Trip Facts
Country:
Nepal
Duration:
14 Days
Max Altitude:
Kang La pass, 5,320 m (17,454 ft)
Activities:
Trekking and a high pass crossing
Region:
Annapurna/Manang region
Starting Point:
Kathmandu
Ending Point:
Kathmandu
Grade:
Strenuous
Group Size:
1 to 12 trekkers
Accomodation:
Teahouses, 3 Star Hotel in Kathmandu
Best Season:
Mar-May & Sep-Nov
Notice
Nar Phu is a restricted area near the Tibet border. By law, you must trek with a licensed guide through a registered agency and carry a special permit. Spade Himalaya arranges every permit for you.
This 14-day trek reaches the hidden Tibetan-Buddhist villages of Phu (4,250 m) and Nar (4,110 m), then crosses the Kang La pass (5,320 m) into Manang. So it suits fit trekkers with some experience.
The valleys are remote, with basic lodges and homestays. So the trek mixes raw mountain wilderness with one of the most authentic Tibetan cultures left in Nepal.
Overview of Nar Phu Valley Trek 14-Days
Quick answer: The Nar Phu Valley Trek is a remote, restricted-area trek in Nepal’s Annapurna region. Over 14 days, it reaches the hidden Tibetan-Buddhist villages of Phu and Nar, then crosses the Kang La pass (5,320 m) into Manang. It needs a special permit and a licensed guide, and it is best in spring and autumn (Nepal Department of Immigration, retrieved 2026-06-30).
The Nar Phu Valley Trek is a 14-day journey into two hidden valleys behind the Annapurna massif. These valleys stayed closed to outsiders until 2003. So they still feel like a piece of old Tibet, lost in time. The people here are of Khampa Tibetan stock. They keep their own dress, language, and Buddhist faith, far from the modern world.
The trek branches off the Annapurna Circuit at Koto. Then it climbs a deep, wild gorge into the Nar and Phu valleys. You reach Phu village (4,250 m), with its old fort-like houses and the ancient Tashi Lhakhang Monastery. After that, you cross to Nar village (4,110 m), a cluster of stone homes draped in prayer flags. The high point is the Kang La pass (5,320 m), which drops you back onto the Annapurna Circuit at Ngawal.
The scenery is raw and huge. You walk below Himlung Himal (7,126 m) and a wall of snow peaks. From the Kang La, you look across to Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. So the trek pairs big mountains with deep, living culture. Yet it sees only a fraction of the crowds on the main circuit.
This trek is graded strenuous. It is remote, it crosses a 5,320 m pass, and the lodges are simple. So you need good fitness and ideally some past trekking at altitude. The plan builds in two days to rest and adjust, at Phu and at Nar. Spade Himalaya runs this trek with licensed Nepali guides. So your guide sets a safe pace, watches the weather, and checks your health each day.
Want a different Annapurna trip? Then see the classic Annapurna Circuit Trek, which Nar Phu joins at Ngawal. You can even add the Annapurna Circuit via Thorong La Pass to cross a second high pass. For another remote, restricted route, see the Manaslu Circuit Trek or the wild Upper Dolpo Trek. For the wider region, read our Annapurna region trekking guide. Because Nar Phu sits in a restricted zone, extra paperwork applies. Our Nepal trekking permits guide explains it in plain language.
Trips Highlights
- Trek the remote, restricted Nar Phu valleys, opened to trekkers only in 2003.
- Visit the medieval Tibetan-Buddhist villages of Phu (4,250 m) and Nar (4,110 m).
- Cross the high Kang La pass (5,320 m) into the Manang valley.
- See the ancient Tashi Lhakhang Monastery near Phu.
- Walk below Himlung Himal (7,126 m) and the peaks of the Annapurna massif.
- Experience a living Tibetan (Khampa) culture, with very few other trekkers.
- Pass deep gorges, fluttering chortens, mani walls, and high yak pastures.
- Look out from the Kang La to Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.
- Finish on the classic Annapurna Circuit at Ngawal and Manang.
- Meet warm highland people in one of Nepal's most isolated corners.
Kathmandu (1,400 m) → drive to Chame (2,670 m) → Koto (2,610 m) → Meta (3,560 m) → Phu village (4,250 m) → Nar Phedi (3,490 m) → Nar village (4,110 m) → Kang La pass (5,320 m) → Ngawal (3,660 m) → Manang (3,540 m) → drive to Besisahar → drive to Kathmandu.
In short, you drive up the Marsyangdi valley to Koto. Then you climb the hidden gorge to Phu and Nar. After that, you cross the Kang La pass to Ngawal and Manang on the Annapurna Circuit. Finally, you drive back down to Besisahar and Kathmandu.
Trips Itinerary
Welcome to Nepal. A Spade Himalaya guide meets you at Tribhuvan International Airport and helps with your bags. Then a private car takes you to your hotel in Thamel, the lively heart of Kathmandu. So you can shower and rest after your flight. In the late afternoon, you meet your guide for a full trek briefing. They walk you through the route, the daily plan, and the gear you need. So bring your passport, several photos, and a copy of your insurance, because the restricted-area permit needs them. After the briefing, you can explore the shops and cafes of Thamel. Have an early night, ready for the long drive ahead.
- Duration: 30 min drive
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Accommodation: Shared 3 star hotel
Today is a long but scenic drive by private jeep. First, you follow the highway west along the Trishuli and Marsyangdi rivers. Then, at Besisahar, the smooth road ends and the mountain track begins. So the jeep climbs slowly up the Marsyangdi valley, past waterfalls and terraced farms. The views grow wilder as you gain height. You pass through small towns like Jagat and Tal on the way. By evening, you reach Chame, the district headquarters of Manang. So you settle into a lodge and rest for the trek.
- Duration: 9 to 10 hrs drive (230km)
- Max Altitude: 2,670 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
After a short drive to Koto, the trek begins. Here a checkpoint inspects your restricted-area permit. Then you leave the Annapurna Circuit and turn north into the hidden Nar Phu gorge. The trail follows the Phu Khola through deep pine forest. So you cross the river on small wooden bridges and pass tumbling waterfalls. The path is narrow, with cliffs on each side. You stop at a small lodge called Dharmasala for lunch. After that, the trail climbs out of the forest into open, dry country. Soon you reach Meta, a windswept Tibetan-style village. So you sleep here, with your first big mountain views.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs walk
- Max Altitude: 3,560 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today is a long, beautiful day deep into the valley. First, the trail crosses high pastures and passes the ruins of old settlements. You walk by rows of chortens and brightly painted mani walls. Then the valley opens, with strange rock pillars and wide views. You pass the summer village of Kyang on the way. After that, the trail drops to the river, then climbs again. At last, you reach the Phu gate, an old stone kani decked in prayer flags. So you pass through it and see Phu village ahead, perched like a fort on a hill. You reach Phu in the late afternoon, tired but amazed.
- Duration: 7 to 8 hrs walk
- Max Altitude: 4,250 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you rest, but you also explore this remarkable place. Phu sits in a bowl of high peaks, with old houses stacked up the hillside. So you wander its narrow lanes and meet its warm people. You visit the Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, one of the oldest in the region. The lama here is much respected across Nar Phu. Then you can take a short hike up the ridge for a wider view. From here, Himlung Himal and its neighbours fill the sky. So this day both rests your body and feeds your eyes.
- Duration: 2 to 4 hrs walk
- Max Altitude: 4,500 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you leave Phu and head for the Nar valley. First, you retrace part of the trail down the gorge. So you pass the chortens and rock pillars again, in new light. The path is mostly downhill, with a few short climbs. You watch for blue sheep on the high slopes above. After several hours, you reach Nar Phedi, set by the river. Here stands a small, active nunnery and monastery. So you can join the evening prayers if you wish. You spend a peaceful night at the monastery guesthouse.
- Duration: 6 to 7 hrs walk
- Max Altitude: Phu 4,250 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today is short but steep, which helps you adjust to the height. The trail climbs out of the river gorge in a series of switchbacks. So you gain over 600 m to reach the Nar plateau. Near the top, you pass a line of beautiful chortens in red, white, and grey. Then Nar village appears, a cluster of stone houses behind a long mani wall. So you arrive by lunchtime and settle in. The afternoon is free to explore the gompas and meet the local people. Nar feels even more remote and timeless than Phu.
- Duration: 3 to 4 hrs walk (6 km)
- Max Altitude: 4,110 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you rest and prepare for the big pass tomorrow. So you take an easy walk to a viewpoint or a nearby gompa. This helps your body get used to the thin air. Nar has several small monasteries, rich in old art and statues. So you can visit them and watch village life go by. Women here still weave wool and herd yaks, as they have for centuries. In the afternoon, you rest, pack, and eat well. Then you sleep early, ready for a pre-dawn start.
- Duration: 2 to 3 hrs walk
- Max Altitude: 4,300 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
This is the big day of the trek. You start very early, before the sun and the wind. So you climb steadily up the long slope toward the pass. The trail is rocky, and the air grows thin, so you move slowly. After about four hours, you reach the top of the Kang La at 5,320 m. The view is your reward. From here, you look across to Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and the Manang valley far below. So you take photos and soak in the huge panorama. Then you begin the long descent toward Ngawal. The path drops fast, so you use your poles and take care. By late afternoon, you reach Ngawal, a village on the Annapurna Circuit.
- Duration: 7 to 9 hrs hike
- Max Altitude: 5,320 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today is a gentle day on the famous Annapurna Circuit. First, you walk down through Ngawal’s old stone lanes. Then the trail leads across open country toward Manang. On the way, you can visit Braga, with its striking hillside monastery. So you stop to see its old statues and prayer halls. The Annapurna peaks rise close on your left the whole way. After a few easy hours, you reach Manang, a large trading village. So you rest here and enjoy a bakery and a warm meal. The hard walking is now behind you.
- Duration: 3 to 4 hrs hike (10 km)
- Max Altitude: 3,660 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you swap the trail for a jeep. The rough mountain road follows the Marsyangdi river back down the valley. So the drive is slow, bumpy, and full of dramatic scenery. You pass deep gorges, tall waterfalls, and green terraced farms. The jeep stops now and then for tea and photos. As you lose height, the air grows warm and rich again. By evening, you reach Besisahar, back in the lower hills. So you spend the night here, in a comfortable lodge.
- Duration: 7 to 8 hrs drive (80 km)
- Max Altitude: 3,540 m
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Accommodation: Guest House
Today you drive back to Kathmandu on the smooth highway. So the journey is far easier than the mountain road. You follow the Marsyangdi and Trishuli rivers through busy hill towns. The jeep stops for lunch at a riverside eatery. By the afternoon, you reach Kathmandu and check into your hotel. So you can shower, rest, and celebrate the trek. In the evening, you join a farewell dinner with the team.
- Duration: 6 hrs drive (175 km)
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
- Accommodation: Start Hotel (Shared)
Today is a spare day, kept for safety. Mountain roads and weather can cause delays, so this buffer protects your flight home. If all has gone to plan, the day is free to enjoy. So you can shop for gifts in Thamel or visit a temple or museum. You might also relax at a cafe and look back on the trek. Then you have a calm last evening in the city.
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
- Accommodation: Star Hotel (Shared)
Your trip comes to an end today. After breakfast, the morning is free for any last shopping. At the set time, a Spade Himalaya guide drives you to the airport for your flight home. So you leave Nepal with rare photos and the memory of a hidden Tibetan world. We hope to welcome you back to the Himalaya again one day.
- Max Altitude: 1,400 m
- Meals: Breakfast Included
Trips Include
- All airport transfers in a private vehicle.
- 3 nights' hotel in Kathmandu (3-star, twin share) with breakfast.
- Private jeep transport from Kathmandu to Chame and from Manang to Besisahar to Kathmandu.
- All teahouse and homestay accommodation during the trek.
- All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) during the trek, plus a farewell dinner.
- The Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).
- A licensed, experienced Nepali guide (pay, insurance, meals, lodging).
- Porter support, one porter per two trekkers (pay, insurance, meals, lodging).
- Use of a Spade Himalaya sleeping bag, down jacket, and duffel bag (returned after the trek).
- First-aid kit and a pulse oximeter for daily health checks.
- Trip-completion certificate and all government taxes.
Trips Exclude
- International airfare to and from Nepal.
- Nepal entry visa (US$30 for 15 days, US$50 for 30 days, US$125 for 90 days).
- Lunches and dinners in Kathmandu.
- Kathmandu sightseeing and monument entry fees.
- Travel and medical insurance (mandatory; must cover trekking to 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation).
- All drinks, snacks, hot showers, Wi-Fi, and device charging on the trail.
- Tips for guide, porter, and driver.
- Personal expenses and any costs from early departure or itinerary changes.
- Personal expenses and any costs from early departure or itinerary changes.
Trips Altitude
Trips Gallery
Packing List
General
- Four-season (zero degree) sleeping bag.
- Sleeping bag liner
- Puffy down jacket.
- Duffel bag.
- Daypack, 35 to 45 litres, with a rain cover
Upper Body
- Knitted hat or beanie
- Buff, scarf, or neck gaiter
- Sunglasses with UV protection
- Headlamp with spare batteries (needed for the pre-dawn pass start)
- Sunscreen (SPF 35 to 60) and lip balm
- Technical base-layer tops (light and heavy)
- Short and long sleeve trekking shirts
- Fleece jacket or wool pullover
- Waterproof, windproof shell jacket
Lower Body
- Technical base-layer trousers
- Hiking trousers (2 pairs)
- Comfortable trousers for the lodges
- Waterproof, windproof shell trousers
Hands
- Wool or technical liner gloves
- Insulated outer gloves for the high pass
Feet
- Waterproof trekking boots (well broken in)
- Warm wool socks and sock liners
- Light shoes or sandals for the evenings
- Micro spikes (useful for snow or ice on the Kang La)
- Gaiters (light for dust, heavier for snow)
Undergarments
- Quick-drying technical underwear
- Sports bras (women)
- Sleeping clothes or pyjamas
First Aid Kits
(Your guide carries a kit, medication, and a pulse oximeter, but a personal kit is strongly recommended.)
- Sunscreen and lip balm
- Antiseptic ointment and blister care
- Personal medication and any altitude medication advised by your doctor
- Water-purification tablets or a UV purifier
- Hand sanitiser and basic cold or stomach medicine
Others
- Passport and several extra passport photos (for the restricted-area permit)
- Reusable water bottle and a hydration bladder
- Toiletry kit, quick-dry towel, toilet paper
- High-protein snacks (bars, nuts)
- Waterproof or dry bags for documents and money
- Trekking poles
Optional
- Power bank and a solar charger (power is scarce in Nar Phu)
- Camera or phone for photos
- Binoculars
- Cards or a book
- Thermos for hot water
Good to Know
Nar Phu is one of the last truly hidden corners of Nepal. It opened to trekkers only in 2003, so it sees very few visitors. So you walk among medieval Tibetan villages, old monasteries, and raw mountain scenery. The Kang La pass then links you back to the famous Annapurna Circuit. In short, it is a rare mix of deep culture and high adventure.
Nar Phu is a restricted area, so the rules are strict. By law, you must trek with a licensed guide from a registered agency, and you carry a special permit. In March 2026, Nepal began letting a single traveller apply for the permit. Still, the guide and the agency are required. So Spade Himalaya, as a registered agency, handles every permit and rule for you.
You reach the trek by a long jeep ride, not by air. The drive from Kathmandu to Chame takes 9 to 10 hours on rough mountain roads. The return from Manang is just as bumpy. So a little patience helps, and the spare day at the end protects your flight home. The scenery on these drives is dramatic, with gorges and waterfalls.
The plan follows the climb-high, sleep-low rule. So it adds rest days at Phu and Nar before the Kang La. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water a day, and walk slowly. Skip alcohol up high, and eat well for energy. If you feel unwell, tell your guide at once. Going down is the best cure, and your guide carries an oximeter.
The trail runs on cash, and there are no ATMs in Nar Phu. So carry enough Nepalese rupees from Kathmandu. Mobile signal and Wi-Fi are very limited in the valleys. Power is scarce too, often from small solar panels. So bring a power bank and a solar charger, and enjoy the deep quiet of the hills.
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Trips FAQs
Permits, Guide & Insurance
Yes. Nar Phu is a restricted area, so you need a special Restricted Area Permit, plus the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (Nepal Department of Immigration, retrieved 2026-06-30). The Nar Phu permit costs about US$100 per person per week from September to November, and about US$75 per week from December to August. Spade Himalaya arranges both permits for you.
Yes. As a restricted area, Nar Phu requires a licensed guide and a registered agency by law. In March 2026, Nepal began letting solo travellers apply for a restricted-area permit, but the guide and agency are still required (Kathmandu Post, 2026). So Spade Himalaya gives you a licensed Nepali guide and handles the paperwork.
Yes, it is a must. Your policy has to cover trekking to 5,500 m and a helicopter rescue. Many normal policies do not, so check the wording first. Nar Phu is remote, so good cover matters even more here. Arrange it at home before you fly, and leave a copy with Spade Himalaya at the briefing.
Trek Difficulty & Altitude
It is graded strenuous. You walk 3 to 9 hours a day, and you cross the Kang La pass at 5,320 m. The valleys are remote, and the lodges are basic. There is no technical climbing. Still, the altitude, the long days, and the high pass make it demanding. So you need good fitness and ideally some past trekking at altitude.
This plan is 14 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu. That includes the drives, the trek, and a spare day at the end. So you get two days to rest and adjust, at Phu and at Nar. We can also shorten or extend the trek to fit your time.
The Kang La pass is 5,320 m (17,454 ft), the high point of the trek. You cross it on Day 9, on a long day from Nar to Ngawal. From the top, you see Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. So the plan adds two rest days first, at Phu and Nar, to help you adjust.
It is a real risk, because you cross 5,320 m and sleep above 4,000 m for several nights. So the plan climbs slowly and adds two rest days. Your guide checks your oxygen with a pulse oximeter each day. Drink 3 to 4 litres of water daily, walk slowly, and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Going down is the best cure.
Best Time to Trek
Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November) are best, with clear skies and stable weather. The Kang La needs a clear, snow-free window, so flexibility helps. Winter is very cold, and the pass can be blocked by snow. The summer monsoon is drier here than in the rest of Nepal, but the access roads can wash out.
Accommodation & Facilities
The lodges in Nar and Phu are basic, with simple twin rooms and shared toilets. In Nar Phedi, you may stay at the monastery guesthouse. So the comfort is lower than on the main trails. The food is simple but filling: dal bhat, noodles, potatoes, soup, and Tibetan bread. So bring some snacks of your own for the high days.