Humla to Mt Kailas

21 Days of trekking
maximum elevation 5630 metres (18,475 feet)
In May 1993 the governments of Nepal and China reached an accord that allowed the first treks across the border between the two countries. While it had been a route for Nepalese pilgrims for years, foreign trekkers were never allowed to trek from Nepal into Tibet.

The journey through Humla, Nepal's highest, northernmost and most remote district, is culturally and scenically rewarding. The people of northern Humla are Bhotias whose roots are in Tibet and who still enjoy the freedom to graze their animals on the Tibetan plateau. The upper Humla Karnali Valley is also populated by Bhotias who trade extensively with Tibet in traditional ways that have totally vanished elsewhere. It is only near Simikot, the district headquarters, that you will encounter people of other ethnic groups, mostly Thakuris and Chhetris.

A trip to Mt Kailas has always been regarded as a pilgrimage. It satisfies the romantic in us that the pilgrimage to Kailas is a difficult one. Whether you drive for seven days or walk for six days, it is still not possible to make a quick, easy visit to Kailas and Manasarovar. You cannot yet travel all the way to Kailas by helicopter or airplane. This is certainly as it should be.

• Day 1: Fly to Nepalgunj
• Day 2: Fly Nepalgunj to Simikot
• Day 3: Simikot to Tuling
• Day 4: Tuling to Kermi
• Day 5: Kermi to Yangar
• Day 6: Yangar to Torea
• Day 7: Torea to Sipsip
• Day 8: Cross the border, Drive Sipsip to Taklakot
• Day 9: Drive Taklakot to Darchan
• Day 10: Darchan to Damding Donkhang
• Day 11: Damding Donkhang to Jarok Donkhang
• Day 12: Jarok Donkhang to Zutul-puk
• Day 13: Zutul-puk to Darchan
• Day 14: Drive Taklakot to Sipsip, cross the border
• Day 15: Sipsip to Torea
• Day 16: Torea to Yangar
• Day 17: Yangar to Kermi
• Day 18: Kermi to Tuling
• Day 19: Tuling to Simikot
• Day 20: Fly Simikot to Nepalgunj
• Day 21: Fly Nepalgunj to Kathmandu