Nar Phu Valley Trek
- Duration
- 17 days
- Max altitude
- 5,416 m
- Difficulty
-
Strenuous
Difficulty scale
- Easy Short walking days on good trails below about 3,000 m. Suitable for anyone in ordinary health, including families.
- Moderate 5 to 6 hours a day with some steep sections, reaching up to about 4,000 m. A reasonable level of fitness and a few weeks of preparation walking recommended.
- Strenuous 6 to 8 hours a day, high passes or altitudes above 5,000 m, and remote stretches. Good fitness, prior trekking experience and proper acclimatisation days are essential.
- Very strenuous Long days, multiple high passes or technical sections, sustained time above 5,000 m. For experienced, well-conditioned trekkers only.
- Best season
- Autumn (Sep–Nov) · Spring (Mar–May)
- Group
- Private
- From
- $1,230.00
Overview
A restricted side valley off the Annapurna Circuit, opened to trekkers only in the early 2000s. The two medieval villages of Nar and Phu, the Kang La at 5,320 m back over to Ngawal, then the upper Annapurna Circuit through Manang and over the Thorong La at 5,416 m to Muktinath.
Every departure is private and led by a government-licensed Nepali guide, so the plan flexes to your party and to the mountain. Permits, park fees and local taxes are inside the price you see.
Trip highlights
- The fortified villages of Nar and Phu
- Two high passes: Kang La (5,320 m) and Thorong La (5,416 m)
- Restricted area, very few trekkers
- A night at the Nar Phedi monastery
Day by day
The itinerary
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Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu (1,400 m) 1,400 m Hotel
Our office representative meets you at the airport and brings you to your hotel, where we hold a short meeting about the programme. Nothing else is scheduled for the day.
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Day 2: Kathmandu valley sightseeing and trek preparation 1,400 m Hotel B
A day at the valley's heritage sites: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Swayambhunath. Later, a briefing at the hotel on the Nar Phu and Annapurna route, accommodation and kit, and a chance to collect a duffel bag, sleeping bag and down jacket if you need them.
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Day 3: Drive to Dharapani (1,860 m), 10 to 12 hours 1,860 m Teahouse B/L/D
About 180 km and ten to twelve hours by tourist vehicle: smooth road along the Trishuli to Mugling, then bumpier through Dumre and Besisahar into Manang district, past the waterfalls at Syange and the villages of Jagat and Chamje beside the Marsyangdi, to Dharapani.
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Day 4: Trek to Koto (2,600 m) 2,600 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
About 12 km through pine and fir forest and over wooden bridges, past the Tibetan-style village of Bagarchhap (2,160 m) with its whitewashed gompa and prayer wheels, then Danaque and Timang (2,750 m), with views of Manaslu and Ngadi Chuli, to Koto, the gateway to Nar Phu, where permits are registered.
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Day 5: Trek to Meta (3,560 m) 3,560 m 6-7 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
Into the restricted area. About 13 km up and down over two hills, past caves and under towering canyon walls beside the Nar Khola, through Dharmasala to Meta, the first village of the Nar region, with Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal in view on a clear day. A big gain in height, so walk slowly.
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Day 6: Trek to Phu (4,250 m) 4,250 m 5-6 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A slow, steady climb up the Phu Khola through a desert gorge, with Kang Guru, Pokharkan and Amotsang Himal around you, past chortens, canyons and the ruins of old forts, then over a suspension bridge to Phu, settled by Tibetan migrants and home to the Tashi Lhakhang monastery.
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Day 7: Trek to Nar Phedi (3,490 m) 3,490 m 4-5 hrs Monastery guesthouse B/L/D
Back down the Phu Khola, crossing a bridge over a narrow canyon some 80 m deep, then a steep descent past Mahendra Pul to Nar Phedi. We spend the night at the monastery here, join the nuns for evening prayers and share a home-cooked dinner. You are welcome to make a donation and light butter lamps.
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Day 8: Trek to Nar (4,110 m) 4,110 m 2-3 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A short climb of two to three hours past chortens and prayer flags and through the gate at Yughat to Nar, an old village of stone houses and several gompas. The short day helps with acclimatisation before the pass.
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Day 9: Cross the Kang La (5,320 m) to Ngawal (3,660 m) 5,320 m 8-9 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A 4 am start. About two hours of gentle climbing through yak pastures, then a steeper, rougher section to the Kang La, with Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak and the Annapurna massif around you. Then a long descent of about 17 km in total to Ngawal on the upper Annapurna Circuit.
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Day 10: Trek to Manang (3,540 m) 3,540 m 3-4 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
An easy 8 km through juniper, pine and dry hillside, with Annapurna III and Gangapurna above, past the cave where the Tibetan yogi and poet Milarepa is said to have meditated, and through Braga with its old monastery to Manang, the main village of the upper valley.
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Day 11: Acclimatisation day in Manang (3,540 m) 3,540 m Teahouse B/L/D
A day to rest before the Thorong La: a monastery visit, a walk to Gangapurna Lake, and the afternoon altitude talk at the Himalayan Rescue Association clinic.
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Day 12: Trek to Yak Kharka (4,050 m) 4,050 m 4-5 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
About 11 km up through Tenki, out of the Marsyangdi valley and north up the Jarsang Khola, past pastures, juniper scrub, the flat-roofed village of Ghunsa and an old mani wall, to Yak Kharka.
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Day 13: Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,525 m) 4,525 m 3-4 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A short day of about 8 km to Thorong Phedi at the foot of the pass. Some trekkers push on to High Camp, but we sleep lower at Phedi for a better night before the crossing.
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Day 14: Cross the Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath (3,760 m) 5,416 m 8-9 hrs Teahouse B/L/D
A steep start in the dark, easing higher up, over rocky ridges to the prayer flags on the Thorong La, with the Annapurnas behind you and the Mustang side and the Kali Gandaki ahead. Then a long, steep descent to Muktinath, sacred to Hindus and Buddhists, with its temples and monasteries. About 16.5 km in all.
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Day 15: Jeep from Muktinath to Pokhara (820 m), 7 to 8 hours 820 m Hotel B/L
Seven to eight hours by jeep, about 160 km, down the Kali Gandaki through Jomsom, Marpha, Kalopani, Ghasa, Dana and Tatopani to Beni and on to Pokhara, with views into the world's deepest gorge.
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Day 16: Tourist bus back to Kathmandu (1,400 m), 6 to 7 hours 1,400 m Hotel B/D
Six to seven hours, 200 km, back to Kathmandu, with a farewell dinner in the evening.
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Day 17: Departure 1,400 m B
About three hours before your flight, our representative takes you to the airport.
Altitude profile
The climb, day by day
Comfort tiers
Choose your level of comfort
| Amenity | Standardfrom $1,475.00 | Comfortfrom $1,740.50 | Luxuryfrom $2,138.75 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu hotel | 3★ | 4★ | 5★ |
| Trail accommodation | Standard teahouse | Best lodge in each village | Premium lodge where the route has one |
| Porter support | Shared porter | Private porter, lighter load | Extra porter, carry almost nothing |
| Transfers | Shared | Private | Private, throughout |
What's included
Included
- Included: Three nights in a three-star hotel in Kathmandu and one in Pokhara, twin-sharing with breakfast (single rooms at extra cost)
- Included: Twin-sharing or dormitory lodge accommodation on the trek for 12 nights, including one night at the Nar Phedi monastery guesthouse
- Included: All standard meals on the trek, breakfast, lunch and dinner, with seasonal fruit
- Included: A farewell dinner on the last night in Nepal
- Included: Purified drinking water on the trek, by filter or purification tablets
- Included: All international and domestic airport transfers in a tourist vehicle
- Included: Kathmandu to Dharapani by tourist vehicle
- Included: Jeep from Muktinath to Pokhara
- Included: Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist bus
- Included: Annapurna Conservation Area Permit
- Included: TIMS card
- Included: Restricted Area Permit for Nar and Phu
- Included: Experienced, wilderness first-aid trained, government-licensed, English-speaking local guide (two guides for groups of more than seven)
- Included: Porters to carry your luggage, one porter for every two travellers
- Included: Wages, accommodation, meals, gear, insurance and medication for all staff
- Included: Duffel bag, trekking map, sun hat and neck gaiter
- Included: First aid kit with an oximeter to check pulse and oxygen levels daily
- Included: Trip completion certificate
- Included: All administrative expenses and government taxes
Not included
- Not included: Meals (lunch and dinner) in Kathmandu and Pokhara
- Not included: International flight fare and airport departure tax
- Not included: Nepal Entry Visa (Visa can be acquired easily after your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu with a fee of USD 30 for 15 days visa, USD 50 for 30 days visa and USD 125 for 90 days visa)
- Not included: Travel insurance along with high-altitude emergency evacuation coverage
- Not included: Any beverages including bottled and boiled water
- Not included: Tips to trekking staff and driver
- Not included: Personal trekking gear and equipment
- Not included: Any expenses other than the Price Include section
Know before you go
Suitability & requirements
Nar Phu is a restricted area, so a licensed guide is mandatory and the permit is applied for through a registered agency, which we do for you. Since March 2026 the permit is issued to solo travellers too, so you no longer need a second person to go.
The climbs from Koto (2,600 m) to Meta (3,560 m) and on to Phu (4,250 m) gain height quickly. Your guide watches everyone closely here and will add a rest day at Phu if anyone is not acclimatising well; there is room to absorb it because the second pass comes after two nights in Manang.
Your team
Led by a licensed guide
Every route is led by a government-licensed guide from our team. Licences are on record with us before departure, and you'll meet your guide once your trip is confirmed.
Guide language(s): English, Nepali
Group-size pricing
Walk together, pay less
Every trip is private, so the guide, permits and transfers cost the same however many walk. Sharing them is why the per-person price falls: arithmetic, not a sale.
| Group size | per person | You save each |
|---|---|---|
| 1 traveller | $1,475.00 | base rate |
| 2 to 3 travellers | $1,230.00 | $245.00 |
| 4 to 6 travellers | $1,155.00 | $320.00 |
| 7 or more | $1,085.00 | $390.00 |
Per person, including permits, park fees and taxes. Nothing is added at checkout.
Weather
What to expect, month by month
- Autumn (Sep–Nov)The most reliable trekking season: clear air, stable weather and cold nights, right after the monsoon clears.
- Spring (Mar–May)Warmer than autumn, with rhododendron forests in flower and slightly hazier mountain views as the season goes on.
Traveller reviews
What travellers say
Why book with us
Every trail, one licensed team
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