Nar Phu Valley with Annapurna Circuit Trek
Trip Duration
20 Days
Activities
Approximately 4-6 hrs walking
Grade
Challenging
Best Season
Spring and Autumn
Accomodation
Hotel/Lodge/ Tea House
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Start-End Point
Kathmandu- Kathmandu
Transportation
Private Vehicle and Domestic flights
Nar Phu Valley with Annapurna Circuit Trek Overview
One of the exclusive and uncommon treks in the Nar Phu Valley’s restricted region is the Nar Phu Valley Trek. It is located on Manang’s most isolated side. Trekkers can witness magnificent valleys, unspoiled Himalayan landscapes, and ancient Buddhist customs in Nar Phu village—a true hidden treasure.
You will be able to see and experience the Tibetan refugee’s way of life in the diverse but nearby villages of Nar and Phu. High mountains, glaciers, gorges, canyons, forests, rock formations, and mostly Tibetan civilizations are all included in the Annapurna Circuit with Nar Phu Valley Trek.
The trek here is also known as the “first-hand experience into the little Tibet” because it offers visitors a closer view of the high alpine passes, glaciers, dense alpine forest, rugged terrain formations, yak pastureland, and historically significant ancient gompas that symbolize the Tibetan influence in the valley.
Apart from these communities, you can indulge in breathtaking views of high passes called Kang La (5,200m) and Thorong la (5,416m), snow-capped mountains, yaks, steep gorges, tight canyons, lovely forests, and breathtaking glaciers.
Trek Highlights
- Discover the customs and civilizations of the Buddhist, Tibetan, and Mongolian people.
- Explore the remotest and least-traveled regions of Annapurna in Nepal.
- Eternal civilization and incredibly beautiful fauna and avian species.
- Discover massive mountain ranges such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, and Manaslu.
- Rejuvenate in the hot springs in Tatopani.
- Explore the world's deepest gorge, Kali Gandaki Gorge.
- Trek through the area of the Tibetan plateau where Nepal is touched.
- See sites of historical pilgrimage including Tashi Lhakhang Gompa and Muktinath Temple.
- Unknown valleys with deep river gorges, rugged terrain, alpine forests, and a diverse range of plants and animals.
Brief Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu (1,400m)
Day 2: Kathmandu City Tour and Trek Preparation
Day 3: Drive from Kathmandu to Jagat (1,300m)
Day 4: Trek from Jagat to Dharapani (1,960m)
Day 5: Trek from Dharapani to Koto (2,610m)
Day 6: Trek from Koto to Meta (3,560m)
Day 7: Trek from Meta to Phu Gaon (4,080m)
Day 8: Acclimatization Day in Phu Gaon
Day 9: Trek from Phu Gaon to Nar Village (4,110m)
Day 10: Acclimatization and Exploration Day in Nar Village
Day 11: Trek from Nar to Ngawal (3,660m) via Kang La Pass (5,320m)
Day 12: Trek from Ngawal to Manang (3,540m)
Day 13: Acclimatization and Exploration in Manang
Day 14: Trek from Manang to Yak Kharka (4,020m)
Day 15: Trek from Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,450m)
Day 16: Cross Thorong La Pass (5,416m) and Trek to Muktinath (3,800m)
Day 17: Drive from Muktinath to Jomsom and Fly to Pokhara (2,700m)
Day 18: Pokhara City Tour
Day 19: Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu
Day 20: Departure from Kathmandu
Detailed Itinerary
Expand AllAfter collecting your visa on arrival from the immigration you’ll be escorted to your respective accommodation by a representative from your booked stay. Once you reach your stay, you may freshen up and enjoy warm authentic Nepalese cuisine.
After enjoying your meal you can stroll around the streets of Thamel. You can enjoy the vibrant nightlife of the pubs and clubs of Thamel after exchanging your currency for local currency from banks or private exchange centers.
Max Altitude:
1,400m
Followed by a warm comforting breakfast along with a special cup of Nepali tea, you can book a cab using ride-sharing apps like Pathao/Indrive to encounter the architecture, art, and culture of the Nepali society residing in Kathmandu Valley.
Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be found in the Kathmandu Valley, which is known for its strategic location as the meeting place of multiple ancient Asian civilizations. As a result, the valley is now home to several shrines, temples, and other locations significant to the Buddhist and Hindu faiths.
This is also a great time to pick up any left-out clothing or equipment. You can also socialize with your fellow trekking mates enjoying the vibes of the city.
The drive from Kathmandu in the early morning passes through lush, green scenery along the route, including rolling hills, mountains, and a river. As the drive continues, you’ll see stunning views of mountains, including the peaks of Ganesh and Manaslu, terraced farms, and traditional villages.
You will leave the main route and proceed north to Besisahar instead of continuing to Pokhara. You will drive through rice fields after Besisahar until you arrive at Jagat which is a village built in the Tibetan style.
Max Altitude:
1,300m
Duration:
7-8 hours
You’ll head towards Chame early in the morning after breakfast by following a track that gradually climbs uphill. After that, you’ll cross a suspension bridge and descend a steep, rocky road to Tal Village. After traversing the rocky and windy path through cliffs and waterfalls, you will eventually arrive at Dharapani.
You’ll be staying at a teahouse/lodge in Dharapani for the night.
Max Altitude:
1,960m
Duration:
6-7 hours
Followed by a warm hearty breakfast at Dharapani, you’ll start trekking towards a Buddhist village named Bagarchap where you’ll witness the first glimpse of Annapurna II followed by Mt Manaslu.
After continuing your trek for some hours through pine forests, you’ll finally reach your destination for the day, Koto. You’ll be staying at a teahouse at Koto for the night.
Max Altitude:
2,610m
Duration:
5-6 hours
This particular day consists of a long day of walking ahead of you so you’ll start the trek early in the morning. The trail around Nar Phu travels through the restricted valley region, surrounded by thick pine trees, cave shelters, resting sites for pilgrims, sporadic waterfalls, and strenuous, steep ascents along the Seeti Khola.
After trekking for about 7-8 hours, you’ll start getting a proper view of Annapurna II and Manaslu which is when you will finally approach your final destination for the day, Meta Village.
Max Altitude:
3,560m
Duration:
7-8 hours
Magnificent monasteries and vibrant Tibetan chortens waving prayer flags greet you as you continue your trek. To get to Chyakhu, cross a suspension bridge after passing through the beautiful settlements of Naar Phedi and Jhunum.On reaching Kyang, you will be rewarded with breathtaking views of Pisang Peak and Annapurna II.
The path follows the Phu Khola, where you may get a rare glimpse of the rare blue sheep species. The wooden Phu gate welcomes you to the Phu settlement. You’ll be accommodated in a tea house on reaching Phu Village.
Max Altitude:
4,080m
Duration:
7-8 hours
This day is set aside for acclimatization. It is done for you to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, and environment. The spiritual practices, environmental richness, and unspoiled cultural surroundings of the Phu Valley are open for your exploration.
You may encounter members of many ethnic groups, such as the Ghale, Gurung, and Lama while touring the valley and discovering more about their way of life and beliefs. You must visit Tashi Lhakhang Monastery when you travel into the valley. Additionally, you can trek to the Himlung Base Camp to take in the breathtaking views.
You will return to the Phu gate after enjoying your breakfast and then will start descending to the Phu Khola. You will cross numerous streams on suspension bridges before descending to Mahendra Pul. At Nar Phedi, where this trail splits, you may see Gyalbu Kumbu, Satte Gompa, and Nar Phedi Monastery.
The trail ascends from Mahendra Pul, where we can see Buddhist stupas before arriving at Nar Valley.
Max Altitude:
4,110m
Duration:
6-7 hours
This is the second acclimatization day set aside for your body to adapt to the environmental changes. You must have an active rest day to get familiar with the altitude. There are many monasteries to explore in Nar, and you may also take in the scenery of Pisang Peak. There are numerous monasteries and chortens in Nar village.
You can observe people printing flags, spinning wool, praying in monasteries, seeing monks spin prayer wheels, and much more.
This day’s trek is one of the longest ones, to reach the Kang La Pass, you will start your journey before dawn and ascend through the Temdenzon Khola lateral moraine, passing through yak pastures while taking in breathtaking views of the west edge of Pisang Peak.
A breathtaking panorama of Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna, and Annapurna II can be observed from the pass. After trekking for a few more hours you’ll reach Ngawal where you’ll be accommodating for the night.
Max Altitude:
5,320m
Duration:
7-8 hours
After fueling your body you’ll be travelling down the Marsyangdi River to Manang. As you continue, you will observe the Annapurna and Tilicho Peak ranges while passing through several villages and forests, including Braga and Paugh.
Along the route, you can witness stupas, a lama school, and stunning scenery. You will arrive in Manang after trekking for about 4-5 hours.
After trekking for 12 days, this day is considered as the third acclimatization for you to get comfortable with the altitude difference. To have an active rest day you can hike up to Gangapurna Lake from where you can further hike to the Chongkor viewpoint to enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding mountains.
After recharging your body with an active rest day, you will start to head northwest to Jar Sang Khola Valley after crossing a river to get to Tenki village. After ascending for further some time you’ll reach Gunsan where you can encounter Yaks and horses grazing in the neighboring pastures.
After crossing a small wooden bridge you’ll reach Yak Kharka where you can witness the spectacular beauty of the valley.
Max Altitude:
4,020m
Duration:
3-4 hours
On this day, you’ll trek towards Thorong Phedi starting with crossing Marsyangdi river using a wooden bridge. You will continue to trek towards your final destination on the mountain path, followed by a narrow trail. After the final descent for the day, you’ll be resting in a lodge for the day.
Max Altitude:
4,450m
Duration:
3-4 hours
This particular day is considered the hardest day of the trek as you’ll be reaching the highest altitude while crossing the Thorong La Pass at a height of 5,416 from sea level which is decorated with Buddhist prayer flags.
If there is a lot of snow on the pass, crossing it can be extremely difficult. You will be rewarded with breathtaking views from the top of the mountain after four hours of ascending to the peak passing by the prayer flags and chortens. A pleasant sight at the end of this exhausting day is the Hindu pilgrimage town of Muktinath.
Both Buddhists and Hindus consider the temple of Muktinath to be a sacred site. Each year, the sacred deity receives thousands of devotees who come to offer prayers. Additionally, it is said that taking a bath in Muktinath’s famous 108 showers cleanses your spirit and forgives you for previous sins.
Max Altitude:
5,416m
Duration:
7-8 hours
On this day, you’ll enjoy your jeep ride early in the morning starting with a smooth-pitched road with an excellent view of the surroundings followed by an off-road track that will take you to the small settlement of Kagbeni. The descent from Muktinath to Jomsom is filled with scenic views of the settlement alongside the flowing streams.
You may also encounter sheep and yaks grazing on the barren land on your way back. After you arrive in Jomsom, you’ll board a 40-minute flight to Pokhara from Jomsom. During this thrilling flight, you will be able to capture magnificent views of snow-capped peaks.
Pokhara is a stunning city with pleasant weather that draws tourists from both domestic and international locations who appreciate the city’s outdoor culture and activities. You may choose to spend a relaxing day at the lakeside resort enjoying the magnificent views of the mountain alongside the lake.
The list of activities you can do while visiting Pokhara are:
- Enjoy boating in Phewa Lake
- Bunjee Jumping
- Enjoying the sunrise from Sarangkot
- Visiting Devi’s Fall
- Visiting the bat cave
- Visiting World Peace Stupa
- Going for ATV rides
- Seti River Rafting
After enjoying your breakfast with the view of mountains beside the lake, you can take a comfortable ride back to Kathmandu in a Tourist bus. You get to view the terraced fields, tumbling rivers, and lush rural beauty as you pass through many little towns. The six- or seven-hour bus trip will give you an amazing chance to take in the breathtaking Nepalese scenery.
During the final day of your departure back to your country, the hotel staff will traditionally bid you goodbye presenting you with a “khadha” and a bouquet. The staff for the hotel will escort you to the airport and bid you a farewell wishing for your safe travel.
Best Time of the Trek
This journey is best done in the spring (March to early June) and fall (September to late November), as is the case with most trekking regions. The mountain scenery will be breathtaking, and the skies will be clear.
Spring Season (March-June)
The Nar Phu valley is filled with butterflies in the spring (March to May) when the rhododendron, the country’s national flower, blooms with the newly blooming wildflowers. Even though it’s usually warm, higher elevations might have cold mornings and evenings.
The sky is largely clear and there isn’t any rain at the moment. At this time of year, the amount of greenery is very overwhelming.
Monsoon Season(July- Mid September)
Traveling during this time of year is not advised because it rains at lower elevations. The roadways also get destroyed during this time leading to unexpected delays and mishappeings.
Autumn Season (End of September-November)
Autumn is another busy season in this area, much like spring. However, it’s among the greatest times to go trekking. It doesn’t have the same beauty as flowers, but you can see the beautiful blue sky, which makes for amazing views from almost every direction.
Winter Season(December-February)
It is nearly impossible to cross the Kang La High Pass without the proper clothes and equipment during the winter months when the valley has significant snowfall and below-freezing temperatures. So it is not recommended to go for trekking during this season.
Trek Difficulty
The Nar Phu Valley walk is regarded as a challenging trek to complete since it requires several lengthy days of hiking through a steep ascent, including the crossing of the high mountain pass, Kang La, with limited options for food and lodging.
Emergency services and medical facilities are scarce, which could be problematic if someone gets sick or is seriously injured.
Nar Phu Valley with Annapurna Circuit Trek FAQS
Expand AllDue to the unique nature of the Nar Phu hiking Valley and its closeness to the Tibetan border, visiting the area requires two significant hiking permits. They are:
Permits | Cost per person |
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit | NRP 3000 |
Restricted Area Permit | September to November USD100 per week December to August USD 75 per week |
Throughout the walk, there are restrooms at the teahouses and lodges. Along the trail, there are private spots that hikers can use in case of emergency.
Water in bottles is inexpensive and widely accessible, but most trekking areas forbid carrying plastic bottles. Hence, you must always carry your water bottle, filled with either mineral water or boiled or filtered water.
It is recommended to carry water purification tablets or drops from your home country to Nepal. You can also find filtration products to remain on the safe side to purify your water.
You can either keep them at the Kathmandu Hotel or Pokhara. You can reset assured. We will take full responsibility for your luggage and they are kept in a very secure place.
Yes, you may get a Nepal visa at the airport when you get there. For a 15-day tourist visa with multiple entries, the price is USD 30; for a 30-day or 90-day tourist visa with multiple entries, the price is USD 50 and USD 125, respectively.
Traveler Reviews
Explore authentic feedback from our past adventurers with Best Treks and Adventure, sourced from TripAdvisor, Google, Facebook, and Trustpilot.

Robin Lee (Spain)
Great Experience with Best Trek to Mardi Himal Trek
It was great experience with Best Trek and Adventure company to Mardi Himal Trek. This trek is short and perfect trek to beginner to real hikers. This company is one of the renounce tour company based in Kathmandu. Their team is an excellent, well managed from every corner. We (me and my wife) were fully satisfied through their services. Our guide Pradip and assistant Raju were also excellent and knowledgeable. They help and encourage us to do this trip easily. So we would highly recommend to all for your best experience trip to Nepal with Best Trek and Adventure. No need to spend your time to search others then Best Trek.

Robin Lee (Spain)
Great Experience with Best Trek to Mardi Himal Trek
It was great experience with Best Trek and Adventure company to Mardi Himal Trek. This trek is short and perfect trek to beginner to real hikers. This company is one of the renounce tour company based in Kathmandu. Their team is an excellent, well managed from every corner. We (me and my wife) were fully satisfied through their services. Our guide Pradip and assistant Raju were also excellent and knowledgeable. They help and encourage us to do this trip easily. So we would highly recommend to all for your best experience trip to Nepal with Best Trek and Adventure. No need to spend your time to search others then Best Trek.

Emma Johansson (USA)
I cannot speak highly enough about Best Treks and Adventure and the Annapurna Base Camp trek they organized for me and my friends. From the initial planning to the final farewell, everything was seamless. Our guide, Bishnu, was fantastic—his expertise and sense of humor made the trek so much more enjoyable. The trail itself was stunning, with diverse landscapes and amazing mountain views. The team ensured we were well-fed, safe, and motivated throughout the journey. This was hands down one of the best adventures of my life. I’ll definitely be trekking with them again!

Liam Carter
Australia
I had an unforgettable experience trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Best Treks and Adventure. The team was professional, friendly, and made us feel at ease the entire time. Our guide, Dinesh, was outstanding—he shared fascinating stories about the local culture and ensured we were acclimatized and comfortable every step of the way. The views along the trail were spectacular, and the sense of accomplishment upon reaching Base Camp was overwhelming. This trek wouldn’t have been the same without such an incredible team. Thank you for the memories of a lifetime!

Olivia Martinez (UK)
Trekking to Annapurna Base Camp with Best Treks and Adventure was one of the most magical experiences of my life. The scenery along the way was breathtaking, from lush green forests to towering snow-capped peaks. The team was incredibly organized, ensuring everything went smoothly. Our guide, Rajendra, was amazing—always cheerful, knowledgeable, and attentive to everyone’s needs. The tea houses were cozy, and the meals were hearty, which kept us energized throughout the trek. Reaching ABC felt like a dream come true. I highly recommend Best Treks and Adventure to anyone planning this trek!