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Nar Phu Valley Trek

Rated 5/5 based on 3 customer reviews
Difficulty: Difficult
Max Altitude: 5322m
Duration: 09 days
Cost: $900
Season: All year round
Accommodation: Hotel/Teahouse
  • Overview
  • Add-Ons
  • Detail Itinerary
  • Cost Info
  • Useful Infos
  • FAQs
  • Map

Highlights

  • Magnificent views of Annapurna II, Himlung peak, Gangapurna and Tilicho peak
  • Experience the remote trails, completely off-beaten and unique
  • Observe the Tibetan culture and lifestyle in the valley, which looks similar to the Tibetan plateau
  • Visit the traditional and forgotten high Manang and Nar-Phu villages

Nar Phu Valley Trek is a real treat for those travelers who wish to experience the genuine Himalayan wilderness journey. Nar Phu valley is a beautiful valley hidden between the Annapurna and Manaslu regions, which is equally breathtaking as are other popular trekking destinations in Nepal. The best part of this journey is seeing a completely different world, unspoiled and pristine nature.

The mystical land where the rare Himalayan snow leopard and Blue Sheep dwell, can be seen if one gets lucky; Nar Phu valley is a new yet popularly rising Himalayan destination. Nar Phu trekking can be as short as a week to weeks long. The best thing about this journey is it can also be combined with the most popular Annapurna circuit trekking and continue further if one has more time. The most challenging part of this journey is Kang La pass 5322m, just slightly lower than Thorang La pass 5416m, which will give you an unforgettable memory for life.

If you have more time and wish to do more thrilling plus spine-chilling adventures, please check Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trekking and Nar Phu and Thorong La Trek.

Nar Phu Valley Trek Outline Itinerary

Day 1:Drive to Koto via Besisahar 2600m 12hrs, BLD, Teahouse 

Day 2:Trek to Meta 3560m 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse 

Day 3:Trek to Phu 4080m 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse 

Day 4:Acclimatization day in Phu, BLD, Teahouse 

Day 5:Trek to Nar Phedi 3490m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse 

Day 6:Trek to Nar Village 4110m 3hrs, BLD, Teahouse 

Day 7:Trek to Ngawal via Kang La Pass (5322m) 3650m 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse 

Day 8:Trek to Pisang and drive to Besisahar, BLD, Teahouse

Day 9:Drive back to Kathmandu, BL.

Kathmandu sightseeing: $80 per person (gets cheaper with bigger PAX)

Porter service: $20/day per porter

Nar Phu Valley Trek detailed itinerary

**BLD denotes Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner**

Day 1:Drive to Koto via Besisahar 2600m 12hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Scenic drive early morning to Besisahar and continue until you arrive in Koto. The trail goes along the classic Annapurna circuit trekking route after Besisahar, so you will enjoy the ride forgetting the bumpy and challenging drive. Beautiful landscapes, mountains, rolling hills, farmed terraces, ever-flowing rivers, and so on.

Day 2:Trek to Meta 3560m 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Today's long day of trekking leads us through scattered villages, pine forests, suspension bridges and streams. As we cross the river, Nar Phu valley starts, and for the last part, we climb steep uphill to get to the beautiful village, Meta, which offers us breathtaking views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.

Day 3:Trek to Phu 4080m 7hrs, BLD, Teahouse
The trail on this fantastic day leads us through the ridge providing a good view of the Nar Phedi monastery. Along the way, you will see the remnants of two ruined forts of the Khampa settlement. We further walk past the Phu river and continue until arriving at Phu village.

Day 4:Acclimatization day in Phu, BLD, Teahouse
Enjoy the resting day in Phu village by exploring around. Either stay behind to learn about the rich local culture or hike to Himlung Himal (7125m) base camp for an extra challenge. Please know that journey to Himlung base camp takes a long day walk.

Day 5:Trek to Nar Phedi 3490m 6hrs, BLD, Teahouse
Retrace the original route back to Meta and continue to Nar Phedi for the overnight stay. Do the worshipping and get the blessing from the Lama in Nar Phedi monastery.

Day 6:Trek to Nar Village 4110m 3hrs, BLD, Teahouse
On this gentle walking day, walk for a few hours to get to Nar village. One can get a mind-blowing view of Pisang peak from the village. Explore the village and get closer to the local cultures and lifestyles.

Day 7:Trek to Ngawal via Kang La Pass (5322m) 3650m 8hrs, BLD, Teahouse
After getting good rest in Nar village, this day will be challenging as we cross the high-altitude pass Kang La pass to get to Ngawal, where we spend the night. Though not easy, once you get to the top, the panoramic view of the Annapurna massifs you will see will make you forget all those hardships. Ngawal lies in the Upper Pisang and is a part of the most popular Annapurna circuit route.

Day 8:Trek to Pisang and drive to Besisahar, BLD, Teahouse
On the final day of your incredible journey, descend to Pisang on the wide trail with easy walks. Drive later to leave Pisang towards Besisahar to return to the starting point.

Day 9:Drive back to Kathmandu, BL.
We drive early to Kathmandu. End of the journey.

Cost for 1 PAX: $1,250 /-

Cost for 2 or more PAX: $900 per person

Note: Trip cost varies with the group sizes.

Nar Phu Valley Trek cost breakdown

Cost Include

  • All ground transfers in public vehicles (added cost for private vehicles)
  • Teahouse lodges on the mountain with full board meals
  • Clean drinking water
  • Experienced English-speaking trekking guides and assistant guides as necessary and their salaries plus insurance
  • ACAP permit fee (Annapurna Conservation Area Project)
  • Nar Phu valley special permit
  • TIMS card fee (Trekkers Information Management System)
  • Complimentary company T-shirt, route map & certificate of appreciation
  • First Aid medical kit bag with a pulse oximeter
  • All government Tax and VAT

Cost Exclude

  • Personal expenses of any kinds
  • Extra accommodation and meals behind schedule
  • Travel and emergency rescue insurance
  • Porter service
  • Gratuities to the field staff (highly expected)

Nar Phu Valley Trek Useful Information

Customized Trips and Trip departure

Nar Phu Valley Trek departs from Kathmandu as per our fixed departure dates. You can join any available fixed departure groups if you are a solo or small group travelers if you wish to, when the trips cannot be customized.

But if you are in a private group, fixed departure dates are not suitable for you and so you need to choose your own dates and packages, when you can customize the trek as per your travel needs. For further information, please kindly contact your own friendly neighbor, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours.

Accommodations during trek

You will be staying in the teahouse lodges or guesthouses during the trek.

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best accommodation arrangement for you from the beginning to the end. We believe after the tough walking day, everyone deserves the proper rest and the right ambience to relax and chill. Therefore, our choice of accommodation is the best when it comes to the trekking days. The rooms will be clean and comfy. Our entire accommodations will be on twin-sharing basis as you can see, so you have to let us know if others; let’s say if you want triple or quadruple sharing or if you want a double bed, etc. There will be extra charge for the single supplement.

Route Map and Company T-shirt

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers you a complimentary trekking map and the company t-shirts.

Safe Drinking Water during Nar Phu Valley Trek

Hydrating yourself is the most important thing to do during the trek. You should drink at least 3 liters of water every day or more. The main reason is to avoid the altitude sickness and to avoid other health issues. Nature Lovers Treks and Tours provides you water purification tablets or liquids to purify the water in the mountains. You can even buy mineral water or boiled water on extra cost.

Your trekking guides and porters

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours has the best guides and porters in the whole tourism industry. We can guarantee you on that. Ask yourselves a question. What do you look for in a guide and a porter? Are they fully insured and are they paid well? Well, they are the staffs of Nature Lovers Treks and Tours so they are hundred percent happy with their treatment by the company. They are experienced, licensed and knowledgeable in the field. They are well paid and fully insured for their journey as well as for the medicals.

Now, let’s talk about our backbones. The leader or a guide should have a significant knowledge in the climbing and trekking so that he can wonderfully and safely lead you, clearing any obstacles on the way. We, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours can proudly say that our guides (climbing, assistant, trekking guide) are highly qualified for the role. They are fully trained, experienced and licensed. They have undergone through a whole lot of training to make themselves useful in various situations and to make your journey a smooth and pleasant one.

Our guide knows the local areas, the cultures, the traditions and the lifestyles much more than anyone do. Some of the things he tells you, might even be hard to find in the travel guide books. Depending upon the situations and weather conditions, the daily plans might change slightly which when happens, he will inform you beforehand. You should always be flexibly ready to accommodate to your guides’ instructions. Let him know if you have any health problems as well since he will act accordingly to the situation. Depending upon the group size, we will also provide you assistant guides and extra Sherpas if needed.

Our porters are always fully equipped with the gears they need and as per the company policy, they are always insured and completely looked after. They are our backbone. We allow maximum weight of 25/30 kg to be carried by one porter. They are the strongest in our group with less communication skills. We also closely work with IPPG {International Porter Protection Group} and follow their ethics and guidelines.

Solo traveling in the Himalayas

We have had many solo travelers in the past. Nepal is totally safe to travel even in the Himalayas, even though you are solo. However, since it is a restricted area, at least 2 travelers are needed for this trek. If you are traveling solo, we can arrange in such a way that you have to share the permit with other travelers & you might have to pay a little extra. 

Extra personal expenses during and after trek

The clients are responsible for their own personal expenses during or after the treks like, for buying beverages and snacks, WiFi, doing laundry, buying souvenirs & personal equipment, tips for the field staffs, etc. Therefore, we recommend you to bring some extra cash (in dollars or euro, etc.) of about $300-400, and change it into Nepali Rupees since only NPR are accepted in majority of the Nepali market. 

Shower during the trek

It's an important matter to discuss about. After a day's end, you might feel like showering and get fresh. It's a good idea on the lower altitudes but if you're on the higher altitudes (more than 3500m), we recommend to shower on intervals. People seem to catch a cold easily after showering which can lead to altitude sickness. Teahouses in the lower elevation offers you hot shower, but in the upper elevation, a bucket of hot water is provided. They charge a little extra for the hot water bath ($2-5). 

Laundry on the trail

Unfortunately none of the lodges have laundry service in this trail and you might have to either wash your clothes yourself or postpone until you arrive in Kathmandu or Besisahar. Please plan in advance about it. 

Your safety

Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. We provide you our own comprehensive first aid medical kit bag along with the professional team of guides and porters. We are always in communication with our field team members to keep track of your safety and concerns. Your entire journey will be monitored by us and we make sure you enjoy your journey in full scale. We are available 24/7 for your health and safety checks during Nar Phu Valley Trek.

Nar Phu Valley Trek Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Nar Phu Valley Trek cost?

The cost of the Nar Phu Valley Trek varies from $700-$1700 depending upon the number of days you choose to trek. The longer the trek, more expensive it will become. Similarly, the price will differ with the accommodation choices also. Normally, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours offers a comprehensive package which is inclusive of all the cost and expenses for the entire journey from the moment you land in Nepal till the moment you fly back home. However, you could also choose to buy only service-based package from us when we will be providing you only the supporting field staffs plus trekking permits and you have to arrange the rest by yourselves.

How is the Accommodation during the Nar Phu Valley Trek?

In Nar Phu Valley Trek, we will provide you the teahouse accommodations. A teahouse is typically a mountain lodge which is a combination of a lodge or a guest house and a restaurant or a café with basic furniture and interiors suitable for the social hangout. Very few teahouses have attached bathrooms and the central heating furnace in this route. Most of the teahouses provide Asian style of toilets only. Hot showers are available but on extra cost. The same goes with the hot drinking water since they use the gas or solar to boil the water. Sleeping blankets are usually provided but we recommend you to carry your own sleeping bags for the hygienic purpose {can be arranged on request}. At the same time, it’s better to carry your own toiletries including the towels.

What are the permits that I need for Nar Phu Valley Trek?

For Nar Phu Valley Trek, you will need to make three permits: Nar Phu Valley Restricted Permit, ACAP permit (Annapurna Conservation Area Project) and TIMS Card (Trekkers' Information Management System).

How does this tipping system in Nepal works and do I have to tip?

Tipping is not compulsory for Nar Phu Valley Trek however tipping is all about showing your gratitude and appreciation. We care about our staffs in the fields so we expect you to look after them in return for them looking after you throughout your journey. They are your closest friend in the remotest parts and also your protector whenever anything seems to happen to you. So tipping is highly expected and we’ve made it mandatory too. The amount of gratuities can be determined by yourselves. Normally, a guide and also a porter expects around $10 or more per day.

Can I charge my phones, batteries or other electronic devices in Nar Phu Valley Trek?

You can hardly charge your electronic devices during Nar Phu Valley Trek but can do so in some days by paying small amount or fees for charging. Don’t forget to buy a plug adapter or socket fittings before you leave Kathmandu.

Is there WiFi and mobile signal on the Nar Phu Valley Trek?

Nar Phu Valley Trek route has poor mobile network coverage. But you can buy one of the Nepalese Sim cards {NTC, Ncell, etc} from any local phone shops in Kathmandu and use the mobile data in the trek when available.

WiFi is available on some teahouses in Nar Phu Valley Trek route on added cost. However, the signal varies from place to place and please don’t expect to receive the fast data coverage in the trek.

When is the best time to trek to Nar Phu Valley?

Nar Phu Valley Trek can be done throughout the year. However in average, Spring {March, April and May} and Autumn {September, October and November} are the best times or seasons to trek in Nar Phu Valley. Spring and Autumn are known as the Peak season or Busy season in Nepal. It’s because the temperature is moderate during these seasons and the best panoramic mountain views are guaranteed while during other Summer {June, July and August} and Winter {December, January and February} season, the clear weather is not guaranteed. But if you are an explorer, a photographer and a peace lover, less busy season can also be the right time to do Nar Phu Valley Trek.

Do I have to worry about the altitude sickness in Nar Phu Valley Trek?

The itinerary of our Nar Phu Valley Trek is perfectly designed by Nature Lovers Treks and Tours and has separated enough time in the places to let the body acclimatize well in high altitudes. As long as you follow the guide, you should be fine. Altitude sickness in fact can affect anyone regardless of the age or the fitness level, so it is very important to walk slowly and gradually as you go higher. Learn more in details about Altitude Sickness to prepare yourselves for the upcoming Nar Phu Valley Trek.

Do I need to be healthy and physically fit for Nar Phu Valley Trek?

When it comes to trekking in the mountains, health and fitness of a person plays a vital role. If you are a healthy person without any serious medical problems, Nar Phu Valley Trek is for you but if you have any sorts of medical issues, please consult to your doctor before coming to Nepal for the trek. We will be gaining the high altitude of 5322 m above the sea level which is not a joke. People normally start to have breathing problems above 3000 meters from the sea level, if they have pre-existing health conditions.

Now when it comes to the fitness level required, Nar Phu Valley Trek demands high physical fitness. The trekking includes daily walks of about 4-8 hours and involves many ascents and descents including a high pass crossing which means you need lots of practices before you start the trekking journey. You will be traversing through the forests, high hills and the high passes. If you do not have the previous trekking experience, that’s fine but obviously if you have previous experiences, it will be lot easier. For those not having previous trekking experiences, please exercise regularly for at least 2 months prior to your trekking departure. Go for the morning walks, do some jogging as you get time, participate in some cycling activities, etc. This way, you will be good to go for trekking to Nar Phu Valley.

What kind of food items or meals can I eat on Nar Phu Valley Trek?

Full meals are included during the trek. Tea and coffee will also be provided during the entire trip. During the trek, you will have your breakfast and dinner in the same teahouse where you spend the night while the lunch will be served en route towards the next destination of the day. There are limited choices to choose from; Nepalese, Tibetan, Indian, Continental, etc.

The most common and the highly recommended food during the Nar Phu Valley Trek is typical Nepali Dal Bhat {rice and lentil}; even better without meat, means Nepali Vegetarian Dal Bhat. You can also eat other food items such as seasonal vegetables, noodles and spaghetti, pastas, pizzas and French fries, soups, etc. depending upon the availability. For the beverage, you can either choose warm, hot or cold beverages; soft drinks, beer and hard drinks. For the breakfast, you can order cereals, breads, noodle soups, egg dishes, etc.

Do I need a travel insurance for Nar Phu Valley Trek?

Travel insurance is a must when you trek to Nar Phu Valley. Therefore before you come to Nepal, please make sure you have your insurance documents with you since our insurance companies cannot insure foreign nationals. Because of the reason that they cover all the expenses, if you face some unfortunate happenings and you have to be rescued or medically assisted during the trip or if your belongings are lost or stolen. We strongly advise you to take out an insurance which covers any medical risks up to 5000 meter as well as the medical evacuation from the mountains.

Can I use my debit or credit cards during the trek?

In general, most of the places in Nepal don't accept the card payments as they are remote and of limited use to them. So, we recommend you to withdraw some cash before departing for the journey. ATMs will charge you minimal service fee for withdrawing money and you will also get good exchange rate from the banks. 

How much weight of luggage can I take during the trek?

Our porter is allowed to carry maximum of 25 kg so, since 2 clients will share one porter, both of your combined weights shouldn't be more than 20kg. We care about our porters and he also has his personal belongings to carry as well. 

For the important things and your personal items, you might have to carry your own backpack. But please, only carry the essentials and you will have to leave the rest of the unimportant items, either in the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free. 

Is there any age limit for Nar phu valley trek?

Not, at all. No matter if you're 5 years old or 85, you can trek as long as you can. In fact, the children seem to adapt to the high altitudes faster than an adult. So, as long as you're willing to hike the Himalayas, you can hike no matter what your age is. 

How do you take the remaining balance on arrival in Kathmandu? Do I need to pay you by cash or I can use my card?

On arrival in Kathmandu, you can pay the remaining balance either on cash or by card. We prefer to be paid in cash (doesn't matter which currency) rather than by card but however, you can also swipe your card which will incur you extra 3.5% charge from the bank.

How big should my backpack be?

It all depends on what you wish to carry on your day pack. We recommend a backpack between 20-40 liter or roughly the size of a school bag. 

If I have to use a restroom during the hike or trek, where can I use the restroom?

You can easily access the restrooms of any teahouses on the trail. If in case it's urgent and you cannot find any teahouses around, you can always go off the trail to ease yourself. 

Can I leave my luggage in Kathmandu?

Definitely, you can leave your excess stuffs in Kathmandu. Either you can leave them on the hotel's locker room or in our office store for free. 

What about extra days and nights in Kathmandu?

For any extra days and nights in Kathmandu which is outside of your schedule, you can let us know beforehand and we can book the hotels for you and also other add-ons or activities as you may like. If under unforeseen circumstances you get extra days in Kathmandu after the trek, we shall work out the right solution for you.

What if I get sick or injured during the trek?

Like we said earlier, we, Nature Lovers Treks and Tours puts your safety as the top priority. Our professional team is always with you and monitoring you to ensure your wellness and safety. Our experienced and well-trained guide will use his emergency skills in case of emergency; either if you get injured or if you get sick. If it's regarding a symptom of altitude sickness or AMS, you will have to go down to the lower altitudes as fast as possible in order to gain your energy back. You can always continue in the later days or retreat as per your choice. In case of necessity, he will arrange the rescue helicopter for you as well to get the quick medical attention in Kathmandu. 

How cold is it during the Nar phu valley trekking?

The places in the mountainous region are always cold no matter which season or what time. But the temperatures vary depending on the season and altitude. 

What gears and equipment do I need to pack for Nar Phu Valley Trek?

Choosing the right gear and equipment is important as well for the successful trek to Nar Phu Valley. Pack the right gears and equipment but remember, packing as light as possible is the best way to go when trekking to Nar Phu Valley. You should read this What to take for travel to get all the details on what you need to pack or carry.

Route Map:

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