The arduous yet highly rewarding Nar Phu Valley Trek takes you to the least visited landscape in the Northern Annapurna region. Moreover, while trekking to Nar Phu Valley, you'll also hike on some parts of the Annapurna Circuit. The antiquated Tibetan culture, withered landscapes, tempting mountains, and surreal prospects have made this trek distinctive and captivating.

And in a nutshell, the hike to Nar Phu Valley is a trek to isolated and rugged valleys in the wonderland of Annapurna. Nar and Phu are two discrete remote settlements in Upper Mustang, a popular place for Annapurna Region Trekking. But, the remoteness and inaccessibility deem it a lost and least traversed landscape of the Himalayas. 

Nar Phu Valley Trekking started just in 2003 and is among the newly discovered trekking destinations in the Annapurna region. Since the territory is near Tibet, it remains a restricted region for foreign trekkers. Albeit, with a Restricted Area Permit issued by the Government of Nepal, you can hike here for limited days.

To put it differently, amidst crowded Annapurna region trekking, an off-the-beaten trek to Nar Phu Valley can be ideal. Even if it's graded as a challenging trek, with adequate preparations and our highly experienced trek guides, you'll have a wholesome Nar Phu Valley experience.

The following are among the few best elements that make your Nar Phu Valley Trekking in Annapurna Region stupendous.

Startling Annapurna and adjoining sierra

Annapurna region and adjacent regions are home to two 8,000 meters tall mountains, Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri. The world's 10th elevated mountain, Annapurna I, at 8,091 meters, appears much closer than the 7th highest Dhaulagiri, at 8,167 meters. Even so, these ultimate glimpses are enough to tranquil your soul, eyes, and heart.

Other elegant mountains of the Annapurna range, like Himlung Peak at 7,126 meters, Mt. Gangapurna at 7,455 meters, Mt. Nilgiri at 7,061 meters, and Tilicho summit at 7,134 meters, encircle the landscape around Upper Mustang, including Nar and Phu villages.

On Nar Phu Valley Trek, you'll be in the serenity of the paradise of these mountains. Whenever you hike up here, the elegance of the towering mountains remains intact throughout the year. And Nar Phu Valley Trek in 2023 can be your ultimate junket to the paradise of remote landscape in Upper Mustang.

Two High Himalayan Pass

Alongside the splendid panorama of mountains in the Annapurna range, crossing two highly rated High Passes is the ultimate endurance test and adventurous junket in the Nar Phu Valley hike.After Everest Three High Passes Trek, the most High Himalayan Pass you'll conquer on a single trek is two, and it's while trekking to Nar Phu Valley.

Thorung La Pass, at 5,416 meters and Kang La Pass, at 5,306 meters, are two High Passes of this trek. Not to mention, Thorung La Pass is the most liked high Himalayan Pass by trekkers on Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Crossing these passes offers you an adventurous hike and the unmatched panorama of the Annapurna range. From Kang La Pass, you'll get conspicuous glimpses of Tilicho Peak, Annapurna II, and Gangapurna.

Moreover, while trekking from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath on the 12th day of this trek, you'll climb Thorung La Pass. You'll see the mountains and peaks extending towards the Tibetan Plateau to the North from this Pass.

Centuries old monastery and temple

Nar and Phu are the home for the unblemished Buddhism and BonPo Religion, thanks for being an isolated region, even in 2023. The timeless religion, cultures, traditions, and livelihood here remains pious and free from contemporary touches. And as a trekker in this solitude region, you'll get the rare opportunity to witness these directly. 

The pre-eminent Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, amidst 108 prime monasteries in the world, lies in Nar Phu Valley. This epitome of the last noble work of Lama Karma Sonam Rimpoche remains as it was. And there's nothing that beats the joy of viewing a 360-degree panorama from the standing of Tashi Lhakhang Monastery.

In addition, Muktinath, in Jomsom, is another sacred site for Hindus, Buddhists, and Bon Po religious people. Furthermore, it is broadly praised as an ideal trekking destination in the Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Built in the 19th century, Muktinath is among the world's highest-altitude seated temples, at 3,762 meters, in the lap of Thorung La Pass. And annually, more than 20 thousand trekkers and pilgrims scale this temple on foot.

Standard Trek Itinerary

13 days of Nar Phu Valley Trek Itinerary begins as you drive from Kathmandu to Koto, at 2,610 meters, Meta at 3,560 meters, Phu at 4,250 meters, and Nar at 4,110 meters. After acclimatization at Nar, the trek trail ascends to Kang-La pass at 5,306 meters. The trek route descends to Manang at 3m540 meters, Yak Kharka at 4,110 meters, Muktinath at 3,800 meters and Jomsom at 2,710 meters via Thorong La Pass at 5,416 meters.

Escape the crowd of Annapurna Circuit

For peaceful hikers, Nar Phu Valley Trek in 2023 can still be an ideal off-the-beaten Annapurna Region Trekking. With expensive restricted area permit costs and added trek difficulty, only experienced hikers hike to Nar and Phu. And also, those who could live for a week without apple pie and modern amenities prefer the solitude trails of this isolated wonderland in Northern Annapurna.

The super crowded Annapurna Circuit Trek and trek to Nar Phu Valley often overlap at certain places. Albeit you'll hike from Manang to Muktinath via Yak Kharka, Thorung Phedi, and Thorung La Pass on a crowded trail, the ultimate location, Nar Phu Valley, still offers a peaceful hike experience.

Instead, you'll hike along the cascading river banks, suspension bridges, green pasture lands, monasteries, humongous boulder faces, and two exceptional settlements, Nar and Phu. Whether it's farmers plowing their farmlands with yaks or the monks humming the mantras with hand held prayer wheels, you'll remain enclosed with tranquility.

Conclusion

The Nar Phu Valley trek is a real Himalayan wilderness experience that is as unforgettable as it is spectacular. Tucked between the more visited Annapurna and Manaslu regions, Nar Phu is a true hidden gem that offers trekkers a rare opportunity to explore unspoiled valleys that feature a mix of raw Himalayan nature and ancient Buddhist culture.