Nar Phu Valley Trek - 12 days

Uniqueness of Nar and Phu Village

They're like stepping into a different world, tucked away so deep in the mountains of Upper Manang in Nepal, you'd hardly know they were there. It’s not just a bit remote; we're talking properly hidden by massive passes and seriously rough country. And because they’re so cut off, life there is, well, it’s like time just forgot about them. It’s pure, authentic Tibetan vibes. The way they live, their religion, which is all Tibetan Buddhism, and even the way their houses are built, it’s all been handed down for ages. They pretty much grow what they need to survive.

Phu village, it’s something else. Imagine this old fortress, almost perched way up above this massive drop. The houses are all stone, and you see these old, crumbly Buddhist shrine things – chortens – everywhere. And there's this monastery, Tashi Lhakhang, which is a really big deal there; they say Guru Rinpoche himself blessed it.

Then there’s Nar. It’s a bit bigger, and you see more farming going on – fields and stuff. The views from Nar are just insane, looking out over all these peaks. But it’s got that same ancient feel, with monasteries and these walls covered in prayer stones all over the place. The whole area is like this high-up desert, really dramatic. Think windswept, flat bits; deep canyons cutting through the landscape; and then these massive mountains like Himlung Himal and Kang Guru just dominating everything.

Going to Nar and Phu is not just a walk in the park, or even just a trek. It’s like you’re on a proper expedition right into a living, breathing museum of Himalayan culture. The modern world, with all its nonsense. It feels like it’s a million miles and a thousand years away. It’s pretty special.

Permits

If you want to trek in Nar Phu, there's a bit of official stuff you have to know first. You need to have special permits; it's because they call it a "restricted area" in Nepal.

This means you need special permission slips, and you can't just get these yourself. You have to go through a proper, registered trekking company in Nepal. They're the ones who know the drill.

The main ticket you need is something called a Restricted Area Permit, or RAP, as everyone calls it. Now, this one costs a bit. This RAP is specifically for that magic section from Koto, where you branch off, all the way through Nar and Phu, and out to Ngawal.

You also need an Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). Pretty much anywhere you trek in the Annapurnas, you need this one.

Good news: if you've got the RAP, you don't need to worry about getting a TIMS card (that's the Trekkers’ Information Management System card). So, one less bit of paper to juggle!

All these permits have to be sorted out before you start the trek, usually in Kathmandu or Pokhara by your trekking agency.

Here are a couple of really important things: 

You absolutely cannot trek in Nar Phu on your own. You must have a licensed Nepali guide with you. It's the law for these areas. Also, they have this rule that there needs to be at least two trekkers in a group. So, if it’s just you wanting to go solo, your agency will usually have to do a bit of clever paperwork to sort out what they call a "ghost permit" for a non-existent second trekker to meet the rules. A bit of a faff, but that's how they make it work if you're a lone wolf.

Best Time to Trek

Spring:

The weather's usually pretty good, the skies are clear, and the mountains just look epic. Lower down, the rhododendrons are just bursting with colour – it's stunning, especially if you're into taking photos or just love seeing nature do its thing. Even when you get higher up, the temperatures are generally manageable, not too brutal.

Autumn:

That's after the monsoon has washed everything clean. The air is so crisp, there's hardly any rain, and the visibility! Those big snowy peaks like Himlung Himal, Annapurna II, and Kang Guru just pop against the blue sky. It's seriously spectacular.

And crucially, for both these seasons, crossing that beast, the Kang La Pass, is generally much safer and more doable. The weather's more stable; there's less chance of getting caught out.

What about other times?

Winter (December to February):

Probably give that a miss unless you're some kind of ice warrior. It gets incredibly cold up there, and there's a very high chance the Kang La Pass will be completely snowed in and impassable. Not much fun.

Monsoon season (June to August):

The drive to get to Koto can be a proper mudfest, with a higher risk of landslides making things tricky. Now, the funny thing is, Nar Phu itself is kind of in a "rain shadow," meaning it doesn't get as hammered by the monsoon as other parts of Nepal. But still, the access routes are an issue, and trails can be slippery. It’s a bit of a gamble.

Trek Difficulty

Think of it as a solid challenge, definitely leaning towards the strenuous side. It's really best if you've done some high-altitude walking before, or at least if you're someone who's generally pretty fit and active.

Here’s the deal:

• You're looking at some long days on your feet – we're talking anywhere from 5 to 8 hours of trekking, sometimes more, sometimes a bit less. And you're going up, up, up! There's some serious altitude gain involved.
• The paths themselves. They're not paved highways. Expect proper, rugged, wild trails. And it's remote; you won't be seeing a Starbucks around every corner, that's for sure. Facilities are pretty basic, which is part of the adventure.
• The big kahuna is the Kang La Pass. That is up at 5,320 meters (that's nearly 17,500 feet!). Getting over that is a proper test of your endurance. You need good lungs, strong legs, and to have taken your acclimatization seriously. It’s tough, but the feeling when you make it and the views!
• You’ll be sleeping above 4,000 meters for a good few nights, which means that pesky mountain sickness (AMS) is something you've got to be sensible about. That's why there are those "rest days" built into the plan – They’re not just for lazing about; they’re crucial for letting your body catch up.
• The actual ground under your feet changes a lot. One day you might be in forests or squeezing through narrow gorges, and the next you're out on these massive, windswept plateaus. And up near the pass, you could hit some scree or even snow, depending on when you go.
• You don't need to be a rock climber or anything – no ropes or technical gear. But having a good bit of trekking experience under your belt helps. Being comfy on steep bits, uneven ground, and just being mentally okay with being quite far from 'civilization'—that's key. It's as much a head game as a leg game sometimes.

Meals and Accommodation

Accommodation

You're not going to find any fancy hotels. It's all about basic teahouses and sometimes these cool little monastery-run lodges. Think rustic, think simple, but think properly authentic Himalayan life.

Down in the lower bits, like when you start in Koto or when you come out over the pass into Ngawal, the teahouses are a bit more, shall we say, 'developed.' You might get your little room; there's usually a common dining area where everyone hangs out, and sometimes, you might even score a hot shower (often a bucket shower, but hey, hot water is hot water!) or find a plug to charge your phone.

But as you climb higher, into the remote villages like Meta, Phu, and Nar, things get even simpler. You'll likely be in shared rooms, think dorm-style, but much smaller. 

One real highlight, though, is the night you spend at Nar Phedi. You sleep in this super peaceful monastery guesthouse. It’s pretty special, and the nuns there cook your meals.

Meals

You'll mostly be eating vegetarian, home-cooked meals. The absolute staple, which you'll eat a lot of, is dal bhat – that's a big plate of rice, lentil soup, and usually some kind of vegetable curry. It’s the fuel that keeps trekkers and locals going! You'll also find things like Tibetan bread (it's often fried and delicious), noodles (thukpa or chowmein), hearty soups, and whatever seasonal veggies they have. For drinks, it's all about tea – lots of milk tea, maybe some local butter tea (you've got to try it at least once!), and instant coffee to kickstart your mornings.

Because you're so far out, don't expect a massive menu. The choices are pretty limited, and yeah, things will cost a bit more than on the more popular treks like the Annapurna Circuit. That's just because everything has to be carried up there. 

So, a top tip: bring some of your favorite high-energy snacks – chocolate bars, nuts, energy bars, that kind of thing. And for water, definitely pack purification tablets or a good filter. Bottled water is a big no-no; it's hard to find, expensive, and just creates a load of plastic waste in these beautiful, pristine places.

Packing Essentials

Packing wisely is essential for the Nar Phu Valley Trek, given the remote location, high altitude, and limited access to supplies along the route. The list is below:
Clothing

• Thermal base layers (top and bottom)
• Insulated down jacket (4-season rated)
• Waterproof and windproof shell jacket and pants
• Fleece or softshell mid-layer
• Quick-dry trekking pants and shirts
• Lightweight gloves (inner) and insulated gloves (outer)
• Warm hat and sun hat
• Buff or neck gaiter
• Warm trekking socks (4–5 pairs)
• Undergarments (moisture-wicking)
• Gaiters (for snow or scree)

Footwear

• Waterproof, broken-in trekking boots
• Comfortable camp shoes or sandals (for evenings)
• Trekking gaiters (optional but helpful)

Bags & Carrying Gear

• 30–40L daypack (with rain cover)
• 60–70L duffel bag or backpack (for porters if applicable)
• Dry bags or packing cubes for organization
• Waterproof stuff sacks (for electronics and clothes)

Trekking Gear

• Trekking poles (collapsible and lightweight)
• Headlamp (with spare batteries)
• Sunglasses with UV protection
• Water bottles (1–2 liters) or hydration bladders
• Water purification tablets, filter, or LifeStraw
• Sleeping bag (rated to -10°C or lower)
• Sleeping bag liner (optional for extra warmth)

Personal Items & Toiletries

• Quick-dry towel
• Toothbrush and biodegradable toothpaste
• Wet wipes and hand sanitizer
• Biodegradable soap or face wash
• Lip balm with SPF
• High SPF sunscreen and zinc sunblock
• Toilet paper and small garbage bags

First Aid & Medications

• Personal first aid kit (band-aids, antiseptic, tape)
• Altitude sickness medication (e.g., Diamox)
• Ibuprofen/paracetamol
• Blister plasters (e.g., Compeed)
• Anti-diarrheal (e.g., Imodium)
• Any prescription medications
• Electrolyte powder or rehydration salts

Electronics & Accessories

• Power bank (10,000–20,000 mAh)
• Solar charger (optional for longer treks)
• Extra batteries for the headlamp and camera
• Charging cables and a universal travel adapter
• Camera or smartphone (with storage space)

Food & Snacks

• Energy bars, trail mix, dried fruit
• Instant coffee or tea (if preferred)
• Electrolyte tablets or hydration mix
• Comfort snacks (chocolate, hard candy)

Documents & Essentials

• Passport (with visa)
• Copies of all permits (RAP, ACAP)
• Travel insurance (must cover high-altitude trekking and emergency evacuation)
• Passport-sized photos (for permits if not already submitted)
• Cash in Nepalese rupees (no ATMs in the trekking area)