Nar Phu valley with Tilicho Lake trek + Kathmandu (21+4=25days)
One of the newly opened regions the trek to the Nar and Phu valley takes you to the remote but alluring region of Nepal. Unlike other regions of Nepal, trekking the region of Nar and Phu you will observe that the landscape is similar to that of Tibet.
You will enjoy the delightful sights of quaint Tibetan villages, astounding rock formations, high altitude grazing settlements, narrow canyons, deep forests and majestic snow clad peaks during your trek to the Nar and Phu valley.
The trail follows a rugged path as you explore the quaint Tibetan villages of Nar and Phu, cross the Kang La Pass, take on the less traveled route to Tilicho Lake and the Meso Kanta Pass (5089m) which links the Manang and Kali Ghandaki valley. This traversing of the pass provides you a more challenging and interesting alternative to the popular Thorong La pass on the Annapurna Circuit.
Trip
Hightlights:
Duration:
25
Days
Type of Trek :
Camping
Max Altitude:
5315 m.
Minimum Pax:
2 +
Mode of travel:
Land Transportation
Grade:
Strenous
Outline Itinerary
Day
1
Arrive in Kathmandu International Airport. Transfer to the hotel and stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day
2
City sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley. (Kathmandu, Bhaktapur & Patan). Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day
3
Drive from Kathmandu to
Beshishahar (760m.) takes approximately
seven hours. You drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara
Highway to Dumre and then follow the narrow
and paved road by the Marshyangdi River
to Besi Sahar (823m.). Beshishahar is the
district headquarters of Lamjung district.
All the local government offices are situated
here. From here, you can see some of mountain
peaks, natural sceneries surrounding the
valley and the daily activities of local
people. This headquarter is the centre
from where the daily usable commodities
are supplied to the different villages
and numerous towns. Stay overnight at camp
in Beshisahar.
Day 4
Trek from Beshishahar
to Bahundanda (1310m.) takes about six
hours. The first part of the trail passes
through a flat level along the bank of
the Marshyangdi river. You can enjoy the
sceneries and the local culture of Gurung
community. After lunch at Ngadi, the trail
goes steeply upwards to Bahundanda which
takes about two hours. At this point, you
can see the area surrounded by eye-catching
scenaries with snow capped mountains. Stay
overnight at camp in Bahundanda.
Day
5
Trek from Bahundanda to
Chamje (1430m.) takes approximately six
hours. A steep trail descends for early
half an hour and then follows a flat path
through rice terraces, before crossing
a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall.
It then climbs again and traverses the
hillside high above the river before reaching
the village of Lali Gaon. Ahead, the Marshyangdi
valley forms a steep V-shape and you follow
the winding mountain path down through
Syange (1100m.) where there is a beautiful
waterfall above it and along the river
for some distance. The trail then climbs
steeply and the path is cut into the sheer
cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed.
Eventually you descend to the stone village
of Jagat (1330m.) situated on a shelf which
juts into the precipitous Marshyangdi valley.
Now, the trail begins to observe small
ups and downs to Chamje through the forests.
Stay overnight at camp in Chamje.
Day
6
Trek from Chamje (1410m.)
to Dharapani (1860m.) takes about six hours.
The first part of the trail descends to
the river and after crossing a suspension
bridge, you begin a climb to Sattale (1550m.)
on a path so steep that it seems one slip
would send you hurtling down into the valley.
Climbing the zigzag path to the top of
the hill, you see the level, plain of Tal
(1700m.) ahead of you. Tal is the border
between Manang and Lamjung district. Though
it is enclosed by cliffs, the level area
looks reassuring after the harrowing mountain
paths just traveled on. You descend to
a grassy riverbank, which leads to Tal
with its hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal,
the valley narrows and the path becomes
high and winding. Beyond the small village
of Karte (1900m.), there is a bit more
cliff-walking before the path reaches near
the river. You cross a suspension bridge,
and climb the short distance to the stone
Kani marking the entrance to Dharapani
(1960m.). Stay overnight at camp in Dharapani..
Day
7
Trek from Dharapani to
Koto takes about five hours. You trek gradual
ascent path and cross a stream to reach
Koto. The mountain views you can enjoy
are of Annapurna II, Manaslu range and
the beautiful views of forests on the way
add another dimension to your trek. Koto
is a small village mainly inhabited by
Gurung and other ethnic groups. Their lifestyle
is mainly influenced by Buddhist Tibetans.
Stay overnight at camp in Koto.
Day
8
Trek
from Koto to Dharmasala takes about six
hours. This morning you head out early,
as you have a long and somewhat difficult
day before you. You cross the river leading
to the Nar Phu valleys and hike up through
beautiful woods above the Phu Khola. The
route takes you through some beautiful
woods and past several small caves, and
a pilgrims’ Dharmasala.
After you emerge out of a narrow canyon,
the trail actually passes under a wide
waterfall just before the Dharmasala, from
where the woods become thinner and the
vistas wider. Stay overnight at camp in
Dharmasala.
Day
9
Trek from Dharmasala to Kayang takes
about six and half hours. A steep climb up the valley along
a small river brings you finally to high pastures
on a 3,200m plateau. You pass by the scenic kharka of Meta,
3560m, a non permanent winter settlement of Nar, where you
are likely to share the trail with a few yaks! This morning
is one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. The landscape
is combined with white rocks, low shrubs, juniper, scattered
evergreens, delicate brick-red and orange leafy bushes, crumbling
shelves of flat slate, white and sandy trails.
The mountains around you are clearly visible and the Phu Koshi shadows the trail
far below. An hour past Meta, Junam is the second semi-permanent settlement.
Above the Kharka to the right looms massive glacier and this falls jaggedly down
to the high pastures above you.
The next settlement is Chako, formerly a Khampa settlement, where grass lies
tied in bunches to dry on all the rooftops and prayer flags flutter in the breeze.
Stay overnight at camp in Kayang.
Day
10
Trek
from Kayang to Phu village. Dropping
steeply down to the river, you trek
for a while along the river bank and past
the “submarine” rock, passing
some small possible campsites along the
way. You start to see some of the unique,
colorful chortens for which Nar and Phu
are famous. You have to walk carefully
across a small glacial stream before
reaching a larger one with a bridge only
half covered with large slabs of slate.
Another hour and a half of trekking through
scenic canyon lands and gorges, and the
monolith guards the steep trail up to
the Phu gate, called Pupigyal Kwe. This
ancient gate provides you the first view
of the three villages of Phu, as well
as an old “dzong” and the
remains of the two forts, which are
all now in ruins, but impressively
situated atop the flatlands before
Phu.
Just before the bridge to Phu, a line of wonderful chortens color the landscape
and lead the way to the main village of Phu, perched high up on a hill. You will
set up camp on the lower reaches of Phu, formerly called Gomdzong, and head up
to the famous Tashi Lhakhang Gompa on a neighbouring hillside to pay your respect
to Lama Karma Sonam. Stay overnight at camp at Phu Village.
Day
11
Excursion around Phu
valley. You can have interaction with locals
and explore up the wide valley systems
above you. You might walk up the valley
to the summer grazing settlement or Kharka
at Ngoru, a three hours walk past the gompa.
Phu itself is an incredibly interesting
village and you can observe the villagers
spinning their yak and sheep wool and chat.
Stay overnight at camp in Phu Valley.
Day
12
Trek from Phu valley
to Junam. You get back through Phu gate,
descend to the river and retrace your step
back to Junam Kharka which is a lovely
spot for camping. Stay overnight at camp
in Junam.
Day 13
Trek from Junam to Nar.
This day you trek down the old bridge spanning
a deep, contoured and narrow gorge and
all the way back up again. The scenery
is stunning. Below you sit Gyalbu Kumbu,
built in 1650, and Satte Gompa both empty.
You finally reach the Nar gates at the
top of the hill and pass by yet another
line of wonderfully painted, bamboo topped
chortens and a large tiered chorten. Stay
overnight at camp at Nar.
Day 14
Explore Nar village.
Nar is lively than Phu. Each family at
Nar seems to have at least one son or daughter
in a gompa. Stay overnight at camp.
Day 15
Trek
from Nar village to Ngwal after crossing
Kang La pass. The Kang La is not a difficult
pass, but it could be a long day if there
is snow on the pass or the altitude is
taking its toll. The Kang La, at 5240m,
is an absolutely spectacular pass looking
over Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho
peak, the peaks surrounding Tilicho and
the airport at Hongde. The trail down is
steep and gradual down towards the end.
Ngawal, on the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna circuit (off the main Annapurna
circuit), can be reached in as little as two hours from the pass, but the walk
down is nice as it is easy with enchanting views. Just before Ngawal is an unusual
grouping of chortens and prayer flags, and marks a meditation cave far up in
the hills. Ngawal is a wonderful, old village of cobbled streets, prayer wheels
and beautiful architecture, obviously a hub of religious activity in previous
times. Stay overnight at camp in Ngwal.
Day 16
Trek
from Ngwal to Manang takes about three
hours. This day you walk through the leveled
path along the bank of Marshyangdi river
to reach Manang. On the way you pass pine
forests, villages such as Braga and farming
terraces. You can enjoy the views of Annapurna
range, Tilicho Mountain and beautiful landscapes.
Manang is a small town. Stay overnight
at camp in Manang.
Day 17
Rest
day in Manang. You explore Khangsur Village
or Kecho Lake or Milarepa Cave.). Stay
overnight in camp.
Day 18
Trek
from Manang to Khangsar takes approximately
five hours. The path is gradual descent
and you cross a suspension bridge over
Jharsing Khola (stream). The panoramic
views of Annapurna range completely mesmerizes
you. Khangsar is a Gurung village. There
you find a small monastery, chorten, mani
walls and prayer flags. Stay overnight
at camp in Khangsar.
Day 19
Trek from Khangsar to
Tilicho Lake takes about six hours. This
day you trek up and ascending trail until
you reach destination. The path is quite
covered by small crystals and shrubs can
be seen on both sides. Somewhere in trekking
you cross a few streams. Tilicho Lake is
situated at the highest altitude. From
here you can enjoy the closer and panoramic
views of Tilicho Mountain and many others.
Stay overnight at camp in Tilicho Lake.
Day 20
Trek
from Tilicho Lake to Mesokanto Pass (5315m.)
takes about seven hours.
The path is full of ups and downs until you reach Mesokanto Pass. The trail is
quite narrow and you trek over icy path. The panoramic views of Annapurna range,
Tilicho, Dhaulagiri along with more than ten mountains completely mesmerize you.
Stay overnight at camp in Mesokanto Pass.
Day 21
Trek
from Mesokanto Pass to Jomsom (2741 m.)
via Thimi (2760 m.) takes about six hours.
From Mesokanto Pass, the trail goes steep down to Jomsom. This day you trek through
pine forest. Before you reach Jomsom, you cross Thimi inhabited by mostly Buddhists.
There are no tea houses available from en route Tilicho Lake to Jomsom. Stay
overnight at camp in Jomsom.
Day 22
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara which takes about 25 minutes. Stay overnight at hotel in Pokhara.
Day 23
Drive from Pokhara to
Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes
about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara
to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli, Dumre,
Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first
Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana
Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain
views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields,
vegetable fields and people engaged in
their daily life activities. From Naubishe
you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to
Kathmandu. You can also fly from Pokhara
to Kathmandu which takes about 25 minutes.
Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 24
Recreation & shopping day. Stay overnight at Hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 25
Transfer to the Airport for final departure. (Fly out from Kathmandu).
All surface transportation to the starting point and from the ending point of the trek
All meals three times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, juice, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, fruits etc.)
Necessary Camping equipment such as tents, kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent, mattresses, down sleeping bag, down jacket, cooking utensils, fuel etc.
Camping Charges
Flight tickets from Jomsom to Pokhara with airport tax
Necessary insurance for trekking staff
First Aid kit
Rescue assistance
Four
nights hotel accommodation in Kathmandu on
breakfast basis
One day city sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley with tour guide and private vehicle
Entry fees while sightseeing in and around Kathmandu valley
The
price does not include:
Nature of personal expenses
Tips
Lunch and dinner in Kathmandu
Note:
10% commission for the tour agents/tour operators.
50% discount for a tour leader if there are 10-15 pax
in a group and 100% free for the tour leader if there are 16 and above
pax in a group
One of the newly opened regions the trek to the Nar and Phu valley takes you to the remote but alluring region of Nepal. Unlike other regions of Nepal, trekking the region of Nar and Phu you will observe that the landscape is similar to that of Tibet. 
