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.
