- Trekking
- Nepal
- 14 days
Hike via Poon Hill to the Annapurna Sanctuary’s amphitheatre with views of many famous Himalayan peaks like Gangapurna, Fang, and more. Also, see bamboo forests and wildlife.
Key Information
Book this Nepal trek and get a complimentary one hour Trekker’s’ massage after the trek is over. The masseuses will be from a marginalized community. This is part of our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Trek through a restricted area of Nar and Phu
Nar Phu Valley Trek is one of the better off-the-beaten-track trails and the least visited region in West Nepal. Since the government opened in 2003, very few visitors have been to the wild, exotic, and sparsely populated valleys of Nar and Phu, offering fascinating medieval Tibetan culture and customs that remain untouched along with breathtaking mountain views.
Trekkers can only access Nar Phu Valley with a special permit issued to an authorized trekking agency, providing the trekking tour’s essential logistics. The Nar Phu Valley trek has to be completed in seven days because that is the period the permit is issued for.
Our journey starts with a drive to Koto, a little village on the crossroads of the main Annapurna circuit trail and the gateway into the Nar Phu valleys. Next, we go off the beaten track via a narrow river valley north of the Annapurna range.
We have a few days of acclimatizing and exploring the subalpine forests, mysterious valleys, and narrow river valleys with the presence of a robust Tibetan Buddhist culture and ever-increasing wildlife – we might even spot the elusive snow leopard on the hike to the village of Nar.
We hike on a barren trail to a high camp at the base of Kang La pass, also known as Kang La Phedi (4,530m). Then, we climb gradually on a steep ascent, which leads to the summit of Kang La pass (5,320m).
We can be rewarded with spectacular views of the Annapurna range and the Marshyangdi valley from the top. We will have a 360-degree panorama on a clear day. Kang La is the gateway from the remote Nar/Phu valley into the ever-famous Marshyangdi valley. Next, we have a steep descent to the village of Ngawal (3,615m). We are now on the main trail of the Annapurna circuit trek.
Some towering peaks seen from the summit of Kang La are Lamjung Himal and Annapurna II. Annapurna IV and Annapurna III, to name a few. Next, we will look at the Annapurna Range’s North Face.
From Ngawal, We drive to Besisahar, where we stop for the night. It is a gruelling drive of 8-10 hours on rough roads. We continue our overland journey the following day, all the way to Kathmandu.
Note: If someone in the group feels under the weather or finds it difficult or there is too much snow on the pass: We can return the same way we came in. Our priority is always Safety first as we practice – Prevention rather than cure.
Food and nutrition on the trek
We are pioneers in gastronome trekking in the Himalayas. We provide a varied, exciting menu on treks throughout the Himalayas. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free meals can be catered for upon request, and other special diets can be accommodated with advance notice.
Trekking is not only fun, but it is beneficial for you. It helps in detoxifying the body while also nourishing the soul. Although to provide a better experience, we also tailor our meals to include superfoods as part of the ingredients to keep you fit and healthy while assisting in acclimatization to high altitude. Combining hiking in the pristine mountain air and healthy food makes trekking with us a complete adventure. Read More on Food and nutrition on our treks.
Why Choose Us?
- Our expert trek leader will ensure your safety while enhancing your trekking experience.
- Your private social bubble by staying in less busy lodges and trekking away from the crowded trails where possible.
- Experience the Himalayas in style.
- Your food is prepared with superfood ingredients to give the best nourishment, recovery, and acclimatization to high altitude for our gourmet Wellness trekking adventures.
Detailed itinerary
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Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu. You will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. You will meet the rest of the group while sitting for your trek briefing.
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Half-day guided sightseeing tour/ lunch/ trek briefing—overnight Kathmandu. You will take a walking tour of Ason spice market, Kathmandu Durbar square, and Swayambhunath Stupa.
Your trek leader will brief you on the trek during lunch, and your special permits should be ready.
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We leave Kathmandu early and drive to Besisahar first. Then, we stop for lunch and change to a four-wheel-drive vehicle for the challenging mountainous journey to Koto. The road is almost as tough for the passengers as it is for drivers, but it is stunning! Next, we travel on the old Annapurna Circuit trek route, through impressive gorges and past spectacular waterfalls. Finally, we arrive in Koto in time for dinner after a gruelling drive.
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We shortened the day by camping at Dharamshala instead of toiling to Meta. Then, we cross the Marshyangdi river and enter the Nar & Phu valleys as we follow the Nar River. The villages/towns on the nearby Annapurna Circuit are relatively well developed compared to the villages in these valleys. However, it is only a matter of time before more lodges are constructed to cater to the increasing number of trekkers.
We pass through lovely forests, small cave shelters, and resting places for pilgrims/travellers. As we emerge from a narrow canyon, the trail passes under a wide waterfall. The forest becomes sparse from this point, and the vista widens. Dharamshala is a relatively small place with a concrete shelter, which our cooking team will use as the kitchen and the other end of the building as a dining room.
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We start our trek after breakfast. We will have a gentle ascend for about 45 minutes, and the trail gets a steep uphill climb for two hours to Meta. Then, we can enjoy the views of Mount Pisang and Kangguru peaks.
We continue on the trek, contouring the hill for about 20 minutes before turning onto the Phu River valley. We hike past some shepherd huts at Junam Goth, a winter settlement the people of Nar use to avoid the colder winter in their village. We will see the magnificent Monastery at Nar Phedi(base) and the trail that leads to the town of Nar. The path is a mixture of gentle climbs with some steep sections and short drops and ascends. We continue on a series of mounts and descend to Upper Chyaku village.
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We have a good day of hiking, going from 3750 meters in altitude to Phu, at 4150 meters. The hike starts with an uphill climb with a slight descent and a short ascent before dropping to the settlement of Kyang. Kyang is home to Tibetan refugees. We continue on the barren terrain until we reach a shelter where our chef and his assistants prepare a hot lunch.
We have to trek along the Phu River through some landslide areas. Some of the hills are exposed and rocky. You are advised to walk briskly along the landslip area as sometimes strong winds and wildlife such as the Blue Sheep can send stones and rocks tumbling down the slopes. We now have a short 20 minutes of a steep climb to the “Kani” – entrance gate to Phu village. The views are stunning once we get there. You will see the abandoned villages and the ruins of a fort. However, the gate is deceptive as the village is still good 20-30 minutes to reach from there. The village’s path is rocky, and sometimes the blue sheep hang around here during the late afternoon after coming down to the river for a drink.
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We spend a day acclimatizing to the altitude in Phu. There are small alleyways to explore in the village or hike up to the base camp of Himlung Himal. Phu is an attractive village. There is quite a lot to do, such as visiting the Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, watching the villagers busy with their everyday chores such as spinning sheep or yak wool, doing laundry or pounding seeds for oil etcetera.
If you feel energetic, you can take the hike up to Himlung Himal 7125-meter base camp. The walk takes you through a glacial valley. This peak was opened recently for mountaineering. You might see herds of blue sheep skillfully scrambling up the cliffs. The return journey takes between four to five hours.
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We retrace our steps down towards Meta village but turn off near the Nar Phedi monastery, which will be our stop for the night. The monastery has a guest house. The rooms are kept neat and clean by the very welcoming nuns. One can join them (as long as it doesn’t get too crowded) in the kitchen to watch them make dinner on a simple fireplace.
You are welcome to watch their puja (prayer) ceremony, usually around 5 pm. In addition, it is courteous to leave a small contribution to the monastery donation box for this friendly and ornate institution’s upkeep.
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We climb out of Nar Phedi on switchbacks towards Nar Village. We pass a row of beautifully painted chortens with bamboo-top on the way to this ancient village. We arrive in the village around midday for lunch. Nar is a rarely visited village despite not being too far away from the busy Annapurna trail.
The villagers of Nar a livelier and more social than the Phu dwellers. The women in the village centre can be seen weaving fabric for blankets and rugs. Several comfortable new lodges have been built on the outskirts of the village.
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We will take it easy in the morning, have breakfast, and spend time in the village as it is only a 3-hour hike to the base of Kang La pass. So we have once again broken the very long walk into two less strenuous days. This will be the evening when your meals will be provided in your tent as the teahouse here is smoky. So it will be one evening of inconvenience.
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This is the most challenging day of the trek. We start early after breakfast. We will be provided with packed lunches as there is no water source or shelter from the wind for our chef and his team to make lunch on the way.
The Kang La pass is not that difficult, but the altitude makes it a long day as we will be taking it slow and steady. Fantastic views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho peaks greet us when we reach the pass’s top. Next, we have a steep descent on scree. When you get the technique right on sliding on scree, it can be fun and less strenuous on your knees. We stop for lunch when we reach a plateau and continue our downhill streak to Ngawal.
You will notice the difference between the villages of Nar Phu valleys and Ngawal, with bigger lodges, cell phone networks, and even WIFI! We spend the night in one of the lodges and get reintroduced into “civilization.”
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We will have breakfast while our staff loads our jeeps with our camping and personal gear. Then, we have a day of bouncy drive on the rough track to Besishar. After that, we will have a couple of stops for photos, stretching our legs, and lunch. Finally, we will stay in one of the more comfortable lodges at Besisahar, the district headquarters of Lamjung.
Upper Pisang
The weather gets much hotter and the scenery greener as you descend more than 2000m from the pass. Set off early for the last few hours of trekking to reach Pisang. The trail is wide and comfortable and passes a beautiful lake outside Pisang. Stop for a quick snack in the village, then take a four-wheel drive back to Besisahar. There, stay in a comfortable hotel.
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The drive back to Kathmandu takes around five hours on a blacktopped road. You can enjoy the luxuries of the city once again at your boutique hotel in Kathmandu! You can spend the afternoon shopping for souvenirs, or just relaxing.
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Our representative will bring you to the airport 3 hours before your flight time.
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A Responsible promise
Despite the exceptional circumstances in which we find ourselves at the moment, we don’t want you to give up your holiday – and we want you to be able to book your trip without any worries.
To provide additional security for your booking, we have introduced a new rebooking and cancellation policy so that you can easily rebook or cancel your trip free of charge if the worst comes to the worst.
Free Cancellation With the Responsible Promise 100% Money-Back Guarantee
For new bookings made between May 10th 2021, and December 31st 2021, you may cancel your complete package (activities, hotels, tours, excl. flight) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure and get 100% of your money back. However, to stay flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.
Total flexibility on your booking
Stay flexible with our new rebooking service until shortly before your departure. For new bookings made between May 10th and December 31st, 2021, you may rebook your package (activities, hotels, tours) free of charge up to 30 days before your departure (subject to availability). Rebooking is only allowed once, and you must inform us 30 days before your planned departure. Any additional costs incurred due to changes in your schedule or upgrades, such as additional fees in high season or upgrades to your accommodation, will still apply. To remain flexible, we recommend that you choose a flexible fare when booking your flight.
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Most of our clients have completed their treks from 3 years old to some in their 70s with almost no exercise or training.
Do you offer hotel/airport pick-up?
We offer hotel and airport pick-up. As you continue with your booking, there will be an option to input flight details or hotel names.
Do I need a Visa?
A visa for Nepal can be acquired on arrival at the Tribhuvan International Airport, Kathmandu, and at border entry points in Kakadvitta, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj, Gaddachowki on the Nepal-India border, and Kerung on the Nepal-China border.
A visa can also be obtained outside of Nepal at the nearest Nepal Embassy or Diplomatic Mission.
For more information, go to the Department of Immigration, Kalikasthan, Kathmandu.
What should I bring on a Trek?
Being adequately equipped is one of the keys to a successful trek. For information to help you select the best type of clothing and equipment for your trip, please see our Clothing and Equipment Guide.
Also, see our Links page for details of specialist retailers who will offer further advice and assistance with purchasing new clothing or equipment.
If you have more questions, please check this article to reference equipment to pack or contact us.
Is this trip safe for solo/female/LGBT+/minority/POC travelers?
You are safe as long as you respect the culture, do not show affection in public, and dress decently(this won’t pose too much problem as you will be covered up in layers to stay warm).Here are some helpful articles:
Am I too old to go trekking?
Arriving at Kathmandu airport.
Should I bring cash or ATM cards?
What are the differences between camping and lodge trekking?
What to pack for a trek?
Do I need to train for a trek?
What is a typical day on a trek like?
What is the food like on the trek?
The Benefits of using trekking poles.
What do I need to know about high altitudes?
High altitude myths.
How to trek safely?
For more articles, you can go to our blogs.