Nar Phu Valley Trek with Annapurna Circuit

Upon arrival at international airport, our waiting support team will meet and greet you at the airport assist and transfer to the Hotel.

Trekking preparation and permit organize day. Please, check your insurance details and have a copy of your travel medical insurance policy with you.

Our trekking guide will come to the hotel in the morning at 6: 00 to pick you up with private transport to leave for Besi Shahar (185km). This will take us about 6 hours on a scenic route. Along the journey you will witness stunning scenery of snow capped mountains, green hills, rivers in rafting, and villages. Again drive 3 to 4 hours to Dharapani. Stay overnight at the guesthouse.

After breakfast the trail gradually winds up through the Tibetan and Gurung settlements of Bagarchhap. After Danakyu the trail climbs to Timang (2510m) From here, the trek leads us through the pine forest to Thanchok and Koto, nearby the Manang district headquarters Chame, we are rewarded by the views of Annapurna II, Manaslu and Lamjung Himal from Chame and two small hot springs by the town.

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 flatland 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 climbs up to through valley with pine and juniper forest to the Tibetan-styled village of Bryaga (3,500m). Here we will see houses stacked one atop the other, each with an open veranda formed by a neighbor’s rooftop and the gomba (monastery), perched on a high crag overlooking the village. Then we continue through very arid countryside, dominated by weird cliffs of yellow rock, eroded into dramatic pillars alongside the trail to reach today’s destination - the Manang village. Here shops are unexpectedly well stocked with all sorts of things.

Today is a rest day for acclimation purposes. Please sleep in! After waking up late we hike up to the tranquil Gangapurna Lake and ascend up to above the Gangapurna icefall, which often falls down as an avalanche in the spring. Take time to observe the wonderful ancient Manang village scene beneath you. It is important to have a relatively restful day today to allow our bodies to acclimate to the higher altitudes and thinning air. It also gives us the possibility to wash some of our clothing and visit the Himalayan Rescue Association of Nepal.

The trail to the Tilicho Base Camp heads out through the western gates and another one follows the path down to the river. Anyway we cross it and continue on the south side of it through coniferous forest towards the Khangsar village. Again we cross the Khangsar Khola on the bridge below Khangsar and ascend the slope to the village. After having lunch the trail goes on from Khangsar on a large path to the Tare Gumba (3870m). The rest of the day, we will take in the fascinating Himalaya scenery from Tare Gumba (Monastery).

The trip leads us on a recently constructed path up towards a high ridge and to a point at an intersection. The previous path is an old path much more difficult as it goes on a really steep screed. The latter is the new path that takes a completely different way. It continues to ascend towards the line of the ridge where you have to be careful of falling stones. You need to be care full while walking on the trail from Shiri Chaur to Base Camp due to rock falling on the landslide area. Continue along the new path, reach a high crest, and descend on switch backs carved out through the screed slopes to a side valley of the main valley. On the other side of this is a building known as Tilicho Base Camp at elevation of 4,200 meters. Stay overnight at a basic guesthouse.

After a hot breakfast, we will walk back to the Shree Chau and heading to Yak Kharka amazing view of Marsyangdi Valley, Manang Village and breathaking mountain scenery. We will pass a few meadows where horses and yaks graze. Nearby Yak Kharka we will see herds of blue sheep grazing the steep slopes as well. The rest of the day, we will oversee fascinating Himalaya beauty in Yak Kharka.

The trail for today is relatively easy and allows us to get used to the altitude before we have to cross the highest point of the trek (and possibly the highest point you have been on in your life). From Yak Kharka we will continue to climb along the east bank of the Jarang Khola to Thorung Phedi, a rock-strewn meadow surrounded by upright cliffs at 4420 meter. Blue sheep and even snow leopards can be sometimes seen in this area. If you are up for it we can continue our trek to the High camp another an hour after lunch.

This is an adventurous and long day of trekking. Very early in the morning we take our breakfast and pack food. We will start the journey before sunrise. After 9 or 10 o’clock strong wind starts blowing in the high Himalayas, so it is better to leave around 5 in the morning to avoid the wind. We need to wear warm clothes for the freezing morning. The trails goes on a steep ascent to the High Camp through the treeless rocky desert and continue some ice frozen slippery trail offering tremendous mountain panoramas changing colors during the sunrise. At the Thorung La pass (5,416m), with its traditional prayer flags and stone cairn we will have outstanding views of Annapurna, Gangapurna and Khatung Kang, a heavily glaciated peak. Amazingly, there is a teashop here on top of the pass at 5,416 meter. From here we start to descend down about 1,600 meters to another valley with outstanding views of Dhaulagiri Mountains standing alone in the distance across the Mustang valley Muktinath. This is truly a place of nirvana and home to Hindu temples as well as several Buddhist monasteries. The Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and has 108 waterspouts around it from which Holy water spouts. Additionally there is the Jwala Mai Temple with an eternal flame fed by natural underground gas.

After breakfast we walk down to the ancient Jharkot village and then continue to the Khinga village whose culture and livelihoods are similar to Tibetan people. We are still in a high alpine area with desert rocky hills and wide windy Kaligandaki valley. Here we can find “Saligram” fossil, incarnation of God Vishnu. After 3 to 4 hours down walk we will get to the village Kagbeni, whose inhabitants are a mix of Tibetans and Gurungs. This gets us to the rusticated upper Mustang Trekking.

Today is easy day. The trail goes along the Valley of Kaligandaki River. It is much better to leave early morning avoid to the strong wind after every 10/ 11 am. The trail lead us continues through the Kali Gandaki Valley to Jomson, the headquarters of the Mustang district whose inhabitants are the traditional salt traders, the Thakali people. You can visit the Marpha Thakali village, an hour and forty-five minutes walk away. Marpha is home to many apple orchids as well as all the various food products made from the fruit. Apple Brandy is a local specialty that you may be lucky enough to taste en route.

Early in the morning fly to Pokhara by small aircraft and watch the majestic mountains above the world’s deepest gorge zoom by. Relax for the whole day at the Pokhara hotel. Alternatively, wander around the lakeside with its fascinating mountain panorama view and charming nature.

We should be ready by 6:00 in morning in hotel lobby in order to have breakfast or seek advice from your trekking guide. We will drive back to Kathmandu through on the main road passing terraces, streams, rivers, local settlements, and high hills. It takes about 7 hours (conditional) to reach your hotel in Kathmandu. If you are interested to fly from Pokhara to Katmandu (bear in mind the extra cost of the plane tickets) please request Nepal Mother House Trekking to book your flight ticket in advance. It takes about 30 minutes flying time with spectacular views of the Himalayas, high hills, terraces, local settlements, and forests. This can indeed make it worth flying.

In this pleasant day you may have full day at leisure either relax at hotel or explore the around Thamel. Today is day of ending your journey, so we would like offer you farewell dinner in Nepali typical Restaurant and hand over you Trip Certificate, Trekking Permit and TIMS Card for memory of Nepal trip. Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until departure flight/drive. Our assist will be transfer to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination, taking with you the memory of a life time.