24 days Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Trek

24 days Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Trek

The Nar and Phu valleys are newly opened spectacular regions of ethnically-Tibetan inhabitants. This is a trek that combines remote villages, narrow canyons, lovely forests, amazing rock formations, yaks, gompas and unique Himalayan cultures. Trekking the standard Annapurna circuit, the bridge leading over the Marshyangdi River to the steep portals of the Nar Phu valley system is easily missed, but although the entrance is narrow and forested, the valley system above opens up to a huge expanse of high snow-peaks, ancient villages and high altitude grazing settlements.

Closed to trekkers until late 2002, very few westerners have explored these virtually untouched villages or climbed the many 7000m peaks surrounding it. We will venture into this remote region of upper Manang, staying at the winter settlement of Nar, and visit one of the most unvisited and most interesting regions in the Tibetan Buddhist world.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu and transfer to Hotel.

Pass By: Thamel, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
On arrival at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport you will be received by our staff and will escort you to the Hotel, where one of our staff will give you a brief orientation of the Hotel, Kathmandu, Trekking, do's and don't and other related information that you might require while in Nepal. 


No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel

Day 2: In Kathmandu. 


Stop At: Pashupatinath Temple, Pashupati Nath Road, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
After your first night in Kathmandu, you will be well informed on arrival about the time for your half day guided sightseeing tour in Kathmandu at places of interest. Sometime, depending upon your flight arrival if it's late in the night we will do this tour in the afternoon instead of morning to give you a good rest before you go on our interesting tour.

Pashupatinath (World Heritage Site):
Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most significant Hindu temples of Lord Shiva in the world, located on the banks of the Bagmati River. Though you are not allowed to go inside the temple as it is strictly for Hindus only, you can clearly see the temple and the activities from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River. It is a square two-tiered pagoda temple built on a single-tier plinth which is famous all over the world.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Boudhanath Stupa, Boudh, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
Boudhanath is one of the holiest Buddhist sites in Kathmandu. It was built in the 5th century. The stupa has four pairs of eyes of Lord Buddha in four cardinal directions keeping an eternal watch over the people and their doings. You will find Buddhist pilgrims circumambulating the stupa spinning the prayer wheels.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th- century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar Square is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also three museums inside the palace building.

The rest of your time today in Kathmandu is free for further exploration and some last-minute shopping in Thamel.


Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel

Day 3: Drive to Beshishar 823m 5-6 hrs journeys.

Stop At: Besisahar, Lamjung, Besisahar 33600, Nepal
Early morning travel by a Bus or car towards the scenic Pokhara highway. This is an interesting drive through the foothills of the Himalaya. The road has been greatly improved in recent years. Just two hours before the road that leads to Pokhara, our route diverts from Dumre towards north to Beshishar. On arriving Beshishar overnight stop at Beshishar, a large town and it's the district headquarter of Lamjung area.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 4: Trek to Ngadi. 1,150m. 5 hrs walks.

Stop At: Besisahar, Lamjung, Besisahar 33600, Nepal
The first day of this trek begins with an easy walk following the wide dirt motor able road for an hour or two, the walk continues through the busy bazaar of Beshishar and crossing few streams with short up's and downs to Khudi. From Khudi, the walk leads to a short climb above the village and the trails follows upstream and arriving at Bhulbule 790 m. Just before Bulbule cross the suspension bridge over River Marsyangdi. From Bulbule the walk is gradual on the river bed with a great view of the cascading waterfall just on the outskirt of village. The track follows the river, after half an hour of easy walk a gradual climb of half an hour leads you to the overnight camp at Ngadi.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 5: Trek to Jagat. 1,290m. 6 hrs walks.

Stop At: Besisahar, Lamjung, Besisahar 33600, Nepal
After the first day easy walk, trek begins with an easy winding path from Ngadi for an hour crossing this same river via a suspension bridge. The trail follows to a steep climb for half an hour, on arriving the lush farm terraces field the walk again gets gradual for a short while, as the going gets better another half hour climb brings you at the top of Bhaundanda. After a short break here, the trek descends passing through the farm terraces then reaching back to a gradual winding path for an hour and a half before Syange village, a short downhill walk brings you close to the river with great view of the water falls on the other side of the Marsyangdi River.

With a short break here, trek continues on the gradual path for a short while, then climbing up above away from the river, the steep climb lasts for an hour. Once on the top of the ridge, magnificent view of the raging waterfalls can be seen on route to Jagat near the nearby cliff wall. From here another hour of pleasant walk brings you to our overnight camp at Jagat.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 6: Trek to Dharapani 1,860m. Approx. 6hrs. 


Stop At: Dharapani Temple, 1 Dharna Dang, Ghorahi Nepal
From this village Jagat, a gradual walk leads through the terraced farms to Chamje village, from Chamje a short walk brings to a suspension bridge over the raging Marsyangdi river, after the crossing the bridge it's another steep climb for another 2-3 hours till Tal is reached, the village is situated on the gorge-valley by the side of the river Marsyangdi. On leaving Taal the walk gets easier on the gentle path till to a wooden bridge, after the bridge a short climb to a small place with few teahouses, from this spot the walk winds on the up and downhill path coming to a large bridge, after the bridge another hour of great walk brings us to the village of Dharapani.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 7: Trek to Koto 2,600m 4-5 hrs.

Stop At: Dharapani Temple, 1 Dharna Dang, Ghorahi Nepal
From Dharapani onwards the vegetation, and the landscapes changes the air also gets cooler, the trail climbs through the forests to Bagarchhap, a typical Tibetan architecture houses. After a pleasant cool morning walk to Bagarchhap, the altitude slowly gains as the route gets closer to the apple country at Dhanaqi and to the alpine region passing through farm, orchards and beautiful pine forest with views of towering peaks of Lamjung and Annapurna II, the trail follows the river Marsyangdi upstream passing by the villages of Ratamanang or Temang and to Koto before Chame.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 8: Trek to Meta 3,560 m Approx. 6 hrs.

Stop At: Dharapani Temple, 1 Dharna Dang, Ghorahi Nepal
Today the walk leads towards north on the most isolated route away from the main trail of Annapurna circuit, the walk leads to a gorge in between the Pisang Peak and Kangguru Himal the trail leading to an upstream of Nar-Phu khola or stream passing through number of small scattered farm huts and sheds till Meta or Methang is reached for the overnight stop.


Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 9: Trek to Kyang 4,100m 6 hrs.

Stop At: नार्पा भूमि गाउँपालिका, गाँउ कार्यपालिकाको कार्यालय (Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality), Nar 33500, Nepal
On this most remote path the journey continues further north towards Phu region the trail leads to perfect wilderness, chances of seeing the elusive Blue sheep and Snow Leopard around this area the walk passes number of Shepard shelter following the Phu khola (stream) upstream till Kyang is reached for the overnight stop after a hard good walks of over six hours.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouseAccommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 10: Trek to Phu 4,580m 5 hrs.

Stop At: नार्पा भूमि गाउँपालिका, गाँउ कार्यपालिकाको कार्यालय (Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality), Nar 33500, Nepal
Today's walk continues on to our destination to Phu following the Phu khola upstream, the path leads to an open area where the valley opens after a few hours of good scenic walks on the summer grazing and pasture lands till Phu is reached for the overnight stop.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 11: Exploration day in Phu visit Samdu Choling and Tashi Monastery.

Stop At: नार्पा भूमि गाउँपालिका, गाँउ कार्यपालिकाको कार्यालय (Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality), Nar 33500, Nepal
At Phu for leisure rest day, here one can go for short hike around this amazing little Shangri-la to visit the Tashilkhang and Samdu choling Monastery and Kyauchyu water fall.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 12: Trek from Phu to Lower Cheyako,3450m 5 hrs.

Stop At: नार्पा भूमि गाउँपालिका, गाँउ कार्यपालिकाको कार्यालय (Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality), Nar 33500, Nepal
Retrace the journey to lower Cheyako passing through Kyang and upper Chyyako following the Phu khola downstream.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 13: Trek to Naar 4,110m 5-6 hrs.

Stop At: Valle del Naar, Nepal
The walk follows the same path for couple hours and then reaching at Mahendra pul (bridge) near Naar Phedi, from here another two hours of good walk leads to the famed enclosed village of Naar passing though the small villages of Yughat and numerous mani and chorten Buddhist shrines.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 14: Trek to Kangla Phedi 4,530m 3-4 hrs.

Stop At: Valle del Naar, Nepal
After a wonderful time here at Naar, walk leads towards west passing a small hydro project, on the remote valley then reaching at the bottom of Kang-la for the overnight stop.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 15: Trek to Kangla Pass 5, 306m and to Ngawal 3,660m. 6-7 hrs.

Stop At: Valle del Naar, Nepal
From here the walk continues on the slow uphill wading number of small streams and then heading to a steep notch after an hour of strenuous climb, view of glacial lake nearby with the big rock wall on the western side then following the steep moraine path to the bottom at 4,520m, from here the walk gets better on the open grass land all the way to the village of Nawal or Ngawal for the overnight stop after a hard days walks.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 16: Trek to Manang. 3,350m.Approx. 4-5 hrs.

Stop At: Thorangla Pass, Manang Nepal
From here onwards the walks offers constant views of the high snow capped peaks, walk climbs steeply up for half an hour, after a short gradual walk reaching the top of the ridge offering great view of the Manang valley, a wide U shaped valley hanging between the two line of snow peaks. This grand spot with dramatic views of the valleys, Hongdre village with it's short air-strip and the great peaks of Gangapurna, Annapurna II, III, Tilocho, and on the right Chuli east, on the back Pisang peak. 

The walk leads downhill on the gradual path all the way to Hongdre, from Hongdre the trek is more or less moderate on the wide path most of the way to Manang, adding a slight touch of altitude as you near the village of Braga and Manang, here with time to visit Braga Monastery. The largest in the district, it has an outstanding display of statues, thangka and the religious manuscripts. From here it is only an hour walk to Manang for the overnight stop.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 17: Rest day at Manang.

Stop At: Thorangla Pass, Manang Nepal
A rest day here to explore Manang, this village of about 500 flat-roofed houses, is the picturesque set amongst some spctacular scenery -Annapurna II, Annapurna III [7,555 mtrs.], Gangapurna [7,454 mtrs.] to the South - Tilicho [7,132 mtrs.] and the Grand Barrier to the West - Chulu West [6,583 mtrs.] and Chulu East [6,059 mtrs.] to the North.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 18: Manang to Yak Kharka. 4,130m. 3-4 hrs trek.

Stop At: Thorangla Pass, Manang Nepal
After a wonderful time at Manang, the trail from here leads to a slow climb up for an hour, after the last village of Manang, the track gently winds up offering inspiring views of the Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho and the close up view of Chuli mid and west as the trail heads up in the barren windswept terrain's with juniper bushes as the only surviving vegetation around this region, coming to a small settlements of Yak-Kharka for the overnight camp at large field, with ample for short hike around.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 19: Trek to Thorung Phedi. 4,400m. 6hrs walks.

Stop At: Thorong La Pass, Manang - 02, Thorong la, Manang 33500 Nepal
From here the trail leads to a slow climb for an hour, and it gently winds up offering inspiring views of the Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho and the close up view of Chuli mid and west as the trail heads up in the barren windswept terrain's with juniper bushes as the only surviving vegetation around this region, coming to end of the path at Thorang phedi a small place for the overnight stop, depending upon the fitness of the clients we might continue to the next stop at high camp which takes about an hour of steep haul to make it easier for the next morning walk to Thorung-la.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 20: Trek to Muktinath 3,800m via Thorang-la 5,416m. 6-8 hrs.

Stop At: Muktinath Temple, Mustang, Muktinath 33100 Nepal
Today, the big day going over the highest point of this trek over Thorang-la, starting early in the morning before the break of dawn after breakfast, so that we can reach the top of the pass before the cold wind starts and to catch the best of the magnificent views of the northern Annapurna, Damudhar, Bhirkuti and Dhaulagiri range of mountains. The trail from Phedi follows on the winding scree, gravel path the walk in the beginning can be quite strenuous on the steep zig-zag path for an hour, on reaching the first ridge with time to catch your breathe, walk continues on the narrow gradual track for half hour or more till we reach a small glacial pond with one temporary teahouse shade nearby. From here another hour and half leads to the top of the pass on the winding uphill trail. Though the crossing of the Pass is not technically difficult, but one needs to take it slowly in account the complications of altitude and possible snow.

After four hours of struggle from the bottom, reaching up at Thorang-la 5,416 meter from here one can get an impressive view of the stunning high Himalayan scenery, Annapurna range to the South, Muktinath and Mustang Himal to the West, and the incredible deep Kali Gandaki valley, and the surrounding peaks of Thorung tse 6,482 mtrs. Chulu to the North. The descent is steep and rough, but one can have excellent views of the Dhaulagiri 8,167 m. From here the path leads to a long descend towards the village of Muktinath, on reaching the bottom of the pass with only a teahouse around, after a short break here continue on the gradual trail for another hour to Muktinath the holiest of all holy places, during auspicious time according to Hindu & Buddhist Luna-calendar this place is full and busy with pilgrims from Nepal and India. Overnight stop at Muktinath overlooking excellent views of Dhaulagiri I, Tukuche Peak and Nilgiri's.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 21: Trek to Jomsom 2,730m. 4-5 hrs walks.

Stop At: Dhumba Lake, Beni Jomsom Sadak, 33100 Nepal
After the strenuous day and hard on knees from the previous day walk to Muktinath, today's journey carries on with a 1,200m of descent to the Kaligandaki river valley floor, with a brief stop at Ekale bhatti meaning a lonely teahouse, at present its a small settlement with 3-4 teahouses. From here onwards the valley gets very windy in the afternoon time, the walk follows the gentle trail for another two hours till the large town of Jomsom is reached. Jomsom, headquarter of the Mustang region with an airstrip just above the Kaligandaki River.

Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at guesthouse

Day 22: From Jomsom fly to Kathmandu via Pokhara.

Stop At: Thamel, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
Morning or afternoon flight to Kathmandu, depending on the flight schedule,
this scenic flight from Jomsom takes less than half hour to Pokhara after Pokhara another 30 minutes scenic flight to Kathmandu, a panoramic view of the snow capped peaks can be seen from the plane. On arrival at Kathmandu domestic terminal, our staff will receive and escort you back to the Hotel.

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel

Day 23: Free day at leisure in Kathmandu.

Stop At: Thamel, Kathmandu 44600 Nepal
A free day in Kathmandu and please inform our staff if you would like to go on another short tour in and around Kathmandu Valley. A FREE yoga or singing bowl treatment session will be given to you by our professional guru in the day time.

And, at the end of this day, we host a farewell dinner at a Nepali restaurant with cultural performances.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at boutique hotel

Day 24: Transfer to Airport for the International departure.

Pass By: Airport Parking, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal
Today as per your international flight time, keep your confirmed air ticket and your passport handy our staff will take you to the airport for your final departure from this amazing country, Nepal.


Meals included:
• Breakfast
No accommodation included on this day.