Narphu Valley with Tilicho Lake Trek - 25 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.

It is a day for Sightseeing Tour in Kathmandu Valley and trek preparation with making permit etc. 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.

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 driving to Pokhara.

You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the narrow and paved road by the Marshyangdi River to Besi Sahar (823m.). Beshishahar is the district headquarters of Lamjung district. All the local government offices are situated here. From here, you can see some of mountain peaks, natural sceneries surrounding the valley and the daily activities of local people. This headquarter is the centre from where the daily usable commodities are supplied to the different villages and numerous towns. Stay overnight in Beshisahar.

The first part of the trail passes through a 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 sceneries with snow capped mountains. Stay overnight in Bahundanda.

A steep trail descends for early half an hour and then follows a 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 Marshyangdi 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 Marshyangdi valley. Now, the trail begins to observe small ups and downs to Chamje through the forests. Stay overnight in Chamje.

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. Climbing the zigzag path to the top of the hill, you see the level, plain of Tal (1700m.) ahead of 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. Beyond the small village of Karte (1900m.), there is a bit more cliff-walking before the path reaches near the river. You cross a suspension bridge, and climb the short distance to the stone Kani marking the entrance to Dharapani (1960m.). Stay overnight in Dharapani.

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 the beautiful views of forests on the way add another dimension to your trek. Koto is a small village mainly inhabited by Gurung and other ethnic groups. Their lifestyle is mainly influenced by Buddhist Tibetans. Stay overnight at camp in Koto.

This morning you head out early, as you have a long and somewhat difficult day before you. You 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 in Dharmasala.

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.

You can have interaction with locals and explore up the wide valley systems above you. You might walk up the valley to the summer grazing settlement or Kharka at Ngoru, a three hours walk past the gompa. Phu itself is an incredibly interesting village and you can observe the villagers spinning their yak and sheep wool and chat. Stay overnight in Phu Valley.

The trek from Phu Valley begins by heading back through the Phu Gate, a scenic passage marking the entrance to the valley. The trail gradually descends towards the river, offering beautiful views of the surrounding cliffs, forests, and distant peaks. 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.

This day you walk through the leveled path along the bank of Marshyangdi River to reach Manang. On the way you pass pine forests, villages such as Braga and farming terraces. You can enjoy the views of Annapurna range, Tilicho Mountain and beautiful landscapes. Manang is a small town. Stay overnight in Manang.

Today is a well-deserved rest day in Manang to relax and acclimatize to the high altitude. You can spend the day exploring the charming Khangsur Village, visit the serene Kecho Lake, or trek to the sacred Milarepa Cave, an important site for local pilgrims. Take your time to enjoy the stunning mountain surroundings and the peaceful atmosphere of Manang. Return in the evening for a comfortable overnight stay in the village.

The path is gradual descent and you cross a suspension bridge over Jharsing Khola (stream). The panoramic views of Annapurna range completely mesmerize you. Khangsar is a Gurung village. There you find a small monastery, chorten, Mani walls and prayer flags. Stay overnight in Khangsar.

This day you trek up and ascending trail until you reach destination. The path is quite covered by small crystals and shrubs can be seen on both sides. Somewhere in trekking you cross a few streams. Tilicho Lake is situated at the highest altitude. From here you can enjoy the closer and panoramic views of Tilicho Mountain and many others. Stay overnight  in Tilicho Lake.

The path is full of ups and downs until you reach Mesokanto Pass. The trail is quite narrow and you trek over icy path. The panoramic views of Annapurna range, Tilicho, Dhaulagiri along with more than ten mountains completely mesmerize you. Stay overnight in Mesokanto Pass.

From Mesokanto Pass, the trail goes steep down to Jomsom. This day you trek through pine forest. Before you reach Jomsom, you cross Thimi inhabited by mostly Buddhists. There are no tea houses available from en route Tilicho Lake to Jomsom. Stay overnight in Jomsom.

Take a scenic flight from Jomsom to Pokhara, enjoying breathtaking aerial views of the mountains and valleys along the way. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel in Pokhara and relax for a comfortable overnight stay.

While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre, Mugling and Kurintar where 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 engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to Kathmandu. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.

In the evening time, we visit one of Kathmandu’s finest restaurant’s for a delicious Nepalese cuisine of Nepalese food. While you enjoy your meal, you will be entertained to a scintillating Nepalese cultural dance performed by the local belles. This is a complimentary outing on behalf of Higher Limits Trek & Expeditions for the good welfare of our guests. Stay overnight at your Hotel in Kathmandu.

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.