Green terraced fields and traditional architecture in the ancient Tibetan Nar village, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

16-day Nar–Phu trek

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

Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit trek map

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!

Monkey Temple Kathmandu

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!

Nepal Farming in annapurna Circuit

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.

Yaks resting on Annapurna Circuit trek

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.

Manang-Annapurna-Nepal

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.

High altitude village of Yak Kharka. Annapurna circuit trek in Nepal

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.

Mountains surrounding Thorong Phedi Annapurna Circuit Nepal

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.

Annapurna Circuit Thorung La group pic

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.

Monkey on stupa in Kathmandu

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!

kathmandu-aerial-view

Inclusions

Price Includes

Airport transfers

All domestic flights

All road travel

Some meals before and after trek

All meals on trek

Experienced, English-speaking trek guide

Price Does Not Include

International airfares

Nepali visa

Traveller's insurance

Trek guide and porter tips

Snacks, mineral water, cool drinks and alcohol

Wi-Fi on trek

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Gallery

Man in red jacket sit near the white house and looking far away to Thorong La Pass at Annapurna Circuit Trek, Himalayas, Nepal
Group of trekkers on Annapurna circuit in Nepal. Hikers walking in line.
Blue flowers on Annapurna Circuit in Nepal
Trekker FA logo Annapurna Circuit
Traditional old Buddhist stupas on Annapurna Circuit Trek in Himalaya mountains, Nepal