Nar Phu Valley Trek

Trip Duration 15
Max Altitude 5320M at Kang La
Group Size 2 to 20
Best Time for Visit March to May, Sep to February

Trip Overview

Trip Introduction

A fantastic journey to the wild and unexplored vicinity located north of Annapurna, this rugged and wild trek takes us to the exotic and enthralling valley of Nar Phu. Nar Phu Valley trek starts from Jagat following the popular trekking routes of Annapurna Circuit trail and then branch off from Koto to follow the off the beaten track to Nar Phu valley in the north of Manang and pass the Kang La pass with magnificent panorama of Annapurna massifs. The Kang La pass links Nar with Manang and three other Bhotia villages in the Neyshang valley. The valley system above opens up to a huge expanse of high snow-peaks, ancient villages and high altitude grazing settlements. Trekking to this hidden mountain valley also offers medieval Tibetan culture in undisturbed form, dramatic mountains view and great alpine sceneries. We then head west over the Thorong La Pass and down through lower Mustang before heading on to Jomsom. We finally fly back to Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu next day.

Best Season

April to June and September to November are also the best months fort this trek.

Trip Start Dates

We will also organize this trip on the dates requested by you. Please contact us for your customized departure date.

Additional Information

Our website contains as much information as possible about this trip. However, if you wish to discuss any aspect of this trip or your suitability for it please contact us by email. If you want to talk to us directly feel free to call us at: 00977-9851116654

Outline Itinerary 

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft)

Day 02: Kathmandu: Sightseeing and Trek Preparation

Day03: Kathmandu to Jagat Drive (1100m/3608ft): 8-9 hours

Day04: Jagat to Dharapani (1,960m/6,430ft): 7-8 hours

Day05: Dharapani to Koto (2,610m/8,563ft): 5-6 hours

Day06: Koto to Meta (3,560m/11,680ft): 7-8 hours

Day07: Meta to Phu Gaon (4,250m/13,944ft): 7-8 hours

Day08: Acclimatization at Phu Gaon

Day09: Phu Gaon to Nar (4,110m/13,484ft): 6-7 hours

Day10: Acclimatization and preparation at Nar

Day11: Nar to Kang La Pass (5,322m/17,460ft) to Ngwal (3,660m/12,008ft): 7-8 hours

Day12: Ngwal to Manang (3,540m/11,614ft): 4-5 hours

Day13: Manang to Yak Kharka (4,110m/13,484ft): 3-4 hours

Day14: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m/15,092ft): 3-4 hours

Day15: Thorong Phedi to Thorong La (5,416m/17764ft) to Muktinath (3,800m/12,467ft): 7-8 hours

Day16: Muktinath to Jomsom (2,715m/8,910ft): 5-6 hours

Day17: Jomsom to Pokhara Flight (823m/2,700ft): 30 min flight

Day18: Pokhara to Kathmandu (1,350m/4,428ft): 5-6 hours drive

Day19: Final departure from Nepal

Important Note :

Your safety is of paramount concern while traveling with Everest Expeditions Nepal. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; however, since this adventure entails travelling in remote mountainous regions, we cannot guarantee that we will not deviate from it. Weather conditions, health condition of a group member, unexpected natural disasters, etc., can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

 Trip Highlight

  • Venture into the lesser explored areas of the Annapurna region
  • Walk around Annapurna’s eco-touristic destination
  • Stunning view of Annapurna Range, Mt Manaslu, Dhaulagiri, Annapurna II, Himlung Himal, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak.
  • High Mountain passes Kang-La Pass (5,322 m).
  • Tibetan settlements and stunning Buddhist Monasteries.
  • Stay in old traditional villages with unaltered authenticity.
  • Remarkable visit to the pristine villages of Nar and Phu
  • Explore the Tibetan plateau which extends down into Nepal and witness Tibetan-derived culture
  • Enjoy the enchanting colorful prayer stones as well as experience a unique monastery stay

Itinerary

Upon your arrival at the arrival terminal exit gate, you will be greeted by one of the Friendship World Trek with your nameplate. You will be then escorted to your designated hotel and helped with the check-in formalities. After your rest at the hotel, we will have a short briefing session where you will meet your guide and discuss the trip. Then you can spend the remainder of the day strolling around Thamel and Thahity area before getting back to the hotel for the night.

NOTE: We will collect your original passport and photos to apply for the Nar Phu Valley Special Permit during the briefing session. But if your arrival is late, we will have the discussion session the next day and the passport will be collected at that time.

Accommodation: Standard Accommodation in KTM

We will spend today’s half of the day exploring two out of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu Valley. We will probably visit Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Stupa today.

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the four most important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the world which is situated on the banks of the Bagmati River. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and features intricate architecture, shrines, and cremation ghats. You will get to witness the spiritual rituals, observe the Sadhus (Hindu holy men), and experience the vibrant ambiance during festivals like Maha Shivaratri.

And, Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and an important pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. This magnificent structure stands as a symbol of enlightenment and peace. The stupa’s massive dome, prayer wheels, and the serene atmosphere created by chanting monks are very captivating. The surrounding area is filled with monasteries, shops selling local & Tibetan artifacts, and lovely cafes and restaurants.

The other five sites are Swoyambhunath Stupa/Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Changunarayan Temple.
After sightseeing, we will return to Thamel where you can do the last-minute shopping for your Nar Phu Valley Trek.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Standard Accommodation in KTM

After an early breakfast, we will leave Kathmandu city and embark on a scenic drive to Besisahar in Lamjung. The drive takes approximately 6-7 hours, passing through lush countryside, picturesque villages, and the gorgeous Trishuli River and Marshyangdi River. We will pass by some notable places such as Malekhu, Mugling, and Dumre. Once we reach Besisahar, you can take a rest and stroll around the place before calling it a day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

Today is the third day of our Nar Phu Valley Trek where we will begin our day with an off-road drive from Besisahar to Koto. Our drive passes through the villages such as Jagat, Chamje, Dharapani, Bagarchhap, Timang, and Thanchock. We will get to witness the famous Annapurna I Peak from Bagarchhap and Mount Manaslu and Lamjung Himal on the way from Bagarchhap to Timang Village which is located at 2460 meters.

Upon our arrival at Koto, the settlement of Gurungs, we will check in and rest. In the evening, we could take a walk in the village and interact with the locals and get to know about their lifestyle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

Our Nar Phu Valley Trek finally begins today after breakfast. Leaving Koto, we will register our details before entering the restricted area of Nar Phu Valley. Our trail leads us across steep terrain, through beautiful pine forests, suspension bridges, and cascading waterfalls as we travel along the banks of the Soti Khola. After reaching Dharmashala, we will start noticing that the forests getting sparser and the views getting wider. We will also trek past some canyons and caves and keep walking until we reach the Meta Village which offers us an amazing view of Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

Following breakfast, the trek ascends the valley along a little picturesque river. There are frequent ascends and descends today. After we cross a suspension bridge, we will reach a place called Chyaku. After a brief rest at Chyaku, we will continue to climb while enjoying the glorious views of Annapurna until we reach our today’s destination, Kyang. Kyang is a small settlement from where we will get beautiful views of Pisang Peak and Annapurna II.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

We leave Kyang after breakfast and start our trek to the enchanting village of Phu today. The trail is quite rough with some uphill and downhill climbs. Our trek goes along the Phu Kola and we might get to see distinctive blue sheep as the valley is famous for these unique endangered animals. We will enter Phu Village from Phu gate and take a brief rest at the teahouse. The village offers breathtaking vistas of several Himalayan mountain ranges, including Himlung Himal. We will pay our visit to the ancient monastery named Tashi Lhakhang Monastery and interact with the friendly locals while enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

It is advisable to spend an acclimatization day in Phu because of the high altitude. And to make this day fruitful, we will explore the town’s narrow lanes and observe the locals as they engage in their daily routines. We will also visit the monasteries and the cave there and spend the rest of the day with the locals.

NOTE: You could also opt. for the side trip to Himlung Base Camp which takes around 5 hours for the round trip.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

After breakfast, we will retrace our steps back down to Meta but we will detour to the monastery at Nar Phedi. We will pass the villages of Kyang, and Upper Chyako. We will cross a suspension bridge before we climb up to our today’s destination Nar Phedi, a small settlement situated below Nar Village. We will get to enjoy the breathtaking views of Pisang Peak and other surrounding peaks.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

Leaving Nar Phedi, we will proceed up a hill toward Nar, the largest village in the Nar Phu Valley along a winding trail. The trail takes us through high mountain passes, barren landscapes, and yak pastures. As we get near the village, we will pass a row of chortens that have been beautifully painted and bamboo roofs. We will arrive at the Nar Village around noon and we will spend the remainder of the day exploring Nar Village and its surroundings. We will visit the monasteries, interact with the locals, and witness their daily lifestyle.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

We will wake up early today because it will be a long day and make our way to the renowned Annapurna Circuit via the Kang La Pass. Our trail passes through beautiful landscapes, quaint villages, and yak pastures. Today’s walk offers breathtaking views of the west ridge of the Pisang Peak, we ascend from Nar across the lateral moraine of Temdenzon Khola. We will also trek past Jhombu Kharka, also known as Kang La Phedi, which is the base of the Kang La Pass.

We will enjoy the breathtaking vista of Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, and Annapurna II from the pass, and from the pass, the path is steep but not challenging. And it will take us around three hours to reach Ngawal for our night stay. The village offers stunning views of the Annapurna range and the Manang Valley.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

Following our breakfasts, we will start our trek to reach Chame. The path slowly descends to Gyaru and Pisang Village along the bank of the Marsyangdi River. The views of the Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Lamjung Himal, and Annapurna II and III are mesmerizing from the route. After 6-7 hours of trekking, we will reach Chame, the administrative center for the Manang District, and spend the night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

With the end of our Nar Phu Valley Trek, we will drive from Chame to Besisahar today. Our bumpy drive will go through the villages of Koto, Thanchok, and Timang before reaching Besishar.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Tea House

Today is the day to get back to Kathmandu. We will leave Besisahar after breakfast and enjoy the drive to Kathmandu. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, check-in at the hotel and rest. And in the evening, you could take a walk around Thamel and do some souvenir shopping before calling it a day.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Standard Accommodation in KTM

After breakfast and 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight, one of the representatives will transfer you to the airport and bid farewell.

Meals: Breakfast

Departures & Availability

The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.

Check Available Dates
Start Date Price Availability

All trip prices are per person based on double occupancy, are subject to change without notice and do not include airfare. All prices and fares are quoted in U.S. dollars.

Price include

  • Airport – Hotel – Airport Private Transfer
  • 03 Nights Twin/DBL  Sharing 3* Standard Category Accommodation in Kathmandu
  • Daily Breaakfast at Hotel in Kathmandu
  • Guided Sightseeing in Kathmandu as per itinerary
  • All Ground Transfer by Private Vehicle during the Sightseeing
  • Kathmandu to Besishar Transfer by Schuduled Local Bus
  • Besishahar to Kyoto Transfer by Local Scheduled Sharing Jeep
  • Nar-Phu Valley Special Permit Fees
  • Annapurna Conservation and TIMS Fees
  • All Meals – Breakfast Lunch & Dinner
  • Best Vailable Local Guest House/Tea House Accommodations
  • An Experienced Guide and Required Number of Porters as per group size
  • All Wages such as Meals, Accommodations, Transfer, Insurance, Equipments for Guide & Porters
  • A Comprehensive Medical and First Aid Kits
  • Trekking Equipments( Refundable Down Jacket, Duffle Bag, Sleeping Bag and Poles)
  • All Taxes

Price Excludes

  • Nepal Entry Visa- {Visa fees for 15/30/100 Days- USD 30/50/125  Upon Arrival}
  • International Airfares and Taxes
  • Personal Clothing and Equipment
  • Personal expenses such as Beverage, Laundry, Phone calls, etc
  • Tipping/Gratitude for Guide, Porters, and Driver
  • Any Other services and activities which is not mentioned and included
  • Meals in Kathmandu( Lunch and Dinner except Trek)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Any cost occurs from any unfavorable condition such as landslides, bad weather, flight cancellation, etc.
  • Anything not mentioned in the includes section

Gears And Equipment

Trip Information 

Trek Route to Nar Phu Valley

The journey begins at Besisahar after a 6-7 hours drive from Kathmandu. On the next day, you will be driving to Koto from Besisahar where you will start your trekking journey. The journey follows the route for the Annapurna Circuit to Koto before splitting eastward towards Nar Phu Valley. The trails then lead us to Meta through the steep terrains, dense pine forests, and the banks of Soti Khola. The following day you will engage in a soul-stirring hike towards Kyang, a beautiful village nestled beneath Pisang Peak and Annapurna II.

After that, the travelers will move further to Phu Gaon. You will be trekking through Sinhenge Dharamsala, Upper Chaku leading to the Phu Gaon or village. Phu Gaon is a picturesque village where you will get to experience the unique culture and hospitality of the locals as well as relish in the tranquil nature. You will spend the next day here as well for acclimatization purposes. From Phu, the trail heads westward to Nar Phedi.

The next day, you will climb uphill to Nar village where you will explore the ancient monasteries and surrounding. Further, you will engage in another highlight of the trip. A trek towards Ngawal through the famous, Kang La Pass. After spending the day in Ngawal, the trek continues further to Chame and then Besisahar the next day where you will end your journey filled with new experiences and lots of memories.

Permits required for Nar Phu Valley Trek 

Since Nar Phu Valley is a restricted/protected area, it is mandatory for trekkers to travel with an authorized guide from a local authorized travel agency in Nepal. The permits required for the Nar Phu Valley trek are:-

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): USD 30.00 P/P

Restricted Area Permit

  • During the off-season (December-August): USD 75.00 P/P for 1 week
  • During the season (September-November): USD 100.00 P/P for 1 week

All of these permits will be obtained by us before your arrival.

Please note that permit costs are a matter to change and it might differ from time to time so kindly contact us to find out up-to-date information.

Difficulty level of Nar Phu Valley Trek

Nar Phu Valley Trek is a moderate to fairly hard trek. The long day’s walk and steep altitude ascents make this a comparatively tough trek. Because of the limited accommodation choices along the route, the distances that must be traveled each day are inflexible. But we prepare our itinerary concerning proper altitude gain making it ideal for both novice and proficient hikers. It is important for travelers to engage in any sort of physical activity like jogging, walking, hiking, etc. before the trek to build stamina for a convenient trek.

Best Season for Nar Phu Trek

Nar Phu Valley lies in the trans-Himalayan region making it a perfect trekking destination for Monsoon Trekking in Nepal. This region can be visited at any time of the year except for the winter months (December-February). During winter, the temperature here falls below freezing and this valley receives snowfall in hefty amounts so it is almost impossible to pass the high pass.

During spring (March-May) the weather is very pleasant and the floras are in full bloom resulting in an enchanting trekking experience. Monsoon (June-August) is another best time to visit being a rain-shadow area. The region is unaffected by monsoon but landslides can obstruct road accessibility in the lower regions sometimes. So, we suggest that travelers keep a few extra casual days.

Similarly, as autumn is post-monsoon in Nepal, the view is at its best. The mild weather, clear blue sky, fall hues, and sublime views seen along the way make autumn an ideal time to visit.

 

Accommodation During Nar Phu Trek

In Kathmandu and Pokhara, our package offers 3-star standard category accommodation. However, you can find an array of options to stay in these cities and we are flexible to make modifications as per the interest, budget, and convenience of our clients.

Along the trekking trail, you will stay in local-run teahouses or homestays that are basic and do not have modern amenities found in urban areas. But they are very neat and clean and particularly designed to provide trekkers with a warm and welcoming atmosphere to rest and recharge after a long day of hiking. Likewise, being run by natives, these teahouses and homestays allow you to experience the local culture firsthand.

Single Supplementary 

Although the package is based on a twin-sharing basis, we would be glad to design a package based on a single supplementary bedroom during the entire trip. This service would however require an additional cost.

Meals during Nar Phu Trek

During your stay in Kathmandu and Pokhara, breakfast will be included in the package. But for lunch and dinner, you have the freedom to explore the vibrant food scenes in these cities. From street food stalls to upscale restaurants, you will find something to suit your taste.

During the trek, you will have the chance to savor hearty meals that reflect local flavors and cuisine. Since it is a remote trek, the cuisine options typically include Nepali, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, and a few Western dishes. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included in the package during the trek. These meals are prepared in the teahouses with locally-grown fresh vegetables providing you with all the nutrients necessary for the hike.  We allow our clients to order their meals from the Menu as per their palate in a la carte system.

Drinking Water During Nar Phu Trek

In the lower region, you could find bottled mineral water but as you ascend further, natural Himalayan spring water and boiled spring water are available. You can purchase boiled spring water from the locals at nominal costs. You could also filter the Himalayan Spring water by yourself using chlorine drops, UV water purifiers, or water filter hand pumps. These filtration tools are not available on the trek and the travelers will have to bring them themselves if they wish to purify the water themselves.

Likewise, we recommend you carry a non-plastic water bottle to fill the water as it helps in sustainable tourism.

Nar Phu Valley Trek Route Map

Himalayan-Trekkers-Nar-Phu-Valley-Trek-Map

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Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.

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