Head to Nepal’s Gorgeous, Remote Limi Valley Trek for a blissful experience.

Nepal is home to some of the most renowned treks throughout the world. Amongst the trekking community, this neighbouring country is quite the gem for adventurers from around the world flock for an immersive experience with the Himalayas. Now as so many of this country’s trails make it to people’s bucket lists and “must see”s, there also parallelly commences a search for the lesser explored and the lesser known. Amongst the famed ones is the Kailash trek, and, lo behold, right next to it is a hidden gem that goes by the name of Limi Valley. The beauty of Limi probably pales for some in front of its counterparts in a country with stalwart peaks. But its charm can be recognized by those who find themselves enamoured with wild terrains and unadulterated existence. This is for the ones who smile at their simpler splendidness of nature as they tread through ancient routes followed by traders years ago and are willing to make this adventure today alongside yaks, goats, mules and the tribal people.
How to reach: `First fly in to the city of Kathmandu and thereafter, fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj which takes just about an hour. Thereafter, another small flight is to be taken from Nepalgunj to Simikot.
Best time to trek/visit: May to October
Duration: 20 days
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Altitude: 4,949 metres
Trek route: The route will of course depend on what you decide with your local trekking guide, but possible options include:
Kathmandu – Nepalgunj – Simikot – Dharapori – Kermi – Chumsa Khola – Dharmashala –  Talung Camp – Jang – Halji – Til – Manepene – Hilsa – Palbang – Muchu – Chumsa Khola – Dharapuri – Simikot – Nepalgunj – Kathmandu

Day 1: Fly from Kathmandu to Nepalgunj
Altitude – 150 m
Ideally, if you are making the long trip for this trek and to Nepal you may want to spend sometime doing sightseeing in and around Kathmandu. While the city can get swarming with tourists, there are the nearby options where you can getaway for a quieter and cosier time.
Day 2: Fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot
Altitude – 2,910 m
Day 2 has you peeking out from the window seat (ah, if you’re lucky enough to get it!), as you fly to make your way to Simikot. Can you spot some outlines of mountain tops as you take this flight? Or are you content with the tuft of clouds for now? Reach and rest well as your long trek starts the next day.
Day 3: Simikot – Dharapuri
Altitude – 270m ascent, 980 m descent
Throw on your shoes as your trek starts off today! With a slight ascent leading onto a greater descent gradually you shall make your way towards a canyon at Dharapuri. In the right season, you maybe lucky enough to dip in some swimming holes also around here!
Day 4: Dharapuri – Kermi
Altitude – 440 m ascent, 100 m descent
This day has your trek already starting to get steeper. As the yaks, mules and you move, catch your breath and make sure to catch the view. After putting in about 5- 6 hours, you shall reach your campsite at Kermi but make sure to push yourself just a tad bit more as a little less than an hour away there are some natural hot springs waiting for you! What could be a better way to relax after a tiring day? You may spot the tribals and traders also around here, so, who’s game for interacting the locals and learning about their way of life?

Day 5: Kermi – Chumsa Khola Valley
Altitude – 700 m ascent, 60 m descent
Your day starts off by making your way across fields of potatoes and barley. From here as the valley opens up, you shall cross thick pine forests, so, breathe in that earthy mountain air. Sigh. After a good deep whiff continue further to reach Chumsa Khola Valley. The valley stands nicely spread out with its different plants, trees, crops and more creeping out wherever they please, it is an expanse of nature existing just as it pleases.
Day 6: Chumsa Khola – Dharmashala
Altitude – 600 m ascent
Adding a refreshing air to your trek are the streams that come out to play today! First, you shall start off by making your way through pine and birch forests. This then leads to you passing through glacial moraine and streams which then dip into the Chumsa Khola. And just as our India’s Dharamshala is a delight for mountain lovers, so, is its namesake in Nepal. Luckily, trekkers even get to camp out there in Dharamshala right beside the stream.
Day 7: Dharmashala – Talung Camp
Altitude – 1000 m ascent, 600 m descent
It’s going to be a tricky day that starts off on grassy hills, rushes to moraine and eventually has you walking upon snow too. But don’t worry because to keep your spirits going the prayer flags and cairns look back at you with their vibrant colours at different points of the day. And, as you reach the Nyu La pass at 4,990 m you’ll reap the rewards of your efforts as you are blessed with the views of stellar peaks such as Mount Kailash and Gurla Mandata.
Day 8: Talung Camp – Jang
Altitude – 450 m descent
A lake and glimpses of Tibet are in store! Yes, that’s right, this one is another long day which Mother Nature yet again beautifies for you as you get to pass by the Tshom Tsho lake. You shall even climb up Ling from where you can see one of Tibet’s once popular and now abandoned village of Gumma Yok.

Day 9: Day spent in Jang
Altitude – 4,100 m
By this point the trekkers make it to a considerable height through the course of their trek, making it crucial for them to acclimatize and rest before they proceed further. Visit the gompa standing in the village, see if you can converse with some of the folks who inhabit this gorgeous land and just gaze away at the valley that you have been spending time with.
Day 10: Jang – Halji
Altitude – 400 m descent
This is a relatively more comfortable day so you can afford to take a laidback start. Spend time at the Rinzing Ling Gompa and then make your way to the views that await at Halji. Amongst them is a beautiful river so you will be left smiling this day as you camp out close by. Room with a view? How about camping out to look at such landscapes?!
Day 11: Halji – Til
Altitude – 150 m ascent, 50 m descent
Another easy breezy day, this one is made for you to simply enjoy your time in your surroundings. Til is the last village that stands at the furthest point in Limi Valley. Explore its cultural jewels in the form of a gompa, see its inhabitants including the mountainous creatures and most of all, explore the panoramic views with idle ease.
Day 12: Til – Manepene
Altitude – 870 m ascent, 580 m descent
Today’s humble abode has you camping near a rock carved with the Buddhist chant of “Om Mane Padme Hum” which are so imbibed in the culture here that almost all visitors know this chant before they leave. But to reach this campsite you will first cross the Lamka Lagna and be treated to views of the Karnali river that cascades in its own joy within the wilderness.

Day 13: Manepene – Hilsa
Altitude – 300 m ascent, 400 m descent
Hilsa here is instrumental to the border trade around here. Who wants to get some tiny trinkets or souvenirs for loved ones waiting back home? The local shops here shall help you just with that.
Day 14: Hilsa – Palbang
Altitude – 800 m ascent, 1200 m descent
Alas, you must bid farewell to the Tibetan lands that you have been staring at all this while. For this, you shall descend and then climb back up to Rani Pauwa, make way through a pass named Nara La and also through the village of Yari. You are led to the campsite of Palbang where you shall make your bed for the night.
Day 15: Palbang – Muchu
Altitude – 50 m ascent, 480 m descent
By this point the trek becomes quite easier for you, not just because you’ve gotten in the groove but also because the descend on this day is almost like a gradual walk. You shall even have the option of staying in basic lodges this day but who knows maybe by this point you would’ve gotten used to that camping out life?! Here you may meet trekkers overlapping from the Kailash trail and maybe you could interact to share your experience while hearing theirs as well.
Day 16: Muchu – Chumsa Khola
Altitude – 200 m ascent, 260 m descent
From the scenic villages you shall trek through the day along the breathtakingly beautiful Humla Karnali river. It gushes by with its waves and maybe even winks at you through its blue hues, with the forested area on one hand, the river next to it and the peaks in the backdrop, this day is what one thinks of when they say they walked right into a postcard.

Day 17: Chumsa Khola – Dharapuri
Altitude – 230 m ascent, 740 m descent
Since you came back to Chumsa Khola the previous day, you shall now be back in familiar lands for one last day as you approach the trail that you started off from.
Day 18: Dharapuri – Simikot
Altitude – 980 m ascent, 270 m descent
It’s the last day of the trek so as you make your descent make sure to look at around for as long as your heart pleases, say goodbye to Limi Valley however your adventurer’s soul pleases. Who knows maybe someday you would be back again?
Day 19: Fly from Simikot to Nepalgunj
Altitude – 2,910 m
As you retrace your trip, take a flight from Simikot back to Nepalgunj.
Day 20: Fly from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu
Altitude – 150 m
And, as you fly out from Nepalgunj to Kathmandu this could either be the end of your trip or maybe you could head off to another one of Nepal’s many marvels.
What about you? Are you first looking to the bucket list daunting yet spellbinding treks of Nepal or would you be more inclined for something like this which stands in a quieter bliss?