![Zoomed in version of Nar-Phu and Annapurna Circuit](https://images.followalice.com/1kekTDlfdCCw6Tm1kZZCpt/5ab37687b75d98c03b19ab7c78384c33/Nar-Phu_and_Annapurna_Circuit-09.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=1200&h=1200)
Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit trek – a detailed itinerary
The Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit trek is a fantastic, extended version of the classic Annapurna Circuit trek. It takes you into the quiet valleys of Nar and Phu where the scenery is otherworldly and dramatic. We discuss the route below to get you excited!
Few trekkers take the time to turn off the main Annapurna Circuit trail and head into the Nar and Phu Valleys, but those who do usually find these quiet valleys to be the highlight of the trek!
The route at a glance
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu Day 2: Drive to Ngadi via Besisahar for lunch Day 3: Drive to Bagarchhap, then trek to Koto (3 hr) Day 4: Trek to Meta (7 hr) Day 5: Trek to Phu (7 hr) Day 6: Explore Phu and optional day hike to Himlung Himal Base Camp (5 hr) Day 7: Trek to Nar Phedi Monastery (6 hr) Day 8: Trek to Nar (3 hr) Day 9: Trek to Ngawal via Kang La (8 hr) Day 10: Trek to Manang (6 hr) Day 11: Trek to Yak Kharka (6 hr) Day 12: Trek to Thorung Phedi (5 hr) Day 13: Trek to Ranipauwa via Thorung La (7 hr), then drive to Jomsom Day 14: Fly to Pokhara, explore city Day 15: Fly to Kathmandu, explore city Day 16: Departure day
![Zoomed in version of Nar-Phu and Annapurna Circuit](https://images.followalice.com/1kekTDlfdCCw6Tm1kZZCpt/5ab37687b75d98c03b19ab7c78384c33/Nar-Phu_and_Annapurna_Circuit-09.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=582)
Day 1: Arrive in Kathmandu
Drive time: 40 min from airport to hotel Overnight: Hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu
![kathmandu-aerial-view](https://images.followalice.com/3izm02BfHlveUrPP7BnEJV/80782e9b6c4a3ce244a581e17222bc66/kathmandu-aeria-view.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=530)
Getting cash
Hotel in Kathmandu
![Arushi Boutique Hotel lobby, their image](https://images.followalice.com/7eUHXYXvMndDMxtsGWvKzf/52aec03972139cf1387e34adce5dadd5/arushi-lobby.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
District of Thamel
![Colourful carved wooden masks and handicrafts on the traditional market in Thamel District of Kathmandu, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/kbYcowhurZ8aVxswV4K6F/36c8ae5eb6c83fb6bddc8936865f7288/Ours._Colorful_carved_wooden_masks_and_handicrafts_on_the_traditional_market_in_Thamel_District_of_Kathmandu__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=528)
Day 2: Drive to Ngadi
Drive time: 8-9 hr Overnight: Teahouse in Ngadi
![Fringe of a town Besisahar in Nepal Annapurna Circuit, springtime fields](https://images.followalice.com/5gckRSp0wkYB6TmeUl7K5n/87d8ecce1d3272abafe0a5581452f425/Ours_Fringe_of_a_town_Besisahar_in_Nepal_Annapurna_Circuit__springtime_fields.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
Besisahar
There are ATMs in Besisahar should you need to draw cash.
Ngadi
![Looking to Stupa in Ngadi village, Nepal - Annapurna trekking](https://images.followalice.com/3DfXpHvcnacGMuMdxxItoQ/02f60c72bc1c6f0b308a4c34724fb0ef/Ours._Looking_to_Stupa_in_Ngadi_village__Nepal_-_Annapurna_trekking.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
Teahouses
![teahouse Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/1K9C9Kf88A0HeweE2eYZlE/194d09c2128680e1823297bbb96a088e/Landruk-teahouse-Annapurna-Base-Camp-trek.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
One of our favourite things about Nepal's teahouses is how they bring together explorers from all over the world – you never know who you might meet in a teahouse dining room!
Day 3: Drive to Bagarchhap, trek to Koto
Drive time: 3 hr Trek distance: 12 km / 7 mi Trek time: 3 hr Koto elevation: 2,600 m / 8,530 ft Elevation gain on trek: 440 m / 1,444 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Koto
![Bagarchhap village Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/6OlxbOp2yT73p8iHd8cF2v/8dda4a4d2c3650be0dc80bcdbcb876ec/Bagarchhap_Nepal.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=562)
Koto
Note that Koto and Manang are the only places along your trek where there are shops to buy supplies.
Day 4: Trek to Meta
Trek distance: 14.5 km / 8.5 mi Trek time: 6-7 hr Meta elevation: 3,560 m / 11,680 ft Elevation gain: 960 m / 3,150 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Meta
![Bridge, Phu Valley, Annapurna Circuit, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/781tHNVzO3zjdzw3e8AJYH/2bc29bab3c04f7800ce8e09a304fc05d/Ours._Pierre_Bridge__Phu_Valley__Annapurna_Circuitg__Nepal.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
The Nar–Phu region is considered a 'baeyul', which means 'hidden land'. Most Annapurna Circuit trekkers walk past the branch in the trail to Phu Valley, never realising what treasures lie tucked away just a little further up that trail.
Meta
![Welcome sign at the entrance to Meta village in Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/70sEwKhJUh0cRMY22u6TKV/8335db696f7823b2b7d61adc7ad4618d/Ours._Welcome_sign_at_the_entrance_to_Meta_village_in_Annapurna_Conservation_Area__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Day 5: Trek to Phu
Trek distance: 16.5 km / 10 mi Trek time: 7 hr Phu elevation: 4,080 m / 13,386 ft Elevation gain: 520 m / 1,706 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Phu
![Chorten in Phu Valley, Annapurna Circuit, Nepal, with blue sky overhead](https://images.followalice.com/leg7VVDT8rB6AAwasBrrq/69420a438512b5917a97bfbff82bbd67/Ours._Chorten_in_Ohu_Valley__Annapurna_Circuit__Nepal.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
The name Phu means 'head of the valley'. And yes, the village of Phu sits at the head of its valley.
![Pur. Buddhist chorten in Phu village in Narphu area, Annapurna, Nepal. Nar Pur Valley trek.](https://images.followalice.com/1VwDC0pXaZYhGUhF443Igo/ad8f38dc7fe376d8e0f6e60af9aa6f6c/Pur._Buddhist_chorten_in_Phu_village_in_Narphu_area__Annapurna__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
Altitude sickness
Drinking lots of water helps to alleviate any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Phu
![Phu Valley, Annapurna Circuit, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/NPNRumya3Wj8yqMGWa0C6/d76012a1d4e1c0ef1f1561526ffe6fae/Ours._Phu_Valley__Annapurna_Circuit__Nepal.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Day 6: Explore Phu and day hike
Hike distance (roundtrip): 21 km / 13 mi Hike time: 5 hr Himlung Base Camp elevation: 4,842 m / 15,886 ft Overnight: Same teahouse in Phu
Tashi Lhakhang Gompa
Hike to Mt Himlung Base Camp
Day 7: Trek to Nar Phedi Monastery
Trek distance: 15 km / 9.5 mi Trek time: 6 hr Nar Phedi Monastery elevation: 3,490 m / 11,450 ft Elevation loss: 590 m / 1,936 ft Overnight: Nar Phedi Monastery
Nar Phedi Monastery
![Nar Phedi Monastery gompa Annapurna Circuit, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/6xyX0jhRCpbbErULwX2Jvc/c8020f4e4dd5fd5da139a068689a8fd9/Ours._Nar_Phedi_Monastery_gompa_Annapurna_Circuit__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Day 8: Trek to Nar
Trek distance: 5 km / 3 mi Trek time: 3 hr Nar elevation: 4,110 m / 13,484 ft Elevation gain: 620 m / 2,034 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Nar
Nar
![Pur. Tibetan Nar Village in Nar-Phu Valley, Annapurna, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/17kwdd9nsHAPLeNPxJCR4k/ab1efc3d4288f901eae1a030c016010e/Pur._Tibetan_Nar_Village_in_Nar-Phu_Valley__Annapurna__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=386)
The name Nar means 'Place of the blue sheep'. Blue sheep (or bharals) are locals of the valley.
![Green terraced fields and traditional architecture in the ancient Tibetan Nar village, Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/5PFI48wvTiHZ4lzC1n48mh/09f93b0706e9167b0cb540884b650774/Ours._Green_terraced_fields_and_traditional_architecture_in_the_ancient_Tibetan_Nar_village__Annapurna_Conservation_Area__Ne.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
The Nar–Phu language
Interestingly, the highly localised Nar–Phu dialect is unintelligible to Manangies living in just the next valley!
Day 9: Trek to Ngawal via Kang La
Trek distance: 14 km / 8.5 mi Trek time: 8 hr Kang La elevation: 5,240 m / 17,191 ft Elevation gain: 1,130 m / 3,707 ft Ngawal elevation: 3,615 m / 11,860 ft Elevation loss: 1,625 m / 5,331 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Ngawal
![Pur. Kang La pass, Nar-Phu valley, Annapurna, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/4cQz2l1cjNthbT0jd9HmGE/55153bb68d7bc7ddb54abfcbbce07e1f/Pur._Kang_La_pass__Nar-Phu_valley__Annapurna__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
Kang La
On a clear day, the view from the top of Kang La over the Annapurna range is endless and gorgeous.
Ngawal
Day 10: Trek to Manang
Trek distance: 11 km / 7 mi Trek time: 5 hr Manang elevation: 3,540 m / 11,614 ft Elevation loss: 75 m / 246 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Manang
Braga
![Bragha Gompa, Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/5qjiZonl0QmQt2ZRRjdpow/b26ef555385f4e39cde3e79cc0ea6b99/Ours._Bragha_Gompa__Nar_Phu_and_Annapurna_Circuit__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=530)
Manang
![1024px-Manang village image by Schutz on Wikipedia](https://images.followalice.com/2s5IW8YDvLV5yf2DnEikvY/9c8836c1d35282ca79f8d5c329a84caf/1024px-Manang_village_image_by_Schutz_on_Wikipedia.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=534)
Day 11: Trek to Yak Kharka
Trek distance: 10 km / 6 mi Trek time: 5 hr Yak Kharka elevation: 4,110 m / 13,484 ft Elevation gain: 570 m / 1,870 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Yak Kharka
![Yak Khaka village and Annapurna Mountains, Nepal trek](https://images.followalice.com/5OA0nC1CDnvfjQJjvHnbzU/add79a7668181864b11934f7e9ac2b32/Ours._Yak_Khaka_village_and_Annapurna_Mountains__Nepal_trek.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Yak Kharka
![Yak Kharka, Annapurna, Nepal, attrib. to Sergey Ashmarin on Wiki required](https://images.followalice.com/3oo5wOlu1EPyk6ax8AmFya/471444ee7e0dd4f0708c11c6bf2a2587/Yak_Kharka__attrib_to_Sergey_Ashmarin__WIki__required.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=490)
Day 12: Trek to Thorung Phedi
Trek distance: 8 km / 5 mi Trek time: 4-5 hr Thorung Phedi elevation: 4,540 m / 14,895 ft Elevation gain: 430 m / 1,411 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Thorung Phedi
![Pur. Trekkers on path between Yak Kharka and Thorung Phedi, Annapurna trek](https://images.followalice.com/gPdcJhMo8avOPryVrI9fY/df85d6d8730c61e987f998fa5071fc3e/Pur._Trekkers_on_path_between_Yak_Kharka_and_Thorung_Phedi__Annapurna_trek.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=800)
Thorung Phedi
![Thorung Phedi village near Thorung La, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/cjFw1L7VzBBxcH61gHadU/33b5b109fabff6de6424095f933d3e2b/Ours._Thorung_Phedi_village_near_Thorung_La__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=530)
Day 13: Trek to Ranipauwa via Thorung La, drive to Jomsom
Trek distance: 13 km / 8 mi Trek time: 6-7 hr Thorung La elevation: 5,416 m / 17,769 ft Elevation gain: 876 m / 2,874 ft Ranipauwa elevation: 4,018 m / 13,182 ft Elevation Loss: 1,398 m / 4,587 ft Overnight: Teahouse in Jomsom
![Ranipauwa village, Mustang District, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/6FF3KnUvJRUgYwwZzO5yZs/93392622baf04674154c9aff3a7fe2e0/Ours._Ranipauwa_village__Mustang_District__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Today is an exciting and challenging day, as you climb to the highest point of the entire Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit trek!
![Road in the Kali Gandaki Valley on the Annapurna circuit between Muktinath and Jomsom, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/7z5DGeSAgO5AiQ9zEWjbMa/8832eec545350c5690173a1a8f18511e/Ours._Road_in_the_Kali_Gandaki_Valley_on_the_Annapurna_circuit_between_Muktinath_and_Jomsom__Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Thorung La
![Smiling trekker with guide at Thorung La sign on Annapurna Circuit](https://images.followalice.com/6xk7QbcmeVwo7VufuTBjjf/03eac1dc122adf5e5378e37411c26375/Hala_Macknight._Smiling_trekker_with_guide_at_Thorung_La_sign_on_Annapurna_Circuit.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
Mustang District
Mustang is an ancient forbidden kingdom that retains a strong Tibetic identity.
![Annapurna Circuit route trail](https://images.followalice.com/7jtH7saLwgoz1SIWZgfDJ0/220621d42b1e994a8a3970186e02b2aa/Thorung-La-to-Ranipauwa-1024x682.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Ranipauwa
![Ranipauwa Nepal attrib. required to B. Chaurasia, Wikipedia Commons](https://images.followalice.com/71L6Fu8acNG0qZSMma8YPX/e436654e57b3733e6815a9d15c50751b/Ranipauwa_Nepal_attrib._required.jpeg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Jomsom
![Jomsom Airport and small airplane/ light aircraft landing, Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/6cKPywgl39Ma1q8SDwSRdl/222fd29c5f8bb44b5436732fe6c0abf0/dreamstime_m_89602308.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=533)
Day 14: Explore Pokhara
Flight time: 20 min Overnight: Lakeside resort in Pokhara
![boat-pokhara](https://images.followalice.com/1osycPYSHhv3QtEqxYyD4g/9c5bafe00950a8f56f5906d695cfbca1/boat-pokhara.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=735)
You can canoe on Phewa Lake in a brightly coloured boat and visit the island containing the Tal Barahi Temple . There's also a fabulously long zip line you can ride from the nearby mountains down to Pokhara. You could also opt to go paragliding for a fabulous view of the city, lake and surrounding mountains!
![Phewa Lake Hindu Temple Pokhara canoes Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/2tAatddhEAELpUz8y5L3KJ/0d632f89ed7944ffb0f3925c9775263b/lake-g5ee51cccf_1280.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=530)
Day 15: Explore Kathmandu
Flight time: 30 min Overnight: Hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu
![Monkey on stupa in Kathmandu](https://images.followalice.com/2oBMG0CSWLGIvEs4jyWAct/79bffaf663d5ccddb8683b6ef32d42b8/monkey-4801406_1920.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=450)
Our top pick would probably be Kathmandu Durbar Square , which is just 1.6 km from the hotel. This UNESCO World Heritage site is chockfull of magnificent historic buildings like palaces and temples. Then there's the ancient Swayambhunath temple complex . This is 2.4 km from the hotel and has an entrance fee of $1.65. The stupas here are enormous and festooned with prayer flags. If you're feeling 'travelled out', there's the beautiful Garden of Dreams just a stone's throw from the hotel where you can stroll or sit quietly (entrance fee is $1.65).
![Kathmandu Nepal cuisine food](https://images.followalice.com/2MJgmjqjKf4gsPaOYFdMFy/3ffdc3e876d8619a603cf5c742d09ec4/Kathmandu_Nepal_cuisine_food.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)
Day 16: Departure day
Drive time: 40 min from hotel to airport
![kathmandu pigeons temple Nepal](https://images.followalice.com/5vt9WA9DtndV2BkMTzInbe/fb12f4a845bb6a9f5bc1003084821c13/kathmandu_pigeons_temple_Nepal.jpg?q=80&fit=fill&f=center&w=800&h=600)