17 days and 16 nights
Specific Tour
1 person
English, Hindi, Nepali
Located near Chame, the Nar Phu trek will bring you to the isolated villages of Nar and Phu in the spectacular Annapurna region of Nepal. Inhabited by Khampas (Tibetan refugees), this virgin territory lets one soak in an extraordinary lifestyle. During the trek, one gets to see stunning views of high snow-capped mountains, yaks, deep gorges, narrow canyons, lovely forests, and great glaciers including Kang La (5,200m) and Thorong La (5,416m) high passes. The trail also includes a nice and refreshing bath at Tatopani’s natural hot springs.
The journey starts by driving from Kathmandu to Jagat and then taking the Annapurna Circuit trail upwards to Meta. At Meta, we will cross a bridge over the Marshyangdi River leading us into Nar Phu Valley. The cramped woodland trail gives way to views of spectacular snow-capped peaks like Kang Garu and Pisang as it winds its way past age-old villages and monasteries, with opportunities to spot yak and blue sheep herds. Having explored the alpine Nar Valley, we crossed Kang La Pass to get into Ngwala Village, and then returned back to Annapurna Circuit for our continuation to Manang. From here, our journey leads us first to Yak Kharka, and then to Thorong Phedi, where we take an ideal rest for the final attack to Thorong La Pass.
Crossing Thorong La pass will take you to Muktinath, which is one of the great Hindu pilgrimage sites and equally revered by the Buddhists; it is well known for its 108 holy sprouts and eternal flame. From Muktinath, we head to Jomsom and then Tatopani where we can relax in hot springs. After a night in Tatopani, drive back to Pokhara. Next day morning you will drive back to Kathmandu after great trekking.
After an early morning breakfast, we drive 6-7 hours (190 km) to Besisahar from Kathmandu. The bus journey via the local bus, along the Trishuli River, shows the tapestry of terraced fields, old traditional villages, and mountains that seem to touch the sky—Ganesh and Manaslu peaks.
Leaving the main highway to Pokhara behind, we head north to Besisahar. From here, we continue further north through lush paddy fields until we reach the Tibetan-style village of Jagat.
Post breakfast early in the morning, we begin our uphill journey towards Chame. We cross a suspension bridge on the way and subsequently, follow the steep, rocky path to Tal Village. You will be able to see some beautiful waterfalls from here. Then, we will continue our journey across another suspension bridge to lower Dharapani. A little further ahead is higher Dharapani, where we would overnight stay.
You will reach Nar Phu Valley, a journey of about four to five hours in length. The trail goes up through pine and fir forests with several monasteries and traditional villages on the way beside Bargarchhap. From Bargarchhap, you can see magnificent landscapes of Annapurna II, Manaslu, and other majestic peaks. Then, the path continues through the lush pine forests until you reach Koto, a beautiful village inhabited by the Gurung Community.
After registering our restricted area permits at the Koto police check post, we hike along the banks of Soti Khola through delightful pine forests, many suspension bridges, and cascading waterfalls to reach Dharamshala in about five hours.
The forest thins out beyond Dharamshala, and the vistas open out. We continue climbing about an hour and a half steeply through the woods, further climbing steeply to the Tibetan Plateau's Meta village, from where you get brilliant views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.
The trail constantly ups and downs, crosses a suspension bridge, and reaches Chyaku. The further climb offers magnificent views of Annapurna, then it enters Kyang with breathtaking views of Pisang Peak and Annapurna II. Now, you follow a rocky trail besides Phu Khola, passing submarine rocks and a few campsites to reach Phu Gate, the entrance to Phu Village.
Nar and Phu villages are famous for their own peculiar blue sheep, as well as their rich cultural and religious traditions. In Phu Village, we will drop by Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, enhancing the beauty of the area. We can also enjoy great views of several Himalayan ranges, including Himlung Himal, from Phu Village.
From Phu Gaon, we start and head towards Nar village, passing through two high passes, namely Phu Pass at 5,050 meters and Nar Pass at 5,400 meters. A few suspension bridges will be crossed in the course of the trek; one of them is the big Mahendra Pul over streams. A lot of scenery around this trail makes available abundant views of Pisang Peak and many other grand mountains.
We will spend a day acclimatizing in Nar, providing the perfect opportunity to rest and explore the village, its people, traditions, and culture. Nar village is home to several monasteries and chortens. You may be surprised to learn that at least one child from each family in Nar studies Buddhism.
From Nar, we make a steep ascent up the lateral moraine of Temdenzon Khola following a nice path that winds through yak pastures with amazing views of the west ridge of Pisang Peak. We continue to Jhombu Kharka, also known as Kang La Phedi, which is literally the base of Kang La Pass.
We will ascend gradually to Kang La Pass from Kang La Phedi. The path is steep, but it's okay, and it probably takes two hours to cross. On top of the Kang La Pass, beautiful landscapes, in addition to Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, can be viewed. Then we descend and walk about for three hours to Ngawal Village, where our night stay will be.
Next, we leave Ngawal and reach Manang along the Marsyangdi River, following its scenic banks. The journey takes you through different forests and some nice villages like Braga and Paugh, with beautiful views of Tilicho Peak and the Annapurna range. Then, at Mungli, our trail rejoins the principal paths of Annapurna. We still have some ways to trek until we reach today's destination: Manang.
From Manang, we cross the stream to reach Tenki village and continue northwest out of the Marsyangdi Valley into Jar Sang Khola Valley. The trail now slowly rises as we traverse pasture and juniper trees. At this altitude, we reach the small settlement of Gunsan. Its houses come with flat mud roofs, and its people raise yaks along with horses, so you are likely to see them grazing in nearby pastures. We take a small stream as the way, cross over it on a wooden bridge, ascend beautiful valleys to finally reach an open and tranquil meadow known as Yak Kharka.
We head out to Thorong Phedi today, literally the foot of Thorong La Pass. From Yak Kharka, ascend to a ridge and then down to Marsyangdi River on a wooden bridge. Continue along the mountain path, and the path follows a narrow trail along the slope, then reaches Thorong Phedi.
We are going to attack one of the highest passes in the world and therefore the climax of this trek: Thorong La Pass. Right from dodging in the icy air, steep ascends, and altitudinal heights, the vistas from the top of Thorong La Pass pay off for the pain undertaken. Lurching ahead, you get a full view of an absolutely beautiful panorama of majestic Himalayan peaks stretching north into Tibet, while behind you lie several Annapurna ranges. Then, we drop quite steeply down to Muktinath—it takes about 3 to 4 hours.
Muktinath is a holy place for both Hindus and Buddhists. In Tibetan, Buddhists call it Chumig Gyatsa, which literally means "Hundred Waters." In fact, the Muktinath temple complex features a hundred water sprouts with an eternal flame.
We begin our descent to Ekle Bhatti Village, followed by visits to Jharkot and Khingar villages, where you can explore several beautiful monasteries. Continuing along the banks of the Kali Gandaki River, we will pass through Kagbeni on our way to Jomsom. The trail offers spectacular views of Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri mountains throughout the journey.
From Jomsom, we catch a local bus to Tatopani. This exhilarating bus ride passes through some of the world's deepest gorges, starting from arid high-altitude landscapes and gradually entering lush lowlands full of jungles and farmland.
The trail continues with stunning views out over the Kali Gandaki River, which lies between Annapurna—the 10th highest peak in the world—and Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest. Tatopani is famous for its natural hot springs, where you can relax your tired muscles with a soothing soak.
Early in the morning, we take a seven-hour bus or jeep ride from Tatopani to Pokhara via Beni Bazaar. Dubbed the tourist capital of Nepal, Pokhara is a city that has, quite literally, something for everyone. There's so much to explore and enjoy in this vibrant city!
We get up early today to board a tourist bus to Kathmandu. The 200 km journey at the beginning follows the Marsyangdi River, which is a very scenic river, then continues along the Trishuli River, also very beautiful, with views of landscapes, traditional villages, and terraced farms. Finally, with the last upward surge, you will be back in Kathmandu, where this trek originally started.
The best time to trek the Nar Phu Valley is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) seasons. During these periods, the weather is stable, and the skies are clear, providing excellent views of the Himalayan peaks and pleasant trekking conditions.
Yes, you need special permits for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. These include the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Nar Phu Valley Restricted Area Permit. These permits are essential to enter and trek in the restricted areas of Nar and Phu villages.
The Nar Phu Valley Trek is considered a moderate to strenuous trek. It involves walking on rugged trails, crossing high passes such as Kang La Pass (5,306m), and trekking at high altitudes. Previous trekking experience and good physical fitness are recommended.
During the trek, accommodation is provided in teahouses and lodges. These are basic but comfortable, offering twin-sharing rooms and communal dining areas. In Kathmandu and Pokhara, you will stay in 3-star hotels with modern amenities.
Meals during the trek typically include breakfast, lunch, and dinner served at the teahouses. The food is nutritious and includes local dishes such as dal bhat (rice and lentils), noodles, soups, and momo (dumplings). Vegetarian options are widely available.
Yes, acclimatization is crucial for the Nar Phu Valley Trek due to the high altitudes. The itinerary includes acclimatization days in Phu Gaon and Nar Gaon to help trekkers adjust to the altitude and reduce the risk of altitude sickness.
Essential items to pack include a good-quality trekking backpack, warm clothing (layers), a sleeping bag, sturdy trekking boots, a first aid kit, water purification tablets, and trekking poles. It is also advisable to carry a down jacket, gloves, and a hat for cold weather.
Yes, travel insurance is mandatory for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. The insurance should cover high-altitude trekking, emergency evacuation, medical expenses, and trip cancellations. Ensure your policy is comprehensive and valid for the entire duration of the trek.
To prepare for the Nar Phu Valley Trek, engage in regular cardiovascular exercises such as running, swimming, and cycling. Strength training and hiking on varied terrains will also help build the stamina and muscle strength needed for the trek. Aim for at least three months of preparation.
The Nar Phu Valley Trek offers rich cultural experiences, including visits to ancient Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, interactions with local villagers, and insights into traditional lifestyles. You will experience the unique culture and heritage of the people living in these remote Himalayan regions.
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