At a glance
Trekking Destination: Nar Phu Valley Trek
Transportation: private and public vehicle
Trekking hour: 5-6 hours each day
Duration: 26 Days
Description
Nar Phu Valley trek offers a fascinating landscape and extension to the standard Annapurna Circuit tea house trek behind the Annapurna Himal. Opened in 2002, this イ-shaped route, largely above 3500m, explores narrow valleys towards Tibet. The peoples in these valleys have remained isolated from the Manang Valley folk for generations.
The Nar Phu valley trekking follows the Circuit for two days, then branches north at Koto into the forested Nar Khola gorge. Vegetation gradually changes to alpine and then sub-alpine scrub; favoured by both bharal (blue sheep) and snow leopards. On the 4th day it crosses glacial moraines to reach summer grazing farmlands. The village of Phu (“head of the valley,” 4400m) is the summer-home to ~40 households. There is an impressive monastery, and views, above the village.
A two day trek returns to the junction of the イ, then turns westwards, through heavily eroded gullies, to Nar Phedi The 2nd day’s trail climbs, to the village of Nar (“place of the blue sheep,” 4110m). Its 70 houses are stacked against a ridge above barley fields. Four Gompas are worth exploring.
From Nar, a barren trail rises to a high camp at Kang La Phedi (4530m). A steep climb then leads to the Kang La (5320m) from where there should be excellent views of the Nar Valley to the north and the Annapurnas to the south. The descent leads to Ngawal (3615m) on the high route of the Annapurna trail.
The route then follows the Annapurna Circuit to Manang, over the Thorung La (5416m) and down to Muktinath (3760m; an important Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage site), Kagbeni and Jomsom. A jeep will take you to Tatopani. Then a beautiful forested trail to Ghorepani for sunrise views of the Annapurna range from Poon Hill. Three more days of forest and farmland exploration leads to Pothana, before a short walk to Phedi and a taxi back to your hotel in Pokhara.
Spring (March – April) and Autumn (September – November) are the best time to trek, though our adventure team operates the trek year around. This trek requires fitness, good boots, warm clothing and sleeping bag plus a day pack, sunscreen and camera. Our trek includes transport, hotels, two-man tents with mattresses, meals and drinking water.
