Nar Phu Valley Short Trek

Trip Fact:
  • Duration 8 Days
  • Difficulty Level Moderate
  • DestinationNepal
  • Max Altitude5,305 (Kang La Pass)
  • AccommodationTea House
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch and Dinner
  • Trip Start/EndBesisahar
  • Group Size2-30
  • Best SeasonMarch to May and September to November are best months.

What to Expect:

  • Short and relatively comfortable Nar Phu Valley Trekking, just in 9 days.
  • Wholesome glimpses of Annapurna massifs, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, and other beautiful mountains.
  • Crossing adventurous Kang La Pass, at 5,305 meters.
  • Hike through the wonderful Manang and Pisang Villages to the remote yet surreal Nar and Phu villages.
  • Guided trek with fixed departures in 2023 with Dream Heaven Adventure.
  • 100% safe, secured, and best value trek that offers handpicked itinerary, excellent logistics, and the most affordable rate.

The two isolated villages, Nar and Phu, in the Northern Annapurna region, have everything to offer to the trekker. From the awe-striking glimpses of Annapurna massifs to some century-old monasteries and cinematic landscapes, Nar Phu Valley Short Trek is filled with every nuance of enjoyable adventure one could ask for.

Even being adjacent to the most popular Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu Valley is a less traversed landscape than other Upper Manang destinations. Opened for foreign trekkers in just 2003 A.D, Nar Phu Valley Trek is still among Nepal's off-the-beaten trekking. It's an ideal trek for those trekkers who could live a few days without the comfort of apple pie and could cherish the alluring remoteness of the region.

Trek to Nar Phu Valley and Nar Phu Valley Short Trek are two complete hikes to Nar Phu Valley. The standard Nar Phu Valley Trek involves a much more strenuous hike as you'll hike to Thorung La Pass and some parts of the Annapurna Circuit Trek Route. On top, it's laborious for reasons like high altitude, strenuous grade trek, and more.

But, with Nar Phu Valley Short Trek, you won't have strenuous hikes, and it involves crossing Thorung La Pass. Instead of 13 days, in this short trek, you'll hike for nine days in much easier trekking trails, starting the trek with a drive from Kathmandu to Koto and ending with a drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu. And in between, the seven days of ultimate sightseeing, cultural experience, and lifelong adventure.

Off-the-beaten-Trekking in Northern Annapurna Region

Even being close to the Annapurna Circuit Trek route and often overlapping each other, the trek short to Nar Phu Valley offers you the off-the-beaten trekking experience.

Still, in 2023, this trek remains one of the least hiked routes in Nepal. Hence, for peaceful hikers who want to avoid the crowds of the Annapurna Circuit and still want to embrace the Annapurna experience, trekking to Nar and Phu and crossing Kang La is a no bargain. It can be the best fit for you.

Heaven of Annapurna Mountains

Annapurna I, at 8,091 meters, the 10th highest and Dhaulagiri, at 8,167 meters, the 7th highest mountain, are visible while trekking to Nar Phu Valley.

Moreover, you can see other mountains from Nar Phu Valley Short Trek: Gangapurna, Himlung, Nilgiri, and Tilicho Peak. Moreover, all these mountains are above 7,000 meters altitude and appear voluminous and elegant during each hike.

As you hike through some vantage points like Himlung Himal Base Camp and Kang La Pass, you'll get an unobstructed glimpse of adjoining mountains in the Annapurna region.

One High Himalayan Pass- Kang La Pass

Nar Phu Valley Trek is better known for crossing two high Himalayan Passes, Kang La and Thorung La. While hiking these, you'll complete nearly almost all of the Annapurna Circuit.

But, to make Nar Phu Valley trekking short and less strenuous, this short trek to Nar and Phu Valley sees you crossing only one pass, Kang La Pass. Kang La Pass, at 5,322 meters, is roughly 100 meters lower than Thorung La Pass and also easier to hike on than Thorung.

And after crossing Kang La Pass, you'll hike down to Ngawal and Chame instead of hiking to Thorung Phedi from Manang.

Tilicho Peak, Annapurna II, and Gangapurna are best visible from Kang La Pass.

Best for Time Bound Trekkers

Trekking to Nar and Phu Villages and crossing two High Himalayan Passes, Kang La and Thorung La, requires more than 16 days. However, only some can trek for up to two weeks.

So, for people with little time to trek, Dream Himalayan Adventure offers a nine-day Nar Phu Valley Short Trek in 2023. With this short trek at the most affordable rate, you can embrace the wholesome off-the-beaten Nar and Phu Valley Trek experience.

Itinerary

+ Expand all- Collapse all

The first day of the Nar Phu Short Trek Itinerary starts with an early morning drive from Kathmandu to Koto via Besisahar.

Your trek guide will come to pick you up at the hotel you'll stay in, Kathmandu. You can take either a tourist or a local bus departing from Kathmandu to Besisahar. However, it would help if you informed us about this preference before starting the trek.

For almost six hours, you'll drive to Besisahar. And from Besisahar, you'll get a jeep connecting Chame and Besisahar. The scenic drive progresses through inspiring terrace farmlands and beautiful Nagdi, Sange, Bhulbhule, Chame, and Koto settlements. In between, you'll pass through Dharapani, Bagarchha, Timang and Thanchok.

Manaslu and Annapurna II appear elegant from Timang village. With the beautiful scenery and pine forest of Thanchok, you'll reach Koto at around 5 pm. Furthermore, Lanjung Himal also greets you at Koto.

You'll have meals and overnight at the tea house in Koto.

Note: Direct jeep (from KTM to Koto) option also available by paying extra cost.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • 2,600m

As this day hike is among the longest on Nar Phu Valley Short Trek Itinerary, we'll start the hike early.

Also, from today, we'll enter Nar Phu Valley. Thus we must submit our restricted area permit at the check post at Koto before crossing a suspension bridge to trek to Nar and Phu regions.

The day hike can be strenuous as we'll hike mainly on Phu Khola and Soti Khola's shores. Dharamshala is a popular stopping point after leaving Koto, which takes nearly five hours to reach. In between, we'll traverse beautiful pine forests, dancing waterfalls, humongous boulder faces, and cascading rivers.

After leaving Dharamshala to Meta, we'll hike on semi-alpine terrain with significantly fewer trees and more barren and open landscapes. The final hour hike to Meta can be tiring as you ascend steeply.

We'll stop for overnight meals and accommodations at a tea house in Meta village.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • 3,560m

After breakfast, you'll start the hike from Meta to Phu Gaon. Today's walk can be enjoyable as you'll be descending and ascending frequently and also crossing several suspension bridges.

Chyaku and Kyang are the beautiful places you'll reach en route to Phu village. The wonderful glimpse of Annapurna II and Pisang Peak from Kyang makes the hike excellent.

The landscapes get more beautiful, just like the Sierra Nevada, with small shrubs, juniper, red-leafed bushes, white sandy trails, and white rocks.

You'll hike over rocky trails and pass some campsites before reaching Phu. You may encounter Blue Sheep while walking close to Phu. You'll also visit Tashi Lhakhang monastery, one of the most prominent Buddhist monasteries in the world.

Overnight at a tea house in Phu Gaun.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • 4,250m

Exploration of Phu Gaun lets you experience the traditional lifestyle of ethnics living here. The locals working on farmlands, women knitting woolen materials, senior people chatting with each other, and kids picking up trekkers make the atmosphere at Phu lively.

Trekkers with a camera get an excellent window at Phu for photographs as the sky remains deep blue all day. Moreover, the picturesque Annapurna and Himlung Himal offer a fantastic photo opportunity.

The day hike to Tashi Lhakhang Monastery and Himlung Himal Base Camp are among the well-practiced day activities in Phu. And you can rest at the tea house to replenish the energy for the coming day's hike, including crossing Kang La Pass.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • 4,250m

After breakfast, you'll retrace the route to Nar via Phu Gate and Junam Kharka. While descending, you'll hike along the shore of the river.

The 21 km long route takes nearly eight hours to complete the hike. While trekking, you'll meet with many locals carrying Timber to Nar.

The trek can be strenuous, especially during the hikes, but the beautiful Pisang Peak accompanies you.

Overnight at the tea house in Nar Phedi.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • 3,750m

The 8 km long day hike from Nar Phedi to Nar sees you ascend more than 400 meters altitude. As you start the walk, you'll hike by the two Buddhist Monasteries, Gyalbu Khumbu and Satte Gompa. These are empty as no monks or nuns live here, but they are outstanding historical monuments worth visiting.

With gradual ascending, you'll reach Nar gate atop the hill.

The affluent chortens and prayer flags of Nar village greets you with serenity. Also, Snow occupied the Annapurna range, Pisang Peak and Himlung Himal loom overhead.

Overnight stop at the tea house at Nar village.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • 4,150m

The 19.5 km long trekking route on the 7th day of Nar Phu Valley Short Trek Itinerary sees you hike for nearly 10 hours. And the day's hike gets filled with utmost adventure as you cross Kang La Pass. Till Kang La, from Nar, you'll gain nearly 1200 meters altitude, and from Kang La to Ngawal, you'll lower 1700 meters.

The ultimate Nar Phu experience comes as you reach the pinnacle of Kang La Pass.

Gangapurna, Annapurna II, Tilicho Peak, Hunde Airport, and Marshyangdi Valley appear concise from the top of Kang La Pass.

From the top, it'll take three more hours to reach Ngawal. And as you approach Ngawal, the chortens and prayer flags start appearing. Also, the caves on the hills and mountains become clear and conspicuous.

Overnight at the tea house in Ngawal.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • 3,675m

Tracing the Marshyangdi River bank, you'll hike to Pisang from Ngawal.

While hiking close to Chame, the Annapurna massifs remain visible throughout. Here, you'll walk on the Annapurna Circuit Trek route. So you could ramble on a trail filled with trekkers on the Annapurna circuit.

Overnight at the tea house in Chame.

  • Tea House
  • Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
  • 2,670m

With early breakfast at the tea house in Chame, you'll take a jeep drive from Chame to Besisahar. You'll pass through Koto, Thanchok, and Timang villages in between.

From Besisahar, you'll take a bus to Kathmandu via Prithvi Highway.

Upon reaching Kathmandu, our representatives will pick you up from the bus station and drop you at the hotel you'll stay in Kathmandu.

  • Your Own Hotel
  • Breakfast/Lunch
  • 1400m

Cost Details

Includes

  • Necessary land transport (KTM/Besisahar/KTM by bus and Besisahar/Koto/Besisahar by sharing Jeep)
  • Professional and experienced trekking guide (including his salary, hotel, meals and insurance)
  • Strong trekking porter (including his salary, hotel, meals and insurance)
  • Special trekking permit for Naru Phu Valley
  • ACAP and MCAP trekking permit
  • 8 night Accommodation in Mountain (Tea House)
  • All meals during the trek ( Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)

Good to Know

Accommodations Throughout Nar Phu Short Trek

The tea houses in Nar Phu Trek are well-developed; hence, you'll get the best available tea house for accommodation.

You'll get twin sharing rooms with or without attached bathrooms. You'll get clean blankets, a pillowcase, and a pillow for warm and neat accommodation. We encourage you to carry a decent sleeping bag for this trek for better overnight sleep.

However, the package does not include the internet, a hot water shower, and hot drinking water. But you can benefit from these essentials by paying a few dollars.

Meals during Nar Phu Valley Short Trek

You'll get three meals a day throughout your Nar Phu Short Trek. It includes nine breakfasts, nine lunches, and eight dinners.

As tea houses in Nar and Phu regions are well-developed, they offer modern amenities to the trekker. Hence, the meals you'll get can be chosen from a broad menu.

For breakfast, you can choose Tibetan Bread, local Tsampa porridge, hashed brown eggs and omelet, toast, bread, butter & honey, oats, corn flakes, muesli, pies and pies and pancakes, ginger lemon tea, coffee, and hot chocolate.

For lunch and dinner, you can have Dal Bhat (cooked rice, lentil soup, cooked vegetables, and pickles), Pizza, Burgers, Sherpa Stew, Tenduk, Soups, Macaroni and Pasta, Korean Ramen and noodles, Spaghetti, Rice puddings, pies etc. Also, you may get fresh fruits and hot chocolate for dinner as dessert meals.

Highly recommended: Drink plenty of lukewarm water, adequate meals, and garlic soups to escape altitude sickness.

Best season for Nar Phu Valley Short Trek

The weather and temperature at Nar Phu Valley remain stable throughout the year. This region lies in the rain shadow area of the Annapurna region; this place sees very little rainfall each year.

Even if this trek is doable all year round, you must consider the weather and temperature at Nar Phu Valley before planning this trek.

Weather and Temperature in Spring

Spring in Nar Phu Valley remains warm, with a max daytime temperature of 10 degrees and a minimum temperature of freezing point.

Also, the visibility remains more apparent with bright blue sky, scintillating mountains, and inspiring landscapes. Moreover, red, white, and pink coloured rhododendron and pine and oak forests make the hike entertaining and serene.

The low chances of rainfall with 12 hours of daylight make the hike worry less.

Weather and temperature in Autumn

Autumn is among the best times of the year for Nar Phu Valley Short Trekking. The lively atmosphere and clear outlook with greenery everywhere make the trek serene.

The early Autumn can still see some rainfall, but from September onwards, the actual colors of Nar and Phu unfold. Till mid-Autumn, the temperature remains warmer, with an average daytime temperature of 17 degrees. Furthermore, the nighttime temperature at Nar and Phu averages 2 degrees, which is more generous.

Autumn is an ideal time to trek Nar and Phu to witness the buckwheat flowers over the farmlands. It's also the time when this landscape becomes green, whether the bushes of the alpine region or the lush verdant forest of the lower temperature to semi-alpine part.

Acclimatization in Nar Phu Valley Short Trek

While trekking to Nar Phu Valley for nine days, you'll cross Kang La Pass at 5,306 meters. Moreover, you'll hike to places like Nar and Phu villages above 4000 meters altitude.

Hence, you'll get a day of acclimatization stop at Phu Gaon for better adaptation to this environment. During this acclimatization stop, you'll hike to Himlung Himal Base Camp and nearby places.

The acclimatization at Phu is crucial because it provides proper rest, replenishes your energy, and prepares you for the Kang La Pass hike.

Physical fitness and Trek Preparations

While trekking to Nar Phu Valley, you'll experience some grueling 8-10 hours of daily hikes. On top, you'll hike to places over 4,000 meters and even cross Kang La Pass over 5,306 meters.

Hence, you must be at a proper fitness level to hike tirelessly. A physically fit trekker with no current health issues, and cardiovascular problems are not recommended to join our fixed departure Nar Phu trek in 2023.

Cardio is among the best exercises you could do to prepare yourself for this trek. Also, it would help if you worked out breathing techniques that can be handy while trekking.

Regular short hikes, marathons, and mini-day hikes are highly recommended to prepare yourself for this trek.

More than physical fitness, your mental strength is also equally important. You must be confident to hike on high-altitude terrain without fearing altitude sickness.

Travel Insurance Policy

Dream Heaven Adventure requests every trekker joining Nar Phu Valley Short Trek in 2023 to bring a valid travel insurance policy. We don't purchase insurance for our clients but can recommend some upon request. However, We only purchase travel insurance for our trek guides and porters.

With travel insurance, you can have the advantage of helicopter evacuation, medication costs covered, and personal belongings thefts. A travel insurance policy can get you a helicopter immediately if you get altitude sickness or are injured due to unforeseen situations.

We request you submit a copy of your travel insurance policy after booking this trek from us. Furthermore, if you fail to provide a copy of your travel insurance policy or even join the hike without the insurance policy, we hold every right to exclude you from the departure trek.

Luggage and Backpack Weight Limit

As you purchase Nar Phu Valley Short Trek with us, you'll get a porter throughout the trek. Porter will carry your backpack and assist you during the tour.

Two trekkers can share one porter and give a combined weight of around 20 kg, or 10 kg per individual. A trek porter only carries up to 25 kg among two trekkers. And in such conditions, you need to hire an extra porter or pay the porter USD 20 each day for a backpack weighing more than 10 kg or a combined 20 kg.

For extra luggage in Kathmandu, Dream Heaven Adventure arranges to keep them safe while you hike on the trek.

As you'll take a drive during this trek, you won't need to take any domestic flights from Kathmandu.

Safety and Security on Nar Phu Short Trek

Dream Heaven Adventure assures and commits to your 100% safety and security throughout Nar Phu Trek. You'll get a highly experienced trekking guide from us for your safety on the trek. Also, our trek porter will assist you during the trekking.

During emergencies, we'll send the helicopter on time to bring you back to Kathmandu safely. But you must provide us with a valid travel insurance policy.

Also, you'll trek in a group of five to seven trekkers along the trek guide and hike with the group all day. Hence, you will see the main trail and deviate to other places.

Personal Expenses and Nepali Currency

We highly recommend you carry Nepali currency during your Nar Phu Short Trek. Apart from our three meals a day, if you'd like to eat something else at other restaurants and even stop for a tea break en route, you need Nepali currency to pay.

Moreover, there is no ATM at Manang or other places where you'll be trekking.

You can also buy souvenirs from Manang or Nar and Phu. So, the locals only accept Nepali currency.

Suggested Itineraries

Ask a Question