Tourist season begins as foreign trekkers enter Limi Valley

By Rajan Rawat ,Humla, Oct. 5: Foreign tourists have begun entering the scenic and culturally rich Limi Valley, one of the major tourist destinations in Humla district. As in previous years, tourists have started their journey on foot this October to explore the remote Himalayan region.

According to trekking guide Takpa Jikme Lama, the trekking season for Limi Valley officially began this year with the arrival of a nine-member group of foreign tourists travelling on foot from Simkot. 

The group will visit the three villages of Jang, Halji, and Til, where camps have been set up for their stay. During their visit, tourists observe and learn about the local culture, religion, social life, and historical traditions of the valley.

In addition to cultural exploration, visitors also enjoy the region’s natural beauty, including sightings of wildlife, birds, waterfalls and high-altitude lakes.  The tourists cross the 5,000-metre-high Nyalu Lagna Pass to reach Limi Valley. Lama said this is the first group of the season and a total of eleven groups are expected to visit the valley this year.

The trekking route generally takes tourists from Simkot through Salli, Nyalu and Takchi to Limi, before returning to Simkot via Hilsa.  Although a road has been extended close to Limi and transportation services have become available, tourists still prefer to trek to fully experience the remote Himalayan landscape, said Paljor Tamang, ward chair of Namkha Rural Municipality–6.

With the arrival of tourists, local residents are seeing economic benefits through job opportunities and the sale of local products such as vegetables. As Limi Valley falls under a restricted zone, all foreign visitors must obtain special permits from the Ministry of Home Affairs prior to entry.  If snowfall holds off, the trekking season in Limi is expected to continue until mid-December.