Destination
Nepal
Region
Mugu to Humla Region
Trip Grade
Grade 3: Hard/challenging
Accommodation
Tea House
Total Distance
400km
Start / End Point
Kathmandu/Kathmandu
Durations
30 days
Max. Altitude
4820m/15817ft
Meals Included
Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner
Group Size
above 1 pax
Best Season
March to May/sept to Nove
Activity per day
8 hr
Transportation
Hiking/Drive/flight
Trip Highlights
The highlight of the Great Himalaya Trail's Mugu to Humla region is its remote, "off the beaten track" experience, featuring pristine natural beauty, untouched local cultures, high-altitude environments, and significant biodiversity, including glimpses of wildlife like the snow leopard. This section of the trail offers a unique opportunity to witness villages where life has remained unchanged for centuries, providing an authentic cultural immersion distinct from more popular Himalayan routes.
Authentic Cultural Experiences(Untouched Cultures):The trail passes through remote villages in the Karnali region, home to unique ethnic groups and cultures that have remained distinct for centuries.
Cultural Crossroads: You'll witness a fascinating blend of Hindu, Buddhist, and ancient shamanic practices and experience a simple lifestyle that differs from many other regions in Nepal.
Stunning Natural Landscapes(Pristine Wilderness):This section is known for its wild, remote, and rugged mountain environments, including high-altitude landscapes and diverse vegetation.
Biodiversity: The area is rich in biodiversity, with possibilities to see unique flora and fauna, though perhaps not as frequently as in other parts of the GHT.
Rara Lake: The route passes by Rara Lake, known for its vibrant rhododendron forests and stunning beauty.
High-Altitude Adventure(Challenging Terrain):The Mugu to Humla section involves traversing demanding high-altitude areas, requiring physical fitness and appropriate gear.
Sense of Exploration: Due to its remoteness, the GHT is an exploratory journey with limited facilities, requiring camping and offering a genuine sense of adventure away from more established trails.
The main highlights of Humla are its rich Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage, its connection to the historic Maoist pilgrimage route, the presence of picturesque villages like Limi Valley, and its stunning Himalayan landscapes. Key attractions include the town of Simkot, which is the administrative center, and the historic Nyin Community
The primary highlight of Mugu district is the magnificent Rara Lake, Nepal's largest lake, but the district also offers remote cultural experiences in villages like Mugum and Ashidhara, opportunities to witness local traditions like apple farming, and the chance to visit sacred sites such as Chhayanath Dham, a pilgrimage site for Hindus. The region is also known for its rugged beauty, forests, and as a source for the valuable medicinal herb, Yarsagumba
Trip Overview
The Great Himalaya Trail – Section 6 (Mugu-Humla Region)
Jumla and Rara lie northwest of Kathmandu in the remote area of Karnali. The route is very much ‘off the beaten track’ and affords glimpses of cultures and scenery very different from the rest of Nepal. This trek is offered as an extension to Trek Jumla to Rara, so this will add a further week to your trip. The journey north whilst rewarding in its beauty, is a difficult hike as one travels steeply up and then down from one gorge to another. This is the province of Humla, often referred to as the Hidden Himalayas and ups and down trails, will soon become your mantra. The high altitude lake is ringed with pine, spruce and juniper forests, and mirrors snowcapped Himalayan peaks. The people here are primarily farmers, livestock herders and traders.
In spite of alpine meadows and difficult terrain for farming they depend upon supplementary of salts for their existence. They supply salt from Tibet to barter with grain from lowlands of Nepal. They have developed their lifestyle as Buddhists in Tibet. The route is not much obstacles. The glimpses of cultures and scenery are very different from the rest of Nepal which makes the visitors experienced of real remote areas. This route across over the beautiful and high remote area of Karnali and entering in Simikot-Hilsa valley. This tough but rewarding trek offers the opportunity to meet the friendly villagers of upper Humla. Visit the monasteries that are 400-1000 years oldand experience the unique culture of the past still in practice. Added to this is scenery of pine-forested Karnali gorge and beautiful Saipal and Nalakankad mountain range. The area untouched by modern changes and believed to be the present form of mythical Shangri-La.
Detailed Itinerary
Cost Includes
- Airport Pickup and drop service during both international and domestic flights.
- All necessary trekking permits
- Hotel in Kathmandu including breakfast at 4-star Hotel
- Accommodations during the trek Tented Accommodation with dining, table, chairs, toilet tent
- Meals (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) during the trek and Tea and Coffee
- Government Licensed and first aid-trained trekking guide and Supporters’ staff, cooks, and porters.
- Salary, food, equipment, and insurance of the trekking Guide and Staff.Transportation: Private Jeep
- Flight From Kathmandu - Nepalgung-Jumla, and Simikot-Nepalgung – Kathmandu
- City tour with tour guide private car/Jeep.
- First aid kit with basic medication
- Duffle bag for porter use (1 duffel bag per trekker)
- Luggage storage facility - at our office/hotel
- Sleeping bag and Down Jacket if needed (it is refundable)
- Official expense, all local and government tax and VAT.
Cost Excludes
- International flight tickets and Nepal entry visa
- Travel and health Insurance that covers emergency Rescues and evacuations
- During trekking time personal expenses, snacks, Beer, coke, juice, water, WI-FI, hot shower, battery charging, etc.
- Lunch, Dinner and Extra-night hotel in Kathmandu
- Tips for treks guide and porter (it is appreciated)
