Nar Phu Valley Trek

Driving Time: Approximately 30 minutes (depending on traffic)
Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar

Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, you will be warmly welcomed by our representative holding a “Nepal Sanctuary Treks” placard.

You will then be transferred to your hotel in a private vehicle. After checking in and freshening up, our representative will meet you to provide a detailed briefing on your upcoming itinerary, along with important safety guidelines and hygiene practices to ensure a smooth trek.

Altitude above sea level: 1,302 m / 4,269 ft.
Tour Duration: Approximately 8 hours
Accommodation: Hotel Tibet or similar
Meals : Breakfast

9:00 AM – Guided Cultural Tour of Kathmandu Valley
Start your day with a guided cultural tour of Kathmandu Valley, exploring the city with expert guides who will share insights into its rich history and heritage.

Kathmandu Durbar Square
Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka Durbar), a royal historical complex filled with temples, palaces, and shrines dating back to the 15th century. Highlights include Kumari Ghar, the residence of the living goddess, and Kasthamandap, an architectural marvel constructed from a single tree.

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Next, head to Swayambhunath, also known as the Monkey Temple, a sacred site for both Hinduism and Buddhism. Admire the striking white dome and golden spire while soaking in the serene atmosphere of incense, prayer wheels, and panoramic city views.

Boudhanath Stupa
In the afternoon, visit the massive Boudhanath Stupa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and spiritual center of Tibetan culture. Witness colorful prayer flags fluttering in the wind, monks performing rituals, and devotees chanting “Om Mani Padme Hum.”

Pashupatinath Temple
Conclude your tour at Pashupatinath Temple, one of Hinduism’s most sacred sites, situated along the Bagmati River. Here, observe profound spiritual rituals, including the moving sight of open-air cremations, which hold deep cultural and religious significance. After this immersive experience, you will return to your hotel.

Altitude above sea level: 1,900m/6,233 ft.-Dharapani
Driving duration: 6-7 hrs. approx.
Accommodation: Teahouse Lodge
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Our representative will pick you up from hotel. You will travel east along the Prithvi Highway in a private 4WD jeep, following the Marsyangdi River. At the Dumre junction, the road turns north toward the Himalayan foothills, and you will arrive in Besisahar by midday.

Beyond Besisahar, the paved road gives way to a rugged dirt track carved into the mountainside.

The jeep continues across rough terrain, passing the roaring Syange Waterfall and the village of Jagat. After a final rocky climb through Tal village, you will arrive in Dharapani.

After breakfast in Dharapani, you will begin your trek to Koto. The trail follows the Marshyangdi River and climbs gradually through deep pine and fir forests. You will pass through Bagarchhap and Danaque, walking by traditional stone houses and whitewashed Buddhist monasteries.

From Danaque, the trail ascends a steep stone staircase to the ridge-top village of Timang, where clear views of the snow-capped Lamjung Himal await.

After a short rest in Timang, you will continue along a flatter forest trail through the quiet village of Thanchowk. The path then descends gently through pine woods and open fields before reaching Koto.

After breakfast in Koto, you trek to Meta. The trail winds through dense bamboo, pine, and fir forests, crossing suspension bridges, passing hidden caves, and following rock overhangs beside waterfalls.

Beyond Dharmasala, the forest thins and the path becomes a long, steep climb out of the river canyon onto a dry, windswept plateau.

You arrive in Meta, a Tibetan-style winter settlement of the Nar people. The village has basic teahouses and wide views of Pisang Peak and Annapurna II.

The trail starts with a gentle descent of around 60 meters toward the Jhuman (also known as Junam), a former Khampa settlement. After crossing the side streams (kholas), the route becomes steeper as it climbs over glacial moraines and rocky slopes to reach Chyakhu. From there, a final drop leads to another stream, followed by a short uphill section that brings you to the winter settlement of Kyang.

The route alternates between cliffside paths and riverbed sections, with suspension bridges crossing deep ravines. Along the way, you pass a large stone monolith and may spot blue sheep on the surrounding slopes.

Near Phu, the trail is lined with chortens and mani walls before a steep stone staircase leads to the Phupi Gyalgoe Gate and fortress ruins. Beyond it lies Phu Village, a remote stone settlement set into the mountainside.

Due to the high altitude, you will spend an acclimatization day in Phu. After a relaxed breakfast, you will walk through the narrow stone alleys of this ancient fortress settlement and observe daily life in the village.

Phu is a fascinating place where you can spend time with locals as they spin yak and sheep wool, grind mustard seeds into oil, and carry out daily chores. You can also take a short hike across the river canyon and up a steep ridge to visit the historic Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, a culturally rich site blessed by the Karmapa Rinpoche. From the monastery grounds, you will enjoy panoramic views of the valley, the crumbling ruins of old forts, and the towering peaks of Himlung Himal and Kang Guru.

Alternatively, for a more challenging option, you can hike to Himlung Himal Base Camp through a glacial valley. Along the trail, you may see herds of blue sheep skillfully moving across steep cliffs. The round trip takes about 4-5 hours.

After breakfast, you leave the village and head toward the ancient valley gate, then descend a steep, narrow cliffside trail into the rocky canyon floor leading to the seasonal settlement of Kyang.

The trail briefly climbs across wind-eroded slopes before dropping sharply over open pastures and sandy scree.

You then continue down the main valley trail through thin pine forest until you reach the junction for Nar Phedi.

From there, you leave the main path, descend to a deep suspension bridge over the Nar Phu Khola, and follow a short, gentle uphill walk into the peaceful Nar Phedi.

Leaving the Nar Phedi compound, you immediately begin a steady climb along tight, steep dirt switchbacks carved into the mountainside. As you gain elevation, the trail passes several ancient, finely carved Buddhist Mani walls and traditional chortens, offering natural places to pause and catch your breath.

The steep ascent ends as you pass through a grand, colorful entry chorten (Phu Khang) marking the entrance to the outer valley. Beyond the gate, the trail levels out, leading into a gentle, scenic walk across wide barley fields and rolling pastures as you approach the stone-built village of Nar.

Today you start early, leaving Nar (4,110m) and beginning a gentle two-hour warm-up across alpine pastures to Kang La Phedi (Jhombu Kharka).

From there, the trail becomes a steep and demanding ascent over loose scree and landslide-prone moraine, climbing toward the wind-swept summit of Kang La (5,240m). At the top, you are rewarded with sweeping 360-degree views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.

From the prayer flags at the pass, you begin a long descent. The route drops down a loose gravel scree slope that requires careful footing before gradually easing into grassy yak pastures near the Chulu waterfalls and Julu village.

The trail then continues its final descent into the ancient stone village of Ngawal, where you arrive by late afternoon.

Meal: Breakfast

As your unforgettable journey comes to an end, it’s time to fly back home, cherishing all the incredible memories of Nepal. A representative from Nepal Sanctuary Treks will transfer you to Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). Please make sure to check in 3 hours prior to your scheduled flight for a smooth departure.