Annapurna Circuit Trek Via Nar Phu Valley

Today is the first day of our adventure towards the Nar Phu Valley. To reach the starting point of Koto, we will take a ride by road. Covering a total distance of 175 kilometers, we will reach  Besishahar. The road in the journey meadows along the Marsyangdi River. On this journey, you will witness some remote villages, lush hills, rivers, and distant views of the Himalayas.

Upon reaching there, we will hire a jeep to get to Koto, where our hiking journey starts. With about a total ride of almost 10 hours, we will reach to our destination, Koto. The drive is relatively easy, with some sections being bumps, but it can be long and tiring.

Our trekking adventure starts on 2nd day. We will now get up early and have an early morning breakfast in the lodge. Starting off our journey, today’s section will be relatively easy. We will make our way through lush pine forests and picturesque landscapes. In today’s journey, we will not usually witness the mountain views, but on occasion, peek-a-boo is possible if the sky is clear.

After passing through some small villages and interacting with locals, we finally reached our lunch stop. Having lunch in the middle of nature can be quite amazing. Resuming our journey, from about around 4 am to 5 pm, we will finally reach Meta, where we will get a rest in the teahouse.

Today, we will reach the first highlight of our journey, Phu Valley. Starting off from Meta early, we will trek through the rugged section of the trail. The trek today will be quite challenging as we will enter towards a more remote destination in the Annapurna Region. However, starting today, we will start to witness beautiful distant views of the Annapurna ranges.

One of the major villages we will pass today is Chyakhu, where we will see many prayer flags and some ancient chortens. We will take a lunch break in a teahouse from where we will have a clear view of the peaks. The lunch stop serves as a much-needed resting spot in the journey. Challenging ourselves and moving forward, we will finally reach Phu Valley. This small valley amazes you with its beauty and warm, welcoming nature of people.

As we move forward toward high-altitude places, having a rest day at Phu Valley above 4,000 meters becomes essential. The rest day today can also be productive for you. With a proper rest for the whole day, we can explore this small yet charming village in the evening. We will visit local sites, including the ancient monastery and the surrounding fields.

Interacting with locals and trying out their local cuisine can also be done. After a perper rest day in this beautiful village backdrop of the Himalayas, we will finally call it a day at around 8 pm and get to bet while preparing ourselves for our upcoming challenges.

As we travel more deeply into our journey, the days start to get a lot tougher. Today’s trek is about 16 kilometers, and we will follow a trail that meanders through beautiful landscapes dotted with wildflowers. The section until we reach our lunch stop will be moderately challenging. After having lunch, our real tough journey starts.

However, the views get to make everything worth it. Finally, after challenging ourselves for about 6 to 7 hours, we will finally reach our destination. The Nar Phedi is the base point for the Nar Valley trek. We will then have a good rest there and have a hearty meal.

Today marks the shortest hiking day of our entire trekking days. We will complete this journey, which covers just about 5 kilometers, in about 3 to 4 hours. We will pass through lush valleys and enjoy stunning vistas of the surrounding peaks. Today’s ascends allow us to fully immerse in the beautiful surroundings and breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains.

Also, the unique architecture of the villages can be attractive. Once in Naar Village,  we will have a delightful experience where we can savor local delicacies while soaking in the charming ambiance. We will also explore its traditional culture and interact with the welcoming locals.

Today’s trek is one of the most exhilarating as we travel from Nar Village to Kang La Pass. With many demanding sections across rocky paths and rocky ascends, you will also get a chance to witness the clear views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. We will pass through remote landscapes and small remote settlements, which offer us a glimpse into the local way of life.

Our lunch stop will be a scenic plateau with breathtaking views, providing a well-deserved break before the final push to the pass. After crossing Kang La, we will descend to Ngawal, where we can relax in our lodge and share stories with fellow travelers.

On the 8th day of our trek, we will have a moderate level of difficulty.  There are a few strenuous ascents and some easy slopes included in today’s trek. The trail takes us through enchanting forests and vibrant meadows.

We will have lunch at a beautiful spot and resume our journey toward the difficulty section. As we approach Manang, we will be treated by the stunning views of the Annapurna range. This beautiful village itself will welcome us with its unique charm.

The 9th day will be our second acclimatization spot. We will dedicate this day to rest and exploration in Manang. This will involve easy walks to higher elevations, such as the viewpoint above the village, helping our bodies adjust to the altitude. We can go out to local shops, try the traditional food there, and learn more about the area’s rich cultural heritage. The rest becomes very important from a health perspective to prepare ourselves for further challenges.

The trek from Manang to Yak Kharka leads us on trails full of rocks and across open landscapes. It is a moderately difficult hike, yet the gain in altitude is achieved so gradually that it should be tolerable. Walking, we will enjoy stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Along the way, we might encounter yak herders tending to their animals.

As we gain altitude, the cool air starts getting fresher. The trail offers a great balance of challenging sections and moments to relax and enjoy the scenery. Yak Kharka is a small settlement; our lodge here will provide a comfortable resting place for the night.

From Ledar, the trail becomes steeper as we head toward High Camp. This part of the trek is more demanding, with rocky paths and steady uphill climbs. The crisp mountain air and the stunning views of snow-capped peaks keep us motivated as we make our way up. We will need to pace ourselves, take regular breaks to rest, and adjust to the higher altitude.

Reaching High Camp is a rewarding experience. At nearly 5,000 meters above sea level, the sense of being surrounded by towering mountains is truly exhilarating. The lodge at High Camp will offer a much-needed rest, preparing us for the most challenging day of the trek: crossing Thorong La Pass.

This day marks the most difficult yet rewarding part of our trek as we ascend to the Thorong La Pass. The climb is steep and the air thin, so we will take it slow and steady. As we reach the pass, standing at 5,416 meters, we will be greeted by breathtaking views of the Himalayan peaks. The sense of accomplishment will be overwhelming.

After soaking in the views, we will begin our descent toward Muktinath. The downhill journey is easier on the legs but still requires careful attention due to the rocky terrain. Muktinath is a sacred pilgrimage site famous for its temples and spiritual significance. After a long day of trekking, we will enjoy the comfort of a lodge with a private bathroom.

The 13th day is the end of our journey, where we drive from Muktinath to Pokhara. You can reflect upon this drive through the incredible journey that you had through the Annapurna region. The drive will take us through the beautiful landscape, passing through rolling hills and vibrant villages, providing a fitting end to our adventure. Once we reach Pokhara, it would be a time to unwind ourselves, celebrate our trek, and recollect all those unforgettable experiences that we had with each other.