Narphu Valley Trek - 15 Days

Flying into Kathmandu on a crystal clear day is itself a truly breathtaking experience. The views of snow-capped mountain peaks sprawling down below you are almost ecstatic, & begin a whole sequence of memorable experiences that stay with you for a real long time. Upon arrival, a representative and driver from our office will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. Our team will assist you with check-in process and provide an orientation about your daily activities. This will be your first overnight stay in the city of temples.

Kathmandu, is the historical heart of Nepal, has been a popular destination for tourists ever since the country opened its borders to outside world. The city presents a wonderful combination of Hinduism, Tibetan Buddhism and Western influence in the Valley. Patan and Bhaktapur, its two prime neighboring cities bear immense historical, cultural and religious significances.

We will arrange a professional tour guide for you and a private tourist vehicle with a driver to explore between monuments. The tour guide will take you to UNESCO World Heritage Sites such Kathmandu Durbar Square, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath and Boudhanath Stupa, the historical and cultural sites you’ll visit today. Offering panoramic views of the valley.

After completion of your day tour, you will be having meeting with your trek guide at our office/hotel. He will brief you about the Trek and all the essentials. The Thamel has many trekking gear shops, where you can buy missing gear in the late evening and get ready for the jeep driving to Dharapani.

After completing all the necessary preparations, acclimatization, and logistic arrangements, we begin our Annapurna trekking journey with a scenic jeep drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani. Cruising along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre, we then follow the rugged road that winds beside the Marsyangdi River.

Along the way, we pass through picturesque lowland villages, terraced rice fields, and river valleys, offering a glimpse of rural Nepali life. After around 8 hours of driving, we arrive at Dharapani, a lively town and the official starting point of the Narphu Valley Trek.

After breakfast, we officially begin our trek for Dharapani, following the main Annapurna Circuit trail northward along the Marsyangdi River. The path gradually ascends through lush pine forests, traditional villages such as Danaque, Bagarchhap, and Timang where we can rest foe a while and enjoy the mountain views.

As we contiue our trek, the trail involves a steady uphill walk with some forested sections and river crossings. The mountain views you can enjoy are of Annapurna II, Manaslu range, Lamjung and the beautiful views of forests on the way add another dimension to your trek. After 5-6 hrs of walking you will reach our destination Koto a small village mainly inhabited by Gurung and other ethnic groups. Their lifestyle is mainly influenced by Buddhist Tibetans. Stay overnight at local lodge. 

Today we leave Koto and begin our trek toward Dharmasala, the trail departs from the main Annapurna Circuit and follows the river leading to the Nar Phu Valley, and hike up through beautiful woods above Phu Khola. As we move more forward the landscape becomes more rugged and remote, with waterfalls, steep cliffs, and suspension bridges along the way. The route is less traveled and quieter. 

After approximately 6-7 hrs of trekking, we reach Dharmasala, a small settlement used mainly as an overnight stop for trekkers heading further into Nar Phu Valley. Overnight stay at basic teahouse.  

A steep climb up the valley along a small river brings you finally to high pastures on a 3,200m plateau. You pass by the 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 shrubs, juniper, scattered evergreens, and delicate brick-red and orange leafy bushes, crumbling shelves of flat slate, white and sandy trails.

The mountains around you are clearly visible and the Phu Koshi 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 in Kayang.

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 monolith guards the steep trail up to the Phu gate, called Pupigyal Kwe. This ancient gate provides you the first view of the three villages of Phu, as well as an old “dzong” and the remains of the two forts, which are all now in ruins, but impressively situated atop the flatlands before Phu.

Just before the bridge 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. 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 neighboring hillside to pay your respect to Lama Karma Sonam. Stay overnight in Phu Village.

Today we gonna explore around Phu Valley, the wide valley system above the village and gaining a deeper insight into the local way of life. This excursion will helps us with acclimatization while allowing time to enjoy the region culture.You can interact with local residents and observe daily activities in this traditional Tibetan-influenced settlement. Phu Valley is well preserved and interesting village, where we can see villagers spinning yak and sheep wool, tending livestock and going about their everyday routines. 

You might hike up the valley toward the summer grazing settlement (Kharka) at Ngoru, located about a three hours walk past the monastery or gompa. The walk offers expansive valley views. After the hikr we return back to Phu valley for the night.

We leave Phu Valley behind and continue our trek toward Junam, the trail gradually descends from the Phu Gate, a scenic passage marking the entrance to the valley nad retracing the path along the Phu Khola through the wide, open valley. This offers beautiful views of the surrounding cliffs, forests, and distant peaks. We pass through traditional villages, chortens, and mani wall which reflects the strong Tibetan Buddhist culture of the region. 

You continue along the path, retracing your steps through the serene landscape until you reach Junam Kharka. This is a picturesque and tranquil spot, perfect for camping amid nature. Spend the night at Junam, enjoying the peaceful environment and fresh mountain air.

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. Stay overnight in Nar.

Nar village is livelier than Phu, with bustling streets and a strong cultural vibe. Many families in Nar have at least one son or daughter studying or staying in a gompa, giving the village a unique spiritual atmosphere. Spend the night in Nar and experience its warm, welcoming environment.

The Kang La is not a difficult pass, but it could be a long day if there is snow on the pass or the altitude is taking its 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 nice as it is easy with enchanting 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 in Ngwal.

Today we leave Ngawal and start our scenic drive toward Besisahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung. The drive gradually descends from the high alpine landscapes of Manang, following the Marshyangdi River valley through changing terrain. We move forward passing through the settlements such Pisang, Chame, Manang, and other riverside towns, lush hillsides, terraced farmland. \The journey takes approximately 6–8 hours. Upon arrival in Besisahar (760 m), we check into our hotel and rest after the long drive.

As we have successfully completed the trip, it is time to return home or embark on your next journey. Even you can join our next adventures trips in the Himalayas if you wish too. If not, our airport team will take care of your airport escort and say you our last goodbye till the next adventure holidays.