Nar - Phu Trekking
The Nar Phu village are the Tibetan influenced village in just above to Manang in Annapurna and lies at the altitude of the (4050m). It is one of the newly opened spectacular regions of ethnically Tibetan inhabitants. The trek to the Nar and Phu valley takes you to a remote but alluring region of Nepal. You will observe that the landscape is similar to that of Tibet. You will enjoy the delightful sights of quaint Tibetan villages, astounding rock formations, high altitude grazing settlements, narrow canyons, deep forests and majestic snow clad, yaks, Gompas, peak and unique Himalayan cultures during your trek to the Nar and Phu valley.
Tillman first explored this region in the 1950s.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, camping along the way at the winter settlement of Nar and Phu, and visit some of the most unvisited and most interesting villages in the Tibetan Buddhist world. Buddhist pilgrims from around Nepal might accompany us up to Phu to visit the renowned Tashi Lhakhang Gompa and receive a blessing from Lama Karma Sonam Rimpoche. The trail follows a rugged path as you explore the quaint Tibetan villages of Nar and Phu,Before Nar Khola valley was restricted area. Nar Phu trek offers a more challenging Khangla Pass (5310m.), take the less traveled route to Tilicho Lake and the Meso Kanta Pass (5089m) which links the Manang and Kali Ghandaki valley Nar Phu trek is more demanding trek. If you could manage the festival calendar, you could enjoy with the festival like horseracing, archery or etc.Nar Phu trekking trails are rugged and cut high into cliff sides in an area. During Nar Phu trek, you will explore the mystery of the traditional village, people and their traditions. We will be able to visit the monastery, the majestic Himalayas itself including Annapurna II(7337m.), Tilicho Peak (7134m.), Throng Peak(6201m),Gangapurna(7454m), Khangru Himal(6981m),Pokarkang(6265m.),Himluing Himal (7126m),Pisang Peak(6091m) Mesokhanto pass and after the Pass chance to visit Kaligandaki valley (world's deepest valley). Finally arrive in Pokhara the Queen city of Nepal.
Trek Features
Duration day in Nepal: 23 days
Total duration treks: 19 days
Trek style: Fully: Camping Trekking
Trek starts/ends: Basishar / pokhara
Max elevation: 5335m.
Trek grading: Moderate /demanding
Best season: March-May, October-November
Accommodation: 4 nights in hotels in Kathmandu on bed and breakfast and 19 nights in camping with breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Trip highlights: Extremely pristine and isolated region, Breathtaking mountain views, Diverse moutain flora and fauna
Trip Details Itinerary
Day 01 : Arrive Kathmandu, transfer to airport
Day 02 : In Kathmandu- free day, sort out permit & equipment
Day 03 : Drive to Bisishar Khud I (790mt.)
Besishar is the head quarters of Lamjung District. There are good views of Lamjung Himal on the left and Himalchuli to the right. Overnight at lodge in Khudi.
Day 04 : Khud trek to Syange (912mt.)
Continue up east bank of river, crossing Ngadi Khola bridge after 1.5 hours. Climb to Bahundanda ridge (1,310m) in about 2 hours. Descend towards river once again and reach vicinity of bridge at Syange after another 2.5 hrs. Total about 7/8 hours. Syange is the northern limit of rice cultivation in Marsyangdi valley.
Day 05 : Syange trek to Tal (1646mt.)
Tal, the gateway to Manang District, a beautiful flat meadow with several Bhotia houses and a splendid waterfall coming off the lower reaches of Peak 29. This is a superb site. The trail passes Jagat after 1.5 hours and Chyamje after another 1.5 hours Tal.
Day 06 : Tal trek to Dharapani (2165mt.)
Do not cross river to Thonje but turn west and follow trail ascending on south side of Marsyangdi through forests and meadows for about one hour then climb steeply towards Namun Bhanjyang to Tebang Meadow, a series of lust pasture pearched high above the river. Excellent views of Manaslu- and the peaks situated above the Larkya Pass.
Day 08 : Dharapani trek to Koto (2600mt.)
Heading back down to the village of Koto Qupar, our base for the trek up to Nar Phu, we can look straight up at nearby Annapurna II - a stunning sight convincing us that we are deep in the Himalayan mountains! Koto Qupar. The villagers are mostly from Nar and Phu and this is the gateway to their region.
Day 09 : Koto trek to Dharamsala (3230mt.)
The route takes us through some beautiful woods and past several small shelters (caves) and a pilgrims' 'dharmasala'. As we emerge out of a narrow canyon, the trail actually passes under a wide waterfall just before the dharmasala, from which point the woods become thinner and the vistas wider. A stunning start for the Nar Phu trek! We camp at the dharamsala.
Day 10 : Dharamsala trek to Kayang (3740mt.)
This morning is one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. The landscape is similar to the Sierra Nevada; white rocks, low shrub and juniper, scattered evergreens, delicate brick-red and orange leafed bushes, crumbling shelves of flat slate, white, sandy trails and knarled trees.Above the kharka to the right looms a massive glacier, which falls jaggedly down to the high pastures above us. It's all truly amazing scenery.A scene from old Tibet! Many more ups and downs take us to tonight's campsite at Kyang, the extensive winter settlement of Phu, on a plateau high above the river.
Day 11 : Kayang trek to Phu (4050mt.)
Today, we really start to see some of the unique, colorful chortens for which Nar and Phu are justly famous. We have to rock-hop carefully across a small glacial stream before reaching a larger one with a bridge only half covered with large slabs of slate. Some large steps do the trick! Another hour and a half of trekking through scenic canyonlands and gorges, and the "leaning tower of Pisa" monolith guards the steep trail up to the Phu gate, called Pupigyal Kwe. This ancient gate provides us with our first view of the three villages of Phu, as well as an old "dzong" and the remains of two forts, all now in ruins, but impressively situated atop the flatlands before Phu.We will set up camp on the lower reaches of Phu, formerly called Gomdzong, and head up to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa.
Day 12 : In Phu Acclimatization Day
Tibet is two long days away, so a bit far for a visit, but we might walk up the valley to the summer grazing settlement, or "kharka" at Ngoru, a three hour's walk past the gompa. Phu itself is an incredibly interesting village, and a day is well spent sitting with the villagers as they spin their yak and sheep wool and chat, pound mustard seeds into a paste for oil, or involve themselves in the countless activities that take up a day in Tibetan villages
Day 13 : Phu trek to Junam (3550mt.)
Back through Phu gate, we descend to the river, and retrace our steps back to Junam karka, a lovely spot as any for our campsite for the evening.
Day 14 : Junam trek to Nar (4150mt.)
Below us sit Gyalbu Kumbu, built in 1650, and Satte gompa, both empty. We finally reach the Nar gates at the top of the hill, and pass by yet another line of wonderfully painted, bamboo-topped chortens and a large tiered chorten before turning the corner and being rewarded with sublime views of Nar, the undulating patterns of the surrounding barley and mustard fields, four old, colorful and traditional gompas and the snow-peaks looming overhead.
Day 15 : In Nar Acclimatization Day
The children in Nar seem to be always out in the streets, presumably preferring this life to the classroom! Each family in Nar seems to have at least one son or daughter in a gompa, and many live at home or visit frequently, so there is the resonating sound of cymbals, chanting and drums echoing throughout the village. Other Nar villagers may be printing prayer flags, doing some carpentry, collecting wood from the forest and carrying large loads with a head-strap back up to the house, harvesting the crops, tending the yaks, sheep and goats or spinning the prayer wheels in the center of town.
Day 16 : Nar trek to Ngawal (3650mt.)
The Kang La is not a difficult pass, but it could be a long day if there is snow on the pass or the altitude is taking it's toll. The Kang La, at 5240mt. is an absolutely spectacular pass looking over Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho peak, the peaks surrounding Tilicho and the airport at Hongde. Ngawal, on the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna circuit .Just before Ngawal is an unusual grouping of chortens and prayer flags, and marks a meditation cave far up in the hills. Ngawal is a wonderful, old village of cobbled streets, prayer wheels and beautiful. follow stays to valley floor, on the left bank. Spectacular views of Annapurna III and IV along with Gangapuran and Tilicho peaks abound.
Day 16 : Ngawal trek to Manang / Letdar (4200mt.)
Past Manang, the trail climbs steeply to the village of Tenki, which is the last permanent settlement, this side of the Thorung La.
Day 17 : Letdar trek to Thorung Phedi (4450mt.)
Continue through pastures, which eventually give way to high arid desert at Phedi, at the base of Thorung La.
Day 18 : Thorung Phedi trek to Cross Thorung La (5416mt) and Muktinath (3800mt.)
Leaving the river valley you set out early in the morning provided the weather is good and it is not snowing. From Phedi ascend to a notch and turning left head for the Thorung La difficult.Muktinath is a sacred pilgrimage site to both Hindus and Buddhists who flock there annually for their respective festivals.
Day 19 : Muktinath trek to Jomsom (2710mt.)
Trek down along a level but rocky trail through juniper thickets to Jomsom. In the late afternoon it gets very windy and there is likelihood of getting small pebbles in the wind. Take care to guard your eyes and cover as much of your skin surface as possible. Your sunglasses should, preferably, have plastic lenses.
Day 20 : Flight: Jomsom to Pokhara (900mt.)
Day 21 : Flight or Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu.
Day 22 : In Kathmandu- free day
Day 23 : Transfer to airport, depart Kathmandu
