Getting around · Simikot
How to Get to Simikot
The Kathmandu–Nepalgunj–Simikot flight chain, why there is no road, and onward trails to Hilsa, Limi and Kailash.
The short answer: you reach Simikot by air. Fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in the lowlands, overnight, then take a short morning flight to the Simikot airstrip in Humla — because no through road connects this remote district to the rest of Nepal, flying is the only practical way in and out for almost everyone.
The flight chain
There are no direct flights to Simikot. The reliable sequence is Kathmandu → Nepalgunj, a hot lowland hub in the far west, an overnight in Nepalgunj, then a small fixed-wing flight up to Simikot the next morning. Some travellers reach Nepalgunj from Surkhet instead, and in peak Kailash season helicopter charters also operate. Mountain flights only run in clear weather and are frequently delayed or cancelled, so build in buffer days at both ends — a run of cloudy mornings can strand you in Nepalgunj on the way in, or in Simikot on the way out.
Why there is no road
Humla is the only district capital in Nepal with no reliable road link to the national network. Rough tracks are slowly being pushed into parts of the district and along the Karnali toward Hilsa, but they are unfinished, landslide-prone and weather-dependent. For practical purposes, you fly to Simikot and then walk — the trails out of town are the real transport network, just as they have been for centuries.
Onward from Simikot
From the bazaar, your route depends on your goal. For the Kailash route via Hilsa, you trek up the Karnali headwaters to Hilsa over five to seven days, or use the rough road and helicopter shuttles, then cross into Tibet. For the Limi Valley trek, you follow a multi-week loop through the high villages. Either way, everything beyond Simikot is restricted-area country that needs permits and a guide.
What can go wrong
The single biggest risk is weather at Simikot. The small aircraft cannot fly in cloud, and a spell of poor weather can ground flights for days. Experienced operators never schedule a tight international connection straight after a Humla trip, and they budget spare days into every itinerary. The flights also fill quickly in the Kailash pilgrimage season, so book early and carry enough cash, as there are no reliable ATMs in Humla.
Good to know
- Permits first: You cannot trek beyond Simikot without restricted-area paperwork — plan alongside the Limi Valley trek guide.
- Timing: Pick a flyable window with the best time to visit Simikot.
- Bigger picture: See how Simikot's air links fit into getting around Nepal.
- Insurance: Carry cover for mountain flights and high-altitude trekking — see Nepal travel insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get to Simikot?+
The standard route is to fly Kathmandu to Nepalgunj in the lowlands, overnight there, then take a small morning flight to the Simikot airstrip in Humla. There is no through road from the rest of Nepal, so flying is the practical way in and out for almost all travellers.
Is there a road to Simikot?+
No through road connects Simikot to the rest of Nepal's road network. Rough local roads are slowly being pushed into parts of Humla and toward Hilsa, but they are unreliable and not the way most visitors arrive. The flight from Nepalgunj remains the dependable option.
How long does it take to reach Simikot?+
Allow at least two days: a flight from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj, an overnight, then a short morning flight to Simikot. Because mountain flights are weather-dependent and frequently delayed, build in buffer days at both ends so a cancellation does not derail your plans.
How do you get from Simikot to Hilsa and Kailash?+
From Simikot you trek up the Humla Karnali to Hilsa over five to seven days, or use the rough road and helicopter shuttles that now run on the route. From Hilsa you cross into Tibet for the drive to Mount Kailash, with the required Chinese visa and Tibet permits.
