Itinerary Detail

Day 1: Fly to Nepalgunj
Today we take the ninety minute flight to Nepalgunj in the far south west of Nepal. It is a busy crowded city which lies close to the Indian border.

Day 2: Fly to Simikot [2960m], trek to Dhara Pokhari [2300m]
This morning we fly north for about 50 minutes to Simikot, the headquarters of Nepal's most remote district, Humla. After meeting our crew, we set off on our trek, climbing up from the airstrip on a rocky trail past fields of barley and wheat. We ascend a forested ridge above the town of Simikot, before making a long steep descent past Dandaphoya. The trail is then fairly level, through walnut and apricot trees, until we come to the scattered village of Dharapokhari which is divided by the Yakba Khola.

Day 3: Trek to Salli Khola [2700m]
Leaving our campsite, we cross a long scree slope and follow the river to a waterfall near the shepherds' camp at Chachera. We then climb over a ridge and bypass the village of Kermi before entering a big valley with walled fields of potato and buckwheat. After walking through a sparse pine forest we descend from the ridge to the Salli Khola and camp by the river.

Day 4: Trek to Muchu [2920m]
We cross the river and climb over a rocky ridge before descending to the grey waters of the Humla Karnali. After crossing another ridge we come to a sandy meadow where goat herders often camp by the river. Beyond the meadow the valley narrows and we cross several more ridges, passing the villages of Yalbang and Yangar. The trail then winds its way precariously above the river before we cross a suspension bridge to the village of Muchu.

Day 5: Rest day
Today is a rest day which we'll spend in and around Muchu, exploring the village with its stone houses and gompa.

Day 6: Trek to Sipsip [4330m]
rom Muchu, we follow the trail over a ridge to the Tumkot Khola and then walk along the rocky stream bed for a short distance before beginning a steep climb through a rock-filled gully. We pass through Palbang and its bright yellow mustard fields to the small settlement of Yari and beyond here the route climbs up the valley towards a pass, the Nara Lagna. We camp below the pass in a meadow known as Sipsip.

Day 7: Trek to Hilsa [3720m]
From Sipsip we ascend steeply to a rock cairn marking the top of the Nara Lagna [4580m]. Descending from the pass, we have views of the Tibetan Plateau before arriving at the village of Ranipauwa. Beyond here, we slip and slide on a surface of loose pebbles down to the Humla Karnali.

Day 8: Trek to Taklakot [3930m], drive to Manasarovar [4560m]
Shortly after crossing the Nepal/Tibet border which is marked only by a stone pillar, we meet our transport and drive about 130km, via the large trading centre of Taklakot, to Manasarovar, the most venerated of Tibet's many lakes.

Day 9: at Manasarovar
Today will be spent at Manasarovar, allowing our bodies time to acclimatise to the altitude and exploring this fascinating place. We will visit the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the north west shore of the lake with the imposing sight of Mt Kailash in the background.

Day 10: Drive to Tarboche [4750m]
Leaving the lake, we drive for about 35 km towards Mt Kailash and Tarboche which is marked by a tall pole adorned with prayer flags. This is the starting point for our kora, the 53km trek around the mountain.

Day 11: Trek to Dira-puk
From Tarboche, we walk up the Lha Chu Valley through beautiful green meadows and streams with Mt Kailash towering above us. We follow the river which enters a narrow canyon with high, steep cliffs and spectacular waterfalls. Continuing up the valley, the north face of Kailash comes into view before we reach the 13th century monastery at Dira-puk.

Day 12: Trek to Zutul-puk [4790m]
We now leave the Lha Chu Valley and enter the Drolma Chu Valley, heading up towards a high pass, the Drolma La [5630m]. It's a tough climb to the summit which is festooned with prayer flags but from there it is all downhill or flat to Zutul-puk, with views of one of the highest lakes in the world, Thukpe Dzingbu Lake, known as the Lake of Compassion. As well as the monastery at Zutul-puk, there are several meditation caves and another cave containing an image of Milarepa.

Day 13: Trek to Darchen [4560m]
On the final day of the Kora we cross several streams, and follow an impressive gorge. Along the way we are once again treated to magnificent views of Kailash. We then enter the Bharka plain and it's about an hour's walk through this desert-like landscape to Darchen.

Day 14: Drive to Paryang [4750m]
Today is a long drive, about 300km, to Paryang. Along the way, we cross the Mayun-la and make several river crossings. The scenery along this section is some of the most panoramic of the entire journey.

Day 15: drive to Saga [4600m]
We continue driving today along a 255km stretch of road to Saga, passing through the small, dusty town of Zhongba en route.

Day 16: Drive to Peiko-Tso
Leaving Saga, we cross the Yarlung Tsangpo [Brahmaputra River] by ferry and continue our journey for 110km across the vast open plains. Stunning Himalayan views, particularly of Shishapangma, accompany us as we head towards a huge lake, the Peiku-Tso.

Day 17: Drive to Zhangmu [2300m]
Today we drive 180km south towards the Nepalese border, joining the Friendship Highway. We cross a high pass, the Lalung La [5200m], and come to the small town of Nyalam. From here, the road drops steeply down through a mossy gorge with cascading waterfalls, before reaching the border town of Zhangmu.

Day 18: Drive to Kathmandu [1400m]
From Zhangmu, we drive down a very steep section of switchbacks to the Friendship Bridge which spans the Bhote Kosi River and marks the Chinese - Nepalese border. We say goodbye to our Tibetan guide and driver and walk to Nepalese Immigration Control in Kodari where we will be met by our Nepalese staff. After completing the re-entry formalities we continue the 123km drive to Kathmandu which, depending on road and weather conditions, should take about 5 hours.

Simikot Kailash Tour Photographs