Tips For A Successful Nar Phu Circuit Adventure:
- Train regularly, such as in cardio, gym, trail run, trekking, or hiking with a backpack, before visiting the Nar Phu Valley Trek.
- Choose a professional organizer along with a local guide who has deep knowledge, good English-speaking, experience, good decision-maker, and has a positive attitude.
- Trek slowly and steadily.
- Be hydrated all the time (drink 3-4 liters of water every day).
- Hike higher, sleep lower.
- Well-acclimatize (do not rush your itinerary).
- Eat Balanced meals.
- Pack high-quality gear (use them beforehand).
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol during ascent.
- Hire a porter to carry your backpacks.
- Trek during the best seasons, such as March to May and September to November.
- Carry a medical Kit.
Accommodation During The Nar And Phu Area:
There are very limited homestays/tea houses to choose from in the less-explored Nar Phu region of Nepal. However, you can still trek to tea houses instead of carrying camping and cooking supplies. The beginning and ending part of the trek lies on a famous Annapurna route which is well-loved and well-traveled meaning that tea houses ranging in quality have been established to meet the range of needs of travelers. At lower elevations and busier areas, you can choose more fully equipped tea houses with electricity, Wi-Fi, and suite bathrooms with hot showers and western toilets. There are also more rustic, basic tea houses available, especially at higher elevations, that have simple rooms and basic services. Bathrooms are shared and have a squat-style toilet. You can pay a small fee at these tea houses for services such as Wi-Fi and hot showers. We provide you with a clean, -20°C sleeping bag to keep you cozy and warm.
Meals During The Nar And Phu Area:
Despite the Annapurna Region of Nepal offering a variety of meal options to suit your preferences, the Nar Phu Adventure Trek offers limited. The menus at tea houses are usually quite large, especially considering you are trekking into the Himalayas, but it's important to note that most tea houses offer similar food options. You can choose from a variety of local dishes including Dal Bhat (rice, vegetable curry, and lentil soup with unlimited refills!), fried rice or noodles, Mo-Mo (local dumplings), Thukpa (Tibetan noodle soup), spring rolls, and potatoes. For breakfast, you can enjoy local chapati bread or Tibetan bread with curry or go for more familiar eggs, porridge, muesli, or pancakes. This trek is vegetarian and vegan friendly, but if you have any other dietary restrictions, you can let us know, and your guide will communicate with the kitchen staff.
Your package with Nepal Trekking Experts includes a dinner in Kathmandu before you leave for your trek and three meals a day (with a cup of tea or coffee) every day of the trek, including travel days. If you'd like, you can purchase extra snacks, desserts, or fancy coffees when they are available.
Transportation To Trek To Nar Phu Valley:
All transportation fees and arrangements are included in your trekking package when you book with Nepal Trekking Experts. To start your adventure in the Nar Phu Valley, there are many transport options depending on your interest, time frame, and budget. A common route is to travel via bus or microvan from Kathmandu (Gongabu Bus Park) to Besisahar (6/7 hrs.) and then continue to your starting point via a local Jeep. The common starting points can be Bhulbhule, Jagat, Dharapani, and Koto. The further you travel via jeep, the less trekking you'll do by foot. This shortens the length of your trek which can be a great option if you have less time or you're including other regions in your trek such as Tilicho Lake, Thorong La Pass, Upper Mustang, etc.
Please be aware that the buses in Nepal can be overcrowded (especially if you are traveling during festival time), not particularly tidy, and will stop in villages along the route to pick up and drop off more people. Bus rides can be part of the exciting immersive experience of being in a foreign country but they are not for everyone. If you would like a more comfortable alternative, we can arrange a private jeep from Kathmandu to your starting point. Jeeps shorten your travel time considerably and you can stop for breaks at your leisure. With so many travel options, we'd be happy to talk things through with you to find what suits you best.
Telephone, Internet, And Battery Charging In Nar Phu Region:
Telephone Service:
Nowadays, most villages have phone service and mobile reception although it can be quite unpredictable. NCELL and Nepal Telecom are the two major SIM card providers. Nepal Telecom is recommended by NTE for better reception in the Nar Phu Valley. You can purchase a SIM card in Kathmandu when you arrive. You need a photograph and visa copy to obtain it.
Internet Service:
Many tea houses have Wi-Fi to purchase for around 2 to 3 dollars for each device charging which is paid in local Nepali Rupees. Please be aware that internet services may not be completely reliable due to weather and other issues.
Battery Charging:
Despite trekking deep into the Himalayas, most of the tea houses have either electricity or solar power. Depending on the tea house, you might be able to charge your devices in your rooms. Otherwise, you can pay a few dollars (paid in local rupees) to charge your battery in the main dining hall. Carrying a power bank is recommended during your trek in the Nar Phu Valley.
Packing List For Nar Phu Circuit Adventure:
When you are planning holidays for new destinations, one of the major concerns is: what to pack. Especially for adventurous journeys like the nar Phu Circuit Adventure in the Himalayas of Nepal. As per our 25 years of experience in trekking in Nepal, NTE suggests the following gear for a stress-free journey:
Clothing:
- Thermal tops and bottoms (2-3 pairs)
- Fleece or down jacket
- Waterproof and windproof jacket and pants
- Lightweight, quick-dry trekking pants (2-3 pairs)
- Moisture-wicking shirts (3-4 pairs)
- Insulated beanie or hat
- Insulated gloves
- Comfortable and quick-drying (4-5 pairs)
Footwear:
- Wool or synthetic trekking socks (4-5 pairs)
- Lightweight sandals or sneakers
- Waterproof and sturdy boots with good ankle support
Other Equipment:
- 40-50L backpack with a rain cover
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Sleeping bag rated for -10°C to -15°C (14°F to 5°F)
- Adjustable and shock-absorbing trekking poles
- Reusable water bottles with water purification tablets or filter
- Toiletries (wet wipes, toilet paper, female hygiene products, toothbrush, toothpaste, towel, hand sanitizer)
- First aid kit with any prescribed personal medications
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen and lip balm (with high SPF)
- Adapters and chargers
- Power bank
Travel Insurance:
Travel insurance is crucial for the Nar Phu Adventure Trek, as it ensures safety and financial protection in one of Nepal’s most remote and challenging trekking regions. This trek takes you to altitudes exceeding 5,000 meters, with rugged terrain and unpredictable weather, increasing the risk of altitude sickness and accidents. A comprehensive travel insurance policy should cover high-altitude trekking (above 5,000 meters), emergency medical treatment, and helicopter evacuation. Without this coverage, the costs of evacuation or medical assistance in such remote areas can be exorbitant. Additionally, look for a policy that includes coverage for personal belongings, as the trek involves basic teahouses where securing valuables can be challenging.
Porter:
Our tailored-made packages do not include a porter so you can make the decision based on your own needs and preferences. Although not necessary, having a porter can make a massive difference in the enjoyment of your trek. If you are new to trekking at high altitudes then we would recommend having a porter in the Nar Phu Adventure Trek to carry your bag across the rugged terrain. One porter carries the bags of two people (around 20 kg) so that you can carry a small day pack. If you are undecided, we would be happy to discuss porters in more detail when you book your trek.
Nepalese Currency and the Payment:
The currency of Nepal is the rupee. The ideal currencies for exchange are those of the USA, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, and Singapore, as well as the Euro, any of which can be readily exchanged in either Kathmandu or Pokhara.
Credit and debit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted in major tourist-class hotels, restaurants, airlines, and larger stores in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, Patan, Pokhara, etc. A surcharge of 3.5% is typically levied on all purchases or payments.
ATMs are also very common in Kathmandu and Pokhara, with Thamel being a particular area of focus for their use. Some ATMs only allow a daily maximum of Rs 10,000 to be withdrawn, while others allow for as much as Rs 35,000. A charge of USD 4 is usually applied per transaction, on top of which your bank may also apply a fee of its own.
Can I get an on-arrival visa in Nepal?
On arrival in Nepal, you can obtain the requisite visa at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu, or you can choose the alternative of applying for it at the Nepalese Embassy or Consulate in your home country before departure. The visa is also available at land-based points of entry such as Birgunj, Kakarbhitta, Bhairawa, Belhiya, Nepalgunj, Dhangadi, and Mahendranagar. The Kodari Pass is the access point from Tibet where the visa can be obtained.
While you can use different modes of payment at the visa fee counter, we advise you to bring cash in the following currencies: US dollars, euros, Swiss francs, pound sterling, Australian dollars, Canadian dollars, Hong Kong dollars, Singapore dollars, and Japanese yen. Credit card payments are also available nowadays.
As per a recent update, the visa fee costs you the following amounts:
- Multiple entries for 15 days—USD 30 or equivalent
- Multiple entries for 30 days—USD 50 or equivalent
- Multiple entries for 90 days—USD 125 or equivalent
- You should also have a minimum of six months of validity remaining on your passport.
- Visa extensions are available from the offices of Nepal Immigration in Kathmandu and Pokhara.
For more details, please go through the Nepal Immigration website or contact us.
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