Brief Description
The Nar Phu Valley Trek takes you to the exotic and remote villages of Nar and Phu located between the imposing mountain ranges of Annapurna and Manaslu. Trekkers get a unique opportunity to explore the traditional Tibetan villages, alpine scenery, high passes, glaciers, narrow canyons, yak pastures, amazing rock formations and majestic Himalayan snowcapped peaks. This remote trail is unconventional and least crowded due to its difficulty and its close proximity to the Tibet border. Taking you to a maximum altitude of 5320 meters, the Nar Phu Valley trek is difficult and requires significant fitness level to complete it successfully. There are several deviations from the Nar Phu valley trail, one which is a part of the Annapurna Circuit Trek and continues to Tilicho Lake and the other being the rarely frequented trail to Himlung Himal Base Camp. The best time to do the Nar Phu Valley treks is in the pre-monsoon months of March to May and in the post-monsoon months of September to November. Stay on this page for more information on the Nar Phu Valley Trek.
Itinerary
Itinerary
Show complete Itinerary
Arrival in Kathmandu
Arrive in Kathmandu. Check in to your hostel. Spend the day exploring the city. Overnight in guesthouse.
Kathmandu to Koto (2670 M) - Drive 8 hrs
We will drive from Kathmandu to Koto via Besisahar. The route from Besisahar to Koto is very rugged and rough but incredibly scenic. You will get to see stunning gorges and waterfalls. Overnight in Koto village.
Koto (2670 M) to Meta (3560 M) - 6 hrs
Today we will start the trek from Koto village to Meta across thick forests, river crossings and pine forests with stunning waterfalls.
Meta (3560 M) to Phu (4080 M) - 6 hrs
The trail to Phu Village from Meta takes you across the magnificent Nar Phedi monastery and scenic canyons. The trail climbs steeply towards Phu where you get stunning views of the first 3 isolated villages and an old Tibetan fortress located on top of flatlands.
Acclimatisation day in Phu. Hike to Himlung Base Camp (4800 M)
An acclimatization day in Phu is necessary due to the high altitude. We will explore the village and trek to the base camp of Mt. Himlung (7125 M) across a glacial valley.
Phu (4080 M) to Nar Phedi (3490 M) - 4 to 5 hrs
Today we will descend down to Nar Phedi monastery from Phu Village. If possible we will be spending the night in a monastery and witness the 5pm blessing ceremony that happens every day in the monastery.
Nar Phedi (3490 M) to Nar Village (4110 M) - 4 to 5 hrs
Today we will trek from Nar Phedi to Nar village through a winding trail. Spend time exploring this ancient yet stunning village.
Nar (4110 M) to Ngawal (3675 M) via Kang La Pass (5320 M) - 8 hrs
Today will be the toughest and longest trek of the entire trip. We start early to cross the magnificent Kang La Pass which provides epic views of Pisang Peak, Annapurna range, Gangapurna, Tilicho peak and many more mighty snowcapped peaks. After crossing the peak we will descend down to Ngawal village which is an old village with Buddhist school and architecture.
Ngawal (3675 M) to Pisang (3185 M) and Drive to Besisahar
Today will be a tough trek as we descend close to 2000 m to Pisang village and then drive to Besisahar. We will stay here for the night.
Besisahar to Kathmandu - 8 hrs Drive
Today we will drive from Besisahar to Kathmandu.
Depart from Kathmandu
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the expedition?
Please do carry either your passport or Voter ID card, along with a few passport size photographs.
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
You will be picked up from your hotel at Kathmandu and dropped off at the same location.
Transport: What time will we reach the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Kathmandu by evening.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
You can offload your backpack (up to 10 kgs) on this trek. The portage fee is included in the trek cost.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by the directions of the leader. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
It is not mandatory but it is more convenient with the pole. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
You can buy your trekking necessities from Kathmandu.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent/room with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
Depending on the season, the temperatures during Nar Phu Valley Trek can drop to -10°C at night and be as high as 30°C during the day time.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
There may be fresh snowfall in the region depending on the weather. There will be permanent snow accumulation at higher altitudes, though not necessarily on the trail itself.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
Since this is not a camping trek, tents and sleeping bags are not required. However, if it is too cold then, sleeping bags do come in handy. Rental options available in Kathmandu.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
There are adequate, hygienic facilities throughout the trail and at all accommodations.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
Gaiters and microspikes will not be provided by us for trekking in snow. If required you can rent these items in Kathmandu. Not Applicable for treks in Nepal.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Meals are not included on this trek. The lodges / guest houses on this trek have ample eating options.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from Kathmandu- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack, gaiters, micro spikes, sleeping bags.
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
You will be provided shared accommodation in a hostel in Kathmandu. On the trail, you will be provided twin or triple sharing accommodation in lodges / tea houses / guest houses.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
Kathmandu, Nepal's capital, is a vibrant, noisy city. Packed full of history, palaces and temples, it is also within touching distance of Nepal's premier attraction: the Himalaya.
Kathmandu is home to places to visit like Durbar Square (with temples dating back to the 12th century), Boudhanath Stupa (a world heritage site), and Pashupatinath Temple (the country's most important Hindu temple, on the banks of the Bagmati river).
Another must-see attraction is the Royal Palace, the site of the infamous 2001 massacre of the Royal Family by the then Crown Prince, and now converted into the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The base for the trek is Kathmandu, which is well connected from Delhi by air and land.
By Air: There are multiple daily flights from Delhi to Kathmandu.
By Rail:You can take a train from Delhi to Raxaul Junction in Bihar on the Indo - Nepal border. From Raxaul, take a 5 km bus/taxi to the border, from where Kathmandu is a 10 hour road journey. Buses and taxis are easily available at the border.
By Road: The road distance from Delhi to Kathmandu is 1,145 km. There is a Delhi Government luxury bus service from Delhi Gate for Kathmandu that takes around 36 hours. This is the most time consuming but budget friendly option at INR 2300 for the bus journey.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
Over the last few years the mobile/ cell phone network has improved significantly in more remote areas of Nepal. The best network above Nayapul on Annapurna Base Camp Trek is Nepal Telecom (NTC) or NCell. It is easy to buy an NTC SIM card from Kathmandu or Pokhara. You will need to provide your passport, so don't forget to bring it along.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
Nar Phu Valley Trek best time:
Pre-monsoon - March to June
Post monsoon - September to November
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Nar Phu Valley
The Nar Phu Valley Trek takes you to the valleys of Nar and Phu located between the imposing mountain ranges of Annapurna and Manaslu taking you on an unforgettable journey through remote wilderness, high passes, glaciers and isolated traditional Nepalese villages. Trekkers get a rare opportunity to explore the unspoiled regions of Nepal.Eligibility: Is this trek good for me?
The Nar Phu Valley Trek is a difficult trek i.e. it requires more strength and endurance than moderate level treks. It is a high altitude trek climbing to the height of 5320 meters. Therefore, it is recommended that you first gain experience of trekking to altitudes of 4500 meters and learn about campsite basics, ascending descending on mountain trails, basics of high altitude acclimatization process and then move up a notch with Nar Phu Valley Trek. The Nar Phu Valley Trek difficulty level on Bikat's scale is 5. For details on trek difficulty level, please read on Bikat Rating Scale
Eligibility: Experience required
Should have at least 7-10 trek days in the Himalayas in their kitty. For the trek’s achieving more than 5000 meters, a person must have a prior experience of trekking at altitudes of or more than 3700 meters
Eligibility: Requisite skills
One should be familiar with the following:
- Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tent, toilet tent
- Ascending & Descending technique for mountain trails
- Basic mountain mannerisms
- Ascending & Descending on snow
- Basics of Mountain Sickness
- Basics of Mountain Hazards
- How to cross small water streams
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 30-35 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Accommodation in Kathmandu
- Accommodation in guesthouse/lodge on all trek days
- Permits (Upto the amount charged for Indian nationals)
- Safety Equipment includes static rescue rope, seat harness, carabiners, pulleys
- Experienced guide
- Portage of 10kg personal luggage
Whats Not Included?
- Any Expense of personal nature.
- Any Expense not specified in the inclusions list.
- Any meals during the trek/road journey/hotel accomodation
- Any tip to porters or guides which is a customary thing in Nepal
- Backpack Offloading of more than 10 kg
- Travel Insurance and Rescue Evacuation in case of emergency
- Gaiters, microspikes and sleeping bags (wherever necessary) are not included and thus have to rented from Kathmandu by you).
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
How to Choose the perfect pair of Trekking Shoes?
Sarthak Madan 21 May 2021
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Your choice of trekking shoes can make your trek a blissful or blister-full experience based on how well it fits you. A good pair of trekking shoes is the most essential piece of equipment you will use while hiking.&n
Read More
