Nar Phu Trek

• As you step outside the Phu Village, you see prayer flags fluttering against a sky painted in pink and orange hues. You hear the distant murmur of monks chanting from the gompa. Take a sip of steaming butter tea while watching golden light fall over Himlung’s snowy slopes.
• Midway up the trail from Koto to Meta, you can see an ibex goat leap across the rocky slope. You get to know the Khampa people, who are the descendants of Khampa warriors, settled in Nepal as refugees.
• When you arrive in Nar Village at dusk, you’ll be greeted by the warm glow of oil lamps inside stone houses. Inside the courtyard, you will find families warming themselves by the fire. They make Tsampas (roasted barley flour) and eat it with butter tea, symbolizing unity.
• On the day you cross Kang La Pass, you need to set out before sunrise. The path is steep and rocky, and with each step, you hear the crunch of frozen snow echo. As you reach the ridge, you’ll see Annapurna II and Tilicho Peak, reflecting the fiery orange of the rising sun. This is the best moment of the trek; it will surely make you feel closer to the sky.
• While descending from Kang La into Ngawal, you walk a winding path through windswept fields with alpine blooms. You can smell the pine trees in the lower slopes and hear the yak bells tinkling below. As the stone houses of Ngawal come into view, you can finally relax, transitioning into a denser atmosphere.
• In Ngawal’s village square, you can join villagers as they light butter lamps at dusk. The orange glow flickering on ancient Tibetan scripts carved into mani stones is a unique sight. The distant waterfall cools the air, and you can savor the sweet locally brewed millet beer to warm up.
• On the way to Chame (2,670 m), the path takes you through pine and rhododendron forests filled with bird chirps. You can hear the Danfe (Himalayan Monal) with its metallic “toy trumpet” and see snow partridges on the slopes. When you finally reach Chame, the valley feels almost tropical compared to higher villages, where you can enjoy the warm air.

Yes, Himalaya Guide Nepal allows you to customize your journey. If you want a longer trek, you may add the Manaslu Circuit to the Nar Phu Valley trek. Both treks traverse the upper Manang Valley, so it’s easy to transfer. You just need to take a drive to Machcha Khola on Day 13. Expect 10 additional trekking days to complete the full Manaslu Loop (Machha Khola → Jagat → Deng → Lho → Samagaon → Samdo → Larkya La → Bimtang → Dharapani), plus one day for transfers. Therefore, in total, there will be 22 days to complete the Nar Phu Valley and Manaslu Circuit Trek.

From Machha Khola, you will gradually hike through subtropical forests and Gurung villages. You will acclimatize in Samagaon, where you can take a side trip to Tilicho Lake, and then you will climb the high Larkya La pass. After that, you’ll descend through Tibetan-style villages and alpine meadows into the Marsyangdi valley. The highlights include beautiful views of Manaslu (8,163 m), the sacred Pungyen Gompa above Samagaon, and a peaceful riverside walk through bamboo forests. All in all, you get to visit two of Nepal’s most remote and culturally rich high-pass treks in one single journey.

Note: You’ll need to secure a separate Manaslu Restricted Area Permit for this combined trek, which can only be obtained in Kathmandu. Please inform us beforehand if you would like to add the Manaslu Circuit Trek. 

Nar Phu Valley is situated in the Annapurna rain shadow. Hence, it has a relatively dry climate, with clear skies in spring and autumn, and only moderate monsoon showers, compared to the lower valleys. Like any other trek in Nepal, the peak seasons for the Nar Phu Trek are spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November). The days are pleasantly warm, and nights are cool but not freezing. Below is a quick rundown of weather and temperature by season:

Spring (March–May)

• Weather Type: Stable and dry, clear skies with only occasional afternoon clouds by late May
• Avg Day Temp: ~15 °C
• Avg Night Temp: ~2.5 °C
• Highlight: Rhododendrons bloom from mid-April and long daylight hours ideal for trekking and photos

Autumn (September–November)

• Weather Type: Post-monsoon clarity, very dry with deep-blue skies and crisp air
• Avg Day Temp: ~17 °C
• Avg Night Temp: ~4.5 °C
• Highlight: Sharpest mountain views and festivities season in villages

Monsoon (June–August)

• Weather Type: Moderate afternoon showers, cloudy passes, lush green valley
• Avg Day Temp: ~20 °C
• Avg Night Temp: ~2.5 °C
• Highlight: Fewer trekkers on the trail and emerald landscapes, though paths can be muddy

Winter (December–February)

• Weather Type: Cold and dry, clear days with potential light snow at high camps
• Avg Day Temp: ~10 °C
• Avg Night Temp: ~–2.5 °C
• Highlight: Snowy scenery and no crowds, but be ready for deep freezes above 4,000 m

Average Temperatures on Major Stops of Nar Phu Trek

Temperatures are approximate averages for daytime / nighttime in each season.

The Nar Phu Trek is rated moderate to challenging, thanks to its remote location, thin mountain air, and the high Kang La Pass at 5,306 m. You’ll spend many nights above 3,500 m, facing cold temperatures, strong winds, and steep ascents and descents on narrow trails and suspension bridges. Yet the trek’s gentle pacing, with built-in rest days in Phu Village and Ngawal, means it can suit trekkers from beginners to veterans. Your experience will depend on your fitness, preparation, and willingness to adapt to a simple teahouse life.

Nar Phu Trek for Beginner Trekkers

Even if you’ve never tackled a 5,000 m pass, you can complete this trek with solid preparation. Build up your stamina by hiking 10–15 km while carrying a 5 kg daypack. Consider hiring a porter to allow you to focus on breathing and enjoying the scenery. Plan an extra acclimatization night in Phu Village (4,080 m) or Ngawal (3,660 m) if you feel short of breath.

Be ready for basic lodges, bring a warm sleeping bag, and layers for cold nights. With good cardio fitness and a positive attitude, you’ll gain confidence crossing Kang La Pass and be rewarded by sweeping Himalayan vistas and warm village hospitality.

Nar Phu Trek for Intermediate Trekkers

Similarly, even if you’ve already tackled 4,000 m treks, you’ll not be bored on the Nar Phu trek. The trekking days are long (12–15 km) and at higher altitudes. The Kang La crossing demands 1,200 m of ascent in a single day, and you need to descend into Ngawal on the same day. The descent is tough on your legs as you walk down loose rocks.

This trek can be made shorter by skipping some rest days. Instead, you can add optional side hikes, such as a sunrise summit at the Pisang Peak viewpoints, a detour to Tashi Lhakhang Gompa (4,150 m), or a visit to the Five Lakes near Koto. These extras help build stamina without requiring technical mountaineering skills. Therefore, this trek serves as an ideal stepping stone for more advanced high-altitude adventures. Additionally, monsoon-season trekkers can also test wet-weather endurance on muddy trails.

Nar Phu Trek for Experienced Trekkers

For seasoned mountaineers who have completed treks such as Everest Base Camp or the Three Passes, Nar Phu offers a quieter and more remote alternative. You can extend the route to Tilicho Lake (4,919 m) or link directly into the Manaslu Circuit for two high-pass crossings (Kang La and Larkya La) in one seamless journey. Early-season snow on Kang La allows you to practice crampon use on firm snowfields without encountering actual glacial hazards.

This expedition offers unmatched solitude, cultural depth in the Nar and Phu villages, and 360° panoramas of the Annapurna and Manaslu peaks, perfect for veteran trekkers seeking authenticity and a quiet venture.

Koto (2,600 m)

Nestled on the right bank of the Marshyangdi River, Koto is your starting point for the Nar Phu Valley Trek, where you’ll officially kick off your adventure and sort out any permits. Before diving into the restricted zone, you’ll need to present your paperwork and get the lowdown from your liaison officer. Koto’s cozy stone-and-wood teahouses look out over terraced barley fields that hug the steep hillsides. Plus, the riverside vibe gives you the soothing sounds of flowing water and a perfect chance to stretch your legs before tackling the serious climb up to Meta.

Meta (3,560 m)

Meta marks your first real high-camp stop beyond the forest line. As the trail ascends from Koto, you’ll pass through dense pine and rhododendron groves, eventually emerging onto open slopes that offer sweeping views of Annapurna II and Gangapurna towering overhead. Warm teahouse rooms in Meta are basic but comfortable, providing hot meals and crucial rest. During afternoon breaks, you can watch sunlight shift across glacier-fed peaks, and in the clear night sky, countless stars shine above the silhouette of the Himalaya.

Phu Village (4,080 m)

Located on a high plateau, Phu Village embodies traditional Tibetan-influenced architecture and culture. Characterized by thick-stone houses with carved wooden windows, the settlement clusters around the whitewashed Tashi Lhakhang Gompa at 4,150 m. This rest day offers gentle acclimatization walks to the monastery and surrounding mani walls, where prayer flags snap in the mountain breeze. Homestay-style teahouses serve butter tea and tsampa, and friendly locals, often clad in colorful woolen garments, share stories of seasonal festivals and yak-herding traditions.

Nar Phedi (3,490 m)

Nar Phedi is the valley’s serene gateway, where high alpine meadows and scattered rock cairns replace dense forest. After descending from Phu, you’ll feel the air grow slightly warmer and the terrain open into grass-covered slopes punctuated by prayer-flagged stones. Family-run tea houses here cater to trekkers with simple noodle soups and fresh yak butter tea. Birdsong and distant glacier streams provide a restful soundtrack, making Nar Phedi an ideal midpoint for hydration and wildlife spotting before you tackle the final ascent to Nar Village.

Nar Village (4,110 m)

Perched among rocky outcrops, Nar Village ranks among Nepal’s highest permanent settlements. Its narrow lanes wind past stone lodges, community mani walls, and the Satya Gumba monastery, whose red-and-white façade stands against the backdrop of snow-capped ridges. Yak herds graze nearby, and you may glimpse Himalayan Monal or blue sheep grazing on the slopes. As dusk falls, oil lamps illuminate village courtyards, and the aroma of dal bhat cooking drifts through the air, creating a warm, communal atmosphere amid the high-altitude chill.

Kang La Pass (5,306 m)

The pinnacle of the trek, Kang La Pass, demands an early start and nearly 1,200 m of steep, rocky climbing from Nar Village. At the summit, you’re rewarded with an unparalleled 360° panorama: Annapurna II’s ice seracs, Tilicho Peak’s sharp profile, and distant peaks like Himlung and Kang Garu. The pass crest often carries a layer of snow even in spring and autumn, making colorful prayer flags all the more vibrant against the stark landscape. Camaraderie among trekkers peaks here, as everyone shares in the triumph of reaching the summit.

Kang La Phedi (~5,050 m)

Just below the pass on the Ngawal side, Kang La Phedi provides a small, flat respite from the arduous ascent. Occasional local entrepreneurs set up simple tea stalls here, offering hot beverages and snacks—an unexpected luxury at this altitude. This spot also functions as a convenient high-camp campsite and a gathering point for porters and guides. From here, you’ll prepare yourself mentally and physically for the 1,400 m descent into Ngawal, watching cloud formations drift across distant peaks as you sip your tea.

Ngawal (3,660 m)

Ngawal, a picturesque Gurung village, sits on a verdant hillside overlooking the Marsyangdi River Valley. Its cluster of slate-roofed homes and centuries-old Gyaji Monastery offers cultural richness and panoramic mountain views. In the late afternoon, villagers light butter lamps at the mani wall, casting a warm glow on intricately carved stones. Teahouses serve local specialties like buckwheat pancakes and barley beer. Gentle side hikes to nearby viewpoints yield sweeping vistas of Annapurna I and II, as well as the terraced fields that define Ngawal’s agricultural heritage.

Pisang (~3,200 m)

Descending from Ngawal, the trail leads to Pisang, notable for its bamboo groves and terraced fields. The village’s tea houses provide a shaded rest spot where you can taste freshly baked flatbreads and sip milky chai. Towering cliffs frame Pisang, creating a dramatic backdrop for watching local farmers harvest potatoes and barley. Wildlife enthusiasts may spot Himalayan vultures riding thermal currents overhead or hear the metallic calls of Danfe (Himalayan Monal) echoing through the bamboo thickets lining the trail.

Dukur Pokhari (3,400 m)

Dukur Pokhari’s alpine pond offers one of the trek’s most serene settings. Encircled by jagged peaks and rust-colored moorlands, this small body of water mirrors the sky on calm mornings. The site is ideal for wildlife observation, as Tibetan foxes and snow partridges frequently visit the shore. Teahouse platforms near the pond invite trekkers to pause, take in the reflections of the surrounding peaks, and enjoy a simple lunch. The hush of this location contrasts sharply with busier villages, reinforcing the Nar Phu Valley’s remote character.

Chame (2,670 m)

As the administrative hub of the Manang District, Chame reunites trekkers with a busier, more developed valley atmosphere. Colorful prayer flags crisscross the main street, and shops offer trekking gear, snacks, and communications. Walnut and apricot trees shade teahouses, where you can sample local specialties like Khapse and Tongba. The sight of terraced maize fields sloping down to the Marsyangdi River signals your descent from the high Himalayas. Chame’s comfortable lodges and warm meals make it an inviting place to reflect on your journey before the final drive back to Kathmandu.

These three treks in Nepal’s dry areas provide a unique experience. They feature dry landscapes and clear skies instead of the usual green forests of the rainy season. Each trek has at least one high pass over 5,000 meters and requires special permits for some areas. Nar Phu is close to the Annapurna Circuit, Upper Mustang is in the rain-shadow of Tibet, and Upper Dolpo is beyond the Dhaulagiri mountains. These treks offer amazing mountain views, traditional villages influenced by Tibetan culture, and a chance to experience life in the Himalayas without the crowds.

Comparison according to aspects

Note: Lo La is an optional high pass (5,416 m) on extended itineraries; core Upper Mustang routes remain below 4,000 m.