Nar phu Valley Trek – 16 Days

It will take approximately 8 to 9 hours to reach Jagat (1100m) which is the starting point of our trek from Kathmandu. We will be driving through the rivers, villages, farms, mountains, greeneries on the route to reach Jagat. We will stay overnight in Jagat.

The early morning we will start our trekking which continues through Lush forest as well as enjoying the mountain scenarios of Annapurna ranges and cross few suspension bridges to reach Dharapani (1960 meters) after a walk of 7 to 8 hours. We will stay overnight at Dharapani on the second day of our trek.

Our today’s hike will be for about 5 to 6 hours to reach an altitude of 2610 meters at Koto. The main attractions of today’s trek will be the white washed monastery and the views of mountains like Manasalu and Peak 29. We will stay overnight at Koto.

We will be registering the trekking permit at the Check post in the early morning and will be walking through the bank of Soti khola with splendid pine forests as well as suspension bridges to reach Meta (3560 meters) village where we will stay overnight after a long walk of 7 to 8 hours.

Today we will be hiking for about 7 to 8 hours to reach Phu Gaon at (4250 meters) crossing different streams and suspension bridges as well as the Khampa settlements. We will be walking through rocky trails to reach Phu Gaon where we will stay overnight.

We will spend the sixth day of our trekking having rest at Phu Gaon which will help us a lot for acclimatization. We will be strolling aroung the culturally and naturally beautiful valley which inhabitats the Gurung and Ghale people. We will also visit the Tashi Lakhang monastery which is a old monastery here and will be observing the best views of Himlung Himal.

Today we will be passing high bridge above 80 meters at Lapche River on our trekking route as well as pass through Buddhist stupas until we reach Nar (4110 m) village which provides the best view of Pisang peak and other smaller peaks too. We will stay overnight at Nar after a walk of 6 to 7 hours.

As we will be at an altitude where the air is much thinner; we will be taking another day rest at Nar to make our body comfortable for another day’s trekking. We will be hovering around the village to observe the village’s lifestyle and culture today.

Our adventurous journey will begin as we walk for Kang la pass at 5322 meters from where we will be observing the Annapurna Massif. We will descend from here to reach Ngwal at an altitude of 3660 meters to have overnight stay.

From Ngwal, we head for Manang today. We pass through the isolated village of Paugh overlooking the amazing views of Annapurna range. We then move gently uphill to Mungli and then to the main trail of Annapurna Trail at Mungli. We eventually reach Manang, where we set up our camps for overnight stay.

From Manang village, the trail crosses a stream, climbs to a village of Tenki above Manang, and then continues to climb out of the Marshyangdi Valley turning northwest up the valley of Jarsang Khola. The trail follows this valley northward, passing a few pastures, a scrub of juniper trees, as it steadily gains elevation. The trail further passes near the small village of Ghunsa, a cluster of flat mud roofs just below the trailhead. Now the trail goes through meadows where horses and yaks graze. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, the trail passes an ancient old Mani wall in a pleasant meadow and then reaches another small village of Yak Kharka.

We make our way to the foot of the pass, Throng Phedi today. Thorong Phedi is a small busy settlement catering to the needs of tired trekkers and climbers. Trekkers like us use this point as a base camp. Some visitors also attempt a hike to the High Camp today so that the next day can be easier for them. But our team leader does not advise this. Although we will have a tough day tomorrow, we stop at Thorong Phedi so that we can have sound sleep in lower altitude rather than risking sleeping in a higher altitude at High Camp.

Crossing the arduous Thorong La Pass at a dizzying height of 5,416m/17,764ft is another highlight of this trek. An early start is important to go through the icy high-altitude trail. But the picturesque mountain vistas are more than compensates the strenuous walk through the grueling trail. We reach Muktinath by sunset which is an important pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhist. We can stroll around the area which hosts a Vishnu temple and a Monastery nearby.

We begin descending down the dramatic Kali Gandaki Gorge through the arid land. We pass by Jharkot and Khingar villages which has typical Tibetan architecture. Following the valley floor most of the way sprawled along the banks of the Kali Gandaki, we reach Jomsom.

After breakfast we check in the airport for Pokhara flight. The scenic flight takes us through the gorge of the two huge mountains, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. On arrival at Pokhara airport, we will be transferred to lakeside hotel. We get some rest and explore the beauty of Pokhara Valley in the evening. While we leisurely walk along the bank of Fewa Lake, the second biggest lake of Nepal while admiring the mountain view of Machhapuchhare. We can also go for a boat-ride in Fewa or take a short hike to the World Peace Pagoda. We can end the day with a leisurely stroll around the mesmerizing lakeside.

Today, after breakfast, we make a 200 kilometers drive back to Kathmandu. It’s better to hold on to the left pane of the vehicle to enjoy the scenery through the route. Upon arrival in Kathmandu, we will be transferred to our hotel. There is nothing to do but trade emails with travel companions and organize our photos. We can spend the evening leisurely, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping and celebrate dinner together with our team. We will stay overnight at Kathmandu.