THE NEPAL TRUST. Limi Valley Cultural Heritage & Development Study Trek for: The Great Himalayan Trail Project. 17 September 11 October 2009

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1 is supported by: THE NEPAL TRUST Limi Valley Cultural Heritage & Development Study Trek for: The Great Himalayan Trail Project Implemented by: partners in Sustainable Tourism Development:

2 is supported by: BACKGROUND Welcome to another opportunity for both a personal challenge and to support communities in need. This trek starts in Simikot, the HQ of Humla District, bordered by Tibet. Hiking NW along the Karnali River for 5 days to Hilsa and outpost on the Tibetan Border we then trek NE to the beautiful and culturally fascinating valley of Limi, the highest and remotest inhabited valley in Nepal which consists, Til, Halji and Jang villages and three ancient monasteries. The Trek up the Karnali river and to Limi and back to Simikot is the start-point for the pilot programme to implement the Great Himalayan Trail - a pro-poor tourism project that will run the entire length of Nepal across the spine of the Himalayas. has been chosen to manage this project in Humla, Mugu and Dolpa Districts by the UNWTO, SNV Dutch Development org. and the ST-EP Foundation. This trek is about being a part of positive change in one of the worlds remotest and ruggedly beautiful yet most impoverished regions in the Hidden Himalayas., a pioneer in responsible tourism in the far Western corner of Nepal since 1995, was the first development organisation in this vast region, if not the entire country, to initiate Treks-to- Build Health & Community. This programme aims at a sustainable tourism that will directly benefit local communities. Participants get involved hands-on with community-based projects related to health, renewable energy, pro-poor tourism, education, heritage preservation and the environment. We need people who are positive-minded and who want to face a challenge and make a difference in a part of the world that desperately needs it. We will visit one of Nepal s oldest monasteries, Halji Gompa and work with the local people on education, income generation and responsible tourism surveys and assess the physical structure and repair needs of local monasteries. Our Treks to Build Health & Community help people in Humla District to help themselves to break out of the cycle of poverty. Your trek team will be supporting the renovation of Halji monastery, research aspects of The Great Himlayan Tral project and visit several Nepal Trust projects sites. Without health, power and education communities like Limi and thousands of others will find it incredibly difficult to find the necessary motivation let alone resources that make belief in and action for positive change a possibility. These communities in the deep-end of the Himalayas that have suffered through a decade of a destructive insurgency need the support of a New Tourism For A New Centur y - a tourism that is a part of the solution and not a part of the problem for our world.

3 is supported by: ITINERARY What: When: Trip Level: Route: Special features: Trip Cost: Trek-to-Explore Limi Valley & The Great Himalyan Trail project September 17 th October 11 th 2009 (25 days) Moderate to Strenuous Kathmandu Nepalgunj, Simikot, Upper Humla & the Karnali river, Limi Valley, Tibetan Plateau, Kermi hot-springs - Simikot - Nepalgunj - Kathmandu Sightseeing tours Kathmandu, optional Mt. flight to Everest, visits to local development projects, pristine valleys of Upper Humla, Limi Valley the last intact and genuine Tibetan community s left in Nepal s Hidden Himalaya 2700 Depending on group size & flight availability Day 1 Sep 17, Thu Day 2 Sep 18, Fri Flight UK to Kathmandu (Nepal) Arrival Kathmandu Arrival Kathmandu (Nepal) - NT staff will welcome you at the airport. Take bus to hotel. Shower, rest and relax. Those with a lot of energy can go for a short trip to downtown Thamel (tourist quarter) 19:00 pm Traditional Nepali meal (buffet) on Nepal Trust 20:00 pm Meet the rest of NT team & short introduction. Then a good night s sleep Day 3 Sep 19, Sat Sight seeing in Kathmandu 07:00 am Breakfast and an early morning start 08:15 am Board bus to Swayambhunath & the most important Hindu temple Pashupatinath 12:30 pm Lunch 19:00 pm Dinner at hotel Swayambhunath Pashupatinath Temple Day 4 Sep 20, Sun Kathmandu to Nepalgunj 07:00 am Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack 08:30 am Stroll around Thamel and shop for final trekking equipment if necessary 12:00 am Lunch at hotel 13:30 pm Time to head for the airport 15:00 pm Board plane to Nepalgunj for 1hr, 15 min flight 16:15 pm Feel the heat at Nepalgunj (we have arrived in the Terai, lowlands) and off to hotel: lots of soft drinks to stay hydrated and relax 19:00 pm Dinner & early bed

4 is supported by: Day 5 Sept 21, Mon Flight Nepalgunj to Simikot (2900m) 05:30 am Wake up call, briefing NT on program & pack 06:00 am Leave for Nepalgunj airport 07:30 am Scenic flight to Humla 08:30 am Arrive in Simikot at 2900 meter altitude and feel your lungs getting into action as you walk up to the Nepal Trust Guest House for breakfast. Introduction to the Nepal Trust Guest House staff and health workers. Also meet the local people who will be trained in Mountain Leadership and as cooks on the trek. Spend the day here acclimatising: drink plenty of water and NO BEER! 13:00 pm Lunch and a short walk to loosen up our legs and get the lungs in shape 18:00 pm Small briefing about the next day 19:00 pm Dinner & early bed Nepal Trust Guest House in Simikot Simikot (District H.Q.) Day 6 Sep 22, Tue The trek starts: Simikot to Dharapori (2300m) (5 hrs.) 05:30 am Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack 07:30 am Start trekking for a tough day. First a bit up, then watch your knees as you go down steeply (bisterai, bisterai = slowly, slowly) to the Karnali river. Follow the main trade route up the Karnali River 12:00 am Lunch break on route 16:30 pm Trek onwards and arrive at Dharapori 19:00 pm Dinner and briefing about the next day Day 7 Sept 23, Wed Dharaphori to Kermi (2820m) (3 hrs.) 07:00 am Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack 08:30 am Start the short trek to Kermi and visit Nepal Trust health post 13:00 pm Lunch 14:00 pm Visit the Kermi MHP & take a bath in the natural hot springs 18:00 pm Dinner and briefing about the next day Day 8 Sep 24, Thu Trek Kermi to Yalbang (2820m) (4.5 hrs.) 06:30 am Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack 07:30 am Prepare for an easy day s walk to Yangar Walk up the river valley to the ridge above Kermi and descend down to Sali Khola river and walk through beautiful forest and continue to Yalbang for camping at Nepal Trust health post. 12:30 pm Arrive Yalbang Monastery prepare campsite 13:30 pm Lunch 14:30 pm Visit Yangar and Yalbang villages

5 is supported by: Day 9 Sept 25, Fri Yalbang to Tumkot (3380m) (5.5 hrs.) 07:30 am An easy day s walk further up the Karnali River. Pass Yangar village and cross the Karnali river up a steep hill to Muchu village. After Muchu (2920m), we walk slightly down hill for 1 hour to Tumkot to set-up our camp near the river and below Tumkot Fort / Monastery. Day 10 Sept. 26, Sat Tumkot to Yari (3700m) (7 hrs.) A slow day up hill, we gain altitude quite quickly going up a couple of steep and rocky trails. This is the day where the effects of altitude will kick in. We will ascend nearly 600m and you will notice the air getting thin and the going a little harder time to go slow and check yourself out. Watch the vegetation changing as it gets dryer and the country now begins to look like Tibet. We cross the Karnali river once more and leave it to the left as the gorge is just to deep to follow. Then we slowly climb up and merge with the new dirt road (under construction) and the trail levels out some but always going up until we arrive at Yari village (3700m) on the slopes of the Nara La pass. Day 11 Sept 27, Sun Yari to Hilsa (3720m) (6.5 hrs.) 05:30 am Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack 07:30 am Start trek to Hilsa on Tibet border a tough but rewarding day over the Nara-Lagna pass (4580m). Put on your wool hats and sunglasses it will be cold and windy at the top of the pass. There are beautiful views ahead into Tibet and back towards the east and the Karnali river valley far below. Move slowly and enjoy the scenery and monitor your breathing and acclimatization. After crossing the pass move carefully down the steep and loose gravel trail to Hilsa (3720m) where we will camp just on Nepali side of the border with Tibet. 16:00pm Arrive Hilsa set-up camp and explore area. 18:30pm Dinner and briefing about the next day On top of Nara Lagna pass (4580m) Viewpoint at Manipeme Day 12 Sept 28, Mon Hilsa into Limi Valley to Manipeme (3970m) (7.5 hrs.) 07:30 am We walk few hundred meters on Tibetan ground, before we turn back towards the NE into Nepal and towards the Limi valley. Then it s several switchbacks up and over a ridge (4120m) this is a long and challenging day. From the ridge we head to the campsite of Manipeme (3970m) where we camp for the night. ; be ready for a long and tough trek to Limi

6 is supported by: Day 13 Sept 29, Tue Manipeme to Til (4100m) (8 hrs.) 07:00 am Early start to a long-day to Til. We start off with more switchbacks and will take several ridges today - we cross the Namka Lagna (4300m) a tough pull and cross into the Limi valley with a clear view of Halji village in the distance and the Limi Khola. After crossing the Namka Lagna we lose sight of the Karnali as it enters a gorge to flow to the south and we head down a long steep rocky path for 2.5 hrs. and then turn due North up into a side valley towards the village of Till (3750m). 17:00 pm Arrive Til village rest and relax. Sightseeing and Visits to Nepal Trust s micro-hydro and solar projects. Day 14 Sept 30, Wed Til to Halji (3670m) (3.5 hrs.) 07:00 am (Sleep in today) - Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack 08:30 am Meeting with Til leaders and visit to Til Monastery and on to Halji village (3670m). Follow the valley floor and the Limi Khola for around 3.5 hours to the village of Halji. We can visit the NT health post and the 1000 year old Halji Gompa; Nepal oldest monastery, which the NT endeavours to renovate with support from various donors. 13:30 pm Lunch 19:00 pm Dinner and briefing about the next day Til village Halji Monastery (Gompa) Day 15 Oct 1, Thu Full day Halji to visit village and Monastery 07:30 am Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program 09:00 am In Halji we can visit the village, monastery, caves and have meetings and interviews with village leaders and monks. We can also visit NT s health post, micro-hydro, solar project. On this day, we will also do some maintenance works in Halji with the local people. There is a possibility of a village celebration and an evening festival with the community. 18:30pm Dinner and briefing about the next day Day 16 Oct 2, Fri Trek Halji to Jang village (3800m) (4 hrs.) 07:00 am Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack We will have a leisurely morning. From Halji it is an easy 4-hour walk to Jang (3930m), where we will set up camp for the night. 08:30 am Trek to Jang village. 13:00 pm Have lunch in Jang and visit village and Monastery interviews.

7 is supported by: Day 17 Oct. 3, Sat Trek Jang to Khyungar or Talung (3800m) (8 hrs.) 05:30 am Early wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack We will move steadily today going slowly and always up again beware of altitude. We walk/ride up the valley to the NE to high pastures, hot springs, sand dunes and a river crossing past a lake and on to our camp at Khyungar below the Nyalu pass. 18:30 pm Dinner, review next day (very early start over the pass) make sure you have your hot-water bottles filled and steaming this evening as it will be super cold, wind and altitude. Monks in Humla Talung Lake in Limi Valley Day 18 Oct 4, Sun Trek over the Nyu La Pass (5000m) to Singjyungma (2900m) (8 hrs.) 05:30 am Early wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack Trek up the valley and watch out for snow and ice on the trail and start the long and challenging climb over the highest point of the trek: Nyu La Pass (5000m). This is a tough climb, needs total awareness and concentration follow your guides and be careful. We need to go up slowly but steadily and as a team. From the top of the pass there are fantastic 360 degree views of Humla and into Tibet. From here we can see Mt. Kailash and Mt. Saipal (7031m). Then it s steep down hill to Selima Tsho (4570m; lake). Continue down hill to Tsonga, with more beautiful views of Mt. Saipal. Follow the Salli Khola due south to our camp at Singjyungma (3701m) take a rest. Day 19 Oct. 5, Mon Singjyungma to Kermi village (2850m) (7.5 hrs.) 06:30 am Wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack 07:30 am Start trek back to Kermi village. Today we drop below 3000m for the first time in 10 days. It s a pleasant walk through pine and birch forests and along the beautiful Salli Khola see towering rock faces on both sides of the trail. We meet the Karnali river again and turn due east towards Kermi village and on arrival enjoy a bath in the hot springs. Day 20 Oct. 6, Tue Kermi to Simikot (2900m) (8.5 hrs.) 05:30 am Early wake up call, breakfast, briefing NT on program & pack The plan will today is to trek all the way back to Simikot. It s a tough day of around 12 miles and a steep climb from the Karnali river to the top of the pass above Simikot m up. The reward however is a hot shower, beer and a comfortable bed and dinner around a warm stove at the Simikot guesthouse.

8 is supported by: Day 21 Oct. 7, Wed Flight from Simikot via Nepalgunj to Kathmandu An early morning flight to Nepalgunj followed by an afternoon flight to Kathmandu & check-in at your hotel. Day 22 Oct. 8, Thu Rest day/ sightseeing in Kathmandu 08:00 am Breakfast & briefing NT on program 09:00 am Board bus to Asan Here we stroll several hours through the old market area where we meet merchants, handicraftsmen, street sellers and look around in the many shops. 12:30 pm Lunch 14:00 pm Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square/ Thamel shopping area 17:30 pm Return to hotel for rest 19:00 pm Dinner and a free evening Flower sellers at Asan Merchants at old market Day 23 Oct. 9, Thu Rest day/ sightseeing in Kathmandu 08:00 am Breakfast & briefing NT on program 09:00 am Optional Mt. flight to view Mt. Everest or Board bus to Asan market - here we stroll several hours through the old market area where we meet merchants, handicraftsmen, street sellers and look around in the many shops. 12:30 pm Lunch 14:00 pm Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square/ Thamel shopping area 17:30 pm Return to hotel for rest 19:00 pm Dinner and a free evening Day 24 Oct 10, Fri Day 25 Oct 11, Sat Flight Kathmandu (Nepal) to UK It s the final chance to have a lie in, get some last minute shopping and experience the sights and sounds of Kathmandu. We head to the airport in the afternoon Arrival London / Heathrow