Nar Phu Valley Trek
Destination: Nepal
Grade: Strenuous
Season: Spring and autumn
Important Note and Optional activities
Please note: all the trekking itineraries are flexible and can be revised in order to best meet your requirements i.e. your time, interests etc. Please make contact us if you have any special requirements or interest.
The Nar and Phu valleys are relatively newly opened to trekkers, two spectacular valleys inhabited by ethnic Tibetans. The trek combines high peaks and passes, glaciers, remote villages, narrow canyons, lovely forests, amazing rock formations, yaks, gompas and unique Himalayan cultures. The valleys of Nar and Phu are found off the Annapurna Circuit trail. The trail is easily missed as the entrance is narrow and forested but once negotiated the valley system above opens up to a huge expanse of high snow-peaks, ancient villages and high altitude grazing settlements. Two long days of walking from the border of Tibet Tilman first explored this region in 1950s. Closed to trekkers until late 2002 very few westerners have explored these virtually untouched villages or climbed the many 7000-meters peaks that surrounded it. The trek is a camping only one camping along the way at the winter settlements of Nar and Phu, and a chance to visit some of the most unvisited and interesting villages in the Tibetan Buddhist world. Buddhist pilgrims from around Nepal might accompany us up to Phu to visit the renowned Tashi Lha Khang monastery and receive a blessing from Lama Karma Sonam Rinpochhe. Along with spending plenty of time at these colorful and timeless villages, we explore the high alpine valleys above Phu (including Himlung base camp for those who want to) and make a crossing of the Kang La pass(5315meter) from Nar to Ngwa then on to the Pisang route before heading back onto the Annapurna circuit. The trek continues on west to cross over the Thorong La pass (5416-meter) and then down through lower Mustang, where a few days are spent exploring before heading on to Jomsom and finally fly back to Pokhara and Kathmandu.
| Day 1 | Arrival in Kathmandu Welcome / pick up from airport / transfer to Hotel / Introductory program and briefing |
| Day 2 | A full day sightseeing tour of Kathmandu valley Sightseeing includes visits to many historical and architectural monuments within the Kathmandu Valley / preparation for trek. |
| Day 3 | Drive Kathmandu to Syange/ Jagat (1100 m) Early morning drive to Besisahar/Bhulbhule / from Besisahar or Bhulbhule / local villages and beautiful mountain scenery / from Syange trek Jagat / overnight in guesthouse. |
| Day 4 | Syange/Jagat trekking to Dharapani (1960 m) After breakfast / through jungle / trail follows bank of Marshyangdi River / mostly climbing / arrive in Tal and enter Manang district / trail continues through barley, rice, potato fields and pine forests / past village of Kodo on to Dharapani / big villages for the Manang valley / overnight in Dharapani. |
| Day 5 | Dharapani trekking to Koto: (2670 m) Trail climbs along the mule track / through fir forest / then follows the river for a time amongst the higher oak and maple trees / spectacular views of views of major Himalayan peaks / overnight in Koto. |
| Day 6 | Koto trekking to Dharmasala (3300m). Start Narphu valley trekking from Koto today /steep and narrow path / dense forest /cross the river leads to Narphu valley / beautiful pine forest with wide waterfall / arrive Dharmasala / several small shelters caves and a pilgrims / overnight camp at Dharmasala. |
| Day 7 | Dharmasala trekking to Kayang (3560m). Climb up the valley along the small river / arriving Meta (3700m) / non permanent winter settlement of Nar / through white rocks, low shrubs, junipers, scattered evergreen / great mountain views / pass Junam arrive Chako / formally a Khampa settlement. Overnight Kayang. |
| Day 8 | Kayang trekking to Phu village (4200m) Today steep descent / along river bank / chorten within the canyon and gorges to Phu gate and the three villages of Phu /overnight at camp. |
| Day 9 | Rest at Phu village for Acclimatization and for explore Phu valley. Trek up to the summer grazing settlement at Ngoru / interact with local people visit Gompa, overnight at camp. |
| Day 10 | Phu village Trekking to Nar (4150m) Trek back to Phu gate Kayang, Chyarkha and Junam / on to Nar / beautiful gorges / breathtaking scenery / pass wonderfully painted, bamboo topped Chorten / arrive Nar gate on top of the hill, overnight in camp at Nar. |
| Day 11 | Nar trekking to Kang La Phedi (4500m) Easy short trekking day / explore more Nar Village morning / trek to Kangla Phedi / through grazing field with a small stream on the left / mountains both sides of the stream / left breathtaking view of Pisang peak / overnight at the campsite of Kangla Phedi. |
| Day 12 | Kang La Phedi trekking up to Kang La pass (5315m) trek to Ngawal (3675m) Start early morning today for the Spectacular Kang la pass / magnificent view of Pisang peak, Annapurna II, Ganagapurna, Tilicho peak, and the airport at Khongde / crossing the Kang La Pass / head to Ngawal / wonderful old village / cobbled streets, prayer wheels and beautiful architecture. |
| Day 13 | Ngawal Trekking to Manang (3570m) Walk along flat valley banks of Marshyangdi River / past pine forest / farming terrace / beautiful village of Braga / monasteries, close view of Annapurna range and Tilicho peak / overnight in Manang. |
| Day 14 | Manang trekking to Letdar (4250m). Through alpine pastures / scrubby forests of juniper and rose / leave the Marshyangdi Valley / trail ascends up to Tenki / continue ascent to Letdar via Yak Kharka / overnight Letdar. |
| Day 15 | Letdar trekking to Phedi (4420m) or High camp (4600m). Trail continues climb / along the bank of the Jorsang Khola / possible to see herds of blue mountain sheep / overnight at Phedi or can continue climbing up to High camp / dependent on time. |
| Day 16 | Phedi or High Camp trekking to Muktinath (3800m). From Phedi trail becomes steep / switch backing up moraines / rocky ridges as it ascends to the pass / from the pass outstanding views / long great barrier ridged, Ganagapurna, Annapurna, Thorong peak Khatung Kang peak / From the top trail descends steeply down to Muktinath / most important pilgrimage sight for Hindus / home to many ethnic Tibetans and holy Buddhists / overnight at Muktinath. |
| Day 17 | Muktinath trekking to Jomsom (2715m) via Kagbeni (2810m). Easy walk / trail gradually down to Jharkot / fruit trees / finally arrive Kagbeni a gateway to Upper Mustang / lovely old village / chorten and ochre-colored gompas and monastery / visit red walled kagchode Tibetan Sampheling Gompa founded in 1429 / lunch in Kagbeni / continue trekking to Jomsom windy trail in Kaligandaki valley / overnight at Jomsom. |
| Day 18 | Jomsom flight to Pokhara Early morning flight to Pokhara / transfer hotel / leisure / boating /paragliding / zip lining. |
| Day 19 | Pokhara to Kathmandu Drive back / to Kathmandu / transfer hotel. |
| Day 20 | As per your flight schedule / transfer to airport / flight to onward destination. |
