Nar Phu Trek

19 Days
  • Trip Code: N-AT-123
  • Destination: Nepal
  • Season: From May to October
  • Max Altitude: 5416 meters/ 17769 feet
  • Trip Starts/Ends: Kathmandu/Kathmandu
  • Transportation: Private Car and Coach
  • Accomodation: Standard hotel in Kathmandu & Pokhara/ Tea-house & Tented Camp in Trekking
  • Trip Grade: Moderate

Trip Overview


Nar Phu trek is a journey to the two classical hidden Himalayan villages located at the backdrop of Annapurna Mountain range in the northwestern part of Nepal. Although these villages are nearby Annapurna region they are almost like isolated places and still they are unexplored & untouched by many visitors. In these villages, ancient Tibetan culture has been well preserved and maintained.

From 2003 AD Government of Nepal opened these two places for foreigners with the requirement of taking special trekking permit to travel there. The visit to these two primitive hamlets presents a glance of prehistoric Tibetan lifestyle and their culture. Additionally trekking to this exotic land offers remarkable Mountain View and great alpine sceneries.

In general, Nar Phu trek starts from Syange and it follows the same trail of Annapurna circuit until Koto. From Koto it branches off and follows northern off the beaten route to Nar Phu. The trek takes you up narrow gorges to medieval villages passing through impressive Buddhist chortens, herds of blue sheep and spectacular cliffside trails and over one of the high mountain pass called Kang La Pass (5306m/ 17408ft).

You will pass abandoned settlements once used by Khampa rebels (Tibetan fierce warriors) and teams of mountaineers headed to popular peaks of Himlung, Kang Garu, and Ratna Chuli. After visiting this primitive land it again joins with Annapurna circuit trail and moves ahead to cross famous Thorung La Pass (5416m/ 17769ft) and then down to Muktinath, the sacred Himalaya temple of Hindus as well as Buddhist people before heading on to Jomsom. In Jomsom, this trekking ends and you finally fly back to Pokhara and drive back to Kathmandu next day.

To sum up, Nar Phu Village Trekking grants you with the total experience of abandoned Tibetan villages which remains unblemished by modernity. It also relishes you some of the notable attractions of Annapurna Circuit trekking with the Himalayan vista of the Annapurna massif, Dhaulagiri, Lamjung, Manaslu, Tilicho peak and many other snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Nar Phu Trek- Note:

Nar Phu Trekking- 19 days is standard trip. However, it’s likely to be customized making it short or long. Thus, please let us know if you have any request to change in itinerary.

Itinerary


Our tour officer will be receiving you at Tribhuvan International airport, Kathmandu.  He/She will be displaying play card with your name written in it outside the airport terminal. He will meet, greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to your respective hotel by our private tourist vehicle. At the hotel, he will assist you to check in and do a pre-trip meeting with you. You will be briefed about your overall program, introduced your guide and clear your questions/queries if any. During the meeting please clear the due balance and handover a readable copy of your travel insurance policy. Overnight at hotel.

Our trekking guide will pick you up at the hotel at 7:00 am and escort you to the bus station. You will have 5:30 hrs scenic drive to Beshi Sahar through mountain terrain. On the way, the bus stops for half an hour for lunch. Then drive continues till you reach Besi Sahar. Upon arrival at Besi Sahar (760m), you will see eye-catching mountain landscape. It’s small town nearby Marshyangdi River. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today, first of all, you will drive 29.2 km from Beshi Sahar to Syange (1070m) passing Bhulbhule, Ngadi, and Bahundanda. After arriving at Syange your trekking starts descending to the river towards Syange village in the right bank. There is a waterfall. Crossing the suspension bridge climb uphill an hour and a half reach to Jagat. It is the village of Gurungs and Tamangs community. There is hot spring near Marshyangdi river about 15 minutes walk from the main village. From Jagat, you can see two other beautiful villages “Chipla” and “Jhitai” with well-formed terrace. From Jagat, you make a steep climb to Chamje. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today you will enter the Manang region passing through fields of corn, barley and potatoes, and then through forests of bamboo and rhododendrons. On the way is the village namely Tal. This village locates on a flat plain next to the sandy beach and river at the base of a large waterfall. After few hours of walking from Tal, you will reach to Dharapani. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After breakfast, your trekking starts passing through pine forest. In the route, you can visit White monastery in Bagarchhap. The trail catches steeply ascending from Danaque. From the trail, you can have a good view of Mt. Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world and Peak 29.The trail again passes pine forest till Latamarang. You will take lunch at Latamarang. Then continue your journey again through the forest until you arrive in Koto village. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today you branches off the Annapurna Circuit trail and catch the trail to Nar Phu. After registering and showing your permit to the police station you drop steeply down to a suspension bridge and head up the true side of the Nar Phu Khola. Much of today’s walk is spent in the shade of this deep gorge which only opens up when you reach near to Meta village. On the way, you pass Soti Khola, Phu Khola, and Dharmasala. In Meta there are spacious campsites are often used as base camp for climbers of Kang Garu Peak (6981m). Meta is also used as winter settlement by villages of Nar and it remains deserted for the rest of the year. Overnight at tented camp.

After breakfast, you continue your trekking. Firstly you reach to big Chorten. You soon come to a trail junction whose left branch leads to Nar village. Continue the right trail to Phu. Pass several Goths built onto the sides of giant boulders and climb to a Chorten at Jhunam, a former Khampa (Tibetan refugees) settlement. From Jhunam the trail descends into a side Khola (stream) and climbs the glacial moraine on the far side to a chorten. A row of chortens guides you past more deserted fields to Chyakhu, another Khampa settlement. Then the trail further descends to Khola (stream) and arrives in Kyang. Kyang is the winter settlement for the villagers of Phu. It boasts superb mountain views of Pisang Peak, Annapurna II, Gyaji Kang and Tilje peak. Overnight at tented camp.

From Khyang you quickly swing into the dry, desert-like gorge of Phu Khola. Continue along the east side of valley passing the wooden bridge and then ascending a short staircase past a smooth eroded rock. Keep an eye out for blue sheep grazing on the barren hillsides. Then after few minutes walking you arrive at Phupi Gyalgoe gate and enter the Phu region. Phu is the extraordinary village of around 40 households piled up on the bluff at the junction. In local language Phu means “Head of Valley”. Devote some time to exploring the fascinating village. In Phu village, there are some Buddhist monasteries. Tashi Lhakhang Gompa is the most important monastery. It was founded by the 10th Karmapa. There is entry fee in this monastery so leave a donation. Overnight at tented camp.

Today you retrace yesterday’s step from Phu and pass through Khyang, Chyarkha, and Jhunam to the junction where the trail branches right to Nar Gaon. The trail drops past fantastically until Mahendra Pul (Pul means bridge in Nepali). Then you will pass the high suspension bridge 80m over the Gorge of Lapche River. Then trail steeply ascends passing through many Buddhist Chortens until Nar Gaon (Nar Village). In the local language, Nar means the place of blue sheep. Nar village is larger than Phu with around 65 houses stacked in tiers around a smattering of prayer wheels and small chapels. From here you will have great views of Kang Garu and Pisang peak. It is worth to visit four Kagyud gompas of this village. The Guru Choling Gompa is at the top of this village, the lower Samten Pelgye Ling Gompa has some remarkable old statues, the Kunsel Dechen Choling Gompa in fields below the village and Samdru Choling Gompa which is the newest monastery just below the Shanti lodge. Overnight at tented camp.

Today your journey is around 2 hours so you can either spend most of the day exploring Nar Gaon before departing for Kang La Phedi. You will leave Nar through the village namely Kani and take the gradual path up through the valley. Then the trail traverses yak pastures and descends to Kangla Phedi. Overnight at tented camp.

Today you ascend to Kang La pass. The ascent to this pass isn’t all that difficult in good condition through it can be treacherous in bad weather or if there is a lot of snow. It is best to tackle the pass early in the morning. If you arrive the pass early you may be rewarded with incredible views of the Annapurna Himalayan range before the clouds roll in. Then the trail descends all the way to Ngawal. Now you are firmly back on the Annapurna trail. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today you move towards for Manang. You will pass through the isolated village of Paugh overlooking the amazing views of Annapurna range. Then the trail moves gently uphill to Mungli. Afterward, you eventually reach Manang. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

After breakfast, your day starts with crossing the stream, climbs to a village of Tenki above Manang, and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail passes a few pastures. The route further passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. Now the trail goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village is called Yak Kharka. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today your destination is Throng Phedi. It is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. Generally, Trekkers use this point as a base camp. After some hours of ascending along with crossing the river, you will arrive at Thorong Phedi. You will not see any more trees around here. Just below settlement, there is a big pasture land as well. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today is your longest trekking day of your whole trekking and also the most highlight section of your trip. It is wise to leave early in the morning at 4 is to reach Thoroung La pass by 9-10 am otherwise weather conditions will greatly affect the journey. The trail continues uphill all the way to Thorong pass where you can see stone hillock with flapping prayer flag. As soon as crossing throng La the trail descends all the way to Muktinath, the holy place for Hindus and Buddhist. It has a holy temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and several Buddhist monasteries. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today before you are heading to Jomsom visit Muktinath temple. Then you follow the trail down to the Eklebhatti. As the trail extends you can enjoy the magnificent views of Mt. Dhaulagiri. You pass through meadows, stream, and hills over to Kagbeni, a village laden with Buddhist Chortens and a small monastery. Then you continue trekking following the Kaligandaki River to Jomsom. Jomsom is a small town with many facilities and is also headquarter of Mustang district. Overnight at a mountain lodge.

Today after breakfast you take a flight to Pokhara from Jomsom. This flight itself is spectacular. From flight, you have mountain views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri along with the deepest gorge in the world. Once you arrive at Pokhara airport you then drive to the hotel. Have rest. In the afternoon you will offer sightseeing tour of Pokhara including Fewa Lake, David Fall, and Shiva Cave. Evening stroll around the lakeside street market. Overnight at Hotel.

After breakfast, you walk to tourist bus station with trekking guide. The bus leaves Pokhara at 7 A.M. You will reach Kathmandu around 2 pm. The rest of the day at leisure/ you can do some last minute souvenirs shopping for your family and friends. Evening you will be offered farewell dinner with Nepali cuisines and cultural dances at typical Nepali Restaurant. Overnight at hotel.

The trip concludes today. Our tour officer will drop you at Kathmandu International Airport for your flight departure from Nepal.

Travel Tips


The best months of Nar Phu trek are September and October. It is no advisable in Spring Season (Feb, Mar, April) due to the risk of avalanches. The Kang La pass is normally closed in January and February. There might be heavy snow on Kang La pass at any time between November and May. Nar and Phu villages are in the Himalayan rain shadow so a monsoon trek is feasible.

All foreign nationals except Indian Nationals are required to arrange a visa in order to enter Nepal. A Nepalese Visa can be obtained either prior to your arrival at a Nepalese embassy abroad or on arrival time in Kathmandu at the airport. But nationals from Afghanistan, Iraq, Cameroon, Ghana, Somalia, Swaziland, Palestine, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Liberia cannot secure the Nepalese Visa upon arrival. The Visa can be also taken at entry points at Nepalese borders. For Nepalese Visa it requires your passport with at least six months validity, recent digital photo (size: 1.5″ x 1.5″) and the following fees either in USD dollars cash or the equivalent local currency:

Visa Facility Duration Fee
Multiple entry 15 days US$ 25 or equivalent Nepalese currency
Multiple entry 30 days US$ 40 or equivalent Nepalese currency
Multiple entry 90 days US$ 100 or equivalent Nepalese currency

We would offer you the meeting and greeting service in Kathmandu International Airport on your arrival time. For this, you need to pass us your International flight details at least 2 days before your arrival date in Kathmandu. After you get down from the aircraft you just pass on the Customs and come out of the Terminal building where you will see our tour officer standing with your name card. He will greet and welcome you with auspicious garland and escort you to the hotel.

In Nar Phu Trekking the number of lodges is very few in five places where we will offer you tented camp (tent with mattress). In rest of places, you will find plenty of clean and friendly lodges along the trail. Lodges typically offer a room with a wooden bed with a simple mattress or foam pad, a cotton pillow, and a blanket.

In the case of Kathmandu and Pokhara, we offer you tourist standard hotel under 3-star categories unless it is mentioned otherwise or clients have a special choice.

In the trekking trail, it’s commonly available for Authentic Nepali meal: Dal Bhat (rice with lentils soup and seasonable vegetables), noodles, pasta, chapatis, eggs, French fries, porridge, and muesli. The restaurant of lodges also serves Tibetan foods like momo, thukpa, chowmein, along with pizza, spring rolls, pancake and another continental as well as Indian foods.

Tea is traditionally the main drinks on the trail though coffee is found everywhere. Except in few places bottled soft drinks, bottled water, and even beer are common along the route but the price of each bottle rises each day when you move upward.

The trekking team who will go with you is the most significant thing that makes your Nar Phu trekking successful, enjoyable and memorable. We would provide you skilled, experienced, courteous, knowledgeable and helpful trekking guide and porters. The trekking guide leads you on the trail and brief you all the about this route and porters carry your luggage. Our all trekking guides are carefully selected in terms of their appropriate experience, leadership skills and their knowledge about local culture, ecosystem, geography, flora and fauna, and history. With aim of sustaining local communities, we only employ local people as trekking guide and porter. Our all trekking guides are certified by Nepal Government, Ministry of Tourism. We manage trekking team such a way that one trekking guide in each group and porters like one porter for two trekkers.

During the trek, your main luggage will be carried by porters or pack animals (usually yaks or cross-breeds). You simply carry a day pack with water bottle, camera, sunscreen, spare jacket, etc. – a small load that allows full enjoyment of the trek. A trek bag is ideal for your main luggage, plus a small lockable bag for travel clothes or anything that you do not need during trek which you can leave at hotel’s locker room in Kathmandu for free of charge.

Every morning, first of all, packing your bags and then have a hearty breakfast at the lodge restaurant. Then set off on the day’s walk. After walking for 3-4 hours you all stop for lunch in local restaurant. Then continue walking to your destination. After lunch, it’s the only couple of hours walking. You usually arrive at your destination in the time of afternoon tea. Check in at the lodge. The rest of the day is at leisure. At the free time, you may explore surrounding village, do a bit of washing or simply relax by reading books and writing a diary. On some days you will arrive at your destination by lunch time and entire afternoon will be free. Most people also spend free time by playing cards and other games reliving the day’s adventures. Then in the evening have a dinner and you will be briefed by your trekking guide about your next day’s walking and then go to your bed for well-earned sleep.

Nar Phu Trekking is moderate trek suitable for any passionate walkers who able to walk at least 5-7hours a day with a light day pack. Walking in higher altitudes is more physically demanding than walking in lower altitudes; however, if you are in excellent health with average physical fitness and have a positive attitude, self-confidence, and strong determination, you can do this trek successfully. Exercising and jogging regularly for some weeks prior to the trip is a good idea to enhance your strength and stability. Past hiking experience would be an asset but no compulsorily required for this trip. It is vital for participants with pre-existing medical conditions such as heart, lung, and blood diseases to consult their doctor before taking the trip.

At high elevations, the combination of reduced oxygen and lower atmospheric pressure can produce a variety of unpredictable effects on the body, known collectively as Acute mountain sickness (AMS) is also commonly known as Altitude Sickness. Everyone who treks over 3500 m experiences some mild symptoms of AMS like slowness, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, racing pulse, disturbed sleep and swelling of the hands and feet but serious cases are very rare. The golden rule of prevention from Altitude Sickness doesn’t walk too fast at altitude, drink plenty of liquids, eating well, getting plenty of sleep and avoiding alcohol. If in case you feel any mentioned symptoms the simple cure is to move down (descend) and you shouldn’t ascend further until you start feeling better. To treat AMS there is also available medication Acetazolamide (better known under the brand name Diamox). The dosage is 250 mg every twelve hours. Diamox improves respiration at altitude and can, therefore, accelerate acclimatization. Some doctors recommend a preventive dose (125 mg twice a day) for people trekking at high elevations. At the time of trekking our trekking team always guides you to prevent from Altitude Sickness and they always have Diamox along with first aid kit.

We believe casualty and a serious sickness will not happen on the trip. If it happens we will do everything to transfer you to the nearest hospital. Since all the expenses incurred in evacuation liable to you please make sure that it is covered by your insurance before assigning for it or be prepared to pay on your own after getting back to Kathmandu.

We strongly advise you to take travel insurance before joining a tour which should cover medical expenses, emergency repatriation and helicopter evacuation at high altitude places and loss of your luggage. We would request you to bring your insurance documents when you come to Nepal.

The following list is a guideline to help you pack for your trekking. The weight limit for your luggage is 15 kg or 33 pounds. Remember that your luggage will be carried by our porter. However, you are required to carry a small day- pack with your valuables or anything important. We advise you pack only what is necessary.

Important Items : Airline tickets; Valid passport; 2 extra passport size photos; Photocopy of your passport; Insurance paper; Dollars, Pounds or Euros in cash for purchasing Nepalese visa at Kathmandu airport, for paying at restaurants and hotels, for gratuities, snacks and to purchase your own drinks and gifts; Credit Card (Visa/ Mater Card) for withdrawing cash from cash machines if needs.

For Head: Sun Hat; Bandana or head scarf; Headlamp with extra batteries; Sun Glasses with UV protection.

For Upper Body: Shirts (1 half sleeve and 2 long sleeves); Lightweight thermal tops; Fleece Jacket or Wool Sweater; Wind Cheater jacket; Down Jacket

For Lower Body: 1 pair of lightweight thermal bottoms; 1 pair of fleece or woolen trousers; 1 pair of waterproof shell pants and 1 pair of hiking trousers.

For Hands: 1 pair of lightweight wool or fleece gloves and 1 pair of lightweight poly liner gloves.

For Feet: 2 pairs of thin inner socks; 2 pairs of poly or wool socks; 1 pair of Hiking boots (sturdy soles, water resistant, ankle support); 1 pair of running shoes and/or sandals.

Medical: Your daily taking medicine if any; small personal first aid kit; Aspirin, plasters (band-aids); Sunscreen; lip balms; Anti-diarrhea pills; Anti-headache pills; A cough and/or cold medicine; Anti-altitude sickness pills: Diamox or Acetazolamide; Stomach antibiotic: Ciprofloxacin.

Other Useful Items: 1 sleeping bag (good to -20 degrees C or 28 degrees F); Rucksack and Travel Bags; 1 large duffel bag *; A small daypack/backpack for carrying your valuables; Small padlocks for duffel- bags; 2 large waterproof rucksack covers (optional); Digital camera; 2 water bottles (1 liter each); disposable rubbish sacks; Toiletries: 1 medium-sized quick drying towel; Toothbrush/paste; Multi-purpose soap; Deodorants; Nail clippers; Face and body moisturizer; Tissue /toilet roll; hiking poles, snack food (chocolate/ biscuits); umbrella; reading book or pack of cards (for leisure time during trekking).

Note: * mark item we will provide you in service. If any items are not available in your hometown you can buy in Trekking Store in Kathmandu before you embark for trekking.

The itinerary for each trip should be taken as a guideline only. Depending on the situation, you can modify it to some extent after consulting with your guide. However, the date of trip ending should always coincide with the original itinerary.

Kindly keep in mind that sometimes unforeseen events may contribute to the need for a change in itinerary. In such cases, we or your guide will suggest the best alternative similar to your original.

Naturally Nar Phu and Annapurna area are so beautiful but equally, it is fragile as well. Increasing population density and numbers of trekkers threaten the very beauty of this area. We at Silver Himalaya Adventures are extremely conscious about protecting its beautiful natural environment and preserving the fascinating local culture. We are doing our level best to minimize our impact as much as possible. Our all trekking guides and porters are well trained and motivated to following guidelines of responsible tourism and eco-friendly tourism. In trekking, they also advise you do’s and don’ts to minimize your impact on the local environment.

In addition to your Trekking trip, you can join in various side Trips in Nepal like the cultural tour of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Jungle Safari in National Park,  White Water Rafting in Himalayan Rivers, Golfing, Adventure activities like Bungee Jumping, Altra Light Flight, Paragliding, Jeep flyer etc. You also can extend your trip to neighboring Himalayan Countries: Bhutan, Tibet, Sikkim (India) which seems more appealing to you. On your request, we will give you the detail of the side trips.

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