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Naar Phu Trek
Trip Profile: 17 Days
Hotel: 4 Nights in Kathmandu
The Naar and Phu Valleys have only recently opened to trekkers.
If you are interested in traditional Tibetan culture and untrammeled
wilderness, you could become one of the few foreign visitors to
this remote part of Nepal. Only 1500 visitors have seen this region.
The Naar Phu trek provides you with the challenge of crossing a
17,500 ft. pass and the rewards of seeing Tibetan culture unmatched
in either Mustang or Tibet itself. Some of the villages were settled
by the Dalai Lama’s freedom fighters who were based in the
kingdom of Mustang. These valleys have roaring rivers and dramatic
rock walls and no roads or electricity.
Longer itineraries in this region are also available upon request
Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive in Kathmandu
We will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel.
Day 02: Kathmandu
Spend a half day sightseeing and the afternoon preparing for your
trek.
Day 03: Bus to Syanje
An 8-hour bus ride takes you to the road’s end on the Annapurna
circuit. From here we will start our adventure off the beaten path.
Day 04: Trek to Dharapani
Our trail winds across forested slopes and through several villages
with the Marsyangdi River roaring below.
Day 05: Trek to Koto
From Dharapani, the trail ascends steeply, sometimes over stone
staircases to the end of the gorge at Bagarchap and then up to the
village of Timang. In the afternoon, the hiking is more gradual
until we reach our camp in the village of Koto. From there we will
get views of 8,000 m Manaslu and Annapurna II.
Day 06: Trek to Campsite on the Nar Phu River
From Koto we leave the Annapurna Circuit and head north into the
rarely visited Naar Valley. Our trail today takes us through pristine
wilderness. We crisscross the Nar Phu River on suspension bridges
and walk through forests.
Day 07: Trek to Meta
Continuing alongside the river, we will pass behind a waterfall,
cross several more suspension bridges, and see a large chorten as
the trail cuts through the rock on our way to Meta. Spectacular
rock faces on the surrounding mountains plunge down to the river.
Day 08: Rest Day in Meta
At 11,750 ft (3560 m), today we will take a well-earned rest. Spend
the day lounging in your tent with views of Kangguru at almost 7,000
m or take a day hike to its base camp. There are no stores or electricity,
and you can wander around the old village lanes of Meta.
Day 09: Trek to Kyang
Today we have a gradual ascent of 1,300 ft through a mix of forest
and meadow. We will pass a couple of small villages on our way to
Kyang, a village of about 40-50 houses surrounded by pasture. Although
it is inhabited year-round, Kyang expands in the winter months as
upper valley residents move south.
Day 10: Trek to Phu Village
Today we will hike to our northernmost point at Phu. Following the
river again through high rocky areas populated by blue sheep, we
climb to 13,900 ft (4200 m). In Phu, you will see people of Tibetan
descent. They speak Tibetan and travel frequently back and forth
across the border. You will get a glimpse of traditional Tibetan
culture with Buddhists monks leading prayers in people’s homes,
farmers growing potatoes and barley, and traders bridging western
Tibet, Manang, and Koto.
Day 11: Trek to Junam
Today we return back down the valley to Junam and camp in the high
pastures with snowpeak views.
Day 12: Trek to Naar Village
A short trek takes us to Naar today. Our trail descends to the Phu
River which we cross to Naar Phedi. From there we ascend a rocky
trail, passing local horsemen and old chortens, until we enter the
village gate of Naar. A trail from Naar leads to the ancient Himalayan
kingdom of Mustang. The people of Naar are also of Tibetan descent,
giving you another look at the traditional Tibetan culture that
is vanishing in Tibet itself. Naar is in a high, wide valley with
snow peaks around it.
Day 13: Trek toward Kangla Pass
We have a moderate hike today to our camp in the snow leopard area
on our approach to the pass.
Day 14: Trek to Humde
In the morning we continue up to the 17,500 ft (5306 m) Kangla Pass,
and then we descend the grassy path to Humde.
Day 15: Fly to Pohkara and Kathmandu
Day 16: Kathmandu
Today is free for sightseeing or relaxing.
Day 17: Depart Nepal
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