Cultural and artistic exploration
Sacred fibres: Textiles of the hidden High Himalaya
An immersive journey into the textiles of the mountain communities of the Humla area of Northwestern Nepal
Journey essentials
- Length: 16 days (15 nights) starting and finishing in Kathmandu
- Group Size: 10 to 12 people
- Local leaders: Led by local guides Jigme Lama (lead guide) and Nurbu Lama (camp manager and guide), who are from the very villages that will be the focus of this journey.
- International creative lead: Creatively led and facilitated by tapestry weaver Irene Evison (Nearly Wild Weaving)
- Trek lengths: 3 days of short treks (2 to 4 hours) to reach mountain communities.
- Accommodation: 5 nights in high quality hotels (Kathmandu and Nepalgunj), 3 nights in a mountain guest house, and 7 nights in fully supported camp beside mountain communities.
- Fitness: A good level of walking fitness is required since the journey will involve flying into relatively high altitude (just below 3000 m) and short walking days to reach the villages.
Journey Highlights
A collaboration between Nearly Wild Weaving and Nomadic Skies Expeditions
• A journey from the bustling streets of Kathmandu into the beauty and tranquillity of the little visited valleys of Humla deep in the high Himalaya.
• Discussions, demonstrations and participative sessions with local communities on:
- Weaving – traditional backstrap and shuttle looms.
- Traditional spinning – of goat and yak wool.
- Yak hair rope and textile production and uses.
- Ceremonial and traditional clothing – production, use, repair and symbolism.
- Embroidery: on garments and shoes and their use.
- Traditional plant-based dyeing and use of plants in traditional medicine.
- Spiritual and cultural aspects and symbolism of textiles and weaving.
• Supported creative sessions with to work with local artisans to develop personal skills, and time for your own creativity inspired by the culture, skills and landscapes of the High Himalaya.
• Optional day treks from Limantang Village to explore the Takpaphuk sacred forest and remote Ralling monastery and caves.
Journey itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (night - Kathmandu)
Day 2: Kathmandu: Visits to the cultural and artisanal areas of Kathmandu and Patan (night- Kathmandu)
Day 3: Kathmandu-Nepalgunj: Visit to Boudhanath Kathmandu and flight in transit to Simikot (night-Nepalgunj)
Day 4: Simikot: Early morning flight to Simikot - 2950m, and introduction to Humla (night-Simikot)
Day 5: Simikot: Acclimatisation day and exploration of village and surroundings (night - Simikot)
Day 6: Trek – Torpa village: Short trek (3 - 4 hours) to 3100m (night – Torpa)
Day 7: Torpa Mountain village: Community interaction, demonstrations and having a go/working together/hands-on time together (night-Torpa)
Day 8: Torpa Mountain village: Working together/hands-on time together and personal artistic work (night-Torpa)
Day 9: Trek-Limatang village (1 - 2 hour) and introduction to village, culture etc. (night - Limatang)
Day 10: Limatang Mountain village: Community interaction, demonstrations and working together/hands-on time/having a go (night -Limatang)
Day 11: Limatang Mountain village: Your own creative time and optional day trek (night - Limatang)
Day 12: Limatang Mountain village: Your own creative time and optional day trek (night - Limatang)
Day 13: Return Trek to Simikot via Bargaon Village: 3 – 4 hours trek (night - Simikot)
Day 14: Flight To Kathmandu (night- Kathmandu)
Day 15: Day in Kathmandu possible evening flight departures (night in Kathmandu Hotel)
Day 16: Departure day
Inspiring unique journeys
01
Tour
The bio-diverse Virunga of South West Uganda
Journey now open for bookings for January and February 2025
An extraordinary journey through one of the most stunning and biodiverse areas of Africa. A trekking journey combining travel by boat, local dug-out canoe travelling to the African Alpine Zone of the high Virunga (over 3600m), through equatorial and cloud forest. Exploring forest and mountain cultures and experiencing incredible diverse wildlife and habitats.
2025: 19th January to 4th February (journey fully booked)
2025: 3rd to 19th February (journey fully booked)
2026: January and July: actual dates to be confirmed
02
Tour
Trails of remote High Himalayan culture and wisdom
19 days
A stunning trek to the sacred and other-worldly Lake Phoksundo. Ascending off established trails through Shamanic Hindu mountain villages to the monasteries and stunning landscapes of the hidden, culturally Tibetan valleys of the High Himalayan of North West Nepal.
2025:
- 13th to 31st October (open for bookings)
03
Tour
Silk Trade & Pilgrim Routes of Armenia
13 days
Journey along the hidden pilgrim trails and silk trade routes of Southern Armenia, exploring the ancient, modern and recent history and natural environments of the Vorotan River Gorge in collaboration with hill communities along our route.
Cost: From US$ 2900 (around £2300)
2025
- 11th to 23rd May 2025
newsletter-headline
newsletter-subheadline
Hill Cottage, Mill St, Ullapool,
Wester Ross, Scotland
IV26 2UN
Copyright 2018 © Nomadic Skies