Nar Phu Valley Trek

Nar Phu Valley Trek Overview

Tucked away above 4,000 meters in the far northeastern corner of Nepal’s Manang District, the Nar Phu Valley Trek is like stepping into a living museum of Himalayan culture. Situated close to the Tibetan border, both Nar and Phu Villages fall under a restricted area trekking zone due to their cultural sensitivity and strategic location, meaning you will need special Nar Phu trekking permits to explore them. 

Deep within the Annapurna Conservation Area, this hidden valley trek in Nepal leads you into the rain-shadowed folds of the Annapurna region, where two of Nepal’s most mysterious and culturally preserved villages, Nar and Phu, have quietly existed for centuries. As this valley was only opened to outsiders in 2002, the Nar and Phu Village Trek remains remarkably untouched by the outside world.

Your Annapurna Nar Phu Trek journey starts in Kathmandu with a drive to Jagat, following part of the classic Annapurna Circuit to Koto. From here onwards, the route officially enters the restricted Nar Phu Valley. The trail from Koto to Meta climbs steadily through pine forests and narrow gorges before opening into the barren high-altitude landscapes. Surrounding Nar and Phu, you will find a patchwork of jagged rock faces, wind-swept passes, and views stretching toward snow-draped giants like Kangaru Himal and Himlung. 

The valleys here are dry and stark, giving way to glacial streams and rocky terraces. After Meta, the path to Phu passes through remote hamlets, mani walls, and ancient chortens, leading into one of the most well-preserved medieval settlements in the Himalayas. Once in Phu, you will take an acclimatization day, where you will take a side trip to Himlung Himal Base Camp (4,920 meters). It is a challenging but rewarding side hike over loose moraine and scree slopes, and you will pass through glacial ridges before opening to sweeping views of Himlung Himal.

Moving on, Nar Phu Valley is home to ethnic groups such as the Lama, Ghale, and Gurung, whose lives revolve around the seasons and the demands of the harsh alpine environment. Villagers here rise early to tend terraced barley fields, herd yaks across open meadows, and spin wool into thick yarn for warm garments. During the warmer months, when mountain passes are open, locals engage in trade and barter with neighboring regions. Furthermore, animal husbandry is a vital part of local life, and they look after yaks, dzos (yak-cow hybrids), and sheep, something that you may witness first-hand on a Nar Phu homestay experience.

Similarly, religion here is deeply rooted in a unique blend of the Kagyu and Nyingma schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Along the route, you will also encounter two sacred monasteries: Tashi Lhakhang Monastery in Phu, which is believed to be over 700 years old, and the Nar Phedi Monastery, which lies just below Nar Village. Once you arrive at Nar Phedi, you will get an opportunity to spend the night in the local monastery. 

Now, the cultural heartbeat of Nar and Phu shines brightest during their festivals. Lhosar, the Tibetan New Year, is the most eagerly anticipated celebration, which falls at the end of January. During this celebration, villagers dress in their finest handwoven garments, offer prayers, and fill the air with music, masked dances, fire rituals, and feasts. If you are trekking in Nar Phu in Summer, the valley bursts to life for the Yartung Festival. Here, you will get to witness horse races, cultural performances, and communal feasting.

Altogether, the Nar Phu Valley trek continues from Nar Village across the dramatic Kang La Pass (5,320 meters), which will provide you with panoramic views of the Annapurna and Manaslu ranges, before descending to Nagwal and Humde. From there, you will drive to Besisahar and return to Kathmandu. The Kang La Pass altitude itself is enough to make this one of the more challenging off-beaten-path treks in Nepal. 

Wildlife & Nature In Nar Phu Valley

Wildlife and nature in Nar Phu Valley feel like something straight out of a remote, high-altitude documentary. The Nar Phu trekking route serves up a constant variety. It's the early days of Koto wind through forests of Himalayan birch and juniper. 

As you climb, the greenery fades into dry, high-altitude desert, where trails zigzag across rocky paths, narrow ridges, and alpine meadows scattered with dwarf rhododendrons, edelweiss, and the striking blue poppy in Summer. You will also find suspension bridges swaying over glacial streams, while the trail’s condition changes dramatically with the season: muddy in the Monsoon, snowy and icy in Winter, and crisp, dry, and clear in Autumn and Spring.

The valley is also a wildlife hotspot. You may encounter blue sheep (bharal), Himalayan tahr, red foxes, marmots, and, if you are lucky, the snow leopard. Besides them, you may find sightings of Himalayan griffon vultures, lammergeiers (bearded vultures), Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, snow partridge, choughs, and ravens.

Altogether, you will also be surrounded by mountains. From the trail, you will see Himlung Himal (7,126 meters), Kang Guru (6,981 meters), and Annapurna II (7,937 meters). Here, Manaslu (8,163 meters) is visible in the early days, and you may get distant glimpses of Tilicho Peak (7,134 meters) from Kang La Pass. Near Phu, the valley opens up toward Himlung Himal Base Camp, where you will step right into the heart of the Himalayan wilderness.

Top Attractions On The Nar Phu Valley Trek, Nepal

Side Trip To Himlung Base Camp

The Phu village is one of the best acclimatization stops in the Nar Phu trek. Once you are at the Phu (4,080 meters), you will be standing at the gateway to one of the Himalayas’ most underrated adventures, the side trip to Himlung Base Camp. Located at 4,920 meters in the far reaches of Nepal’s Manang District, this lesser-trodden route is perfect if you want more elevation, more solitude, and more jaw-dropping close-up views of Himlung Himal (7,126 meters) without the Everest-level crowds. 

The trek from Phu to Himlung Base Camp takes you about six to seven hours round trip, so you must start early to beat the notorious high-altitude winds and unpredictable weather. The trail is rugged and raw with loose stone paths, occasional icy patches, and steep alpine ascents. You will also wind through yak pasturelands, cross wide-open glacial valleys, and climb over windy moraines. The scenery here shifts constantly; one moment you will be looking back at tiny Phu village far below, the next, you will be staring at sheer snow-carved cliffs with a dramatic Himalayan sky overhead.

The higher you go, the closer Himlung Himal looms, which is joined by snow-capped peaks like Nemjung Himal (7,140 meters), Kang Guru (6,981 meters), and distant Tibetan border summits. With your luck along the trail to Himlung Base Camp, you may encounter animals such as blue sheep (bharal), Himalayan tahr, marmots, or the rare snow leopard. Above, you may even get sightings of Himalayan griffon vultures and bearded vultures (lammergeiers) soaring in the thin air.

Standing at nearly 5,000 meters, you will stand face-to-face with a peak over 7,000 meters high. For many, this detour ends up being the single most unforgettable part of the Nar Phu Valley trek.

Crossing Kang La Pass (5,320 Meters)

Kang La Pass (5,320 meters / 17,454 feet) is a high-altitude gateway that links the isolated Nar Valley to the more familiar trails of Manang in Nepal’s Annapurna region. It’s a full-on high-Himalayan challenge. We recommend starting the climb from Nar Valley (4,110 meters) early in the morning, allowing ample time to enjoy the spectacular views along the way and reach Kang La Pass before the weather turns unpredictable. This high mountain pass offers breathtaking panoramas of the Annapurna range, dramatic glacial valleys, and an unforgettable sense of standing at the edge of the world.

This section of the trek begins gradually, but later transitions into a steep section over rocky scree slopes, loose boulders, and narrow ridgelines. The terrain feels raw and primal, featuring alpine tundra, juniper shrubs, stubborn patches of dwarf rhododendrons, and hardy edelweiss. If you are lucky, you might spot blue sheep (bharal), marmot, or lammergeier. Snow leopards live here too, though you will more likely see their tracks than the animal itself.

By the time you summit the pass, you will be rewarded with 360° Himalayan views. You may witness Annapurna II (7,937 meters) on one side, with Tilicho Peak (7,134 meters), Gangapurna (7,455 meters), and the jagged Chulu peaks in the distance. After soaking in the views, you will start the descent toward Ngawal Village. With the descent, you will find the high-altitude wilderness transition to greener valleys and warmer air.

Overnight Stay at Nar Phedi Monastery

If there’s one place on the Nar Phu Valley trek that feels like stepping straight into another world, it’s the Nar Phedi Monastery. Situated at 3,490 meters in a wide, open valley between Phu and Nar villages, this Tibetan Buddhist monastery has been a spiritual retreat and is over 600 years old.

You will likely arrive here after descending from Phu, and honestly, it’s the perfect halfway point to catch your breath before climbing higher to Nar. The exterior is everything you would imagine from a remote Buddhist monastery: deep red walls framed with white and gold, prayer flags fluttering in the wind, and stone walls that have stood against centuries of snow and wind. Once you step inside, you will be then surrounded by the scent of incense, Buddha statues, Tibetan thangka paintings, intricate mandalas, and the low hum of chanting.

Life here moves at a slower, more mindful pace. Around 5 PM in the evening, the monks and nuns gather for the daily puja (ritual prayer), and you are welcome to sit quietly and soak in the rhythm of monastic life. The rooms here are simple but warm with basic beds with thick blankets, vegetarian meals fresh from the monastery kitchen, electricity, hot showers, and even NTC mobile coverage if you feel the need to check in with the outside world.

As the sun dips behind the hills, you will also have a chance to connect with the monks and nuns living here and learn more about the Tibetan culture in Nepal.