GHT Trek

Rara to Humla Traverse

The Rara to Humla Traverse goes from the biggest lake in Nepal, Rara Lake, along the ancient salt trading route to the border with Tibet. Humla is a land of contrasts and one of the most culturally fascinating places in all of Nepal. From the lush banks of the Karnali river to the arid plains that expand into Tibet, this remote part of the Himalayas catches the eye with every bend of the trail. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot the dusky blue sheep leaping up through the gigantic rockscapes, and perhaps even the elusive snow leopard.

A trek in Humla offers a cultural tapestry of traditional Hindu and Buddhist cultures combined with the ancient practice of Shamanism.
From the district capital of Simikot, spread across a ridge at 2900m, this section of the Great Himalaya Trails threads along towering green cliffs above the roaring Karnali river. You’ll pass clusters of flat-roofed mud houses, encountering the Hindu Thakuri – women wearing heavy gold and silver jewelry, and men leading flocks of long-haired goats up and down the muddy trail to Tibet. After the village of Kermi, the cultural landscape changes to Tibetan Buddhism, influenced by the near-by border.

Tourists are few and far between and those you meet will most likely be headed to the border town of Hilsa, a gateway to Mount Kailash in Tibet.

From Hilsa you can continue towards Mount Kailash (with appropriate visas for Tibet) or return to Simikot having explored this remote corner of north western Nepal.

Plan Your Trek

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Trek Facts

  • Duration

    25 Days

  • Altitude

    4620 m

  • Seasons

    March, April, May, September, October, November

  • Accommodation

    Camping, Teahouse/Lodge

  • Starting Point

    Jumla

  • Ending Point

    Simikot

  • Level of Difficulty

         

    Hard

  • Permit Needed

    Restricted Area Trekking Permits for Mugu/Humla issued by the Immigration Office in Kathmandu, Rara National Park Entry Fee and DDC (District Development Committee) Tax of NPR 1000 per trekker to be paid in Simikot

View Itinerary

  • Day 1 Flight Kathmandu - Nepalgunj
  • Day 2 Flight Nepalgunj - Jumla (2350 m)
  • Day 3 Jumla (2350 m) - Nauri Ghat (2700 m) crossing the Danphe Lagna pass (3691 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 4 Nauri Ghat (2700 m) - Jhyarigaon (2672 m) crossing the Ghurchi Lagna pass (3447 m) 8-9 hrs
  • Day 5 Jhyarigaon (2672 m) - Rara Lake (2990 m) 3 hrs
  • Day 6 Rara Lake (2990 m). Rest day and local exploration.
  • Day 7 Rara Lake (2990 m) - Gamgadhi (2095 m) 4 hrs
  • Day 8 Gamgadhi (2095 m) to Bam (2700 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 9 Bam (2700 m) - Jogimara (3005 m) via Changkheli Lagna (3594 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 10 Jogimara (3005 m) - Darma Bazar (2200 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 11 Darma Bazar (2200 m) - Apsia Lek (3195 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 12 Apsia Lek (3195 m) - Punkha Khola (3010 m) 4 hrs
  • Day 13 Punkha Khola (3010 m) - River Camp (2100 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 14 River Camp (2100 m) - Simikot (2950 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 15 Simikot (2950 m) - Dharapuri (2300 m) 4 hrs
  • Day 16 Dharapuri (2300 m) - Kermi (2670 m) 3 hrs
  • Day 17 Kermi (2670 m) - Yalbang (3020 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 18 Yalbang (3020 m) - Thumkot (3380 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 19 Thumkot (3380 m) - Yari (3700 m) 5 hrs
  • Day 20 Yari (3700 m) - Hilsa (3720 m) crossing the Nara La pass (4620 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 21 Hilsa (3720 m). Rest day and local exploration.
  • Day 22 Hilsa (3720 m) - Thumkot (3380 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 23 Thumkot (3380 m) - Kermi (2670 m) 6 hrs
  • Day 24 Kermi (2670 m) - Simikot (2950 m) 7 hrs
  • Day 25 Flight Simikot - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu

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