A restricted-area trek from Koto on the Annapurna Circuit into the high Tibetan Buddhist villages of Phu and Nar, crossing the Kang La (about 5,320 m) to Ngawal and Manang.
- Days
- 12 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,320 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Manangकोतो
Koto
A small village in pine and fir forest on the Annapurna Circuit, just below Chame, and the start of the trail into the Nar Phu valley.
This is Koto in Manang district, the Annapurna Circuit village near Chame where the Nar Phu trail begins, not Kyoto in Japan or other places named Koto.
- Altitude
- 2,600 m*
- Best months
- Mar-May, Sep-Nov
- Type
- Trek stop
- District
- Manang, Gandaki
- Permit
- Permit required
Why go
Koto is a small village on the Annapurna Circuit in Manang district, at about 2,600 m on the Marsyangdi river, roughly half an hour's walk below Chame, the district headquarters. It sits in mixed pine and fir forest with Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal glimpsed above the valley, and it is the place where the trail to the restricted Nar Phu valley leaves the main Circuit, making it a key point within the wider Manang area.
On the Circuit, Koto is a quieter alternative to Chame for an overnight stop, with a handful of lodges and an ACAP checkpoint. For Nar Phu trekkers it is the start of the real journey: restricted area permits are checked at the police post here, and the trail crosses the Marsyangdi and heads north into the deep, forested gorge of the Nar Khola towards Dharmasala, Meta, Phu and Nar.
History and culture
Koto lies in Chame Rural Municipality and is home mainly to Gurung and Tibetan-heritage Manangi families, with Buddhist chortens and prayer flags along the trail. Like other villages on the lower Manang road, it has seen trekking traffic change as the jeep road has been extended up the valley, and some lodges now serve both trekkers and road travellers. Mobile coverage arrived relatively recently.
Things to do in Koto
Begin the Nar Phu trek
Cross the Marsyangdi and follow the Nar Khola gorge north towards Meta, usually a 6-8 hour day to the first major stop.
Walk to Chame
Stroll about 30 minutes up the valley to Chame for shops, hot springs by the river and supplies.
Weather and the best time to visit Koto
Weather in Koto
Forecast for 2,600 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Best time to visit
Mar-May, Sep-Nov
- Jan
- Feb
- Good month: Mar
- Good month: Apr
- Good month: May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Good month: Sep
- Good month: Oct
- Good month: Nov
- Dec
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- September to November is the main season, with clear weather and passes open.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is cold, with snow possible in Koto and serious snow on the high passes beyond.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May brings milder weather and forest flowers; early spring can still be snowy higher up.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August brings rain and landslides on the road below, although upper Manang is drier.
Where to stay
TeahousesLodges
A small number of trekking lodges; Chame, 30 minutes away, has more choice.
No partner stays are listed here yet. List a property.
Getting there
Travel to Besisahar by road, then continue by jeep up the Marsyangdi valley via Dharapani to Koto, or trek up over several days.
Nearest hub: Pokhara
- roadPokhara or Kathmandu to Besisahar, about 4-8 hours depending on the start point.
- jeepBesisahar to Koto, roughly 6-9 hours by jeep on a rough, landslide-prone road.
- trekFrom Danaqyu, about 7-8 km and 3-4 hours through forest via Latamarang; from Timang on the upper route, about 4-5 hours via Thanchowk.
Permits and fees
Permit required
Koto is inside the Annapurna Conservation Area, so an ACAP permit is required. Going on into the Nar Phu valley needs a Restricted Area Permit as well.
- Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): Checked at the Koto checkpoint.
- Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit: Only if entering the Nar Phu valley; arranged through a registered agency.
- TIMS card: Check whether a TIMS card is currently required.
- Guide rule: Since April 2023 foreign trekkers in national parks and conservation areas are generally required to go with a licensed guide; check the current rule.
Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of Immigration, Nepal.
On the trail
On the Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu valley trek.
- Previous stop:
- Danaqyu or Timang
- Next stop:
- Chame (Circuit) or Meta (Nar Phu)
- A typical day:
- From Danaqyu, about 3-4 hours and 300-400 m of height gain through forest along the Marsyangdi; from Timang, a longer forest walk via Thanchowk.
Practical tips
- At about 2,600 m altitude problems are uncommon, but the Nar Phu route climbs above 4,000 m within a few days; plan acclimatisation. This is general information, not medical advice.
- Mobile coverage has reached Koto, but expect weak or no signal once you enter the Nar Phu gorge.
- Withdraw cash before leaving Besisahar; do not rely on ATMs in the valley.
- Keep your permits handy; they are checked at Koto.
Treks through Koto
Questions about Koto
Where does the Nar Phu trek start?
At Koto, about 30 minutes below Chame on the Annapurna Circuit, where restricted area permits are checked.
How do I get to Koto?
Drive to Besisahar and continue by jeep up the Marsyangdi valley (roughly 6-9 hours), or trek up the Circuit over several days.
Do I need a permit for Koto?
An ACAP permit is needed; continuing into Nar Phu also requires a Restricted Area Permit through a registered agency.
More in Manang
All of Manang
Valley or region · 4,150 m
Nar Phu Valley
A restricted high valley north of the Annapurna Circuit, with two old Tibetan Buddhist villages, Nar and Phu, reached through a narrow gorge from Koto.
Lake · 4,919 m
Tilicho Lake
A glacial lake at about 4,920 m beneath the ice walls of Tilicho Peak, reached on a demanding side trip from Manang.
Trek stop · 2,670 m
Chame
The district headquarters of Manang, a road-head town in fir and pine forest where most Annapurna Circuit trekkers spend a night.
Trek stop · 1,900 m
Dharapani (Manang)
A Marsyangdi valley village where the Manaslu Circuit joins the Annapurna Circuit road.
Trek stop · 3,660 m
Ngawal
A stone village high on the north side of the Manang valley, on the upper Annapurna Circuit route and at the foot of the Kang La from Nar.
Trek stop · 3,300 m
Pisang
Twin villages in the upper Marsyangdi, where the old stone houses of Upper Pisang look across to Annapurna II.
Trek stop · 4,070 m
Shree Kharka
A small lodge stop in high pasture west of Manang, on the trail to Tilicho Base Camp and Tilicho Lake.
Trek stop · 4,540 m
Thorong Phedi
The lodges at the foot of the Thorong La, where Annapurna Circuit trekkers sleep before the pre-dawn climb to the pass.
Nearby
Town or village · 3,519 m
Manang
A high stone village in the upper Marsyangdi valley below Annapurna III and Gangapurna, where Circuit trekkers stop to acclimatise.
National park or conservation area
Annapurna Region
Nepal's largest protected area, from Gurung hill villages and rhododendron forest to the dry valleys behind the Annapurna range.
Editorial draft: facts are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Annapurna Circuit, Wikivoyage, Koto, OpenStreetMap, Department of Immigration, Nepal