Nar Phu Valley Trek

Today you’ll drive to Besisahar, the starting point of your trek, leaving Kathmandu behind. The 6-7 hour trip has lovely views of the countryside, tiny villages and rivers. After arriving in Besisahar, have a short break and get ready for the upcoming hike.

The trail from Besisahar will take you through small villages and thick forests. You’ll walk across fields, over suspension bridges, and slowly climb to Koto. The route has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains. Reaching Koto, you will be greeted by local people mostly of Tibetan descent.

For the time, the trek continues up the Nar Phu Valley. From there today you will hike through forests of pine and oak and then cross a suspension bridge over the Phu River. As you near most Dharmasala, you are treated to some pretty amazing views of the valley. ( or Dharamsala ) Dharamsala is a remote village mainly home to Tibetan Buddhist monks which has breathtaking views of the adjacent mountains.

The day’s hike is fairly moderate, allowing you to acclimate to the rising altitude. You’ll walk past traditional stone houses, and through fields cultivated by the local villagers. Once in Dharmasala, a visit to a small monastery in the surrounding area would be a good relaxed option to end the day.

The hike today is a little tougher than the previous days, but the views are more than worth it. The route is steep and rocky, and you’ll cross a few small streams. As you climb higher, the views of the nearby peaks become increasingly dramatic. A gradual ascent will bring you to Phu Village, an isolated settlement with a rich Tibetan Buddhist heritage.

Phu is one of the least accessible villages in the country, and the traditional Tibetan life is in evidence everywhere. As such, the folks of Phu have been protecting their customs and practices for a very long time. When you arrive in Phu, you will have the opportunity to wander around the village, visit a local monastery, and enjoy the calm environment of the area. The altitude will start to take a toll on you so just make sure to take it slow and acclimatize to the surroundings.

Today’s hike is a shorter day compared to workouts previous days, but the high altitude makes it tough on the body. After breakfast, you’ll depart Phu Village and make your way to Nar Village, another remote village in the Nar Phu Valley. This will be the most rewarding given that the path climbs steeply upward to atmospheric heights, and gives way to breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks — including Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.

In Dar Village, Tibetan Buddhist influence and traditional stone houses dominate the landscape. Set at the feet of the beautiful Nar Glacier, which adds to the dramatic landscape. When you reach Nar, you can rest and visit the local monastery as well as get lost in the calm up and down surroundings.

A well-earned rest day at Nar Village enabling acclimatization and preparation for the arduous trek ahead. On your rest day, you will be able to explore the village, visit the local monastery and do a short hike around the surrounding area to get a feeling of the landscape. You will also be given the chance to interact with the locals to learn more about their customs, most of which have remained the same throughout the centuries.

This rest day will also allow you ample time to acclimatize, especially before the approaching Kang La Pass which will test your limits. This is an essential acclimatization day to help you prevent altitude sickness and to ensure that you are acclimatized and ready to tackle the next sections of the trek.

One of the toughest and most exhilarating days of the trip. After an early breakfast, the ascent to Kang La Pass will begin. Be prepared, as the hike is physically demanding — the trail is steep, rocky, and sometimes snowy. But the views at the top of the pass are stunning, with Annapurna II, Manaslu and peaks to all sides.

From the top of Kang La Pass, you will start to trek down towards Ngawal. The descent is no less challenging; the trail is steep and frequently slick. Ngawal is a lovely village and it’s a nice place to unwind after a long day of trekking.

You continue your trek from Ngawal to Manang which is one of the most frequented stops on the Annapurna Circuit. The route from Ngawal to Manang is easier than the last few days, and you will go through a wide range of forest, meadow, and village. Manang is a busy town and an excellent spot to take it easy after several days of trekking through more remote areas.

You can also treat or heal yourself with hot meals at Manang, visit local monastery and buy the supplies you missed or had consumed at the various trekking shops. Manang is a great place to take a rest day if you so need one as the altitude gain here is steep.

The journey from Manang to Yak Kharka is short but with some of the most stunning views of the Annapurna range and peaks around. The trail passes through alpine meadows and open forest, and you’ll started to feel the difference in vegetation as you gain altitude. Yak Kharka is a small village where you spot grazing yaks and it is a perfect acclimatization halt.

The day’s hike is gradual, but the effects of the altitude will begin to make themselves felt as you near Yak Kharka. Once there, you’ll have an opportunity to rest and gear up for the following day’s hike, which will take you higher into the mountains.

Today’s trek to Thorong Phedi is a steady climb through open, alpine terrain. You’ll walk by grazing yaks and get amazing views of the surrounding peaks, including the high Thorong Peak. Ink a Signature Trail: The trail is slightly difficult but rewarding in terms of views. Thorong Phedi is a small settlement a the foot of the Thorong La Pass, which is the last stop before attempting to cross the pass.

Here you’ll spend the night, resting up for the big day ahead. Sleep well and get plenty hydrated ahead of the Thorong La Pass crossing.

Today is one of the hardest and most rewarding days of the whole trek. After an early start, you’ll climb up to the Thorong La Pass, the highest point on the Annapurna Circuit. The climb is steep and challenging, but the views at the top are rewarded on every step. From the pass, you’ll descend to Muktinath, a sacred pilgrimage site for Hindus and Buddhists.

Muktinath is a religious hub, popular for a temple and the 108 water spouts thought to symbolize purification. The journey to Muktinath is long and challenging but the place's cultural and spiritual importance makes it a must-visit.

From Muktinath, you descend towards Jomsom, one of the larger towns in the Mustang region. The trail drops through dry, wind-blown earth, providing breathtaking vistas of the mountains and valleys around it. Jomsom is a busy town with a small airport, and it’s a nice spot to chill after all the tough days of the trek.

In Jomsom, you can tour around the town, eat a hot meal and think about the journey. Almost all trekkers pass through Jomsom on their way back to Pokhara.

After breakfast, fly from Jomsom back to Pokhara. You get the amazing bird eye views of the Himalayas, Dhaulagiri and Annapurna via this scenic flight. Pokhara is the ideal place to unwind and relax since your trek is over, just enjoy the lakeside location.

You will have lots of options for relaxing, shopping and eating in Pokhara.

On your last day, you’ll drive (or fly) back to Kathmandu. The drive provides scenic views of the countryside, and once you return to Kathmandu, you have time to explore the city, go souvenir shopping or visit some local sights like Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple). We bid farewell to the trek and your team at a celebratory dinner in the evening.