Simikot Village

Simikot is a small yet still very significant mountain town in the northwestern part of Nepal, which is the main gateway for the pilgrims going to Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar through the Simikot–Hilsa route (The Heli Route). 

Pilgrims coming here get the first taste of leaving the comforts of urban Nepal and entering the rugged Himalayan terrain.

This high-altitude settlement, surrounded by  hills and snowcapped peaks, introduces the pilgrims to the raw beauty and isolation of the Himalayas and thus becomes a transitional stage of the sacred yatra.

One can reach Simikot either via flight or drive. But due to the road condition and travel time (one and half days) to reach Simikot by drive, the only practical way for the pilgrims to reach Simikot is by taking a domestic flight from Nepalgunj. The flight lasts for around 45 minutes on average, and it is heavily dependent on the weather.

The flight is nothing less than a surreal experience, as it offers the travelers stunning views of deep valleys, winding rivers, and high ridges of the Himalayas. Because of the mountain terrain, flights are very weather dependent and could be delayed or rescheduled, thus making flexibility an important aspect of the journey. 

Though the pilgrims do not necessarily feel the altitude and climate change at that moment, Simikot marks the high-altitude phase onset of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra.

The accommodation in Simikot is basic and practical, with options from local guest houses to local lodges. The facilities are aimed at the necessities and not at the luxuries. The majority of the lodges provide clean rooms, warm blankets, shared or private bathrooms, and local meals of the simplest kind.

While electricity is available and mostly reliable, hot water might be available for only a few hours each day. Even if the facilities are quite basic, the lodges still provide a safe and quiet atmosphere for the pilgrims to take a break after the flight, to acclimatize, and to get ready for the next trip to Hilsa.

A night in the Simikot area is an important step of the acclimatization process before people go to the higher areas.

Instead of the traditional tourist attractions, Simikot provides a tranquil and meditative environment. Here, pilgrims normally take their time resting and letting their bodies acclimatize. 

Walking around the town slowly is a great way to get used to the altitude while enjoying the scenery of the hills and the typical stone houses. 

There are some local shrines in Simikot which are a testament to the spiritual history of the region where the pilgrims can witness ceremonies and prayers. Meeting the people from the nearby villages gives a glimpse of the hard life of the Himalayan people in the most secluded area of Nepal.