Nar Phu Valley Trek - 12 days
- DestinationNepal
- Durations12 days
- Trip DifficultyModerate
- ActivitiesTrekking
- AccommodationLodge and Camp
- MealsBreakfast Lunch Dinner (BLD)
- Mx.altitude5146m.
- VehicleBus/Private car
- Group Size15+
Trip Highlights
- Explore the remote valley, Nar Phu Valley
- Learn about the history of the Nar Phu Valley
- Cross the challenging Kang La Pass
- Visit Ancient Monasteries and the village
- Enjoy the breathtaking views of the great Himalayan Ranges
- Off-the-Beaten-Path Adventure
- Experience local Homestays' authenticity
- Unique flora and fauna
Nar Phu Valley Trek Overview
Wants to get lost in the perfect trekking trails of Nepal, then Nar Phu Valley will be the best choice for it. It's hands down one of the coolest, least crowded treks you've ever heard of. For 12 days, you're off-grid, wandering through these super remote valleys, Nar and Phu, right up near the Tibetan border. And get this, they don't just let anyone in; it's pretty restricted, so you genuinely feel like you've stumbled on a secret.
You will be mesmerized by this amazing mix of just raw, wild Himalayan scenery, proper, ancient Tibetan Buddhist vibes that feel like they haven't changed in centuries, and some pretty challenging mountain paths. It’s a rare shot to see a bit of Nepal that’s still so untouched.
Honestly, if you’ve done a fair bit of trekking before, and you’re craving something a bit more real, you know, solitude and that genuine feel, this is it. You'll be weaving through these villages perched way up high, finding these sacred old monasteries, and navigating narrow gorges, and then there's the Kang La Pass – it’s a big one, 5,322 meters, and the views are just insane. You’re looking out at giants like Annapurna II, Pisang Peak, and Himlung Himal. Plus, the people in these old stone villages are so welcoming. It feels like their culture has stayed the same for hundreds of years.
So, if you’re after a trip where you really get under the skin of a place, or you just want a proper Himalayan adventure away from the throngs you see on the Everest or Annapurna Circuit trails, these 12 days in Nar Phu organized by Himalayan Pinnacle, seriously, it’s one of those things you’ll be talking about for the rest of your life.
Route Description
It's this 12-day journey, and it takes you into one of the most remote, culturally mind-blowing spots you've ever seen, tucked right up in the northern shadows of the big Annapurna mountains. You start with a pretty scenic drive from Kathmandu out to a place called Koto. And this is where it gets cool: instead of following the crowds on the Annapurna Circuit, you immediately peel off into this seriously rugged wilderness, down into the Nar Khola gorge. As you start climbing, you’re walking through these amazing thick pine forests, past waterfalls gushing down, and through these deep canyons. The further you go, the more dramatic and properly isolated it feels.
From Koto, the path leads you up to Meta. And it's here you start to notice things changing – the way the houses are built, the whole landscape. You can tell you're leaving the lush green hills behind and entering these drier, windswept valleys that have this strong Tibetan feel. Keep going, and you hit Phu Gaun. Suddenly, you’re on this high-altitude plateau dotted with chortens, those Buddhist shrines, and ancient-looking prayer walls and monasteries. And Phu village itself is like stepping back into medieval times, seriously untouched by the modern world. Think stone houses almost clinging to these massive cliffs, with giants like Himlung Himal just looming above you.
You get a day in Phu to acclimatize, wander around, and just soak in the culture – it's incredible. Then you backtrack a bit before heading over to Nar Phedi. This place is just a solitary monastery guesthouse, so peaceful for an overnight stop. After that, it's a gentle but beautiful climb up to Nar Village. It’s a bit bigger and more lively than Phu, with fields of barley, and you see yak herders doing their thing – a community still so connected to their old ways. Then comes the real challenge, but also the biggest reward: the Kang La Pass. Getting over that, especially if you time it for sunrise, the views are just wow. Annapurna II, Pisang Peak, and the whole Marsyangdi Valley spread out below – it’ll take your breath away.
After that massive high, it's a long descent down to Ngawal. It's this charming little village, actually on the upper Annapurna trail, so you get a little taste of comfort after being so high and remote for days. From Ngawal, it’s a jeep ride that winds down to Besisahar, and then you head back to Kathmandu. You've done this amazing loop, perfectly mixing that raw Himalayan wildness with this deep dive into an ancient culture.
Short Itinerary
Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu (1400 m.), Nepal
Day 02: Trek preparation
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Koto (2,600m, 230km, 8-10 hours)
Day 04: Trek from Koto to Meta (3,625m, 15km, 6-7 hours)
Day 05: Trek from Meta to Phu Gaun (4,100m, 16km, 6-7 hours)
Day 06: Exploration of Phu Gaun
Day 07: Trek from Phu Gaun to Nar Phedi (3,490m, 10km, 5-6 hours)
Day 08: Trek from Nar Phedi to Nar Village (4,110m, 8 km, 4-5 hours)
Day 09: Trek from Nar Village to Ngawal (3,660m) via Kang La Pass (5,320m, 14km, 8-9 hours)
Day 10: Drive from Ngawal to Besisahar (7,60m, 60km, 6-7 hours)
Day 11: Drive to Kathmandu from Besisahar (1,350m, 176km, 8-9 hours)
Day 12: Final Departure
Detail Itinerary
If the provided schedule isn't suitable for you, we are able to create personalized travel arrangements according to your preferences and requirements.