Tour Overview

Trip Code
DE-0017
Starting Point
Kathmandu
End Point
Kathmandu
Max Altitude
5,320m / 17,454ft
Duration
13 Days
Country
Nepal
Trip Grade
Challenging
Activities
Trekking
Best Season
Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November)

The Nar Phu valleys are two different yet close valleys located in the Manaslu and Annapurna regions of Nepal. These beautiful, untouched villages are primarily inhabited by Khampas and have their customs, traditions, and identity. Nar and Phu valleys are close to each other and are historically and culturally linked, due to which they are often referred to as the Nar Phu valley.

While the Phu valley is located at an altitude of 4,080m in the northernmost part of Manang district, Nar lies south of Phu at an altitude of 4,110m. The Phu village is known for Tibetan influence, architecture, stone houses, and ancient monasteries such as Tashi Lakhang Gumba. Meanwhile, Nar village is popular for agriculture, fields, livestock, and Nar Gumba (Monastery). Nar valley offers a mystical view of majestic Kangaru Himal, located at an altitude of 6,981m.

The Nar Phu valley was opened for tourists after 2003 and is a relatively less-travelled trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Trekking the Nar and Phu valley requires special permits such as Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), as it is located in a restricted zone and the Annapurna region. Nar Phu valley leads you through remote, rugged, and wild beauty with a blend of Tibetan culture and spiritual heritage.

This trek enables you to go through the Kang La pass at 5,320 meters above sea level. You can have a panoramic view of snow-capped peaks such as Annapurna Massif, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak at Kang La pass. Although the whole trek takes 13 days from the capital city, Kathmandu, the actual trek takes only 9 days. You get to go through suspension bridges, old monasteries, stone villages, and varied mountain landscapes of the Himalaya.

The Nar and Phu valley trek by Destiny Excursion is perfect for experienced trekkers who want to experience the adventure, challenges, culture, and breathtaking scenery of Nepal’s isolated Himalayan region.

Details

Nar Phu valley trek is a scenic trek through hidden valleys and alpine terrain of the remote Annapurna region in Nepal. The isolated Nar and Phu valleys were hidden until the early 2000s and are untouched by modern development. This newly opened trek is graded as challenging and is ideal for experienced hikers with a decent fitness level. Trekkers required walking an average of 5-8 hours daily in remote Himalayan terrain above an altitude of 3000m.

Despite difficulties, trekking in the Nar Phu valley gives an incredible experience of high-altitude trails, steep ridges, deep gorges, and a view of majestic mountains and iconic passes. You will be walking through traditional villages adorned with mani walls, prayer flags, chortens, and stupas. Also, you can visit one of the oldest and 108 world’s greatest Buddhist Monasteries, the Tashi Lakhang Monastery. Tashi Lakhang Monastery is believed to be one of the last monasteries constructed by Karmapa Rinpoche.

The best season for the Nar Phu trek is spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) as these seasons offer clear skies, moderate temperatures, suitable weather, and a clean view of mountain peaks. This Nar and Phu valley trek by Destiny Excursion starts and ends at Kathmandu. Destiny Excursion ensures a memorable and safe trek in the remote Himalayan region by offering quality accommodation, a licensed guide, arranging required permits, and providing support needed during the journey.

Tour Highlights

  • Trek through the isolated path of Nepal’s remote Himalayan wilderness
  • Enjoy staying in the Monastery guest house
  • Trek through challenging trekking trails
  • Experience the warm hospitality of local tea houses along with trekking routes.
  • Learn about the unique Himalayan culture of the Nar and Phu valley.
  • Explore isolated villages and lifestyles
  • Learn about Buddhist culture and communities.
  • Explore Tibetan cultural villages and daily activities of the remote valley of Nepal.
  • Enjoy the scenic drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar and Koto.

Points of Attraction

The Nar Phu valley is an isolated valley located in the remote Manang region of Nepal. Open to tourists since 2003, the remote valley is full of Himalayan wilderness, traditional Tibetan lifestyles and cultures, and sacred Buddhist heritage. The isolated Himalayan valley offers high-altitude desert landscapes, mystical villages, exploration of Himalayan customs and traditions, and a glimpse of stunning mountain ranges to tourists. The Nar and Phu valley treks are a perfect blend of culture, spirituality, and physical adventure in the isolated Himalayas. Some of the main points of attraction of the Nar and Phu valley Trek are as follows:

Cultural and Heritage Attractions

  • Tashi Lakhang Monastery: The Tashi Lakhang Monastery is located at an altitude of 4,080m in Phu Village. It is one of the 108 great Buddhist monasteries in the world. The sacred monastery is believed to have been built by Karma Rinpoche.
  • Nar Gumba (Nar Village, 4,110m): Located in Nar Village at an altitude of 4,110m, the Nar Gumba is one of the major attractions and a religious site. This sacred monastery reflects the culture and tradition of Tibetan heritage. Nar Gumba allows you to explore the daily life of monks, rituals, and prayers.
  • Mani Walls, Chortens, and Kani Gates: You can spot numerous mani walls, chortens, and Tibetan entry gates or Kani gates during the trekking route of Nar and Phu valley.

Scenic and Natural Attractions

  • Panoramic Views from Kang La Pass (5,320m): Get the panoramic views of snow-capped mountain ranges from Kang La Pass (5,320m), including Annapurna II, IV, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and Chulu Range.
  • Kangaru Himal and Pisang Peak: Witness the scenic view of Kangaru Himal (6,981m) and Pisang Peak (6,091m) during the descent from Kang La Pass to Ngawal.
  • Alpine Landscapes and High-Altitude Deserts: Experience the diverse landscapes and high-altitude deserts with the gain in elevation. Walk through lush pine forest, rocky gorges, and alpine plateaus.

Adventure and Trekking Highlights

  • Crossing Kang La Pass (5,320m): Cross the challenging yet adventurous Kang La Pass at an altitude of 5,320m. Engage in steep climbing and steep descents that test your endurance.
  • Suspension Bridge Crossings: Experience adventurous and swinging suspension bridges over the rushing rivers in the route.
  • Narrow Trails: Pass through the thrilling narrow cliffside trails carved in wild gorges, particularly on the journey from Meta to Phu village.
  • Remote Trail Experience: Experience the remote and isolated trekking route that is untouched by modernization.

Stay and Experience

  • Traditional Teahouses and Guest House Stay: Stay in the traditional teahouses, the Monastery guest house in Nar village, and the guesthouse in the traditional villages of Phu, Meta, and Nar Phed. Experience the authentic taste of Tibetan foods such as buckwheat, tsampa porridge, and local dal bhat.
  • Ngawal Village (3,660m): Enjoy the stay at one of the developed Ngawal villages in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Explore the monasteries, farms, and rest with better amenities following your high pass adventure.
  • Hotels in Kathmandu and Besisahar: Before, during, and after the trek, experience the warm hospitality of hotels in Kathmandu and Besisahar. Enjoy hot showers, modern amenities, and try delicious authentic Nepalese cuisine.
  • Cultural Exploration in Kathmandu: Explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Kathmandu valley, such as Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, and the royal palaces in the Valley. Shop in vibrant markets or enjoy cultural dining before or after your Himalayan journey.

Itinerary

Elevation: 1,400m

Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Our team will greet and pick you up from the airport and take you to the hotel. After hotel check-in, you can unpack and take your time relaxing, resting, and refreshing. Relax inside your hotel room or go exploring nearby markets, streets, and places of attraction. In the evening, join the welcome dinner at the hotel, where you can experience the unique taste of Nepalese traditional cuisine.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: Welcome Dinner

Elevation: 1,400m

Following breakfast in the morning, join the trek briefing with your trek guide at the hotel. After the briefing, you may go shopping in Thamel market, where you can get trek gear and equipment. During the day, join our sightseeing tour of Kathmandu. Visit iconic sites such as Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, traditional markets, and the historical royal palaces of Kathmandu Valley. In the evening, enjoy the authentic taste of traditional Nepalese dinner in local restaurants.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation: 2,600m

Today, you will be traveling towards the starting point of the Nar Phu valley trek. Our team will pick you up from your hotel in a 4WD jeep to Besisahar. You will be travelling alongside the rushing Trishuli and Marshyangdi rivers until you reach Dumre. From Dumre, the journey heads north towards Besisahar via the Dumre-Besisahar-Chame road. With a lunch break at Besisahar, the off-road journey towards Koto starts with another jeep ride. Koto is the village where you register your permits and pass before entering the restricted Nar and Phu region.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3,560m

After an early morning breakfast and verifying all the required permits, the trekking journey starts from Koto. The first day of the trek begins with a gradual uphill walk through lush pine and dense rhododendron forest beside the bank of the Nar Khola river. Take short tea or snack breaks at the teahouse in between the trails. Continue the journey until you reach Meta, where you check in and have lunch at the Meta guest house. After lunch, you can enjoy the stunning view of majestic mountain peaks such as Annapurna II (7,932m), Annapurna IV (7,525m), and Kangaru Himal (6,981m). Total walking time: 5-6 hours.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 4,080m

On this day, we walk from Meta to the ancient village of Phu through the beautiful forested area of Kyang village. After breakfast in the morning, we start our journey passing through rhododendron and oak forests to reach Kyang. We walk alongside roaring rivers while gaining altitude. Passing little hamlets and terraced farmlands, we reach Kyang village after 3 hours of walking from Meta. Kyang village will be our resting point where we have lunch and take a short rest. Following lunch, we head towards Phu village, which takes around 3-4 hours. On the way to Phu, we walk past numerous prayer wheels, mani-stone walls, chortens, and a Tibetan-style entrance gate (Kani). Walking for a total of 7-8 hours, we finally reach the hidden Tibetan-influenced Phu village.

Overnight: Guest house in Phu Village

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 4,080m

At this point, our altitude would be around 4,080m, and due to the high altitude, we take a rest and acclimatize in Phu village. Begin your day with breakfast and take enough rest, or explore nearby areas such as Tashi Lakhang Gumba, which is a 15-minute walk from Phu village. Explore the prayer flags, chortens, stone-engraved mani walls, and traditional alleyways of the village. Learn about the local lifestyles, traditions, and cultures. You can also spot the Himalayan yaks, blue sheep, and mountain goats walking through the Himalayan trails.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3,490m

After rest and acclimatization in traditional Phu village, we resume our journey to Nar Phedi. Following an early morning breakfast, we head descending alongside roaring Phu Khola while enjoying a scenic view of the beautiful Himalayan landscape. On the way, you can get a beautiful view of the mountain ranges, including Annapurna and Lamjung Himal. We will take a break in Kyang village for lunch. After lunch, we continue our journey to reach Nar Phedi at an altitude of 3,490m. Total walking time: approximately 5-6 hours.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 4,110m

Start your morning with a warm breakfast and prepare for a 3-4 hour walk to Nar village. The walk from Nar Phedi to Nar village will be mostly uphill. As you reach Nar village, you can see traditional houses, barley fields, and cattle grazing in the grasslands. Once you reach Nar Village, check into the guest house and have lunch. Following lunch, you can explore the village and learn about its lifestyle, culture, and traditions. Also, explore the famous monastery, Nar Gumba, in the village. In the evening, have dinner at your guest house and prepare for the next day’s journey.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 3,660m

Get ready for the most adventurous, challenging, and scenic day of the trek. Wake up early in the morning and join breakfast around 4:30 AM. As there are no teahouses between Nar village and Kangla pass, we recommend carrying a packed lunch or quick snacks. After breakfast, we start our journey to Ngawal via Kangla pass, the highest point of this trek at an altitude of 5,320m. With the steep ascent, it will take around 6 hours to reach the top of the Kangla pass. From the Kangla pass, you can get a spectacular view of mountain ranges such as Annapurna IV, III, and II. We start our descent towards Ngawal village from the Kangla pass, which will take around 3-4 hours. During the descent, you get stunning views of Mount Gangapurna, Tilicho peak, Chulu peak, Pisang peak, and Thorong peak.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 760m

After your breakfast at the hotel in Ngawal, you can explore the Ngawal village in the morning. Walk around the village while visiting gumbas and farming fields. The drive from Ngawal to Besisahar takes around 5-6 hours. We stop on the way to Besisahar for a lunch break. After we reach Besisahar, check into the hotel and freshen up. Enjoy the relaxing evening and dinner at the hotel.

Overnight: Tea house

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Elevation: 1,400m

On this day, we return to Kathmandu from Besisahar after an early morning breakfast at the hotel. We board the private jeep to reach Kathmandu, which will take 5-6 hours. Most of the route is the same road we entered by, passing through the rushing Marshyangdi and Trishuli rivers via the Prithvi Highway. Once we reach Kathmandu, we check into the hotel and freshen up. You can relax and take a rest in your hotel room or explore the hustling and bustling markets of Kathmandu.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation: 1,400m

After breakfast, you can explore the historical, cultural, and architecturally rich cities of the Kathmandu valley. Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur, including historical durbar squares and important ancient religious sites. You can also explore local markets and shop for souvenirs as a memory of your adventure in Nepal’s Himalayan valley. In the evening, try Nepalese traditional delicacies and cuisine and enjoy.

Overnight: Hotel in Kathmandu

Meals: Breakfast

Elevation: 1,400m

Your Nar and Phu valley trek officially concludes on this day. After breakfast in the morning, prepare for check-out according to your flight schedule. Our team will pick you up from the hotel and drop you off at the Tribhuvan International Airport. Destiny Excursion appreciates you for taking part in a memorable journey in the Himalayan valley of Nepal.

Overnight:

Meals: Breakfast

Trek Route

Nar Phu Valley Trek Route Map

What's included

  • A warm welcome dinner on your arrival day to introduce you to the group and guides.
  • Standard hotel accommodation in city areas on a bed and breakfast basis.
  • Comfortable tea house or lodge stays during the trek, offering an authentic mountain experience.
  • All meals specified in the itinerary, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the trekking days.
  • All domestic flights included in the itinerary for both trekkers and accompanying guides.
  • Private ground transportation for airport pickups, drop-offs, and all scheduled transfers.
  • Services of a professional trekking guide and porters, including their flights, meals, lodging, insurance, and trekking gear.
  • All required trekking permits, national park passes, and conservation area entry fees.
  • A first aid kit with basic medical supplies (please inform us if you require specific medications).
  • Single Room Supplement – covered and distributed evenly among group members if necessary.

What's excluded

  • International flights to and from Nepal, along with visa fees, airport taxes, and excess baggage costs.
  • Comprehensive travel insurance covering trip cancellations, injuries, illnesses, and emergency evacuation (mandatory).
  • Extra services or optional tours not listed in your itinerary.
  • Personal trekking equipment, clothing, or accessories (rental options can be recommended).
  • Personal expenses, such as bottled water, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, snacks, or laundry.
  • Any extra fees charged by lodges for hot showers, attached bathrooms, or device charging.
  • Tips or gratuities for guides, porters, and drivers.
  • Unexpected costs due to delays, strikes, weather changes, or natural disasters.

Gallery

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Nar and Phu valleys have been open to tourists since 2003. However, tourists are required to obtain necessary permits and passes such as the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) to perform the trek.

The Nar and Phu valley trek is considered a challenging and demanding trek where you explore remote and isolated mountainous regions of Nepal. To perform the Nar Phu valley trek, it is crucial to prepare physically and mentally as the trails narrow with steep ascents and descents. The altitude and climate of the area further make the trek difficult to perform. Reaching the top of the Kang La Pass is one of the challenging parts of the trek, where you reach 5,320m above sea level.

No, solo trek in Nar Phu valley is not permitted and strictly prohibited. You are required to perform the trek with a licensed guide while obtaining proper permits.

If you are planning to trek in the Nar and Phu valley, the best season will be during spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November). Throughout these seasons, you can experience clear skies, moderate temperatures, suitable weather, and a clean view of mountain peaks.

The Nar Phu valley is one of the challenging trekking routes located in an isolated and remote Himalayan region of Nepal. A beginner with good physical and mental preparation can perform the Nar Phu valley trek. For successful trek completion, it is recommended to plan the trek wisely and adhere to all the guidelines and permit requirements.

The Nar and Phu valley is one of the safest trekking routes in the Annapurna region of Nepal if performed with proper guidance and safety. However, reasons such as high altitude, extreme weather, remote area, lack of facilities, and fatigue may cause difficulties during the trek. It is important to plan the trek properly and get equipped with proper gear and accessories during the trek. With a focus on safety and adherence to guidelines, you can perform the Nar and Phu valley trek safely.

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Starting From:

US$1793

No. of peoplePrice per person
1 Pax$ 2957
2-3 Pax$ 1793
4-5 Pax$ 1622
6-7 Pax$ 1591
8-9 Pax$ 1477
10 Pax$ 1491

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