Nar Phu Valley Trek

If you wish to fully glorify in the exquisite charm of Nar and Phu, then spring (March through May) will be a brilliant time. Temperate weather, minimum rain, and brilliant blue skies make this season the best to completely be in the solitude of the magical Himalayas.

This season brings in the 8 degrees Celsius during the day suitable for the brisk walks in between the giant rhododendron trees.

The autumn period (September through early December) is another splendid time for the 12 days Nar Phu Valley trekking adventure accompanied by a delightful heat of 20°C and the nighttime coolness of 5°C.

The contrasting foliage in the forests with a dry atmosphere often creates a beautiful opportunity for meeting with the blue sheep.

Since, the region is blocked by the Himalayan barrier, the monsoon (June through August) is not at home in Nar and Phu. However, considering the journey starting from Kathmandu, we must be mindful of the high rainfall effects of landslides.

On the other hand, during the winter season (late December to February), the area will be enveloped in thick and dense snow making the high Kang La Pass almost impassable.

The highlanders often dwell in lower regions and the basic setting may not give you the needed warmth and comfort. However, the white landscape of the region will be particularly extraordinary.

Stretching approximately 75 to 80 km, our 12 days Nar Phu Valley trekking takes you through the rich landscapes including cool alpine forests, cultivated fields, and rugged cliffs.

Here the Annapurna group parade their immensity to the south while to the north there are a succession of high cliffs that end over 7000 meters on the border with Tibet.

Koto will be the small gorgeous village marking the beginning of our trek sitting 230 km from Kathmandu. From Koto, we will travel precisely 20 kilometers to reach Nar Gaon.

When journeying through this unique landscape, we will live for a night in Nar Gaon which rises to 4100 m making this settlement our highest overnight altitude of the entire Nar Phu Valley trek itinerary. Whereas, the 5320 m high Kang La Pass linking the Nar Gaon to Manang will mark our highest elevations.

For many years, the Nar Phu Valley remained hidden from the eyes of the Nepalese government, thus preserving its status as a Secret Valley. With the arrival of Tibetan refugees and the initiation of the salt trade, it gradually came into the eye of the authorities.

It wasn’t until 2003 that trekking in the area was entirely prohibited. Today, the Nar Phu Valley trek comes under the specially protected zone to manage the flow of foreign tourists.

One of the main reasons for this classification is the primitive nature of the two valleys which transport people back to the Medieval Age largely untouched by modern influences.

Nepal government aims to maintain the two Valleys’ purity, tranquility, and safety, avoiding overcrowding. The government also wants to prevent the trek from becoming another popular route like the Everest Base Camp or Annapurna Base Camp.

Additionally, the nearness to Tibet also requires careful management to avoid any potential issues with neighboring China.

Therefore, a special permit is essential for the Nar Phu Valley trek itinerary for which you must be a part of a group of two or more participants accompanied by a local guide.

The 12 days Nar Phu Valley trekking is regarded as an upper intermediate level trek corresponding to Annapurna Circuit, Manaslu Circuit, and Everest Base Camp treks. The paths are generally very good, but periodically they are quite spectacularly carved into the hillsides.

The trek contains hiking days of 6 to 8 hours duration with the massive Kang La Pass crossing on day 8 that requires almost 8 to 9 hours. This is the longest day when we climb 1200 m and descend almost 1700 m on the same day. But strangely enough, the pass is no harder or longer than either Larkya La, Thorung La, or Cho La – almost shorter.

Another challenge that you will face in the Nar Phu Valley trek is the limited lodging options en route. The towns of Nar and Phu actually correspond in terms of development to the Annapurna and the Marshyangdi Valley’s Manang and Pisang 35-40 years ago.

An additional challenge is presented by the harsh weather conditions, similar to those of Tibet where there is a large difference in temperature. Days can be extremely hot, while nights may become quite cold.

The weather is unpredictable, and strong winds are common. Therefore, a reasonable level of fitness, endurance, and adaptability is essential for this tour.

The Nar Phu Valley trek itinerary is similar to a journey through Tibet. It involves a significant elevation change from flat lowlands at 1350 m to an altitude of 2,600 m within a single day, nearly doubling the altitude gain.

On the second day, trekkers will reach 3,560 m, marking an increase of almost 1,000 m. This pattern of altitude gain continues, culminating at Nar Gaon at 4,100 m and Kang La Pass, at over 5000 m.

Such rapid elevation changes may present challenges for new trekkers who are on their first adventure in Nepal. Additionally, the changeable weather pattern, the large temperature variation in day and night, and the daily walking journey of up to 7 hours do require a certain level of trekking experience.

For those new to hiking in high-altitude environments, these challenges can be a quite hardship. Therefore, we suggest you take some easy acclimatization trips, such as the Langtang trek or Poon Hill trek, before committing to this trek.

Many people think that altitude sickness can only occur at extreme altitudes but this is a dangerous mistake. Altitude sickness occurs at relatively low altitudes as well probably above 2500 m.

According to our Nar Phu Valley trek itinerary, you will transition from 1350 m height to 2600 m in one day when traveling from Kathmandu to Koto.

Then the altitude goes on increasing as the journey progresses further ultimately reaching 4100 m at Na Gaon. And don’t forget, you will also have to cross over the above 5000 m Pass en route. Plus, the air in the Nar and Phu Valleys is drier with less humid.

All these along with your negligence not to follow the significant guidelines of acclimatization often lead to altitude sickness. However, the altitude acclimatization is fantastically good on our version of the Nar Phu Valley trek.

We will take it very quietly on the way up to Phu, take a day off, and walk only two hours to Nar Gaon from Nar Phedi. However, even after following all the necessary acclimatization steps, there may remain a possibility of developing altitude sickness.

By following the tips we have listed below, altitude sickness can be prevented to a large extent:

• Do not ascend too quickly
• Do not climb further if you already have complaints and these do not disappear with the help of simple painkillers. Wait until you are really free of complaints again.
• If your symptoms get worse despite having a rest day or only walking at the same altitude, you should always descend.
• Prevent dehydration by drinking enough. For this, assume an extra liter per 1,000 meters of ascent.
• Don’t smoke, your lungs have it hard enough as it is.
• Take Diamox one or two days before starting the tour to speed up the acclimatization.
• Be attentive to the symptoms: Headache, Sleep problems, Shortness of breath, Dizziness, Little to no appetite, Excessive fatigue, Nausea, and Vomiting.

You will have two nights in the cozy setting of a three-star hotel. Your room will feature twin beds for sharing with a private bathroom, including a hot shower and Wi-Fi.

Accommodation during 12 days Nar Phu Valley trekking will be in lodges usually in a double room where in addition to beds, at best, there will be a small nightstand. In most cases, there will be a blanket, but not always – so a sleeping bag is a must-have.

In Kathmandu, we will serve breakfast only, leaving lunch and dinner up to you. But don’t worry—while trekking, full board meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be served at the lodges.

Most lodges have a menu that runs several pages, but it basically boils down to a few basic dishes (rice, potatoes, momos, pasta, noodles, curry, eggs), each with optional toppings (vegetables, cheese, eggs, chicken, meat, canned tuna).

If you want to enjoy some bakery items, soda, alcoholic beverages, or other drinks, keep in mind that you will need to cover the costs yourself.

Our Nar Phu Valley trek itinerary cost covers not only accommodation and meals but also all transfers. All the transfers from the beginning to the conclusion of the Nar Phu Valley trek will take place in private vehicles including airport pickups and drop-offs, as well as road transport from Kathmandu to Dharapani and back from Chame to Kathmandu.

Regarding communication, Ncell and Nepal Telecom are the two leading operators in Nepal. In the Nar Phu Valley trek, the latter generally works better.

You can buy a Nepal Telecom card right in Kathmandu and it is better to do it on the very first day of your arrival. To purchase a SIM card, a passport with a valid visa and a photo (as for a visa) are essential.

In addition to the SIM card, you need to top up your account and choose a package. The seller can top up and activate the card, as they say, right there at the shop.

On the trek, Nepal Telecom has 4G coverage. In fact, you can call and send SMS more or less without problems, the Internet is very sporadic, and it works best at night. There is also access to WiFi which sometimes can be complimentary for guests.

Nar Phu Valley has access to electricity through solar panels or local hydroelectric power for charging but for extra money.

If you are thinking of participating in our 12 days Nar Phu Valley trekking, then, obtaining travel insurance should be your top priority. These remote valleys near Tibet present challenging climatic conditions and high altitudes.

These are the settings where there can be possibilities for unexpected events, such as accidents, ankle sprains, injuries, infections, and the risk of severe altitude sickness. While in some extreme situations, emergency rescue by helicopter may be needed.

In addition, being a specially government-protected area, you will need to pay $500 for a special permit which will be granted only after you show your policy document.

Therefore, make sure, your policy addresses trip and flight cancellations, emergency helicopter mountain services, injuries, medical expenses, accidents, and the loss of luggage costs.

The best way to completely unwind in the Nar Phu Valley trek is to go well prepared. On this trip, you will be covering large distances and greater elevations up and down. Therefore, make sure you are fit when you go on this tour which allows you to walk further and therefore have more fun.

Give your body enough opportunity to adapt to the new heights and atmosphere. Start with a few easy warm-up tours (Ghorepani Poon Hill, Tamang Heritage Trek, Langtang Trek, etc) so that you feel what you and your group members can handle.

You can also do a lot of exercises at home to be fit when you go into the high rugged terrain of Nar and Phu. By simply walking a lot, you already lay a good foundation. By climbing stairs a lot, you can train for climbing and descending. Cycling, squats, running, push-ups, and swimming will help you build endurance.

You can enter the Nar Phu Valley only with a special permit (Restricted Area Permit- RAP) valid for seven days. Seven days, if all goes well, are enough to reach Phu, then Nar and the Kang La Pass. The cost of this government permit is about $100 per person for autumn and $75 for winter and spring.

A prolonged stay beyond seven days will cost an additional $10 to $15 per person per day. This permit is submitted by an Agency and issued by Immigration in Kathmandu.

Additionally, the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) is another document necessary for our 12 days Nar Phu Valley trekking trip granted by NTB (Nepal Tourism Board) costing $30 approximately.