Detail Itinerary
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.