Accessible Tourism in Humla Nepal

EXPLORE HUMLA Himalaya with all senses

The Explore Humla package offers an opportunity to visit a mountain district of Nepal with unique chances to appreciate the natural beauty of the Himalayas, participate in cultural events and interact with the local population. This is an alternative programme for those who want to visit the mountains, but are not interested or not able to go on one of the many trekking tours that are the main tourist attraction in the region.

The target group are travelers with and without disabilities interested in nature, culture and contact with the local population of Humla. Visitors need to be comfortable with walking in remote areas and have reasonably good mobility. Humla is considered as one of the most remote and isolated regions in Nepal, reachable only by foot or small aircrafts which are irregularly landing in the district head quarter, Simikot. It is situated high in the Himalaya, in Karnali zone, North- western Nepal, bordering the Tibet Autonomous Region. Humla is 5.655sqkm and has a population of about 44770 (2006). The common means of transportation are mules, horses and oxen which bring required products from the Tibetan border to Simikot. The region is one of the most underdeveloped areas in Nepal. It is the highest district in Nepal, with most villages lying at about 3,000m-5,000m above sea level. The climate is harsh, with snow for up to four months of the year. Only 1% of the land is arable, due to the rocky terrain. The base for excursions and activities is Simikot, the headquarter of Humla. It is where the plane from Nepalgunj and Surkhet will land. Though it is the district headquarter, it is a rural setting, but there is some infrastructure like shops, hotels and a hospital. In Simikot, participants of the programme will have comfortable accommodation in one of the local hotels and eat in a restaurant or they get home made food. During all activities, assistance for people with disability will be ensured to make their journey safe and comfortable. Mountain adventure The programme includes two to three short trekking tours on foot or horse back with ample time to enjoy the mountain views and discover the landscape with all senses. While riding on horse back, visitors can feel the wind and smell the different aromatic plants growing in the area. Walking up and down hill, they feel the variations of the landscape and find rocks in different sizes and formations. While swinging on a hanging bridge, they hear the noise of the river under their feet. During the trip, blind and partially sighted children share their perception of the landscape and help the visitors to use all senses to explore their surroundings.

The itineraries are challenging, it goes steep up and down hill and there are rocks in the way or steep slopes just next to it. Nevertheless, travelers with a disability can be assured to receive the required assistance. Humli people grow up in the mountain and they will make sure that everybody is safe even on difficult parts of the way. All field trips end in a village where the blind and partially sighted guides invite visitors to their homes. To relax after the tiring walk or ride, guest enjoy the hospitality of a local family and taste typical food of the region. Due to the remoteness of the place, it is guaranteed that vegetable is 100% organic. If the journey is long, guests spend the night in the village. Each family can accommodate one to two people who have the chance to get an impression of the life in a remote village. The next day, the journey back is much easier. Culture In the villages and also in Simikot guests participate in cultural events organized by local groups. As in Humla there are Hindus and Buddhists, there is a variety of traditions and festivals. In spring, the group can participate in the Raling festival about 20 km from Simikot. This is a colourful festival in a Buddhist monastery with drums and dances for several days. In autumn, the group participates in Gaura Parwa, one of the most important Hindu festivals in Chaugan Phaya, northern part Simikot. The festival is based on the Hindu book Ramayana. Relax

Between the challenging trekking days there is always a day to rest in Simikot. This is time to relax with a good book and the view of the nearby mountains or participate in activities of the HEAD Blind School. These days are also reserved for meetings with experts of local organizations who present more information about environment, culture or social issues in Humla.

Interaction with the local population The contact with the local population is an important aspect of this programme. Older students of HEAD Blind School will introduce the landscape, the culture and also the challenges of life in Humla to the guests. The interaction with blind and partially sighted children helps visitors on one hand to experience their surrounding with all senses. On the other hand it gives an impression of the challenges and achievements of these children. Especially for visually impaired travelers it can be very interesting and inspiring to experience how visually impaired people live in other parts of the world. For the children it is an opportunity to interact with foreigners, practice their English and gain self confidence while presenting their world.

Kathmandu The programme starts and ends in Kathmandu. As planes to Humla do not follow a regular schedule, some flexibility is required for the journey from Kathmandu to simikot. There are three days for sightseeing and shopping in Kathmandu, ideally one at the beginning and two at the end of the journey. However, this can vary depending on the availability of flights.

The package includes  Sightseeing programme in Kathmandu  Transportation to and from Humla via Nepalgunj  Accommodation and food in Kathmandu and Humla  Home stay with local families during field trips  Cultural programme  Information about the region: culture, traditions and actual challenges  Interaction with students at the HEAD Blind School  Field trips to home villages of visually impaired children. Programme schedule for a 15 days stay in Nepal Programme in Spring Programme in Autumn Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu Day 2: Sightseeing Day 2: Sightseeing programme in Kathmandu programme in Kathmandu Day 3: Journey to Simikot Day 3: Journey to Simikot by plane via Nepalgunj by plane via Nepalgunj Introduction to Humla Introduction to Humla Day 4: Adaptation to Humla Day 4: Adaptation to Humla Village walk in Simikot Village walk in Simikot Preparation for the field Preparation for the field trip trip Day 5: Three days field trip to Day 5: Three days field trip to Thehe and Chhipra Chhipra and Thehe Day 8: Cultural programme in Day 8: Cultural programme in Simikot Simikot Information about culture, Information about culture, tradition and challenges tradition and challenges Day 9: Two days trip to Raling Day 9: Two days field trip to Chaugan Gumba for Raling festival Phaya for Gaura Parwa festival. Day 9: Resting and programme in Day 11: Resting and programme in Simikot Simikot Day 12: Return to Kathmandu Day 12: Return to Kathmandu Day 13:Two days free time in Day 13:Two days free time in Kathmandu Kathmandu Day 15: Return to home country Day 15: Return to home country For more information please contact us Himalayan Education and Development (HEAD) Nepal, Simikot 3 Humla Telephone: +977-87-680216 Mobile: +977-9841649462 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.headnepal.or g