Limi Valley Trek - 22 Days

Humla · 22 Days

Limi Valley Trek - 22 Days

· Strenuous · Max altitude 4,988m (16,365 ft) at Nyalu Lagna La · Max group 2-12 people

Duration

22 Days

Max Altitude

4,988m (16,365 ft)

at Nyalu Lagna La

Grade

Strenuous

Lodging

Tented camping + 3-star hotels in cities

Overview

The Limi Valley Trek is Nepal's deepest north-western expedition - a 22-day camping circuit through Humla district, the most remote and least-developed corner of the country. The trek starts at Simikot (only reachable by light aircraft), follows the historic Karnali corridor to within 30 km of Mount Kailash in Tibet, then loops back via the Limi Valley - a Tibetan-speaking enclave of three villages (Halji, Til, Jang) that are among the highest year-round settlements in Asia.

You will not see another commercial trekking group most days. This is true wilderness expedition territory - we travel with a full kitchen, mule team and Tibetan-speaking sirdar. The fitness demands are real (22 days of camping at altitude, two high passes). What you get in return is access to a region most Nepalis have never seen, views of Mount Kailash and Saipal, and intact Tibetan Buddhism that has barely changed in 500 years.

Highlights

  • Walk to within sight of Mount Kailash (6,638m) - the sacred peak of four religions
  • Cross Nyalu Lagna La (4,988m) and Nara La (4,590m) high passes
  • Visit the three Limi Valley villages: Halji, Til, Jang - among the highest year-round settlements in Asia
  • See the famous Lhundrup Choeling Gompa and Laikyo Gompa monasteries
  • Walk the historic salt-trade corridor between Nepal and western Tibet
  • View Mount Saipal (7,031m), Api (7,132m) and Limi Karpo
  • Stand at Hilsa - the Nepal-Tibet border crossing
  • Spot blue sheep, Himalayan tahr, golden eagle (potential snow leopard)
  • Tibetan-speaking sirdar bridges the cultural gap
  • Fully supported camping expedition with kitchen and mule support

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)

🍽 Welcome dinner

Airport pickup, hotel check-in, trek briefing.

Day 2

Kathmandu sightseeing day

🍽 Breakfast

Half-day visit to Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath. Permit preparation in the afternoon.

Day 3

Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj

⏱ 1-hour flight 🍽 Breakfast, Dinner

Short flight to the western Terai. Overnight near the airport.

Day 4

Fly Nepalgunj to Simikot (2,985m) - acclimatisation day

⏱ 50-min flight 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spectacular flight into Simikot - the district headquarters of Humla. Acclimatisation walk around town.

Day 5

Simikot to Dharapani (2,300m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 16 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend into the Karnali river gorge and follow it upstream.

Day 6

Dharapani to Kermi (2,670m)

⏱ 3 hours ↔ 7 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Short climb to Kermi - first hot springs encountered.

Day 7

Kermi to Chumsa Khola Valley (3,600m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 15 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Trek up the tributary valley with increasing altitude.

Day 8

Chumsa Khola to Dharmasala

⏱ 4-5 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Camp at the foot of the Nyalu Lagna pass.

Day 9

Dharmasala to Talung Camp (4,380m) via Nyalu Lagna La (4,988m)

⏱ 7-8 hours ↔ 14 km ▲ 4,988m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

The highest pass of the trek. Long climb, panoramic views from the top, descent to Talung camp.

Day 10

Talung Camp to Jang (4,070m)

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 13 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend into the Limi Valley and reach the first of the three Limi villages.

Day 11

Rest day at Jang

🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Explore the village monastery and meet the Tibetan-speaking community.

Day 12

Jang to Halji (3,700m)

⏱ 4-5 hours ↔ 10 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Visit the 1,000-year-old Rinchenling Gompa - one of the oldest in the Himalaya.

Day 13

Halji to Til (3,700m)

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 12 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Walk between the second and third Limi villages.

Day 14

Til to Manepeme (3,979m)

⏱ 8-9 hours ↔ 18 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Long day climbing out of the Limi Valley.

Day 15

Manepeme to Hilsa (3,740m)

⏱ 4-5 hours ↔ 12 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Reach the Nepal-Tibet border. On a clear day, Mount Kailash is visible across the Karnali.

Day 16

Hilsa to Palbang (3,389m) via Nara La (4,590m)

⏱ 7-8 hours ↔ 14 km ▲ 4,590m 🍽 Breakfast, packed Lunch, Dinner

Cross the second high pass back into the main Karnali drainage.

Day 17

Palbang to Muchu (2,929m)

⏱ 4-5 hours ↔ 11 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Descend through traditional Bhotia villages.

Day 18

Muchu to Chumsa Khola

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 13 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Continue descending the Karnali valley.

Day 19

Chumsa Khola to Dharapani

⏱ 5-6 hours ↔ 13 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Final big trekking day.

Day 20

Dharapani to Simikot

⏱ 6-7 hours ↔ 16 km 🍽 Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Climb back up to Simikot.

Day 21

Fly Simikot-Nepalgunj-Kathmandu

⏱ 2 flights 🍽 Breakfast, Dinner

Two connecting flights back to Kathmandu. Farewell dinner.

Day 22

Departure

🍽 Breakfast

Airport transfer.

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What's included

Included

  • Round-trip Kathmandu-Nepalgunj flights and Nepalgunj-Simikot flights
  • All airport pickups and drops
  • 3 nights' Kathmandu accommodation (3-star, BB plan)
  • 1 night Nepalgunj hotel
  • Humla Restricted Area Permit (USD 50 first week + USD 7/day after)
  • Senior English/Tibetan-speaking guide
  • Full kitchen crew (cook + kitchen helpers)
  • Mule team for baggage
  • All camping equipment (tents, dining tent, toilet tent, kitchen tent)
  • Three meals a day plus tea and snacks throughout
  • Boiled drinking water daily
  • Half-day Kathmandu sightseeing
  • All government taxes

Not included

  • Nepal visa fee
  • International airfare
  • Travel insurance covering trekking to 5,500m with helicopter rescue (compulsory)
  • Meals in Kathmandu outside BB plan
  • Personal trekking equipment
  • Hot showers, charging, sat-phone calls
  • Alcohol and bottled drinks
  • Tips for the camping crew
  • Any cost arising from flight delays, weather or political disruption

Trek guide

The Trek No One Knows

Humla district sees roughly 500 foreign trekkers per year - making it less visited than even Upper Dolpo. The combination of restricted-area permits, flight access only and the long camping commitment keeps numbers low. What you see is a corner of Nepal that culturally, linguistically and architecturally is Tibet.

The Limi Valley

The valley sits at 3,700-4,000m and contains three permanent villages: Halji (3,700m), Til (3,700m) and Jang (4,070m). All three are Tibetan-speaking, all three are above the treeline, all three have populations of 50-150 people. The Rinchenling Gompa at Halji is over 1,000 years old and is one of the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monasteries in the Himalaya.

Mount Kailash Views

At Hilsa, on the Nepal-Tibet border, you can see Mount Kailash on a clear day. The mountain is sacred to Hindus (Lord Shiva's abode), Buddhists (Demchok's mandala), Jains (where Rishabha attained moksha) and Bon (the seat of all spiritual power).

The Two Passes

  • Nyalu Lagna La (4,988m): The highest pass of the trek. Crossed on Day 9 between Dharmasala and Talung Camp.
  • Nara La (4,590m): Crossed on Day 16 between Hilsa and Palbang.

Acclimatisation

Built-in rest day at Simikot (Day 4) and Jang (Day 11) plus the natural slow climb. Pulse-oximeter monitoring every morning above 4,000m.

Permits

  • Humla Restricted Area Permit (USD 50 first week + USD 7/day after)
  • Optional Tibet permit for cross-border excursion (not part of this trek)

Restricted-area permit requires a minimum of two trekkers and a licensed guide.

Best Season

  • Late spring (May-June): Drier flights, warmer
  • Autumn (September-October): Clearest visibility, drier passes

We do not run this trek in monsoon - flights to Simikot become unreliable. Winter is impossible - villages snowed in.

Fitness

Strenuous. 22 days at altitude, two 4,500m+ passes, basic camping conditions, very remote. Prior multi-day Himalayan trekking experience essential. 6 months of focussed training.

Packing list

Clothing: Heavy down jacket -15C, fleece mid-layer, soft-shell jacket, hard-shell waterproof, soft-shell trousers, 3 trekking shirts, 2 trousers, thermal base layers, 7 pairs socks, beanie, sun hat, balaclava, neck buff, insulated and liner gloves

Footwear: Stiff-soled waterproof trekking boots, gaiters, camp shoes

Accessories: 40L daypack, 80L duffel for mule, -18C sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp + spare batteries, polarised sunglasses cat 4, 2L water capacity, water purification, power bank (15,000+ mAh), hand sanitiser, baby wipes

Documents: Passport, Nepal visa, insurance, 4 passport photos, copies of permits

Medical: Diamox 250mg, broad-spectrum antibiotics (doctor advice), painkillers, antihistamines, ORS, blister care, SPF 50+ sunscreen, lip balm, personal medications

Frequently asked questions

Why is this trek so expensive?
Two restricted-area flights, Humla permit, 22 days of camping support (large crew + mules), long logistics chain. We do not compromise on team quality - junior guides will not work in this terrain.

How fit do I need to be?
Strenuous. 22 consecutive days, two high passes, basic camping. Prior multi-day Himalayan trekking experience essential. 6 months of focussed training.

Can I cross into Tibet at Hilsa?
Not on this permit. Visiting Tibet requires a separate Chinese visa and permits booked through Lhasa-based agencies. Speak to us if you want to combine.

How reliable are Simikot flights?
Weather-dependent. Cancellations are more common than Lukla. We always recommend a 2-day buffer at each end.

How cold does it get?
-10 to -20C at night at the pass camps in autumn. -18C sleeping bag essential.

Can I shower?
Hot springs at Kermi (Day 6) and Tatopani. Otherwise no - 18 days without a proper shower. Baby wipes essential.

What is the food like?
The cook prepares Western-Nepali-Tibetan fusion meals from fresh supplies carried by the mules. Dal bhat, momo, pasta, soups, occasional fresh vegetables.

Wildlife sightings?
Blue sheep regularly. Himalayan tahr and golden eagle common. Snow leopard extremely rare but present in the conservation area.

Why include a Tibetan-speaking guide?
The Limi villagers speak only Tibetan dialects. Without a Tibetan-speaking guide you lose 90% of the cultural experience.

Is there mobile signal?
Simikot has NTC. None elsewhere on the trek. Our guide carries a sat-phone for emergencies.

Can I do this trek solo?
No - restricted-area permits require minimum two trekkers. Join one of our group departures.

Still have questions? Talk to a guide →

Why book this with us

Senior local guides. Small groups. Honest pricing.

  • Departures led by a guide who grew up in the region.
  • Max 8 trekkers per group — no convoys.
  • 100% Nepali-owned. Profit stays in the valleys.
  • Free cancellation up to 30 days before departure.
  • Permits, internal flights and TIMS handled by us.
  • 24/7 in-country support during your trek.

From $4250

per person

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