Things to do · Simikot
The Best Things to Do in Simikot
The Limi Valley, the Kailash route via Hilsa, Halji and Raling monasteries and the upper Karnali — the highlights of remote Humla.
Simikot opens a side of Nepal almost no one sees — the high, half-Tibetan world of Humla, where medieval villages, thousand-year-old monasteries and the legendary route to Mount Kailash lie behind days of trail. Here are the highlights, from the town itself to the deepest corners of the district.
The short answer
The unmissable experiences are the hidden Limi Valley loop from Simikot, the Nepal route toward Mount Kailash and Mansarovar via Hilsa, and the ancient Halji (Rinchenling) Monastery and cliff-set Raling Gompa. Closer to town you can walk the upper Karnali headwaters and soak up the hilltop Simikot bazaar and airstrip.
Tap any spot below for what to expect, how to reach it and what to plan for. For where it all fits, see our guide to the best treks in Nepal.
In and around Simikot town
You arrive at the dramatic cliff-edge airstrip and walk straight into the Simikot bazaar — a string of stone-and-timber shops, government offices and teahouses strung along the ridge. Spend your acclimatisation day wandering the lanes, visiting the small Buddhist and Hindu shrines on the surrounding spurs, and looking down on the Karnali headwaters snaking through the gorge far below. It is a working district capital rather than a polished tourist town, which is exactly its appeal.
The great Humla treks
With around two to three weeks, Humla's signature journeys open up. The Limi Valley trek loops through the medieval villages of Til, Halji and Jang, past the ancient Halji (Rinchenling) Monastery, in country that feels lifted from the Tibetan plateau. Pilgrims instead follow the Kailash route via Hilsa to cross into Tibet. Both share the early trail along the upper Karnali and the chance to detour to the revered Raling Gompa hermitage.
Good to know
- Permits: Everything beyond Simikot is restricted-area country — read how to get to Simikot and plan the Limi Valley trek and Kailash logistics well ahead.
- Season: Pick a flyable window with the best time to visit Simikot; the rain-shadow upper valleys keep the monsoon partly viable.
- Acclimatise: Trails climb fast past 4,000 m and over 4,500 m passes — read our notes on altitude sickness in Nepal.
- Culture: Many highlights are sacred — see how Humla fits among Nepal's monasteries and gompas and remote Himalaya treks.
Sights & attractions
Trekking & treks
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Simikot?+
The headline experiences are trekking the hidden Limi Valley loop, following the Nepal route toward Mount Kailash via Hilsa, visiting the ancient Halji and Raling monasteries, and walking the upper Karnali gorges. The hilltop Simikot bazaar and its cliff-edge airstrip are an experience in themselves.
Can you visit Simikot without a long trek?+
You can fly in and spend a day or two exploring the bazaar, nearby ridges and Buddhist and Hindu shrines around town. But Humla's real highlights — Limi, Hilsa and the monasteries — all require multi-day treks, as there are no roads linking them to Simikot.
How many days do you need in Simikot and Humla?+
A short Simikot visit needs two to three days including flight buffers. The classic Limi Valley loop runs around 14 to 22 days from Simikot, and the Nepal-side Kailash pilgrimage via Hilsa typically takes two to three weeks including the Tibet crossing.
Do you need a permit for things to do around Simikot?+
Yes. Upper Humla, including the Limi Valley and the Hilsa route, is a restricted area requiring a restricted-area permit, the Humla entry permit and a licensed guide through a registered agency. The Kailash crossing also needs a Chinese visa and Tibet permits.
