Heritage · Simikot
A morning walk through Simikot
Spend a morning walking Simikot's lanes and the paths above town, past stone houses with flat roofs, prayer flags and small shrines, with views down to the Humla Karnali and up to the surrounding peaks.
Simikot spreads over a slope above the Humla Karnali, and a slow walk through it shows a town where Hindu and Buddhist Humla meet. Stone houses with flat mud roofs step down the hillside, with firewood stacked on top and ladders cut from single logs leading up to them.
Along the way you pass small Hindu shrines and Buddhist prayer flags, shops selling goods trucked from Tibet and flown from Nepalgunj, and the district offices, school and hospital that make Simikot the centre of Humla life. Children walk to school, women spin wool on doorsteps, and porters wait by the airstrip.
Climb a little above town for views of the river gorge below and the snow peaks around Humla. It is an easy acclimatisation walk on your arrival day. Greet people with namaste or tashi delek, and ask before taking photos.
Good for
Questions
Is there much to see in Simikot itself?
Simikot is a working district headquarters rather than a sightseeing town, but a walk through its lanes shows stone architecture, Hindu and Buddhist shrines, local markets and daily life. It is an ideal way to acclimatise before a trek.
What languages are spoken in Simikot?
Nepali is spoken by almost everyone, along with the local Humli dialect. Many people from upper Humla speak Tibetan dialects. English is limited outside hotels and trekking circles, so a guide helps.
Do I need the restricted area permit to stay in Simikot?
The rules on exactly which parts of Humla require the restricted area permit have varied over time. Trekking north from Simikot towards Hilsa or Limi certainly requires it. Your agency will confirm the current rule for Simikot itself; check current status before you travel.
Also in Simikot
More ways to spend the day
AdventureMorning arrivals on Simikot's short runway
Watch small planes land on Simikot's 549 m runway at nearly 3,000 m, the lifeline of Humla, as rice, fuel, …
Slow daysWalk to Kermi for the hot springs
Follow the Kailash trail for a day from Simikot down to the Humla Karnali and up to Kermi village, where …
TrekkingThe old Kailash trail from Simikot to Hilsa
Walk the historic pilgrim and trade route up the Humla Karnali from Simikot to Hilsa on the Tibetan border, over …