Nar Phu Trek - 10 Days

We start our trek from Koto after crossing the suspension bridge over the Marsyandgi River. After breakfast, we enjoy the breathtaking view of Annapurna II  and the snow-capped upper regions from the lodge. After about 40 minutes to an hour, we reach another suspension bridge, where you might spot donkeys carrying supplies along the trail. The second day of the Nar Phu trek route takes us through a pine forest with huge rocks scattered along the way, accompanied by the soothing sound of the Nar Phu River.

Photo: On the way from Koto to Meta

The trail isn't well-marked from here, so an experienced guide is essential. There are no water sources, so you must carry enough drinking water. The trek from Koto to Chamche Odar takes around 3 hours. We will have our lunch here and continue our trek. The climb goes through the pine trees, and we'll come to a spot where we walk under a rock overhang with a waterfall above.

After this exciting stretch, the route ascends continuously towards Meta, also known as Methang village, our destination for the day. From Chamche Odar the trek to Meta takes around 3 - 4 hours.

The trek to Meta takes around 7 to 8 hours, including a lunch break at Chamche Oodar, a narrow valley near the edge of the Khola (river) with dim lighting inside the gorge.

Meta itself is not a settlement but rather a stopping point with 4 to 5 basic hotels. From here, you can admire the stunning back views of Pisang Peak, Nar Peak, and Annapurna II., which were visible from Koto. Along the trail, you'll also catch glimpses of Lamjung Peak. To the left or straight ahead, you can spot the Nar route and even the trail itself.

After having breakfast, we continue our trek. First, we reach a Buddhist stupa (chorten). After some time, we come to a point where the trail splits - the left path goes to Nar village, but we take the right path towards Phu. Along the way, we pass several traditional stone houses (goths) built on the sides of huge boulders. We continue our Narphu trek to Kyang via Chyaku (3500m). The path is good, with ridges marking the way. It takes about 3 hours to trek from Meta to Chyaku and 1-2 hours from Chyaku to Kyang.

Photo: On the way to Kyang from Meta

We climb up to a stupa at Jhunam, an old settlement of now Nar people previously Khampas. A line of stupas guides us past abandoned fields to Chyakhu. 

Historically, Chyaku holds significance due to the Khamba, people who sought to reclaim their power to fight against China during the Tibet vs. China war. They moved here after crossing the Terila Pass (5,595 m), strategically capturing the Chyaku area. To bolster their strength, they received support from the US between the 1960s and 1970s. Exploring the area, we'll come across old ruins, remnants of their kitchens, and evidence of their way of life.

This place also holds historical significance, as it was once a site of torment for people from Nar and Phu. The Khampas tortured people from Nar and Phu, harassed women, and even slaughtered yaks for their meals, taking advantage of the lack of governmental presence. In response, the locals sought help from the government in Kathmandu, which sent army forces in civilian attire to engage and capture the perpetrators, eventually driving them away. Khampas who had married into the community remained with their spouses.

We will have our lunch at Chyaku and continue our trek. The trail then goes further down to the stream and finally arrives at Kyang, where the Phu villagers live in winter. Kyang has amazing views of mountain peaks like Pisang, Annapurna II, Kangaru, and Pokarkang. We'll stay overnight in the teahouse.

Today's path has gentle uphill slopes as we walk alongside the Phu river towards the remote village of Phu Gaon. This area, including Phu village and the bigger Manang region, is part of the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP). As we trek, we will see many beautiful Blue Sheep, Himalayan Thar, and snow leopards along the way. However, we need to be careful because from Kyang to Phu, the trail has dangerous rocky areas and places where landslides can happen sometimes.

Photo: Sign Board on the way to Phu village.

After leaving Kyang, we quickly enter the dry, desert-like gorge of Phu Khola stream. We keep walking along the east side of the valley, crossing a wooden bridge and climbing up some steps past a smooth, worn-down rock. After a short walk, we reach the Phupi Gyalgoe gate, which means we have entered the special Phu region. Phu, meaning "Head of Valley" in the local language, is an interesting village with around 30 - 40 households built on a cliff-like structure. We'll explore the village, including the Buddhist monasteries like the important Tashi Lhakhang Gompa, built by the 10th Karmapa. After walking for around five hours on this terrain, we finally arrive at Phu Gaon, where we experience how the local Bhote people live traditionally. We will rest for the night at Phu.

On this day, we will acclimatize to the high elevation as we take a rest and explore the village of Phu. It is a hidden valley with some exclusive cultures and traditions. Ethnic groups like Gurung, Lama, and Ghale live here with agriculture and animal husbandry being their means of livelihood. There are traditional stone houses all over the village, and the Thashi & Sandu Choling Gompa are the must-visit places; we can also see a helipad in the Phu Valley.

Photo: Phu Village Exploration.

We stroll around the Phu Valley visiting Gompas and understanding the Tibetan Culture, we will also visit the Tashi Lakhang Monastery, which is regarded as one of the greatest monasteries in the world. Visiting the second oldest civilization offers a glimpse of traditional houses and cultural practices that go way back in history. The chances of snowfall in Phu Village are high, so you can enjoy the snow in Phu Valley's rocky, desert-like terrain. Overnight stay at Phu Village. 

After breakfast, we begin our trek from Phu Village toward Nar Phedi, descending mainly along rocky terrains. We hike alongside the banks of Phu Khola, passing through the entrance gate of Phu Valley. The trek continues through wide grasslands where we often see Blue Sheep. The trail then takes us to Kyang Village, a Buddhist settlement surrounded by rocky terrain. We pass through the villages of Jhunum before stopping for lunch at Chyakhu.

Photo: Previously used wooden bridge on the way to Nar Phedi from Phu.

Continuing along the ridges, we cross suspension bridges that offer breathtaking views of the Nar Phu River flowing through vast valleys, creating a dramatic gorge. Along the way, we encounter Mani stones inscribed with ancient Tibetan writing, showcasing the unique culture of the region. 

We eventually arrive at Nar Phedi after 6 - 7 hours of trekking and settle into the Nar Phedi monastery, which is essentially the heart of Nar Phedi. In the evening we can witness the puja (blessing) they usually perform. We also have the opportunity to leave a contribution in the small donation box for the monastery's maintenance.

After breakfast on the 6th day of the Nar Phu trek, we start our journey towards the Nar Valley from Nar Phedi, marveling at the prominent, snow-capped Kang Garu summit along the way. The trek ascends on a rocky, windy path, with traditional stairs at some sections. Three hills separate Nar Phedi from Nar, and we cross these hills after trekking for about 5-6 hours.

Photo: Mani Wall Chorten on the way to Nar.

As we cross the third hill, the entrance gate of the Nar Valley welcomes us, with Tibetan writing carved into the wall, visible from afar. From this vantage point, we can take in stunning views of the Himalayas, including Annapurna II, Himlung Himal, Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, and Manaslu.

Upon entering Nar village, we are greeted by a unique experience, with its barley farming, stunning views of Kang Garu and Pisang Mountain, and distinctive local culture. The beautifully painted Chortens adorned with bamboo roofs captivate us, and we take the opportunity to explore the village, acclimatize to the environment, and remain active.

Wandering through Nar Village, we soak in the surrounding charm and have the chance to interact with the locals, gaining insight into their culture and way of life. We can also visit four monasteries and Chortens in the area. From Nar Village, we are treated to breathtaking views of Pisang Peak, Amotsang Himal, Kang Garo, and Pokhar Khang.

As we prepare for the upcoming Kang La Pass, it's worth noting that every household in Nar has at least one child studying Buddhism, a fascinating aspect of the village's culture. We spend the night in Nar Village, resting and enjoying the unique experiences this remote Himalayan community offers.

The day begins before sunrise, around 4 am, after an early breakfast and packing lunch for the challenging trek ahead. We wake up early to take on the longest and most challenging trekking day over Kangla Pass.

Photo: On the way to Kangla Pass

The trek starts with a gentle 2-hour climb from Nar to Kangla Phedi at 4600 meters. After this, the path becomes steeper, with many turns for most of the way to the 5300-meter high pass. Although there are no dangerous gorges, there are 2 to 3 difficult uphill sections along the route. Trekkers can hire horses at 100 USD each to help carry gear or themselves up to the pass.

The altitude makes it more challenging as we cross Kangla Phedi and trek towards Kangla Pass. After ascending for a couple of hours and crossing some landslide-prone areas and bridges, we will finally reach the top of Kangla Pass. The views from here are breathtaking and otherworldly. Once at the pass, all fatigue and tiredness fade away as we take in stunning panoramas of the Annapurna range, including Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Chulu Peak, Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre (Fishtail), Annapurna I-IV, Tare Kang, and more. These sights make the landscape unforgettable, engraved in memory forever.  

The descent is steep at the first section, so we must cautiously trek downhill through a moraine slope to 4800 meters, where trekking poles are essential. After this gnarly section, the grassy trail becomes less challenging for the 3-4 hour trek down to Ngawal village. We view Chulus Waterfall along the way before reaching Ngawal for an overnight stay. The entire journey takes around 10-11 hours from the early 4 am start to 2 pm, including lunch and rest breaks.

After breakfast, we leave for Manang, and the trek is straight forward compared to our strenuous trek over the Kangla Pass. We descend during the first half of the trail and trek along motorable roads.

Photo: Nagwal Village

After about 4 hrs of trekking, we reach Braka and have lunch here at Braka. We can visit the famous Gompa, named Braga Gompa or Bhraka Gompa, which is around 900 years old. After having lunch, we trek towards Manang, and it only takes about 30 minutes for this trek. Manang is a beautiful Northern Nepal district with stunning landscapes, diverse culture, and ancient monasteries. The region is a popular trekking destination that attracts adventurers & nature enthusiasts alike and offers breathtaking views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountain ranges. Overnight stay at Manang.

After breakfast, we take an early Jeep from Manang and begin our drive with scenic views of the Marsyangdi River, alpine trees, and wildlife such as deer and wild rabbits. We pass through lush greenery and apple gardens in Barthang.

Photo: Kumari living goddess of kathmandu.

The sight of the Himalayas, which we saw up close during our trek, continues to captivate us as we drive through many villages, including Upper Pisang, Chame, and Dharapani. We stop for lunch and take a break during the long drive, experiencing the bumpy off-roads of Nepal that challenge us almost as much as the trek itself.

After driving for about 6-7 hours, we reach Besisahar. From here, we continue our journey either to Pokhara or Kathmandu. The drive from Besisahar to Pokhara takes 4-5 hours, offering scenic views that bring a sense of achievement and accomplishment for completing the Nar Phu Valley Trek. Upon reaching Pokhara, North Nepal Trek organizes a farewell dinner to celebrate the last day of our trek.

Alternatively, if we choose to drive to Kathmandu, the journey from Besisahar takes about 5-6 hours. North Nepal Trek also arranges a farewell dinner in Kathmandu, marking the end of this remarkable journey.