Nar Phu Valley Trek

You get to the start of the Nar Phu Valley Trek by road from Kathmandu. The walk starts at Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit trail, in Manang district. You can do the whole drive in one long day: a bus from Kathmandu to Besisahar, then a jeep from Besisahar to Dharapani, where you spend the first night.

Kathmandu to Besisahar: This is the first and easier part of the drive. It takes about 5 to 7 hours by tourist bus on the highway that follows the Trishuli and then the Marshyangdi River, past terraced hills and small market towns. The road is about 175km long from Kathmandu to Besisahar. A local bus is cheaper but slower, since it stops often to pick up passengers, and it can take 8 to 9 hours. A private jeep from Kathmandu is the most comfortable choice and saves time, and it costs more. Tell us when you book if you want one.

Besisahar to Dharapani: From Besisahar, you change to a shared or private jeep for the road up the Marshyangdi Valley. This road is narrow, unpaved for long stretches, and very bumpy. It climbs along cliffs above the river, crosses landslide areas, and can be dusty in the dry months and muddy in the rain. The drive takes about 3 hours over about 40km from Besisahar to Dharapani and passes Jagat, Chamje, and Tal.

Which Monasteries and Cultural Sites Can You Visit?

You can visit several monasteries and old sites on the trek, and most of them are on the trail or a short walk from where you stay.

• Phu Gate: The old gateway at the entrance to Phu, which you pass on the way into the village. It is on the trail and part of every Nar Phu itinerary, and a good place to rest before the last climb to the village.
• Tashi Lhakhang Monastery: The best-known monastery of the valley, on a hill above Phu with views of the snow peaks around it. It is the main monastery of Phu. It is associated with Lama Karma Sonam Rinpoche. You visit it on the acclimatization day in Phu, which is part of the standard itinerary. It is a separate walk up from the village. Ask your guide before you go in.
• Nar Phedi Monastery (Sartek Thrangu Choepel Ling / Satya Gompa): A monastery in a quiet spot below Nar, where trekkers can stay the night in its guest rooms. It is on the trail and part of the standard itinerary. You can see monks or nuns at prayer in the morning and evening.
• Nar village gompas and chortens: Several small gompas and a line of painted chortens at the entrance to Nar, with long mani walls on the trail from Nar Phedi. You walk past them on the way into the village, and you can explore them in the afternoon after you arrive.

The best times for the Nar Phu Valley Trek are autumn (September to November) and spring (March to May). These seasons offer the clearest mountain views, more stable weather, and the best chance of safe Kang La crossing. Winter is possible for experienced, well-prepared trekkers, but snow can close the pass. During the monsoon, rain can affect the road to the valley, although the upper valley sits in the rain shadow of the Annapurna range and stays much drier.

Autumn (September to November)

Autumn is the most reliable season for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. The monsoon washes the dust out of the air, so the skies are clear and the views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak and Manaslu are at their sharpest, mostly in the morning. Further, days are mild and sunny. Nights are cold and fall below freezing by November.

• Early autumn (September): Some monsoon rain may still affect the lower road between Besisahar and Dharapani, with possible mud or landslide delays. The upper valley is green after the summer, and clouds can build in the afternoon. By the end of the month, the weather settles.
• Mid autumn (October): October is the peak month. The trail is dry, the skies are the clearest of the year, and Kang La is usually free of deep snow. Days are still warm enough to walk in a light layer.
• Late autumn (November): November stays dry and clear, but the nights get much colder, and frost covers the trail to Kang La in the early morning. A warm sleeping bag and a down jacket matter most now.

Likewise, all lodges in Meta, Phu, Nar Phedi, and Nar are open during these seasons. Dashain and Tihar fall in this season. In Kathmandu and the lower towns, you see families gathering, kites and lights. Buses and jeeps fill up around the festival days, so book your transport early.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is the second best season for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. It brings longer, warmer days and flowers on the lower trail, and conditions on Kang La get better as the season goes on.

• March: Early spring is cold, and winter snow often lies near the top of Kang La and in shaded parts of the trail. The pass may need a slower, more careful crossing, and on some days it may not be safe at all. Nights in Nar and Phu are below freezing. The trail is quiet, and the air is often very clear after winter.
• April: April is the best month of spring. Days warm up, most of the snow on Kang La melts, and rhododendrons flower in the forests between Dharapani and Koto. Lodges in the upper valley are open, and the trail is still quiet.
• May: May is the warmest month of the season, and the pass is usually clear of snow. Haze and clouds build up in the afternoon as the monsoon gets closer, so the best views come early in the day. Late May can bring the first rain to the lower road.

Winter (December to February)

Winter on the Nar Phu Valley Trek is dry, sunny and very cold. It suits experienced trekkers with good cold-weather gear, and we do not suggest it for a first high-altitude trek. Late February is the better end of winter, as days become longer and slightly warmer.

The Winter Nar Phu Valley trek conditions are:

• Nights in Nar and Phu fall well below freezing, and Kang La is even colder and windier.
• Heavy snow (from December to February) can cover the trail above Nar and close Kang La for days, and icy sections may require microspikes and trekking poles.
• Few lodges stay open in the upper valley, menus are limited, and water pipes may freeze.
• If Kang La is closed, you may need to return the same way through Nar, Nar Phedi and Koto. Keep one or two spare days and follow the guide’s decision based on weather and snow conditions.

Monsoon (June to August)

You can trek Nar Phu in the monsoon, but the main problem is the journey to and from the valley, not the valley itself. The lower Marshyangdi valley gets heavy rain, while Nar and Phu sit in the rain shadow of the Annapurna range and get much less.

Between Besisahar and Koto, rain falls most days. The jeep road from Besisahar to Dharapani is often blocked by landslides or washed-out sections, which can stop vehicles for hours or a day. The trail below Koto turns muddy and slippery, side streams rise, and leeches are common in the forest.

Above Meta, the rain gets lighter, and Phu and Nar often see short showers rather than all-day rain. The valley turns green. Clouds often hide the mountains, though mornings can clear. The pass is usually free of snow in summer, but cloud and rain can make the descent to Ngawal wet and slippery.

If you trek in the monsoon:

• Add one or two spare days for road delays on the way in and out.
• Pack a good rain jacket and trousers, a pack liner, and leech socks.
• Expect few other trekkers and plenty of room in the lodges.

You need two permits for the Nar Phu Valley Trek: the Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP). You do not need a separate TIMS card. You also need a valid Nepal tourist visa.

A government-registered trekking agency arranges both Nar Phu Trek permits for you in Kathmandu before the trek, and Hillary Step Trek does this as part of the trip. Your guide carries the permits and shows them at the checkpoints on the way. You only send us your documents.

Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit

The Nar Phu Valley is a restricted area, so you need this special permit. Nepal keeps some remote valleys like this one as restricted areas to protect their culture and land and to control who enters. The permit covers the Narpa Rural Municipality area of Manang, which includes both Phu and Nar villages and the trail between them.

One permit covers the whole restricted part of the trek, from Koto up to Phu, across to Nar and over Kang La. Once you reach Ngawal, you are back on the open Annapurna Circuit. The Department of Immigration in Kathmandu issues this permit. You cannot apply for it yourself. A government-registered trekking agency must apply for you.

The fee for the Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit is USD 100 per person per week from September to November and USD 75 per person per week from December to August. Extra days beyond the first week cost USD 15 per person per day.

Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)

The ACAP is required because the entire Nar Phu route lies within the Annapurna Conservation Area. It is a separate entry permit and does not replace the restricted area permit. One ACAP covers the full route from Dharapani through Nar and Phu, over Kang La, and down to Manang.

The permit costs NPR 3,000 per person per entry for foreign nationals and NPR 1,000 for SAARC nationals. It is arranged by Hillary Step Trek along with your restricted area permit. Your guide will show it at conservation area checkpoints on the Annapurna Circuit. The fee supports the Annapurna Conservation Area Project, which helps protect the region’s trails, forests, and villages.

Who Arranges the Nar Phu Trek Permits?

For a foreign trekker, the easiest approach is to book through a government-registered trekking agency. The agency handles the restricted area permit, and other required paperwork before the trek. This is particularly important because the Nar Phu restricted area permit cannot be obtained independently.

Permit fees and regulations can change, so the final cost should be confirmed with your trekking agency before departure.

The Nar Phu Valley Trek is moderate to challenging. It requires good fitness, several nights above 4,000m, and one long day crossing Kang La Pass at 5,320m. It is harder than the main Annapurna Circuit, where there are more lodges, more trekkers, and road access along much of the route, and much harder than easier treks such as Ghorepani Poon Hill, a slower, shorter, and easier trek with no high pass.

Most walking days take 4 to 7 hours with breaks. The pass day from Nar to Ngawal takes about 8 to 9 hours. Although daily distances are not extremely long, the trail involves frequent climbs and descents, which make the walking more demanding. You start at Dharapani (1,860m) and gradually climb to Koto (2,600m), Meta (3,560m), Phu (4,080m), and Nar (4,150m). On the pass day, you climb about 1,170m to Kang La and then descend about 1,645m to Ngawal. The long descent can be hard on your knees.

Furthermore, the Nar Phu Valley trek trail is rough in places, especially through the gorge from Koto to Meta and Phu. Expect rocky paths, loose scree, narrow cliff-side sections, and suspension bridges. Altitude is one of the biggest challenges. You sleep at 4,000m or higher for several nights before crossing the pass. At this height, even gentle climbs can feel difficult, and trekkers may experience poor sleep, reduced appetite, or altitude sickness. The acclimatization day in Phu helps your body adjust.

Nar Phu is also remote. There is no road in the upper valley, fewer lodges, weak phone signal, simple food, and cold rooms. Help can take longer to arrive than on the main Annapurna Circuit, so the trek requires both physical and mental preparation.

Is the Nar Phu Valley Trek Suitable for Beginners?

The Nar Phu Valley Trek is suitable for some beginners, but not all. It suits a fit person who already hikes, who trains well for it, and who is ready for a few nights at high altitude. It is not a good choice as someone’s very first hike.

As a beginner trekker, you should be able to walk for 4 to 7 hours on hilly terrain with a daypack and feel recovered the next morning. You should also be comfortable with simple lodges, cold nights, and a long pass day. You should be willing to walk slowly, follow the guide’s pace, and turn back if your body says so.

Previous high-altitude experience is not required, but it is helpful. If you have trekked above 3,000m before, you will have a better idea of how your body responds to altitude. Without that experience, careful acclimatization and open communication with your guide become even more important.

If you are unsure whether this trek is right for you, share your past hiking experience and current fitness level when you enquire. We will give you an honest recommendation before you book.

Why Is Nar Phu Considered a Challenging Trek?

Several factors make Nar Phu more demanding than many popular Nepal trekking routes:

• High altitude: Nar and Phu are both above 4,000 m, while Kang La reaches around 5,320 m. Spending several days at this elevation increases the importance of gradual acclimatization.
• Kang La Pass: The pass is the toughest section of the trek. The climb to the pass is steep, followed by a long descent toward the Annapurna Circuit.
• Rough terrain: Parts of the trail include rocky ground, scree, narrow sections, and uneven paths. The gorge between Koto and Phu can be particularly demanding underfoot.
• Long walking days: Some stages require several hours of continuous walking, with the Kang La crossing taking considerably longer than a typical village-to-village day.
• Remote conditions: Nar Phu has fewer facilities than the main Annapurna Circuit. Accommodation and supplies are more limited, so trekkers need to be comfortable with basic conditions.
• Altitude management: The physical effort is only part of the challenge. Your body needs time to adjust as the route climbs, so rushing the itinerary can make the trek considerably harder.

Despite these challenges, Nar Phu does not require technical mountaineering skills in normal trekking conditions. The main requirement is the ability to walk for several hours over uneven terrain while managing altitude sensibly.

Kang La Pass, at 5,320m (17,454ft), is the highest point of the Nar Phu Valley Trek. Crossing it is the hardest day of the trek, but also one of the most rewarding. The pass connects Nar village with Ngawal on the Annapurna Circuit and is completed in one long day.

You leave Nar before dawn and climb through yak pastures below Pisang Peak. The trail is rocky and becomes steeper above Kang La Phedi, the high camp below the pass. The thin air makes this part slow. From the top of Kang La, you can see Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. The wind is cold at the pass, so most groups take photos and begin the descent soon after.

The descent to Ngawal is long and steep, with loose scree on the upper slopes. Many trekkers find it harder on their knees than the climb is on their lungs. Trail conditions change by season. In autumn, the trail is usually dry, with frost in the early morning. In spring, especially March, snow can remain near the top. In winter, snow and ice may cover both sides of the pass and close it completely. During the monsoon, the pass is usually snow-free, but cloud and rain can make the descent slippery.

What Happens if Snow or Bad Weather Makes Kang La Pass Unsafe?

If snow or bad weather makes Kang La Pass unsafe, we do not cross it. Safety always comes before keeping to the schedule. The evening before the crossing, your guide checks everyone’s oxygen level, pulse, and signs of altitude sickness. The guide also checks the weather forecast and asks lodge owners, local people, and other guides about conditions on the pass.

Then, on the morning of the crossing, the guide checks the sky, wind, and fresh snow. If the forecast shows the weather may clear, the group can wait in Nar and try the next day again. However, fresh snow can keep the pass closed for several days.

If the pass stays closed, you return the same way: from Nar to Nar Phedi, then through Meta to Koto. From Koto, you can drive to Besisahar and Kathmandu. This way, you would miss the pass and its views, but you would still see Phu and Nar, their monasteries, and the beautiful gorge.

Altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness, or AMS) can affect anyone above about 2,500m, regardless of fitness. On this trek, you sleep at 3,560m in Meta, then above 4,000m in Phu and Nar, before the pass at 5,320m. So the itinerary climbs step by step and includes a full day in Phu Gaon to let your body adjust.

Early signs of AMS include headache, nausea, loss of appetite, tiredness, dizziness, and poor sleep. Serious signs that need descent at once include breathlessness at rest, a wet cough, confusion, loss of balance, or extreme tiredness. These can mean fluid in the lungs or brain, which is an emergency.

How to lower the risk of altitude sickness:

• Walk slowly, at a pace where you can still talk.
• Drink water throughout the day, and more than you feel you need.
• Spend the acclimatization day in Phu, walking higher and sleeping lower.
• Avoid alcohol and smoking on the trek.
• Ask your doctor before the trip about medicine for altitude sickness, such as acetazolamide.
• Tell your guide about every symptom, even a mild headache. Never go higher with symptoms.

Nar Phu is a remote trekking area, so safety depends on good decisions on the trail. Our licensed guides know the terrain and villages well. They carry a first aid kit and a pulse oximeter, and keep the group together on challenging days.

How Does Your Guide Keep You Safe During the Trek?

Your guide sets a slow, steady pace and checks on each trekker throughout the day. They measure oxygen levels and pulse morning and evening above 3,500m, watch for signs of altitude sickness, and decide when someone needs to rest or descend.

The guide also chooses safe routes across landslide areas, river crossings and scree, and makes sure everyone drinks enough water and eats properly, even when appetite decreases at altitude.

How Are Emergencies Managed in Remote Parts of Nar Phu Valley?

For mild illness, the guide arranges rest, fluids, first aid and a day without climbing. If altitude sickness worsens, the affected trekker descends immediately to a lower village with the guide or a porter.

In a serious illness or injury, a helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu can be arranged when weather allows. Because phone signal is weak in the upper valley, a satellite phone is used to call for help.

A helicopter rescue is costly, so your travel insurance must cover it. Check that your policy covers trekking up to 5,320m and emergency helicopter evacuation before you travel.

The Nar Phu Valley Trek is a teahouse trek. You sleep and eat in small lodges run by local families, so you do not carry a tent or cook. In the upper valley, accommodation is small, and the comfort is basic, which is part of what keeps the valley quiet.

What Are Teahouses Like in Nar and Phu?

On the Annapurna Circuit part, in Dharapani, Koto and Manang, teahouses are larger, with more rooms, some attached bathrooms and hot showers. In Meta, Phu, Nar Phedi and Nar, the lodges are simple stone houses. Rooms have twin beds with a mattress, pillow, and blanket and are shared between two trekkers. Toilets are shared, often outside the room, and sometimes a squat toilet. Rooms are not heated.

The dining room has a stove in the evening, where everyone gathers. Showers, charging, and Wi-Fi, where they exist, cost a small extra charge. Solar power can be weak on cloudy days. At Nar Phedi, you may stay in the guest rooms of the monastery. A warm sleeping bag is helpful in every lodge above Koto. We provide one if you need it.

What Food Is Available During the Trek?

All meals on the trek are included: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and dinner are in the lodge where you stay, and lunch is on the way. Dal bhat (rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, and pickle) is the meal most trekkers live on. Other options include noodles, fried rice, potatoes, Tibetan bread, porridge, eggs, and soups, though menus become shorter at higher altitudes.

Vegetarian food is easy to find. We recommend avoiding meat in the upper valley because it is rarely fresh. We provide daily cookies and seasonal fruit, but bring energy bars or chocolate for the pass day.

Good preparation makes the difference between suffering on Kang La and enjoying it. Start fitness exercises 2 to 3 months before the trip, check your health, and break in your boots.

• See your doctor: Tell them you will trek to 5,320m, and ask about altitude sickness medicine and any condition that height can make worse.
• Break in your boots: Walk at least 50km in them before the trip, on hills if you can.
• Get the right insurance: Make sure travel insurance covers trekking to 5,320m and helicopter evacuation.
• Prepare your mind: Expect cold nights, simple food, and weak signal for most of the trek.

A Practical Training Plan Before Departure:

A 10 to 12 week plan works well for most fit adults.

• Weeks 1 to 4: Brisk walking, cycling or running three times a week, 30 to 45 minutes each time. One longer walk at the weekend, 2 to 3 hours.
• Weeks 5 to 8: Add stairs or hill walking twice a week, with a 5 to 7 kg day pack. Make the weekend walk 4 to 5 hours, with climbs.
• Weeks 9 to 12: Two hikes on back-to-back days, 5 to 6 hours each, with your full day pack and trekking poles. Add squats, lunges, and step-ups twice a week to prepare your knees for the descent from Kang La.
• Last week: Rest more, walk lightly, and sleep well before your flight.

If you live in a flat area, use a stair machine or walk on a steep treadmill at a slow pace to prepare for hill climbing.

Yes, you can extend the Nar Phu Valley Trek to the Annapurna Circuit. Nar Phu is a side valley of the Circuit, so the two join easily. After Kang La, you come down to Ngawal on the upper Circuit, a short walk from Manang. From there, instead of driving back, you can carry on over Thorong La Pass (5,416m) to Muktinath, or add Tilicho Lake. Our Annapurna Circuit Trek and Annapurna Circuit Trek with Tilicho Lake follow those routes.

The extension adds several days to your trek. A major advantage is that you will already be well acclimatized after sleeping at high altitude in Nar and Phu and crossing Kang La, which can make Thorong La feel easier than it does for trekkers arriving directly from lower elevations.

How do the routes connect? Going in, you walk the Circuit from Dharapani to Koto, then turn north into the Nar Phu valley. Coming out, Kang La brings you down to Ngawal, back on the Circuit, above Pisang and below Manang. To continue on the Circuit, walk from Manang to Yak Kharka, Thorong Phedi, over Thorong La and down to Muktinath. For Tilicho Lake, take the side trail from Manang through Khangsar to Tilicho Base Camp.

Is Nar Phu Harder Than the Annapurna Circuit?

Yes, the Nar Phu Valley section is generally more challenging than the standard Annapurna Circuit, but the difference depends on which part of each trek you compare.

The Annapurna Circuit also has a major high-altitude challenge in Thorong La Pass at 5,416 m, which is slightly higher than Kang La. However, the main Annapurna Circuit has a more established trekking infrastructure, with more accommodation and services along the route.

Nar Phu feels harder because of the combination of remote trails, rougher terrain, limited facilities, high-altitude villages, and the demanding Kang La crossing. The approach into the valley is also less developed than the main Circuit, so you spend more time in a remote mountain environment.

So, if you are comparing only the highest pass, Thorong La is higher. If you are comparing the overall trekking experience, Nar Phu can feel more demanding because you combine high altitude with a remote route and fewer facilities.

• We are a government-registered trekking agency in Nepal, with over a decade of running treks in the Annapurna region. Here is what that means on this trip:
  • Licensed English-speaking guides who know the Nar Phu trail and its villages.
  • Permits handled for you: the restricted area permit and ACAP, arranged in Kathmandu before you start.
  • One porter for every two trekkers, with salary, insurance, equipment, food, and lodging covered by us.
  • Safety kit on every trek: a first aid kit and a pulse oximeter, carried by the guide.
  • Small groups and private dates for two or more, plus fixed departures you can join alone.
  • Help beyond the trail: airport pick-up and drop-off in Kathmandu.
  • No hidden extras: what is included and not included is listed on this page.