Discover the out of sight valley of Nar Phu along the “off the beaten path” crossing in the course of challenging high passes of Kang La, Meso Kanto and the World highest Tilicho Lake. Nar Phu Valley is a natural and original Tibetan village located North of Annapurna which is restricted area and newly opened for the trekkers since 2003.This trek is perfect for travelers who want to explore the Annapurna area as well as explore an untouched valley. This trek takes you to the interesting Nar Phu valley that lies in the remote corner of the Annapurna region. The Nar Phu valley remains untouched by modernity. Trekking in the area is unlike most of Nepal as the terrain is similar to Tibet. Trails are rugged and at times cut high into side of the cliff, in an area that has changed little over the years. We spend a number of days exploring the region and visit the remote villages of Nar and Phu, as well as crossing the Kang La Pass (5310m) which offers fantastic views of the Annapurna massif, Lamjung Himal, Machhapuchhre and Manaslu. Then another attraction is the world’s highest lake Tilicho and trek over Meso Kanto Pass (5099m).
The route originally follows the well-known Annapurna Circuit as far as Koto before heading into the formerly controlled wilds of Nar Khola Valley. We spend a number of days exploring the region and visit the remote villages of Nar and Phu, as well as crossing the Kang La Pass. The route then rejoins the Annapurna Circuit near Manang from where we follow the little-used route that leads to Tilicho Lake and the Meso Kanto Pass (5089m), which links the Manang and Kali Gandaki Valleys. The crossing of this pass offers a more challenging and exciting alternative to the popular Throng-La pass on the Annapurna Circuit. After the crossing, we trek to Jomsom from where we fly back to Pokhara.
Trekking Grade: Moderate/High Altitude
You will be welcomed our staff at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (1350m). You will be transfer to Hotel. Overnight at hotel.
You will have a free day in Kathmandu for trekking preparation. As an option, you will also do some sightseeing to the monuments which are listed in world heritage sites. Overnight at hotel.
Drive by tourist bus or car to Besisahar following wild hairpin bends to reach Besisahar. Overnight in Tent/Tea House Lodge. 6 hour
Walk by the newly built road tracks towards Bhulbhule where you stop for the Lunch. Walk along the Marsyangdi River to Naadi, crossing suspension bridges and a deep river gorge climb up hill to Bahundanda. Overnight in Tent/Tea House Lodge.
Descend to the valley following the terraced fields a half hour then cut through the forest from the level mountain path via Khani Gaun and Germu Phant. You can see beautiful waterfall on the opposite bank; crossing the suspension bridge over Marsyandi River at Syange. Continue to climb up passing small village to Jagat, and then the path is level and few uphill sections to reach Chamje. Overnight in Tent/Tea House Lodge.
Descend to the suspension bridge over Marsyangdi river on the left bank begin climb to Sattale on a steep path. The path passing by several houses continues an up and down mountain trail, and when a tributary flows in from the opposite bank, the main stream covered with huge boulders that hide the water. Climb the zigzag path to the top where you can see the Taal village with many teahouses. Now you enter to Manang district. Stop there for lunch and then continue walk to riverbed. Crossing the suspension bridge to the left side passing fields, teahouses of karte. Again Cross the Marsyngdi River another 2 times to the right and left bank and arrive at Darapani. The trail gradually climbs up an hour to reach Bagarchhap. Overnight in Tent.
The trail now leads to climbing Danaque and steep climb to Timang village where we can see the Manaslu ranges to the eastern valley above. Then the trail is normally level to Koto where the view of splendid backdrop of Annapurna II appearing occasionally. This is also where we leave the Annapurna Circuit Trail; we cross the Marshyangdi River and enter the Narphu valley. From the bank of Narphu Khola we start climbing to our first camping site, which we reach about two hours from Koto. Overnight in Tent.
Most of this first day in the Nar Phu valley we walk on small jungle paths, which is quite a change from the bigger trail around Annapurna. The first part is up and down and then we have a short steep ascent to Choto (2840m). We then have lots of steep ups and downs and the path is quite exposed above the Nar Phu Khola. At the altitude of 3090m we cross a suspension bridge; here the valley is very narrow and just before the bridge there are some hot-springs. The rock carved path now becomes very exciting, both because of danger, but also because there are some big waterfalls. We climb to a two storied hut at Sinhenge Dharamsala. Overnight in Tent.
We begin the day by crossing Methang Khola River and then start a breathtaking climb on a winding path to the Methang pastures. Here at Methang there is an ancient Shorten and Marvellous views of Kang Guru. Further on we pass the abandoned Methang village (3560m), from the village there is a path to Kang Guru Base Camp. The path to the next village Junan is easy and flat, Junan is also abandoned. From here we continue to have an easy walk to Lower Chaku village, which has about 15 houses. We continue to Upper Chaku on a steep trail. Overnight inTent.
This day begins with a hard steep ascent to the abandoned Kyan village Bhaku, where there is a nice long mani wall. We continue on an amazing tunnel carved rocky path 70 meters above the river and then decent to the riverbed, we follow the riverbed and pass some Mani Chrotens. We then climb up from the riverbed to the Phu valley entrance door (Phuohi Yalgoe). About an hour from the valley entrance we cross the Phu Khola and begin climbing up to the village. Phu village consists of about 30 houses. We camp near the river. Overnight inTent.
We rest here for a day, Visit the villages and hike to exploring a little further up in the valley.
To get to Naar we have to go back down the valley, we pass Chaku and walk on for a couple of hours before we cross the Phu Khola at Naar Phedi. From here we climb up to a very nice grassy campsite. Overnight in Tent.
From our campsite it is a steep couple of hours climb to Naar Village (4110m), we have lunch here near the village, so we can take a look at it before we walk on. We continue on a long but gentle ascent through the lateral moraine of Temdenzon Khola, on a nice path. At the bottom of Kang La, we camp on a nice grassy spot. Overnight in Tent.
Today we have a long and hard day ahead of us, however it is very rewarding. We have to cross the big Kang La pass (5310m). It is a very steep ascent to the top of the pass where there is a shorten and some great views of the Annapurna massif. Just before reaching the pass, there is a small lake where we take a rest before making the last effort to reach the top. From the top of the pass it is a very steep decent, but after an hour we take a grassy path that leads to Nagwal. There are restaurants and lodges in Nagwal. We camp there for the night. Overnight in Tent.
We walk down to the marsyangdi riverside through the pine forests and cultivated fields appear on both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy mountain, we can see the village of Braga with its splendid monastery. Large shortens and many walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us – Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna and Tilicho Peak. Overnight in Tent.
We continue our adventure for Tilicho Lake, from Manang one heads out through the western gates and then follows the path down to the river. After crossing the Khangsar Khola on the bridge below Khangsar and ascend the slope to the village, a village still in the old Tibetan style and which is also known as last village of Nepal. Overnight in Tent.
Continue from Khangsar on a large path. Pass a Gompa (monastery). The route ahead goes on a recently constructed path up towards a high ridge. At one point is an intersection. One path maintains the altitude, traversing the slopes towards a place where the valley is narrow; the other continues to ascend towards the line of the ridge. The former is the old path, and is much more difficult as it goes on really steep screed; the latter is the new path that goes a completely different way. Continue along the new path, reach a high crest, and descend on switch backs carved out through the screed slopes to a side valley of the main valley. At its bottom is a brook. On the other side of it is a building known as Tilicho Base Camp at elevation of 4200 meters. Overnight in Tent.
Today our journey start from Base camp to the Tilicho Lake takes another 3-4 hours. Tilicho Lake is a cold barren place in the afternoon and known as highest lake of the world. We will camp on the west side of the lake. Overnight in Tent
Tilicho Lake to Traverse Meso Khanto Pass (5099m) and descend to Yak Kharkha. The trails are very dengerous while snowing.The trails leads to Yak Kharka is covered by small stones.
Desend to Jomsom from yak kharka with magnificient views of Nilgiri, Dhaulagiri and Mustang Himal. Overnight in Hotel.
You will return back to Kathmandu by tourist bus, car of the flight.
We will transfer you to Airport for your departure flight. If you want to extend your trip for some sightseeing or to next destinations we will design your program accordingly.
