- Day 1: Fly to Nepalganj
Today we take the ninety minute flight to Nepalgunj in the far south west of Nepal . It is a busy crowded city which lies close to the Indian border.
- Today we take the ninety minute flight to Nepalgunj in the far south west of Nepal . It is a busy crowded city which lies close to the Indian border.
This morning we fly north for about 50 minutes to Simikot, the headquarters of Nepal 's most remote district, Humla. After meeting our crew, we set off on our trek, climbing up from the airstrip on a rocky trail past fields of barley and wheat. We ascend a forested ridge above the town of Simikot , before making a long steep descent past Dandaphoya. The trail is then fairly level, through walnut and apricot trees, until we come to the scattered village of Dharapokhari which is divided by the Yakba Khola.
- Day 3: Trek to Salli Khola [ 2700m ]
Leaving our campsite, we cross a long scree slope and follow the river to a waterfall near the shepherds' camp at Chachera. We then climb over a ridge and bypass the village of Kermi before entering a big valley with walled fields of potato and buckwheat. After walking through a sparse pine forest we descend from the ridge to the Salli Khola and camp by the river
- Day 4: Trek to Muchu [ 2920m ]
We cross the river and climb over a rocky ridge before descending to the grey waters of the Humla Karnali. After crossing another ridge we come to a sandy meadow where goat herders often camp by the river. Beyond the meadow the valley narrows and we cross several more ridges, passing the villages of Yalbang and Yangar. The trail then winds its way precariously above the river before we cross a suspension bridge to the village of Muchu .
- Day 5: Rest day
Today is a rest day which we'll spend in and around Muchu, exploring the village with its stone houses and Gompa.
- Day 6: Trek to Sipsip [ 4330m ]
From Muchu, we follow the trail over a ridge to the Tumkot Khola and then walk along the rocky stream bed for a short distance before beginning a steep climb through a rock-filled gully. We pass through Palbang and its bright yellow mustard fields to the small settlement of Yari and beyond here the route climbs up the valley towards a pass, the Nara Lagna. We camp below the pass in a meadow known as Sipsip.
- Day 7: Trek to Hilsa [ 3720m ]
From Sipsip we ascend steeply to a rock cairn marking the top of the Nara Lagna [ 4580m ]. Descending from the pass, we have views of the Tibetan Plateau before arriving at the village of Ranipauwa . Beyond here, we slip and slide on a surface of loose pebbles down to the Humla Karnali. Guest house
- Day 8: Trek to Taklakot [ 3930m ], drive to Manasarovar [ 4560m ]
Shortly after crossing the Nepal/Tibet border which is marked only by a stone pillar, we meet our transport and drive about 130km , via the large trading centre of Taklakot, to Manasarovar, the most venerated of Tibet's many lakes. Camp
- Day 9: At Manasarovar
Today will be spent at Manasarovar, allowing our bodies time to acclimatise to the altitude and exploring this fascinating place. We will visit the picturesque Chiu Monastery on the north west shore of the lake with the imposing sight of Mt Kailash in the background. Camp
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