The Nar Phu Valley Trek

The Nar Phu Valley hides two medieval Tibetan villages — Nar and Phu — in a remote side canyon off the Annapurna Circuit, close to the Tibetan border. A restricted area opened to trekkers only in 2003, it remains raw and little-visited: a world of fortress-like villages, ancient gompas, yak pastures and weathered chortens. You trek it with a licensed guide and at least two companions, and most itineraries finish dramatically by crossing the Kang La pass (about 5,320 m) onto the main Annapurna trail.

Overview and highlights

The route leaves the Annapurna Circuit at Koto, near Chame, and climbs a narrow gorge into the hidden valley. Highlights include the windswept, walled village of Phu with its Tashi Lhakhang monastery, the ancient settlement of Nar with its rows of chortens, the dramatic canyon scenery and the exhilarating Kang La crossing with its sweeping views of Annapurna II and the Pisang peaks. The villages feel centuries old, their architecture and Buddhist culture shaped by the high desert and the border with Tibet.

Itinerary

A representative 10-day plan looks like this:

Day	Stage	Approx. altitude
1	Drive Kathmandu/Besishahar to Koto / Chame	2,600 m
2	Koto to Meta	3,560 m
3	Meta to Phu via Kyang	4,080 m
4	Explore Phu and Tashi Lhakhang	4,080 m
5	Phu to Nar Phedi	3,490 m
6	Nar Phedi to Nar village	4,110 m
7	Acclimatisation day in Nar	4,110 m
8	Nar to Kang La Phedi	4,530 m
9	Cross Kang La (5,320 m) to Ngawal	3,660 m
10	Ngawal to Chame and drive out	varies

From Ngawal you can join the Manaslu Circuit trek network via the wider Annapurna trails, or continue the classic Annapurna Circuit.

Difficulty and fitness

This is a strenuous, remote trek. The Kang La crossing at about 5,320 m is the crux — a long, exposed, sometimes snowy day on rough ground. Trails are rugged and the altitude gain is significant, so the acclimatisation day at Nar is important; read up on altitude sickness before you go. Fit, experienced hikers with some high-altitude background will enjoy it most.

Best time

Autumn (October–November) and spring (March–May) are the best seasons for clear views and a safer Kang La. Because the valley sits partly in the Annapurna rain shadow it stays drier than many regions, but mid-winter snow can block the pass and close lodges.

Permits and cost

Nar Phu is a restricted area, so you need the Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit (RAP) — about USD 100 per person for the first seven days from September to November and roughly USD 75 from December to August, plus a smaller per-day charge afterward — together with the ACAP conservation permit at about USD 25–30. A registered agency, licensed guide and at least two trekkers are mandatory; see trekking permits in Nepal. Guided packages typically run USD 1,000–1,600, and travel insurance covering high-altitude trekking and helicopter rescue is essential.

Accommodation

Basic teahouses and a few community lodges and homestays serve the route, so you carry a daypack but should expect simple, sometimes spartan rooms with shared facilities. Higher villages such as Phu and Nar offer limited choice and basic food, and the lodge below Kang La is rudimentary, so a warm sleeping bag is important.

Getting there

The trek starts from Koto or Chame on the Annapurna Circuit, reached by a long drive from Kathmandu via Besishahar, and exits onto the Annapurna trail at Ngawal or Pisang for the road out to Pokhara or Kathmandu. Because it branches off and rejoins the Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu combines easily with that loop or with another restricted-area route like the Tsum Valley trek. For kit and acclimatisation advice, see our Nepal trekking guide.