Humla_the gateway to Kailash Manasharovar

Humla, April 29 . The best thing I did in the year 2017 was my trip to Humla –the gateway to Kailash Manasharovar. I had been to Humla (one of the districts of Karnali Zone and is a part of province 6) for a three weeks stay. Since Humla is not yet connected with national roadways, the only option available for me to reach Humla was my flight from Nepalgunj.

Passing through Surkhet, Kalikot and then to Humla by Sita Airlines, I was both spellbound and surprised at the same time by the paradigm shifts I had during the travel. Little did I know that Humla has so many things to offer other than what we have been hearing a lot since childhood. In this article, I am sharing the ten reasons why you most visit Humla once in your lifetime.

During my trip to Humla, I noticed that even though there were many real and unnerving issues being faced by the people, their manner of dealing with them was something all of us should learn. It never felt like they were facing any issues. They were content with the little they had.

“That is when I realized that a trip to a village is more fulfilling than any fancy or luxurious trip around the world.”

Here’re 10 reasons why you must visit Humla at least once in your lifetime.

1. Experience raw beauty

Areas surrounding villages can be really beautiful and scenic. From Himalays spread over large areas to uncontaminated water bodies resting in peace, villages offer us the kind of beauty we go looking for to international destinations. Even though Humla is lesser known place for domestic tourism, it is one of the best place to view amazing himalays very closely.

2. Amazing Hospitality

Each and every people whom I met during the trip were very warm and hospitable. They were very welcoming and cheerful. The kids would approach me on their own thinking I was a foreigner and ask for a photograph. I would happily click loads of photos and talk to them. Conversations with the kids were really amazing; I got to recall my childhood days again! Truly blissful moment!!!

Do i need to write anything?? haha…..;) 😉 The picture speaks itself 😉

3. Fresh air and no pollution

Life in cities has become increasingly unhealthy due to the polluted air we inhale. On the contrary, there is hardly any pollution in rural villages due to minimum number of vehicles in the vicinity. Therefore, you wake up breathing fresh air and feeling refreshed. Noise pollution is something unheard of too.

4. Learn about a new culture

The cultural heritage in Humla is unadulterated and well-preserved. Things you will discover there will amaze you. Kharpunath Temple is one of the major attraction of Humla. And the social harmony and brotherhood among Hindus and Buddhist community is very cordial.

5. Introspect

A rural village will be mostly peaceful without any disruption from the urban world. Humla is one of the district in with lower crime-rate. Spend a lot of time with yourself. Meditate, relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the fast-paced city life.

6. Live in local house

The layout and design of the local houses in Humla is drastically different and many us might not have seen such houses. I liked the design of the houses most. They normally have four storey house; lower floor is used for livestock, mid two for storage, dining and living purpose and top floor for religious purpose (mandir/stupa).

People shell out a lot of money to go stay in resorts made of mud and straw. Why not do it in a village where everything is for real and cheap. Also, managing resources and space can teach you a lot about yourself.

7. Explore, trek and indulge in some adventure

Depending on the days of stay, you can do some really adventurous stuff. You can trek your way through the hills, ride horses and camp fire as per your interest. No fixed adventure tour can give you the kind of thrill you will experience while making a tour of your own.

8. Get in touch with your roots

Most of us have our roots back in villages but chances are that we have not ever visited a village. Go to a village, experience how people live and how things are different from your urban life. Life is simple, if not easy there. Enjoy the smaller things in life and get to know about the kind of issues they face.

9. Enjoy the tastiest food

All the big names in food chains will fail when you eat the most delicious food at a small room sitting on stools or even on the floor by the wood fire (chulo) in a village. Made with love and the best recipe, you just cannot get enough of the food. And the amount of hospitality they show cannot be taught in any hotel management schools.

That home made Chhyang with local meat was just out of imagination 😉 😉

10. Make new friends

People in Humla are are very innocent, friendly and hospitable. They will welcome you with open hearts and open doors. Play snow with the children, learn about the locality from the elders and discuss politics with the youngsters. Making friends in villages might not help you achieve your career goal, but it will surely give you a lot of memories to cherish.

After reading my experience and seeing my photographs, if you are thinking to visit Humla, here are the important travel information:

Best time to visit Humla

If you want to witness the snowfall and enjoy the beauty of Humla you can visit in the month of December to March. However, if you want to extend your trip to Kailash Mansharovar then best time to visit is May to October.

Hotels in Simikot, Humla

The average room tariff rate is Rs. 2500 (during peak season) and Rs. 1500 (during offseason) in the tourist class Hotel.

Following are the major tourist class hotels in Simikot, Humla.

2. Hotel Mansharovar
3. Sun Valley Resort
4. Hotel Alice The Wonder Inn Ltd (Largest Hotel in Humla under construction)
5. Hotel Kailash Humla
6. Raling Hotel

How to reach Simikot, Humla from Kathmandu?

As there are no roads to Humla, the only possibility is to take a plane. There are two connections:

• via Nepalgunj
• via Surkhet

As availability of flights from Nepalgunj or Surkhet to Simikot depend on good weather conditions, connections are irregular and not scheduled/reliable. It is best to contact a travel agency in Kathmandu to get information about flights.

From Kathmandu you can take a bus to Nepalgunj or Surkhet. There are vans and buses traveling during the day and busses traveling during the night. The journey takes 12 to 15 hours.

The night connection is more comfortable, however then it is necessary to spend a day and a night in Nepalgunj as usually flights leave early in the morning. Most of the airlines provide ticket in the morning at Nepalgunj airport itself however some of the airlines do issue plane tickets in Kathmandu and elsewhere through travel agencies as an advance.

It is also possible to fly to Nepalgunj and take a connecting flight to Simikot. This is the most comfortable option.

There is another possibility to reach Humla by Surkhet. There are some flights everyday depending on weather, You can go to Surkhet Air (recently Buddha air has added this route) or by bus and then catch a flight to Simikot.

There is still another option, which may not be practical for all. You can charter a plane. This option can be considered if you have enough group members in your team.

( Paudel is Director-Hotel Alice The Wonder Inn Ltd, Humla)