Nar Phu Valley Trek
Trip Duration
18 Days Days
Group Sizes
2-12 People People
Transportation
Drive/Walk
Destination
Nar Phu Valley Trek
Max. Altitude
5320
Nature of Trip
Trekking,Cultural
Best Season
Mar-May, Oct-Nov
Activities
- Trekking
- Cultural Immersion
- High Pass Crossing
Difficulty
Challenging
Meals
- Hotel/Teahouse Breakfast
- Teahouse Lunch
- Teahouse Dinner
Start & End Point
Kathmandu/Pokhara
Accommodation
- Teahouse
- Camping
- Hotel
Overview of Nar Phu Valley Trek
 |
 |
The Nar Phu Valley Trek accesses one of Nepal’s most isolated restricted valleys — a hidden Tibetan-plateau enclave sealed off from the outside world until 2002. The villages of Nar and Phu, reached via the dramatic Kang La pass (5,320m), preserve pre-Buddhist Bon traditions and a way of life connected to the Tibetan plateau with almost no modern influence. The trek typically combines with the Annapurna Circuit for a comprehensive 18-day journey through the full range of Annapurna landscapes.
 |
 |
- Enter the hidden restricted Nar Phu valley — opened to trekkers only in 2002
- Cross Kang La (5,320m) — the dramatic high pass connecting Nar Phu to the Thorong La area
- Explore Nar and Phu villages: ancient Tibetan-influenced communities with pre-Buddhist Bon traditions
- Walk through a landscape virtually unchanged from the Tibetan plateau
- Combine with the Annapurna Circuit for the region’s most complete trekking experience
- Very low trekker numbers — the restricted permit keeps the valley nearly pristine
Itinerary of Nar Phu Valley Trek
Day 1: Drive Kathmandu to Besisahar — Trek to Bhulbhule (840m)
Drive to the Annapurna Circuit start. Short afternoon walk to Bhulbhule.
Duration
Drive + 2 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
L/D
Max Altitude
840mDay 2: Bhulbhule to Bahundanda (1,310m)
Walk through rice terraces along the Marsyangdi river.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
1310mDay 3: Bahundanda to Chame (2,670m)
Trek through the narrowing Marsyangdi gorge to Chame district headquarters.
Duration
6-7 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2670mDay 4: Chame to Dharapani — Turn off to Koto (2,610m)
At Dharapani, leave the main Annapurna Circuit and enter the restricted Nar Phu valley zone at Koto checkpoint.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
2610mDay 5: Koto to Meta (3,560m)
Enter the Nar Phu valley. The landscape rapidly becomes more remote and Tibetan. Meta is the first village inside the restricted zone.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3560mDay 6: Meta to Kyang (3,840m)
Ascend further into the high valley. The ochre and red cliffs and eroded canyon formations recall the Mustang landscape.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3840mDay 7: Kyang to Phu Village (4,080m)
Arrive at Phu — an ancient stone village clinging to a cliff above the valley floor. The village’s Gompa is over 800 years old and still actively used.
Duration
4-5 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4080mDay 8: Phu Exploration Day
Full day in Phu village. Visit the ancient Tashi Lhakhang Gompa, observe traditional Bon rituals, and explore the surrounding landscape of cliffs and ancient cave dwellings.
Duration
Rest/Explore
Activity
Cultural
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4200mDay 9: Phu to Nar (4,110m) via High Trail
Trek from Phu to the equally remote village of Nar on the alternative high trail with panoramic views of the surrounding peaks.
Duration
6-7 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4110mDay 10: Nar Exploration and Acclimatisation
Rest day in Nar. Explore the village, interact with local families, and acclimatise for the Kang La crossing ahead.
Duration
Acclimatisation
Activity
Rest
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4200mDay 11: Nar to Kang La Base Camp (4,800m)
Trek toward the Kang La. Camp below the pass in a high-altitude glacial basin.
Duration
5-6 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Camp
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4800mDay 12: Cross Kang La (5,320m) — Descend to Ngawal (3,657m)
Cross the Kang La pass at 5,320m with stunning views of Pisang Peak, Annapurna II, and Gangapurna. Descend to the Annapurna Circuit trail at Ngawal.
Duration
7-8 hrs
Activity
Pass Crossing
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
5320mDay 13: Ngawal to Manang (3,500m)
Rejoin the Annapurna Circuit trail and walk to Manang. The contrast between the crowds of the main trail and the empty Nar Phu valley is striking.
Duration
3-4 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
3500mDay 14: Manang to Yak Kharka (4,110m)
Begin the Thorong La approach on the main Annapurna Circuit.
Duration
3-4 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4110mDay 15: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,450m)
Final camp before the Thorong La pass.
Duration
3-4 hrs
Activity
Trekking
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
4450mDay 16: Cross Thorong La (5,416m) — Muktinath (3,800m)
Cross the famous Thorong La and descend to Muktinath temple.
Duration
8-9 hrs
Activity
Pass Crossing
Accommodation
Teahouse
Meals
B/L/D
Max Altitude
5416mDay 17: Muktinath to Jomsom — Drive to Pokhara
Descend to Jomsom and drive or fly to Pokhara through the Kali Gandaki gorge.
Duration
2 hrs + Drive
Activity
Travel
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B/L
Max Altitude
820mDay 18: Pokhara to Kathmandu — Final Departure
Return to Kathmandu by flight or bus for international departure.
Duration
Departure
Activity
Travel
Accommodation
Hotel
Meals
B
Max Altitude
1400mIncludes/Excludes
What's included?
- 17 nights accommodation (2 hotel Kathmandu/Pokhara, 15 teahouse/camping)
- All ground transport
- All meals on trek
- Licensed guide (mandatory) and porters
- Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit, ACAP permit, TIMS card
- First-aid kit and emergency evacuation plan
What's not included?
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit fee (USD 90/week)
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory)
- Personal gear and clothing
- Tips for guide and porter
Nar Phu Valley Trek Altitude Chart
Trip Information - Good to Know
Restricted Permit
Nar Phu requires a Restricted Area Permit (USD 90/week per person). Minimum 2 trekkers with licensed guide. Green Horizon Tours arranges all permits.
Best Time
Oct–Nov and Apr–May. Kang La can be snow-covered outside these windows.
Difficulty
Challenging. Kang La (5,320m) crossing requires prior high-altitude experience. 6–8 hrs daily walking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Nar Phu different from other restricted valleys?
Nar Phu was completely closed until 2002 and trekker numbers remain very limited. The Bon Buddhist culture, ancient cave monasteries, and plateau landscape are genuinely unlike anything on Nepal’s main trekking routes.
Is the Kang La technically difficult?
The Kang La (5,320m) involves steep rocky terrain and potentially some snow or ice. It’s not a glacier crossing but crampons may be needed in early season. The guide will assess conditions.
Can I do just the Nar Phu valley without the Annapurna Circuit?
Yes — the standard approach is via Koto on the Annapurna Circuit approach road, and exit is via the Kang La to Ngawal. The Annapurna Circuit integration is the most logical routing.
What is the Bon religion?
Bon is Tibet’s pre-Buddhist indigenous spiritual tradition. In Nar and Phu, Bon and Tibetan Buddhism have merged into a unique local practice with distinct monasteries, rituals, and iconography rarely seen elsewhere in Nepal.
What is the restricted permit cost?
USD 90 per week per person. Green Horizon Tours arranges the permit in Kathmandu before departure.
How many trekkers visit Nar Phu annually?
Very few — annual trekker numbers in Nar Phu are in the hundreds rather than the thousands that visit the main Annapurna Circuit. The valley is genuinely remote and uncrowded.
Trip Reviews
Write a Review
- Best Price Guarantee
- Secure & easy booking
- Easy trip date changes
- Discount for groups
How to book a trip?
make free inquiry
confirm the trip
