Key Information
Humla is a remote region of North-West Nepal. This cultural adventure takes you trekking through its river valleys and high peaks. You will experience cultural immersion by staying in homestays in the Buddhist villages along the way.
You get to experience a change of pace at the Bardia National Park after your memorable trekking adventures. You will spend time spotting native wildlife in the sultry plains of Nepal before your trip ends in thriving Kathmandu.
Humla is a remote region of North-West Nepal. This cultural adventure takes you trekking through its river valleys and high peaks. You will experience cultural immersion by staying in homestays in the Buddhist villages along the way.
You get to experience a change of pace at the Bardia National Park after your memorable trekking adventures. You will spend time spotting native wildlife in the sultry plains of Nepal before your trip ends in thriving Kathmandu.
Highlights of the trip
We strive to do things uniquely different from other Adventure tour companies. We have chosen Deluxe lodges with character yet are less busy, owned by exciting people, and located away from the bustling areas.
Roam through ancient Buddhist monasteries.
Arrive in Kathmandu. You will be met at the airport by your trek leader and brought to your hotel. Your trek leader will brief you on the program for the next few days.
Sightseeing in Kathmandu in the morning.
Today, you explore the exciting sights of Kathmandu. We spend the morning on a sightseeing tour of Patan Durbar Square (the old royal palace, A world heritage site) and the holy Buddhist stupa of Swayambunath – also referred to as the ‘Monkey Temple.’ In the afternoon, we fly to Nepalgunj for an overnight stay.
We take the early morning flight to Simikot in the north. It is the district headquarters of Humla. This town is situated on a ridge that overlooks the Humla Karnali River. The mountain flight is spectacular, cruising just over the tops of a plurality of hills. We arrive before lunch, weather permitting the flight to take place on time.
Our trekking team will meet you at Simikot. This town is a bizarre mix of Hindu and Tibetan cultures. It provides endless opportunities for exploration.
You will feel the change in altitude. You have to take it slow and easy, don’t make sudden moves, and make sure you take plenty of fluid.
We head towards the Nyinba Valley after an early lunch. We reach some prayer flags and a small school after about 90 minutes of gradual climbing. This place is called Limbuk, 3,227 m. We then descend for 15 minutes towards Nyinba village.
Buraunse, 3000 m., is a Tibetan Buddhist village surrounded by fields of millet and barley. There are several homestays here. Staying in a homestay provides a fantastic opportunity to openly and authentically experience the local life or the villagers.
We leave Buraunse, head downhill to the Ghatte Khola (mill river), and cross it by a wooden bridge. The trail ascends gradually from this point, and you will pass through the village of Langdu. It is an easy walk through this beautiful and diverse countryside. The terraced hills stretch out in the front, and the snow-capped peaks of Changla Himal, 6,563 m. and Crystal Mountain stand in the distance.
We pass numerous small Buddhist stupas and mani walls on this route. It is a constant reminder of the timeless spiritual connection that has existed here for aeons. A mani wall is a waist-high wall with flat stones carved with Buddhist mantras. The best-known mantra is “Om Mani Padme Hum”, which roughly means “Hail the jewel in the lotus”. This mantra honours Avalokiteswara, the Boddhisatva, a deity of compassion.
After about two hours, we reach the village of Thorpa 3,180 m. through a beautifully painted Kangni (entrance gate). The Kangni protects the village from evil spirits entering. Thorpa makes for a good lunch stop. We pass a small site called Bhibuck Cave (a meditation cave) soon after leaving Thorpa. It contains a giant prayer wheel. The Buddhist mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum” is written thousands of times inside the wheel. The locals believe that turning the wheel releases the mantra into the universe a thousand times.
We continue to the village of Hutick, 3,242 m. It is approximately a one-hour gradual climb from here to Nimatang, 3,325 m, our destination for the day.
Remote populations in Humla
We leave the village behind and walk through beautiful pine forests, surrounded by the fragrance of juniper trees and bushes. The trail descends for about half an hour to the Ghatte Khola, which we cross over a steel bridge. From here, the long ascend to Raling Gompa begins. It is a beautiful small trail that climbs gradually through the forest. The route offers striking views of the entire Nyinba Valley. To our southwest is Mt. Ribuche; the Changla Range sits towards the southeast, and Mt. Pungrikar (Panchauli) in the north.
A prayer flag pole that is high on a ridge is your aim. It will take about ninety minutes to get there. This place is called Tokra 3,547 m. Many Nyinba people camp here during the yearly Saga Dawa Festival in May or June. This marks the birthday, enlightenment, and nirvana of Sakyamuni Buddha. Many ceremonies, rituals, and masked dances occur during the festival. People from all over the valley get together in their beautiful traditional costumes. It is a marvellous time to be travelling through this region.
It takes another ninety minutes to a couple of hours to reach the campsite from Tokra just below Raling Gompa, 3,930 m. You will see Raling Gompa on a barren rock; behind it is the lovely Crystal Mountain. This is truly a fabulous sight. It takes about twenty minutes from the campsite to get to Raling Gompa.
Raling Gompa belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism, the oldest and largest sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Reverence is paid to Guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava), the famous sage who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet and the neighbouring countries in the 8th century. We will follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and circumambulate around the monastery thrice clockwise before entering. Next to the monastery is the prominent Milarepa Cave, where the yogi-poet Milarepa once meditated.
We retrace our steps back to the steel bridge over the Ghatte Khola (approximately 2 hours, and go downstream of the river. After about 15 minutes, we reach a junction and take the left fork towards Bargaun, 2940 m. The track goes high above the river once again. It is gentle walking through the juniper bushes and fields. After about 30 minutes, We pass the settlement of Nimatang Gomba, 3,185 m, after half an hour. Nimatang Gomba consists of only several houses inside this small gompa (monastery).
The path continues high above the fields for a while. We finally, about 1.5 hours, reach Bargaun in an hour and a half. It is a charming village surrounded by fields, with several homestays. It is primarily Buddhist, with some Hindus who also reside here. We enjoy an exciting program to watch how a local Shaman heals.
We head towards Simikot after a late breakfast of buckwheat pancakes with potato curry. We proceed along a small trail going flat through terraced fields. We follow the lower route, which makes a small circuit.
We reach Simikot after about three hours, where you will enjoy some “luxuries” like a hot shower.
We fly to Nepalgunj, in the south, then drive to the west for two hours to Bardia National Park (56 miles / 90 km.). We should arrive around lunchtime at the safari lodge.
This is a perfect opportunity to witness Nepal’s diverse culture and terrain. We take a tour of a Tharu village after lunch. The Tharus are said to be the original inhabitants of this forested area. It is also said believed that they are immune to malaria. You will be treated to a traditional Tharu cultural show in the evening, before dinner.
The great one-horned rhinoceros of Bardia National Park
We have a full day to enjoy jungle safari and other activities today. These activities include jeep safari, elephant bathing, bird watching etc. It is best to go early in the morning when it is not too hot and watch the mist rise over the river and grasslands. We will hear monkeys chatter, birds singing, and the bushes rustling by passing wildlife. You might even spot the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger if you are fortunate.
You can take a jungle walk or choose another activity if the afternoon heat does not deter you. It’s an excellent opportunity to see wild animals take great photos, or relax at the resort.
Shopping for souvenirs in Kathmandu
We make our way to the airport for the return journey to Kathmandu. You will have some free time to visit other places of interest in the capital or do some last-minute shopping in the afternoon.
You are free in Kathmandu until your scheduled departure from Kathmandu airport.
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Despite the exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves at the moment, we don’t want you to give up your holiday – and we want you to be able to book your trip without any worries.
To provide additional security for your booking, we have introduced a new rebooking and cancellation policy so that you can easily rebook or cancel your trip free of charge if the worst comes to the worst.
For new bookings made between May 10th 2022, and December 31str, 2022, you may cancel your complete package (activities, hotels, tours, excl. flight) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure and get 100% of your money back. However, to stay flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.
Stay flexible with our new rebooking service until shortly before your departure. For new bookings made between my 10thh and December 31stt, 2021, you may rebook your package (activities, hotels, tours) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure (subject to availability). Rebooking is only allowed once, and you must inform us 30 days before your planned departure. Any additional costs incurred due to changes in your schedule or upgrades, such as additional fees in high season or promotions to your accommodation, will still apply. To remain flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.
Most of our clients have completed their treks from 3 years old to some in their 70s with almost no exercise or training.
Do you offer hotel/airport pick-up?
We offer hotel and airport pick-up. As you continue with your booking, there will be an option to input flight details or hotel names.
Do I need a Visa?
You can obtain a visa for Nepal on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, and at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border, and Kerung on the Nepal-China border.
You can also obtain a visa outside of Nepal at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.
For more information, go to the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.
What should I bring on a Trek?
Being adequately equipped is one of the keys to a successful trek. For information to help you select the best type of clothing and equipment for your trip, please see our Clothing and Equipment Guide.
Also, see our Links page for details of specialist retailers who will offer further advice and assistance with purchasing new clothing or equipment.
If you have more questions, please check this article to reference equipment to pack or contact us.
Is this trip safe for solo/female/LGBT+/minority/POC travelers?
You are safe as long as you respect the culture, do not show affection in public, and dress decently(this won’t pose too much problem as you will be covered up in layers to stay warm).
Here are some helpful articles:
Am I too old to go trekking?
Arriving at Kathmandu airport.
Should I bring cash or ATM cards?
What are the differences between camping and lodge trekking?
What to pack for a trek?
Do I need to train for a trek?
What is a typical day on a trek like?
What is the food like on the trek?
The Benefits of using trekking poles.
What do I need to know about high altitudes?
High altitude myths.
How to trek safely?
For more articles, you can go to our blogs.