9-Day Nar Phu Valley Trek From Kathmandu

Panoramic trip to Koto

Our trekking guide will come to the hotel at 6:00 am to pick you up with private transport to the bus station.

Then you'll head for Besishahar (185 km), which will take us around 5-6 hours along a scenic route. Along the way, you'll discover breathtaking scenery of snow-capped mountains, green hills, rivers and villages.

And once again, drive from Besisahar to Chame 66.5 kilometers (2670 m) by jeep or local bus for 4 to 5 hours through Nagdi, Bhulbhule, Sange, Chamche, Tall, Dharapani, Bagarchha, Danakya, Timang, Thanchok, Koto. From Timang (2,720 m), you can admire the magnificent scenery of Manaslu, Annapurna II and other majestic mountains.

From here, the road leads through pine forest to Thanchok and finally to Koto. This is close to the Manang district headquarters of Chame, and we are rewarded with beautiful views of Annapurna II, Manaslu and Lamjung Himal from Chame, as well as two small hot springs.

Spend the night in the teahouse.

Trekking in the Annapurna circuit

Today we take a different trail on the Annapurna Circuit.

Today we have a long and somewhat difficult day ahead of us.

We pass the checkpoint and cross a bridge into the Nar Phu valley.

We climb through beautiful woods above the Phu Khola (river).

The trail takes us through beautiful forests and past several small shelters (caves) and a pilgrim shelter ("Dharmasala").

Approaching a narrow canyon, the trail actually passes under a large waterfall just before the Dharmasala, where the woods begin to thin out.

We spend the night at Meta in Tea House.

After breakfast, the trail climbs up the valley along a small scenic river which might be one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas.

This brings us finally to the high pasture plateau, the winter settlement of Nar. The landscape is similar to the Sierra Nevada; white rocks, low shrubs and junipers, scattered evergreens, delicate brick-red and orange-leafed bushes, crumbling shelves of flat slate, white, sandy trails, and gnarled trees.

Then, the trail goes through Meta, Junam, and Chako semi-permanent settlements. One settlement is where "Khampas" from Tibet are sometimes sheltered. Above and to the right looms a massive glacier, which falls directly down on the high pastures.

Many more ups and downs take us to tonight's campsite at Kayang, where grass lies tied in bunches to dry on all the rooftops and prayer flags flutter in the breeze.

Cultural exploration in the village of Phu

We take a walk to explore Phu village.

A unique culture remains here: people's daily livelihoods are still conducted in the traditional way.

Meet the locals and explore the vast valleys above us.

As we wander through the village, we're likely to receive an invitation to someone's home for an authentic Tibetan salted butter tea, or perhaps a small glass of local "raksi".

oyage de rVetourto Nar Phedi

After breakfast, we return to the Phu gate and head back down to the river.

From here, we return to Junam Karka, a pretty campsite. In 2001, we camped with a few Phu locals (all but one woman) on our way back to Phu with huge loads of flatwood from the forest.

The evening is filled with Tibetan and Manangi singing in the smoke-filled shelters, accompanied by that unmistakable Tibetan laughter.

We spend the night in Nar Phedi.

Arrival at Nar village

We reach the Nar gate at the top of the hill. Beautifully painted chortens topped with bamboo await us.

Camp is set up after a 3/4-hour walk.

Crossing the Kang La pass

Today is an adventurous day as we make our way to the Kang La pass (5,315 m). It's not that difficult in itself, but it can make for a long and difficult day if there's snow on the pass or if the altitude takes its toll. The Kang La pass offers absolutely spectacular views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak and the peaks surrounding Tilicho, the Marsyngdi valley and Hunde airport.

The trail descends slightly and offers us many pleasant views of Ngawal with its unusual group of chortens and prayer flags.

We can see meditation cave markers high up in the hills, on the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna circuit, accessible in just two hours from the pass.

We've now finished the camping part of the trek here and headed for a guesthouse for the night!

Descending to Chame

After breakfast, the trail slowly descends to the Pisang Village through the Marsyangdi River bank. You have magnificent Mountain View throughout the entire day hike.

You will stay overnight at Chame (2670m)

After breakfast, you will drive through Koto, Thanchok, andTimang village to Besisahar by jeep or bus. We will have a bumpy drive to Besisahar.

Again, drive back to Kathmandu for about 5 to 6 hours.