
Hidden by swirls of mountain mist ahead of us, from Kangla pass at 5200m the magnificent panorama view of Annapurna massif appears remote and forbidding. Our destination is the
Nar-Phu valley, above the tree line on the upper limits of cultivation, in the very north of Manang district. It takes five hours reaching the pass that links Nar with Manang and three other Bhotia villages in the Nyershang down valley.
Nowadays,
Nar Phu has about 300 inhabitants who depend on livestock, unlike most Bhotia people, whose trading patterns changed drastically after the Nepali Government closed borders with Tibet, the people of Nar and Phu valley were least affected by this change. The tortuous path leading from the valley into Tibet had never made them dependent on the salt trade, and till today yak herding is the basis of their livelihood.The Nepal government's recent decision to open up Nar and Phu to tourists has evoked little enthusiasm among the villagers, whose pastoral lifestyle continues. Apart from the odd researcher and climbing expeditions permitted to climb Him lung, Ratnachuli and Gachikang, few foreigners has visited the area and tourism infrastructure is almost non-existent. Since Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) recently extended its network to include
Nar and Phu Valley, it is preparing a suitable tourism development plan at the request of the government for undiscovered valley.
We start this trek after driving almost whole day from Kathmandu to Besishar. From here we follow Pupular Annapurna Circuit route until Koto and then we take off the beatan route until we get
Nar Phu. After visiting this area we trek back to manang, a beautiful village of Annapurna trail and continue trek to Thorung la pass route. After trekking about 4-5 days through Thrungla Pass and two beautiful but challenging pass of this region we end our trek at Jomsom where we catch our flight to Pokhara and later to KTM. Trekkers carry only day pack and walk at their own pace. Average hiking per day will be 5 - 6hrs.
Fact Of The Trek
Trek Duration : 24 Days
Maximum Altitude : 5418 m.
Hotel Kathmandu / Pokhara : 5 nights
Trip Grade : Moderate
Best Season : Spring :- Mar – Apr – May, Autumn :- Sept - Oct – Nov