Nar Phu Valley Trek 10 Days
  • Duration
    10 Days
  • Max. Altitude
    5,240m.
  • Trip Grade
    Moderate
  • Activity
    Tours, Hiking
  • Group Size
    8 People Max

Nar Phu Valley Trek 10 Days

The Nar Phu Valley Trek combines high passes and peaks, isolated villages, narrow gorges, stunning rock formations, yaks, monasteries, and unique ethnic Tibetan cultures. The Nar Phu Valley was closed to visitors until late 2003 when very few trekkers discovered these completely untouched villages.

Starts at Besisahar: the traditional starting point of the Annapurna Circuit Trek – the trek quickly separates from the more foot-traffic routes and the Nar Phu valleys. Passing through colorful Tibetan stupas and prayer wheels in deep canyons, you’ll have the chance to hang out with local villagers in Phu while they’re doing their day-to-day activities, as well as overnight in the Nar Phedi monastery. These are the ultimate ways to learn about the deep life in the Himalayas of Nepal. Optionally, there’s also a hike up to Himlung Himal BC if you feel up to it.

The last few days of the trek take you over the Kang La Pass, and then back to Ngawal, a popular place on the main Annapurna Circuit trek, giving you the chance to enjoy the comfort of your home. The surrounding area becomes greener and more fertile on the final stretch, before returning by vehicle to Kathmandu.

Highlights

  • Experience the part of the Tibetan plateau that extends to Nepal.
  • Stay in ancient villages, which have seen little change over the centuries.
  • Enjoy the magnificent views of Annapurna II, HimlungHimal, Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak.
  • Discover the Tibetan culture, with unique and colorful prayer stones and monasteries.

    Useful Info

    Accommodation

    Accommodations are provided on a twin-sharing basis. If you are a solo traveler, a single supplement will be served. Accommodations during the trek in the Himalayas, you will be staying at basic mountain lodges where you’ll have a nice and clean room with warm blankets, pillows, and comfortable matrices (matrices may not be very thick in size but they’re comfortable).

    Meals

    During the trek, we can enjoy authentic Nepalese food as well as the more common international cuisine (Tibetan, Continental, Italian, Indian, etc.). Breakfast and dinner will be served from a lodge menu where we spend the night whereas lunch will be served on the way to the next destination. All meals will be provided during trekking, there will also be a farewell dinner.

    Best Time to Visit

    The best time to visit the Himalayas is between September to December and March to May, when the skies are clear blue and the views spectacular. The weather remains dry until about May, with temperatures varying between regions.

    Nepal is good for trekking throughout the year. Autumn and spring seasons are the most famous trekking seasons in the Himalayan region of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. It has beautiful, cool, blue skies, clear weather conditions, and amazing views of the white mountains and the countryside.

    During the spring season, this time of year offers a breathtaking view of the Rhododendron flowers and lush forests.

Itinerary

1

Arrival in Kathmandu

You will be met at the Kathmandu Airport by our staff or representative who will take you to your hotel.

Meanwhile, you can take your time to stroll around Thamel, the heart of the traveler’s hub in Kathmandu with its cafes, bars, shops and restaurants. This is a great place to buy souvenirs or snacks for your trip. In the evening you will meet your guide.

  • Accommodation
    Optional
  • Meal
    No
  • Max. Altitude
    1,400m
  • Time
    Rest day
2

Free day, trek preparations and gear check

It’s free for sightseeing in Kathmandu today. You may want to visit Durbar Square in the heart of the old town, where the old Royal Palace with its intricate woodcarving is located. The whole area is a labyrinth of temples and images. The narrow alleys that lead away from the square in all directions, full of the most amazing variety of shops and stalls. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites, including the historic Bhaktapur Durbar Square, the famous Monkey Temple Swayambhunath and the Buddhist Shrine Buddhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world.

Today, there will also be a trip briefing with gear check. If you need to rent or buy equipment locally, there will be time to do this today.

  • Accommodation
    Optional
  • Meal
    Optional
  • Max. Altitude
    1,400m
  • Time
    Free day
3

Drive to Koto

Drive early in the morning to Besisahar. After lunch, change to a 4WD drive vehicle for an off-road journey to Koto. The road can be challenging for both passengers and drivers, but this is the most scenic route! It travels along the old Annapurna Circuit trek, through stunning gorges and breathtaking waterfalls.

  • Accommodation
    Optional
  • Meal
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Max. Altitude
    2,600m
  • Time
    7 – 8 hours
4

Trek to Meta (3,560m)

Start the day early, because there is a lot of distance to cover. Cross the river and enter the Nar and Phu valleys. Towns on the nearby Annapurna Circuit are relatively well developed, but this is not the case in these valleys. Today’s hike passes through beautiful forests, past small cave shelters and resting places for pilgrims.

The trail appears from a narrow canyon under a wide waterfall, from which the woods become thinner and the views wider. The last stretch to Meta involves climbing a steep hill from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of some of the giant snowy peaks in the region.

Meta is located on a large open plain and consists of a few simple but clean lodges offering good food.

  • Accommodation
    Lodge
  • Meal
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Max. Altitude
    3,560m
  • Time
    7 hours
5

Trek to Phu (4,080m)

Hiking out of Meta, some of the unique, colorful Tibetan Buddhist stupas that Nar and Phu are famous for start to appear in sight. The trail passes along the ridge with a good view of the magnificent Nar Phedi Monastery, where you’ll stay in a few days time. After another ninety minutes of hiking through scenic canyons and gorges, you will reach a monolith guarding the steep trail up to Phu.

From here, you can get your first view of the three villages in the area, as well as the old “dzong” (Tibetan-style castle) and the remains of two ruined forts, impressively situated above the flatlands in front of the village. A line of beautiful stupas color the landscape just before crossing the bridge to Phu.

  • Accommodation
    Lodge
  • Meal
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Max. Altitude
    4,080m
  • Time
    6 hours
6

Rest day / Discover Phu

It’s good to spend an acclimatization day in Phu because of the high altitude. Explore the small alleys of the town or hike up to HimlungHimal Base Camp. Phu itself is an interesting village, and a day is spent sitting with the villagers, spinning their yak and sheep’s wool, pounding mustard seeds into oil paste, or doing their other daily tasks.

For an extra challenge, a hike to HimlungHimal Base Camp takes you through the glacial valley. It’s 7125 m. Peak has recently been opened for climbing. On the trail up, you’ll see herds of blue sheep clambering up the steep cliffs. The return journey takes about four hours.

  • Accommodation
    Lodge
  • Meal
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Max. Altitude
    4,080m
  • Time
7

Trek to Nar Phedi (3,490m)

Take the route back down to Meta, but turn off at the monastery off at the Nar Phedi, which will be your overnight accommodation. Actually, the monastery is all that Nar Phedi consists of!

The rooms are clean and tidy and the nuns are very welcoming. Join them in the kitchen and watch them prepare a modest fireplace for dinner. Usually they do a puja (blessing) at 5 p.m., which you are welcome to witness. There is a small donation box in the monastery where you can leave a contribution to the maintenance of this beautiful and friendly place.

  • Accommodation
    Lodge
  • Meal
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Max. Altitude
    3,490m
  • Time
    6 hours
8

Trek to Nar Village (4,110m)

It’s a very gentle day today. Climb out of Nar Phedi and follow a winding path up the hill to Nar. Pass a line of beautifully painted bamboo chortens on the way to the ancient village. Arrive in the town around lunch time. Although Nar is not far from the main Annapurna trail, it is rarely visited by hikers and is as picturesque as it is.

Nar is a little more social and livelier than Phu, and during the day you can find the village’s square teeming with chatting women with their backstrap weaving woolen fabrics for rugs and blankets. With a few new teahouses built on the outskirts of Nar, you can stay in a comfortable lodge with an extensive menu.

  • Accommodation
    Lodge
  • Meal
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Max. Altitude
    4,110m
  • Time
    5 - 6 hours
9

Trek to Ngawal via the Kang La Pass (5,240m)

Today is a long day, so get up before sunrise and head to Kang La Pass, which leads back to the popular Annapurna Circuit. It’s not a difficult pass, but it can be a long day as the effects of altitude will be felt.

Once at the summit of the pass, you can enjoy a wonderful view of Annapurna II, Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak. The trail down starts steep, but if you enjoy scree running, you can have some fun! Stop for lunch on a plateau overlooking the peak, then continue towards Ngawal.

Ngawal, on the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna circuit, is certainly very different from the ancient villages that had just been visited. The lodges are large, the menus are much more comprehensive, and Wifi and phone signals will be available in most lodges.

  • Accommodation
    Lodge
  • Meal
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Max. Altitude
    5,240m
  • Time
    7 – 8 hours
10

Trek to Pisang and drive to Kathmandu

The weather gets much warmer and the greener scenery as you go down from the pass more than 2000 m. Start the last few hours of hiking early to reach Pisang. The trail is wide and comfortable, passing a lovely lake outside Pisang. Stop for a quick snack in the village and drive back to Kathmandu on a four-wheel drive.

  • Accommodation
    Lodge
  • Meal
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  • Max. Altitude
    5,240m
  • Time
    7 – 8 hours
11

Free day / Fly to home

Enjoy the city’s luxuries again! Spend the afternoon shopping in Thamel for souvenirs, or simply relax.

In the evening, we will have a farewell dinner in a typical Nepalese restaurant with culture show.

The time has come to say goodbye to Nepal. A representative will meet you at your hotel and take you to the Airport for your return flight home.

  • Accommodation
  • Meal
  • Max. Altitude
  • Time

What to Expect

What's Included

  • Airport transfers pick-up and drop-off.
  • Nar Phu Valley Trek restricted area permits (USD 100 per week, per person from Septto Nov. It’s USD 75 from Dec to Aug).
  • Transportation from and to Kathmandu by local bus/jeep (upgrade to private Jeep – USD 175 total, one way).
  • All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek.
  • All accommodations during the trek.
  • English speaking Sherpa trek guide.
  • Staff insurance and necessary ground transport for support staffs.
  • Porter to carry your luggage during the trek (1 porter for 2 trekkers).
  • Magical Summits duffel bag.
  • Hiking pole for the trek, if needed.
  • Trek map.
  • Farewell dinner including a cultural show.

What's Excluded

  • International airfare and Nepal entry visa.
  • Tips for guide and porter (tipping is expected).
  • Travel insurance which covers emergency Rescue and Evacuation.
  • Any others expenses which are not mentioned on the ‘Included’ section.

FAQs

1. How difficult is the Nar Phu Valley trek?

Nar Phu Valley is a remote, and isolated trekking destination which takes up to 5200 meters and must go through and several up hills and downhills. This trek is a moderate to demanding trek grade.

2. What type of experience do I need to be in, is this trip for me?

3. Do I need a trekking guide for the trek?

US$ 1185 per pax
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