Town or village
Hilsa
A small border post on the Humla Karnali where travellers cross from Nepal into Tibet on the way to Mount Kailash.
Far Westसिमकोट
Simikot
The airstrip town and headquarters of Humla, starting point for treks to Limi and the overland route to Mount Kailash.
- Altitude
- 2,950 m*
- Best months
- Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Humla, Karnali
- Permit
- Restricted-area permit
Higher seasonal exposure: other (Jun-Aug).
Why go
Simikot is the headquarters of Humla, Nepal's north-westernmost district in Karnali Province. It sits on a ridge high above the Humla Karnali river, at roughly 2,950 m, and is built around a short airstrip that has long been its main link with the outside world. Stone houses with flat roofs, a small bazaar, government offices and a few lodges make up the town, with views across the deep valley to forested and snow-capped ridges.
Most foreign visitors come to Simikot on their way somewhere else. It is the starting point of the trek north-west along the Humla Karnali to Hilsa on the Tibetan border, used by pilgrims bound for Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar, and of the longer and more remote circuit through the Limi valley. Many Kailash groups now fly from Simikot to Hilsa by helicopter instead of walking.
Even without a trek, a day or two in Simikot gives a glimpse of life in one of Nepal's most remote districts. Short walks lead up the ridge and down to nearby villages, where Thakuri and Chhetri farming communities live alongside Buddhist villages of Tibetan culture further up the valleys.
History and culture
Humla lies on old trade routes between the Nepali hills and western Tibet, along which salt and wool came south and grain went north. Simikot grew as the administrative centre of the district, and the airstrip made it reachable from Nepalgunj in a short flight where the overland journey once took many days.
The district is culturally mixed. Around Simikot most people are Hindu Khas communities, while the upper valleys towards the border, including Limi, are home to Buddhist communities with close ties to Tibet, old monasteries and a pastoral way of life. Humla has long been one of the poorest and least connected districts in Nepal, and road building, including the route towards Hilsa, has been slowly changing that.
Things to do in Simikot
Ridge walks
Take short walks around and above the town for views over the Humla Karnali valley.
Village visits
Walk down to nearby villages to see farming life in Humla; go with a local guide where possible.
Start a trek
Begin the walk to Hilsa and the Tibetan border, or the longer Limi valley circuit, with an organised group.
Weather and the best time to visit Simikot
Weather in Simikot
Forecast for 2,950 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Good month: Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Good month: Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September and October are clear and stable, the main season for treks and Kailash trips.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cold, with snow on the ridges; flights still operate but trekking routes beyond Simikot are hard.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- April to June is the other main season, warming steadily, with Kailash pilgrimage groups passing through.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- July and August bring rain to Simikot, though less than further south; flights are often disrupted by cloud.
Where to stay
LodgesGuesthouses
A handful of simple lodges and guesthouses near the airstrip; trekking groups often camp beyond the town.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Fly to Simikot from Nepalgunj on a small plane; there is also a flight from Surkhet on some schedules. Overland access is very long and difficult.
Nearest hub: Nepalgunj
- flightKathmandu to Nepalgunj, then a small plane from Nepalgunj to Simikot; flights are weather-dependent and early-morning.
- trekMulti-day trekking routes reach Simikot from Jumla and Mugu, but these are long expeditions.
Permits and fees
Restricted-area permit
Northern Humla is a restricted area. Staying in Simikot town is generally possible without a special permit, but trekking beyond it towards Hilsa or Limi needs a restricted area permit arranged through a registered agency with a licensed guide.
- Humla restricted area permit: Needed for the trek beyond Simikot to Hilsa and Limi; issued via a registered agency.
- Licensed guide and agency: Restricted-area trekking must be booked through a registered agency with a licensed guide.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Department of Immigration, Nepal: restricted areas.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Simikot
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Otherhigh in a typical yearJun-Aug
Monsoon cloud frequently grounds the small aircraft serving Simikot; build spare days into any plan.
Snowmoderate in a typical yearDec-Mar
Winter snow affects the ridges and the passes beyond Simikot, and nights are very cold.
Altitudelow in a typical yearAll year
Simikot is close to 3,000 m and visitors usually fly in directly, so mild altitude symptoms are possible on arrival.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Allow at least one spare day each way for weather delays on the Nepalgunj flight.
- Bring cash from Nepalgunj; banking and supplies in Simikot are limited and expensive.
- Simikot is near 3,000 m: take the first day easy. General information, not medical advice.
Questions about Simikot
How do I get to Simikot?
Fly from Nepalgunj on a small plane; there is no practical road link for most travellers.
Do I need a permit for Simikot?
Not for the town itself, but trekking beyond it towards Hilsa or Limi requires a restricted area permit through an agency.
Is Simikot on the route to Kailash?
Yes. Pilgrims trek or fly by helicopter from Simikot to Hilsa on the Tibetan border and continue to Kailash.
Nearby
Valley or region · 3,700 m
Limi Valley
A remote, high valley in northern Humla on the Tibetan border, with three Tibetan Buddhist villages and an 11th-century monastery.
Lake · 2,990 m
Rara Lake
Nepal's largest lake, a deep blue sheet of water ringed by pine forest in the remote Karnali hills.
Valley or region
Upper Mugu Valley
A remote restricted valley of Tibetan Buddhist villages along the upper Mugu Karnali, north of Rara.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Simikot, Wikipedia, Humla District, Wikipedia, Department of Immigration, Nepal: restricted areas