Simikot sits on a shelf high above the Humla Karnali river in the far north-west corner of Nepal. Its stone houses, government offices and short airstrip are spread along a ridge, with terraced fields of buckwheat, barley and potatoes dropping to the river and forested ridges climbing behind. The population mixes Hindu Thakuri and Chhetri families with Buddhist Lama communities from the villages upstream, and the town feels like a frontier post supplied almost entirely by air.
For most visitors Simikot is a gateway. Kailash Mansarovar groups fly in from Nepalgunj, spend a night acclimatising, then take a helicopter or trek to Hilsa on the Tibet border. Trekkers use it as the start of the Limi Valley loop and the old salt-trade trail up the Karnali through Kermi, Yalbang and Yari. A rough road now links Hilsa with Tibet, and the Karnali Corridor road is being pushed up from Bajura, but there is still no dependable road from Simikot to the south.
At 2,910 m the altitude is enough to give headaches on the first evening, especially after flying straight up from the heat of Nepalgunj at 150 m. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and use the first afternoon for a short climb above town. Simikot is also where restricted area permits for Upper Humla are checked, and where camping crews for the Limi trek gather supplies and pack animals.
What to see and do
- Gateway to Kailash
Simikot is the Nepal end of the shortest route to Mount Kailash. From here helicopters fly up the Karnali gorge to Hilsa in about 25–30 minutes, where pilgrims cross to Purang in Tibet and drive to Lake Manasarovar. Rules for Indian passport holders change often; check current status before you travel.
- The Karnali salt trail
For centuries Humli traders carried rice north and salt and wool south along the Karnali. The trail through Dharapori, Kermi, Yalbang and Yari to Hilsa still sees mule trains and is now the walking route to Tibet, taking 5–6 days.
- Start of the Limi Valley loop
The Limi Valley, a Tibetan Buddhist enclave close to the border, is reached by a 15–17 day camping trek from Simikot. The loop crosses Nara La and Nyalu La and visits Til, Halji and Jang. Simikot is where crews, mules and permits come together.
- Life in a town without roads
Almost everything in Simikot arrives by plane, mule or porter, from rice and kerosene to building steel. Watching the airstrip on a busy morning, with planes landing every half hour in good weather, explains how Humla survives and why prices are higher than in the south.
- Kermi hot springs
Two days' walk up the Karnali, Kermi village has natural hot springs in a pine-shaded gully. They are a popular first stop for trekkers heading to Limi or Hilsa, and a good short trek for those with spare days in Simikot.
Experiences in Simikot
How to reach Simikot
Air
Twin Otter and Dornier flights run from Nepalgunj most mornings in season, taking about 40–50 minutes. Baggage is usually limited to 15 kg. Cloud and wind cause frequent delays and cancellations, so we always keep at least one spare day. Some groups also charter helicopters from Nepalgunj or Surkhet.
Helicopter
Helicopters link Simikot with Hilsa on the Tibet border (≈ 25–30 min) for Kailash groups, and charters from Nepalgunj take about 1 h 15 min. Payload falls at Simikot's altitude, so groups are moved in several shuttles. Flights operate in the morning.
On foot
From Hilsa: 5–6 days down the Karnali via Yari, Tumkot, Yalbang and Kermi. From the south there are long trekking routes from Jumla or Rara over passes, taking 8–10 days, rarely used by visitors.
Road
There is no reliable road between Simikot and the rest of Nepal. The Karnali Corridor road from Bajura towards Hilsa is under construction and not a practical tourist route; check current status before you travel.
Where to stay
Simikot has a handful of simple lodges and guesthouses within a few minutes' walk of the airstrip. Rooms are twin or triple with shared or basic attached toilets, hot water by bucket or solar heater, and dal bhat, noodles and tea in a shared dining room. Kailash operators often take over whole lodges during the May–September yatra season, so we book rooms early or use our own camping set-up with dining tent and heated water. Nights are cold from October to April. There are no branded hotels, and we do not list properties we cannot confirm for your dates.
Tips from our trip managers
- Spend the first afternoon resting and walk slowly; 2,910 m is high after Nepalgunj's 150 m.
- Pack within 15 kg for the Nepalgunj–Simikot flight and leave extra bags in Nepalgunj.
- Carry all the Nepali cash you need; there is little or no ATM service you can rely on.
- Keep two spare days in any Simikot itinerary for flight cancellations.
- Carry a copy of your passport and restricted area permit when walking beyond town.
