Nar Phu Valley Short Trek

Our trekking guide will come to the hotel in the morning at 6: 00 to pick you with private transport to the bus station. Then you will drive to Besishahar (185km) which will take us about 5 to 6 hours along a scenic route. Along the journey you will witness rather stunning scenery of snow capped mountains, green hills, rivers, and villages. And again drive Besisahar to Chame 66.5 Kilometer (2670m) by jeep or local bus for 4 to 5 hours through the Nagdi, Bhulbhule, Sange, Chamche, Tall, Dharapani, Bagarchha, Danakya, Timang, Thanchok, Koto.from Timang (2,720m), can see wonderful Manaslu, Annapurna II scenery, and others majestic mountains. From here, the road leads us through pine forest to Thanchok and finally reaching Koto. This is nearby Chame headquarters of the Manang district and we are rewarded with very fine views of Annapurna II, Manaslu and Lamjung Himal from Chame as well as two small hot springs. Stay overnight at tea house.

Today we take a different trail onto the Annapurna Circuit. Today we have a long and somewhat difficult day before us. We past the check post and cross a bridge leading to the Nar Phu valley, and hike up through beautiful woods above the Phu Khola (river). The trail leads us through some beautiful forests and passes several small shelters (caves) and a pilgrims’ shelter ('Dharmasala'). As we approach a narrow canyon, the trail actually passes under a wide waterfall just before the Dharmasala from where the woods start to become thinner. We stay overnight at Meta in Tea House.

After breakfast, the trail climbs up the valley along a small scenic river which might be one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. This brings us finally to high pasture plateau, the winter settlement of Nar. The landscape is similar to the Sierra Nevada; white rocks, low shrub and juniper, scattered evergreens, delicate brick-red and orange leafed bushes, crumbling shelves of flat slate, white, sandy trails and gnarled trees. Then the trail goes to through the Meta, Junam and Chako semi-permanent settlement. One settlement is where "Khampas" from Tibet are sometimes sheltered. Above and to the right looms a massive glacier, which falls directly down on the high pastures. Many more ups and downs take us to tonight's campsite at Kayang, where grass lies tied in bunches to dry on all the rooftops and prayer flags flutter in the breeze. Then, the trail goes for a while along the riverbank and we can really see some unique and colorful Chortens, a Buddhist monastery, along with unique landscapes for which Nar and Phu are justly famous. Then our trek moves on through scenic canyon lands and gorges where the "leaning tower of Pisa" monolith guards the steep trail up to the Phu gate. This gate, called Pupigyal Kwe, offers first view of the three villages of Phu. We can also see an old "Dzong" (fortress) and the remains of two other forts, all now in ruins, but impressively situated atop the flatlands before Phu. Stay overnight in tented camp. Trekking time is 8 -9 hours.

We walk around to explore the Phu Village. Here remains a unique culture - people’s day-to-days livelihoods are still conducted in the traditional manner. Meet some of the locals and explore up the wide valley systems above us. A day is well spent sitting with the villagers as they spin their yak and sheep wool and chat, pound mustard seeds into a paste for oil, or involve themselves in the numerous activities that constitute a day in the life in a Tibetan village. For photographers, the light here is spectacular and the skies are a deep blue. We may even see some blue sheep on the nearby hillsides. The century old monastery and fort also remarkable. While we wander the village we will probably receive an invitation into someone's home for some authentic Tibetan salt butter tea, or perhaps a small glass of local 'raksi'.

After breakfast, we head back through the Phu gate and then descend again to the river. From there we retrace steps back to Junam Karka, a lovely campsite. In 2001 we camped with some Phu residents (all but one woman) on their way back up to Phu with huge loads of flat timber from the forest. The evening was filled with Tibetan and Manangi songs in the smoky shelters accompanied by that unique Tibetan laughter. We are staying at over night at Nar Phedi.

Below us sit Gyalbu Kumbu, built in 1650, and Satte gompa, both now empty. Now there are four old and colorful traditional monasteries and the snow-peaks are looming overhead. Finally we reach the Nar gate at the top of the hill. The sights of wonderfully painted, bamboo-topped Chortens await us there. The camp will set up after 3/4hours walking.

Today is an adventurous day as we make our way towards the Kang La Pass (5,315m). This is not so difficult in itself but it can make for a long and difficult day if there is snow on the pass or the altitude is taking its toll. The Kang La Pass offers absolutely spectacular view of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, the Tilicho peak, and the peaks surrounding Tilicho, the Marsyngdi valley, and the Hunde airport. The trail heads down lightly and we get many enjoyable views of Ngawal with an unusual grouping of Chortens and prayer flags. We can see marks for meditation caves far up in the hills, on the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna circuit which can be reached in as little as two hours from the pass. We now have finished the camping section of the trek here, and head for a guest house for the night!

After breakfast the trail slowly down to the Pisang Village through the Marsyangdi River bank. You have magnificent Mountain View entire day hike. You will stay overnight at Chame (2670m), hence Chame is head quarter of Manang District.

After breakfast you will drive through the Koto, Thanchok, Timang village to the Besisahar by jeep or bus. We'll have a bumpy drive to Besisahar. Again drive back to Kathmandu about 5 to 6 hours.