A teahouse journey around the Annapurna massif, from the green Marsyangdi valley through Manang and over the Thorong La (5,416 m) to Muktinath and the dry Kali Gandaki valley.
- Days
- 11 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,416 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Pokhara & Annapurna, Nar Phu Valley
Nar Phu Valley Trek
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
- 11-17
- Max altitude
- 5,320 m
- Distance
- -
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
- Best months
- Apr-May, Sep-Nov
- Start / end
- Dharapani (by road from Kathmandu) / Manang (jeep to Besisahar) or continue on the Annapurna Circuit
- Sleep in
- Teahouses, Homestays, Camping
- Permits
- Restricted area
Overview
The Nar Phu valley is a side valley of Manang, north of the Annapurna Circuit, opened to foreign trekkers only in 2002 and still a restricted area. The trail leaves the circuit at Koto, climbs a forested gorge to the open shelf of Meta and continues past old chortens and ruined settlements to Phu, a stone village near the head of the valley.
From Phu the route returns down the valley and climbs to Nar, the other main village, before crossing the Kang La (about 5,320 m) and descending to Ngawal on the high route of the Annapurna Circuit. The plan below starts with the drive to Dharapani and ends with a jeep from Manang; many trekkers instead continue over the Thorong La.
Lodges and homestays now exist in Meta, Kyang, Phu and Nar, but they are basic, and some groups still camp. Restricted-area permits are issued only through a registered agency, with a licensed guide.
Stone villages of Phu and NarTashi Lhakhang monastery in PhuThe Nar Khola gorge and the open shelf of MetaCrossing the Kang La with Annapurna viewsOld chortens and ruined forts along the trail
Why it is rated strenuous
- Crossing the Kang La at about 5,320 m, with a steep descent of about 1,650 m to Ngawal.
- Several nights above 4,000 m in Phu and Nar.
- Remote valley with basic lodges and limited rescue access.
- Long days of 6-8 hours in the gorge sections.
Elevation profile
About altitudeSleeping altitude for each night. The dashed lines at 3,000 m and 4,000 m mark heights where altitude illness becomes more common. General information only, not medical advice.
Hover, tap or use the arrow keys to see each day. Shaded columns are acclimatisation days.
Show the profile as a table
| Day | Overnight | Sleeping altitude | High point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dharapani | 1,860 m | - |
| 2 | Koto | 2,600 m | - |
| 3 | Meta | 3,560 m | - |
| 4 | Kyang | 3,820 m | - |
| 5 | Phu | 4,080 m | - |
| 6 | Phu (rest) | 4,080 m | - |
| 7 | Nar Phedi (Satek Gompa) | 3,490 m | - |
| 8 | Nar | 4,110 m | - |
| 9 | Nar (rest) | 4,110 m | - |
| 10 | Ngawal | 3,660 m | 5,320 m |
| 11 | Manang | 3,519 m | - |
| 12 | Besisahar | 760 m | - |
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1, travel dayDrive Kathmandu to Dharapanisleep 1,860 m
About 6-8 hours to Besisahar, then a jeep up the Marsyangdi road. Some groups drive straight on to Koto when the road allows.
Teahouse in DharapaniAbout Dharapani
Day 2Dharapani to Kotosleep 2,600 m4-5 habout 11 km
Up the valley through Bagarchhap, Danaqyu and Latamarang. Restricted-area permits are checked at Koto.
Teahouse in KotoAbout Koto
Day 3Koto to Metasleep 3,560 m6-8 habout 16 km
Cross the Marsyangdi and follow the Nar Khola gorge through forest and past waterfalls and the Dharmasala camp, then climb onto the open plateau of Meta.
Teahouse or homestay in MetaAbout Meta
Day 4Meta to Kyangsleep 3,820 m4-5 habout 9 km
Past the chortens and abandoned settlements of Jhunam and Chyakhu, with views of Annapurna II behind. Kyang is a winter settlement of Phu villagers.
Homestay or teahouse in Kyang
Day 5Kyang to Phusleep 4,080 m4-5 habout 9 km
Along the Phu Khola through a narrow gorge, past ruined forts and through the gateway below the village.
Homestay or teahouse in PhuAbout Phu
Day 6, acclimatisationRest day in Phusleep 4,080 m2-4 h
Acclimatise and visit Tashi Lhakhang monastery above the village, or walk up the valley towards the high pastures and return to sleep.
Homestay or teahouse in PhuAbout Phu
Day 7Phu to Nar Phedisleep 3,490 m6-7 habout 17 km
Back down the Phu Khola past Kyang and across the Mahendra Pul bridge to the monastery at Nar Phedi, where the nuns run simple accommodation.
Monastery guesthouse at Nar Phedi
Day 8Nar Phedi to Narsleep 4,110 m3-4 habout 5 km
A steady climb past a row of painted chortens to Nar, a larger village of stone houses and fields with several monasteries.
Homestay or teahouse in NarAbout Nar
Day 9, acclimatisationRest day in Narsleep 4,110 m2-4 h
Acclimatise for the pass: explore the village and its monasteries and take a short walk up towards Kang La Phedi.
Homestay or teahouse in NarAbout Nar
Day 10Over the Kang La to Ngawalsleep 3,660 m8-9 habout 15 km
Start before dawn. A long climb of about 1,200 m to the Kang La, with views of Annapurna II, III and IV and Gangapurna, then a steep descent of about 1,650 m on loose ground to Ngawal.
Teahouse in NgawalAbout Ngawalhigh point Kang La, 5,320 m
Day 11Ngawal to Manangsleep 3,519 m2-3 habout 7 km
An easy walk down past Humde and Braga. From Manang you can continue on the Annapurna Circuit or Tilicho Lake instead of driving out.
Teahouse in ManangAbout Manang
Day 12, travel dayJeep Manang to Besisaharsleep 760 m
A long, rough jeep ride down the Marsyangdi valley, usually 7-10 hours; continue to Kathmandu or Pokhara the next day.
Hotel in Besisahar
Stages, times and altitudes vary by operator, weather and pace. Partner agencies confirm the exact plan.
Route map
Approximate route drawn through the overnight stops.
Permits
Manang (Nar Phu) restricted-area permitRestricted area
Issued by the Department of Immigration through a registered agency. Its fee table lists Manang (Narpa Rural Municipality wards 1-5 and Nasho Rural Municipality wards 6-7) at USD 100 per week plus USD 15 per day beyond a week from September to November, and USD 75 per week plus USD 15 per day beyond a week from December to August.
ACAP entry permit (Annapurna Conservation Area)Conservation area
Issued at the Nepal Tourism Board permit counters in Kathmandu and Pokhara or through your agency; checked at trail checkpoints.
TIMS cardTrekker card
Check whether a TIMS card is currently required; since 2023 it has been issued through registered trekking agencies.
Restricted area
Restricted-area permits are issued only through a government-registered trekking agency, for trekkers accompanied by a licensed guide; the rules have long required a minimum group of two trekkers, and changes have been reported, so confirm the current rule with the Department of Immigration or a licensed agency.Verify before travel: permit rules and fees change. Checked 2026-10-06 against Department of Immigration, Nepal: Trekking Route and Permit Fee. Guide rule: The National: Nepal bans solo trekking for tourists, guides mandatory from April 1 (March 2023).
Nepal trekking permits explainedWhen to go
Best months: Apr-May, Sep-Nov
- Autumn (Sep-Nov)
- October and November are the most reliable months, with clear skies and stable weather; late September can still be cloudy.
- Winter (Dec-Feb)
- December to February is very cold; the Kang La is usually snowbound and many residents of Phu and Nar move to lower villages.
- Spring (Mar-May)
- March to May is the second main season; early spring can bring snow higher up, and haze increases in May.
- Monsoon (Jun-Aug)
- June to August is wet on the road below Chame, with landslides, although upper Manang lies in a drier rain shadow.
Weather on the route
Forecasts for start (Dharapani, 1,860 m), highest overnight (Nar, 4,110 m), end (Besisahar, 760 m). Mountain weather changes fast; check again on the day.
Weather in Dharapani (start)
Forecast for 1,860 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Nar (highest overnight)
Forecast for 4,110 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Weather in Besisahar (end)
Forecast for 760 m. Conditions change fast in the mountains.
Weather data: MET Norway, licensed CC BY 4.0. A forecast, not a guarantee.
Safety
Above about 3,000 m, a widely used guideline is to increase your sleeping altitude by no more than about 500 m a day and to take an extra night at the same altitude every 3 to 4 days (CDC Yellow Book; Wilderness Medical Society). This is general information, not medical advice.
Know the signs of acute mountain sickness: headache with nausea, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, dizziness or poor sleep. Do not go higher with symptoms, and go down if they get worse. Confusion, stumbling, or breathlessness at rest are emergencies: descend at once and get help.
Do not attempt the Kang La in fresh snow or poor visibility; the descent to Ngawal is steep and loose. Wait in Nar or turn back if conditions are bad.
The valley is remote, with little or no mobile signal; carry a satellite communicator or confirm your agency does.
Rockfall is possible in the Nar Khola and Phu Khola gorges, especially after rain.
Buy travel insurance that explicitly covers trekking and helicopter evacuation up to at least 5,500 m, and see a doctor before you travel about altitude and any medicines.
What to pack
- Broken-in boots and trekking poles for the Kang La descent
- Microspikes for an icy pass
- Down jacket, warm gloves and hat
- Sleeping bag rated well below freezing
- Headlamp for the pre-dawn start
- Water purification tablets or a filter
- Snacks and cash from below; supplies in the valley are limited
- Category-4 sunglasses and sun cream
Side trips and alternatives
Continue on the Annapurna Circuit
From Manang, continue to Yak Kharka and over the Thorong La to Muktinath instead of driving out.
Add the two to three day detour from Manang to Tilicho Lake after the Kang La.
Nar Phu Valley questions
How long is the Nar Phu valley trek?
About 11 to 17 days from Kathmandu, depending on rest days and whether you continue on the Annapurna Circuit afterwards.
Do I need a special permit for Nar Phu?
Yes. Nar Phu is a restricted area, so you need a restricted-area permit arranged through a registered agency, an ACAP permit, and a licensed guide.
How high is the Kang La?
About 5,306-5,320 m depending on the source. The crossing from Nar to Ngawal takes 8-9 hours.
Are there teahouses in Nar Phu?
Basic lodges and homestays operate in Meta, Kyang, Phu, Nar and Nar Phedi in season; some groups camp.
When is the best time for Nar Phu?
September to November and April to May. Winter snow usually closes the Kang La.
Similar treks
A side trek from Manang on the Annapurna Circuit to Tilicho Lake (about 4,919 m), a glacier-fed lake below Tilicho Peak, via Khangsar, Shree Kharka and Tilicho Base Camp.
- Days
- 10 days
- Maximum altitude
- 4,919 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
A restricted-area teahouse trek around Manaslu (8,163 m), up the Budhi Gandaki gorge through Gurung and Nubri villages, over the Larkya La (about 5,106 m) and down to Dharapani on the Annapurna Circuit.
- Days
- 12 days
- Maximum altitude
- 5,106 m
- Difficulty
- Strenuous
Editorial draft: altitudes, permits and rules are being checked against the sources below. Last checked 2026-10-06. Sources: Wikivoyage: Annapurna Circuit, Wikipedia: Phu, Nepal, Department of Immigration, Nepal: Trekking Route and Permit Fee, National Trust for Nature Conservation (ACAP), OpenStreetMap (village and camp coordinates), CDC Yellow Book: High-Elevation Travel and Altitude Illness
Nar Phu Valley · 12 days