Discover Tibetan's treasures hide in Nar and Phu Valley

Nar Phu Valley Trek

The remote Nar Phu Valley Trek stands between the more well-known Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit Trek but to our surprise hides Tibetan-style villages that are remote in both time and space. You’ll trek through silent forests or trails carved along rock cliffs while seeing Himalayan Blue Sheep on the hillside, something you won’t find other popular teahouse treks. For those seeking a hard but untouched trek, the Nar Phu Valley Trek is ideal, as it goes across one of the highest passes in the area – the Kang La (5320m), where you’ll have an amazing view of Annapurna Himalaya.

Difficulty

Hard

Duration

13

Elevation

5320

Start

Koto

Place You'll See!

Highlights

Itinerary

On arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, you will be greeted by a driver who will transfer you to your hotel in Thamel, the tourist center of Kathmandu. After settling in, the rest of the day is free for you to explore this corner of the city with an abundance of shopping streets sell many things from trekking equipment to souvenirs.

Spend the night at Hotel.

For those arriving early today you have the option to explore Asan Bazaar market, a local market, and a historical location nearby Thamel, another recommended sight to see in Kathmandu’s Durbar Square which is within walking distance from Asan Bazaar.

Included:

  • Private meet & greet airport transfer on arrival

Average Driving Distance: 6.5 km / 4 mi.

Enjoy an early breakfast at the hotel before being picked up by your guide for a day out exploring the Kathmandu Valley visiting some of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Visit the historic city of Bhaktapur Durbar Square. Make a kora around Bouddhanath stupa. Witness the cremation of Hindus along the holy river of Bagmati inside the Pashupatinath temple. These are experiences for you to have a great overview of Kathmandu, a melting pot between Hinduism and Buddhism.

In the late afternoon, get introduced to the trek leader and discuss our trip at Top1Trekking’s office.

Spend the night at Hotel in Thamel

Included:

Average Driving Distance: 39 km / 24 mi.

Average Travel & Exploring Duration: 7-8 Hours

Start the day bright and early as you have a full day of driving to the trailhead at Koto. Drive first to Besisahar on black-topped roads and arrive in time for lunch.

Enjoy lunch then change to a Jeep for the rugged journey to Koto. The dusty road travels along the old Annapurna Circuit trek route but we will be rewarded with scenic views of amazing gorges and waterfalls.

Spend the night at the mountain lodge in Koto.

Included: 

  • Private vehicle to Besisahar
  • Four-wheel vehicle to Koto
  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in mountain lodges

Average Driving Distance: 236 km / 147 mi.

Average Driving Duration: 11 – 12 Hours

Start today’s walk early as it will be long, the trail begins at the town’s exit ‘kani’ entering forests then following the riverside with some section of the trail is cut out of rock cliff.

The trail mostly goes through dense pine forests in the shade of a deep gorge like fairy tales. Crossing a suspension bridge, continue to the east side of Nar Khola until reaching Chhongche Cave where we stop for lunch.

Trail keep on the right side of the river, cross a side stream and another suspension bridge to the west bank of the river then you pass the Hulaki Oda Cave. After crossing the river again when you reach the waterfall that the trail passes under it then later arrive at the ACAP campsite of Dharamsala (3,220m)

Dharamsala still stays inside the shade of the deep gorge and not the nice spots to overnight. We continue through the forest then start the final ascent to Meta (3620m) where the view is opened up with Lamjung Himal, Koto Peak, and Annapurna II come into sight.

Spend the night at the mountain lodge in Meta.

Included: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in tea houses/lodges

Ascent 1554m, Descent 560m

Average Trekking Duration: 8 Hours

Much of today’s energy is spent on ascending and descending several mountain ridges and crossing streams.

From Meta, set out on the trail on the right side of the Phu Khola, you will hear less river sound as the trail is high above. Look to the left side, there is a monastery where you will stay on the way back, soon the trail comes to the junction which leads there.

Steadily climb on your own pace you will reach a chortens and abandoned Khampa settlement of Jhunum (3707m) had gone to ruin.

Continue to descend into the river and climb up for one more hour to Chyaku (3,800m), another former Khampa settlement where you stop for lunch.

Now your energy has been recharged, continue to climb up and down, cross two more suspension bridges you make the final ascent to the top of mountain ridges where there is a great view of a meadow of Kyang (3887m), another former Khampa settlement used by people from Phu village in the winter.

Spend the night at mountain lodge in Kyang

Included: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in tea houses/lodges

Ascent 1120m, Descent 656m

Average Trekking Duration: 5 Hours

Enjoy morning in Kyang with great mountain views of Pisang Peak (6091m), Annapurna II (2973m), Gyaji Kang (7030m) and the Tilje Peak (6530m)

The trail towards Phu goes through a narrow gorge with some part of the trail is carved on the cliff wall. Grab your chances of spotting blue sheep grazing on hillsides.

Pass several Buddhist chortens, continue along the river to a huge rock spire from a ‘mountain gate’ to Phu region, going up to the real gate of Phu is another 20 min climb.

Trail pass ruined dzong (Tibetan-style fortress) accessible by a scary bridge, cross a big mani wall painted in blue. You will see a long suspension bridge across to another site where the village of Phu (4070m) is located on the high eroded cliff.

Devote some time to explore Phu village, there are more houses and barley fields higher up. You might see people do local farming or herding their yak.

Spend the night at mountain lodge in Phu

Included: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in tea houses/lodges

Ascent 230m

Average Trekking Duration: 3-4 Hours

On a hilltop just next to Phu village, there is Tashi Lhakhang Gompa (4150m) and a line of thirteen colorful chortens.

Here there is an excellent view of the Phu village and mountain: To the north is pyramid-shaped Bhrikuti peak, there is a salt caravan trail to Tibet which takes 2 days. A day trip to Himlung Himal Base Camp pass through glacier valley (only if you look for another challenge)

Spend the night at mountain lodge in Phu

Included: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in tea houses/lodges

Ascent 100m, Descent 100m

Average Trekking Duration: 2-3 Hours

Return the same way on the way up past Kyang then Chyaku where you will stop for lunch. Chyaku is a nice Khampa settlement built on a small hill with a great view of several mountain gorges both to the north and to the south, the river is right down below.

The trail continues to Jhunum then turns off to the right branches lead to Nar, enters forest then drops down on sandy trail which crosses over a scary bridge, you might not want to look down on deep gorge. Make the final ascent to Nar Phedi (3,490m).

Spend the night at Nar Phedi monastery

Included: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in tea houses/lodges

Ascent 250m, Descent 700m

Average Trekking Duration: 6-7 Hours

The steep climb to Nar will start right away for almost two hours till you reach the first gate of Nar.

After the gate, the trail continues ascent on the flatter part with fantastic views of Pisang Peak, climbs again, and passes a wall and gate that protecting the meadow of Nar preventing Yak to go down to the lower area.

Shortly after the wall, you will see a row of several chortens and a big stupa (4140m), turn back to see the snowy peak of Kanguru Himal.

Turn around the corner for 30 mins till the village of Nar (4180m) and its barley fields. Nar is larger and lively than Phu. Explore the villages where you will see goats running down on the narrow street, out in the fields.

Spend the night at mountain lodge in Nar

Included: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in teahouses/lodges

Ascent 700m, Descent 30m

Average Trekking Duration: 3-4 Hours

Start the day early in the morning from 5:00 AM we leave Nar then take the gentle climb through the valley, Pisang Peak is on our left side. 3 hours from Nar we will reach Kang La Phedi (4620m).

Take few minutes to rest in Kang La Phedi then continue to cross a stream then climb steeply more nearly 2 hours, later on, flatter part you will reach the first of 20 poles (18 poles waiting ahead to the top)

Cross the river to the right side then climb up a steep trail to a small lake with fine views of Himlung, Kanguru, Manaslu.

Make the final ascent on the zigzags trail to the top of Kang La 5320m. You will be welcome with incredible views over Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.

Trail descent is incredibly steep then later down on the open valley, you will have awesome views of Annapurna II. It will take 4 hours descent till you reach Ngawal (3680m)

Spend the night at mountain lodge in Ngawal

Included: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in tea houses/lodges

Ascent 1380m, Descent 1930m

Average Trekking Duration: 10-11 Hours

Enjoy your last day walking in the mountain on the trail from Ngawal to Pisang where we will stop for lunch.

Take a jeep drive to Besisahar where the first comfortable hot shower is waiting for you.

Spend the night at Mountain Gateway Hotel in Besisahar

Included: 

  • Breakfast, Lunch in tea houses/lodges

Average Trekking Duration: 3-4 Hours

Average Driving Duration: 6-7 Hours

Average Driving Distance: 79 km/ 49 mi.

Drive back to the city of Kathmandu takes 6 hours, explore the shopping center of Thamel to grab some souvenirs.

Spend the night at Hotel in Thamel

Included: 

  • Breakfast: at the Hotel
  • Dinner: Traditional Nepal food at the restaurant

Average Driving Duration: 6 Hours

Average Driving Distance: 172 km / 107 mi.

When it’s time for your adventure to end, you will be picked up from your hotel by our staff about three hours before your flight.

If you are interested in extending your stay, we can book extra nights and activities in the Kathmandu area or even combine this tour with a visit to one of our other destinations in Nepal.

Included:

  • Breakfast: Continental Breakfast Buffet at the Hotel
  • Private Transfer to Tribhuvan International Airport on Departure

Average Driving Distance: 6.5 km / 4 mi.

Payment conditions

Trip Information

Season

Due to the region sits in the Himalayan rain shadow, this trek is doable from Mar to Nov. In the Winter (Dec to Feb) the people from Nar and Phu villages move down to lower altitudes so mountain lodges may not be opened and the Kang La is usually closed.

September to October

The best time of the year to do the Nar Phu Valley trek is September and October with a high success rate of crossing the Kang La Pass.

Mar to May

Another good time to visit the region but if you need few backup days to make sure you have enough time to cross the pass. There is a risk of an avalanche during springtime.

June to August

The trek is feasible during monsoon time but the mountain can be obscured by clouds

Variations

If you have a few more days, a side trip to Tilicho Lake is highly recommended. From Ngawal, change the route to Manang then continue to the great ice lake. After the lake, you can either continue the trek to Muktinath (require one-night camping) or back to Manang.

Another option is to join the Annapurna Circuit route from Ngawal toward Muktinath via Thorung La pass.

Difficulty

Due to the region being located in a far remote corner, the distance between one tea house and another is quite long making this one of the most challenging treks in the region.

The crossing the Kang La (5320m) is not technically difficult but the day will be long with almost 11 hours ascent/descent from Nar.

This trek would best suit those who have experiences trekking in the mountains.

Permits

Permit costs $90 USD per week per person from September to November. From December to August, it’s $75 USD.

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