Nar Phu Valley with Annapurna Circuit Trek

Welcome to Nepal! Your Thamel hotel’s doorstep will be greeted by a smiling team member upon arrival at Kathmandu and taken in to the vibrant heart of the city. Check-in and plunge into Kathmandu’s cosmopolitan mayhem – shop in handicraft emporia, cut through motorbikes on jammed streets, or simply lounge at a rooftop café and watch the world pass by. The city thrums with energy, taking you straight to the quirky personality of Nepal.

Tonight, you will dine with your trek guide and have a traditional Nepali welcome dinner. This is the moment for questioning, reviewing your trek details, and checking your permits. Have some momos (dumplings), dal bhat (lentils and rice), and other local food as anticipation builds for your Himalayan adventure tomorrow. Get to know your fellow trekkers – they will soon be your trail buddies!

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Boudhhanath Stupa

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Pashupatinath Temple

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Rise with the sun to enjoy a breakfast before boarding our vehicle for a drive. We drive on the winding Prithvi Highway along the speeding Trishuli River, as city gradually gives way to country. The scenery changes with each turn – rice paddies cling to hill sides, children wave from village doorways, and farmers plough their fields. We arrive at Besisahar, some 6 hours later, where the famous Annapurna Circuit actually starts.

The excitement really starts as we switch vehicles to a rugged jeep for the final leg to Dharapani. Hold on as we jolt along the rough trail, fording streams and making our way through lush valleys. The scenery is well worth each bump – waterfalls tumbling down, deep gorges, and your first glimpse of snow-capped peaks in the distance. We reach Dharapani in the evening, and we’ll spend the night in our nice teahouse, enjoy a good dinner, and get some rest for the next day’s trek.

Trishuli River Rafting

Trishuli River Rafting with Bold Himalaya $65 /person

Your legs get working today! After a good breakfast, we leave Dharapani towards trekking up through aromatic pine and fir forests. The whole morning is a chorus of birdsong as we wander along Bagarchhap; it is a typical village with eccentric Tibetan-style houses. The trail follows the Marsyangdi River, its thunder a constant presence as we cycle over boulder-strewn tracks and minor streams. Break for tea at Timang, where your breath will quite possibly be taken by stunning views of Manaslu (8,163m) and Annapurna II (7,937m).

We continue on, walking by spinning turn prayer wheels in the wind and flying prayer flags atop homes in their rainbow colors. The view gradually transforms as we climb higher, with immense cliffs climbing on both sides. We reach Koto, the gateway to the restricted Nar Phu Valley, in the late afternoon. The charming village is where we leave the mainstream Annapurna Circuit tomorrow. Unwind into your teahouse, extend those tired muscles, and enjoy dinner gazing up at the stars that start to flicker above the mountains.

After breakfast, excitement builds as we show our special permits at the checkpoint and officially enter off-limits Nar Phu Valley! The path soon dwindles to a trail and becomes more isolated, going through a turbulent gorge along churning Nar Khola. Today’s trek takes us along dense forests with sunlight filtering through leaves and sporadic waterfalls painting rainbows in the mist. Keep your camera close – the bridges we traverse are perfect moments for snapping photos of the untamed water beneath us.

As we climb progressively higher, you’ll notice that the atmosphere is thinner and the vista remarkably different. The pine forest is succeeded by rock outcrops as Tibetan domination is more clearly apparent in prayer stones we encounter. Weaving through some of the streams (get ready for fun rock-hopping!), we reach Meta, a small village embracing enormous mountains. This modest lodge tonight could not be simpler, but the breathtaking view of Kang Guru (6,981m) wallowing in sunlight makes this a magical place to lay your aching legs on.

This day’s journey is like strolling into time and Tibet! We set off in an increasingly desolate country pockmarked with centuries-old chortens and prayer-shrouded mani walls. Morning sunlight casts over long shadows in the huge canyons as we push higher along winding paths through the mountains. Herders may wave a distant greeting from sides where their yaks graze, and a blue sheep glimpse may pass your way if you are lucky.

After picnic lunch with magnificent views, we make our final push to Phu Gaon, a medieval town that remained unchanged for centuries. Prayer flags welcome us along the way into this remote bastion of Tibetan culture. Browse through narrow backstreets in between stone cottages, the old Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, and conduct conversation with hospitable locals in smiles and sign language. This evening modest teahouse invites you to genuine mountain solitude – no wifi, simply stunning stars in the sky and the profound stillness of the Himalayas.

Goodbye Phu early morning, we walk through a section of the day before descending back towards the Nar village. The trekking today is a relief from disciplined climbing with fewer slopes. We trek in high-desert scenery of Tibet with centuries-old chortens spread everywhere like sentinels. The enormous bulk of Pisang Peak dominates the skyline, and vividly colored prayer flags wave gently in the breeze. Relish the unbroken solitude – few travelers have the opportunity to walk these old routes.</p>

We reach Nar just after afternoon sun, and you’ll notice that it is larger and more prosperous than Phu. The villag

e stretches to the side of the hill, terraced fields of earth around it where the villagers grow barley and potatoes at this lovely elevation. Cozy in front of the mountain landscape are the stone houses with wooden balconies and flat roofs. The lodgings tonight is a bit more civilized than the last two nights, the rooms not so cold and the meal more substantial. Rest well and relish the unique atmosphere of this Himalayan secret hideaway.

We spend today allowing bodies to acclimatize to altitude – don’t worry, it’s not tedious hanging about! Take a relaxing breakfast before accompanying a led walk around the village of Nar to see daily life style of locals. Gaze around the gompa (monastery) where monks conduct morning rituals, watch villagers plowing their fields the traditional way, and maybe even try your own hand at spinning a prayer wheel for luck. The golden hour of early morning transforms the village into the photographer’s paradise, and with ominous shadows and golden light on ancient stone buildings.

For the adventurous, a morning climb to a surrounding ridge provides glimpses of nearby snow-capped giants without attempting tomorrow’s pass. Others will want to go on to the village farther or, better still, just sit down with a good book and hot tea on a roof basking in sunshine. Our guide will inspect all of our equipment and physical state to make sure we’re prepared for tomorrow’s greatest adventure. Night is a peaceful dinner because we’re fueling up for climbing Kang La Pass – the largest adventure so far on this trip!

Sunrise to begin our toughest yet most rewarding day so far! Headlights guide us upwards as we slog along for the grueling walk to Kang La Pass. The trail winds its way on up through increasingly barren terrain, step by step leading us to the heavens. Physically, it’s not to be taken lightly – go slowly, hydrate, and keep a steady pace. Finally, after hours of determined climbing, we reach the pass at 5,240m! The prayer flags spin around in the breeze as we high-five and yell and treat ourselves with chocolate. The panoramic views are breathtaking – Annapurna II, IV, and Tilicho Peak unfolding in a row of white-capped peaks below us.

After a short stop at the top to take in the views, we begin our lengthy descent to Ngawal. The trail descends at first with a solid workout for ankles on loose scree. The scenery then softens as we walk through grassy alpine meadows in which yaks might be feeding. We arrive in Ngawal, a scenic village along the Annapurna Circuit, late afternoon. The proximity to luxury comes as welcome relief after life in rugged, off-the-beaten-path Nar Phu valley – hot showers, more than a single dish on the menu, and even internet! Enjoy your pass-crossing triumph over dinner this evening, having accomplished something really special.

Today is a simpler day as we walk to Manang, the capital town of the higher Annapurna. The trekking trail offers us good views of Annapurna III and Gangapurna towering above us in the open sky. We walk through Braga village, where the 900-year-old monastery on the ridge houses very ancient Tibetan paintings and artifacts. Do view this religious gem before continuing our trek.

It’s like arriving in a lively hill town after our trekking epics to Manang. The thriving town has surprise amenities—warm bakeries offering apple pie, stores stocked with climbing gear, and even tiny movie theatres playing Himalayan movies. Pass your evening strolling cobblestone streets, doing last-minute shopping, or just resting with other travelers at a roof-top cafe surrounded by stunning mountain views. This bustling hub will be our launching point for the trek’s most formidable challenge: Thorong La Pass.

We bid farewell to the comforts of Manang as we begin our steady climb into thinner air. The air actually thins as we walk through progressively thinner vegetation. Scenery dramatically alters—forests yield to alpine pastures with stunted shrubs and wildflowers. Get your camera ready because we are fortunate enough to sight Himalayan marmots or blue sheep set against the canvas of these majestic mountains. Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak provide a magnificent amphitheater of mountains looming over us.

We trek along small Gunsang village and reach Yak Kharka in the mid-afternoon—so named for the shaggy mountain cows that often graze on neighboring slopes. This small village contains a few teahouses in a high mountain valley. Basic accommodation is cozy as the temperature falls with the setting sun. This night is perfect for stargazing, with minimal light pollution the Milky Way is prominent in all its glory. Good rest and good drinking as we press on our gradual acclimatization process.

Today’s trek is through high-alpine country as we make our way to Thorong Phedi, which literally means “foot of the pass.” The trail traverse landslide zones where we’ll proceed with care, relying on the sharp vision of our guide. Near-vertical walls of rock and giant scree slopes render it a moonscape you’ve never experienced. Despite the tough landscape, the sheer majesty of Chulu West and the other peaks leaves us awestruck as we ascend gradually higher.

The early arrival at Thorong Phedi gives us a little time to rest and acclimatize for tomorrow’s demanding endeavor. This group of stone huts will be our last acclimatization point before we confront the Thorong La Pass. Take the evening to sort out your gear, hydrate well, and eat as much as possible to store energy. Tonight, most trekkers experience a mix of nervousness and excitement—exchange stories with fellow aspiring conquerors of the same obstacle, then retire early to bed. Tomorrow’s alpine start will come all too soon!

Well before sunrise, headlights illuminate our path as we embark on today’s mythical journey. The serpent trail climbs mercilessly into the pre-dawn darkness, our breath fogging in the cold air. Golden dawn reveals stunning panoramas of giants encircling us as we labor up. At last, through dogged determination, we reach Thorong La Pass—at 5,416m, the very summit of our odyssey! The triumph cairns and prayer flags honor this victory as we celebrate on the roof of the world amidst 360-degree Himalayan scenery.

The rugged ascent is rapidly transforming the landscape and culture. We reach holy Muktinath for lunch, where Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims pray at the eternal flame and 108 water fountains. We then head to Jomsom, administrative capital of Mustang district. The violent afternoon wind on our backs takes us away along the Kali Gandaki Valley. Tonight, we party our victory after completing one of the most renowned trekking passes on the planet!

Say goodbye to the mountains and take our transport for the drive to Pokhara. The bumpy road takes us down the ancient Kali Gandaki trading route that cuts through the world’s lowest and deepest gorge. Be humbled by the scenery change—isolated, treeless valleys sweep into green woods and rice terrace fields as we make our descent. The sounds of the babbling river shadow us as passing villages flash our windows. At each turn along the road comes fresh scenery as we depart from the Annapurna chain.

Lakeside Pokhara is blissful arrival after our mountain adventure. This laid-back town has all sorts of amenities—hot showers, fruit smoothies, and restaurants for international food. Stroll peacefully along scenic Phewa Lake as the sun sets behind faraway Himalayan giants pink and gold. Perhaps treat yourself to a massage to ease trek-battered muscles, or just sit in a cafe and soak in your incredible adventure. Pokhara’s great weather and holiday atmosphere provide the perfect welcome back to civilization.

After a relaxed breakfast by the lake, we head to our vehicle to drive back to Kathmandu. The ride is picturesque down the Prithvi Highway, which winds its way through Nepal’s middle hills’ rivers and rice fields. We ride through villages and towns during the ascent and descent of Nepal’s middle hills. This journey affords a few moments of thinking time—perhaps exchange addresses with new friends encountered en route or simply sit at the window while the countryside speeds by, so different from great mountains we’ve left behind.

Back to the confusion of Kathmandu, weird and exhilarating after several weeks in solitary mountains. Urban sounds, odors, and vistas are crushing after the mountain breeze. Back to the hotel and maybe a walk around for some last-minute souvenir shopping in the crazy bazaars of Thamel. Tonight, we eat together as a farewell dinner to celebrate our adventure—highlights, stunning views, and the special feeling of having endured adversity together on the highest mountains in the world.

Your Himalayan adventure finishes today, but memory will never die. Relax today with a leisure breakfast at your hotel, with possibly some final souvenir or gift shopping for the folk back home. Assuming flight schedules allow, you might well be able to squeeze in one final meander around Kathmandu’s fascinating streets, or else finally get to see that one temple which you so far have been unable to find time for. Our team will have you taken to the airport with lots of time for your flight.</p>

As your aircraft lifts off, glance back one final time at the Himalayan giants far below you. You’ve lived a life-ti

me experience—trekking over old trails in remote valleys, up high passes, and into cultures seen by few visitors. You’ve challenged yourself, gained life-long companions, and gained a life-long love of the greater Himalayan range. If this was your first trek or one of several treks, Nar Phu Valley and the Annapurna Circuit will always remain in your heart.