Annapurna Circuit & Nar-Phu Valley Trek-18 Days

A day sightseeing tour is a good thing to have, before beginning an exciting journey in the mountainous terrain. There are plenty of places to go in this capital city full of heritage. Although it does not seem like it at first, mainly due to the chaotic traffic and the hullabaloo, there are gems of places hidden inside the valley. Take a vehicle of your choice and stay in the comfort of air-conditioning while you visit places of luxury and pampering. You can go to a premium spa to prepare the muscles and relax, have a sumptuous lunch at a five-star hotel, or simply indulge in shopping. You can customise a day-trip with us as you see fit. Kathmandu Valley has the biggest concentration of World Heritage Sites, and it’s only fitting not to miss them while you’re staying in the valley itself.

In the morning, begin a winding drive from Kathmandu to Besishahar, the gateway to Annapurna Circuit. For about eight hours you will see views of the Nepalese hilly terrain, including terraced paddies and countless valleys. Except where the highway is under construction, the ride is comfortable. After a brief refreshment at Besishahar, you will take a shared jeep to Dharapani. Along the long winding way, you will enjoy the beauty of rivers, waterfalls, and villages. Spend the night at a teahouse in Dharapani.

The 6-hour trek from Dharapani to Koto is demanding, yet rewarding. Starting after breakfast, travel through hilly terrain, navigate some ups and downs and cross apple orchards along quaint villages. You will pass several Tibetan and Gurung settlements, reach Bagarchhap, and climb up to Timang. En route, you will enjoy breathtaking views of Annapurna II, Himalchuli, Lamjung, and Manaslu. Continuing through pine forests and passing the hamlets of Danakyu and Thanchok, you will arrive in the Gurung village of Koto, with stunning vistas of snow-capped peaks and serene landscapes. Here you’ll rest in a local lodge.

Start early from Koto and embark on a demanding trail through rhododendron and pine thickets along the Nar Khola. The path will lead you to suspension bridges and through small villages with no lodges in sight. In fact you will likely not encounter any lodge or settlement until you reach Meta. Along the way you will cross a narrow but scenic canyon, and pass under a waterfall. After a brief rest here and a quick refreshment, you will head towards Meta for the night’s rest. Meta is a serene village with breathtaking views of Annapurna II and Lamjung peaks. You will spend the evening and night in a comfortable teahouse, mentally preparing for the next leg of our journey. 

Today you will trek along rocky trails, past chortens and monasteries, headed towards the village of Phu. Taking in the stunning views of ancient dzongs and ruins, you will follow along through the trail that can get demanding at times. The route has remnants of Khampa forts. Descending and gradually ascending through a nearly desert-like gorge along the Phu Khola, you will have a peek at the breathtaking vistas of Amotsang Himal and Kangaroo (Kang Garu) Mountain. Later in the day, you will arrive in a village (which visitors might easily mistake for Tibet) surrounded by Buddhist shrines adorned with prayer flags. This is the village of Phu. Here you will check in a teahouse and prepare for a comfortable overnight stay.

Staying overnight this close to mountains has its own benefits — like having a breakfast in the shadows of the giant peaks. As your excitement builds up for the day, you will realise that it’s no more walk today. All you have to do is relax and enjoy the day in this mountainside village with very short hikes for some acclimatisation. Today is also your chance to catch some breath and let your body adjust to the thinner air at this altitude. During the day you can hike up to an ancient monastery built by the first Tibetan settlers. For jaw-dropping glimpses of Mt. Himlung, you should take a short hike to the desolate southern hills. And if time provides you can wander around the village, as you realise that you are in the vicinity of the Annapurna mountain range.

After breakfast, you will leave Phu and head back through the unmissable gate at the entrance of the village. From there you will descend to the river, and retrace your steps back to Junam Karka. Junam Kharka used to be a popular campsite in the olden days, however, barely any people choose to make a camp here in the middle of nowhere anymore. Further en route, you might encounter some wishful campers and residents on their way back to Phu with loads of supplies. As evening creeps in, the air will be filled with songs in local dialects — making the desolation of the place a little bearable. Check in a lodge once you arrive at Nar Phedi. If you feel like it, you can even head to meet the Lama in the ancient Nar Phedi Monastery for a blessing.

Starting early from Nar Phedi, you begin a scenic trek over a rugged path and cross a historic bridge spanning a deep gorge. Further ahead, the trail begins a gradual ascent past an old, now-empty Gyalbu Kumbu and Satte Gompa, built in the 17th century A.D. Take a brief rest here and continue for another three hours of challenging hike. Stopping and walking at equal paces, you will eventually reach the prominent gate at the top of a hill. This is the entrance to the village of Nar where you’ll stay for the night. Intricately painted bamboo-roofed chortens adorned with prayer flags is an unmistakable sign that you have arrived at civilization. Colourful Mani walls along rugged trails of the day will quickly be forgotten at the first glimpse of the majestic Kang Garu and Pisang Peaks.

You will wake up well before dawn and begin the trek from Nar to Ngawal. Today you will be crossing the pass of Kang-La, a long and slow walk at an altitude of 5,306 metres. Out of Nar, the trail at first is a gentle ascent, but quickly it turns steep and rugged. The climb is challenging and painfully slow, but once you reach the topmost point of the pass, you will see an unobstructed breathtaking panoramic view of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peaks. Take a breather here; before making the steep descent dotted with colourful chortens and prayer flags. As you arrive in the ancient village of Ngawal, you will be elated at the sight of movement in the village. Here, you will settle into a cosy teahouse for the night.

This is your last day of trek in the Nar-Phu region. In the evening today you will be joining the busy route of Annapurna Circuit at Manang. After breakfast in Ngawal, you will begin by descending through the quaint Gurung villages of Paugba and Braga. The trail passes through pine forests, with views of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna, and Pisang Peaks. Braga, with its traditional Tibetan architecture and impressive monastery, is a village that you will note during a brief stopover. The arid landscapes and rocky formations that you will encounter later on, is a sign that you are finally arriving into Manang — which means comfort, hot food, and proper bed you’ve seen in days. The shops and markets sell a range of things. After dinner, end the day in one of the cosy lodges around.

The trek today begins with a descent through picturesque landscapes and ancient monasteries. First you will cross a river via an ancient-looking bridge and then ascend to a plateau-like landscape. As you journey on, you will cross the tranquil village of Khangsar and the historic Tare Gumba, a monastery with historical significance. After a brief rest here you will continue on the trail across a stream and a Mani wall, with captivating views of the Annapurna and Gangapurna ranges. Reaching Yak Kharka, at 4,120 metres, you are greeted by expansive pastures dotted with grazing yaks — with majestic peaks of the Annapurna Range. The route to Yak Kharka is challenging but once you reach here, you will spend the night in a lodge with warm food and comfortable bed.

Begin your trek from Yak Kharka early in the morning, headed towards Thorung Phedi. You will cross a historic Mani wall and pass through the village of Ledar. From there, the trail ascends steadily through a rocky and arid landscape. As we climb you might encounter challenging weather and face increasing altitude, which will make the trek feel more strenuous and tiring. After three hours, you can opt to stop at Thorung Phedi or continue for an additional hour to reach Thorung High Camp. Wherever you stay, you will have stunning views of Chulu West, Mt. Gangapurna, and Thorung Peak. The terrain becomes harsher and less populated, so maintaining a steady pace and staying hydrated is crucial. Today you will rest well to prepare for crossing the Thorung-La pass tomorrow..

Today’s challenging trek is a remarkable journey from Thorung Phedi to Muktinath. You will start by climbing steeply to Thorung-La Pass, at 5,416 metres. The path is challenging, with strong winds and thin air testing your endurance, but the spectacular views make it worthwhile. From the pass, you’ll see the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges, along with the Nilgiri and other majestic peaks. Spend some time at this pass and capture images and videos. The descent is long but an easy one. Now that the hardest part of the trek is over, you will be heading through the Kali Gandaki Gorge, the world’s deepest gorge, to arrive at the sacred site of Muktinath Temple.

Muktinath is a revered destination for Hindus and Buddhists. It has a temple with 108 holy water sprouts, and a sacred continual flame at the Jwalamai temple. This remote and tranquil site is believed to cleanse one of their past sins. After the trek, you will hop in a lodge in Muktinath and celebrate the day’s achievements.

After breakfast, you will begin your descent to Jomsom, which takes about two hours. The trail leads you through dry, barren landscapes, charming villages, and the expansive Kali Gandaki River Valley. En route, you will pass through Kagbeni and encounter ancient stone cairns — reminding you of the region’s rich religious heritage. The path is mostly downhill and unpaved. It can get rough, particularly as you approach Jomsom, the windiest place in Nepal. Here, you will have stunning views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri peaks. The strong winds here can make the trek challenging, affecting your balance and pace. Upon arrival in Jomsom, you can explore local markets, visit monasteries, and soak in the unique atmosphere of this remote valley before hopping for dinner and sleepover.

Early in the morning, you’ll catch a flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Jomsom, nestled along the Kali Gandaki River, serves as a key transit point and boasts an airport that handles flights despite its notorious wind. The thrilling take-off from Jomsom Airport is an adrenaline-pumping experience due to the area’s strong gusts, making the flight both exhilarating and challenging. As you ascend, you will enjoy sweeping views of the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri ranges. Look carefully, and down below you will spot trekking routes leading to Tatopani and Ghorepani. The 20 to 25-minute flight will bring you to Pokhara, where you can unwind for the rest of the day.

After breakfast, we will begin the scenic eight-hour drive back to Kathmandu. Right after embarking you will have final glimpses of the majestic Annapurna mountain range coming out of Pokhara. The route is scenic, with mesmerising views of the changing landscapes, but the ongoing construction and expansion in the highway means the trip will be a slow one. Leaving behind the serene beauty of Pokhara, you will have plenty of time to reflect on the remarkable adventure you had in the past weeks. Later, upon arriving in Kathmandu you will immediately notice the vibrant energy of the city — a stark contrast to the peaceful trails you just travelled. In the evening, you can explore around, visit shops for souvenirs, or simply relax in a session of massage. Later, as we gather for the dinner, we will share stories of our unforgettable trip in the Annapurna Region.

After breakfast or depending upon your flight schedule we will transfer you to the airport. As your plane takes off from the runway in Kathmandu, your journey to Nepal comes to an end for this time — until you decide to visit again for some memorable and soul-searching trip in the Himalayas.