Taklakot for overnight stop.

From Taklakot a short drive to border at Sher with farewell to Tibetan guide and drivers and then head downhill towards Nepal side, on crossing a newly built steel bridge to reach at Hilsa and then continue walk to Manepemea, to reach back at Simikot town with an alternative high and remote path through many isolated farm villages and monasteries which is of strong Tibetan influence and the people are of similar looks with culture and custom, starting crossing over an iron bridge to reach other banks of Karnali river which is the longest river of Nepal fed from the glacier of Mt. Kailash in Tibet, then following Karnali River on the trail to Manepeme village, with gradual winding path and climb and ending the day at Manepeme village for overnight camp.

After a pleasant stop on this quaint village with few houses, walk leads to gradual climb on a narrow trail and reaching to a level ground for few hours and with steep haul over a narrow trail to Ya Yip Phuk where there is nice cave which is used as meditation by Buddhist monks long time back a great high guru Lotsawa Rinchen Sangpo a great translator of Tibetan Buddhist scriptures mediate here around 985-1055 A.D. From here trekking for an hour reaching at

Lamka La pass at 4,300 meters with spectacular views of mountains and valleys, and then descending to Til village for overnight camp in this small village with a monastery and many interesting stupas.

From Til village walk leads to Halji starting the short day walk of three hours with a descend to Limi River and on nice gradual path with fabulous surrounding views around this area might spot some wildlife a herd of blue sheep’s and mountain goats including elusive snow leopards.

After few hours of pleasant walk reaching at Halji village for overnight stop, this old traditional village houses an important 14 th century monastery called Rinchenling Gompa which belongs to Tibetan Buddhism of Kagyugpa Sect, this lovely village with a medical clinic,micro hydro power plant and solar plant with the help of Nepal Trust Foundation, afternoon with ample time to explore in and around this village area which is very interesting and impressive to explore around here.

Today another short walk till lunch at Jang village, morning starts following Limi Khola (stream) with stunning views of surrounding landscapes panorama and then shortly after a nice walk ending the day at Jang village, this is the last and third largest village of Limi Valley area, after lunch to explore this pretty Jang village of authentic Tibetan culture, religion with traditional way of life.

After having two short days enjoying the stay in these remote villages, today a long walk on the barren, arid and windswept territory with stunning views of beautiful country of Tibetan landscapes this gentle walk passes many yak and cattle herders temporary camps on this summer pasture area and reaching towards a green valley for the overnight camp on this wonderful beautiful valley of Talung.

Today another long day’s walk as it leads to the last pass of this trip before Simikot town, after this camp starting with a steep uphill walk at above 4,940 meters on top of the ridge of Nyalu La pass with awesome panorama of Tibetan plateau with Mt. Kailash at 6,714 m and of Mt, Api and Saipal 7,031 meters with other adjoining snowcapped mountains.

After a nice stop with great views walk leads to a descend at Selma Tso a glacial pond at around 4,630 meters, from here trek follows Salli River all the way to Shinjungma, a summer pasture and grazing land to set the overnight camp on this nice grassy field.

After being away from human settlement for few days, today’s walk leads back into villages with a long descend and reaching back to tree lines of pine and birch woodland along Salli Khola route, after few hours of nice walk, where Salli Khola joins the great Karnali River and then heading east to Kermi village for overnight stop with time to visit hot springs which is a mere distance from this village.

Finally this great adventure Around Simikot & Humla comes to a final end at Simikot town, morning with the last day walking of this journey leads to a climb at Darapuri 2,300 meters and Majgaon 2,290 meters. From this nice Majgaon village leading to a long climb for few hours to reach back at Karnali River and up to a small ridge of above 3,000 meters high pass; from the top offering grand views of hills and valleys with Mt. Api and Saiphal peaks, and then on the pleasant downhill walk concluding this last and final days trekking at Simikot town for the last overnight stop of this amazing trip in Nepal’s Far North West and around world highest and largest Tibetan plateau.

After a grand holy walk from Simikot to Mt. Kailash via Limi Valley and visiting Manasarover sacred lake, morning depart from Kathmandu taking a short flight warmer areas at Nepalgunj airport and then transfer for the flight back to Kathmandu. On reaching Kathmandu and at your hotel enjoy the afternoon at leisure.

A reserve day and free day today in case of flight delay at Simikot, if all goes well as per the itinerary enjoy with individual activities, for interested people can join in for another interesting tour around Kathmandu-Patan and Bhaktapur rest of the day free for shopping souvenirs.

Last day in Nepal with wonderful memories of Tibet trip on Simikot to Mt. Kailash via Limi Valley trekking, and then transfer to Kathmandu airport for final departure homeward ward bound or to respective countries.