Saipal Base Camp Trek Humla

After breakfast at your hotel, you’ll be picked up by an English-speaking guide for a full-day tour of the Kathmandu Valley, visiting three sacred sites: Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Patan Durbar Square.

This day fits quite a bit in—helpful for maximizing your time in Kathmandu—but doesn’t overload you with too many sites. You can spend as much time as you like at each temple (this is a private tour just for you), although most people tend to spend an hour. For lunch, you’ll stop at one of our recommended local restaurants.

Swayambhunath Stupa
A few miles from the city center on a scenic hill, this is the best place to observe religious harmony between the Nepalese Buddhists and Hindus, as well as the Kathmandu Valley below. The stupa—a dome-shaped Buddhist structure—is one of the most historic shrines in this part of the world. Along with prayer wheels and fine paintings displayed in the monasteries, Swayambhunath also boasts the largest Buddha statue in the country.

Pashupatinath Temple Complex
Located on the bank of the Bagmati river, this is the site of Nepal’s holiest Hindu pilgrimage and has received worshippers for at least 1,500 years. A circuit of the Pashupati area takes visitors past a sixth-century statue of Buddha and an eighth-century statue of Brahma, the Creator. Wander past skeletal images guarding temple gates and other magnificent temples dedicated to various deities in the complex.

Patan Durbar Square
This beautiful archaeological site and monastery holds 14th-century statues and ancient scriptures. While here, you will visit the Krishna Mandir, Bhimsen Temple, Mahaboudha Temple in Terracotta, and Oku Bahal.

Return to your hotel in Kathmandu in the late afternoon and meet your trekking guide who will go over details for tomorrow’s adventure.

Tour length: 7-8 hours (including transfers)

Saipal is a spectacular peak when viewed from the east or north. East Saipal and North Saipal Base camp can be accessed from Simikot as a separate trip or as an add-on to the Limi Valley circuit. The route to the East Base camp heads south from Simikot and makes a detour through steep-sided forested country.

We will board a plane on the 3rd day. We will fly to Nepalgunj from Kathmandu (55 minutes). After a tiring day, you can spend the evening in your hotel or explore this vibrant city. It is a Sub-Metropolitan City in Banke District, Nepal. It lies on the Terai plains near the southern border with Bahraich district in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the major transport hub famous for exciting treks to Simikot (gate way to Mt Kailash and Mansarowaor lake), Dolpo plateau, Rara and Jumla region. The climate of Nepalgunj is hot and humid with the annual average tempreture of 27.4 degree centigrate and the average rainfall of 1175 mm.

Today after breakfast, we take the first flight to Simikot. This is about 45 minutes flight towards the north across the plains, passing through the Siwalik Range and town of Surkhet will take you to Simikot. With luck there will be views of East Dhaulagiri and Churen Himal. The best approach is a thrill.

Simikot is the Headquarter of Humla District; there are Commercial Banks, Government and Non-government offices and schools. People here practice both Buddhism and Hinduism. The climate here is mild, and generally warm and temperate. The summers here have a good deal of rainfall, while the winters have snow. The average annual temperature is 10.1 °C in Simikot, with the average annual rainfall of 783 mm.

After an early lunch, slowly head towards the Nyinba Valley. After about 1.5 hours of gradual climbing, reach some prayer flags and a small school. This place is called Limbuk (10,587 ft. / 3,227 m.). Then, descend down towards Nyinba village for another 1 hour.

Bargaun (10,842 ft. / 3,000 m.) is a Tibetan Buddhist village, surrounded by fields of barley and millet. There are a few homestays here. Staying in a homestay provides a wonderful opportunity to openly and authentically engage with the local people and to learn about local life.

After the wonderful home stay experience in Bargaun. The trail heads out downhill towards Karnali River. We follow the old Sheep caravan trail in Karnali valley route to Lali. It will take us on a sacred loop through some of the remotest areas of Humla Karnali.

we decent our way through steep sided Valleys. The shrine at Karpunath is one of the highlight for the day. Yangchu is the one of the main village of Khapunath Gaupalika, situated on the bank of Karnali river at the foot of Bigauda Danda range. Majority of Thakuris with few Dalits (untouchable) population following Hindu religion.

Night with roaring river, cup of hot beverage will refresh you. After Brake fast trek will start along the Humla Karnali River Valley to the south, through forest of Alnus, oaks, walnuts, Himalayan bamboo, Pines and juniper, Bokche Gauda is the next place of any note with a tea house supposedly on offer. we continue to south the trail keeps close to the river around the Bluff of Lali where lunch is serve. After taking undulating trail until Biubare trek goes in open sky with big pine trees. Trek for the day halts in Ripgard.

The trail is tougher today as it turns west, it winds around the valleys again in pristine forest. The few settlements are small and little visited by outsiders to date. We will leave the Humla Karnali where the river dives off to the southeast. Now following the small river towards Kheta Khola Valley , the route reaches Ogaliya. Continuing around the spurs , the trail reaches Bhuagdiya where we are likely to camp wherever there is flat space around along the Khet khola.

It is another rugged day in the pine forest, broken by a glimpse of the treasures ahead. The means the Dhid Lagna Pass for the time being, as the death of the valleys tends to hide any views of the peaks The trails climbs steeply from the Khet Khola to the Dhid Lagna Pass ( estimate 3650 m). The descent is probably quite demanding too as the trails drops to the Kawadi Khola. Now following the valley, the trail heads Northwests to Lampate

Climbing around the hillsides ,the trial leaves the pine forest below for the open pastries. Getting all the way to Rani Kharka might be a struggle ; it all depends on how far past Lamprate the previous camp was made.The route follows the valley unto Dhaule Kharka.

From here panoramic views open out ; camp is normally mad eat Rani Kharka , which has fabulous view of the massive East face of Saipal.

The day can be as long or short as one desires, since the trail is the same both ways. Getting up close to the massive east Face of Saipal is the main objective. ,however far one Hikes. The Nunekhara Glacier snout is the furthest one can get without climbing gears. With pines, Juniper, Himalayan Rhododendron and Himalayan Herbal Bushes makes view more majestic. Himalayan Monals, Eagles, Vulture are regular creature of the region.

It is unlikely many will want to cross the Sakya Lagna on this day , as the distance to the camp on the north side is rather challenging. Taking a leisurely day means more time in the valley before leaving Rani Kharkha. The trail passes though Tharang Kharka ,which is not much more than basic shelter. Heading north into the Lepcha Khola , the trail begins the climb to a camp broker the pass- near or at the Lepcha Kharka ( 4450m).

Sakya Lagna (4709m) is the highest pass on the route and its bit of a slog. From the top , though , the panoramic views are worth all the toil and trouble. Saipal. is the bright spark to the southwest. To the north , formidable and endless jagged ridges demarcate the edge of the Tibetan plateaus. The descent is the through Khaniphuk Kharka steeply down to the confluence of the Karang Khola and Kalungba Khola. Himalayan Flora and Fauna is the another attraction of the area.

It is from here that the trail departs west to west to north Saipal Base camp. the routes now crosses the Kalungba Khola and climbs to Chala ( 3750m)

Chala is traditional Tibetan looking settlement.

Its quite a long haul now from Chala , as the trail climbs the Syakup pass ( 4214m) that obstructs the way to Yalbang. The trail descents very steeply into the Puiya Khola side valley , where forest trail cuts down to the Humla Karnali Bridge near Muchu. Steady climb to Yalbang Follows. In Yalbang there is a namkha khyung dzong monastery where monks can stay and study in formal education in Buddhism including Math and English language. The trail is the ancient sheep and goat caravan salt trading route between Nepal and Tibet. It has the vast variety of Himalayan Flora and Fauna.

The trail descends to Yalbang chaur before climbing and dipping around the cliffs in the narrow karnali canyon to the Salli Khola Valley. A short climb ensues up to Salli Lagna and then an east road trail contours slightly down and around to Kermi. The hot spring might be an inviting option if the time allows. Trail is dominated with the blue pine and there are other types of trees including Alnus, willow and other Himalayan flora and Fauna. Chukar is the easily seen Himalayan monal.

Kermi is the beautiful Himalayan large village, where all the people are of Tibetan origin following Buddhism Religion, speaking their own dialect. The trails now follows the main route between the Tibetan border and Simikot, along the Karnali river with the Valley. It is an easy day with few challenges. Ideally, its better to pass through Dharapori (Community of Thakuris and minority of dalits (untouchable) following Hindu religion, and get as far as Dharapori similar like Dharapori. The area is covered with blue pines, Juniper, Alnus and different types of Apricot.

Trekking through Majgaun a small village of Thakuri, Hindu and Nepali speaking community. The trail take you to final ascend to Simikor Lagna gets bit frustrating , but its bit a fitting walk nonetheless for a last day. The short descent on the stony path bring one back to the luxuries of Simikot. The trail consist of mostly blue pine and conserved community forest with Juniper and Pipal. The treks is flavored with the fine smell of Pine. Great view of Simikot platues with humla settlemet can be observer from the Simikot Lagna once you conquered the Simikot Lagna.

Simikot being the Headquarter of the district you can find all types of Humli people and people from different parts of Nepal working there in different walks of life, Mixture of Cultural, traditional, religious and custom can be observed. In good weather, we take the first flight to Nepalgunj , connecting it to Kathmandu on the very day. We reach Kathmandu by afternoon.