Pur. Buddhist chorten in Phu village in Narphu area, Annapurna, Nepal. Nar Pur Valley trek.

16-day Nar–Phu trek

Name: 16-day Nar–Phu trek
Brand: Follow Alice
SKU: 331310088
Price: 2290 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

Trips/Annapurna Circuit

16 days

For this route, near the start of the classic trek you duck north into the far less visited Nar and Phu Valleys. We love this extension as it ups the challenge while still including pretty much everything that makes the Annapurna Circuit so special and beloved. Further, it introduces you to some very old and impossibly picturesque villages.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival day

We fetch you from Tribhuvan International Airport and drive you to the hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu. We have dinner together so you can get to know your local leader and any other trekkers you might not have met yet. Then it's time to rest up after your travels so we can hit the road tomorrow!

Day 2: Drive to Ngadi

We drive west in our private vehicle, passing towns, villages and farms. This is the time to get to know your fellow hikers! We stop for lunch at Besisahar, a town in a wide, green valley. We then head into the mountains to reach the village of Ngadi for the night. Tomorrow we trek!

Day 3: Trek to Koto (3 hr)

We drive to Bagarchhap (2,160 m), then trek up the Manang Valley to Koto (2,600 m). We walk through firs and pines and get glimpses of Annapurna II (7,937 m) and Lamjung Himal (6,983 m). Later we climb steeply through rhododendrons and pass the very traditional village of Thanchowk to reach Koto.

River in lush valley of Annapurna mountains

Day 4: Trek to Meta (6 hr)

Today we leave the main Annapurna Circuit route and cross into the Phu valley. Yak farming and agriculture are big in Phu Valley. We walk through woods, past ancient shelters carved into rock by pilgrims, and through a steep canyon. We overnight in the village of Meta (3,560 m).

Pur. Scenery from Nar Phu Trek in Manang, Nepal.

Day 5: Trek to Phu (7 hr)

We continue up the Phu valley. The landscape grows increasingly barren as we gain in altitude. After passing the village of Kayang, used by Phu residents in winter, the gorge steepens and we must tackle a nailbiting section of path carved into the cliff. We overnight in fairytale-like Phu (4,070 m).

Bird Cairn Annapurna mountain snow Nepal

Day 6: Explore Phu and day hike

We take an acclimatisation day in Phu. This affords us time to explore the tiny alleyways of the town, watch the villagers spin wool and do their other daily tasks and visit the monastery Tashi Lhakhang. Alternatively, we can hike to Himlung Himal Base Camp (4,842 m), a five-hour hike.

Day 7: Trek to Nar Phedi (5.5 hr)

Toady we retrace our steps almost as far as Meta, so there's more downhill than uphill. We turn west into Nar Valley near Lampa Cho Dzong. You can look forward here to seeing spectacular hoodoos (thin rock spires). We overnight at Nar Phedi monastery (3,550 m), where the nuns cook for us over a fire.

Pur. Tibetan Nar Village in Nar-Phu Valley, Annapurna, Nepal

Day 8: Trek to Nar (3 hr)

We follow a winding path up from Nar Phedi to the ancient Tibetan village of Nar (4,110 m). It’s a short day of hiking, and we should reach Nar by lunchtime. Nar is a traditional village of stone buildings, surrounded by terraced fields. The women weave rugs and blankets using backstrap looms.

Ours. S. Tibetan Nar village, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Day 9: Trek Kang La to Ngawal (8 hr)

Today is a strenuous day, as we tackle the mountain pass of Kang La (5,240 m). You can see some fabulous snowy peaks from the top of the pass, including Annapurna II, Gangapurna (7,455 m) and Tilicho Peak (7,134 m). We overnight in the tiny settlement of Ngawal (3,615 m).

Pur. Kang La pass, Nar-Phu valley, Annapurna, Nepal

Day 10: Trek to Manang (5 hr)

Today we’re back on the classic Annapurna Circuit route. We soon reach Braga village, which is next-level charming and fascinating, and have a chance to explore its monastery. We then hike to Manang (3,540 m), the main town in the region. There are many lodges, cafés and shops in Manang.

Day 11: Trek to Yak Kharka (6 hr)

We start the day by climbing up to Tenki village, the last permanently inhabited village in the valley. We then leave Marshyangdi valley and head north into Jarsang valley. Yak Kharka (4,110 m), our overnight stop, rests on a flat section of mountainside and offers a great view of the mountains.

Day 12: Trek to Thorung Phedi (5 hr)

Today we ascend slowly up the Thorung valley to the village of Thorung Phedi (4,600 m). During the trek we cross a large suspension bridge over Jarsang River, a memorable moment. This is our final stopover before pushing for Thorung La, the highest point along the entire trek.

Day 13: Summit Thorung La (7 hr)

Today we cross the mountain pass Thorung La (5,416 m)! It's our 'dig deep' day. But the view from the pass is massively rewarding: majestic Himalayan peaks in all directions. We then descend dramatically to Ranipauwa (3,700 m), where we're met and driven south to Jomsom.

Day 14: Explore Pokhara

We take a dazzling 20-minute flight to Pokhara through Kali Gandaki, the world’s deepest gorge! We overnight at a lakeside resort in Pokhara, a beautiful city. We spend the afternoon exploring the town and having fun on the lake, or just visiting the spa and relaxing all that we want.

Paragliders over Phewa Lake and Pokhara, Nepal, Annapurna Circuit route

Day 15: Explore Kathmandu

We spend the morning exploring Pokhara. In the early afternoon we fly back to Kathmandu. It's just a 30-minute flight, so there's time to explore the city in the afternoon. In the evening we can head to a restaurant for a final dinner together.

Day 16: Time to say goodbye

We drive you to the airport where we say our goodbyes – or even better, see you soon on another exciting adventure!

Inclusions

Airport transfers

All domestic flights

All road travel

Some meals before and after trek

All meals on trek

Experienced, English-speaking trek guide

Porter

All taxes and permits

Group medical supplies

Group route map

Drinking water

International airfares

Nepali visa

Traveller's insurance

Trek guide and porter tips

Snacks, mineral water, cool drinks and alcohol

Wi-Fi on trek

Charging of tech items on trek

Any luggage in excess of 15 kg on domestic flights

What others have to say

See our reviews on

Fiona AdamsOct 2022

I've taken two trips with Follow Alice, both incredible. First in 2019 to Kilimanjaro, and recently to Nepal, Annapurna Nar-Phu. Follow Alice trips ar...

Annapurna Circuit - 16-day Nar–Phu trek

John PetersApr 2023

Ang Gelu, our Follow Alice lead guide, was absolutely amazing. The guy has so much experience & knowledge, and helped us with every little detail alon...