Nar-Phu Vallery Trek: The Nar-Phu valley in newly opened, spectacular regions of Lama, Gurung and Ghale inhabitants. Nar-Phu  valley has unique natural, cultural and geographical wounders, making it the most sought after destination in Nepal. Governemnt in 2002 has declared this region as a new destination ad opened it for organized trekking only. This region was first of all explored by Tilman in the 1950s. Till date very few westerners have explored the virtually untouchd villages of Nar & Phu or climbed the many 7000 m peaks surrounding them. There are 63 household in Nar and 39 in Phu village. They are living in the village under their own social values and norms.

NAR VILLAGE: Nar (place of the Blue Sheep) is larger than Phu village, with around 65 house stacked inters around a smattering of prayer wheels and small chapels. Electricity and phone lines mar the look of the traditional village, which is a particular shame as they currently don't ever work. Views of Kang Guru and Pisang dominate the horizon. The local inhabitants (Narpas) run the gamut from old herders in robes and traditional Tibetan boots to young guns decked out in ponytails and Ray Bans.

The village's four Kagyud gompas are worth a visit, though tracking down the keys from the four different caretakers can eat up a large chunk of the day. Photos of the current  (16th) Karmapa are common if Nar (the Karmapa fled Tibet in 1999, traveling to India via Mustang and Manang). The Guru Choling Gompa is at the top of town, the lower Samten Pelgye Ling has some remarkable old statutes, and the Kunsel Denchen a large Phallus painted on the wall and an unusual off-center floor plan. The newest monastery is the Samdru Choling, just below the Shanti Lodge. If you are not able to cross the Kang La or decide not to, it's possible to hike down or Koto in a long day.

PHU VILLAGE: PHU is and extraordinary village of around 40 households piled up on a bluff at the junction of a side valley. Upper village offers four beds in a simple mud walled room, with meals eaten in the traditional kitchen. You may have to ask around fro the owner Tashi Khandru; look for the multicolored windows. There are no formal shops in Phu but you can buy at Tashi's and will be well fed on porridge, soup and Dal BHAT (Nepali main meal). All supplies are carried here by mule. Devote some time to exploring the fascinating village. The deserted and crumbling uppermost section is home to the original fortified residence. Phu means 'Head of the Valley' and the 6364, pyramid-shaped peak to the north is named Bhrikuti the Nepali wife of Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo; beyond is Tibet. Phu village is snowbound and almost completely deserted in winter (December to March).

Nar - Phu's most important monastery is the Tashi Lhakhang Gompa (4150m), crowning a hillside cut by two rivers to the north of thrown. One of the three resident ani (nuns) will show you around the main prayer hall, adorned with some fine ceremonial trumpets and photos of the current Karmapa (the monastery was founded by the 10th Karmapa).  Look for the festival mask of the god Dorje Drolo. There is no entry fee so leave a donation. Other rooms include the quarters of lama Karma Sonam Rinpoche, a famous amchi (traditional healer) who fled Tibet with the Dalai Lama and who now lives in Kathamndu. Also here is a library, protector chapel and a menkhang (apothecary), lined with jars or herbs, potions and antibiotics. A fine kora (pilgrim path) leads up past blue painted mani stones and back down to the lama's helipad, offering excellent views of Phu.

The similar Samtenling Gompa above the village in normally closed. There are more good village views from the bluff to the south of the village, up the steep goat track that leads to Ubi village. If you have time and budget and extra day in Phu (highly recommended), consider a hike up to either the summer Pastures of Ngoru Kharka or Himlung Base Camp. For views of Hmlung 7125m, you can follow the Yak trail into the moraine but the base camp, itself follow the streamside trail that squeezes between the hillside and the moraine.

Access: The way to Nar-Phoo villages separates from Koto (near Chame) to the northeast. The trek starts from Kotoa and ends in Ngawal after crossing Kang-La Pass (5200m.) Nar can be reached walking for 2 days while Phoo in 3 days from Koto village.

Historical Overvies: Historically, Nar-Phoo region was the place which Khampa refugees (from Tibet) once captured and lived illegally at places like Jhunum, Chyakhu, Meta and Kyang. One can still see the remnants, particularly the ruined forts of the Khampa settlement, along the trail of Nar and Phu.

Way of Living: Labor intensive lifestyle is the peculiarity of the Nar-Phoo villages. Subsistence agriculture, animal husbandary and seasonal migration to the city centres and mid hills are the usual chores of the people during winter seson. The villagers return with the onset of pleasants weathere in April. Leisure time is normally spent in knitting blanket, pherpa and making Docha (locally made shoes). The staple foods include dhindo (capray), dalbhat and variety of items made fro potato buckwheat, wheat flour while dring includes Tibetan tea (made by churning it in a bamboo or wooden hosepipe).

Natural Aspect: The valley is an untamed and amazing piece of land enriched by the natural wonders like the breath catching views of Himalayas, riveres, foundains, lakes and Pine forests. July and August are the months full of blooming colourful wind flowers. This is also and excellent habitat of Blue Sheep, Chyanhura, Himalayan Snow Cock, different species of birds and elusive Snow Leopard. A hot spring near the "Hulakin Odar" (Postman cave) on the bank of the Nar River officers a soothings naturall bath!. The bathapart from being a natural therapy is believed to cure sking ailments. Deep georges of Lepche River locally known as Mahendra pool and DOna Waterfall (near Dharmashala) are the bonus attracions for the visitors.

Culture Aspect: Unique cultural features of the Nar-Phoo valley have flourished its fame and fascination making it cultural hub to national in international visitors. There are 5 Gompas in Nar and 3 in Phoo. Out of them "Tashi Lakang Gompa" of Phoo is the most significant of all. Out of 108 Buddhist monasteries, it is believed to be the last gompa constructed by Kamarpa Rimpoche. In the new coon and full moon day, the villagers perform Puja (worship) in the monasteries.

Festival: There are many mojor festivals like Lhosar, Derchi, Dunchhyang, Yakchha etc. Although most of therse festivals are religious some have historical singificance while others are seasonal celebrations. Most peculiramong these is the death ceremony - tradition during which the Lama (monk) read their book (Chhe) and decides wheather the dead body needs to be buried or burned or fed to the vulture. It is told that the time of birth and death of an individual decides its course of the funeral process.

Yakcha Festival: Yakcha is one of the most important cultural festival practiced in the Nar vilage. Although there is no historical manuscript found so far. It is believed that the festival started frist in Ngawal village then in Bharka, Manang and finally in Nar. Although the roles can be played of freewill the roles of the king and the priest are strictly limited to particular members of the group which are passed down from generation to generation.

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport (1345meters).

Arrival in Kathmandu airport and transfer to the hotel. We will come to the airport to welcome  you in the airport with your name plate (if not seen before).  If you are coming Nepal in the morning time, you can make siteseeing program trip after your day meal. If you are agreed to book your hotel accommodation in Kathmandu and other places by us,  we do this or you can direct booking from your destination too.  This day we will make breiffing for trek preparation.

Day 02: Special trekking permit preparation and sight seeing tour

Today, we come to your hotel  at 9 O'clock to collect your passport to make trekking permit at the immigration office. Until this time, you have taken your brakfast, interested trekkers can participate the sight seeing program in Kathmandu city -or in Bhaktapur city.  

Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Jagat (1100m): 8-9 hours

We will come to the hotel with guide and required staff to drive to Jagat at 7 am.  This day jeep passes through countryside, lush greeneries, Trishuli river, Marshyangdi river, cultivated field, lovely mountaiv. Afternoon, we will reach Beshisahar by pitched  road and  continuing to Jatat not pitched road. 

Day 04: Trek Jagat to Dharapani (1,960m): 7-8 hours

After brakfast, our trek starts the trail from Jagat downhill until it reaches the river and then continues through a lush forest.  on the way we will see Annapurna mountain ranges. 

Day 05: Trek Dharapani to Koto (2,610m/8,563ft): 5-6 hours

We continue our trek in the morning throughout Bararchhap, Pine forrest and fir forest, white washed monastery . The trail sttply ascending up to Timang and we find good tips of Mt Manaslu and other mountain view from here.  

Day 06: Trek Koto to Meta (3,560m): 7-8 hours

In a Koto, police will check our trekking permit and ACAP permt then we start trek through the river bak of Soti Khola . Seeing Wonderful pine forest, streams and suspension bridge we reach Dharmashala to Tibetan Plateau where we find beautiful view of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal. 

Day 07: Trek Meta to Phu Gaon (4,250m): 7-8 hours

Our trail goes climb up and climb down, crossing suspension bridge over different streams.  On the trail, comes Kyang village where we meets with the remnants, particualrly the ruined forts of the Khampa settlements (the place which Khampa refugees from Tibet one captured and lived).  Keeping slowly Phu Khola and continue Phu Goun comes.  

Day 08: Acclimatization day 

We will rest and get acclimatized with the altitude. Today we are in the Lost / Hidden valley, ew explere the village culture, natural diversity, regious practive of the ethnic groups of Lama Gurung and Ghale.  Similarly, we explore Tashi Lakhang onastery - The old Buddhist monastery listed out of the 108 world's great Buddhist Monasteries; it is supposed to be thelast monastery constructed by Karmapa Ringpoche. 

Day 09: Trek Phu Gaon to Nar (4,110m): 6-7 hours

The course descends passeing through strams and suspension bridges to Mahendra Pul. We We find today several Buddhis Monasteries here to visit coupled with the glourious. The trail descends passing many streams and suspension bridges until Mahendra Pul which takes about 4 hours. We pass the high suspension bridge 80m over the Gorge of Lapche River. We have lunch in Mahendra Pul. After lunch, the trail steeply ascends passing many Buddhist stupas until Nar Village which takes about 2 hours. We find several Buddhist Monasteries here to visit coupled with the glorious views of Pisang Peak and other similar peaks. 

Day 10: Acclimatization  day at Nar village 

At the Nar village, we explore local community people, culture, life style with day hiking. 

Day 11: Trek Nar to Kang La Pass (5,322m) to Ngwal (3,660m): 7-8 hours

Our destination today is Kangla Pass today which longer than previous day schedule. Our trek down to Ngawal village, we see Annapurna massif. 

Day 12: Trek Ngwal to Manang (3,540m): 4-5 hours

We pass through the isolated village of Paugh overlooking the amazing views of Annapurna range. We then move gently uphill to Mungli and then to the main trail of Annapurna Trail at Mungli. 

Day 13: Trek Manang to Yak Kharka- Ledar ( 4200m.) 5 hour

From Manang, our route leads to a slow mount for an hour to the Tenki Manang for observing the view of the Annapurna, Gangapurna and Tilicho peak. The track tenderly winds up offering exciting views and through terrains with juniper bushes as the only surviving vegetation around this region and will brings you at Yak-Kharka for the Lunch. after lunch walk 1 hour to Ledar. overnight Lodge

Day 14:Trek Ledar to High Camp ( 4600m)  5 hour

We begin our hike with slow pace to Phedi which means 'foot of the hill'. We still have same incredible view of mountains and background. After an hour walk, we reach at Ledar and continue to climb along the east bank of the Jorsang Khola, and then move down and cross the stream on a wooden bridge to get a small tea shop. We stop for amazing view and tea breaks, we follows a narrow path across a high, unstable slope before heading to Thorung Phedi. 

Day 15: Trek High Camp to Muktinath (3800m.)  7 hour 

We today, have longest and tough day of the whole trip. We begin our walk early in the morning; . Walk on your own pace viewing with sunrise and sight of the mountains. We continuously walk to the top takes 3-4 hrs to the Throng top and with a great feeling of victory take a short breaks for picturesque scenery and down to the Mustang part of mountains and the Kaligandaki valley far below to the West.

Day 16: Drive Muktinath to Jomsom (2,715m): 2.5 hours

Muktinath to Jomsom, there is not piched road and it takes two and half an hours . There is another option, you can trek descending  down through Kali Gandaki Gorge  to Jomsom.matic Kali Gandaki Gorge.  We pass by Jharkot and Khingar villages which has typical Tibetan architecture. Following the valley floor most of the way sprawled along the banks of the Kali Gandaki, we reach Jomsom. 

Included meals: Breakfast Lunch Dinner

Day 17: Jomsom to Pokhara Flight (823m): 30 min flight

By the time of 7AM, we fly to Pokhara with the scenic flight takes us through the gorge of the two huge mountains, Annapurna and Dhaulagiri. On arrival at Pokhara airport. We get some rest and explore the beauty of Pokhara Valley in the evening. While we leisurely walk along the bank of Fewa Lake, the second biggest lake of Nepal while admiring the mountain view of Machhapuchhare.  Mahendra Gupha, Mountain museum,  Seti Gorge,  a boat-ride in Fewa Lake, world Peace Pagoda are scenery of beautiful Pokhara . You can fly to Kathmadu same day if have not time limit too.

Fly Pokhara to Kathmandu 

Half day sigh-seeing in Pokhara: Bindebasini Temple, David Fall, Gupteshwar temple.

Day 18: Final departure. We will come to the hotel to say bye bye and go to the airport together.

Price:

Service Includes

• Airport transfer  by private tourist vehicle.
• Hotel accommodation twin sharing in a three star hotel in Kathmandu; Breakfast included. (2 nights)
• Hotel accommodation twin sharing in a three star hotel in Pokhara; Breakfast included. (2 nights)
• All the trekking and ACAP permits fees.
• Tented accommodation during the trek such as two man tents, dining tents, kitchen tents, tables, chairs, toilete tents, shower tents
• English speaking locense holder trekking guide
• The required number of local staff - assistant guide, assistant cook, cleaners, porters to carry you luggage and trekking plus personal equipment
• Personal and medical insurance for Nepalese working staff with your team.
• All meals prepared by our expert camping cook and kitchen team during the trek (Breakfasts, Lunches and Dinners).
• Food, accommodation, salary, insurance, equipment and medicine for all staff.
• Flight cost from Jomsom to Pokhara including airport departure taxes in Jomsom airport
• Private transfer from and to Kathmandu ( from Ktm to Beni and Tourist Bus transfer form Pokhara to Ktm).
• All our government taxes, vat, tourist service charges.
• Official expenses.

Service Excludes

• Main meal (Lunch and dinner) in Kathmandu and Pokhara stay.
• Travel insurance package - Personal, medical, search and rescue evacuation.  
• Serch and rescue evacuation insurance for working staff.
• Personal expenses such as telephone call, bar bill, satellite phone, laundry etc
• Alcoholic and cold drinks during the trip.
• Personal trekking Equipment (See the trekking equipment page).
• Tips for trekking staff and driver (Tipping is expected).
• Any others expenses which are not mentioned on 'Price Includes' section.

Trekking Boots

Woolen Socks

Gaiters

Rucksack

Camp / Lodge footwear

Thermal Underwear

Walking trousers

Track suit

Weatherproof trousers

T-shirts

Polar fleece pullover(s) and/or jacket

Woolen Shirt

Woolen cap

Sun glass

Woolen Gloves

Neck scarf

Sunglasses

Down booties

Kit Bag

Sleeping Bag + inner sheet

Map / books

Down jacket - depending on season and area visited

Gortex Jacket / Polo Jackets

Sleeping Bag

Weatherproof jacket

Small Towel

Trekking Stick

Small day pack

Torch with battery

First aid equipments and medicine

Water carrying bottles

Camera, film with batteries

Day 01: Arrival in Kathmandu airport, transfer to hotel (1,350m)

Day 02: Kathmandu:  Official work to make special trekking permit.

Day 03: Drive Kathmandu to Jagat (1100m): 8-9 hours

Day 04: Trek Jagat to Dharapani  (1,960m): 7-8 hours

Day 05: Trek Dharapani to Koto (2,610m): 5-6 hours

Day 06: Trek Koto to Meta (3,560m): 7-8 hours

Day 07: Trek Meta to Phu Gaon (4,250m): 7-8 hours

Day 08: Acclimatization day for rest and exploration at Phu Gaon

Day 09: Trek Phu Gaon to Nar (4,110m) 6-7 hours

Day 10: Acclimatization day for rest and exploration at Nar Goun

Day 11: Trek Nar to Kang La Pass (5,322m) to Ngwal (3,660m): 7-8 hours

Day 12: Trek Ngwal to Manang (3,540m): 4-5 hours

Day 13: Trek Manang to Yak Kharka (4,110m): 3-4 hours

Day 14: Trek Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi (4,600m): 3-4 hours

Day 15: Trek Thorong Phedi to Thorong La (5,416m) to Muktinath (3,800m): 7-8 hours

Day 16: Trek Muktinath to Jomsom (2,715m): 5-6 hours

Day 17: Fly Jomsom to Pokhara (823m): 30 min flight

Day 18: Drive Pokhara to Kathmandu by private car / jeep / bus : 5-6 hours drive

Day 19: Leave Kathmandu