Town or village · 2,950 m
Simikot
The airstrip town and headquarters of Humla, starting point for treks to Limi and the overland route to Mount Kailash.
Far Westहिल्सा
Hilsa
A small border post on the Humla Karnali where travellers cross from Nepal into Tibet on the way to Mount Kailash.
This is Hilsa on the Nepal-China border in Humla, not the town of Hilsa in Bihar, India.
- Altitude
- -*
- Best months
- May-Sep
- Type
- Town or village
- District
- Humla, Karnali
- Permit
- Restricted-area permit
Higher seasonal exposure: cold (Nov-Mar), other (Jun-Aug).
Why go
Hilsa is a small settlement in the far north-west corner of Humla district, on the banks of the Humla Karnali river where it flows out of Tibet. A bridge across the river marks the border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and on the far side the road leads towards Purang (Taklakot) and on to Lake Manasarovar and Mount Kailash. Hilsa exists largely because of this crossing: a few lodges, police and customs posts and a helipad sit in a stark, dry valley at around 3,600 m.
Most travellers reach Hilsa as part of an organised Kailash Manasarovar pilgrimage, flying from Nepalgunj to Simikot and then by helicopter to Hilsa, or walking up the Humla Karnali valley over several days. The trek follows the river through villages and over the Nara La pass, with the landscape becoming steadily drier and more Tibetan in character. A road has been under construction along this route, and parts of the trail are now a track.
There is little to do in Hilsa itself, but the setting at the meeting of two countries, with bare mountains and the river below, is striking, and for pilgrims it marks the threshold of a long-awaited journey.
History and culture
The Humla Karnali valley has been a trade route between Nepal and western Tibet for centuries, carrying salt, wool and grain across the border. Hilsa grew as the official crossing point on this route, and its importance increased as the Kailash pilgrimage through Nepal became popular with Indian and Nepali pilgrims.
The upper Humla Karnali valley is inhabited by Buddhist communities with close cultural links to Tibet, and the villages along the way have small monasteries, prayer flags and mani walls. Access across the border depends on the policies of the Chinese authorities, and the crossing has been closed for long periods in the past, so plans always need to be checked well ahead.
Things to do in Hilsa
Simikot-Hilsa trek
Walk up the Humla Karnali valley from Simikot over several days with an organised group, crossing the Nara La.
Cross to Tibet
Continue across the border towards Purang and Kailash with a Kailash tour that holds the Chinese permits.
Helicopter transfer
Fly from Simikot to Hilsa by helicopter if time is short, as many pilgrimage groups do.
Weather and the best time to visit Hilsa
Weather in Hilsa
Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
May-Sep
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- Good month: May
- Good month: Jun
- Good month: Jul
- Good month: Aug
- Good month: Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Oct is outside the usual best months here.
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September is good for the trek and the crossing; by late October it becomes cold and the season winds down.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- November to March is very cold and the route is generally not used for travel to Tibet.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- May and June open the pilgrimage season, with stable weather in the rain shadow.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- July and August are the main Kailash season; upper Humla lies in a rain shadow, but flights to Simikot are disrupted by monsoon cloud.
Where to stay
LodgesCamping
A few basic lodges near the border; trekking groups camp along the route.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Fly from Nepalgunj to Simikot, then trek several days up the Humla Karnali or take a helicopter to Hilsa.
Nearest hub: Simikot
- flightNepalgunj to Simikot by small plane, weather permitting.
- trekSimikot to Hilsa on foot along the Humla Karnali, over the Nara La, in several days.
- flightHelicopter from Simikot to Hilsa, commonly used by Kailash pilgrimage groups.
Permits and fees
Restricted-area permit
Upper Humla, including the route from Simikot to Hilsa, is a restricted area. A restricted area permit through a registered agency and a licensed guide are required, and crossing into Tibet needs separate Chinese visas and permits arranged by a tour operator.
- Humla restricted area permit: Required for the trek or transfer from Simikot to Hilsa; arranged by a registered agency.
- Tibet entry documents: A Chinese group visa and Tibet permits are needed to cross the border; arranged through a Kailash tour operator.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-08 against Department of Immigration, Nepal: restricted areas.
Risks and conditions
Seasonal risks around Hilsa
What this place is typically exposed to, and when. These are seasonal patterns, not a report on conditions now.
Coldhigh in a typical yearNov-Mar
Winter is severe in upper Humla; the route is generally not used for travel in these months.
Otherhigh in a typical yearJun-Aug
Monsoon cloud grounds flights into Simikot even though upper Humla itself is relatively dry.
Altitudemoderate in a typical yearAll year
Hilsa lies at roughly 3,600 m and the trek crosses a higher pass; ascend gradually and know the signs of altitude sickness.
Check current conditions before you travel
Roads, trails, passes and flights change with the weather and with roadworks, and nothing on this page describes conditions today. Before you set off, check the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology for weather and flood warnings, the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction Portal for incidents, and the local authority, police or your licensed operator for road, trail and flight status.
Practical tips
- Check the current status of the border crossing well ahead; it has been closed for long periods.
- Allow spare days for weather on the Simikot flight.
- Carry warm clothing even in summer; nights at Hilsa are cold. Altitude advice here is general information, not medical advice.
Questions about Hilsa
Where is Hilsa?
In the far north-west of Humla district, on the Humla Karnali river at the border with Tibet.
Can I cross into Tibet at Hilsa independently?
No. Crossing requires Chinese group visas and Tibet permits arranged by a tour operator, plus a Nepali restricted area permit.
How long is the trek from Simikot to Hilsa?
Several days on foot; many pilgrims fly by helicopter instead.
Nearby
Valley or region · 3,700 m
Limi Valley
A remote, high valley in northern Humla on the Tibetan border, with three Tibetan Buddhist villages and an 11th-century monastery.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-08. Sources: Humla District, Wikipedia, Simikot, Wikipedia, Department of Immigration, Nepal: restricted areas