Nar Phu Valley Trek

What makes Nar Phu Valley unique?

Nar Phu was closed to foreign travelers until 2002, preserving intact medieval Tibetan cultures and fortified settlements. The twin valleys feature isolated Buddhist nunneries, rare blue sheep herds, and a stark high-desert topography reminiscent of ancient Tibet.

Villagers continue ancestral practices of yak herding, butter tea brewing, and spinning raw wool.

The landscape alternates between sheer granite gorges and expansive trans-Himalayan valleys.

Trekkers escape the modernization of the main Annapurna road and experience genuine frontier wilderness.

How challenging is Kang La Pass?

Kang La Pass at 5,320 m requires an early morning 1,200 m ascent on steep scree followed by a knee-jarring descent to Ngawal. It is strenuous but does not involve technical mountaineering or ropes during the dry autumn trekking season.

Weather at the pass summit can be windy and freezing even on sunny mornings.

In early spring or late autumn, hard-packed snow may require microspikes for secure footing.

The reward is an unmatched panorama of the entire Annapurna massif from the north.

Nar Phu Valley Trek itinerary, day by day

The full 10 day schedule, with sleeping altitude, walking hours and overnight stop for every day. The acclimatisation days are the ones that decide whether people finish.

1. 1

   Day 1

   Besisahar drive to Koto

   • 2,600 m
   • Up 1,840 m
   • 65 km
   • 1 h
   • Sleep: Koto

   Drive upstream through the Marshyangdi river gorge past waterfalls and pine forests to the restricted checkpoint at Koto.

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   The road climbs through cliff-cut rocky ledges into the upper Manang valley.

   Check in at the official immigration police post where restricted area permits are stamped.

   Transport: 5 hour jeep ride along Marshyangdi canyon

   Highlight: Entering the Nar Phu restricted gate

2. 2

   Day 2

   Koto to Meta

   • 3,560 m
   • Up 960 m
   • 14 km
   • 6 to 7 h
   • Sleep: Meta

   Cross the suspension bridge into the narrow Phu Khola gorge through dense pine forest and dramatic rocky defiles.

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   Hike under overhanging cliffs and past hidden caves once used by Khampa freedom fighters.

   Emerge suddenly onto open alpine meadows at Meta with views of Kang Guru.

   Highlight: Dramatic gorge canyon carved by Phu Khola

3. 3

   Day 3

   Meta to Kyang

   • 3,820 m
   • Up 260 m
   • 12 km
   • 5 h
   • Sleep: Kyang

   Follow high barren plateau terraces with ancient chortens and views of Pisang Peak and Annapurna II.

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   Walk past the deserted winter settlements of Chyako and Jhunam.

   Kyang sits beneath sheer grey cliffs and was historically a fortress retreat.

   Highlight: Trans-Himalayan desert landscapes

4. 4

   Day 4

   Kyang to Phu Village

   • 4,080 m
   • Up 260 m
   • 11 km
   • 4 to 5 h
   • Sleep: Phu

   Cross wooden bridges over deep chasms and pass carved stone gates into medieval stone-built Phu village.

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   The entrance to Phu is guarded by ancient erosion spires and ruined watchtowers.

   Phu houses are stacked vertically into the cliffside with flat mud roofs and prayer flag poles.

   Highlight: Centuries-old stone architecture of Phu

5. 5

   Day 5

   Acclimatization in Phu & Tashi Lhakhang

   • 4,250 m
   • Up 170 m
   • 6 km
   • 3 to 4 h
   • Sleep: Phu

   Visit the revered 11th century Tashi Lhakhang Gompa, one of the oldest monasteries in the Himalayas.

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   Receive a traditional blessing from the village Lama at the cliffside monastery.

   Observe local spinning, yak husbandry, and timeless Tibetan customs.

   Highlight: Ancient Tashi Lhakhang Monastery

6. 6

   Day 6

   Phu to Nar Phedi

   • 3,490 m
   • Down 590 m
   • 15 km
   • 6 h
   • Sleep: Nar Phedi Monastery

   Retrace steps down the canyon and descend to the confluence gorge to stay at Nar Phedi Nunnery.

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   Cross the Mahendra bridge spanning an 80 meter deep rocky chasm.

   Stay in the peaceful monastic guest rooms of the Nar Phedi nunnery.

   Highlight: Overnight at Nar Phedi nunnery

7. 7

   Day 7

   Nar Phedi to Nar Village

   • 4,110 m
   • Up 620 m
   • 6 km
   • 3 to 4 h
   • Sleep: Nar

   Ascend a winding series of carved stone switchbacks past colourful chortens to reach Nar village.

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   Nar is larger and more pastoral than Phu, set in a wide bowl of barley and mustard terraces.

   Prepare mountain gear and packed breakfast for the upcoming Kang La crossing.

   Highlight: High mountain terraces of Nar

8. 8

   Day 8

   Nar over Kang La Pass to Ngawal

   • 5,320 m
   • Up 1,210 m
   • 16 km
   • 8 to 9 h
   • Sleep: Ngawal

   Depart at 4 AM to climb to the prayer-flag strewn summit of Kang La Pass at 5,320 m before descending into the main Annapurna valley.

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   The summit delivers jaw-dropping views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.

   A long loose gravel descent brings trekkers down into the charming medieval village of Ngawal.

   Highlight: Summit of Kang La Pass (5,320 m)

9. 9

   Day 9

   Ngawal to Pisang and Chame

   • 2,670 m
   • Down 1,000 m
   • 18 km
   • 6 h
   • Sleep: Chame

   Follow the upper trail above the Marshyangdi river through pine groves and Apple orchards back toward Chame.

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   Walk past Upper Pisang and gaze up at the colossal smooth granite face of Paungda Danda.

   Chame offers hot riverside thermal baths and comfortable modern teahouses.

   Highlight: Smooth curved rock face of Paungda Danda

10. 10

    Day 10

    Chame drive to Besisahar and Kathmandu

    • 1,400 m
    • Down 1,270 m
    • 170 km
    • 1 h
    • Sleep: Kathmandu (Hotel)

    Drive down the Marshyangdi valley out of the mountains to conclude the expedition.

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    Conclude permits and exit the Annapurna conservation checkpoints.

    Arrive back in the capital for warm showers and farewell dinner.

    Transport: Jeep to Besisahar, then vehicle to Kathmandu

    Highlight: Return to Kathmandu

What is included and what is not

Remote trails chiseled out of vertical canyon cliffs, sustained altitude in Phu village, and an early morning pass crossing over Kang La at 5,320 m.

Permits for the Nar Phu Valley Trek

• Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)

  Issued by Department of Immigration Nepal

  Foreign

  NPR 13,500

  SAARC

  NPR 13,500

  Costs USD 100 per week during Sep to Nov, USD 75 per week from Dec to Aug. Minimum two trekkers with licensed guide.

• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

  Issued by National Trust for Nature Conservation

  Foreign

  NPR 3,000

  SAARC

  NPR 1,000

  Required for entering the Annapurna protected zone.

What to pack

Strong endurance and agility for traversing narrow gorge trails, high-altitude passes, and long days between remote mountain villages.

Frequently asked questions