Narphu Valley Trek

Introduction

If you’re looking for a trek to avoid crowd trails in the Annapurna Region, then the Nar Phu Valley Trek is a good selection. This trek was opened up for trekkers in 2002 but became popular around 2010 when local homes began hosting tourists. Before that, camping was the only option.

The journey of the Nar Phu Valley takes you through villages like Meta, Nar, and Phu; each place has its own special charm, offering chances to take amazing photos and create lasting memories. The Nar Phu Valley Trek combines the beauty of nature with cultural exploration, featuring stunning peaks, glaciers, remote villages, lush forests, monasteries, and encounters with Tibetan cultures.

The main highlights of this trek are the breathtaking views of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Machhapuchhre, Lamjung Himal, Tilicho Peak, and more.

Various ethnic groups, like Gurung, Magar, Manangi, and Bhotes, have lived in this region for centuries. In the higher altitudes, people have mostly followed Tibetan Buddhism for centuries. Experiencing Tibetan culture at high altitudes is something you won’t find anywhere else. The warm hospitality of the local people, combined with their unique culture and religion, is something special that leaves a lasting impression.

During spring and autumn, the weather is brilliant, making them the best times for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. It starts from Koto in Manang and follows a circuit route through the high pass of Kang La (5,240m). 

The locals have maintained the trail path well, making it safe to trek for the visitors. Even beginners with good stamina have successfully submitted to this trek. This trek is one of the shortest and easiest in the Annapurna region. Let’s know more about this trek so that it will help to book for the once-in-a-lifetime journey.

Best Season or Time for Nar Phu Valley Trekking

Nar Phu Valley Trek and similar other trekking destinations such as EBC, Annapurna Base Camp, and Langtang Valley Trek’s best time is during the spring and autumn seasons. 

During the spring season, you can expect very little rainfall and temperatures favorable for trekkers. It is not extremely cold during these seasons, and long days help trekkers reach their destination before sunset. Also, the trekking path is filled with greenery, and occasional rhododendron decorations add to the beauty during this time. It is the peak season, so you can see thousands of trekkers heading toward the summit. Therefore, we recommend you book earlier so you won’t have to face the problem of finding accommodation.

Similarly, during autumn, the weather is perfect for trekkers; it is neither too hot nor too cold. A sunny day with a clear sky gives you a breathtaking view of the Himalayas. It’s the perfect time to soak up the beauty of this region without having trouble with the weather conditions. Imagine walking in the beautiful nature and seeing every detail of the mountains; it will give you the feel of a heavenly path. Trekking in the autumn is a magical time when nature shows its best color.

Not only in the autumn but also in the spring, the Nar Phu Valley Trek is possible. This trek can be done in the rainy season, too. When trekking during the rainy season, you need to be extra careful. Due to the heavy rainfall, there are high chances of landslides, trail paths becoming muddy, and leeches sprawling in the grass, which can give you trouble. You should wear and carry waterproof clothes and items to protect you from rain if you are traveling during this season.

Trekking in the winter will not be the best idea due to the cold, freezing weather of the upper Himalayan region. It can be harsh, and due to heavy snowfall, in case of an emergency, rescue operations are also not possible. Temperatures can drop in winter as low as 2°C at high altitudes during the day and past -12°C during the night.

Food or Meal on Nar Phu Valley Trek

On the Nar Phu Valley Trek, three meals are provided each day. For breakfast, the tea house offers Tibetan bread, chapati, toast, oats, muesli, and eggs (with various options available), which may be served with jam, honey, cheese, or curry.

Lunch and dinner are similar, featuring typical traditional Nepali foods such as Daal Bhaat with vegetables or meat, Thukpa (noodle soup), MoMo (dumplings), Sherpa stew, and a variety of Western and Chinese dishes like macaroni, pasta, spaghetti, pizza, and spring rolls. Other meal options can also be found on the menu.

For beverages, you can choose from milk tea, black tea, honey hot lemon, hot water, ginger hot water, or ginger tea. Additionally, be sure to try the traditional Sherpa tea.

Accommodation during the Nar Phu Valley Trek

Accommodation in Kathmandu: Depending on your budget, you can choose a hotel from basic to luxurious. You can find the hotel and lodge in each and every corner of the city. Also, if you like to spend your precious time in and relax in nature, you can choose a resort near Shivapuri National Park. The accommodation cost per day ranges from 10 to more than 100 dollars. 

Accommodation in Tea House: On trekking, accommodations are simple yet comfortable; toilets need to be shared in some teahouses. Every tea house has one large communal dining area, and it’s a great spot to meet other trekkers. You can make friends, swap stories, and sip tea or coffee while you watch the sunset over the mountains. Some tea houses do have Wi-Fi, but you have to pay to use it. The electricity can also be disrupted during bad weather. Therefore, we recommend taking a power bank with you. The cost of the tea house is between $5 and $10 per day. 

Note: You can get the single room on special requests, but you need to spend extra bucks.

Nar Phu Valley Trek Difficulty

During the Nar Phu Valley Trek, you will follow a well-built trail suitable for people with moderate trekking experience. Most of the trek is not too difficult, except for a small section after the Kangla Pass, which might be a bit challenging. It’s better if you have some trekking background, but overall, it’s quite manageable.

Compared to other famous treks like Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp, this one is shorter and easier. You’ll be walking around 6-7 hours each day, and even if you’re a beginner, you can handle it if you’re in good shape for walking in hilly areas. The local people take good care of the trail, so it’s safe to walk on.

The journey to the villages of Nar and Phu is incredibly beautiful. Plus, the day of acclimatization in Phu helps your body get used to the high altitude, making the whole journey suitable for every trekker.

Travel Insurance for Nar Phu Valley Trek

During this trek, you will pass through high-altitude areas such as Thorung La Pass (5,416 m) and Kang La Pass (5,320 m), which entail dangers. As you already know, when walking at such a high altitude, there is a high chance of getting sick. 

Also, unpredictable weather conditions in the high area and unseen conditions like landslides, floods, avalanches, etc., can occur. Therefore, travel insurance is compulsory, and we recommend having insurance done before you begin your trek for your safety.

Altitude Sickness and Remedies during Nar Phu Valley Trek

During the Narphu Valley Trek, you will reach an altitude of above 3000 meters. Altitude sickness can occur to anyone when they’re really high in the mountains. It usually improves after a few days if you rest, but in some cases, it can be serious and require medical attention. Getting altitude sickness chances are high if you’re in a place usually more than 2,500 meters.

The main symptoms of altitude sickness

• a headache
• loss of appetite, feeling or being sick, feeling tired or exhausted
• dizziness
• difficulty sleeping

Things to do to prevent altitude sickness

• Climb or travel to high places slowly so your body can get used to having less oxygen.
• Spend a few days at a lower altitude before going higher.
• If you’re above 3,000 meters, have a break day every 3 to 4 days.
• Drink enough water to avoid dehydration.
• If you’ve had altitude sickness before or are going to a high place quickly, talk to a doctor. They might give you medicine to prevent altitude sickness.

Things that you shouldn’t do 

• Don’t go from below 1,200 meters to over 3,500 meters in one day.
• If you can’t avoid flying directly to a high place, rest for a day before going higher.
• Don’t sleep more than 500 meters higher than the night before, especially above 3,000 meters.
• Don’t drink alcohol while traveling or climbing.

Festivals and Cultural Practices in Nar Phu

The main inhabitants of the Nar Phu Valley are Gurungs, Tibetans, and Manangis. These communities have unique customs, practices, and beliefs that will truly amaze you. At the lower altitudes, the dominant religion is mainly Gurung, whereas at the higher altitudes, you will find Tibetan religion. There are numerous Buddhist temples and monuments, such as Tashi Lhakhang and Nar Phedi, where you can immerse yourself in the culture and gain a better understanding during the trek.

As a visitor, it is your responsibility to respect the local culture and customs and to interact with the people respectfully. The cultural practices in Nar Phu are different from those in the Kathmandu Valley. Lhosar is the main festival in this region, marking the Tibetan New Year, which falls in February or March. Another vibrant festival is Yartung, which features masculine arts depicting their ancient culture and its significance. Horse racing and archery competitions are enjoyable parts of this festival. Attend these festivals if you visit during the festival months, and be sure to explore the ancient Buddhist monasteries as well.

Outline Itinerary

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu, pickup to hotel – 1,300m
Day 02: Day sightseeing Kathmandu 1,300m
Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to chameche 1,400m – 09 hrs 
Day 04: Trek to Dharapani 2,000m – 06 hrs
Day 05: Trek to koto 2,570m – 06 hrs
Day 06: Trek to meta 3,500m – 09 hrs 
Day 07: Trek to Trek to khayang 3,700m – 05 hrs 
Day 08: Trek to Phugaou 4,000m – 04 hrs 
Day 09: Rest day Phugaou – 4,000m
Day 10: Trek to NarPhadi 3,500m – 06 hrs 
Day 11: Trek to Nargaou 4,350m – 04 hrs
Day 12: Trek to Nagwal 3,750m vai Kanga la pass 5,353m – 09 hrs
Day 13: Drive from Nawal to Besisahar /Kathmandu – 1,300m
Day 14: Departure from Kathmandu airport – 1,300m