Some treks in Nepal have names you hear everywhere — the Everest Base Camp, the Annapurna Circuit — but the Nar–Phu trek tends to be shared in quieter conversations. Guides mention it with a small smile, like they are letting you in on a secret. It’s one of those remote treks in Nepal that sits between the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges, away from the busy trails, and it feels every bit as remote as it sounds.
Here, the mountains seem bigger, the silence is sharper, and the villages feel as though they’ve been waiting centuries for you to pass through. If you’ve already ticked off the big routes, the Nar Phu Valley trek is where you go for something harder to find… a place that still feels wild.
Nar–Phu Trek Route through Nepal’s Hidden Valleys
The Nar Phu trek itinerary begins in Koto, a modest stop on the Annapurna Circuit trekking map. You cross the bridge out of town, and the noise fades quickly. The trail threads its way into a narrow gorge, the Nar Khola churning below, walls of rock towering so close you could almost touch both sides at once. Strands of prayer flags stretch from cliff to cliff, flickering against the pale sky.
As the days pass, the forest thins. The air feels lighter and colder. You step into Phu village, and it's like walking into another century with stone houses stacked along the slope, chortens at the edges of the path, and children darting past with armfuls of kindling. Nar comes later, quieter but no less beautiful, its barley fields moving like water when the wind picks up.
Kang La Pass is the high point at 17,460 feet (5,322 m) above sea level. Standing there, the view takes in Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and more.
It’s difficult to know whether to reach for your camera or just stand there and let the sight sink in. On the other side of the pass, the path slides into Manang, where you can end the trek or follow the Annapurna Circuit route further into the mountains.
Highlights of the Nar–Phu Valley Trek
The Annapurna Nar Phu trek is the sort of route where the details stick with you: the smell of woodsmoke in cold morning air, the clang of yak bells fading into the distance, and the way the mountains catch the light differently every hour.
Some moments feel almost too much to take in at once:
- Ancient Tibetan-style villages where stone walls lean into each other and alleyways are so narrow you brush the edges as you walk.
- Sacred monasteries like Tashi Lhakhang in Phu, where butter lamps burn low and prayer wheels spin with the softest hum.
- Kang La Pass itself, the kind of climb that makes your legs burn and your heart race, but leaves you staring at a horizon you will remember for years.
- Wilderness that feels untouched, with cliffside tracks, glacial streams, and valleys where you hear only the wind and the occasional cry of a bird overhead.
- Trails without crowds, where an entire day can pass without seeing another trekking group.
The Nar Phu Valley trek gives you these moments without rushing them. Each one arrives quietly, without fanfare, and stays in your memory long after you’re home.
Nar Phu Trekking Permits and Rules
The remoteness of this route comes with rules, and they matter. Nepal trekking permits and fees are part of what helps keep these valleys from becoming overrun.
You’ll need the following before setting foot past Koto:
- Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for Nar Phu Valley trek– Required for all trekkers entering this restricted area. The government also requires a licensed guide and at least two foreign trekkers in your group.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit – Needed for trekking within the conservation area.
- Trekking Information Management System (TIMS) card – Only required if you plan to connect with the Annapurna Circuit after Nar–Phu.
These are issued through registered trekking agencies, including your Nar Phu trekking permit.
- Permit fees: RAP costs US$100 for the first 7 days from September to November, or US$75 from December to August. Each additional day costs US$15 (Sep–Nov) or US$10 (Dec–Aug), depending on the season.
- The ACAP permit is NPR 3,000 (about US$23–27).
- The TIMS card is NPR 2,000 (about US$15–18) if needed.
It might feel like extra admin, but these permits protect both the environment and the communities that live here.
Nar–Phu Trek Difficulty and Preparation
Nar Phu trek difficulty is classified as moderate to difficult. You don't need technical climbing skills, but the altitude and the length of the days demand respect. Phu village is already at 13,386 feet (4,080 m), and Kang La Pass takes you above 17,460 feet (5,322 m).
Before you go, give yourself the best chance to enjoy it by training well:
- Build endurance with longer hikes that include steady elevation gain.
- Work on leg and core strength for the climbs and descents.
- Get used to carrying weight on your back; it feels different after hours on the trail.
- If you can, spend time at altitude beforehand to see how your body reacts.
Your Annapurna packing list matters too. Even in spring and autumn, mornings and evenings are cold, and the winds up high cut through quickly. Warm layers and a solid sleeping bag will make all the difference between a long night and a comfortable one. We also recommend investing in good hiking boots; it’s often the first step towards a successful trek.
For a comparison with another classic Himalayan route, you can read Is the Annapurna Circuit hard? to gauge differences in difficulty and preparation.
Best Time for Nar Phu Trek
The best time to trek Nar Phu and the Annapurna Circuit is when the skies are open and the passes are clear. For most trekkers, that means spring or autumn.
- Spring (March to May) – The valleys turn green again, rhododendrons bloom in the hills, and the light is gentle for photography.
- Autumn (September to November) – The air is crisp, the weather is settled, and the mountains show their sharpest edges against the sky.
- Winter (December to February) – You can have the trails to yourself, but snow often blocks Kang La Pass, and temperatures drop well below freezing at night.
- Summer (June to August) – The upper valleys see less rain thanks to the Annapurna rain shadow, though the lower approach between Koto and Meta can still be wet and muddy.
Picking the right season shapes more than just your comfort. It changes the colours under your boots, the wildlife you might see, and the kinds of stories you’ll bring back.
Practical Information for your Nar Phu Valley trek
The Hidden Valley Nepal Trek takes most people between 9 and 14 days, depending on how much time you allow for acclimatisation and whether you join the Annapurna Circuit.
Accommodation is at teahouses, but don't expect the same level of comfort as in more developed hiking regions. You can, however, expect:
- Basic twin rooms, occasionally with warm bedding.
- Most public bathrooms are shared.
- Simple but satisfying meals include dal bhat, noodle soup, and Tibetan bread.
- Limited electricity, usually from solar panels, and a nominal price for charging your phone or camera.
- Little or no Wi-Fi, which many trekkers find makes the trip better, not worse.
While the facilities are modest, this is part of what makes the Nar–Phu trek one of the most authentic remote treks in Nepal. The absence of modern distractions allows you to focus on the scenery, the culture, and the slower rhythm of life in these hidden valleys.
Combining Nar–Phu with the Annapurna Circuit
Joining the Nar–Phu trek with the Annapurna Circuit is one of the best ways to maximise your time in Nepal. From Kang La Pass, drop into Manang, then continue west over Thorong La Pass. This route is also detailed in our Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit trek route guide.
This way, you get both the solitude of Nar–Phu and the iconic, bustling trails of the Annapurna in a single journey. For those concerned about fitness, our Elevation gain on the Nar–Phu and Annapurna Circuit breakdown will help you prepare.
Why the Nar–Phu Trek Is One of Nepal’s Best Remote Treks
The Nar–Phu trek isn't about collecting another famous route. It's for trekkers who want to disappear into the rhythm of the mountains, where the culture feels alive and the land feels unspoiled.
Like other remote treks in Nepal, it rewards those willing to venture further with solitude, cultural authenticity, and breathtaking scenery.
Trekking Nepal’s Hidden Valley
If the idea of quiet trails, ancient villages, and big Himalayan landscapes appeals to you more than ticking boxes on a list, then the Annapurna Nar–Phu trek won’t disappoint.
It’s not the easiest trek in Nepal, nor is it the most famous. But for those who make the effort, it's one of the most rewarding journeys in the Himalayas, a place where you’ll carry the sound of the wind and the sight of those peaks long after you’ve gone home.
