Embarking on the Mystical Nar Phu Valley Trek

On day 3, you continue your trail from Kathmandu to Koto by car. You take a vehicle like a bus, jeep, car, etc. from Kathmandu. Then you pass the beautiful views by seeking them on your trail. It takes 9/10h to reach Koto from Kathmandu.

Nar-Phu has long been considered a baeyul, or ‘hidden land’, and even these days, most Annapurna trekkers stride straight past the entrance to the valley without even realizing it. The trek branches off the Annapurna Circuit at Koto. The trail makes a short descent to a section chiseled out of the cliff and then hugs the river, until crossing a suspension bridge to the east side.

From Meta, the trail switchbacks steeply on a tenuous trail alongside a huge rock spire, crossing one particularly heart-stopping bridge to pass through the Phupi Gyalgoe gate and enter the Phu region—surely one of the most spectacular approaches to any Himalayan village. Continue past a Mani wall and some caves high on the far cliff, to reach the suspension bridge and campsite just across from the village of Phu. If you have budgeted an extra day in Phu, consider a hike up to either the summer pastures of Ngoru Kharka or to Himlung Base Camp. For views of Himlung, you can follow the streamside trail that squeezes between the hillside and the moraine.

Today’s climb starts immediately with a steep disintegration up to the main trail, and it doesn’t ease up for an hour or more. Walk through the Nar gate and continue climbing. The trail curves around the ridges, offering fantastic views of Pisang Peak, and passes through a wall and gate that pen in Nar’s yaks. Turn a corner, and you’ll see Nar curving around barley fields in a natural bowl. The large village has four lodges. If you are not able to cross the Kang La or decide not to, it’s possible to hike back down to Koto in a long day.

Today’s stage is less than two hours, so you can either spend most of the day exploring Nar before departing for Kang La Phedi, or set off very early from Nar and push through all the way to Ngawal in one long day. Leave Nar through the village of Kani and take the gradual path up through the valley, with Pisang Peak and its razorback ridge to your left. Traverse yak pastures after an hour, then contour around a hill and descend to the head of the valley. There’s a small ACAP campsite here at Jhambu Kharka, also known as Kang La Phedi or Kang La ‘Base Camp’.

You should spend a second night in the Manang region to acclimatize to the higher elevations you will encounter towards Tho-Rung La. Climbing high during the day will speed up acclimatization, and you could easily spend three days exploring the stunning scenery around Manang. There are a few fine views. Take the path below Manang, crossing a bridge to the right of Gangapurna Glacier. It is better to leave this trip on the second day of a three-night trip because of the significant altitude gain. A quicker but steeper alternative trail leads from Manang. This is a long day hike, so make sure you set off early and carry enough food and water.

From Manang village, the trail climbs to a chorten and then continues to Tengi, it takes 30 minutes. The trail continues to climb out of the Marsyangdi valley, then turns northwest up the valley of the Jarsang Khola, losing sight of the Manang valley behind you. The trait climbs to the small village of Gunsang.The HRA doctors suggest that you spend two nights at Letdar, which is a pretty grim prospect. If you have been up to Tilicho Tal and spent a couple of nights at Tilicho Base Camp, then you should be acclimatized enough to continue to Thorung Phedi today.

From Letdar, the trail continues to climb along the east bank of the Jarsang Khola. Route ten follows a narrow trail across an exposed slope and climbs to High Camp. The higher trail on the east side of the valley is currently not in use. There are lodges there. The night can be miserable because of the altitude and the early morning departure. A more reasonable departure time is daybreak, around 6 am. If weather condition is not good and it looks like it is snowing, gather as much local advice as possible and heed any warnings. The base camp lodge has a satellite phone you can use in an emergency. There is another lodge, which is known as High Camp, above Thorang Phedi, but it is cramped and cold, and a night here can be dangerous because of the altitude.

From High Camp, the trail climbs and climbs, traversing in and out of canyons formed by a maze of moraines. Poles mark the trail when it’s under snow. About 45 minutes above high camp, you pass the tiny seasonal Yakawa Thorung Ri teashop. The first section of the trail can be covered in over-melting snow, and some of the traverses can be very slippery, as can the latter switchbacks. Just remember that you are headed downhill and that Muktinath is on the south side of the valley. The final descent to Muktinath is a pleasant walk along the Jhong Valley. It is possible to continue down the north side of the valley as far as Putak, but to continue further along this trail to Kagbeni, you need a restricted-area permit. Return to Muktinath from Johng by heading southeast to the top of town and dropping steeply past fields to cross the river on two wooden bridges. An alternative trail descends from Johng to Jharkot, across the Jhong khola.

From Kagbeni, the trail quickly joins the road from Mukhtinath and continues through desert scenery to Chhancha Lhumba, better known as Eklai Bhatti. Several lodges offer lunch and a chance to get out of the wind. Just past a walled tree plantation, the trail crosses the Panga Khola, where there’s a side trail leading to the Bon village of Lubra. The trail continues to follow the road through the stony river valley to reach the entrance to Jomsom. Continue past local inns and shops on the now restored bridge across Kali Gandaki. The trail continues south down the west bank. Pass the bank to enter the main drag of New Jomsom.

On day 16, you will continue your trail by flying from Jomsom to Pokhara. You pass your trail by seeking the beautiful views from the plane. This is a short trial. It takes 30 minutes from Jomsom to Pokhara. Then you should rest in the hotel and plan on continuing another trail.

You can get tickets from a hotel; but if you would rather fly, most hotels will gladly arrange a ticket for you. In the morning, you take your breakfast, and you should arrive at Pokhara airport to Flight to Kathmandu. It takes about 30 minutes to reach Kathmandu from Pokhara. When you arrive at Kathmandu Airport, our private transport will pick you up and transfer you to the hotel. If you wish, you can celebrate your success at the hotel.