Cultural and artistic exploration in remote Himalayan Nepal
Sacred fibres: Textiles of the hidden High Himalaya
An immersive journey into the hidden Himalaya of Humla in the far North West of Nepal that will not only explore the traditions and techniques of the unique textiles of these Tibetan Buddhist mountain communities but also provide an insight into Himalayan life and natural environments in an area little touched by tourism. The team supporting our trip are all local people; our trip is an investment into the economy and culture of their community.
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.
2027 DATES
18th September to 3rd October 2027
COST US$5,100 (about £3800) based on 2 people sharing. A $250 supplement would be charged for single occupancy tents/rooms. Price does not include international flights. See brochure for more details.
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.
- A unique slow and deep exploration of village life, culture and spirituality in an area almost totally unvisited by tourisrts and travellers.
- explore the textiles and fabics of this area of the high Himalaya with discussions, demonstrations and participative sessions with local communities on:
- Weaving – traditional backstrap and shuttle looms.
- Traditional spinning – sheep 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.
- Weaving – traditional backstrap and shuttle looms.
- Work with local artisans to try out their approaches to spinning, weaving and dyeing.
- Spend time with villagers to understand their way of life, their management of the land, local flora and fauna, and how modernisation is impacting their communities.
- 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, remote Ralling monastery and caves, and nearby yak meadows.
Journey itinerary
Our itineraries deliberately include flexibility; although there is clarity on where we will be each day, we deliberately leave flexibility within these days so that we can respond to the particular interests of trip participants and also respect the working patterns of artisans and residents of the villages that we will be visiting and respond to opportunities to get involved in community and individual activities. Please note that there is time built in at the start and end of the trips to allow for potential travel delays into and out of Kathmandu.
While we are in the villages, each evening we agree a plan with you for the following day. The itinerary also allows for some personal time and space, whether just to relax, spend on creative activities, explore the local area, or be taken on led treks to nearby sites and areas of interest.
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 Stupa Kathmandu and transit flight to Nepalgunj (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, hands-on time together, personal creative time (night-Torpa)
Day 8: Torpa Mountain village: Community interaction, demonstrations and hands-on time together, personal creative time. Optional treks to the caves and yak meadows around Torpa (night-Torpa)
Day 9: Trek to Limatang village (about 2 hours) and introduction to village, culture etc. (night - Limatang)
Day 10: Limatang Mountain village: Community interaction, demonstrations and hands-on time together (night -Limatang)
Day 11:Limatang Mountain village: Your own creative time and optional day treks (night - Limatang)
Day 12: Limatang Mountain village: Your own creative time and optional day treks (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
Additional Information
Level of difficulty and fitness required
It is essential that participants on this trip have a good level of fitness, mobility and ability to walk. This journey only involves relatively short hikes with the possibility of a vehicle transport to the villages, but we will be flying to an altitude of 2950m and ascending to villages at 3200m. Optional day hikes would take people to higher locations.
Accommodation, food and logistics
In Kathmandu, we will stay in a wonderful traditional guest House in the Patan area close to the UNESCO listed site of Patan Durbar Square – the iconic palace square with its collection of historic stupas and shrines and the palace buildings themselves.
In Simikot, we will stay in a local guesthouse. Rooms are simple, with shared bathroom facilities. There will be electricity and we can arrange for wifi access locally.
In Torpa and Limatang we will be camping. We will do our best to make this a comfortable experience with the tents put up for you prior to your arrival, each one with a comfortable air-filled sleeping mat and a chair available to sit outside and enjoy the view. Each morning, one of our team will bring you a cup of tea and a bowl of washing water. We will provide 2 shared toilet tents and a shower tent with warm water available on request. There will not be any wifi access whilst in these villages. In Torpa, we expect there to be limited access to electricity to recharge your phones/cameras.
Your luggage will be carried for you between villages, so you only need to carry a small day pack. The walk between villages is along an unmade road with little traffic; expect some ups and downs, with some rough terrain underfoot. We’ll stop regularly to admire the view and take a drink or snack. A jeep is available to take you some or all of the way between villages if necessary, but expect a slow and bumpy ride! Once in the villages, we’ll make our way around on small footpaths which are sometimes steep and a bit rocky.
What our clients said about Sacred Fibres
"The valleys and the people of the Humla Region hold and nurture you in some kind of transformative way throughout this trip." "Each morsel of food, each drink, each water bowl is laid in front of you with such presence, connection and good will. It works on so many levels"
Aine Dunne
Ireland, September 2024
"It was the most wonderful trip, the experience of a lifetime, exceeding my expectations"
Judith Davies
UK, September 2024
"A truly wonderful and authentic experience, meeting local people and learning about their culture and customs, led by knowledgeable people from the local area. Achievable trekking element with the relevant support tailored to the individual traveller"
Sue Thiedeman
UK, September 2024
"I loved everything about this trip especially the warmth with which we were welcomed by the local people"
Jill Davies
UK, September 2024
"I’ve visited Nepal twice before, but this was the first time that I was able to slow down and appreciate the diversity of the natural environment and gain insight into the lives of villagers in this beautiful, remote part of Nepal."
Sadie Paige
Scotland, September 2024
Sacred Fibres Route Map
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Hill Cottage, Mill St, Ullapool,
Wester Ross, Scotland
IV26 2UN
gavin.anderson@nomadicskies.com
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