Saga Dawa Festival at Humla Raling Monastery

Welcome to Nepal! Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, our team will warmly receive you and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of Kathmandu. After some rest, we’ll have a short briefing about your upcoming trek to the remote Humla region. In the evening, enjoy a welcome dinner and soak in the energy of Nepal’s vibrant capital.

Today is dedicated to discovering the cultural soul of Kathmandu. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the sacred Pashupatinath Temple, the mystical Boudhanath Stupa, and the ancient city of Patan or Bhaktapur. These spiritual landmarks help you understand the deep connection between Nepali life and faith — a beautiful prologue to your Humla journey.

Take a scenic flight to Nepalgunj, can be seen a great Himalayan view if you lucky to seat right-side of the Plane.  Nepalgunj is the vibrant town near the Indian border. The terrain flattens, the weather warms, and the culture starts blending with Western Nepalese and Indian influences.

Board a thrilling mountain flight to Simikot — the remote headquarters of Humla. Nestled above the Karnali River, Simikot is both rugged and charming, a gateway to some of Nepal’s most untouched landscapes. Spend the day acclimatizing, exploring the market, and interacting with locals.

Begin your trek today with a gentle walk up to Burause village, the first and the biggest village in the Nyin Valley. From here the trail drops down to Ghatte Khola and then continues on toward Lagdu village. After crossing Chang-La Pass, you’ll arrive at Kangni, the gateway to Torpa village. Torpa is a small Buddhist village with about 40 houses. We stay overnight in the village and spend time enjoying the local lifestyle and warm village atmosphere.

Today’s walk takes you deeper into the spiritual heart of the journey as you head toward Raling. The trail is mostly gentle until you reach Hutik. Along the way, you visit the sacred Vibhuk Cave, where it is believed that Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism, meditated for several years. After spending time at the cave, the trek continues to Nimatang, the last village of the Nyin Valley. Crossing the Galerik Khola, the trail then climbs steadily uphill to the ancient Raling Monastery. This holy place is believed to have been blessed and meditated in by Guru Padmasambhava and Milarepa. As you arrive, prayer flags flutter in the wind and the smell of burning juniper fills the air, creating a calm and powerful atmosphere. We set up camp here and prepare for the next special day — the Saga Dawa Festival.

A truly sacred day. People gather here from all across the Humla district — Buddhists, Hindus, and followers of the old shamanic traditions. The beauty of the Saga Dawa Festival is how it brings everyone together, beyond religion. You’ll see people wearing traditional clothes, all uniquely designed and handmade by the locals themselves. Different communities, different beliefs, all celebrating side by side.

Today marks Saga Dawa, the most important day in the Buddhist calendar, honoring the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Lord Buddha. The day is filled with prayers, chanting, dances, and age-old rituals. Being part of this celebration offers a rare and genuine glimpse into Himalayan culture, just as it has been lived for generations.

The day starts with a late breakfast after the long night of festival celebrations. Even after midnight, locals kept singing and dancing around the monastery. After breakfast, we continue our trek back to Tokra, also called “The Playground,” where the locals organize farewell celebrations. Here, a traditional dance called Syon is performed by four villages from the Nyin Valley — Buraunse, Torpa, Nimatang, and Bargaun. The dance is playful, almost like a friendly competition, with singing, dancing, and laughter all around. It’s one of the most lively and memorable days of the trek. After enjoying the dance, we continue down to Bargaun Village for our overnight stay.

Today we descend further into the Karnali Valley, following a rugged trail to reach Kharpunath. This place is very important culturally — it has a holy spot where two rivers meet, the Karnali and Humla Karnali. Locals believe that if someone’s cremation takes place here, their soul will rest in peace. You’ll also see a large statue of Lord Shiva and a temple nearby. Spend the evening soaking in the peaceful sounds of the river and watching the Karnali flow.

The final day of our trek is short and sweet, with a touch of local culture. Today we follow the Karnali River, trekking back along its banks until we reach Kurila. From there, we leave the river behind and continue uphill toward Syamne Village. After reaching Syamne, the trail climbs all the way up to Simikot, the small mountain town where our journey began. In the evening, we share our experiences with the local staff and celebrate with a farewell party, saying goodbye to the friends we’ve made along the way.

Enjoy two spectacular mountain flights, first from Simikot to Nepalgunj, then on to Kathmandu. Once back in the city, unwind in the comfort of your hotel or explore the lively streets for last-minute souvenirs.

With your heart full of memories and spirit enriched by remote Himalayan culture, our team will escort you to the airport for your flight home.