Nar Phu Valley Trek

Peeking through the window of the airplane is one of the best ways to relish the beauty of Nepal. As you arrive at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, one of our airport representatives will greet you and escort you to your hotel.

If you have time then, you may go to see Kathmandu Durbar Square, which is not too far from the Thamel area. You may purchase trekking gear in the market of Thamel (if applicable).

Kathmandu is lavished with arts and architecture. With 7 architectural marvels listed in UNESCO World Heritage Sites within the valley, this city is simply amazing to wander around. On this day, you will go to visit some of the sites that are incredible in their way: Pashupatinath Temple (Golden Statue), Swayambhunath Temple (the vantage point of Kathmandu valley), Boudhanath Stupa (massive mandala), and Patan Durbar Square (ancient royal palace of Malla Kings). These structures are admired by thousands of spectators. Now, it is your turn.

Drive from Kathmandu to Syange follows a scenic route via Besisahar, which is the starting point for most of the trekking in Annapurna. Probably, this is where the road starts to get dusty and bumpy. As you drive ahead from Besisahar along the gushing river of Marshyangdi underneath the road, your body sways along the windy trail and sometimes up and down: occasionally hitting your head up on the roof of the vehicle. But the good news is that the scene of lush green hills looks so enticing that the pain in the vehicle fades away. Or even if it doesn’t, stick to one slogan “No pain, no gain.”

Syange to Dharapani is considered to be the most beautiful walk in the Annapurnas. The trail tracks your way sometimes up and sometimes down along the fair rugged trail parallel to the lush scenery around. As you leave Syange, you will cross a bridge. There is a place where the wider lanes for jeeps and walking paths merge.

After a steep climb from Syange, you come to Jagat, which is one of the stations for trekkers trekking in Annapurna Circuit. But you will keep moving until you reach Dharapani via a beautiful village named Tal (literally translates to Lake).

Today, you make a head start towards the beautiful village of Bagarchhap embracing the pine and fir forests throughout the trail. Soon you will see the lush valleys turning colorful and vibrant if you are travelling in the monsoon. From somewhere in the middle of the trek, you will have a glimpse of Mt. Manaslu and subsequently, after walking a while, Mt. Annapurna-II stands shining with the sunlight. Continuing with a few ascends and descends along the Danaque and Timing, the trail pokes a few waterfalls amidst green cliffs that are beautiful to stumble across. Soon after, you will come to the beautiful village of Koto where you spend your night.

You will hit the road as soon as the sun lights up above the high mountains or perhaps before that as there is a long way to go today. Crossing the river along the trail, you will enter the majestic valley of Nar & Phu. Here is when the real adventure begins.

Contrary to the sophistication of Annapurnas, this region is not quite developed because of its less exposure to the modern world. But that makes this valley unique to others. You will pass through beautiful forests, cave shelters, and waterfalls emerging from a Grand Canyon while on the way to Meta. As you gain the altitude the air gets thinner and the forests get sparse, but the scene grows more vivid and lively. After a long walk of about 8 hours, you come to Meta for the stay.

Once you leave Meta, the colorful Chortens begin to appear in sight inkling the beauty that Phu has to offer at the end of the day. Crossing a suspension bridge hanging over a stream, you would see no houses, but remnants of the ones left by Khampas (Tibetan refugees who illegally settled in this region). Blue sheep dazzle your eyes time and again along the rocky trail to Phu.

As you step into the sphere of Phu world (the lost valley for centuries), a new beauty charges the milieu. A line of chortens coloring the landscape and beautiful Tashi Lhakhang Gompa (one of the biggest monasteries in the world) comes into view. This monastery was built by Karmapa Rinpoche who came to Nepal with Dalai Lama in the late 1950s.

Because of the high altitude, it is better to acclimatize in the valley of Phu. Also, you will have a chance to explore the lives of villagers in greater complexity and depth: what they eat for meals and how they prepare ingredients.

To paint a picture in mind, Phu is a small rural settlement, where the total population of the village is less than 500. They highly depend on yak husbandry. Narrow alleys take you to different regions of the Phu Valley. For extra exertion, you may hike up to the Himlung Himal.

Today’s trail wants you to retrace your steps back up to the Nar Phedi monastery and diverge your way towards the village of Nar. Some trekkers also stop over at Nar Phedi in the monastery, which is the only place to stay overnight there. But you forward our steps towards another hidden world (Nar).

Following the windy trail, you come across several colorful chortens along the rugged paveway. Soon after a while, you will get yourself lost in the beauty of Nar, which in itself was lost for many years. You will stay overnight in one of the lodges in the Nar.

Nar is certainly the best place to explore around. Unlike what you saw in Phu, Nar valley is quite lively and full of people. People are dressed like perfect Himalayas. Women are found weaving clothes and blankets. Every kid is happy to share a smile and Namaste at least without expectation of any financial reward. Recently, new tea houses are being built. This village is perfect for experiencing the ancient lifestyle.

It is going to be a long walk today so, hitting the trail earlier than the sun wakes up would be the best option. A long walk certainly doesn’t infer difficulty as crossing the Kang La pass is easy. But the altitude may be a problem. The more you sour up to the top, the air gets thinner and thinner and every step feels like a running in Marathon. As you beat the highest point of this trek (5320 m), Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak come into view. Everything looks incredible from the top. To be typical, it is heavenly there.

Then, you descend towards Ngawal. The more you fall, the more you feel good to go. As you reach Ngawal, the environment feels completely different. Adorned with modern amenities such as wifi, and extended menus in the hotels, this place feels like time traveling from the ancient world to modern earth.

As you descend to Chame, the trail grows broader and broader, and the forest area starts fattening up. At the first few stops, you will be able to witness the gorgeous Annapurna and Chortens standing stiff and colorful on the way. At times, gorges appear with a beautiful stream flowing amidst the rocky cliffs. But that slowly disappears when you come close to Chame. Crossing Ghyaru, Pisang, and Bhratang, you will arrive at your destination, where you stay for the night.

As you come to Chame, the trail becomes quite better. You go through a few settlements to mark your destination to Tal.

From Tal, you will hit the road to Besisahar via Jagat. If you wish, you can take a drive because this is the same route you went through to embark on a journey to the Nar Phu Valley.

Besisahar to Kathmandu is the same route you followed on the third day. It shows the end of the trek and again coming to the bustling capital.

After a long trek, it is time to get back home and share your memories in blogs and with friends and families. Say goodbye to all the amazing people, culture, and mountains until you revisit Nepal.