Nar-Phu

As it is a trekking in a restricted area, a minimum of two people is required to do it.

Closed to tourism until 2002, the Nar and Pho Valleys are removed in both time and space from the neighboring Annapurna Circuit. As we branch north up the Nar Valley the flood of trekkers passing through Manang turns to a tiny trickle. Yak herding and agriculture remain the mainstays of the economy rather than tourism and the traditional stone-walled villages seem to have maintained a lifestyle untouched for centuries.

The trek takes us up narrow gorges to medieval villages, past impressive chortens, herds of blue sheep and spectacular cliffside trails and over one of the region’s highest trekking passes. We’ll pass abandoned settlements once used by Khampa rebels and teams of mountaineers headed to the popular peaks of Himlung, Kong Gary and Ratna Chuli.

The trek is an excellent adventurous add-on to a visit to the Manang region or the Manaslu trek. After Nar-Phu we could even continue to Jomsom, either over the Thorung La or, if we are properly equipped, via Tilicho Lake and Meso Kanto La, making full use od our camping crew. Ask our Firantes team if you want to extend and adapt your trek. We plan to start the trek from Pokhara but you can also start from Kathmandu.

Embark on an incredible journey through the remote and stunning Nar Phu valleys, starting from Besisahar, the traditional gateway to the Annapurna region. Leave behind the well-trodden paths as you cross the Marsyangdi River at Koto and follow the rugged trail alongside Nar Khola into the untouched Nar Phu Valley.Immerse yourself in the rich cultural experience of the region, passing by vibrant Tibetan chortens, sacred praying stones, and awe-inspiring landscapes. Discover the daily life of the locals in Nar Phu Valley, including a memorable overnight stay at Nar Phedi Monastery, where you’ll savor delicious meals prepared by the nuns in traditional style. Don’t miss the opportunity to witness the captivating Puja ritual prayer, held around 5 p.m., offering a glimpse into the Tibetan religious traditions.This trek is a rare chance to explore the raw beauty of the Himalayas and immerse yourself in the ancient Tibetan culture. For the more adventurous, there’s an option to hike up to the Himlung Himal Base Camp at 4,900 meters. In the final part of the trek, you’ll traverse the Kang La Pass and descend to Ngawal, joining the popular Annapurna Circuit Trekking route. Here, you can indulge in comfortable accommodations and enjoy a wide variety of delicious food. As you approach Besisahar, the surroundings become greener and the weather warmer, providing a pleasant conclusion to your journey. From Besisahar, you’ll return to Kathmandu by road.The Nar Phu Valley Trek 10 Days Trek offers a remarkable opportunity to delve into the rich Himalayan culture and witness Nepal’s breathtaking landscapes within a short timeframe. Moreover, it is a more affordable option compared to other restricted regions in the country. If you seek a less crowded and serene trekking experience while still capturing the essence and beauty of the magnificent mountains, the economical Nar Phu Valley Trek 10-Days is the perfect choice.

The Nar Phu Valley Trek offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas and unique cultural experiences. While the best time to undertake this trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to October), each season has its own charm and considerations. Here’s a breakdown of the different seasons for the Nar Phu Valley Trek:

Spring (March to May):
Spring is considered the ultimate season for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. During this time, the days are long, temperatures are warm to hot, and the landscape is adorned with lush greenery and colorful rhododendron flowers. It’s an excellent time to immerse yourself in nature’s beauty and witness the vibrant flora and fauna of the region.

Autumn (late September to October):
Autumn is another fantastic season for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. The days are warm with pleasant temperatures, and the skies are clear, offering extended visibility. This season provides breathtaking views of the massifs of the Himalayas, allowing trekkers to enjoy stunning panoramas of snow-capped peaks.

Monsoon (June to August):
Although trekking in the Nar Phu Valley is possible during the monsoon season, it comes with some challenges. The trail can become muddy, and heavy rainfall and landslides may disrupt access or delay the trekking itinerary. Additionally, leeches can be found in lower regions, and the mountains are often covered in thick foggy clouds. However, occasional clear skies and warm days can be a pleasant surprise during this season.

Winter (December to February):
Winter in the Nar Phu Valley brings cold and freezing weather, especially in the upper-Himalayan region. The trail is covered in snow, and some passes in the Annapurna region may be unpassable due to heavy snowfall. The temperature can drop as low as 1°C during the daytime and below -10°C at night. It is important to be well-prepared with appropriate gear and equipment to tackle the harsh winter conditions.

In summary, the best time to do the Nar Phu Valley Trek is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to October) when the weather is generally favorable and the landscapes are at their most beautiful. However, with proper preparation, the trek can still be undertaken during the monsoon and winter seasons, although they come with their own challenges and considerations.

Travel insurance is compulsory for the trek. All the trekkers must provide a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance policy certificate. The policy must cover medical and emergency repatriation – including helicopter rescue and evacuation expenses at high altitudes (up to 6,000m).

Trekking members are kindly requested to send their detailed insurance information after trek booking. In case of emergencies, we will be using the insurance policy and informational documents you sent us. It will help us arrange a quick and effective rescue operation, transfer for emergency medical help, etc. Please ensure that your insurance covers all costs incurred during mountain rescue service.

Before buying travel insurance, make sure to call the insurance company and recheck if they have heli-rescue up to 6,000m.

The acclimatization day at Phu village during the Nar Phu Valley Trek is essential for adjusting to the high altitude. Located at around 4250m, Phu serves as a vital resting point to acclimatize to the thinner air and reduced oxygen levels, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. Trekkers can explore the village, interact with locals, and engage in light activities or short hikes while enjoying the stunning mountain scenery. Overall, the acclimatization day at Phu village ensures a safer and more enjoyable trekking experience.

We recommend you bring a container for one liter of water. In the teahouses we can buy boiled water suitable for drinking with which to fill our bottles. Another option is to refill the water from the fountains that we find along the way or from the tap of the teahouses themselves, for this we have to count on water disinfectant tablets that we can find in pharmacies.

Tsering Yangtzen’s 10-year-old daughter died in the village of Nar in 1981. Tsering’s face in mourning was captured in an evocative portrait by American Photographer Nik Wheeler and features in the book Cloud Dwellers of the Himalayas.

Twenty-five years later I literally bumped into Tsering in the streets of Nar. She gently pointed at the portrait and said it is her. Tragedy had struck again as her son died a few weeks earlier.

‘I did not adorn my hair in that photo as my daughter had just died, and now my son,’ 68-year-old Tsering says.

Photographing Tsering with her portrait I wondered how much life has changed for someone living in one of the Nepal’s most remote villages. The 2006 visit was my third in less than a year, my curiosity piqued by this Windsor Chorlton-authored book.

While initially reluctant to bring the book into these dusty high-altitude valleys, I watched happily as locals pored over its photos. They delighted in seeing photos of themselves, family members and friends a quarter of a century earlier and were still curious why people had been so interested writing a book about their lives.

The book was the product of a research expedition led by Christoph von Fürer-Haimendorf, who was given special permission by King Birendra to visit this off-limits area. Published in 1982, it captured the stories and lives of people living in one of the Nepal’s most remote villages.

Electricity, the telephone, quality bridges and most importantly the widening and improvement of the trail in 1990 had a profound influence on contact with the rest of the country. In 2006 locals were looking forward to the day a road would reach Chame.

The quest to find people began in Koto where I was surrounded by a group of young men, most of whom were just babies or not even born when the book was published, yet were still able to call out names. In Khyang a lady became emotional looking at a photo of her husband as a young man. A day later, showing the book in Nar Phedi, someone pointed to a tree high above me, saying ‘that is where a man jumped from’, and I realized there are talking about the husband of the woman Khyang.

By the time I reached Nar, ‘cover girl’ Pema Bhutti’s name was etched in my mind. Down a dusty lane past a row of prayer wheels, up a rickety ladder, across two rooftops laden with drying grains and down another ladder into a dark warm room and there she was.

Sixty-nine years old and missing a few teeth, Pema Bhutti sat beside the stove surrounded by family, her husband Sangma Chesang Gurung opposite her. Pema’s daughter looked on proudly as her son, who goes to boarding school in Kathmandu and speaks good English, practiced with me. Times have definitely changed in Nar-Phu, yet the rhythm and essence of life remains largely intact.