Booking is open for 2024 and 2025 for all tours and trekking in Nepal.
Nar Phu Trek
5/5 based on 1 reviews
Booking is open for 2024 and 2025 for all tours and trekking in Nepal.
5/5 based on 1 reviews
Trip Duration
14 Days
Group Sizes
1 - 16 People
Difficulty
Easy
Max. Altitude
5320m
Activities
Meals
Accommodation
The Nar Phu Trek is one of the underrated trekking destinations in Nepal providing authentic and unmatched trekking experience of the lower Manang and the Himalayan region. This trek presents the visitors with an opportunity to experience the untouched and unmodernized region of Nar Phu along with unimaginable landscapes.
High peaks and mountains, glaciers, isolated settlements, winding canyons, beautiful woods, breathtaking formations of rock, yaks, monasteries, and distinctively Tibetan cultures may all be found on the walk traversing the Nar and Phu basins.
Very few foreigners have visited these essentially unexplored towns or ascended the several 7000-meter mountains that surround the region. The reason is that the Nar Phu Trek only opened in 2002, prior to that it was closed to any visitors.
The Manang District in north-central Nepal is home to the Nar Phu Trek. Rock and ice make up the majority of its surface, which is aesthetically rough and severe. Animal pasture land is certainly the valley’s most valuable land resource, therefore it should come as no surprise that animal husbandry plays a significant role in both Nar and Phu settlements’ family economics.
Commencing in Besisahar, the customary base for the Annapurna Circuit trek, the journey swiftly departs from paths with increased pedestrian traffic and enters the secluded Nar & Phu valleys.
You will also have the opportunity to stay a night at the Nar Phedi monastery and chill with Phu locals as they go on with their everyday lives as you pass through vibrant Tibetan chortens (Buddhist shrines) into steep valleys and gorges. These are the best approaches to get knowledge about living in Nepal’s highlands. During the Nar Phu Trek, if you feel extra adventurous, you may also ascend to the Base Camp of Himlung Himal.
In the early hours of the morning, we will depart from Kathmandu and go to Dharapani in a Vehicle. The opportunity to observe the countryside outside of Kathmandu is provided by this jeep excursion. We’re going off-road once we get to Besisahar. We will travel by enormous waterfalls and stunning canyons till we reach Koto.
The traditional beginning site of the Annapurna Circuit is Besisahar. Nowadays, though, most choose to start the walk higher up in the hills, as an asphalt path already connects Besisahar with the destinations of the first several days all the way up to Chame.
This group includes us: we would like not to begin our walk in Besisahar as it would require us to walk along the road with automobiles and lorries. It also lengthens the journey, and not in a pleasant way.
We are going to spend the night in Koto, which is also known as Qupar. Koto is a charming tiny town that is located next to the river of Marsyangdi upon the valley’s bottom.
We will be heading to the north, to Phu Valley, tomorrow, and Koto is the entry point. Still, the majority of trekkers will head west on the traditional Annapurna Circuit path. For a time, Koto is going to be the most buzzed-about town you visit; after that, the surroundings start to seem rather isolated.
Today’s transportation to the starting point of the trek will be covered by the Nar Phu Trek package. And so will the other transportation required by our itinerary.
We are heading north this morning towards the captivating Phu Valley. Thus we stray from the official Annapurna Circuit itinerary. There will be a noticeable decline in the overall number of trekkers in the Nar-Phu region, as they are not as popular as the areas of the major Annapurna Circuit.
When we leave Koto, we have to present our Nar Phu Trek permit at a government checkpoint. Next, we reach the Nar Valley via a suspension bridge that spans the Marsyangdi River. Currently, the trail nearly exclusively traverses inside a dark gorge beside the Nar River.
Hiking through rivers, waterfalls, streams of water, and dense pine forests will expose you to amazing natural phenomena. We traverse Dharamshala through increasingly sparse forest, and you’ll have to trek a sharp ascending path to get to Meta, a lovely village with up-close scenes of the peaks covered in snow. We will spend the night in Meta.
Our altitude rises on this walk by about a kilometer, one of the largest altitude gains on the Nar Phu trekking path.
Meta is situated close to the intersection of the Phu and Nar valleys. The people of Nar village utilize it as a winter residence. In addition, Kang Guru Peak (6,981 m) climbers utilize it as a base camp, it is a stunning peak with jagged and steep slopes.
The path continues along the slope and is relatively level for a few kilometers from Meta. We will then reach a trail intersection where Nar village will be reached by taking the left route. Not too long later, we will come to a little saddle topped with a tea shop and a camping area. This location is known as Junam Goth.
We will go past shrines erected atop enormous boulders and visit a Chorten (Buddhist shrines) near Jhunam, the site of a historic Khampa village. Khampa is used to term the villages that were a popular stop for Tibetan refugees during the China-Tibet war.
The route leaves Jhunam and heads up the glacier moraine on the opposite side to a chorten. From there, we will descend sharply into a side valley and then ascend once more to reach Chyako’s expansive former farmlands. There is a lovely campground there as well as two cabins. We will pass more empty fields and will be led by a series of chortens to a different Khampa village called Chyakhu.
We will have to traverse another valley beyond Chyako in order to reach Kyang’s ancient terrace hills, which provide an ideal camping area. There is a little lodge nearby that is open during the hiking season.
Kyang serves as the Phu village’s winter habitation. It offers breathtaking views of Tilje Peak, Gyaji Kang, Annapurna II, and Pisang Peak.
We will go north on this day, to the tip of Phu Valley and Phu Village, the settlement that has the same name. We will stay on the right-hand side of Phu River, frequently following a ledge chiseled into the edge of the rock.
This section of the Nar Phu Trek is not for anybody who can’t stand cliffs or heights. However, the otherworldly environment is immensely thrilling and satisfying for those with the ability to fantasize. Staying on the primary path is more practical, even if it involves some steep uphill sections where you have to make your way around rock cliffs.
The higher you ascend, the more treeless and arid the valley gets. You may be fortunate enough to spot bharals or blue sheep.
A crumbling fortress, chortens, colorful prayer flags, and historical caverns may all be found close to Phu village. You reach an access gate at the plateau of Phu after a hard rise with tight twists. A lengthy mani wall is past the gate, and then a long hanging bridge takes you across the river to the settlement of Phu.
Phu village is a genuinely amazing setting, reminiscent of a mythical paradise you can’t quite believe exists. It looks like a scenic picture that you would see on book covers. The little settlement, which consists of approximately forty houses, is perched dangerously on a hill where Phu Valley and an adjacent valley converge. The descent to the valley bottom is a dizzying experience.
Phu has little supplies because of its isolated setting at the mouth of a valley. All that people need to survive must be carried in by animals from Koto since there are no stores. The majority of the inhabitants go to communities farther down the valley during the winter, which lasts from early December to early March.
The village’s uppermost portion is dilapidated and abandoned. The area that was defended and subject to Tibetan attacks was this one.
We will retrace our steps today, all the way to the intersection of the Nar Valley in the Phu Valley. On the whole Nar Phu trek, this happens to be the sole occasion where you have to walk back the same route to continue the journey.
The walk today descends in height. Your entire system will benefit from this brief break and be better prepared for the elevation gain necessary in the ascent to Ngawal in a couple of days.
The journey is quite breathtaking when you enter Nar Valley. You pass the famed Zampa Cho Dzong, now in ruins, as well as mud structures. Additionally, you have to cross an overpass across an 80-meter-deep slot gorge.
As we spend the night in Nar Phedi Monastery, it will feel like a really special time. The outside of this traditional-style monastery, which has been decorated in gold, red, and white, contrasts sharply with the surrounding scenery. The columns have ornate, vibrantly painted caps, and in the sunlight, the gold shafts gleam like torches. The Anis of the convent are your hosts; they prepare your meals on an open flame.
We have a pretty calm day ahead of us. We will leave Nar Phedi Monastery by climbing up a steep slope that leads to Nar village. We will then enter the historic village by passing a row of beautifully colored chortens with wooden tops. Following that, we will reach the village during lunchtime. Nar is as gorgeous as it comes and is seldom frequented by hikers, despite being close to the major Annapurna circuit.
Throughout the day, you might come across the village junction, bustling with chattering women who are churning wool fabric for comforters and carpets on their traditional weavers. Nar is a little livelier and more gregarious than Phu. There are a couple of recently constructed teahouses outside of Nar where you may stay in a cozy guest house with a large menu.
We will begin as early as we can on this particular day because traversing the heights of Kang La is a difficult and lengthy task. The route above Nar begins with a gentle ascent that takes us into a broad valley with a little tea house. After that, there will be a level stretch and the first sharp rise, which culminates in a simple crossing of the river.
The actual climb to the pass’s summit then starts. We’ll ascend on a lovely, historic trail with a gentle grade. Despite this, the climb up is rather difficult because it reaches a height of almost 5,300 meters at the summit.
The height difference between the settlement of Ngawal and Kang La is greater than 1700 meters. During the initial section, you may take shortcuts across fine, crumbly rocks; a little farther downhill, you can follow the path’s right offshoot, which takes us along the summit of a ridge before rejoining the main pathway deeper in the valley.
The first Chorten is located above the settlement of Ngawal and may be reached via a wide, easy track along a rocky descent into a tiny ravine. At last, a set of steps made of big stones will descend to the settlement.
The journey to the medieval settlement of Ngawal from the top of Kang La takes around three hours. Prayer flags and chortens stand sentry at the summit of Ngawal (also known as Nyawal or Nawal). Additionally, an idol of Guru Rinpoche, a highly significant person in Tibetan Buddhism who resided there between the 8th and 9th centuries, can be found in a holy cave near the small town.
You can cutomize this trip as per your requirements if met the proper guidelines.
The lengthy days and high elevation gains make this a difficult journey. The lengthy days of walking are due to the limited possibilities for lodging along the route, which means that one has little freedom in the lengths that need to be covered every single day. The daily increases in altitude are rather sharp, and the human body’s response to altitude is seldom foreseeable.
The people who are strong, healthy, and have plenty of alpine trekking expertise would be the perfect candidates for this journey. As per our recommendation, prior experience is mandatory for this Nar Phu Trek. On a scale of 1 to 10, we would rate this trek 7.5.
Trekking in Nar Phu Valley is most enjoyable in the spring. It is not very hot or chilly; rather, the temperature is reasonable. This is a comfortable season for trekking. Everything resurrects during this season of flowering. Throughout the hike, the trees and wildlife keep you occupied. It’s comfortable and warm outside.
Springtime is your best option followed by Autumn, as the weather is generally clear during this time which means that you will get to enjoy the views of the trek more. However, occasional clouds might get in the view at times which is something we can not really predict.
No, a beginner can not join this Nar Phu Trek as it is a difficult trek even for some experienced trekkers. It is normally advised to have prior hiking experience for this journey since it will help you better grasp the challenges and prevent you from being exhausted.
Trekking hours are five to six hours per day; nonetheless, trekkers must walk eight hours to traverse the Kang La Pass. Similar risks accompany hiking in the Himalayan range such as erratic weather, blocked roads, sickness at high altitudes, etc. Though such incidents are uncommon, you still need to be aware of the risks.
Acute mountain sickness (A.M.S.), another name for altitude sickness, generally occurs when individuals ascend too fast at elevations above 3000 meters.
The majority of people will have some altitude-related symptoms, such as breathing difficulties and, surprisingly, mild headaches. Altitude sickness is quite distinct and typically manifests as a strong headache, nausea, and disorientation.
Being dehydrated can also cause slight headaches and lightheadedness in the Himalayan region, so make sure that you are well-hydrated throughout the Nar Phu trek.
There is a wide variety of lodging options for this hike. There are opportunities to stay in basic yet cozy hotels in Pisang. Due to the lack of development on this hiking route, lodge accommodations are often modest during the climb. Accommodations at Nar Phedi are available at the nearby monastery while the other villages have tea houses and guest houses available.
Since the tea houses are managed by the local villagers, you may anticipate a lifestyle that is comparable to that of the natives. Most of the rooms are designed to be shared by two people, and standalone accommodations are accessible with advance reservations. Considering the modest size of the room, there isn’t much, but you are going to enjoy a comfortable evening.
While not as lavish as those at well-developed trekking trails, the lunch selections on the Nar Phu trek are nonetheless rather good. Tibetan and Nepali cuisine is widely available. The most popular foods include momos, chow-mein, thenduk, thupka, dal bhat, and Tibetan bread. Your main meal on this journey will be Dal Bhat. It’s a tasty and wholesome choice. There are meat options as well, but before consuming any, find out from the proprietor the source of the meat.
You’ll get bread, eggs, veg soup, roti, porridge, oats, etc. for your morning meal. The cost of the munchies is quite costly, and there aren’t many tea stores along the walk. To keep you going throughout the hike, we advise bringing along your favorite energy bars, and beverages.
The Nar Phu trek package will not cover any drinking water expenses however, we will provide you with water purification tablets. In addition to that, we will also provide you with tea or coffee (based on your preference) every day.
As a part of the service, we will provide you with all the necessary land transportation required by our original itinerary. We will make sure that you do not have to pay anything extra for transportation to your starting point and from the ending point of the Nar Phu trek to Kathmandu.
To be specific, we will pick you up from the airport after you arrive at Kathmandu, drop you off at your hotel, pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the starting point of the trek, pick you up from Pisang and drive you to Besisahar, transport from Besisahar to Kathmandu, and finally drop you off at the international airport at the last day of the tour.
Anything outside of this is not going to be covered by the Nar Phu trek package.
In addition to being an exclusive region, Nar Phu Valley connects to a portion of the Annapurna Circuit trek. For traveling in the Nar Phu Valley, you must thus obtain both the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and the restricted area permit. This excursion does not require a TIMS card. Nar Phu Valley is a confined region since it is near the Tibetan border and has great ecological and cultural significance.
For this Nar Phu trip, you don’t have to be very athletic, but you should be able to trek the entire distance. The most crucial component of trekking is bodily condition; in case you are physically unfit, this journey will become an ordeal. For over a week, you will need to walk six to seven hours a day across uneven ground.
This journey will be easier if you are a habitual exerciser and can hike for extended periods of time. If your level of fitness is below average, however, you should work out before making the commitment to go on this walk. As per our recommendation, you should train for endurance for at least 2 or 3 weeks before you begin the Nar Phu trek.
Charging your gadgets is a possibility for most of the Nar Phu trek however, you might be charged a couple of dollars for charging your electronic devices. The same case applies to the Internet, internet is available in some lodges and guest houses but the owner might bill you for letting you use the Internet services.
One thing to note is that, as we get higher into the Nar Phu region, the amenities start decreasing. Just giving you a heads up to not get shocked if some lodges do not have Internet services. Also, the charging area can be in a communal spot such as a shared kitchen and not in your sleeping room.
Your extra expenses include flights (international and national), additional accommodations, tips for the guide and the porters, visa fees, any meals not mentioned in the food section, drinks except tea and coffee, lunch and dinner in Kathmandu, travel insurance, personal expenses billed by the lodges, medical insurance, and any other services not mentioned in the package.
We guarantee a safe hiking trip to the Nar Phu Valley because of the extensive experience and competence of our crew. All the essentials are included in our Nar Phu trek package, and you may customize the itinerary to suit your needs and finance.
The journey to Nar Phu Valley starts from Kathmandu and ends in Kathmandu. During this 14-day Nar Phu trek, you will be traveling through multiple remote villages that are influence by Tibetan and Nepalese culture. This mix of ideals and traditions give birth to a beautiful culture that you will get to experience during this Nar Phu trek.
Every two individuals in the group will share a porter while there will only be one guide for each group. Depending on the size of the group, we might have to add an assistant guide if your group has more than 6 members.
Our Nar Phu trek package is priced at $2205 per person. You will receive a breakdown of the billing after the trek ends so do not worry about hidden fees at all.
The season of spring is the best time for the Nar Phu trek, followed by the Autumn season.
Yes, the Nar Phu Trek itinerary can be changed but there are limitations for change.
Although the tour is 14 days long, you will be trekking for 8 days in a row.
As per the government restrictions, you cannot hike this trek solo as you are legally required to have a licensed guide to enter the Annapurna Conservation Area.
The trip was amazing
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