Nar Phu Valley Trekking
OVERVIEW
17 Days
Hiking and Trekking
March, April, May, September, October and November
Challenging
2-100
Flight/ Private vehicle
Tea Houses
Nar Phu Valley is less tourist trekking trail of Nepal, offers off the beaten path, virgin beauty, historical Tibetan settlement, untouched territory from modernity and beautiful Himalayan landscape. It is located in north part of Annapurna circuit trekking route which was restricted area since 2003 for foreigners. It is hidden valley with full of old monasteries, villages, Mani walls, Chortens, prayer flags, barren land of Tibetan plateau in higher region and green forest of Pine and Oak as well as terraced field in lower territory.
Nar Phu valley trekking is the combination between two classical Tibetan villages of Nar and Phu, having unique ethnic culture of Tibetan inhabitants and their antique life style. The trekking route covers ancient Buddhist residents, narrow canyons, Silent atmosphere, noiseless trekking path, prehistoric Tashi Lakhang Monastery, adventure Kang La Pass (5306) with amazing view of Annapurna Himalayas. After visiting Nar Phu, Trekkers feel moving around 500 years back due to its primitive existence of land and culture. There are 300 local inhabitants called Bhotia people who depend on cattle having many goat and Yak herd.
Nar Phu valley is equally very beautiful for Himalayan landscape from where trekkers can see Mt. Manaslu (8,163m), Annapurna II (7,937m) Annapurna III (7,555m), Annapurna IV (7,525m) Gangapurna (7,455m) Lamjung Himal (6,983m), Pisang Peak (6,091m) with attractive Ngawal village which is located just opposite of Annapurna Himalayan range after descending from life time adventure Kang La Pass. Kang La pass is one of the adventure challenging activity during your whole trek. From Nar village you have to begin your trek early in the morning due to long and exciting trekking trail to Ngawal village. So, trekkers need proper physical exercise to make successful attempt of Kang La Pass. After Nar phu Trek, if you have time can continue your trek to Annapurna Circuit.
We follow the Annapurna circuit trekking trail till Koto village after having beautiful scenic Hill drive to Jagat from Kathmandu. Then, we head up to Meta, Kyang, Phu, Mahendrapul, Nar village cross adventure challenging pass and trek to Pisang. We will have one more day hiking to Chame from Pisang and drive to Kahmandu after trekking. Let explore hidden valley of Nar Phu Valley Trekking with us. If the trekkers have time, can continue their journey towards Thorong La Pass.
Highlights
- Explore hidden valley and classical Tibetan settlement of Nar Phu village
- Enjoy amazing Himalayan landscape of Annapurna and more silver mountains
- Walk through off the beaten path, virgin nature with less tourist on the route
- Visit prehistoric Tashi Lakhang monastery, and narrow canyons
- Cross challenging Himalayan Pass of Kang La (5,306m)
- Scenic drive from Kathmandu to Koto village
Itineraries
Your adventure and cultural trip to Nepal begins after your arrival in Tribhuvan International Airport Kathmandu. After you will land, get your hand bag and go to immigration office where you can get your Nepal visa. There must be many people; need fill form before apply for visa and get down to 1st floor where you will wait your suitcase. After getting suitcase, go outside where our office member shows your Name in white paper sheet and transfer to Hotel. We have booked your hotel in Thamel which is the touristic hub of Nepal.
After breakfast, your cultural tour begins where our Guide will brief to you about whole Nepal including history, culture, people, religion, geography and living standard of People. You will visit popular world Heritage sites of Nepal such as Swyambhunath (Monkey Temple) - Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site, Patan Durbar Square – Old King Palace with Beautiful Temples and Houses, Pashupatinath Temple - popular Hindu temple of South Asia and Boudhanath Stupa – biggest Buddhist stupa with monastery around. It is full day guided city tour where you will learn most important historical and cultural things of Nepal. After you will return back to Hotel from sightseeing, meet with your Trekking Guide and brief about trekking program.
Early morning, after breakfast drive to Jagat by Private Transport with your Guide and Porters. It is quite a long drive but having an amazing experience of Nepal Road -drive with a view of Local Villages, Forests, Rivers, and beautiful Hills. We drive Kathmandu-Pokhara Hihgway till Dumre along with Trishuli and Marshyangdi River and turn right and more drive to Besisahar. From Besisahar, we took private jeep to Jagat having 2:30 hour off road drive.
You will have breakfast in the morning, and ready to walk which is your first-day hike in lower part of Annapurna region. Your Guide will be with you from today to the end of your trek though he will drive from Kathmandu together. Porters carry your bag and you will have an amazing walk to reach Dharapani having a fantastic view of Rice field and beautiful Hills. The trekking trail goes through Chaymje, Tal, and Karte village with beautiful Himalayan landscape.
Early morning after having breakfast, your trekking trail goes to Koto from Dharapani. During your hike, you will have an amazing view of Mt. Manaslu and Lamjung Himal, local forests of Pine and Oak, Rivers and village settlement. We pass through Danaque and Timang village having ascending trekking trail.
After breakfast, you must be ready to hike towards Nar Phu Valley having quite long walk. Restricted permit of Nar Phu valley is checked by Annapurna Conversation Area Project office of Koto; escape main trail of Annapurna circuit and head up to Meta village. We hike through Soti Khola River bank with pine forests, narrow canyons seeing beautiful mountain waterfall. It is very silent and pleasant walk due to less tourist on the way in the comparison of Annapurna circuit trail. After crossing suspension bridge and cave we reach to Dharmasala, and from here hard steep climbing to Meta village. We suggest to you to have packing lunch due to lack of Tea Houses on the trekking route.
In the morning, we will have amazing view of Himalaya and Tibetan plateau begins from here. There are so many ups and downs having suspension bridges and we can have great opportunity to see blue sheep. During our hiking, we will cross Junam and Chako village settlement in the beginning and reach at Kyang. From Kyang, the trekking trail goes straight along with Phu khola and few ascend to Phu Village. Phu village welcome us offering old chortens and Mani wall on the route.
Phu village is one of the remote and amazing Tibetan settlement of Nepal. 900 years ago, Tibetan people migrated in this place from Tibet due to religious conflict. We will visit popular Tashi Lhakhang Gompa where Buddhist Monks read holy books and do meditation. This is historical monastery having old painting and welcoming Monks inside. We also explore local culture where people are spinning Yak and Sheep wool and walk up to the Ngoru, the summer grazing settlement to have amazing Himalayan view of Himlung Himal with encountering Tibetan classical culture in Phu village.
After exploring Phu village, we trek to Nar Phedi, which is also known as Mahendrapul. We trek back along with Phu River via Kyang and Juman. Before reaching Meta village, we have right descend steeply down to captivating bridge which is situated above narrow river cut gorge. We live in Nar monastery with local nuns. They will provide us local food and do meditation with nuns. The nuns each and every 5 pm do prayer ceremony which we can explore.
We have very short distance steep climbing to Nar village from Nar Phedi. We will cross magnificent painted Chortens on the way to Nar having beautiful landscape and we reach to Gatway of Nar village. It will be amazing hike from Nar phedi to Nar village due to attractive scenery.
Nar is quite big village around your whole trek which is situated northern part of Pisang Peak. You can see magnificent view of Pisang peak like Mirror. Today we explore around where large pasture and cultivated fields of Barley and potatoes are located around village. People are Tibetan origin and speak their own dialect who are very busy to weaving woolen blanket. We can also have great opportunity to visit old Nar monastery and encounter beautiful Mountain View. The village is untouched by modernity and comparatively more vibrant and lively than other local villages. The spinning prayer wheels, prayer flags, Chotens, Mani wall, monks chanting mantra and playing drums and cymbals are the main interesting things around Nar village
Today is quite long, adventure and challenging trek during your whole trek to Nar Phu Valley. We begin our trek early in the morning due to extensive journey from Nar village to Ngawal from Kang La Pass. First, we trek to Kang La Base camp having straight Himalayan walk and steep climbing to top of Kang La. It is not hard climbing but long and exciting. We have descending steep walk from Kang La to Ngawal village which is fairly tuff in the beginning. From the top of Kang La pass, we can have amazing view of Annapurna massif, Tilicho Trek, Gangapurna, Chulu Peak and more silver Himalayan Peaks. The gateway of Ngawal village offers colorful Chortens and prayer flags. It is delightful classical village having ancient streets with beautiful architecture of local houses.
Today, we have short downhill walk to Pisang village. We recommend you to stay in Upper Pisang for best view of Annapurna II and old classical Tibetan village with historical monastery. There will be great opportunity to encounter local people and their living standard in Upper Pisang. Those people who go to Annapurna circuit trekking trail, they stay here due to splendid view of Himalaya. Also we will have scenic view of Lower Pisang and Marsyangdi River.
After breakfast, we go downhill walk to lower Pisang through Suspension bridge of Marsyangdi River and straight walk to DhukurPokhari where there are few local Tea Houses. Again, we trek to Chame via Pine forest having climbing down all the way. Chame is the head quarter of Manang district having Governmnet administrative offices, Police station and more Tea houses.
After completing Nar Phu valley trekking, we have off road drive to Beshisahar via Koto, Dharapani, Jagat villages as we been here before during beginning part of our trekking. From Beshisahar,we continue drive to Kathmandu via Prithivi Highway along with Trishuli River.
After completing, Annapurna Circuit Trekking, you are free in Kathmandu or you can have shopping as gift of Nepal to your family and friends. You must be very tired after trekking, can also have good body massage in Spa center. You will feel free and explore local markets and also enjoy your time in good restaurant in Thamel.
Our staff help your departure to Tribhuvan International Airport for your respective destination. Hopefully, we will wait your recommendation and suggestion and also review about your trek to Everest Base Camp. Our Guide and Porters can wait for your next adventure journey to Nepal Himalaya. See you again and good bye.
INCLUSION
- Airport Pickup and drop in Private Transport
- Kathmandu Sightseeing with Cultural Tour Guide, Entrance Fees of Hindu/Buddhist Temple
- 3 star Hotel in Kathmandu with Twin.
- English Speaking Trekking Guide including his salary, insurance, equipment, Food and Accommodation
- Strong Trekking Porter including his salary, insurance, equipment, Food and Accommodation
- Twin share Tea House Accommodation with Breakfast only during Nar Phu Valley Trekking
- Nar Phu special permit, Annapurna Conversation Area Project Permit, TIMS and all Documents for Annapurna Trekking
- Nepal Government Taxes and Office Service Charge
EXCLUSION
- Lunch & Dinner in Kathmandu
- Lunch & Dinner during Nar Phu Valley Trekking
- Nepal Visa Fee (30$ for 15 Days and 50$ for 30 Days)
- International Flight Ticket
- Personal Trekking /Travel Insurance
- Personal Trekking equipment and Clothes
- Hot Shower, Wi-Fi in mountain, Battery Charge and all personal expenses during Trekking
- Tips for Guide & Porter
- Any other things not mentioned
Additional Information
Trekking Difficulty
Is it difficult to trek Nar Phu Valley? You do not need to be a good Football player or Olympic athlete to success Nar Phu Valley trek. Sometime, we have many experience of young people failing to cross Kang La pass of Nar Phu Valley and older people succeeding. So, anyone who is mentally and physically fit can easily completer the journey to Annapurna Circuit. Walking slowly, drink plenty of water, enjoying nature, avoiding cold, eating a balanced died and mentally daring to reach Nar Phu Valley with happy mood are the hallmarks of your successful journey to destination. Though, Nar Phu Valley is challenging trekking trail having steep hills with ascending path, sometime with ice but there will be no need any technical equipment or skill.
High Altitude Sickness
If the trekkers have symptoms of headache, loss of appetite, diarrhea, shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, rapid pulse with sleeping problem, he/she is suffered by high altitude sickness. The other factors such as changing weather, cold, sun, wind, low oxygen and bad foods are the key component of high altitude sickness. So trekkers need to warm while trekking Annapurna Circuit with proper clothes and equipment. It can affect people of any age, sex and physical conditions. So, we suggest our clients, do not drink alcohol and smoke, drink plenty of water while hiking to Annapurna, train your body and strength up before trekking, eat energy food, and mentally be happy during your journey. The most common medicine for preventing high altitude sickness is Diamox or Acetazolamide. Even our guide takes Diamox on the route which is easily purchased in Kathmandu. Ascending down is the solution to avoid high altitude as the altitude sickness affects people from the elevation of 2600 meters above sea level. For normal high altitude sickness our guide helps to control by providing medicine and good food and he takes to medication center where available. If the trekkers feel bad, we send private helicopter for rescue, which is covered by your personal travel insurance. So, individual insurance is necessary while trekking to Annapurna Circuit.
Best Time to Go
If you are looking trek to Nar Phu Valley, must know the best time to visit such as weather and circumstances with other factors that affects in your trip. The best time to visit Nar Phu Valley is March – May and Sep – Nov due to clear sky and pleasant temperature. Spring and autumn is considered as the best season to trek Everest Base Camp. In spring, the days are warmer and longer whereas the autumn has short days. October and April is the peak touristic months having more crowd but the weather is fantastic and amazing.
Pre-monsoon is called spring season that covers the month of March, April and May whereas the lower region of Everest, rhododendron and flower blooms with warm temperature. In higher route, there will be more chance of problematic snowfall with sunny weather.
Post-monsoon is called autumn season that covers the month of September, October and November whereas the Himalaya is full of blue sky, pleasant atmosphere, moderate temperature with less chance of problematic snowfall. As for the climate, it is neither warmer at day or not freezing cold at night. The Tea houses, cafes are full of tourist and visitors in autumn season.
Accommodation
During the trekking trail to Nar Phu Valley, trekkers sleep and eat in Tea houses. Tea houses provide tea and food which is the best possible accommodation available on the route. Tea houses offer very basic accommodation facilities having bed and blanket inside the room and some places attached bathroom too. The tea houses looks very basic and normal but it is neat and clean. In our program, we provide simple/normal lodge for trekkers and according of their choice and interest also can provide luxury lodge where available. Though, tea houses provide us the blanket but it is not enough to reduce cold. That is why, we suggest to bring sleeping bag own self to make warm and safety night. The attached room is possible in low altitude but in high altitude after entering from Koto village to Nar Phu Valley, there will be very basic Tea house Room with Beds.
Food and water
Food and water is very important things during the trekking to Nar Phu Valley. Tea houses provide breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Tea/coffee. Trekkers can choose the food from Menu list what they like to eat such as Nepali food (Dal Bhat), soups, snakcs, momos, fried Rice, continental and American breakfast, porridge, Bread with Jam and honey, Eggs, noodles, spaghetti, spring roll, fried potatoes, and steak. We recommend to have vegetarian food during trek due to porter and yaks carry meat from lower region which is not refrigerated that may cause stomach problem. Therefore, we would highly recommend to avoid meat dishes on the route with exception of tinned fish and preserved items. So, no need to carry food except chocolates, such as Diary milk, Snickers, Mars and so on. But in low region, if Tea houses can provide fresh meat of Chicken can eat easily.
Do not drink water from river or water fall; local people can easily drink the running water that is not fit for foreigners as they do not have habit before. So, we recommend to drink bottle water or boiled water for good health that keeps our body safe. Even, trekkers keep purification tablet inside water, kills 99.9% of bacteria, virus and protozoa. Because of the altitude, it is recommend to drink 2-3 liters per day.
Hire a Guide
A person having license from Nepal government, who guides visitor, interprets the cultural and nature, leads the right track to the Himalaya having responsible work recognized by the appropriate authority is known as trekking guide. Guide not only led the way rather he is the ambassador of country explaining People, history, geography, religion and make successful attempt for visitors.
Trekking guide is also knows as Trek Leader who makes easy access in Himalayan region to book Tea houses, order food for visitors, manage porters, and lead the right trail to destination. During trekking, Guide is a good friend, makes entertainment with fun and laughter too. So, Trekking guides has very important role who not only make enjoyable trip but also educate the visitors through interpretation and contribute sustainability of local environment. The trekking agency should choose appropriate guide by providing suitable training time and again though they are government license holder. Guides expected to work to a high level of customer service keeping good reputation of the company and clients.
That is why our Guide has good communication skill, immediately solve the problem, decision making with self-motivation having physically strong and fit. Either the visitor go to Everest region trek, Annapurna region trek, Upper Mustang trek or other trekking trail, our guide makes successful effort to complete the trip.
Hire a Porter
Trekking porters are those people who carry the gear of trekkers from one place to other, lives in village especially from Sherpa, Tamang, Gurung and Rai, community. They are very innocent, kind, pleasant and smiling having broken English will be together from beginning to the end of the trip. Even in Annapurna region of Nar Phu Valley, the Brahmin and Chhetri people are working as trekking porters nowadays. A trekking porter carries 25 kg to 30 kg of gears who are very fit from mountain altitude. Porters are the transport of the visitors so must be good relationship with Guide and trekkers. During the end of the trek at Besisahar, we suggest for visitor to have TIP to porters for their support and cooperation.
Telephone and Internet
The internet, telephone and mobile phone is available all the way to Annapurna Circuit till we reach Koto Vilalge except Nar Phu Valley. There are multiple option for Internet, mobile network such as NTC and NCELL. Sometimes internet becomes poor during the time of bad weather or snow. NCELL and NTC are cheaper that works during trekking trail as well as Kathmandu too. Even trekkers can purchase WIFI in local tea houses which is chargeable. Due to the exciting geography and sometime bad weather conditions the mobile network has not access in all parts of the trial but the network such as NCELL and NTC works most of the places. But inside Nar Phu Valley, Both network NCELL and NTC network is not reachable. The both NTC and NCELL Sim Cards can purchase at Tribhuvan Interantional Airport, Kathmandu or in the street of touristic town Thamel.
Toilet and Shower
Wherever travel in the Himalaya, must know the circumstances of toilet and shower before depart to the destination. During the trekking to Nar Phu Valley, in higher route, toilet should be shared by all trekkers due to common Tea houses only with normal beds in the room. But in Lower part before, there are attached bath room with toilet and shower inside. After we enter to Nar Phu valley from koto village, Toliet and Shower must be used by turn by turn.But during the time of bad weather for example if heavy snow at that time it is hard to get shower above 4500 meters. We suggest to bring toilet paper during the trail due to very cold water for your safety and protection. During the peak season, even in lower region the guest houses can be busy so you will have common Rooms during trek to Annapurna Circuit with Nar Phu Valley.
Trek Insurance
Trek insurance is very important component during the trek to Nar Phu Valley. We suggest trekkers to make plan to be covered up to 5500 meters. Due to unexpected event or emergency evacuation, if the trekkers feel uncomfortable to walk in Himalaya, Helicopter rescue is necessary along with administration in hospital. So, need insurance for your safety and protection. There are so many insurance companies, you may find in internet and make strong insurance for your security. There may occur so many causes such as altitude sickness, accidents, physical illness, flight cancellation, that is why need to make insurance before you fly to Nepal for Annapurna Circuit.
Trek Permit
Nar Phu Valley is situated inside the territory of Annapurna Conservation Area which is the first conservation area of Nepal. Foreign Trekkers are required to obtain permit to entry Annapurna Circuit Trek and Nar Phu Valley such as ACAP Permit and TIMS.
ACAP is known as Annapurna Conservation Area permit which cost 30$ per person. Permits can be purchased in Nepal Tourism Board by our company. TIMS is not required for restricted trekking region of Nepal. During trek, need to show Permit in checking points from our trekking guide and provide permit to you after finish the trek in Besisahar. Our company need your passport copy and 2 copy of passport size Photos to make permit at Kathmandu.
About special permit cost of Nar Phu valley, September to November is $90 per person for a week and December to August $75. Nar Phu Valley is restricted area, without a trekking guide, foreign tourist cannot enter inside this valley.
Trek Equipment List
While trekking to Nar Phu Valley, need to sufficient trekking gears for your protection and safety. Trekking gears not only make protection for your body, it makes successful trip to Nar Phu Valley. The trekking gears also have benefit to remove high altitude sickness and make easy access to destination. The following gears are mandatory towards Nar Phu Valley.
- Sleeping Bag (-20)
- Trekking poles
- Waterproof hiking boot
- Water proof warm Gloves
- Sport shoes
- Waterproof hiking Pant
- Fleece pant
- Comfortable underwear
- Warm and thin socks
- Duffel Bag, 90L
- Hand carry bag
- Water bottle
- Hiking Shorts
- Down Jacket
- Warm Cap & Sun Cap
- Sun Glass
- Sun Cream
- Lip care
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Neck Gaiter
- Lightweight thermal tops
- Waterproof jacket with hood, waterproof and breathable
- Rain coat
- Travel Towel
- Camera
- Personal first Aid Kit ( Though our guide also have First Aid Kit)
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