Nar Phu Valley Trek - 16 Days

Day 1 Drive from Kathmandu to Besisahar (760m / 2492ft) to Jagat (1,300m / 4,265ft)

Following an early morning breakfast, our journey commences with a captivating drive departing from Kathmandu, extending over a duration of approximately 6 to 7 hours, covering a distance of 190 kilometers to reach Besisahar.

The local bus guiding us out of the valley offers a delightful view of the meandering Trishuli River. As the journey unfolds, the surroundings transform into a tapestry of natural beauty, featuring terraced fields, quaint traditional villages, and glimpses of towering mountain peaks, most notably the awe-inspiring Ganesh and Manaslu peaks.

Gradually, we veer off the main highway leading to Pokhara, steering our course northward toward Besisahar. Subsequently, our route takes us through stretches of verdant paddy fields, ultimately culminating in our arrival at Jagat, a village characterized by its charming Tibetan-style architecture.

Day 2 Trek from Jagat (1,300m / 4,265ft) to Dharapani (1,860m / 6,200ft)

Early morning after breakfast, we follow a trail that gradually progresses uphill to Chame. Then you will cross a suspension bridge and follow a rocky, steep path to reach Tal Village.

You can enjoy the stunning waterfalls at Tal. After savoring the beauty of Tal, we move ahead, crossing a suspension bridge to reach lower Dharapani. Little ahead lies higher Dharapani, where we will stay for the night. 

Day 3 Trek from Dharapani (1,860m / 6,200ft) to Koto (2,610m / 8,563ft)

Exploring Nar Phu Valley entails a captivating journey of approximately four to five hours. As you embark on this route, you will traverse enchanting pine and fir forests, encounter several sacred monasteries, and immerse yourself in the rustic charm of traditional villages before arriving at Bargarchhap.

This quaint destination not only serves as a delightful stopover but also treats you to breathtaking vistas of the towering Annapurna II, majestic Manaslu, and other awe-inspiring peaks.

The trail then leads you through the serene embrace of pine forests, eventually leading to Koto, a picturesque village cherished by the warm-hearted Gurung community.

Day 4 Trek from Koto (2,610m / 8,563ft) to Meta (3,560m / 11,680ft)

After registering our restricted area permits at the police check post at Koto, we travel along the banks of Soti Khola through wonderful pine forests, past several suspension bridges and cascading waterfalls, ultimately reaching Dharamshala in about five hours.

From Dharamshala onwards, the woods become thinner, and the vistas get wider. We continue our trek for about one and a half hours through the forest, ascending steeply to Meta village on the Tibetan Plateau. The views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal look great from here.

Day 5 Trek from Meta (3,560m / 11,680ft) to Phu Gaon (4,250m / 13,944ft)

The trail meanders through a series of ascents and descents, eventually leading you to the picturesque village of Chyaku via a suspension bridge. As you persevere on your journey, breathtaking vistas of the majestic Annapurna Mountain Range begin to unfold before your eyes.

The path proceeds to Kyang, offering panoramic views of Pisang Peak and Annapurna II, a true visual delight for trekkers. Along the way, you'll traverse the rocky terrain along the Phu Khola, leaving behind intriguing submarine rock formations and the possibility of discovering a few remote campsites before arriving at the Phu gate, marking the entry to Phu Village.

Nar and Phu are renowned not only for their captivating landscapes but also for their unique cultural traditions and religious customs. During your sojourn in Phu Village, a visit to the Tashi Lhakhang Monastery is a must, offering insight into the spiritual heritage of the region.

Moreover, the village's elevated location affords splendid views of the Himalayan ranges, with Himlung Himal standing tall among the distant peaks.

Day 6 Trek from Phu Gaon (4,250m / 13,944ft) to Nar (4,110m / 13,484ft)

We leave Phu Gaon and head to Nar village, crossing two high passes - Phu Pass (5,050m) and Nar Pass (5,400m). 

The trek passes through many suspension bridges over streams, especially the Mahendra Pul. The trail provides you an opportunity to appreciate Pisang Peaks and several others. 

Day 7 Acclimatization and Preparation at Nar

We have planned to spend a day acclimatizing in Nar, offering an ideal opportunity to unwind and immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of Nar village, where we can delve into its vibrant community, time-honored traditions, and distinctive culture.

Nestled in this charming village, you'll discover numerous monasteries and Chortens, each exuding an aura of spirituality and history. What might astound you is the fact that in Nar, it's a customary practice for at least one child from every family to pursue the study of Buddhism.

Day 8 Trek from Nar (4,110m / 13,484ft) to Kang La Pass (5,322m / 17,460ft) to Ngawal (3,660m / 12,008ft)

Starting from Nar, our journey leads us upwards along the lateral moraine of Temdenzon Khola on a delightful trail that winds through pastoral yak fields. This scenic route treats you to breathtaking vistas of the western ridge of Pisang Peak. Continuing on, our trek guides us to Jhombu Kharka, also referred to as Kang la Phedi, which is situated at the base of Kang La Pass.

Advancing from Kang La Phedi, we embark on a gradual ascent towards Kang La Pass. While the path does become steep, it remains manageable, and we anticipate that it will take approximately two hours to successfully traverse the pass. Once atop Kang La Pass, you'll be rewarded with stunning panoramas featuring the majestic Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.

From this point, our journey continues for approximately three more hours, leading us to the charming Ngawal Village, where we will spend the night.

Day 9 Trek from Ngawal (3,660m / 12,008ft) to Manang (3,540m / 11,614ft)

We depart from Ngwal, embarking on a scenic journey alongside the Marsyangdi River towards our final destination, Manang. Along the way, the trail takes us through lush forests and charming villages, such as Braga and Paugh.

While hiking, we're treated to breathtaking vistas of majestic peaks, including the towering Tilicho Peak and the stunning Annapurna ranges. Our path eventually converges with the well-traveled Annapurna trails as we press on, ultimately reaching Manang, where we conclude our day's trek.