Nar Phu Valley Trek – 13 Days
Thirteen days into two of Nepal's most isolated Tibetan valleys, crossing Kang La at 5,320m. A restricted-area trek through medieval fortress villages.
Trip Facts
| Duration | 13 days (9 trekking days) |
|---|---|
| Max altitude | 5,320m — Kang La Pass |
| Difficulty | Strenuous |
| Trek start / end | Besisahar to Manang to Pokhara |
| Best season | Mar–May, Sep–Nov (also trekkable in monsoon) |
| Accommodation | Basic teahouse and lodge + hotel |
| Group size | Minimum 2 (restricted area rule) |
| Permits | Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit + ACAP + TIMS |
| Daily walking | 5–7 hours |
Overview
Nar and Phu are two Tibetan villages hidden in a side canyon off the Annapurna Circuit, sealed to foreigners until 2003 and still visited by only a few hundred trekkers a year. The valley entrance is a narrow gorge above Koto that most Circuit trekkers walk straight past without knowing it is there. Beyond that gorge the landscape becomes something out of the Tibetan plateau — red rock canyons, chortens, sky-burial sites, and finally Phu village itself, a cluster of stone houses stacked against a cliff below a ruined dzong fortress, with fewer than forty families living much as they have for six centuries. The trek is genuinely demanding. Trails are rough, lodges are basic, and the crossing of Kang La at 5,320m from Nar to Ngawal is a long, cold and exposed day. In exchange you get a cultural experience that no other Nepal trek matches at this length, and views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak and the Himlung Himal massif from the pass. Because Nar Phu sits in the rain shadow behind the main Himalayan range, it is one of very few Nepal treks that works well during monsoon — June to August brings clear mornings and dry trails here while the rest of the country is under rain. Nar Phu is a restricted area. A minimum of two trekkers, a licensed guide and a government-issued restricted area permit are mandatory by law — solo trekking is not permitted under any circumstances.
Highlights
- Enter two restricted Tibetan valleys visited by only a few hundred trekkers a year
- Phu village — a medieval stone settlement below a ruined dzong fortress at 4,080m
- Cross Kang La Pass (5,320m) with Annapurna II, Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak in view
- Tashi Lhakhang monastery, one of the oldest Nyingma gompas in the Himalaya
- Trekkable during monsoon thanks to the rain-shadow position
- Combines naturally with the Annapurna Circuit for a 20-day extended route
Itinerary
Arrive Kathmandu; restricted-area permit processing
Drive Kathmandu to Besisahar to Dharapani
Dharapani to Koto
Koto to Meta (enter restricted zone)
Meta to Kyang to Phu village
Phu acclimatisation — Tashi Lhakhang gompa / Himlung viewpoint
Phu to Nar Phedi
Nar Phedi to Nar village
Nar to Kang La Pass (5,320m) to Ngawal
Ngawal to Manang or drive to Chame
Drive Chame to Besisahar to Pokhara
Fly or drive Pokhara to Kathmandu
Final departure
What the Price Includes
Cost Includes
- Airport pick-up and drop-off (private vehicle)
- All ground transport per itinerary
- Teahouse/lodge accommodation throughout the trek (twin share)
- Hotel accommodation in Kathmandu/Pokhara per itinerary (3-star, B&B)
- Three meals a day on trek — breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Tea/coffee with meals on trek
- Government-licensed English-speaking trekking guide
- Porter service (1 porter per 2 trekkers, max 25kg)
- All staff wages, insurance, equipment, food and lodging
- All required trekking permits and entry fees
- TIMS card
- Seasonal fresh fruit after dinner
- First aid kit and pulse oximeter carried by guide
- Duffel bag, trekking map and company T-shirt
- All government taxes and service charges
Cost Excludes
- International airfare and Nepal visa fees
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory — must cover helicopter evacuation to 6,000m)
- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara (except where stated)
- Personal trekking equipment and clothing
- Hot showers, Wi-Fi, battery charging and bottled drinks on trek
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal expenses — laundry, phone, souvenirs
- Emergency evacuation costs (recoverable from your insurer)
- Tips for guide and porters
- Anything not listed under "Cost Includes"
Best Time to Trek
The most reliable season. Clear skies, stable weather, firm trails and the sharpest mountain views of the year. Book early; this is peak season on every route.
The second-best window and the finest season for scenery below 4,000m, when rhododendron forests are in full bloom. Warmer nights and longer days, with some afternoon haze building through May.
Clear, quiet and cold. Excellent for lower routes such as Poon Hill, Mardi Himal and Kathmandu Valley. High passes may close under snow.
Wet and leech-prone on most routes, but this is the right season for the rain-shadow trails: Upper Mustang, Nar Phu and Upper Dolpo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Nar Phu is a government-designated restricted area requiring a Restricted Area Permit (currently around USD 100 per person per week, Sep–Nov; USD 75 other months), plus ACAP and TIMS. Permits are issued only through a registered agency — you cannot obtain them independently.
No. Restricted area regulations require a minimum of two trekkers plus a licensed guide, and permits are only issued to registered agencies. Solo permits do not exist for this region.
Considerably more basic than the Annapurna Circuit. Expect shared rooms, limited menus, no hot showers in Phu or Nar, and intermittent or absent electricity. This is part of the appeal, but go in expecting it.
Yes, and it is the best way to do both. Descend from Kang La to Ngawal and continue to Manang, then follow the standard Circuit over Thorong La. Allow 20–22 days total.
Ready to Book This Trek?
Departures run year-round on your dates — private groups, couples and solo trekkers all welcome. Tell us your dates and we will send a full quote within 24 hours.
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