Nar Phu Valley Trek – 10 Days

For hundreds of years, the Nar Phu Valley remained unknown to outsiders because of its rough landscape and distance from modern settlements. The first people to live here were Tibetan herders, who crossed the mountains looking for safer pastures for their animals. Their arrival shaped the local culture, language, and lifestyle, which still follow Tibetan Buddhist traditions today.

Historically, the Nar and Phu villages were part of the old salt trade routes between Tibet and Nepal. Traders used yaks and mules to carry salt, wool, and other goods across high passes, exchanging them for rice and food from the lower valleys. This trade created close connections between the valley and Tibet and supported the local economy.

Likewise, a popular story tells how people in Chame once saw strangely cut clothes floating down the Nar Khola River. This led to the discovery that hidden villages existed in the mountains. Although Nar Phu had been inside Nepal’s borders for centuries, the area stayed closed to foreigners until 2002–2003. Later, the government finally opened it as a restricted trekking region.

And because the valley remained isolated for so long, its traditions, customs, dialects, and culture stayed almost unchanged. The houses are made up of stones and are clustered together for warmth, and you still find ancient monasteries, prayer flags, and chortens everywhere. Even today, with trekking and tourism slowly growing in the area, Nar Phu feels untouched and authentic. Visitors and trekkers get a chance to see life in the Himalayas as it used to be long ago.

The Nar Phu Valley is a remote trekking region in Nepal, so the accommodation here is basic. You will stay in local tea houses and guesthouses built and managed by village families. The lodges are stone-built houses that also serve as family homes. The rooms are small and simple and provide the basic things you need for rest, which are a bed, mattress, pillow, and blankets. In some villages (Koto, Besisahar), you may find hot showers and Wi-Fi. However, higher up (after Koto), these facilities become harder to find, and even if they are available, you’ll need to pay an extra charge for them.

Likewise, shared toilets are common. Most are squat-style and may not always have running water. Nights can get very cold, especially in winter, so it is best to bring a warm sleeping bag for extra comfort. While you won’t find luxury here, what makes the stay special is the cultural immersion and hospitality of the local people. In the evenings, you’ll sit in the kitchen or dining room, warmed by a fire, enjoying hot tea and traditional meals. This is also where trekkers share stories and connect with locals. The stay may be simple, but the warmth, culture, and mountain views make it exciting.

You will stay at these teahouses during your 10 days Nar Phu Valley Trek with us:

The options for food will be pretty basic during trekking in Nepal. Likewise, trekking to the hidden valley of Nar and Phu will have minimal food options. You must be focusing on high-calorie foods rather than consuming junk foods. You will receive three meals daily during this remote Nar Phu Valley trek. Your Breakfast and Dinner will be at the place of your stay, whereas the Lunch will be in the middle of the hike at any tea house or Guest house. Your options for breakfast include meals such as Thukpa, Tibetan Bread, Tea, etc.

Likewise, the food options for Lunch and Dinner are similar. Daal Bhaat will be the staple meal during the trek. However, your options for lunch and dinner will be foods such as Thukpa, Chapati, Noodles, Pasta, Momo, Daal Bhaat, Potato Wedges, etc. Carrying water will be a challenging task during the high-altitude treks. You can easily buy mineral water from tea houses, which costs around a dollar for a liter of water. Alternatively, you can carry purification tablets and drink the water from springs or free-flowing rivers.

Kang La Pass is the highest point of the Nar Phu Valley Trek, standing tall at about 5,320 m. It is also a high mountain pass in the Annapurna region of Nepal. It connects the remote Nar Phu Valley with the Manang Valley. Crossing Kang La Pass is the toughest part of the trek, but it is also the most rewarding. The climb is steep, the trails can be snowy, and the cold winds make the walk even harder. This is the place where your strength and determination are really tested.

Trekkers usually start the climb to Kang La Pass before sunrise from Nar village, moving slowly in the freezing dark. It takes hours to reach the top of the pass. From the top, you get to see mesmerizing views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak, shining bright against the sky. You will spend some time here. Later on, you walk down towards Ngawal, where the Nar Phu route connects back with the Annapurna Circuit.

There are two permits required to trek in the Nar Phu Valley. They are the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP) and the Restricted Area Permit.

Restricted Area Permit

The government of Nepal has listed it as one of the 15 restricted areas to trek in Nepal. You will need a special permit from the immigration office to hike to the Nar Phu Valley. The interesting thing is that a solo trekker is not permitted to trek here. You should at least be a duo to trek in this restricted region. The price for the permit depends on the month you’re trekking in. From December to August, the cost is USD 75 per person for the first seven days, with an additional USD 15 per day from the eighth day onwards in the restricted zone. From September to November, the price increases to USD 100 for the first seven days, with the same USD 15 per day charge after that.

Annapurna  Conservation Area Permit

Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit is a permit taken to conserve the Flora and Fauna of the Annapurna region. The trek to Nar Phu Valley passes through the Annapurna region, so you will need to get this ACAP permit. The ACAP fee goes toward conservation projects, trail upkeep, and supporting the local communities living in the region. The Annapurna Conservation Area Permit costs NPR 3,000 for a non-SAARC national and NPR 1,000 for visitors from SAARC nations. Talking about its validity, it covers your entire stay in the region during the trek. You can obtain the permit at the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara, or let us arrange it for you.
Note: A Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS) card is no longer required for Nar Phu Valley Trek. It was mandatory until April 1, 2023, but then a new rule was introduced that removed the need for this permit.

Trekkers Information Management System

Trekkers Information Management System Card is mandatory for trekking in Nepal, except for a few trials. It stores all the trekkers’ data, trek routes, and itineraries. It is used to locate the trekkers in case of emergencies. You can get this TIMS card from the Nepal Tourism Board office in Kathmandu or Pokhara. You can also contact any registered trekking agencies in Nepal. The cost for a TIMS card will cost you NPR 2000. 

Fitness is crucial for any trek. Good physical fitness boosts the successful completion of the trek. Likewise, if you’re planning to trek to Nar Phu Valley of Nepal, you must prepare yourself for this trek. Trekking for more than 100 km at high altitudes is always challenging. It would help if you focus on cardiovascular exercises, which improve your endurance. Exercises such as Squats, lunges, prior hikes, etc. help maintain your physique.

Experience is another essential factor for trekking in the Himalayas. Despite Nar Phu Valley being a beginner-friendly trek, having an experience is always beneficial. It helps you understand the conditions of the trials, weather, etc. Moreover, having experience always benefits when dealing with unprecedented circumstances. To gain some experience for Nar Phu Valley trek, you can go on prior hikes.