Karnali Province, Nepal
Simikot Travel Guide
The remote hilltop capital of Humla in Nepal's far-western Himalaya — trailhead for the hidden Limi Valley, the upper Karnali and the pilgrim route to Mount Kailash via Hilsa.
Simikot is the remote hilltop capital of Humla, the most isolated district of Karnali Province in Nepal's far-western Himalaya. Perched on a ridge at around 2,950 m above the upper Karnali river and only a day's walk from the Tibet border, it has no road link to the rest of the country — the lifeline is a cliff-top airstrip and the trails that thread out into some of the wildest country in Nepal.
Most travellers come to Simikot for what lies beyond it. The town is the classic trailhead for the hidden Limi Valley trek from Simikot, a loop through medieval Tibetan-Buddhist villages, and the start of the Nepal route to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar, which crosses into Tibet at the border village of Hilsa. Along the way you trek beside the headwaters of the Karnali, Nepal's longest river, through gorges and pine forest few outsiders ever see.
Humla's spiritual heart is its ancient gompas. The thousand-year-old Halji (Rinchenling) Monastery in Limi is one of the oldest in the region, while the cliff-set Raling Gompa is a revered pilgrimage hermitage. Around them, Humla's culture and villages blend Tibetan Buddhism with Hindu hill traditions in a way found nowhere else. The town itself, the Simikot bazaar and airstrip, is the supply hub where every journey forms up.
Because this is a tightly controlled border region, plan carefully: read how to get to Simikot, sort where to stay in Simikot and pick your window with the best time to visit Simikot. Browse the full best things to do in Simikot to plan your days. Simikot also features in our national guides to the best treks in Nepal and remote Himalaya treks — read up on altitude sickness in Nepal and the Limi Valley trek before you go.
Where to stay in Simikot
Sights & attractions in Simikot
Trekking & treks in Simikot
What to do in Simikot
Festivals & events in Simikot
Getting around in Simikot
Plan your trip in Simikot
Frequently asked questions
Where is Simikot in Nepal?+
Simikot is the district headquarters of Humla, a remote district of Karnali Province in Nepal's far-western Himalaya. It sits on a high ridge at around 2,950 m above the upper Karnali (Humla Karnali) river, close to the Tibet border, with no road link to the rest of the country.
How do you get to Simikot?+
Almost everyone flies. The usual chain is Kathmandu or Surkhet to Nepalgunj in the lowlands, an overnight there, then a small fixed-wing flight to the cliff-top Simikot airstrip. There is no through road from the rest of Nepal, so flights are the practical way in and out.
What is Simikot famous for?+
Simikot is best known as the trailhead for the hidden Limi Valley trek and as the start of the Nepal route to the Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar pilgrimage, crossing into Tibet at Hilsa. It is also a window into Humla's Tibetan-Buddhist and Hindu hill culture.
Do you need a permit for Simikot and Humla?+
Yes. Upper Humla, including the Limi Valley and the route to Hilsa, is a restricted area that requires a restricted-area permit, the Humla local entry permit and a licensed guide travelling through a registered agency. Independent trekking is not allowed in these border zones.
When is the best time to visit Simikot?+
Late spring and autumn give the most settled weather. Because Humla lies partly in the Himalayan rain shadow, summer is also viable in the upper valleys, while winter brings heavy snow, flight cancellations and bitter cold across the high country.
Is Simikot worth visiting?+
For travellers seeking one of Nepal's wildest, least-visited corners, yes. Simikot opens the way to the medieval villages of Limi, the upper Karnali gorges, ancient monasteries like Halji and Raling, and the legendary Kailash crossing — a journey few outsiders ever make.