Nar Phu Valley Trek

Nepal Hiking Adventure > Packages > Nar Phu Valley Trek

Trip Highlights

Tour Overview

Nar Phu Valley trek goes through the Nar & Phu valleys that combines high peaks and passes, glaciers, remote villages, narrow canyons, splendid forests, amazing rock formations, yaks, gompas, and unique ethnically Tibetan cultures. Closed at trekkers until late 2002, very few outsiders have explored these virtually untouched villages or climbed the many 7000 meter peaks surrounding them. Starting at Besisahar — the traditional starting point for the Annapurna Circuit — the trek quickly diverges from routes with more foot-traffic and into at the remote Nar & Phu valleys.

Passing colorful Tibetan chortens and prayer stones goes into deep canyons and gorges, you will get the chance and hang out with villagers in Phu while they go about their daily activities, as well as spend a night at the Nar Phedi monastery. These are ideal ways to learn about life deep in the mountains of Nepal. There is also the option to hike up at the Himlung Himal Base Camp if you’re feeling up to it. The last couple of days of the trek take you over the high Kang La Pass, and then down again to Ngawal, a popular stop at the main Annapurna Circuit route, thus giving you a chance to enjoy some ‘home comforts’ again. The surroundings become greener and more fertile on the last stretch, before returning by vehicle through Besisahar.

Detail Itinerary

Day : 1 Arrival in Kathmandu

The first day of Nar Phu Valley Trek itinerary. Flying in Kathmandu, you'll have great views of the Himalaya and of the terraced fields and hillsides, below. After going through the formalities customs, a representative will be waiting to greet you and drive you at your hotel.

After you've settled in, you'll have time to explore from the city. Recommended sights to see at your first day include Kathmandu’s Durbar Square and its narrow alleyways teeming with small shops, ancient temples, and local restaurants, and also Swayambhunath temple, where you can watch the sunset over the valley and the Himalayas at your north.

The tourist hub of Thamel is a good place to take your first meal, with a variety of restaurants to choose from offering both Western as well as local Nepali dishes. This is the very first step to your journey to Nar Phu Trek.

Day: 2 Drive from Kathmandu to Koto (8,530 feet / 2,600 m)

We will leaving Kathmandu for Nar Phu Trek. Before going towards Nar Phu Valley trek, we will drive first to Besisahar. After lunch, change to a four-wheel drive vehicle for the rugged journey at Koto. The road can be difficult and challenging for passengers as for drivers, but it is incredibly scenic today! It travels at along the old Annapurna Circuit trek route, through amazing gorges and past stunning waterfalls. Arrive in Koto in time for a short meal

Day: 3 Trek from Meta to Phu (13,386 feet / 4080 m)

Trekking out of Meta, some of the rare and colorful Tibetan Buddhist chortens that Nar and Phu are famous for begin to appear near to sight. The trail meanders along the ridge with a good view for the magnificent Nar Phedi Monastery, where you will stay in the few days’ time. After another ninety minutes hiking through scenic canyons and gorges, you’ll reach the monolith that guards the steep trail on to Phu.

From here, you can get your first view for the three villages in the area and the old “dzong” (Tibetan-style fortress) and the remains of two ruined forts, impressively situated at the top of the flatlands before the village. Just before crossing the bridge into Phu which is a line of wonderful chortens color the landscape.

After a rest and refreshments, take the short walk all the way to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa to pay respects to Lama Karma Sonam Rimpoche who has also came to Nepal with the Dalai Lama in the year of 1959.

Day: 4 Acclimatization day in Phu (13,386 feet / 4080 m)

From the high altitude, it’s good to spend the acclimatization day in Phu. Explore the tiny alleyways for the town or hike up at the Himlung Himal base camp. Phu itself is an interesting village, and a day is well spent sitting with the local villagers as they went to spin their yak and sheep wool, pound mustard seeds into the paste for oil, or go about their other daily chores.

The hike up to Himlung Himal base camp takes you through the glacial valley. The 7,125 m. peak was recently opened for the climbing. On the trail up you will also see herds of blue sheep skillfully clambering at the steep cliffs. The return trip takes about four to five hours.

Day: 5 Trek from Phu to Nar Phedi (11,450 feet / 3490 m)

Now, Mar Phu valley trek leads you to the route back down towards the Meta, but at the Nar Phedi monastery, which will your accommodation for the night. In fact, the monastery is all that Nar Phedi does have

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

Day: 6 Trek from Nar Phedi to Nar (13,484 feet / 4110 m)

Today is a very good day. Climb out of Nar Phedi and follow the winding path up at the hill towards Nar. Pass the line of wonderfully painted, bamboo-topped chortens at the way into the ancient village. Arrive in the town which is around lunch time. Even though Nar is not far from the main Annapurna trail, it is rarely visited by trekkers and is gets lovely as it gets.

Nar is bit more vibrant and lively than Phu, and during the day you could find the village ‘square’ teeming with talkative women with their back-strap looms weaving wool fabric for rugs and blankets. With a few new teahouses built at the outskirts of Nar, you can stay at the comfortable lodge with an extensive menu.

Day: 7 Trek from Nar to Ngawal (17,192 feet / 5240 m) via the Kang La Pass (5,240m)

Today is a very long day doing at Nar Phu Trek,, so get up before sunrise and go towards the Kang La Pass, which goes onto the popular Annapurna Circuit. It is not a difficult pass, but it can be a long day as the effects for altitude will be felt. Once at the top of the pass, you can enjoy an amazing view over Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. The trail down also starts off steep, but if you enjoy screen running you can take some fun! Stop for lunch on the plateau overlooking the peak, then continue going towards Ngawal.

Ngawal, at the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna Circuit, is certainly very different from the ancient villages which is just visited. The lodges are big, the menus much more comprehensive and there will be Wifi and phone signals at several lodges.

Day: 8 Trek from Ngawal to Pisang, Drive to Besisahar (8,179 feet / 2,493 m)

The weather will get hotter and the scenery greener as you move to more than 2,000 m from the pass. Set off early for the last few hours of trekking to reach Pisang. The trail is also wide and comfortable and passes the beautiful lake which is just outside Pisang. Stop for a quick snack in the village, then drive back unto Besisahar. There, stay at a comfortable hotel.

Day: 9 Drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu

This day will be the last day of our Nar Phu Valley trek Day 9 will drive and go back to Kathmandu which takes around five hours. Enjoy the hot shower and the luxuries for the city once again! Spend the afternoon shopping for the souvenirs in Thamel, or just will be relaxing.

Day 10: Final Departure.

On the last day Nar Phu Trek itinerary, it's time to say farewell and goodbye to Nepal. Enjoy your last moments in Kathmandu with breakfast in a café, a city stroll, and do souvenir shopping. A representative will meet you in your hotel and drive you to the airport for your return flight home. It's good to be in the airport at least 2 hours prior to departure.

Cost and Dates

Find Dates

Trip Start Date	Trip End Date	Price	Availability	Book

Additional Info

Nar phu Valley Trek Difficulties

The Nar Phu Valley trek is rated for the Himalayas as a moderate trek. For example, the itinerary for this trek will you from Kathmandu (1400 m) unto Koto (2,600 m) on the first day. Which is less than the altitude gains in only one day when flying from Kathmandu as compared to Lukla (2,860 m) at the Everest Region. We have also never experience people getting sick at Namche Bazaar (3,440 m) at the Everest region during our guiding at the Himalayas. If we had to compare the Nar Phu trek elevation with the Namche elevation, we have to say that you will only reach this height in 4 to 5 days. Although there are high passes, there is the lower altitude sickness ratio as compared to other Nepal trekking areas. This comparison also shows that the region of Nar Phu is much better than the Khumbu region for the Everest Base Camp Trek. However, we cannot tell who is going to suffer from altitude sickness.

Best time for Nar phu Trek

Nar Phu Valley trek is possible in the monsoon month of June to August as well as the two peak tourist seasons March-May and September-November. The trek is still enjoyable at the monsoon, although the road access at the mountains to and from Besisahar could be disrupted by mud and landslides. In the winter (December-February) the high pass could be halted by snow.

Nar phu valley Trek Route

Nar Phu Valley Trek starts from the journey to Kathmandu and later goes to Besisahar. After we will be heading towards for the rugged journey at Koto.

Trekking out of Meta, some of the rare and colorful Tibetan Buddhist that Nar and Phu. After a decent rest and some refreshments, take the short walk all the way to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa and pay respects to Lama Karma Sonam Rimpoche.

We will acclimatize in Phu. Then from Pu, we will be going towards Nar Phedi. Climb out of Nar Phedi and go as well as follow the path on the hill towards Nar. Pass the line of wonderfully painted, bamboo-topped chortens in the way into the ancient and traditional village. Arrive in the town for lunch.

At Nar Phu Trek,so get up before sunrise and go at the the Kang La Pass, which goes onto the popular Annapurna Circuit scene. Set off early for the last few hours of trekking till to reach Pisang. Later would be the final day in our Nar Phu Trek Route, we will return to Kathmandu from Besisahar.

Most Common FAQs

What is the difficulty level of Nar Phu Valley Trek?

Nar Phu Valley Trek is not much difficult to say the least. It is moderate and could be accomplished without any sort of technical problem.

Do we need to complete the day to organize the permits and paperwork the day before the trek?

Yes, the day will be to organize trekking permits and some paperwork. But it should be a working business day. The restricted trekking permits office will also remain closed during public holidays and Saturdays during the week. Sunday is the working day in Nepal. We will organize trekking permits the next day for your arrival date, then start the trek at the following day.