Nar Phu valley trek -17 days

nar-phu-valley-trek-17-days-2

Detailed Itinerary:

Day 01: Arrival at Kathmandu International Airport. Upon your arrival our representative transfers you to hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 02: Drive from Kathmandu to Khudi (800 m.) which takes about seven hours. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 03: Trek from Khudi to Bahundanda (1310m.) which takes about five hours. The first part of the trail passes through flat level along the bank of the Marshyangdi river. You can enjoy the sceneries and the local culture of Gurung community. After lunch at Ngadi, the trail goes steeply upwards to Bahundanda which takes about two hours. At this point, you can see the area surrounded by eye-catching scenarios with snow capped mountains. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 04: Trek from Bahundanda to Chamje (1430m.) and it takes approximately six hours. A steep trail descends for early half an hour and then follows flat path through rice terraces, before crossing a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall. It then climbs again and traverses the hillside high above the river before reaching the village of Lali Gaon. Ahead, the Marsyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape, and you follow the winding mountain path down through Syange (1100m.) where there is a beautiful waterfall above it and along the river for some distance.

The trail then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. Eventually you descend to the stone village of Jagat (1330m.) situated on a shelf which juts into the precipitous Marsyangdi valley. Now the trail begins to observe small ups and down to Chamje through the forests. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 05: Trek from Chamje (1410m.) to Dharapani (1860m.) and it takes about six hours. The first part of the trail descends to the river and after crossing a suspension bridge, you begin a climb to Sattale (1550m.) on a path so steep that it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley. You continue on an undulating path above the river, and at one point, where a tributary flows in from the opposite bank, the main river becomes covered with huge boulders that hide the water. Climbing the zigzag path to the top of the hill, you see the level, plain of Tal (1700m.) before you.

Tal is the border between Manang and Lamjung district. Though it is enclosed by cliffs, the level area looks reassuring after the harrowing mountain paths just traveled on. You descend to a grassy riverbank, which leads to Tal with its hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path becomes high and winding, and in several areas hewn from the rock itself. Beyond the small village of Karte (1900m.), there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path drops again to the river. You cross a suspension bridge, and climb the short distance to the stone kani marking the entrance to Dharapani (1960m.), and your camp for the night. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 06: Trek from Dharapani to Koto which takes about five hours. You trek gradual ascent path and cross a stream to reach Koto. The mountain views you can enjoy are of Annapurna II, Manaslu range and beautiful views of forests on the way add another dimension to your trek. Koto is a small village mainly inhabited by Gurung and others. Their life style is mainly influenced by Buddhist Tibetans. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 07: Trek from Koto to Dharmasala and it takes about six hours. This morning you head out early, as you have a long and somewhat difficult day before you. You just past the checkpost, cross the river leading to the Nar Phu valleys and hike up through beautiful woods above the Phu Khola. The route takes you through some beautiful woods and past several small caves, and a pilgrims’ Dharmasala. After you emerge out of a narrow canyon, the trail actually passes under a wide waterfall just before the Dharmasala, from where the woods become thinner and the vistas wider. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 08: Trek from Dharmasala to Kayang which takes about six and half hours. A steep climb up the valley along a small, scenic river brings you finally to high pastures on a 3,200m plateau. You pass by he scenic kharka of Meta, 3560m, a non permanent winter settlement of Nar, where you are likely to share the trail with a few yaks! This morning is one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. The landscape is combined with white rocks, low shrub and juniper, scattered evergreens, delicate brick-red and orange leafed bushes, crumbling shelves of flat slate, white and sandy trails.

The mountains around you are clearly visible and the Phu Kosi shadows the trail far below. An hour past Meta, Junam is the second semi-permanent settlement. Above the Kharka to the right looms massive glacier and this falls jaggedly down to the high pastures above you.

The next settlement is Chako, formerly a Khampa settlement, where grass lies tied in bunches to dry on all the rooftops and prayer flags flutter in the breeze. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 09: Trek from Kayang to Phu village. Dropping steeply down to the river, you trek for a while along the river bank and past the “submarine” rock, passing some small possible campsites along the way. You start to see some of the unique, colorful chortens for which Nar and Phu are famous. You have to walk carefully across a small glacial stream before reaching a larger one with a bridge only half covered with large slabs of slate. Another hour and a half of trekking through scenic canyon lands and gorges, and the “leaning tower of Pisa” monolith guards the steep trail up to the Phu gate, called Pupigyal Kwe. This ancient gate provides you with you first view of the three villages of Phu, as well as an old “dzong” and the remains of the two forts, all now in ruins, but impressively situated atop the flatlands before Phu.

Just before the brige to Phu, a line of wonderful chortens color the landscape and lead the way to the main village of Phu, perched high up on a hill, amphitheater style. You will set up camp on the lower reaches of Phu, formerly called Gomdzong, and head up to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa on a neighbouring hillside to pay your respect to Lama Karma Sonam. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 10: Trek from Phu valley to Junam. You get back through Phu gate, descend to the river and retrace your step back to Junam Kharka which is a lovely spot for camping. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 11: Trek from Junam to Nar. This day you trek down the old bridge spanning a deep, contoured and narrow gorge and all the way back up again. The scenery is stunning. Below you sit Gyalbu Kumbu, built in 1650, and Satte Gompa , both empty. You finally reach the Nar gates at the top of the hill, and pass by yet another line of wonderfully painted, bamboo topped chortens and a large tiered chorten before turning the corner and being rewarded with sublime views of Nar, the undulating patterns of the surrounding barley and mustard fields, four old colorful and traditional Gompas and the snow peaks looming overhead. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 12: Trek from Nar village to Kang La Base Camp which takes about three hours. The trekking trail is almost flat however it is bit difficult because of high altitude. Still you will enjoy walking through glacier valley with views of Pisang peak, Phu village, Nar Peak, Damodar Peak and Kang La Peak. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 13: Cross Kang La Pass and trek to Ngawal and it takes about seven hours.
The Kang La is not a diffucult pass, but it could be a long day if there is snow on the pass or the altitude is taking it’s toll. The Kang La, at 5240m, is an absolutely spectacular pass looking over Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho peak, the peaks surrounding Tilicho and the airport at Hongde. The trail down is steep and gradual down towards the end.

Ngawal, on the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna circuit (off the main Annapurna circuit), can be reached in as little as two hours from the pass, but the walk down is so nice that you will take it easy and enjoy the views. Just before Ngawal is an unusual grouping of chortens and prayer flags, and marks a meditation cave far up in the hills. Ngawal is a wonderful, old village of cobbled streets, prayer wheels and beautiful architecture, obviously a hub of religious activity in previous times. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 14: Trek from Ngwal to Humde (3500 m.) which takes about three hours. This day you walk through all the way downhill path along the bank of Marshyangdi river to reach Humde. On the way you pass pine forests, villages such as Upper Pisang and farming terraces. You can enjoy the views of Annapurna range, Tilicho Mountain and beautiful landscapes. Humde is a quite big town of this area with Tibetan Mangolite village. There is a small air strip from where you take the flight next day to Pokhara. Stay overnight at tea house. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 15: Fly from Humde to Pokhara and it takes about 30 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara at lake side. Stay overnight at lakeside hotel. Meals included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Day 16: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal’s first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

Day 17: Departure from Kathmandu. Today is free or last minute shopping for souvenirs or gift to your family, friends or relatives for you until your departure flight/drive or to commence any extra trips or activities you may have booked with us. If departing, you’ll be transferred to the International Airport for your departure flight to your onwards destination.

OUR TRIP PACKAGE INCLUDES:

  • Airport pick up and drop off services
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu at 3 or 4 star category hotel on BB basis
  • Welcome dinner at Nepali cultural heritage restaurant in Kathmandu
  • A trekking guide
  • Porter/s (1 porter can carry up to 25kgs of luggage)
  • All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
  • Accommodation in teahouses (lodges) during the trek
  • Entry Permit for Annapurna Conservation Area
  • Trekkers’ Information Management system (TIMS) card
  • All necessary transportation
  • Sleeping bag and down jacket if required
  • Rescue assistance
  • First aid kit
  • Insurance and equipment for the Nepali staff
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation at hotel in Pokhara with all meals

OUR TRIP PACKAGE EXCLUDES:

  • Personal nature expenses such as drinks, beverages, hot shower, batter recharge etc.
  • Tips
  • Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
  • Your travel insurance
  • International airfare and airport departure tax.
  • Nepal visa fee

Email us for more details, up to date pricing and the information about our group departures.