Trek to Naar-Phu Valley

This very demanding trek takes you to the remote Naar Phu valley, which was first opened for trekking in 2003. The volleys are inhabited by Nepalese Tibetans, with a total population of around 350 inhabitants. The people here depend on livestock, unlike most Bhotia people, whose trading patterns changed drastically after the Nepali Government closed the borders with Tibet in the early nineteen sixties. The people of Nar and Phu valley were least affected this change, as the trail leading from the Narphu valley into Tibet ha^never made them dependent on the salt trade and until today yak herding is the basis of their livelihood. Visited by only a few trekkers this incredible region offers Tibetan Buddhist culture in undisturbed form, with chortens, prayer flags and Buddhist monasteries as well as dramatic mountain views and great alpine scenery. The starting point for the trek is Ngadi and it follows the popular Annapurna circuit trail and the raging Marsyangdi river, before branching off at Koto to follow the little-used trail to the Nor Phu valley to the north of Manang (Trans Himalayan zone). The landscape is dry and rugged, with wind-eroded cliffs and spires, meditation caves and scrub vegetation.

Highlights of Nar-phu Valley Trek

Visited by only few trekkers this incredible region offers Tibetan B Aid hist culture in undisturbed form^Trails are generally well maintained, sandy or rocky paths and steep steps, with chortens, prayer flags and Buddhist monasteries as well as dramatic mountain views and great alpine scenery including pine and rhododendron forests, as well as the glacial moraine. The region is also rich ^wildlife or^the observant trekker may catch a sight of many animals. This trek is graded c-^ a very demanding walk, with walking days of 5 to 8 hours and crossing two passes above 5000m.The crossing of both Kangia and Thorung La pass is usually i straightforward.

 

01 Day

Day 01: Kathmandu to Beshisahar - Bhulbhule (Starting point for Nar-Phu valley trek)

We leave Kathmandu early to drive to the west by private vehicle to the major town of Besi Sahar (approx. 5 hours), perched on a high shelf above the Marsyangdi river. There is a bank, school, cinema, shops and Government offices. On the ridge top to the west is Lamjung Durbar, the former summer palace of the Ghale Gurung Rajas. We drive with a local jeep to Bhubhule in about one hour and cross the river on a long suspension bridge. This pleasant village gets its name from the sound made by a natural spring nearby. There ore good views from here of Himal Chuli (7893m) and Ngadi Chuli (Manaslu 2) (7835m). Overnight in lodge.

02 Day

Day 02: Trek from Bhulbhule to Jagat (4265ft/1300m)

Trek to Jagat in about 7 hours. We cross the Ngadi Khola, through Ngadi village and then begin to skirt around a conical-shaped hill before beginning the long and steep ascent to the village of Bahun Danda (4710ft/1440m), literally, 'Brahmin's Hill', perched on the ridge top, in 3 hours. Here you may have lunch. Then the trail drops steeply, crossing terraced fields before reaching the village of Ghermu, After crossing the river and passing through Syanje (1100m) you will enter the great gorge of the Marsyangdi and follow its left bonk to reach Jagat village in another hour There are some hot springs about twenty minutes upstream from here. Overnight in lodge.

03Day

Day 03: Trek from Jagat to Tal

Trek to Tal in about 6 hours. Continuing to follow the left bank, you soon reach the village of Chyamje (4560ft/1390m). Here the houses are built of rocks and the culture is more Tibetan (4 hrs). We climb the hill, trek through broad leaf forest and bamboo groves to Tal at (5460ft/1664m), Tal was once a lake, formed when a landslide blocked the Marsyangdi river. Tal is also the district border between Lamjung and Manang and from now on the culture is Tibetan, with prayer flags and chortens along the trail. Overnight in lodge.

04Day

Day 04: Trek from tal to Koto Kapar (8S30ft/2600m)

In about 6 hours, we pass through forest and several Gurung villages including Thonje, which means 'Pine Trees growing on a flat place, in the Gurung language and Bagarchap, The Butchers Place', where a landslide killed locals and trekkers in 1995. There are views from here ofAnnapurno and Lamjung HimaL The area north of here is colled Gyasumdo - The meeting Place of Three Highways", ie. the Marsyangdi, Dudh and Nar rivers. The people here were trans-Himalayan traders until 1959, when the Chinese invasion of Tibet blocked the posses. The side trail over the bridge leads to the Nar Phu volleys. Overnight in lodge.

05Day

Day 05: Trek from koto kapar to Beyond Koto

You leave the Annapurna Circuit trail and head up the narrow and steep gorge of the Nar Phu Kholo to a Chyosha (3200m) in about 5 hours where we can camp or stay overnight at a tea-house.

06Day

Day 06: Trek from beyond koto to Meta (Methang) (3560m)

The walking is steep today as you continue to follow the Nar Khola along the cliffs, which are sometimes quite exposed. The trail climbs up and then drops again to reach Meta in around six hours. We stay in a camp or overnight at a tea-house.

07Day

Day 07: Acclimatization Day. Real experience of Naar-phu trek

For those who wish you can follow a trail that leads towards Kang Guru base camp and gives the chance to reach 4000m - good for acclimatization overnight at camp.

08Day

Day 08: Trek from Meta(Meethang) to Kyang (12,467ft /3800m)

The trek to Kyang about 5 hours. The day starts on a relative easy trail beside the Phu Khola. From here the trail is steeper and you climb first to 'Upper Chyako and then on to Kyang. Overnight at camp.

09Day

Day 09: Trek from Kyang to Phu Gaun (13,780ft/4200m)

Trek to Phu village in about 6 hours. Once more, follow the trail carved into the walls of the river gorge before descending to the river itself and making the steady ascent to the main settlement of Phu. Overnight at camp.

10Day

Day 10: Explore around Phu Gaun Camp 

11Day

Day 11: Trek from Phu Village to Chyako

Retrace your steps down the Phu Kholo as far as Junam Goth (12,205ft/3720m) below the village of Chyako in about 5 hours. Camp.

12Day

Day 12: Trek from Chyako to Naar

Continue the descent of the volley, cross the river at Naar Phedi (11,450ft/3490) and begin a long climb to Naar Village, (13,484ft/4110m). 6 hours. Camp.

13Day

Day 13: Trek from Naar village to Kang la phedi

A shorter day along the valley, passing through ancient maraines to the meadows of Kangla Phedi. (14862ft/4550m) below the Kang La pass. 4 hours, Overnight at Camp.

14Day

Day 14: Trek from Kang la Phedi to Kang-la pass to Manang

Today is a long day with steep ascents and descents to cross the Kang La pass (17,408ft/5306m) to the village of Manang (3351m) in about 7 hours. Now you are in the wide, arid region of the Manang volley, or 'Nyesyang', in the rain shadow of the Annapurnas. The snow falls heavily in the winter in this area and remains until the warmth of spring. Unlike their neighbors to the south, the people here have inhabited the region for centuries, subsisting on agriculture and trans-Himalayan trading. In 1790, the king granted them a special charter that enabled them to travel and trade abroad. This privilege was used to good effect, first trading local products, before moving on to modern consumer goods. As a result, they are amongst the widely traveled people on the planet!

Manang itself is a large Manangi village with flat-roofed, Tibetan style houses and narrow streets. Tibetan Buddhist prayer flags flap in the wind, whist yellow-beaked choughs and snow pigeons circle around the roof-tops. The Gangapurna glacier lies directly opposite the town and the mountain views of Annapurna 3 and 4 are superb. Overnight at camp or tea-house.

15Day

Day 15: Trek from Rest day in Manang

A chance to explore the glacier or trek a little way towards Tilicho lake or explore the Gangapurna glacier. Overnight at camp or tea-house

16Day

Day 16: Trek up to Thorung Phedl (14,450ft/4404m)

Trek up to Thorong Phedi in 5 hours. Overnight in camp or tea-house.

17Day

Day 17: Cross the Thorung La Pass (17J69ft/S416m)

Cross the Thorong-la and descend to Muktinath (12A60ft/3800m). Depending on weather conditions, this should take approx. 8 hours. Leave the lodge early and aim to be at the pass by 9.00 am. The trail is very steep but well marked. First, you reach a notch (15,725ft, 4793m), soon after passing 'High Camp', where there are a few lodges for the already well- acclimatized. Traverse to the base of the lateral moraine at 4846m, reaching its crest at 4892m, After several false summits, finally reach the pass (5416m), 3-4 hours from Phedi. After the pass, descend steeply into the Muktinath volley and the incredible region of Mustang. It's a long way down and you hove to be careful, especially in icy conditions. The first teashop comes after 3 hours at the small settlement of Phedi (135Q0ft/4115m). Continue down to Ranipauwa, a village just below the Muktinath temples, named after the Queen of Nepal visited in the 1970's. Overnight at camp or tea-house.

18Day

Day 18: Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom (8900ft /2710m)

Trek from Muktinath to Jomsom in about 5 hours. Muktinath (12,460ft/3800m) is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists and is first mentioned in the Mahabharata as a place where ammonites may be found. This is still true, although it is illegal to export them from Nepal. From here you will have amazing views of Dhaulagiri and Tukuche Peak. You can visit the main temple, which in the Tibetan language is called, Chumik Gyatsa - the place of 100 springs. For Hindus, this is called the Vishnu Mandir Temple with its 108 waterspouts. You can also visit The Temple of Jwala Mai, better known as the Temple of Miraculous Fire. Within this Nyingmapa Buddhist temple, on the surface of an underground spring, burn blue jets of natural gas - thus combining the elements of earth, air, fire, and water. Photography is not permitted inside the temples. It is another incredible landscape - sandstone pillars, pastel reds, yellows, browns and greys, stunning snow peaks and crumbling ridge-top villages. There are hermit's caves along this section and sometimes flocks of crones and Tibetan geese may be seen. As this is the pilgrimage route to the holy temples of Muktinath you may see pilgrims who have walked hundreds of miles, many from India, to worship there. On route to Jomsom, we also pass through the interesting villages of Jharkot and Khingar, once essential stops on the old salt caravan route.

After three hours, you take lunch at Eklle Bhatti, a cluster of small lodges on the floor of the Thak Khola valley.

Follow the Thak Khola river valley to reach Jomosom in another 3 hours. Jomosom, situated at 8900ft/2713m is the administrative center of the Lower Mustang region. Straddling the Thak Khola River it offers tremendous views of Mounts Nilgiri and Dhaulagiri (8162m). The rest of the day may be spent visiting the interesting cultural museum, walking to the nearby, ancient towns of Syang and Thinigoon, or just relaxing. Overnight in Guest house, with real hot shower.

19Day

Day 19: Trek from Jomsom to Pokhara

Early Flight and rest day in Pokhara by the Lakeside hotel and one hour massage at seeing hand clinic by blind therapists.

19Day

Day 20: Drive to Kathmandu from Pokhara

Your safety is of paramount concern whilst traveling with Himalayan Trailfinder. Please note that your leader has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the itinerary if it is deemed necessary due to safety concerns. Every effort will be made to keep to the above itinerary; However, as thisĀ  is adventure travel in remote mountain regions, we cannot guarantee it! Weather conditions, health condition of a member, unexpected natural disasters etc, can all contribute to changes in the itinerary. The leader will try to ensure that the trip runs according to plan, but please be prepared to be flexible if required.

Enquiry About This Trip

Trip Facts

  • Duration20 Days
  • Tour GradeTechnical
  • Max Elevation5416 m
  • Best Month:Oct and Nov / Mar - Jun
  • Trip start/End:Beshi Sahar / Jomsom

Trip Maps

  • Tims card and national park entry permit.

  • Experienced guide and porter one for two guests.

  • All ground transportation during the trip.

  • Three meals a day (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) and accommodation in local family house/lodge.

  • Emergency rescue arrangement.

  • First aid kit.

  • Water resistant kit bag.

  • Walking poles.

  • High quality Italian camping equipment (Ferino, La Sportiva, Salewa).

  • Down sleeping bag, Down jacket air mat on request.

  • Drinks, beverage water

  • Donations, tips

  • Personal expenses

  • Visa fee on arrival