Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Royal Mountain Travel Magazine Issue 1 | Page 19

Humla
“IthinkHumlaishonestlyoneofthemostculturallyfascinating
places in all of Nepal, a cultural tapestry woven from ancient
Khasakingdoms,ancestorsofthegrandZhangzhungkingdom
ofthenorth,withamixofRajputandThakuriblendedintothe
mix” – Carol Dunham, anthropologist.
“Here in Limi, I felt as if I’d dropped through a trap door into
anothertime,intoaplacewheretheworldofTibetanmyth,of
Shangri- La was still alive” – BBC historian Michael Wood.
Welcome to Limi, a hidden valley encircled by mountains in
the far north western reaches of Nepal in Humla. It is Tibet
in all but name.TheTibetan-speaking people of Limi’s three
well-kept,medieval-lookingvillagesarefriendly,proudand
very welcoming. Halji’s Rinchenling Gompa is a fascinating
structure over 800 years old. The ancient Kagyupa sect of
Tibetan Buddhism is practiced here. Life here is for the
hardy, sustained by simple agriculture and traditional

wooden handicrafts for trading in Tibet. Only recently did
local collaboration with NepalTrust bring solar lighting and
a health post to Limi. Now, residents are looking at how
responsible tourism can benefit their communities.
“We need to tell the world about Humla so they will want to
come here,”Lama Padma Riksal told National Geographic’s
James Vlahos. “We need more tourists.” While the final
section of the GHT in Nepal and the route to Mount
Kailash follows the roaring, turquoise Karnali River, ‘the
pulse of the earth’, make the detour to Limi for a unique
andunforgettableexperience.You’llbewelcomedandyour
journey will make a difference.
“Forsomewell-travelledandtrekkedpeople,myselfincluded,
HumlaandtheLimiValleyaresimplythemostbeautifulplaces
they have ever visited” – Jamie McGuiness, guide.

Fast Facts
r
Remote Humla is often called the ‘Hidden
Himalaya’.
r
Humla is the gateway to sacred Mount Kailash.
r
The ancient salt trade traditionally carried salt on
goats rather than yaks.
r highest mountain of the region is Mount Saipal
The
(7031m)
r
The best time to visit is from May through
November.
www.royalmt.com.np

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