Humla & Limi Valley

Humla is the north-western corner of Nepal, a Karnali Province district on the Tibet border that a road only reached in 2025. Its headquarters, Simikot, sits at about 2,950 m and is reached by a short flight from Nepalgunj. The Limi Valley, a high side valley holding the villages of Halji, Til and Jang, is the reason most trekkers make the journey.

Flights are still the reliable way in

Everything about a Humla trip follows from the transport. There is no road link between Humla and the national network. A rough track has been pushed in stages up from the Tibet border, and construction continues, but as things stand people, rice and building materials all arrive at Simikot by small aircraft, and food prices in the district reflect it.

The flight is from Nepalgunj and takes around fifty minutes in a twin-engined aircraft; Surkhet is used as an alternative. It is a morning-only operation, weather-dependent, and cancellations are routine rather than exceptional. Build spare days in at both ends. Being stuck in Simikot for three days waiting for a plane is a normal outcome, not a disaster, and it is far better than having a flight home booked for the day after you are due to land.

Humla at a glance

The Limi loop, in outline

The standard trip is a loop rather than an out-and-back. From Simikot the trail follows the Humla Karnali west through Kermi, where there are hot springs, and Yalbang, where the monastery at Namkha Khyung Dzong is worth an afternoon, then climbs through Muchu and Yari towards the Nara La at around 4,600 m and drops to Hilsa on the border.

From Hilsa the route turns east into the Limi Valley proper, through Til, Halji and Jang, then crosses the Nyalu La, close to 5,000 m, and comes down the Sallikhola to rejoin the outward trail near Simikot. Three weeks is the honest figure including acclimatisation days, and the pass is the part that decides whether the loop happens at all. Attempt it in the wrong month and you will be walking back the way you came.

What the villages are like

Limi is culturally Tibetan and has been for as long as anyone can document. The houses are flat-roofed mud and stone packed tight against the wind, the fields are barley and potato, and the language spoken at home is a Tibetan dialect rather than Nepali. Rinchenling Gompa at Halji, usually dated to the eleventh century, is the oldest and most important building in the valley and is still in active use.

These villages traded across the border for centuries, and the pattern of that trade, not the modern map, is what explains the way they face north; our article on the trans-Himalayan salt routes covers the system they belonged to. Hilsa itself is functional rather than attractive, a border post where Kailash pilgrims cross into Tibet, and it is worth understanding that a large share of the foreign traffic through Humla is pilgrims in transit rather than trekkers.

Permits, agencies and the two-trekker rule

Humla is a restricted area. The permit is issued only through a registered trekking agency, is charged per person per week with a higher rate for the first week, and in practice requires a minimum party of two plus a licensed guide. There is no independent option and no way to arrange it after arrival. Our guide to restricted-area permits for Dolpa, Humla and Mugu sets out how the different zones are charged.

Beyond the permit, the trek is camping-led. There is basic lodging in Simikot and a handful of villages on the lower route, but the Limi side has almost none and the pass has nothing at all. Assume tents, a cook, carried food and a plan for what happens if someone falls ill three days from a road that does not exist.

When to go, and how hard it is

May to October. Humla sits partly in the Himalayan rain shadow, so the monsoon is far less disruptive on the ground than it is on the flight schedule; June to August walking is workable but the aircraft are the problem. Late May, September and early October give the best combination of open pass and flyable weather. Winter closes the Nyalu La outright.

The trekking is not technical but it is sustained, high and remote, and the loop crosses two passes with limited bail-out options between them. Read the acclimatisation guide before you commit. For the culture, the monasteries and the wider story of the valley, see our Limi Valley guide and the Humla district guide. Anyone weighing this against the other restricted trip in Karnali should compare it with Shey Phoksundo in Dolpa, which is shorter, lower and considerably easier to organise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a road to Humla?

Not from the rest of Nepal. A rough track has been built in stages up from the Tibet border and work continues, but the district still has no through link to the national network, so people and supplies arrive by air.

How long does the Limi Valley loop take?

About three weeks from Simikot, including acclimatisation days, plus spare days at either end for flight delays. Shorter out-and-back walks from Simikot are possible if you have less time.

Do you need a permit for Limi Valley?

Yes. Humla is a restricted area, so the permit is issued only through a registered agency, is charged per person per week, and comes with a licensed guide and a minimum party size. It cannot be arranged on arrival.

Can you cross into Tibet at Hilsa?

Hilsa is an official crossing to Purang, and Kailash pilgrims use it regularly, but entry to Tibet requires Chinese permits arranged well in advance through an agency. Trekkers reach Hilsa and turn back into Limi.

What is the best time of year for Humla?

May to October. The district lies partly in the rain shadow, so monsoon walking is viable, but flights are least reliable then. Late May, September and early October are the best weeks overall.

Are there teahouses on the Limi route?

Very few. Simikot and some lower villages have basic lodging, but the Limi side and the passes have effectively none. The loop is a camping trek with a cook, carried food and full self-sufficiency.