Annapurana Region
Annapurana Region
5240m/17191.ft
Challenging
1

The Nar Phu valley Trek offers a unique adventure into the remote corners of the Annapurna region, where trekkers can experience untouched Himalayan life and rich Tibetan-influenced culture. Situated above the tree line in the northernmost reaches of Manang district, the Nar Phu Valley lies beyond the upper limits of cultivation. The trek involves a five-hour ascent to the Kang La Pass (5306m), which links the secluded village of Nar with Manang and three other Bhotia settlements in the Nyershang Valley.
Home to around 300 inhabitants, the Nar and Phu communities have traditionally relied on yak herding rather than trade, unlike many other Bhotia groups whose lifestyles were disrupted when Nepal closed its border with Tibet. The trails connecting Nar and Phu to Tibet historically discouraged dependence on salt trade, preserving a pastoral way of life that endures to this day.
Although recently opened to tourism, the villagers have shown little interest in changing their traditional lifestyle. With minimal tourism infrastructure and only occasional visits from researchers or climbers aiming for peaks like Himlung, Ratnachuli, and Gachikang, the region remains largely untouched. The Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) has now extended its network to include Nar and Phu, and is developing a tourism plan to carefully introduce visitors to this hidden valley.
The Nar Phu Trek begins with a 3–4 hour drive from Pokhara to Besishar, following the popular Annapurna Circuit trail up to Koto. From there, the route veers off the beaten path into the wild, mystical terrain of Nar and Phu, offering a rare glimpse into a world unchanged by time.
March to May and October to November
Welcome to the land of Adventure! Our trusty representative will attend you at the airport and will lead you to the serene town of Pokhara-Lakeside. After checking in the hotel take a time to explore the vibrant lakeside area. Later in the evening you will be introduced with crew and briefed about the next days adventure to begin.
Your adventure begins with a long drive of about 5 hours to Syange, where you will stay the night. You will pass through beautiful villages, river valleys and incredible landscapes showcasing true essence of Nepal.
Finally, your long waited dream adventure meets the reality! After the breakfast, we will pack our things and start our hike towards Dharapani. Today's trekking trail is a mix of dirt road and hiking track. However, we will try to skip the road sections as much as possible. Along the way, you will get the opportunity to feast your eyes with beautiful waterfalls, vibrant villages and Himalayan Mad-Honey.
Hiking Time: 5-6 Hours
We set off in the morning toward Koto, continuing along the Annapurna Circuit. The trail passes through charming villages of Bagarchhap, Danaque and Timang from where we will see the towering peaks of Manaslu and Annapurna II. We will ascend gradually through pine and rhododendron forests and Marshyangdi river before reaching the village of Koto. Today's hike will be our final stop on the main Annapurna trail before entering the restricted Nar Phu region. Here, we’ll register our special permits and prepare for the more remote part of the trek. Overnight stay in Koto.
We begin early today as we will be officially entering the Nar Phu Valley, leaving behind the more traveled trail of the Annapurna. The trail leads us into a narrow gorge along the Nar Khola river. We cross several suspension bridges and walk under pine-covered cliffs as we gain altitude. The trail slowly opens up into a wide valley. The scenery seen along the way certainly resembles the Tibetan plateau. After 7–8 hours of hiking, we reach Meta, a remote stone village with stunning views of snow-covered peaks. We will spend the night here, soaking in the beauty around us.
After having our breakfast, we will continue our adventure deeper into the valley. Today’s trail offers a mix of open plains and narrow rocky paths. We will pass through centuries-old chortens and ruins of abandoned villages like Kyang, remains of an old trading route. The landscape turns arid, with steep cliffs and distant snowy ridges. After 7–8 hours of trekking, we will finally reach Phu Village, a fortress-like settlement perched high above the Phu River. The village is rich in Tibetan culture and offers a unique glimpse into life at high altitude. We will stay the night in a basic but warm tea house.
Today we will take rest to acclimatize ourselves. After breakfast, we will explore Phu’s narrow stone alleys, visit Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, and learn about the Tibetan Buddhist traditions of the region. We also have options for those feeling strong and willing to hike to Himlung Himal Base Camp (4920m). We will return to Phu in the afternoon and rest.
We will begin our adventure back on the trail as we descend toward Nar Phedi. This is a short and relatively easy day compared to the past few. As we hike for about 5–6 hours of , we will reach the monastery guesthouse at Nar Phedi, run by Buddhist nuns. The stay here is simple but spiritually enriching, and you will enjoy a traditional vegetarian meal in a serene setting beneath the cliffs.
After a relaxed morning, we will start our ascend on a gentle but steady trail leading to Nar Village. Along the way, you will see mani walls, grazing yaks, and vast open plateaus. Compared to Phu, Nar feels more lively, with broader agricultural lands and several gompas dotting the village. We will arrive by early afternoon which allows us time to explore the village and interact with locals.
Today is our longest and physically challenging day of the trek. We will start early before the sunrise, to begin our ascent to Kang La Pass. The climb is gradual but relentless, taking several hours to reach the summit at 5,320 meters. The views from the top are breathtaking—Annapurna II, Tilicho Peak, and surrounding glaciers. After soaking in the panorama, we will begin the long descent to Ngawal, a larger village on the main Annapurna route.
After a leisurely breakfast, we trek downhill toward Upper Pisang while enjoying wide mountain vistas and green valleys. The short 2–3 hour trek gives way to a dusty jeep track, where our vehicle will be waiting. From Pisang, we drive back toward Besisahar, descending quickly from the alpine zone to more forested and populated lowlands. After a long day of travel, we check into a lodge in Besisahar for our final night of the adventure.
We will set off in the morning for our return drive to Pokhara or Kathmandu, depending on your plan. The drive takes 4-6 hours, giving us time to reflect on the unforgettable adventure through one of Nepal’s most remote and mystical valleys. With incredible memories and a camera full of Himalayan views, our trek comes to an end.