Nar Phu Valley Trek

The fascinating aspect of this journey is that, due to the small number of visitors in the Nar Phu Valley, this destination remains tranquil and retains its original appearance. It’s a chance to delve into the untouched beauty of the region and truly experience mountain life alongside the local people.

This 12-day Nar Phu Valley Trek itinerary will lead you through open yak pastures, ancient Buddhist monasteries, lovely small villages, narrow canyons, suspension bridges, lush jungles, deep gorges, breathtaking passes, and incredible scenery along the way. What makes each day special is the route you hike, not just the destination listed in the itinerary.

Nar Phu Valley is home to the Manangi Gurung community, who have lived here for many generations, along with Khampas and Tibetan refugees. The area is also influenced by Bon Buddhism, which predates Tibetan Buddhism. Similarly, the Nar Phu Valley Trek is also part of the Annapurna Conservation Area that you will traverse, allowing you to experience its stunning landscapes.

Nar and Phu are two old high-elevation villages in the Nar Phu Valley, which welcomed visitors in 2003. Both villages offer a glimpse into raw Himalayan life, surrounded by a dramatic yet peaceful mountain landscape. The people living here spend their time doing trade, farming, and yak herding for a livelihood.

Your trekking adventure begins from Kota after exploring the significant UNESCO World Heritage destinations in Kathmandu. From Koto, you will hike through several villages, including Meta, Phu Village, Nar Phedi, Nar Village, Ngawal, and Pisang. The trek ends in Pisang, from where you can drive to Besisahar or Dharapani and then continue your journey back to Kathmandu.

One of the highlights of this thrilling trek is crossing Kang La Pass at 5,320 meters above sea level, which occurs on the tenth day of the journey while hiking from Ngawal to Pisang Village. At the top of the pass, you will see the sweeping panoramas of the popular peaks like Annapurna II, Tilicho Peak, Chulu West and Chulu East, Pisang Peak, and many more.

So, join this 12-day Nar Phu Valley Trek itinerary to kick off your journey in the heart of the mountains and make countless memories that will last forever in your life. This journey promises to be meaningful, exceeding your expectations at every step of the trek. Therefore, contact us to book now for personalized service.

a) Best Time

Without any doubt, the spring season in the Nar Phu Valley trek is like watching the valley slowly wake up from its slumber. Wildflowers begin to pop up as the snow starts to melt, and rhododendrons light up the hills. You get to see the warm sunshine with mild weather and a fresh breeze, like a breath of air after winter, which means the temperature is usually mild to warm.

Autumn is known as the golden season, not only for its pleasant weather but also for the stunning scenery—forests light up in warm tones of red, orange, and gold. You’ll get to see a clear view, which makes the mountains look so close as you hike up towards the Himalayas, and the temperature will also be very moderate. However, since it’s a peak season, the trails can be crowded, and prices may increase slightly.

Even though the monsoon means surprise rain showers and slippery paths, it also turns the valley into something special. Everything becomes so green and alive, it almost feels like you’re walking through a hidden, enchanted place. And it also brings leeches, slippery paths, landslides, and fog that make the adventure more magical, as rain sways every dust particle in the air, revealing clear vistas with fresh air.

Last but not least, the winter season is a time when we slow down and reveal a silent, white realm that makes our breath sound loud. You will get to see clear skies and stunning panoramas of the Nar Phu Valley, where the challenges can be the harsh weather. You will not be able to complete your journey successfully in the Nar Phu Valley trek if you do not take extra precautions.

b) Elevation and distance

Your Nar Phu Valley Trekking adventure starts in the Koto Village, which lies at an elevation of 2600 meters above sea level. From here, you will trek to Meta at 3560 meters and then to Phu Valley, which sits at 4080 meters. Then, you will have another highlighting destination, Nar Village, which sits at an altitude of 4110 meters.

The final ascent of this adventure will be Kang La Pass at 5240 meters, which is the highest trekking destination you will reach on this journey. Similarly, you will hike a total of nearly 79 kilometers over the seven-day itinerary, out of 12 days, on this Nar Phu Valley trek cost package.

If you take a side trip to Himlung Base Camp on the sixth day, you’ll go six to eight kilometers round-trip. You will hike around 16 kilometers in 7 to 8 hours to conquer the difficult Kang La pass. You will travel around 515 kilometers on your tour in road transportation.

c) Difficulty and altitude sickness

The Nar Phu Valley Trek is considered a moderate hike in the mountains. However, this is a very easy journey compared to Nepal’s popular classical trek to Annapurna Base Camp and Everest Base Camp. There are only a few destinations on this journey that you will walk for long hours, which means you don’t have to train too hard before planning the trip.

The most difficult part of the trek is crossing the Kang La Pass, which lies at an altitude of over 5000 meters above sea level. You are likely to experience altitude sickness due to this high altitude. Altitude sickness does not depend on your physical fitness; it can affect anyone of any age or fitness.

Please inform your guide as soon as possible if you experience symptoms such as poor appetite, trouble sleeping, dizziness, and so on. Our guides are experts and know first aid to help you with your conditions. The key to avoiding altitude sickness is drinking water and getting enough rest.

d) Maximum and minimum walk per day

You will walk around for 5 hours on a regular basis. So, for this Nar Phu Valley trek excursion, you will only need to be reasonably fit. The fewest hours you will walk on this journey is just three to four hours on an eight-day trek when you trek to Nar Village from Nar Phedi.

Likewise, you will walk for seven to eight hours on the ninth day of the trek when you cross the Kang La Pass to get from Nar Village to Ngawal Village. The journey will be challenging in comparison to other days, but the views will make you forget all your difficulties in an instant while trekking.

e) Accommodation, Food and Drink

Our Nar Phu Valley trek cost package includes all food and hotel fees for the trek in the highlands. According to the plan, you will stay in a 3-star hotel with breakfast every time you are in Kathmandu. From Koto, you will stay in local mountain lodges for three meals each day.

These lodges provide basic but pleasant rooms with a mattress, blanket, and bed to sleep on. If you like more warmth, bring your sleeping bag and liner to sleep comfortably and soundly. Similarly, in the dining options, you will be served simple, wholesome meals that are prepared from locally sourced ingredients.

Bread, boiled eggs, hash browns, and other breakfast staples will be offered with tea or coffee. Similarly, for lunch and dinner, you will be served a local rice and lentil meal, momos (dumplings), chowmein, vegetable curry, and other options. You’ll eat breakfast and dinner at the local lodge, where you’ll stay overnight.

Similarly, you will eat lunch at the teahouse or lodge that is available while trekking along the route. We will cover the cost of lunch; however, please note that we will not reimburse expenses for additional snacks and drinks, and you will be responsible for these costs. Therefore, you should carry extra cash for any expenses not included in the package.

f) Preparation and fitness

Physical fitness is important however, mental conditioning is also critical when preparing for the Nar Phu Trek. Since you will be spending hours each day with high-altitude walking, it’s better to commence your cardio workouts a couple of months beforehand by running, cycling, or swimming.

Additionally, incorporate strength training for the legs and core muscles, as it also helps with steep climbs and rocky trails. It is advisable to opt for practice hikes with a full backpack to simulate the actual trek. Additionally, yoga, stretching, and breathing exercises for balance, flexibility, and lung health should be incorporated.

Furthermore, being in the correct state of mind is vital. So, maintaining a positive attitude and being in tune with your body should be your guiding principle. Therefore, having a health check-up and trying out the gear seriously are acts of sound judgment and prudence. If your preparation phase is strong enough, this epic Himalayan journey will be a genuine enjoyment for you.

g) Permit Costs

To embark on this exciting Nar Phu Valley trek, you will first need the special permits to enter this hidden, restricted region of Nepal. You will need to bring two permits: the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Restricted Area Permit (RAP).

If you are a trekker from abroad, the ACAP fee will be around $30, while if you are from a SAARC country, it is reduced to $8. RAP will be charged at $100 from September to November for the initial seven days, and thereafter, an extra $15 will be billed for each additional day. From December to August, RAP will cost $75 for the first seven days, with an additional $15 charge for each extra day.

However, to get RAP, you must be in a group or have at least two people with a licensed guide. If you fail to meet the criteria, you will not be allowed to enter the Nar Phu Valley. All the necessary documents should be given to acquire these important permits for the travel.

h) Transportation

The expenses of transportation are taken into account in the Nar Phu Valley trek cost package. It’s a local bus that will take you to Besisahar from Kathmandu. Then, you will switch to a jeep to drive from Besisahar to Koto Village, starting the trekking adventure in the mountains.

Likewise, on the tenth day, we will return to Besisahar from Pisang Village via a jeep. The next day, we will drive back to the bustling city from Besisahar via a local bus, completing the trip. Additionally, if you want to travel to more locations, we can arrange a private vehicle for the trip.

i) Travel Insurance

Having travel insurance in the case of the Nar Phu Valley trek is a really good idea, more so for the reason that the remote trails and high altitude carry many dangers, i.e., illness, injury, or a sudden change of plans. Injury, emergency, and medical care, as well as the trip being cut short because of an emergency, are some of the things that a decent insurance policy should cover.

It’s important that you confirm that the cover also covers high-altitude trekking and helicopter rescue before making a payment. By far, the easiest way to make sure that you are secure during your whole journey.

j) What to expect from this trip?

After a crazy jeep ride through the rough terrains of Kathmandu to Koto, you will find yourself on silent trails where you can walk by yak pastures, pine forests, and deep canyons on this 12-day Nar Phu Valley trek itinerary. You will cross narrow suspension bridges and take a sip of local tea, savoring different food dishes in the simple teahouses of the Manangi Gurung and Khampa communities.

During this spectacular journey, you will cross one of the special parts of the trek, Kang La Pass (5,320 m), from where you will be showered with unbelievable views of Annapurna II, Tilicho, and Chulu peaks. In the evenings, there will be rustic lodges with minimal facilities and basic Tibetan meals.

With only a few trekkers on this Nar Phu Valley route, you can expect peaceful trails, authentic cultural encounters in Nar and Phu villages, and the magic of a secluded Himalayan valley. Look forward to unexpected heavenly natural beauty that will surprise you with unforgettable memories to cherish for a lifetime.