How difficult is Nar Phu valley trekking?

Nar Phu valley trek combines a moderate walk to steep ascend and descends. it also goes through the high pass like Kang La pass( 5320m) which is physically challenging so, it is considered a difficult trek in Nepal.

Nar Phu Valley Trekking with Annapurna circuit trekking.

Nar Phu Valley trekking trail lies in the Annapurna region, north of the Annapurna mountain range bordering Tibet to the north and the Manaslu region to the east. Nar Phu Valley is an ideal trek for exploring old Tibetan villages such as Nar Village and Phu Village.

Nar Phu valley is listed as one of the restricted areas in Nepal which remained a forbidden valley for tourists until 2002.

Trekking to Nar Phu Valley provides an opportunity to explore unspoiled Himalayan nature, ancient Buddhist villages, local people, Tibetan Buddhism, culture, and tradition because the settlements of these villages immigrate people from Tibet. Thus, this entire village is also known as Mini Tibet of Nepal.

In addition, you can visit the ancient monastery called “Tashi Lakang monastery” which is believed to be about 1000 years old thus this monastery has significant importance, and pilgrims from far away come to pay homage every year.

This trek is filled with Buddhist monasteries, monuments such as Chhortens, mani-walls, and stupas which reflect the vibrant Buddhist culture of this place. Nar-Phu trek is also filled with Spectacular Trans-Himalayan high landscapes, rugged mountains, terrace-like fields, wild rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and lovely forests.

How to get to the trailhead of Nar Phu trekking?

To get to the Nar Phu Valley trekking trailhead we can take the bus or private jeep to Beshisahar which takes about 5 hours to reach. Beshisahar is the district headquarters of Lamjung district and it’s a gateway to the popular Annapurna circuit trek. Then either trekking for 4 days or taking another around 5 hours jeep ride on the rough road takes you to “Koto” from where the trek to Nar Phu Valley begins.

Local jeep rides back from Chame during the Nar Phu Valley trekking.

Nar Phu Valley Trek Route

The trek route for Nar Phu Valley goes along the Annapurna circuit trek trail for a few days such as Jagat(1300m), Tal(1700m), and Dharapani(1900m) for the first three nights. Then the trek goes to Koto(2640m) for another night before entering the Nar Phu valley.

Koto is the place from where the trail branches off from the popular Annapurna circuit trek to Nar Phu Valley. so, the Next day crossing the bridge over the Marshyangdi River, the trek continues to enter the valley which gradually and eventually goes to Meta(3560m), Khyang(3740m), and Phu village(4070m) for other nights of the trek.

The next day as part of an acclimatization day at Phu village, we take a detour to Tashilakhang monastery, a famous monastery in the region and Nepal.

After this trek, the trail continues to Nar Phedi (3490m) and Nar village(4180m) for another two nights before crossing over the Kang La pass (5320m). The long and adventurous day takes place the next day leaving from Nar and over the pass and descending to Ngawal where we catch back to the regular Annapurna circuit trek.

Then the trek continues down to Chame, the headquarters of Manang district from where we take a drive to Besisahar before continuing to Kathmandu.

Or some trekkers can string the famous Annapurna circuit trek towards the upper Manang valley over the Thorong La pass (5416m) and down to Mustang Valley along the Kaligandaki River to add more sights and excitement during the journey.

Nar Phu valley trekking Permits and fees

Hikers must obtain two kinds of permits for the Nar Phu Valley trekking which are:

Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit, costs 3000 Nepalese Rupees per head.
Restricted Area Permit (RAP), as this area is declared as a restricted area, costs USD 100 for a week per head and USD 15 for an additional day. For further details regarding the Nar-Phu Valley Trek Permit, Please click here

A special trekking permit was obtained for Nar Phu Valley.

Annapurna trekking permits were obtained for Nar Phu Valley trekking.

Note: Although our itinerary is just focused on Nar Phu valley trekking besides this, you also can combine the Annapurna Circuit Trek and Thorung-La pass as per your desire. Please let us know if you want to customize this itinerary so, that our expert Package designer can help you with this based on your destination, requirements, and Budget.

Our Nar Phu Valley trekking itinerary is designed in a proper way in which you can be well-acclimatized before you reach the Kang La pass (5320m) as well as you can enjoy properly the highlights of the Nar Phu trip however if someone is adventurous and have good experience of trekking in high altitude the itinerary can be customized and shorten it according to your desire so then the cost of the trip as well can be less.

Interested in Nar Phu Valley Trek, for details contact Email: [email protected] or WhatsApp: +977-9841161593

Trip Reviews

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5based on 54 reviews

Your search for a trekking company can stop here!

I can’t say enough great things about Kumar and Santosh at Discover Altitude. They set my trip up with minimal notice, even made some custom changes and everything went perfectly. They have great connections for everything tourism in Nepal. If you want a guide to show you around Kathmandu-they’ve got you. If you want to go for a trek-it’s their bread and butter. If you want to go for an expedition at half the cost of western companies with guides whose experience will blow your mind-easy day. Whether you’re planning a trip for next year or next week they will take care of you like family. They took the time to have tea with me and discuss my trip from start to finish over a map, they held my luggage safely while I was in the mountains, and they checked in at possible friction points (like flights) to make sure everything was going well.

I’ve heard horror stories from backpackers who used other companies and there are a ton around here. It was overwhelming for me to pick one, but Discover Altitude was recommended to me so I figured I’d give them a try. This is now the second trip they planned for me. I also recommended them to some friends who did a luxury Everest view trip with them and had nothing but good things to say. You can roll the dice and try someone else, but if you want to take the safe bet and know that you’ll have an amazing trip at a competitive price there’s no other option.

If you want to experience true, kind Nepali hospitality and a great trek, don’t look for another agency.

I had the incredible opportunity to complete 4 different treks with Discover Altitude: Three Passes, ABC, Annapurna Circuit and Langtang. Each time, the experience exceeded my expectations! The owners, Kumar and Santosh, along with their guides are exceptionally professional, knowledgeable and attentive to every detail. Everything was very well planned for all treks, and I felt safe even at the highest altitudes, thanks to their friendly and supportive guides.

There are many agencies to choose from, and I visited many, but when I met Kumar and Santosh the quality of their personalities quickly became evident. They treated me as a friend they genuinely wanted to support, not just a client, caring only about the money. Even if I hadn’t signed up, they would have treated me the same, not as potential or lost business. This authenticity is why I chose them! This was the only agency where I had that gut feeling, which turned out to be correct. They always went the extra mile. Before each trek, they spent a lot of time going through all the details with me to ensure I had everything I needed and was ready to go. They also checked up on me along the way. During all these times, they truly became my friends!

If you want to experience true, kind Nepali hospitality and a great trek, don’t look for another agency. They are also very competitively priced for both solo and group trips! I cannot recommend them highly enough!

Mustang - Kagbeni, Muktinath 6-day tour

We chose a 6-day course that tours Kagbeni and Muktinath, the gateway to Mustang from Kathmandu. It takes 3 days to actually walk, so it's a safe course even for beginners.

Fly from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Fly from Pokhara to Jomsom (30-minute flight), then hike 3 hours to Kagbeni. Hike 5-6 hours to Muktinath. Return to Jomsom via a different route. Take a lunch break at Rupna on the way. Fly to Pokhara. Fly back to Kathmandu.

It was late May before the rainy season, but we were blessed with clear skies and were able to see the beautiful mountain ranges of Nilgiri and Annapurna. The desolate landscape of Mustang was very beautiful, and it was a very interesting experience to get a glimpse of the life of the villagers in Kagbeni.

It was quite hot during the daytime walks in late May. Short sleeves are fine. If you don't want to get sunburned, wear thin long sleeves. Since it gets cold in the mornings and evenings in Muktinath, I wore a light down jacket, but if you layer up a warm long sleeve jacket, you can wear a hiking jacket instead of a down jacket.

Our trekking guide, Amar, was very kind and not only guided us on hiking but also carefully explained the history and people's lives. (In English) He always took care to make the trek comfortable, and the walking pace was adjusted to suit our physical strength, so we were able to enjoy it without any strain.

Kumar handled advance reservations and questions, and he responded to emails very quickly. After arriving in Kathmandu, I visited the office and Kumar gave me a brief explanation of the schedule. In Kathmandu, Santosh handled my communications and accompanied me to the transfer between the hotel and the airport. Both of them were cheerful and kind.
During the tour, I asked to change my plan to stay in Pokhara for two nights after the trek (of course, the additional hotel fee was at my own expense), and I am grateful that he quickly and readily responded to my request, such as changing my flight on the return trip.

A short walk from Jomsom to Muktinath.

We had great dealings with Kumar and the team at Discover Altitude. Kumar was our initial contact, and Santosh was our day to day contact on-the-ground. Their communication was great, and everything went smoothly.

Before departing for Nepal, we emailed Kumar about what we had in mind, and he presented us with different options. We settled on a short trip from Jomsom to Muktinath - flying from Kathmandu to Pokhara and on to Jomsom the next day to commence our hike. (We took the same air-route in reverse on our way back.) In total, the trip was six or seven days, with three days hiking. (This worked out well due to our schedule, but next time we might spend a few more days walking.)

Our guide on the trip was Amar Magar. We really recommend him. (Ask for him by name!) He was thoughtful, organised, and provided clear information on what we were doing each day. His patience and pleasant manner made the trip really enjoyable.

The hike itself was good. The area from Jomsom to Kagbeni (where we stopped for the first night) was primarily along the road and the riverbed, and the scenery was primarily the dry and desolate scenery one might expect of the Mustang area. Kagbeni was a nice village to rest. (There are a number of tea houses, and an interesting temple where one of the monks showed us around.) The walk up to Muktinath the next day was a little bit tough - being a climb of about 1,000 meters. (Not 'technically' tough; more of a challenge due to low fitness levels!) After resting, we visited the Hindu pilgrimage site, which was quite an interesting experience as it attracts a lot of visitors. We stayed the night at a tea house in Muktinath, and then walked back to Jomsom via a different route, stopping at a village called Lupna on the way back. The route from Muktinath to Lupna was probably the highlight of our trip, with much more diverse terrain, including great alpine scenery, fantastic rocky cliffs and forests, and the picturesque village of Lupna itself, with a very old temple and some caves used for solitary retreats.

If you have limited time, then I would recommend the approach we took. It provides a glimpse of the Mustang region (without getting in to the Upper Mustang region, which requires more time and an expensive permit), and a taste of walking in the region. On our walk, we met a number of people who had walked the Annapurna Circuit, taking around two weeks. We might plan better and aim to do that next time!

In terms of practical considerations, noting it was mid-May, we found that we were able to walk in t-shirts and long pants. We carried a lot of warm clothing with us, but didn't need really it. (We were a bit cold briefly after arriving at Muktinath, but generally we didn't use our warm clothing. It would be smart to take something - but no need to take too much.) The bedding provided in the rooms was more than adequate, and we didn't need our own sleeping bags. (Taking a sleeping bag liner might suffice from a cleanliness perspective if this is a concern.)

A Once-in-a-lifetime EBC Trekking Trip

What a once-in-a-lifetime trek to EBC! Waking up at midnight to dogs barking or in the morning to birds chirping and singing and the sound of rushing river, looking out the window and seeing the mountain so close as if within reach, roaming around Namche Bazaar and checking out the local markets, setting off in the sound of school children's morning drill, crossing rivers and valleys over the suspension bridges, passing the mani stones in the villages and the stupas on the trail, watching porters with oversized load strapped on their heads stepping to the lively beat of loud Nepali songs, navigating rocks uphill inside the dark clouds and white-out snow, trekking on the winding trail through dusty forests, misty mountain passes, wide open scrub land, and rugged and rocky barren land, with the famous and mysterious mountain peaks seemingly around every corner or suddenly elusive behind the wandering clouds, and flying down in helicopter provided every moment to admire the mountainous landscape and appreciate local life in this harsh environment. It’s been almost two weeks since I came back yet the sceneries and sounds on the trail still linger.

The EBC trek was also grueling - the long distance, the high elevation, the thin air at times mixed with dust or animal smell, the coldness at night, the completely unpredictable weather that could change by the minute – and every little inconvenience could pile on the exhaustion from a long day of trekking, but the thoughtful services by my guide Krishna made all these bearable. Every day after arriving at the tea house he made sure food was ordered and I had a spot to sit next to the stove to warm up. Every morning before we leave the tea house, he made sure bill was paid and everything was packed and ready. On the trail he was patient, watchful, and protective when the yaks and horses approaching. My tour company Discover Altitude was very flexible and allowed me to change my trekking schedule on the fly, including booking tea houses during peak season and securing single room occupancy. In fact, the three unplanned tea houses in Jorsalle, Phungi Thenga, and Dughla, allowed me to enjoy the real serenity near nature and away from crowds. The company also booked a helicopter, outside of my original plan, to fly me out back in Kathmandu in time. Their flexibility was crucial for me to have a successful and enjoyable EBC trekking trip.

Thank you Krishna for your kind-hearted service.

And thank you Santosh for showing me the street food, the hidden temples, and the vibrant life around the old town of Kathmadu.

EBC with Amar, the best guide!!

I did the Everest Base Camp trek (8 days to reach EBC, Day 9 was to Kala Patthar). Started at the end of April and finished in May. We had great weather that time of year. The early days in the trek were warm enough for leggings and a lightweight shirt. A few people were in shorts. Day 7 was the first day I needed to wear down clothing items, gloves or a warm hat. Other days could be done with a baseball cap and a few layers - started the day with a windwall jacket and would switch to a vest or just my long sleeve dry fit top while trekking. The cardio keeps you pretty warm. Taking altitude sickness medication is key. Start taking it a day before you leave. We had no issue with altitude sickness but several people at the tea houses were not as lucky.

Kumar, the owner of Discover Altitude, organized everything for us and it was planned perfectly. He booked the best tea houses for us and everything was so well-organized that all we had to think about was making it to the top. Amar was our AMAZING guide. His brother Shukla was the porter. They were the nicest, most professional duo. Amar took very good care of us and it was obvious that he was one of the most well-respected guides on the trail. He knew everyone and was so experienced that we had a lot of tips and guidance that I don’t feel everyone else had on the mountain. Definitely request amar as your guide. We quickly realized how important the planning is and who your guide is for success on this trek.

Great experience and recommend doing Kala Patthar early the next morning for sunrise views of Everest!

Discover Altitude is the best!

Discover Altitude is the best trekking guide / tour operator in Nepal. Two days ago my friend and I reached Everest Base Camp on May 4th (trekking day 8).

On day 9, helicopter picked us up at Gorakshep - last tea house before EBC. Helicopter transported us back to Kathmandu via Lukla — 2.5 hour stop for refueling and other logistics. Hiking back down 3 extra days is not for everyone.

Reaching EBC was a small miracle for me. I was the biggest person (XXL) trekking. I trained for over a year… lost significant amount of weight to even attempt EBC. Everything had to go perfectly and it did. Planning was key. Some days were incredibly challenging and required very-very slow / steady pace.

At every step my guide was right there to support as needed. On some hills my guide was 12 inches behind me in case I lost balance from exhaustion.

We were blessed to have Amar as our guide and his younger brother, Shukla, as porter. They did everything for us … from finding bathrooms, ordering meals, dealing with hotels, first aid, and fun to talk with too. Multiple times during the trek other guides whispered to us that Amar is one of the best guides in the region.

We opted for the luxury tour with nicer hotels + helicopter ride to Lukla to start + helicopter return from the top. Paying extra for luxury tour is worth every penny. We met some hikers not having a good experience. Painfully obvious they chose the wrong guide / tour operator.

If you are in perfect shape and you’ve trekked Nepal many times before- maybe having the best guide isn’t as critical. But for us we relied on our guides for every decision … even down to what to eat and drink at different altitudes.

TIPS:

1- take diamox right from the start (1 day before starting the trek)

2- take helicopter to/from Lukla. If you don’t take helicopter, be prepared to sit around for days waiting on weather to clear for airplane flight. People stuck at the airport waiting multiple days to get out aren’t having a good time.

3- go vegetarian. You’ll love ra-ra noodle vegetable soup

4- bring tons of electrolyte packets and drink 5 liters/day

5- pack for very cold days at the end (EBC). Both outer-wear gear and warm jackets for nights at the hotel. Be prepared for extremely dry air at night. Bring nasal spray to help breath through your nose.

6- get plenty NPR cash in Lukla or Kathmandu. In a pinch, tea house hotels can run your CC to give you NPR cash… will cost 10% extra charge.

7- tip your guides as generously as you can

8- don’t bring huge camera unless you are ok lugging the extra weight. Newer iPhone or Android do fantastic job.

9- go slow. Don’t skip rest (acclimatizing) days.

10- Book your trip with Discover Altitude. Kumar will email you immediately with details to help you customize your trip. He will work through every question / idea with patience. We had at least a dozen unusual requests including special activities in Kathmandu after the trek. Kumar and our guides made them all happen. Remember to request booking at nicer hotels.

11- go with friend or family you really enjoy being with for two weeks. Having someone to motivate you and just hang out together makes the trip so much better.

12- day 2 to Namche might be your hardest day, particularly after Hillary Bridge… 1-2 hours straight uphill at the end. Don’t give up. Go slow and ask for help (horse available if can’t make it up that hill).

Awesome 10 day EBC trekking experience

I’m towards the tail end of my 10 day EBC trek arranged by Discover Altitude. Overall, I’ve been very happy with the trip so far. Santosh did his best to make sure my trip went according to plan. He was also extremely accommodating to my request for alterations to itinerary during the trip. Always ready to help, no questions asked.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to thank my guide, Sandip Lama. He is an energetic and hardworking young man that went above and beyond to make me trip as comfortable as possible. He’s also flexible in accommodating my last minute change request. For example, when I saw Ama Dablam for the first time, I was blown by its beauty and came up with the idea of doing a side trip to its base camp. It’s require at least half a days time. Sandip agreed without any hesitation and helped with the trip planning. In the end, the side trip didn’t happen simply because I ran out of steam. As a guide, Sandip’s main responsibility is leading me with the trip. But he also offered to carry my bag when I got very tired. This is what I call above and beyond. Again, thank you Sandip and I hope we’ll embark on my adventures in the future!

No. of Person	Price Per Person
1 person	US$1849
2 - 7 people	US$1649
8 - 16 people	US$1449

Nar Phu Valley Trekking

How to get to the trailhead of Nar Phu trekking?

Nar Phu Valley Trek Route

Nar Phu valley trekking Permits and fees

Highlights

Gallery

Itinerary

Day 1:Your Arrival in Kathmandu

Day 2:Sightseeing around Kathmandu.

Day 3:Drive to Jagat.

Day 4:Trekking to Dharapani.

Day 5:Trekking to Koto.

Day 6:Trekking to Meta.

Day 7:Trekking to Khyang.

Day 8:Trekking to Phu village.

Day 9:Acclimatization in Phu Village.

Day 10:Trekking Back to Nar Phedi.

Day 11:Trekking to Nar village.

Day 12:Trek over the Kang-La pass and Descend down to Ngawal

Day 13:Trek down to Chame.

Day 14:Drive back to Beshisahar.

Day 15:Drive back to Kathmandu.

Day 16:Your final Departure

Not happy with this regular itinerary?

Cost Details

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Useful Info

Best season and month for Nar Phu Valley trekking.

Lists of Hiking accessories for Nar Phu Valley Trekking in Nepal.

Trip Reviews

Your search for a trekking company can stop here!

Alden S, United States

If you want to experience true, kind Nepali hospitality and a great trek, don’t look for another agency.

Eva B, Hungary

Mustang - Kagbeni, Muktinath 6-day tour

Hito, Japan

A short walk from Jomsom to Muktinath.

Nick O'Connell, New Zealand

A Once-in-a-lifetime EBC Trekking Trip

Jackie Z, United States

EBC with Amar, the best guide!!

Stephanie S, United States

Discover Altitude is the best!

James T, United States

Awesome 10 day EBC trekking experience

Hongtao Chen, United States

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