Explore the Unexplored: Nar Phu Valley Trek

This trek is one of the best ways to experience the Himalayas up close, and discover what life is like in Nepal’s high mountains.

25, Dec 2022 | nepaltraveller.com

With its distinct prayer stones and monasteries, you get to witness the culture descended from Tibet in the Nar Phu valley.

The Nar Phu Valley trek offers breath-taking glimpses of the Himalayas. Nar Phu is a hidden treasure that gives hikers the opportunity to discover pristine valleys, with its unique combination of old Buddhist culture and untainted Himalayan sceneries between the Annapurna and Manaslu regions.

The journey to the Nar Phu valley features high peaks and mountains, glaciers, isolated settlements, deep gorges, magnificent woods, incredible rock formations, yaks, gompas, and the Tibetan culture. Few foreigners have visited these mostly uninhabited settlements, or scaled the 7000 meter hills that were off limits to trekkers up until late 2002.

The trek begins at Besisahar, the customary starting point of the Annapurna Circuit. Then, it rapidly deviates from the much used paths to enter the secluded Nar and Phu valleys. You can hang out with the locals in Phu as they go about their daily lives, and spend the night in the Nar Phedi monastery, while travelling past vibrant Tibetan chortens and prayer stones into deep valleys and gorges. This trek is one of the best ways to experience the Himalayas up close, and discover what life is like in Nepal’s high mountains. If you are up to it, you can also choose to climb up the Himlung Himal Base Camp.

You have to cross the high Kang La Pass on the final two days of the trek, and then descend to Ngawal, a popular resting point on the Annapurna Circuit trail, where you can take advantage of comforts like at home.  The surroundings become greener and more lush, before arriving back in Besisahar by vehicle.

The trek is accessible during the monsoon season (June to August), as well as the two busiest travel times (March-May and September-November). Although the access to roads in the highlands to and from Besisahar might be hampered by mud and landslides during monsoon, the trek is still refreshing. The high pass becomes inaccessible in winter (December-February) due to snowfall.

This route could be extended, if you choose to visit Tilicho Lake and continue on the Annapurna Circuit at Yak Kharka. On Day 8, you can trek to Manang, Khangsar, Tilicho Base Camp, Tilicho Lake, Yak Kharka, Thorung Phedi, Muktinath, and Jomson (instead of Ngawal to Pisang) before flying back to Pokhara. This journey will take 16 days in total.

The one of the highest lakes in Nepal, Tilicho lake in Muktinath, is revered by both Hindus and Buddhists. It’s close to the frontier town of Jomsom, which is located on the edge of Lower Mustang. These are some of the prime attractions of this trek.

The lengthy days and significant elevation gains make this a difficult climb. There are few accommodations available along the route. It limits the flexibility in distance covered each day, leading to prolonged walks during the day. The daily altitude rises are fairly significant, and the effects of high altitude on the body are seldom predictable. The ideal candidates for this expedition are individuals, who have extensive mountaineering expertise and are in good physical shape.

Permits must be taken for this trek. From September to November, the permit costs $90 USD per person and from December to August, it is $75.

 We do have a brief itinerary of the trek:

Day

Highlight

Overnight

Day 1

Welcome to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Day 2

Explore Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Day 3

Drive from Kathmandu to Koto

Koto

Day 4

Trek from Koto to Meta

Meta

Day 5

Trek from Meta to Phu

Phu

Day 6

Acclimatisation day in Phu

Phu

Day 7

Trek from Phu to Nar Phedi

Nar Phedi

Day 8

Trek from Nar Phedi to Nar

Nar

Day 9

Trek from Nar to Ngawal via the Kang La Pass

Ngawal

Day 10

Trek from Ngawal to Pisang and Drive to Besisahar

Besisahar

Day 11

Drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Day 12

Depart Kathmandu

 

 

 

Through the Nar Phu trek, you get to explore rural areas of Nepal that are rarely visited by tourists. You can stay in historic towns that haven’t changed much in centuries. You will also get stunning views of Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, Himlung Himal and Annapurna II. It is in proximity to the plateau of Tibet, which descends into Nepal. With its distinct prayer stones and monasteries, you get to witness the culture descended from Tibet in the Nar Phu valley.

Compiled By: Rebika Bishokarma


Photos By: Hike on Travels, Mount Mania, Trekking Encounter


Also Read:

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Explore The Unexplored: A Lake Each In Seven Provinces Of Nepal

Explore The Unexplored: Thyangboche Monastery

Explore The Unexplored: Bhotechaur Tea Garden

Explore The Unexplored: Jagadulla Lake

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