24-Day Nar Phu Hidden Village Expedition

Land Tour

24 days

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24-Day Nar Phu Hidden Village Expedition
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$AUD 130 per day

Departure: Kathmandu, Nepal

Arrival: Kathmandu, Nepal

Cycling/Trekking/Walking

Private / Tailor made

The Nar Phu trek is one that combines high peaks and passes, glaciers, remote villages, narrow canyons, lovely forests, amazing rock formations, yaks, gompas and unique Himalayan cultures over 24 days. Trekking to the standard Annapurna circuit, the bridge leading over the Maryland River to the steep portals of the Nar/Phu valley system is easily missed, but although the entrances are narrow and forested, the valley system above opens up to a huge expanse of high snow-peaks, ancient villages and high altitude grazing settlements.You'll venture into this remote region of Upper Manang, camping along the way at the winter settlement of Nar and Phu, and visit some of the most unvisited and interesting villages in the Tibetan Buddhist world.You'll complete your trip in the tourist destinations of Pokhara and Kathmandu.
About
1 nights at Lakeside Retreat Pokhara (3-star)
2 night at Hotel Holy Himalaya (3-star)
1 nights at Thorong Phedi Base Camp Lodge
1 nights at Muktinath Lodge
1 nights at Jomsom Teahouse
1 nights at Besisahar Guesthouse
1 nights at Bahundanda Guesthouse
1 nights at Bagarchhap Guesthouse
1 nights at Koto Guesthouse
1 nights at Dharmasala Teahouse
1 nights at Kyang Teahouse
2 night at Fu Village Teahouse
1 nights at Junam Teahouse
2 night at Nar Village Teahouse
1 nights at Ngawal Teahouse
1 nights at Kagbeni Guesthouse
1 nights at Chamje Teahouse
20 nights accommodation
23 breakfasts, 19 lunches and 20 dinners
16 activities
Trek to Manang
Manang to Ledar
Trek to Thorung Phedi
Trek to Muktinath Temple vai Thorang La Pass
Trek to Jomsom
Besisahar to Bahundanda at 1310 Metres
Bahundanda to Chamje at 1430 Metres
Chamje to Bagarchhap at 2160 Metres
Bagarchhap to Koto at 2600 Metres
Koto to Dharmasala at 3230 Metres
Dharmasala to Kayang at 3740 Metres
Kayang to Phu Village at 4050 Metres
Phu Village to Junam at 3550 Metres
Junam to Nar Village at 4150 Metres
Nar to Ngwal at 3675 Metres via Kang La Pass at 5315 Metres
Muktinath to Kagbeni at 2815 Metres
Airport transfer
Domestic flights
Entrance fees
Ground transportation
Licensed English speaking guides
Trekking permits

Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Kathmandu
Upon your arrival at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport, your driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in Kathmandu. You'll then have the rest of the afternoon and evening to either relax at your hotel or head out and explore the city on your own.
Day 2: Drive to Besisahar from Kathmandu
In the early morning, you'll drive to Besisahar which is situated nearly 165 kilometres west of Kathmandu through the Trading Village at Dumre at 820 metres. It is a very scenic six-hour drive with plenty of opportunities to stop and take pictures along the way. Upon arrival, you'll check-in and relax at your guesthouse.
Day 3: Trek from Besisahar to Bahundanda
Your first day’s trekking introduces you to the diverse cultural elements of Nepal and you pass by many typical local houses and the faces of varied ethnic tribes exchanging greetings (Namaste) as you pass. You will share the trail with mule caravans that transport supplies to the remote villages. The route makes its way through subtropical forests and the rice terraces of Sera. The trail moves gently upwards to Bahundanda at 1300 metres. It will be seven hours of trekking in total.
Day 4: Trek from Bahundanda to Chamje
You'll start the day by descending on a steep slippery trail past amphitheatre-shaped rice terraces. The rest of today’s trek will have you pass the river a few times and you will see a few waterfalls as well. As you near the village of Jagat, you will have a steep 200-metre climb to a trail that has been blasted out of the rock face. 15 minutes below this village, you can visit another small hot spring. From Jagat, you'll climb up to Chamje. It will be a total of six hours of trekking.
Day 5: Trek from Chamje to Bagarchhap
Today, you will do the 940-metre ascent to Bagarchap through bamboo and rhododendron forests, on a trail high above the river bank. You will pass the village of Tal at 1700 metres which lies at the foot of a large waterfall. All old villages from here to Kagbeni have these arches and they become more elaborate and picturesque as the Tibetan influence becomes stronger. The trail slowly climbs from here on through a forest to Bagarchhap. You'll be trekking for a total of seven hours.
Day 6: Trek from Bagarchhap to Koto
Continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, you'll pass through Danagyu before coming to a thundering waterfall, where you turn left and head up the high trail to Koto. After an hour of lovely, open forests, you'll reach a clearing at the top of the trail and a charming Tibetan teahouse where you will stop for a break. Pausing for breath, you can look back for views of Manaslu before continuing on to Koto.
Day 7: Trek to Koto to Dharmasala
This morning, you'll head out early, as you have a long and somewhat difficult day before you. Just past the check post, you'll cross the river leading to the Nar Phu valleys, and hike up through beautiful woods above the Phu Khola (river). The route takes you through some beautiful woods and past several small shelters (caves) and a pilgrims’ ‘Dharamsala’. A stunning start for the Nar Phu trek! You'll camp at the Dharamsala, a lovely campsite.
Day 8: Trek from Dharmasala to Kayang
A steep climb up the valley along a small, scenic river brings you finally to high pastures on a 3,200 metres plateau. You'll pass by the scenic kharka of Meta, 3560 metres, a non-permanent winter settlement of Nar, where you will probably share the trail with a few yaks! This morning is one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas. The mountains around you are utterly spectacular. Many more ups and downs take you to tonight’s campsite at Kyang, on a plateau high above the river.
Day 9: Kayang to Phu Village
Dropping steeply down to the river, you trek for a while along the river bank. Today, you really start to see some of the unique, colourful chortens for which Nar and Phu are famous. You have to rock-hop carefully across a small glacial stream before reaching a larger one with a bridge. Just before the bridge to Phu, a line of wonderful chortens colour the landscape and lead the way to the main village of Phu, perched high up on a hill, amphitheatre style.
Day 10: Free Time in Phu Valley
Having spent quite a few days getting to Phu, you will spend an extra day in the area to enjoy it. You'll meet the local Phu residents and do some exploring up the wide valley systems above you.
Day 11: Trek from Phu Village to Junam
Back through Phu gate, you descend to the river, and retrace your steps back to Junam karka, a lovely spot as any for your campsite for the evening. Your guide will tell you how, in 2003, they camped with some Phu residents (all but one woman) on their way back up to Phu with huge loads of planks from the nearby forests, and the evening was filled with Tibetan, or Manangi songs, smoky shelters and that unique Tibetan laughter.
Day 22: Fly to Kathmandu from Pokhara
After breakfast, you'll have a little more time in Pokhara to do some shopping before you leave. You'll be transferred to the airport for your 25-minute flight to Kathmandu. From here, you'll be taken to your hotel and then you'll have the rest of the day free to spend as you wish. The designated tourist hub of Kathmandu, Thamel is a quarter of the city that is alive, thriving and filled with everything from shopping essentials to quaint hole-in-the-wall bars that are begging to be enjoyed.
Day 21: Fly to Pokhara from Jomson
This morning you have to be an early bird to catch your flight. You'll fly out from Jomsom to Pokhara today. Upon arrival, you'll be whisked to your hotel and after checking in, you'll have an entire day to explore Pokhara city. You can go around with your guide to explore the city or explore on your own, whichever you wish. After all your trekking, it's the perfect opportunity to have a massage.
Day 20: Trek from Kagbeni to Jomsom
Today, you might take an alternative route to Jomsom down the west side of the river depending on the conditions of the trail, and the attentiveness of the check post guards (this is also officially in upper Mustang, but not strictly enforced).
Day 19: Trek from Muktinath to Kagbeni
This morning, you'll trek along a wonderful trail through more Mustangi villages, where you will feast on delicious apples and see the traditional back-loom weaving techniques being practised by the local women. The scenery is truly wonderful – soft light, patchworks of fields, peaks overhead, villagers out ploughing the fields, horses tethered next to the houses, apple trees providing texture to the landscape. After a steep descent, you'll reach the atmospheric oasis of Kagbeni.
Day 18: Trek to Thorung Muktinath via Thorung la Pass
Crossing over an altitude of 5416 metres could be difficult due to strong winds otherwise the highly trodden trail is very easy to follow as it has been used for hundreds of years to bring sheep and yaks in and out of Manang. It takes around 4-6 hours to reach the pass from Thorung Phedi. From here, you start a long descent of about 1600 metres with outstanding views of Dhaulagiri mountain until you reach Muktinath temple.
Day 12: Trek from Junam to Nar Village
Set off on another classic Himalayan trekking day, as you trek down to the old bridge spanning a deep, contoured and narrow gorge (cameras out for this crossing), and then all the way back up again. It’s a good thing the scenery is so stunning. Below you sit Gyalbu Kumbu, built in 1650, and Satte Gompa, both empty. You finally reach the Nar gates at the top of the hill, and pass by more wonderfully painted chortens and a large tiered chorten before being rewarded with sublime views of Nar.
Day 16: Trek from Manang to Ledar
Today, you'll trek from Manang to Ledar (4245 metres) which takes 4.5 hours. Trekking slowly upwards to Thorung La, you will leave the large trees behind and see the vegetation consisting mainly of junipers and alpine grass and a few meadows where horses and yaks are found grazing. Blue sheep can also be seen grazing on the steep slopes of Yak kharka. You arrive at Letdar an hour after passing through Yak kharka.
Day 15: Trek from Ngwal to Manang
Today, you'll start the day with a two-hour walk through open forest to Braga, an old Tibetan-style village of about 150 partially deserted houses. Then, you'll come across an arid countryside, dominated by weird cliffs of yellow rock, eroded into dramatic pillars alongside the trail to reach the day’s destination, the village of Manang where you get to refuel on your supplies.
Day 14: Trek from Nar to Ngwal via Kang La Pass
The Kang La is not a difficult pass in good conditions. The Kang La, at 5240 metres, is an absolutely spectacular pass looking over Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho peak, the peaks surrounding Tilicho and the airport at Thongde. The trail down initially is steep; scree jumping seems to be the easiest option for the descent. After resting sore knees and shaky legs, you'll lunch on a plateau overlooking the peaks, and then continue to contour to the left towards Ngawal.
Day 13: Excursion around Nar Village
It is a good day to try some local buckwheat pancakes or ‘diro’. Depending on the condition of the group, we will either spend the night at Nar, or leave early in the afternoon for a two-hour easy walk up the valley towards the pass, and camp just below the access trail to the pass by the river.
Day 23: Kathmandu Sightseeing
Today, you'll spend a day exploring Kathmandu including a drive to several UNESCO World Heritage sites by private car, including Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swoyambhu Nath stupa. There's lots to see in this city and accompanied by a local guide, you'll explore it in the best way possible.
Day 17: Trek from Ledar to Thorung Phedi
Today, you'll trek from Letdar to Thorung Phedi/high camp (4450 metres) which takes 3-4 hours. You get used to the altitude before crossing the highest point in the trek. From Letdar you continue to climb along the east bank of the Jarang Khola to Thorung Phedi, a rock-strewn meadow surrounded by vertical cliffs at 4420 metres. Blue sheep and snow leopards can sometimes be spotted in this region while the sight of lammergeyers and Himalayan griffons circling above is quite common.
Day 24: Departure Day
This concludes your memorable Nar Phu trek. In the morning, your driver will meet you at the hotel for your departure transfer to Kathmandu’s International Airport.
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