Annapurna circuit via Naar Phu

This great trek at the foot of the Annapurna takes a little-travelled route to explore the secret valley of Naar Phu and the Tibetan villages.
For hikers who love preserved and wild spaces, the Naar Phu Valley is one of the trans-Himalayan communication routes to Tibet.
After crossing rice fields and forests, we rise towards the high mountain area:
The glaciers are nearby. Arriving at Metha, Chako, Kyang, and Phu, dry stone villages, chortens, and prayer flags fluttering in the wind punctuate a high-altitude desert under Tibetan influence. We leave the Naar valley by crossing the Kang La, at an altitude of 5322 m. Up there, the Annapurna and Manaslu massifs spread out before our eyes. Then after quickly cutting through the busy Marsyangdi valley, we will go over the widest high pass in the world, Thorong La at 5416 m from where we discover the Dhaulagiri and Mustang to the north. This unique immersion at the foot of the giants ends in Jomsom.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The passage of the two passes of Kang La and Thorong La and the view of the Himalayas
- The variety of landscapes and ethnic groups on this great trek, off-beaten track
- The isolated valley of Narphu the authentic villages of Naar and the hilltop village of Phu gaon of Tibetan culture



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Gallery

Itinerary

  • Level of Trek: Difficult
  • Best Period: April - November
  • Duration: 15 Days
  • Number of walking days: 11
  • Highest Altitude: 5416 Meters
  • Flights: Jomsom - Pokhara
  • Accomodation: Hotel + Lodge during trek
Leave No Trace

For your next trek with us in the Himalayas, travel light and aware: Base Camp offers you a biodegradable soap made in Nepal, to leave no trace ...

Day
Welcome and transfer to the hotel from the airport.
- Accommodation: Hotel Holy Himalaya in BB or similar
- meal: self
Day for the discovery of the jewels of the Kathmandu valley: Pashupatinath, a Hindu site dating from the 12th century, a cremation place dedicated to Shiva where pilgrims come to bathe in the sacred Bagmati river. Then, visit Bodnath, a large Buddhist stupa located in the heart of the Tibetan quarter. Then we stroll through the streets of old Kathmandu. After lunch, the possibility of visiting Bhaktapur, a superb medieval Newware town, one of the jewels of the valley listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Accommodation: Hotel Holy Himalaya in BB or similar
- Meal: Self
Transfer by a private vehicle early in the morning to the village of Besisahar (950 m) where we meet our porters.
Transfer by local jeep with the team to Dharapani (1960 m)
6 hours + 4 hours drive approximately
- Accommodation: Lodge
We arrive after an hour's walk at Bagachap, from where we see Annapurna II up to Danaque, with a view of the Manaslu massifs. then leave the Marshyangdi River for an hour's climb towards Upper Timang. After crossing a rhododendron forest (in flower in spring), superb view of the Himalayas and the valley. then easy to Thanchok, we cross a pine forest and arrive at Koto, a small Gurung village, on the banks of the Marshyangdi river.
- Ascent: 900 meters
- Descent: 250 meters
- Walking time: 5h
- Accommodation: Lodge
From Koto, we enter the upper valleys of Naar and Phu, which recently opened to tourism. We cross the Marshyangdi River by a suspension bridge and follow the Naar Phu River on its right bank, the path is cut into the cliff, and we walk on scree and through a pine forest. After 2 hours of walking, we cross a suspension bridge and walk on the left bank through a pine forest then cross the river again via a wooden bridge. The gorges become narrower and narrower between the vertical cliffs. We continue towards Dharamsala. Stunning view of Lamjung Himal (6932 m).
After a good hour of walking, we cross a small stream and then climb about 300 m quite steeply (45 mins) to arrive at Metha, the first drystone village in this beautiful valley. Spectacular view of Annapurna II (7937 m) and Lamjung (6932 m).
- Ascent: 1300 meters
- Descent: 400 meters
- Walking time: 7h
- Accommodation: Lodge/resident
The vegetation is rarer, it is dotted with wildflowers, junipers, and birches whose bark served as paper support for religious texts.
The Khampa warriors, originally from Kham (in eastern Tibet) established themselves in Metha after the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1959 until the Nepalese military intervention in 1975. The people of Naar and Phu come down to this village in winter.
We take the path that goes back towards Phu along the Phu River. After 1h30 of a relatively flat balcony path, we arrive at Jhunum (3640 m). On the path, we pass sheepfolds and have a very beautiful view of the glaciers. We cross 2 torrents then the village of Chaku (3750 m), a former settlement of the Khampas, and then take the path that goes back towards Phu along the river of the same name
We cross the Labse River (snow leopard in Tibetan) to arrive at Kyang. Beautiful view of Pisang Peak (6091 m), Tilje Peak, Gyaji Kang, Pokharan Himal, etc. The numerous Chortens that line the path indicate to us that we are in a Tibetan country.
- Ascent: 300 meters
- Descent: 700 meters
- Walking time: 5h
- Accommodation: Lodge
We continue the day by walking on a path cut into the rock, then we follow the river. We can see herds of Naur (blue sheep), the snow leopards' favorite prey. A nice climb takes us to the first gate of Phu, we pass next to a large mani and ruins. Then, after an hour of walking on false flat ground and crossing a large suspension bridge, we arrive at the village of Phu through an impressive gate. The village, which was a crossroads for trans-Himalayan trade, is perched on a small rocky promontory, the houses blend into the rock. Beautiful views of Himlung (7126 m), Kanguru, Pokarkang (6265 m) and the Annapurna range.
- Ascent: 1000 meters
- Walking time: 4h
- Accommodation: Lodge
A long stage to reach the village of Naar at the end of the afternoon. We descend towards Phu Khola (3400 m) and cross a suspension bridge to go up to the village of Naar.
- Ascent: 1400 meters
- Descent: 1200 meters
- Walking time: 7-8h
- Accommodation: Lodge
We leave early in the morning to gradually climb to the Kang Pass base camp. We penetrate a little deeper into the mineral universe of rocks and moraines. Beautiful views of East and West Chulu and Pisang Peak and camp at the foot of Kang La Pass (4400 m). From the pass, a panoramic view of the entire Annapurna massif. Descent to the beautiful village of Ngawal.
- Ascent: 1200 meters
- Descent: 1700 meters
- Walking time: 8-9h
- Accommodation: Lodge
With the beautiful route, we reach Manang. Then again we ascent to Yak Kharkha or Letdar.
- Ascent: 880 meters
- Descent: 350 meters
- Walking time: 6-7h
- Accommodation: Lodge.
Gradual climb, sometimes steep from Phedi. Free afternoon or stroll.
- Ascent: 600 meters
- Walking time: 4h
- Accommodation: Lodge
Early in the morning around 3:30 am climb to reach the Thorong pass then a steep descent to Muktinath. Mustang's first village and religious sanctuary for Buddhists and Hindus. Visit the small temple of Muktinath. Night in Jarkhot, a sumptuous traditional village.
- Descent: 1800 meters
- Walking time: 8h
- Accommodation: Lodge
Climb to a small wild pass then sometimes steep descent to the Bönpo village of Lupra. then we follow the windy bed of the Kali Gandaki to the Thakali town, Jomsom.
- Ascent: 400 meters
- Descent: 1200 meters
- Walking time: 5h
- Accommodation: lodge
Flight from Jomsom to Pokhara between the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri massifs. Transfer to your hotel.
- Batika hotel accommodation in B&B
Free time in the afternoon in Kathmandu.
- Accommodation: Hotel Holy Himalaya in BB or similar
- Self meal

Notes

- Walking times are approximate because they depend on the groups, photos and stops. As for the elevation differences, they are also general indications and not GPS readings.
- Depending on the weather and operational conditions, the guide reserves the right to modify this itinerary for your safety.





What's included

- Airport-hotel transfer, transport to Besisahar and from Pokhara to Kathmandu by private vehicle with AC and local jeep privatized from Besisahar to Dharapani
- One day of guided visits with a French or English-speaking cultural guide
- Full board trek in Lodge according to itinerary
- 3 nights at the Holy Himalaya Hotel or similar on BB basis in Kathmandu
- 1 night at the Batika Hotel or similar in B&B in Pokhara.
- English-Speaking guide
- Carrying personal belongings for the trek (12kg max/person).
- ACAP trek permit and Narphu special permit (100 US$/person)
- Staff insurance
- Guide's flight and porters' transport

What's not included

- Meals in Kathmandu and Pokhara excluding breakfast
- Entrance fees to the sites included in the visits
- Nepal visa (30 US$ for 15 days).
- International flight
- Repatriation insurance + rescue and search required
- Tips, personal expenses and equipment, drinks, sleeping bag etc…

Suppliments

>>> Mandatory Jomsom – Pokhara flight supplement: $165
(Airfare Could be Changed without notice from airlines)

>>> Supplement per single room for 4 nights in a hotel: $120





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