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Off the Beaten
Nar Phu Valley Trek

Nar Phu Valley Trek

Real Himalayan wilderness experience journey

  • Group Size:Min 2 Max 12
  • Duration:16 Days
  • Max Altitude:5,322m/17,460ft
  • Accommodation:Teahouse/Lodge
  • Activity:Trekking in Nepal
  • Meal:Meals Included
  • Trip Grade:Challenging
  • Start Point:Kathmandu
  • End Point:Kathmandu
Package difficulty Challenging  

Trip Overview

Highlights

  • A true Himalayan wilderness experience
  • Explore ancient sites, Tibetan cultures and untouched beauty
  • Cross the Khangla Pass at 5,322m for panoramic views
  • All-inclusive guided holiday in the Himalayas 

Tucked between two famous trekking regions, Annapurna and Manaslu, Nar Phu Valley Trek is a true Himalayan wilderness experience journey. Located in the magical lands of Manang district in the Annapurna region, the Nar Phu Valley trek is one of the unique off-beaten treks in Nepal.

The Nar Phu Valley trek takes you to the remote villages of Nar and Phu, which was opened up to tourists recently on late 2000. The trek combines off the beaten trekking experience, majestic Himalayan views, remote communities and a breathtaking panorama of Annapurna range from the top of Khangla Pass. With a comparatively smaller number of trekkers in this region, Nar Phu Valley is still untouched by the modern world and mass tourism. The Nar Phu Valley trek will let you explore the lifestyle of people in rural areas. Traverse through the traditional villages of the remote communities while the beautiful sceneries accompany you along the way.

As the Nar Phu valley lies near the Tibetan border, you will notice the practices of Tibetan Buddhism. You will explore monasteries like the famous Tashi Lakhang Gompa in the Phu village.

Itinerary Overview:  

The trek takes you on a beautiful journey towards the north of the famous Annapurna circuit trek. You walk past traditional village settlements, alpine grasslands, narrow canyons, and dense forests. Our trek starts off with a full day drive to Jagat, from where we will begin our 11 days trek. We follow the Annapurna circuit trail till Dharapani and branch off right from here towards Nar Phu Valley.

We will spend a week in the valley trekking and exploring the ancient sites, Tibetan cultures and untouched beauty. A full day for exploration has been kept at Phu Gaon. After this, we retrace all the way back to Nar Phedi and thereafter trek towards Nar. Following very gentle uphill climb we pass through small Buddhist Chortens and prayer flags along the way to Nar. We trek up cross Khang la Pass from Nar and descend to Ngawal. At 5322 meters above the sea level, Khang La Pass is the highest point on this trek and provides panoramic views of Annapurna range.

The last few days of the trek, we trek along the Marshyangdi river, losing altitude and passing by Lower Pisang, Chame and finally reach Dharapani. From here we drive back to Kathmandu and conclude our trek.

Trip Itinerary

  • Day 01 - Arrival in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

    Arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal. Upon completing the visa formalities and collecting your luggage in the airport, kindly proceed to the exit of the arrival hall. Your trip leader will await you just outside the arrival hall and will escort you to your hotel in Kathmandu. Please lookout for a placard of Highland Expeditions at the exit of the arrival hall. Welcome drinks will be served and after you’ve refreshed, your trek leader will brief you about your trip in the lobby of your hotel in the evening. Get familiar with your surroundings by taking a walk down the street.

    • Meal: (D)
    • Accommodation: Hotel
  • Day 02 - Drive from Kathmandu to Jagat [1,300m/4,265ft]

    After an early breakfast, we will begin our drive to Jagat. On our way to Jagat, we can see the mighty Trishuli River, beautiful landscapes, terraced farms, rough terrains, and small village settlements. We will make a stop at Besisahar for lunch and refreshments. Continuing on the journey, the roads might get a bit bumpy and narrow. We will reach Jagat in the evening. Check-in the hotel and rest. Overnight stay at Jagat.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 8-9 hrs drive
  • Day 03 - Trek to Dharapani [1,860m/6,103ft]

    After breakfast, we begin our first day of the trek to Dharapani. This is an uphill climb as we make our way past lush meadows and thick forests before we reach Chamje, where we get a majestic view of the massive Annapurna range. After crossing a suspension bridge and walking over grassy riverbanks, we will reach the village of Taal, where we stop for lunch and some rest. We again make our way through small waterfalls and rocky trails before reaching Dharapani. Overnight stay at Dharapani.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 6-7 hrs
  • Day 04 - Trek to Koto [2,600m/8,531ft

    After breakfast, we begin our trek to Koto. We do an uphill climb through the thick pine and fir forests before reaching a small village Timang, where we can enjoy a beautiful view of Mt. Manaslu (8156m) and Peak 29 (7871m). We again make our way through pine forests before reaching Latamarang, where we stop for lunch and rest. After trekking for a couple of hours from here, we reach the village of Koto. Overnight stay at Koto.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 6-7 hrs
  • Day 05 - Trek to Meta [3,625m/11,895ft]

    Today, we begin our trek to the restricted area of the Nar Phu Valley. On the way, we will see a Police Check Post where we will show our restricted area permit to proceed further. This trail takes us through narrow canyons, forests, riverbanks, and suspension bridges before we reach Meta. From Meta, we can see a magnificent view of Annapurna II (7937m) and Lamjung Himal (6983m). Overnight stay at Meta.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 6-7 hrs
  • Day 06 - Trek to Phu Gaon [4,100m/13,450ft]

    After breakfast, we make our way to the famous Phu Gaon (village). We make our way through small Buddhist Chortens, prayer flags, small streams, and rivers along the trail. We also pass through small village settlements of Kyang, Jhunam, and Chyakhu. The people living here are mostly Sherpas and Gurung. After walking along the banks of Phu Khola for a couple of hours, we reach Phu Gaon. Overnight stay at Phu Gaon.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 6-7 hrs trek
  • Day 07 - Exploration of Phu Gaon [4,100m/13,450ft]

    Today, we will spend the day exploring the village of Phu as we acclimatize ourselves with the environment and take a day’s rest. You will want to visit the famous Tashi Lakhang Gompa built by Karma Sonam Rinpoche, who came to Nepal with the Dalai Lama in 1959. If you want a challenge, you can also hike up to the Himlung Base Camp. The trail will take you through narrow canyons and glacier valleys, and you can also spend your day learning about the culture and tradition of the Gurung community living here and try their local cuisine.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 3-4 hrs
  • Day 08 - Trek to Nar Phedi [3,490m/11,450ft]

    After breakfast, we make our way to Nar Phedi. We start the trek as we retrace our steps back to Meta and make our way past thick forests of fir and pine to Nar Phedi. Nar Phedi homes the Nar Phedi Monastery, where travellers can spend the night. You can learn more about the lifestyle of the monks living in the monastery as they are very friendly. Interact with the monks and learn about their daily chores in the monastery. Overnight stay at Nar Phedi.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 6-7 hrs
  • Day 09 - Trek to Nar [4,110m/13,485ft]

    After breakfast, we begin our trek to the village of Nar. This is a very gentle uphill climb as we pass through small Buddhist Chortens and prayer flags along the way. You will reach Nar by lunchtime and explore the village in your leisure time. The view from the village of Nar is very picturesque as it is not that far from the Annapurna trail and is remotely visited by trekkers. Overnight stay at Nar.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 4-5 hrs
  • Day 10 - Trek to Ngawal [3,660m/12,010ft] via Khangla Pass [5,322m/17,460ft]

    Today’s trek is going to be the toughest as we trek across Khang La Pass (5322m) and then make our descent back down to Ngawal. Once we reach Kang La Pass, we get a fantastic view of Annapurna II (7937m), Gangapurna (7455m), and Tilicho Peak (7134m). We then make our way downhill to Ngawal for overnight.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 8-9 hrs
  • Day 11 - Trek to Lower Pisang [3,200m/10,450ft]

    After breakfast, we begin our descend to Lower Pisang. We make our way past lush meadows and beautiful streams before reaching a magnificent lake just on the outskirts of Lower Pisang. From the lake, we get a glorious view of Mt. Pisang (6091m). The climate gets considerably warmer as you reach Pisang. In the evening, you can head out for a short walk and explore the surrounding areas. Overnight stay at Pisang.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 5-6 hrs
  • Day 12 - Trek to Chame [2,670m/8,760ft]

    After breakfast, we begin our trek to Chame. We again make our way past thick forests of pine and firs, rocky trails, and many suspension bridges as we reach Chame. As you make your way downhill, you will start noticing the paths getting wider. You will also see more village settlements as the altitude decreases. Overnight stay at Chame.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 5-6 hrs
  • Day 13 - Trek to Dharapani [1,860m/6,103ft] and drive to Besisahar [760m/2,495ft]

    Today, we begin our final day of the trek back to Dharapani. This is a very easy trek as we retrace our steps back to Dharapani. You can walk at your own pace and take a last glimpse of the beautiful Manang region. After reaching Dharapani, we will take a drive to Besisahar for overnight. The road is a bit bumpy. We will reach Besisahar by the early evening. Overnight stay at Besishahar.

    • Meal: (B,L,D)
    • Accommodation: Teahouse/Lodge
    • Trekking Hours: 5-6 hrs
  • Day 14 - Drive to Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

    After breakfast, we make our way back to Kathmandu. Along the way, you can view the beautiful landscapes, eye-catching terrains, and rivers such as Trishuli and Marshyangdi. We will stop for lunch along the way at one of the restaurants on the highway. We will reach Kathmandu by late afternoon. After resting for a while at the hotel, you can head out for a short walk around Thamel. Overnight stay at Kathmandu.

    • Meal: (B,L)
    • Accommodation: Hotel
    • Trekking Hours: 5-6 hrs drive
  • Day 15 - Free day in Kathmandu [1,350m/4,430ft]

    Enjoy a leisure day. You are on your own. Participating in a day tour in Kathmandu is a pleasant plan. You can also go for shopping in Thamel, a tourist hub where you can buy souvenir items like handicrafts and arts to your family.

    • Meal: (B)
    • Accommodation: Hotel
    • Trekking Hours: 0
  • Day 16 - International Departure

    Thank you for joining us on this trek and it has been a pleasure getting to know you during this time. We hope this venture has enriched your experience with happy memories. Keep in touch and hope to hear from you soon. Bon voyage for a safe and pleasant trip home.

    • Meal: (B)
    • Accommodation: None
    • Trekking Hours: 0

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Dates & Price

Our trips are available on both fixed departure and private group basis.

If you are looking for a group to join this trip please click the Fixed Departures tab for more information on departure dates, availability and price. All our fixed departures are guaranteed to run. Or, if you would like to do this trip alone, or with your friends, families & colleagues in a private group style, please fill out the contact form in Private Group tab and send us your message. We will organize a private trip for you at your preferred dates catering any request you may have.

Check Available Dates

Trip Start Date
Trip End Date
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Oct, 2024

Trip Start Date11 Oct, 2024
Trip End Date26 Oct, 2024
PriceUSD 1550
Status Available
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Nov, 2024

Trip Start Date01 Nov, 2024
Trip End Date16 Nov, 2024
PriceUSD 1550
Status Available
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Apr, 2025

Trip Start Date18 Apr, 2025
Trip End Date03 May, 2025
PriceUSD 1550
Status Available
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Oct, 2025

Trip Start Date10 Oct, 2025
Trip End Date25 Oct, 2025
PriceUSD 1550
Status Available
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Trip Start Date24 Oct, 2025
Trip End Date08 Nov, 2025
PriceUSD 1550
Status Available
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Cost Inclusion

  • All meals (B,L,D) on OPEN/CHOICE Menu whilst on the trek with tea & coffee.
  • Twin sharing accommodation at Kathmandu guest house or similar category for 3 nights with breakfast
  • Accommodation at clean and cosy teahouses/lodges on the trek
  • All ground transportation as per mentioned in the itinerary on private vehicle
  • All required permits for the trek (ACAP & Special Permit)
  • Experienced local trek leader with 1:4 assistant guide to client ratio
  • Full support crew with 1 porter for every 2 trekkers
  • Kathmandu airport transfers and escorts
  • Comprehensive first aid kit with high altitude medicines
  • Duffel bag, Sleeping bag with liner and Down Jacket (Sleeping bag and down jacket must be returned after completion of the trek)
  • Staff equipment, insurance and allowances
  • Trek completion certificate (Upon request)

Cost Exclusion

  • International airfare, Visa and travel insurance
  • Meals at Kathmandu
  • Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu or on trek for any reason (Early arrival or delay, Early arrival from trek due to any reason)
  • Personal expenses
  • Gratuities for staff

Essential Information

Difficulty

Grading: 5-6 (Challenging)

Longer treks reaching up to an elevation of 5500m where some of the famous mountaineering Base Camps are located and you need to sleep at an elevation of 5000m for a few days. Physically strenuous, involving daily trekking of approximately 6 – 8 hours. No previous trekking experience is required but you should be moderately fit and must enjoy walking and adaptable to high altitude conditions.

Prerequisites

No previous experience of trekking is required but you should be moderately fit and must enjoy walking and adaptable to high altitude conditions. Having a previous experience is definitely beneficial but it is not a must to participate for this trip. All travellers need to be in good physical health in order to participate fully on this trip. We strongly advise you to prepare yourself for the trip at least 3 months prior to your trip date by doing regular exercises, going on hiking, running or gym. The fitter you are, the more enjoyable you will find the experience of trekking. All our trip itinerary has been devised keeping every aspect in mind and allows ample time for acclimatization

Weather

The best season for trekking in the Nar Phu Valley would be during the Spring (March-May) and Autumn (September-November) as the temperatures during this period are mild, and there are very fewer chances of rainfall and unpredictable weather. If you do choose to trek during winter or monsoon season, the difficulty increases due to slippery paths and low temperatures.

Autumn/Fall:
This is when the rain settles after the monsoon (July to Mid September )and the weather gets dry. Slightly colder than Spring but presents clear views of the mountains. The mornings are clear providing best mountain views, days are warmer and night time will get cold and frosty. Temperatures will drop considerably as you ascend higher every day. The temperature during Autumn varies from lowest -5 degree Celsius at Thorung Phedi to warmest 20 degree Celsius at lower places.

Spring:
Another weather window for trekking in Nepal comes during the month of the latter March to May. The temperature will be relatively warmer during this period of time but still, nights will be cold and frosty at a higher elevation. During the spring season, The trekking trails all over the country are filled with vibrant mixes of red, pink, and white floras offering surreal experience along the trek. Spring season offers warm temperatures, blossoming flora and temperate days. The temperature during Autumn varies from lowest -0 degree Celsius at Thorung Phedi to warmest 25 degree Celsius at lower places.

Read more about the best time: https://highlandexpeditions.com/best-time-to-visit-nepal/

Accommodation

Hotel: 3 Nights, Teahouse/Lodge: 12 Nights

Kathmandu: 
In Kathmandu, we stay at Kathmandu Guest House, a well-known hotel where many famous celebrities like Beatles, Ricky Martin, Jeremy Irons and others have stayed. Centrally located in Thamel, the hotel also boasts of a beautiful garden where you can relax and enjoy the greenery. Breakfast will be provided in the hotel and your accommodation will be on twin sharing basis and if you would like to have a single room, upon request you are required to pay single supplement price as stated in the trip costing.
Regardless of whether you're coming back from the mountains or touching base from the airport, come and unwind at the hotel beautiful garden, request some fine Italian espresso or a chilled Beer, and escape in the memorable surroundings of Kathmandu's most adored guesthouse.

On Trek:
For accommodation on the trek, there are clean and friendly teahouses/lodges along the trail. Rooms are basic, normally just a bed with a pillow and blankets but with a wonderful view from your window. Due to the limited teahouses/lodges on this area, during the peak season time, even dining rooms are occupied for the sleeping purpose. Your accommodation on the trek will be on a twin sharing basis. All the teahouses/lodges have a spacious, warm dining room-lounge. The rooms are very basic. The teahouse generally provides blankets, but we will provide a warm sleeping bag to everyone. Bathrooms are mostly shared, and toilets are squat type in most places. We will arrange for you and your group to stay in local lodges daily. Please remember that some of them are very basic, and a sense of adventure is necessary.

Single supplement:
Single supplement will be charged if someone wishes to have their own room in Kathmandu. Especially when travelling in a group, we will always pair you with someone of the same sex and similar age to share the room with. If in case of a single by default, then clients don’t have to pay for the single supplement. Please note that on the trek, a single supplement is not available due to limited rooms

Meals

All meals are included during the trekking period (Day 02 to Day 14). We will provide three meals a day (B, L, D) during the trek. The menus in the teahouses are varied, ranging from traditional Nepalese dhal bhat, Momo (Dumpling) to pizza and apple pie. During the trek, Breakfast and Dinner will be served at the teahouse/lodge where you stay and Lunch will be along the way.
If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know in advance and we will be sure to pass your message to your guide. For a gluten-free diet, we highly recommend you to bring extra foods especially for breakfast as your options for the breakfast will be limited. Meals worth USD3500-400 are included on this trip. In Kathmandu, only breakfast will be provided to give you the maximum flexibility in deciding where what and with whom to eat for lunch and dinner.

Group Size

Our emphasis is always on maintaining the small group so that it will be easy to coordinate and cooperate with each other. Our group size is small and we only take up to 12 pax in one group. If you opt to join our ‘fixed departure trip’, you are likely to be joining people from different countries of any age group except minors. The size of the group varies, minimum no of persons required to operate the trip is 2 and the maximum is 12 people.

Typical Day

Daily wake up calls will be between 6.00 am to 7.00 am while on the trek. The wake-up time and breakfast time will be decided a night before during the briefing time. The time table for each day will entirely depend on your walking duration for that particular day.

After a hearty breakfast, we set off on the day's walk. Before breakfast, you are required to pack your duffel bag as it will be loaded by the porter while you are having your breakfast. After 3-4 hours of walk, we stop for lunch mid-day.  The afternoon's walk is generally shorter and we usually arrive at our destination in time for afternoon tea. The rest of the afternoon can be spent exploring the village, to wash your clothes or simply relaxing with a good book. On some days, we will arrive at our destination by lunchtime and the entire afternoon will be free. After dinner, the evening will often be spent playing cards and reliving the day's adventures, before heading off to bed for a well-earned sleep.

Guide

We possess a deep passion for alpine adventure & the outdoors, and with the small professional group we have on board, we’ve notched up experience that spans almost 3 decades on some of the most isolated trails and highest peaks. We take great pride in calling ourselves a ‘high-altitude adventure specialist’ and all this is due to our diverse and qualified team of guides. Most of our guides were born in these parts & have relatives living in other parts of the regions where they were born in.

Your trip will be led by a qualified guide with 1 porter to every 2 participants and 1 assistant guide to every 4 participants.

Private Trip/Group Joining

Our trips are available on both fixed departure and private basis. If you are looking for a group to join this trip please check our departures section for availability, dates and price. If you would like to travel independently, or with your friends, families & colleagues you are invited to choose any of the trips at your convenient timeframe for any number of people. If you want to do something that is not included in our trip list, we are ready to tailor a trip to suit your exact requirements. In short, we will make every effort to get you on the trip you want, when you want.

Equipment Checklist

The gear listed below is recommended for this kind of trips. We encourage you to get all equipment listed below for the trip and kindly ensure you check and try every equipment. You can also buy or hire the same in Kathmandu as they are available in the many trekking shops from branded to local manufacturers in Kathmandu.

Clothing and Footwear

- Long-sleeved shirts
- T-Shirts
- Trousers
- Warm Jackets/Sweater/Pullover
- Waterproof jackets and trousers
- Thermal
- Inner wears
- Undergarments
- Warm socks
- Warm Hat, Gloves and Bandana/Scarf
- Extra clothes to wear in Kathmandu when you come back from the trek.
- Trekking shoes
- Slippers/Flip flops to wear at camp
- Daypack 30-35 litres (To carry your sunblock, water, camera, waterproof jackets and others that you may require while trekking)

Documents

- Passport with visa and validity of 6 months after your trip completion
- 4 copies of passport size photos for permits and official formalities
- Travel Insurance (Please refer to the general information page for more detail about it)
- Flight tickets
- Credit cards in case of emergencies
- Driving ID or any other ID in case of loss of your passport.

(Please carry the photocopy of all the documents along with you and leave a copy to next of kin)

Others

- Headlamps with extra batteries
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Camera with charger or spare batteries
- A pair of trekking poles
- Water bottle one (1) litre
- Laundry bag to keep the dirty clothes
- Large plastic bags to keep the clothes dry
- Padlock
- Binoculars
- Reading materials, notebooks and pens

Toiletries and hygiene

- Quick-drying towel
- Small face towel
- Toothbrush &Toothpaste
- Deodorants, Soap and Shampoo (Smaller bottle)
- Face and body moisturizer, Sunscreen and lip balm
- Hand sanitizer/Antiseptic wipes
- Hygiene products
- Basic first aid kit

The gears listed below will be provided by us for the trek. Down Jacket and Sleeping Bag must be returned after the completion of the trek.

- Down Jacket
- Sleeping bag
- Duffel/Kit Bag

Additional Information

Other information such as (Insurance, Arrival Instructions, Visa and Passport etc) required for the trip will be provided after your trip confirmation. Please feel free to get in touch with us if you require more information about the trip.

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