Upper Humla Circuit Mountain Biking Expedition

The expedition begins with a short domestic flight to Nepalgunj, the gateway city for all flights into Humla. Use the afternoon to prepare gear, confirm permit documentation, and rest before the early connecting flight to Simikot the following morning. Overnight at a Hotel in Nepalgunj.

In the morning, you fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot, the main town of Humla district. The flight takes around 45 minutes and the views from the window are incredible, deep gorges, high ridges, and snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Landing at Simikot airport at 2,962m is already an exciting start to the expedition.

After landing, you do a quick bike check and get ready for your first ride. You ride uphill through Simikot town, past local shops, terraced fields, and traditional stone houses. The trail climbs steadily until you reach Buraunse Gompa at 3,430m, a small but sacred Tibetan Buddhist monastery with beautiful views over the valley.

After visiting the Gompa, you take a short ride down to Buraunse village at 3,100m, home to the Nyinba people, one of the most unique and traditional communities in Humla. You spend some time exploring the village and experiencing the warm and welcoming local culture.

After the village visit, you ride back to Simikot for the night.

Today is your first full day of mountain biking in the Upper Humla region and one of the most rewarding riding days of the entire expedition. You leave Simikot at 2,910m and begin riding northwest, following the Humla Karnali river through a valley that very few cyclists in the world have ever ridden.

Shortly after leaving Simikot, you reach Lagna, a small settlement with just a few houses perched above the trail. Stop here for a moment and look back over the Simikot valley; it is a view you will not forget.

From Lagna the trail drops down into Thakuri territory. You ride through the villages of Dandaphya, Chaugaunphya, and Dharapori one after another, passing stone houses, terraced farmland, and locals going about their daily lives. This is Humla as it really is, completely untouched by tourism.

As the valley narrows, the trail takes you right into the gorge of the Karnali River. This is one of the most thrilling sections of the ride, with the river thundering below you and massive rock walls rising on both sides. Pure Himalayan mountain biking at its best.

After crossing the Hepka Khola you reach the Chaychhara waterfall, one of the most beautiful natural landmarks on the Upper Humla circuit. A perfect place to stop, rest, and take photos.

You arrive at Kermi village in the late afternoon and set up camp nearby. Before dinner, take a well-deserved soak in the famous Kermi hot springs, natural thermal pools right beside the Karnali river. After a full day in the saddle, there is no better way to end the evening.

After a restful night at Kermi and hopefully a morning soak in the hot springs, today you leave the Karnali river valley behind and begin the serious climb toward Nyalu La base camp at Tsongsa.

The riding changes completely today. The easier river track gives way to rocky switchbacks and the trail begins its sustained climb through the upper valley. As you gain altitude, the landscape transforms around you. Rhododendron forests and lower valley scrub are replaced by open alpine meadows and high altitude grazing land. The air gets cooler, and the views get bigger.

As you approach Tsongsa the first snow-capped peaks begin to appear to the north. This is one of those moments on the Upper Humla Circuit where you realise just how deep into the Himalayas you have ridden.

You arrive at Tsongsa at 3,900m, a high altitude grazing area used by seasonal herders. The camp sits near the Tsongsa River with clear views toward Nyalu La and the surrounding peaks. Seliman Lake at 4,570m is also nearby for those who want a short evening walk.

An early dinner and early night is strongly recommended tonight. Tomorrow’s crossing of Nyalu La pass at approximately 4,950m to 5,000m is the most demanding day of the entire expedition and you will want to be fully rested.

The defining day of the expedition. The climb to Nyalu La at 5,000 metres requires significant effort through rocky terrain and thin air. The pass opens to a panoramic sweep of the Himalayan main range. The descent to Takchi is technical and deeply rewarding. Camp at Takchi in the open valley beyond the pass.

Beyond Nyalu La the landscape shifts into the drier character of the trans-Himalayan rain shadow. Harder-packed trails, wider sky, and a striking colour palette of ochre, rust, and grey define the day. Camp on the open Chyakpalung plateau, one of the most atmospheric camping spots of the entire circuit.

Today is an optional but highly recommended full day excursion from the Chyakpalung camp toward the Lapcha Kailash viewpoint at 5,133m. For those who make the effort the reward is extraordinary.

The route climbs from camp onto high windswept ground above the valley. The terrain is exposed and the altitude demands careful pacing throughout the day. Take it slowly, drink plenty of water, and enjoy the incredible surroundings as you gain height.

Under clear conditions, and Humla is known for its clear skies, the sacred Mount Kailash rises dramatically beyond the Tibetan border on the northern horizon. At 6,638m Mount Kailash is one of the most revered mountains on earth, sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Bon followers worldwide. Seeing it from this remote Himalayan viewpoint, completely alone with no other tourists in sight, is a deeply moving experience that very few travelers ever have.

The return ride back to Chyakpalung follows the same route and gives you a chance to take in the vast landscape at a more relaxed pace. Back at camp you have earned a proper rest before the days ahead.

A longer riding day through the increasingly dramatic Limi Valley corridor. Ancient mani walls at village approaches and snow peaks framing the skyline define the day. Camp near Dhukling, one of the circuit’s most isolated overnight spots. The combination of technical terrain and cumulative expedition fatigue makes consistent pacing essential.

Today is a shorter riding day covering approximately 18 km, and the extra time is saved for one of the most historically significant stops on the entire expedition. Halji village is home to Rinchenling Monastery, one of the oldest and most important Buddhist monasteries in the entire Humla region.

Rinchenling Monastery was founded by the great Buddhist scholar and translator Rinchen Zangpo during the 10th to 11th century AD. Rinchen Zangpo dedicated his life to translating Buddhist scriptures from Sanskrit into the Tibetan language and is said to have built a total of 108 temples across the Himalayan region during his lifetime. Rinchenling is one of his most significant surviving works.

Inside the monastery complex you will find original ancient murals, rare thangka collections, and resident monks continuing a tradition of Buddhist practice that has survived here for over a thousand years. Walking through Rinchenling is a genuinely rare experience. Very few visitors ever reach Halji and the monastery receives almost no international tourists.

After the monastery visit you settle into Halji village for the night. Depending on availability riders stay in a local village homestay or camp near the village.

One of the longer riding days as the route pushes northwestward toward the Nepal-Tibet border corridor. River crossings, loose gravel descents, and exposed traverses feature throughout. Camp at or near Chenglugma in the open highland terrain.

Arriving at Hilsa is one of the great moments of the expedition. Perched at 3,700 metres above the Karnali canyon, Hilsa is Nepal’s primary border crossing with Tibet. The frontier atmosphere is immediate: Tibetan traders, mule caravans, and the vast plateau stretching north across the border. Overnight in one of Hilsa’s basic local teahouses, which serve the border trade community. Simple rooms, shared facilities, and strong tea.

A rest day at Hilsa serves dual purposes: physical recovery after the outbound section, and altitude acclimatisation before the sustained climbing of the return route. Optional shorter rides around the Hilsa area allow active recovery. The teahouses at Hilsa provide basic meals and a chance to recharge. Use the day for equipment checks, hydration preparation, and gear washing.

The longest and most physically demanding day of the return journey. The climb to Narala Pass at 4,580 metres is a significant undertaking after accumulated days of riding. The reward is a sweeping descent into new valley terrain on the Simikot side of the watershed. Camp at Palbang after the long descent.

The longest riding day by distance on the circuit. The route descends through river valleys toward Salli Khola. While terrain is generally more forgiving than the high-pass days, the distance and accumulated expedition fatigue make this demanding. Camp at Salli Khola, the final staging point before Simikot.

The final riding day brings the circuit full circle to Simikot. The arrival carries a different emotional weight from the departure, the landscape is familiar now but experienced through the lens of everything encountered over the past 13 days. Overnight in Simikot guesthouse: the first proper roof since Nepalgunj. An evening of celebration and preparation for return flights.

The return journey: Simikot to Nepalgunj, then onward to Kathmandu. Build a minimum buffer day into international travel plans as Simikot’s airstrip is weather-sensitive and delays are common. Arrival in Kathmandu closes one of Nepal’s most challenging and rewarding mountain biking expeditions.