Humla Valley Homestay Trek and Bardia National Park

Welcome to Nepal's vibrant capital city, Kathmandu! Upon your arrival at the airport, a friendly representative will be there to greet you and escort you to your comfortable hotel. Before embarking on your trek, you'll be provided with all the necessary information and details to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. 

Overnight in Kathmandu

After breakfast, get ready for a sightseeing tour of Patan City and stroll the nooks and corners of the Patan Durbar Square and the exquisite Patan Museum, set within the restored royal palaces of the Malla Era. Enjoy the old city of Patan, which is known for its carved temples, royal courtyards, water spouts, public baths, and traditional neighborhoods. A walk through the heritage and culture of the Newari architecture and ancient urban designs. 

Take a drive to Swayambhunath, one of the most respected Buddhist stupas in the world. Set majestically high on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, this is popularly known as the Monkey Temple, after the tribe of monkeys that inhabit the mountain. With the symbolic all-seeing eyes of the Buddha, 17th-century frescoes help you understand why Kathmandu is a meeting point of ancient religions and cultures.

Take an afternoon flight to Nepalgunj, a city known for its trade links with India and rich in art and cultural heritage. 

Overnight in a Mountain Lodge
Mountain lodges in Nepal are typically rudimentary, offering basic amenities.

We embark on an early morning flight to Simikot, the district headquarters of Humla in the north. The town sits atop a ridge, offering a breathtaking vista of the Humla Karnali River below. The mountain flight treats us to a stunning view of numerous hills as we cruise just over their peaks. If weather permits, we land before lunch, ready to explore the town's bizarre fusion of Hindu and Tibetan cultures.

Our trekking team eagerly awaits us in Simikot, and we're excited to begin the adventure. However, we must take precautions due to the altitude. We need to take it easy and avoid abrupt movements while drinking plenty of fluids.

After lunch, we head to Nyinba Valley. The climb is gradual, and after around ninety minutes, we reach Limbuk, a small school with enchanting prayer flags. We then descend towards Nyinba village, taking in the stunning views.

Buraunse, a Tibetan Buddhist village, boasts fields of millet and barley, providing a glimpse of the locals' daily life. Staying in a homestay allows us to experience this authentically.

Overnight in a Mountain Lodge

After breakfast, continue heading downhill to the Ghatte Khola (mill river), crossing it by a wooden bridge. The trail ascends gradually from this point, and you will pass through the village of Langdu. It is an easy walk through this beautiful and diverse countryside. The terraced hills stretch out in front, and the snow-capped peaks of Changla Himal (6,563 m.) and Crystal Mountain stand in the distance.

On this journey, you will encounter a lot of little Buddhist stupas and Mani stone walls. It serves as a daily reminder of the enduring spiritual bond that has existed in this place for Eons. A mani stone wall is a waist-high structure made of flat stones with engraved Buddhist mantras. Om Mani Padme Hum is the best-known mantra, which roughly means "Hail the jewel in the lotus." This mantra honors Avalokiteswara, the Boddhisatva, a deity of compassion.

After about two hours, you will reach the village of Thorpa at 3,180 m. through a beautifully painted Kangni (entrance gate). The Kangni protects the villages from evil spirits entering. You will pass a small site called Bhibuck Cave (a meditation cave) soon after leaving Thorpa. It contains a giant prayer wheel. The Buddhist mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" is written thousands of times inside the wheel. The locals believe that turning the wheel releases the mantra into the universe thousand times over.

Continue to the village of Hutick, 3,242 m. It is approximately a one-hour gradual climb from here to Nimatang, at 3,325 m, our destination for the day.

​Overnight in a Mountain Lodge

Leave the village after breakfast and walk through the beautiful pine forests, surrounded by the fragrance of juniper trees and bushes. The trail descends for about half an hour to the Ghatte Khola, which you will cross over a steel bridge. From here, the long ascent to Raling Gompa begins. It is a beautiful, small trail that climbs gradually through the forest. The route offers striking views of the entire Nyinba Valley. To the southwest is Mt. Ribuche; the Changla Range sits to the southeast, and Mt. Pungrikar (Panchauli) is in the north.

Continue climbing as you reach Tokra. It takes 90 minutes to hike from here. When you arrive in this village, you will see a prayer flag pole high on a ridge. During the annual Saga Dawa Festival, which is held here in May or June to remember Sakyamuni Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and nirvana, a sizable number of Nyinba people set up camp. Numerous ceremonies, rituals, and masked dances are performed during the celebration. It is a marvelous time to travel through this region, where people from all over the valley get together in their beautiful traditional costumes.

It takes another ninety minutes to a couple of hours to reach the campsite from Tokra, just below Raling Gompa, at 3,930 m. Raling Gompa is located on a bare rock, and the magnificent Crystal Mountain sits behind it. It will take around twenty minutes to reach Raling Gompa from the campsite. 

Raling Gompa belongs to the Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism, the oldest and largest sect in Tibetan Buddhism. Reverence is paid to Guru Rinpoche (also known as Padmasambhava), the famous sage who brought Vajrayana Buddhism to Tibet and the neighboring countries in the 8th century. We will follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and circumambulate around the monastery thrice clockwise before entering. Next to the monastery is the prominent Milarepa Cave, where the yogi-poet Milarepa once meditated.

​Overnight in a Mountain Lodge

Retrace your steps to the steel bridge over the Ghatte Khola and continue downstream after about two hours. You will reach a fork in the road after about 15 minutes; take the left fork to travel 2940 meters (9646 ft) to Bargaun. Once again, the track climbs over the river, and walking across the juniper shrubs and fields is easy. You will pass through the 3,185-meter-high (10,450 ft) community of Nimatang Gomba after around 30 minutes.

The path continues high above the fields for a while. You were finally about to reach Bargaun in an hour and a half. It is a charming village surrounded by fields, with several homestays. It is primarily Buddhist, with some Hindus who also reside here. In the evening, watch a fascinating program to learn the healing methods of a local shaman while staying at a local lodge for the night.

​Overnight in a Mountain Lodge

Head towards Simikot after a late breakfast of buckwheat pancakes with potato curry. Proceed along a small trail going flat through terraced fields, and follow the lower route, which makes a small circuit. You will reach Simikot after about three hours, where you will enjoy some "luxuries" like a hot shower.

​Overnight in a Mountain Lodge

After hiking in the Humla valley, fly to Nepalgunj in the south, then drive for 2 hours west to Bardia National Park (56 miles/90 km.). You will arrive around lunchtime at the safari lodge.

After lunch at the safari lodge, go on a tour of Tharu village to learn more about their culture, which is said to be the original inhabitants of this forested area. You will be treated to a traditional Tharu cultural performance when you arrive.

​Overnight in a Mountain Lodge

The great one-horned rhinoceros of Bardia National Park

We have a full day to enjoy jungle safari and other activities today. These activities include jeep safari, elephant bathing, bird watching etc. It is best to go early in the morning when it is not too hot and watch the mist rise over the river and grasslands. We will hear monkeys chatter, birds singing, and the bushes rustling by passing wildlife. You might even spot the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger if you are fortunate.

You can take a jungle walk or choose another activity if the afternoon heat does not deter you. It’s an excellent opportunity to see wild animals take great photos, or relax at the resort.

​Overnight in a Mountain Lodge

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your journey to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Kathmandu airport, check in to your hotel, where you can rest or explore on your own. 

Overnight in Kathmandu

After breakfast, transfer to the airport on time for your trip back home.

Goodbye, Nepal!