Nar Phu Valley Trek
Mountain Hawk Trek
Annapurna RegionChallenging

Nar Phu ValleyTrek

Enter the restricted Nar Phu Valley, a hidden Tibetan-influenced region off the Annapurna Circuit. Cross Kang La Pass (5,322m), visit the ancient villages of Nar (4,110m) and Phu (4,080m), and rejoin the circuit at Manang. 20 days, from USD 1,875.

View Itinerary
15
DaysTotal trek duration
5416m
Max AltitudeHighest point reached
Sep–Jun
Best SeasonIdeal trekking window
$1,875
FromPer person (twin sharing)
Trip Highlights

The moments that matter most

Phu village (4,080m) is the end of the road. The valley dead-ends at a wall of peaks below Himlung Himal. The village has perhaps 200 residents, a Buddhist gompa with prayer flags stretching across the gorge, and flat-roofed stone houses that have barely changed in centuries. The landscape is barren, wind-scoured, and profoundly silent.

Nar village (4,110m) sits on a shelf above the Nar Khola gorge with terraced barley fields and a large whitewashed monastery. The villagers are ethnically Tibetan, speak a Tibetan dialect, and practice Tibetan Buddhism. The cultural immersion here is deeper than anything on the main Annapurna Circuit.

Kang La Pass (5,322m) is a dramatic crossing. The scree climb on the Nar side gains 1,200 meters. From the pass, the view opens west to the green Manang valley and the familiar peaks of the Annapurna Circuit. The contrast between the wild Nar Phu and the well-trodden circuit is immediate and striking.

Trip Overview

A closer look

The Nar Phu Valley Trek is a 15-day route into one of Nepal's restricted trekking areas, a hidden Tibetan-influenced valley branching north from the Annapurna Circuit. The trail leaves the main circuit at Koto (2,600m), enters the Nar Phu Valley through a narrow gorge, and climbs to the ancient villages of Phu (4,080m) and Nar (4,110m). The return crosses Kang La Pass (5,322m) back to the circuit at Manang.

Phu and Nar are two of the most isolated inhabited villages in the Annapurna region. Phu sits in a barren, windswept valley below Himlung Himal (7,126m), its flat-roofed stone houses and Buddhist gompa resembling a settlement in western Tibet. Nar is slightly lower, perched above the Nar Khola gorge with terraced barley fields and a large monastery. Both villages have small populations and see very few trekkers.

Kang La Pass (5,322m) is a steep, non-technical crossing between Nar and Manang. The east side is loose scree; the west drops steeply to Manang. From the pass you see Annapurna II (7,937m), Gangapurna, and the Manang valley below. After crossing, you rejoin the Annapurna Circuit at Manang with the option to continue over Thorong La.

Permits: ACAP, TIMS, and a special restricted area permit (USD 100 for 7 days in peak season, USD 75 off-season). All included in your trek price. Licensed guide mandatory.

To continue over Thorong La after Manang, combine this with the Annapurna Circuit Trek. For the Annapurna Circuit with a Tilicho Lake detour instead of Nar Phu, see the Tilicho Lake Via Annapurna Circuit. For a shorter Annapurna trek without restricted area permits, the Annapurna Base Camp Trek reaches the sanctuary in 13 days.

Route & Elevation

The trail, mapped

Elevation ProfileDay-by-day altitude
TrailPeak
5,300m4,311m3,323m2,334m1,345mKathmanduDharapaniMethang PatiMetaManang Cross The Kangla PassYak KharkaThorong PediMuktinathKathmandu5,300m
Itinerary

Day by day, on the trail

15 days from Kathmandu arrival to departure. Hover any day for full details.

Day01

Arrival in Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1,345 m). Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day02

Pre-trip Meeting & Kathmandu Sightseeing

Kathmandu

Pre-trip meeting and sightseeing around Kathmandu Valley. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel
Day03

Drive to Dharapani

Dharapani

Drive to Dharapani (1,970 m), approximately 10 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

1,970m4h trekTeahouse625m
Day04

Trek to Methang Pati

Methang Pati

Trek to Methang Pati (3,560 m), through a Tibetan landscape valley with magnificent mountain scenery. Overnight at teahouse.

3,560mTeahouse1,590m
Day05

Trek to Meta

Meta

Trek to Meta (4,400 m), exploring great canyons, rock pillars, monasteries, and ruined forts along the way. Overnight at teahouse.

4,400mTeahouse840m
Day06

Trek to Nar

Nar

Trek to Nar, a remote Tibetan Buddhist valley. Overnight at teahouse.

Teahouse
Day07

Exploration of Nar & Phu Valley

Nar

Exploration day in the Nar and Phu valleys. Overnight at teahouse.

Teahouse
Day08

Cross Kang La Pass to Manang

Manang

Cross Kang La Pass (5,320 m) and descend to Manang. Overnight at teahouse.

3,400mTeahouse
Day09

Trek to Yak Kharka

Yak Kharka

Trek to Yak Kharka (4,000 m), approximately 4 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

4,000m4h trekTeahouse600m
Day10

Trek to Thorong Phedi

Thorong Phedi

Trek to Thorong Phedi (4,350 m), approximately 5 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

4,350m5h trekTeahouse350m
Day11

Cross Thorong La Pass to Muktinath

Muktinath

Cross Thorong La Pass (5,416 m) and descend to Muktinath (3,800 m), approximately 10 hours. Overnight at teahouse.

3,800m10h trekTeahouse550m
Day12

Drive to Pokhara

Pokhara

Drive back to Pokhara, approximately 7 hour. Overnight at hotel.

865mHotel2,935m
Day13

Sightseeing in Pokhara

Pokhara

Sightseeing around Pokhara. Overnight at hotel.

865mHotel
Day14

Drive to Kathmandu

Kathmandu

Drive back to Kathmandu. Overnight at hotel.

1,345mHotel480m
Day15

Departure

Kathmandu

Transfer to the international airport for your final flight departure.

1,345mTransfer
Good to Know

Before you commit

Trek Cost

TierPrice
Starting FromPrice may vary with group size, travel season, and customization.
USD 1,875per person
Package Details

What's in, what's out

What's Included

14

Airport to hotel to airport pickup and drop-off by private car, van, or bus.

Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel in Kathmandu (3 nights), breakfast included.

Standard twin-sharing accommodation in a two or three-star hotel in Pokhara (2 nights), breakfast included.

Guided city tour in Kathmandu by private car, van, or bus.

Standard meals (lunch, dinner, and breakfast) during the trek.

Tented accommodation and equipment during the camping sections, including two-person tents, dining tents, kitchen gear, dining table, chairs, toilet tents, and shower tent.

A government-licensed English-speaking guide for the trek, a cook, and the required number of porters, including their food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment, and a general first aid kit.

Boiled and purified drinking water during the trek.

Special Trekking Permit: US$90 per person per day for five days.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit and all other necessary permits.

Surface transfer from Kathmandu.

Down jacket, duffel or kit bag, and sleeping bag (to be returned after the trek).

All applicable government taxes.

Tourist service charge.

Not Included

8

Lunch and dinner while in Kathmandu and Pokhara.

Travel insurance (compulsory).

Nepal entry visa fee.

Items of a personal nature such as alcoholic drinks, soft drinks, and laundry.

Personal trekking equipment.

Tips for trekking staff and driver (tipping is expected).

Sightseeing and monument entrance fees.

Any other expenses not mentioned in the Price Includes section.

Add-on

Extra Nights in Kathmandu

Single Room$60per night · breakfast included
Twin Sharing$35per person / night · breakfast included

US$100 per person extra if you wish to take flight from Pokhara, Kathmandu (one way). US$60 per person per night for Single room and US$ 35 per person per night for double(twin sharing) room if you need extra accommodation in Kathmandu including breakfast.

The Reward

Why you'll love it

Three reasons this trek stays with you long after the plane home.

Scenery

Nar and Phu are living Tibetan villages, not museum replicas. The culture, architecture, and landscape feel like western Tibet without crossing a border.

Thrill

The restricted area permit keeps visitor numbers low. You may be the only trekking group in the valley.

Connection

Kang La Pass (5,322m) is a challenging crossing that connects the hidden valley to the familiar Annapurna Circuit at Manang.

Honest Check

Is this trek for you?

A few things worth knowing before you commit. No sugar-coating, no surprises on day one.

Expectations

Before you book

5

You want to see a part of Nepal that most trekkers never reach. The restricted Nar Phu Valley is culturally and visually unique.

You can walk 6 to 7 hours a day for 15 trekking days with one pass crossing at 5,322m.

Prior altitude experience above 4,500m is recommended. You sleep at 4,110m for multiple nights before crossing Kang La.

You are interested in Tibetan Buddhist culture, remote villages, and trans-Himalayan landscapes.

Budget includes the restricted area permit fee. Our package at USD 1,875 covers all permits.

Gear Up

What to pack

The full kit that's built from years on the trail. Skip it at your own risk, bring it and you'll never think about it again.

Equipment

Packing checklist

26 items

Duffel bag ( Company provide complementary)

Daypack

Down Jacket and Sleeping bag 4 season ( if you need nice and clean down jacket and sleeping bag company provide which needs to be returned after the trek)

Hiking pants

Waterproof jacket

Full, sleeves shirt

Jumper or pile jacket

T, shirts

Trekking boots (Water proof)

Camp shoes/Sandal

wool socks

Light cotton socks for under wool socks( take quite several pairs of these too. Better to carry some extra weight rather than spend the whole time washing socks)

Sun hat

Beanie

Gloves

Sun block for lips

Sun lotion

Goggles or sunglasses ( with spare )

Thermal Long underwear (take quite a few pairs. Although the weather may be cold one tends to sweat a lot)

windproof pants

Water bottle

Sewing kit

Medical & first aid kit

Flash light ( with spare batteries)

Personal towel

Personal toiletries and medication which should be labelled Please

Good to Know

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions? Tap through the answers below or reach out directly. We reply within the hour.

FAQs

The most asked

8
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Trail Stories

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