Overview
NAR-PHU VALLEY & KANG-LA PASS TREKKING:
‘an adventure beyond Annapurna Himalayas around the hidden Nar-Phu valley’
Highlights:
“Enjoy the great adventure beyond the massif Annapurna Himalayan range.
Explore the hidden country of Nar-Phu villages enriched with ancient cultures.
From green trees to barren, windswept scenic valley enclosed by snow peaks.
Amazing country of strong impressive Tibetan traditional heritage customs.
On the off beaten tracks to Nar & Phu with exciting Kang-La Pass traverse.”
Short trip Profile:
Mode of Trek: On best available local Lodges.
Trek Grade: Moderate to Adventurous.
Highest Spot: On top Thorang-La Pass 5,416 m / 17, 700 feet
and Kang-La at 5,306 m / 17,408 feet high.
Region of trek: Nepal Mid-West Himalaya around Manang District.
Trek Duration: 15 Nights / 16 Days with drives both ways.
Total Trip: 20 Nights / 21 Days from arrival to final departure
The best seasons for Nar-Phu & Kang-La Trek:
The best times for Nar-Phu & Kang-La Treks are spring and autumn/fall. Spring begins from March to May, and autumn from September to November. Springtime has longer sunny days and is the best season for treks around the Himalayas. But cold mornings, late afternoons, and nighttime can expect snowfall sometimes. During spring from March to May, the whole valley and hills will be ablaze with wildflowers in full bloom. Especially, the rhododendrons of various species and colors from tall trees to bush, as well as the national flowers of Nepal.
The next best time is autumn, September to November, when most days are fine and clear. But shorter sunlight hours, much cold morning and late afternoon until nighttime. Trekkers might expect snowfall sometimes above 3,000 m high on walks and climbs. During the autumn in November, most villages and lodges will be closed for the winter.
Geographical Landscapes & Vegetation:
Nepal is a landlocked country with the world’s highest peaks and mountain range known as the Himalayas’. The country with five categories of landscapes from the lowlands of the Terai belt. Which extends from east to far west, then towards north starting with Siwalik / Churi Hills. Then stretches to the Mahabharata range of high mid-hills and continues towards higher hills and ridges, known as Greater Mahabharata.
The landscape ends with a massif of mountains, the Himalayas, amidst a massive range of snow peaks. The treks take you around the Far North Mid-West Himalayas beyond the North of Annapurna Himalayas. Facing stunning views of Himlung, Manaslu, Chulus, and Annapurna Himalayas throughout the walks.
Nar-Phu and crossing Kang-La Pass is a perfect adventure destination for stunning views of Manaslu, Annapurna Himal, and Chulus Peaks. The adventure leads from mid hills within mixed species of vegetation.
From rainforest to alpine woods, high above 1,500 m, walking on forested paths lined with rhododendrons, blue pines, and firs. Including oaks, hemlocks, and magnolia with few bamboos.
Above 3,000 m, the tree lines drop for a short alpine bush of juniper and azalea. In the springtime from March to May, trekkers will be delighted walking through beautiful forests. The right time when rhododendrons are in flowering seasons. The whole valley and hills will be a paradise with spectacular wildflowers in bloom.
The walk takes you from farm villages towards complete mountain wilderness and crossing high Kang-La with Thorang-La Pass. Then reach the picturesque Manang unto Mustang area, within lovely scenic valleys.
Religion, Cultures, and History:
Nepal with two major religions Hinduism and Buddhism, mostly populated by Hindus’ approx. 70 %. Includes Buddhism of 25 % the rest 5 % are other minor religions. But the higher hills and mountainous regions are inhabited by Buddhist followers. On this trek, will encounter villages stepped with Buddhist monuments and monasteries. The main natives of Nar-Phu and Manang Valley, are known as the Manang tribes from Dharapani village onwards. Trekkers will witness strong traditions of Tibetan heritage cultures. The Nar-Phu villages and Manang people are the descendent of Tibet, just across the border from upper Nar-Phu villages.
Annapurna Himalayan northern range, located in the Manang district and the native of Nar-Phu and Manang Valley, migrated to Nepal’s high country in early 9th to 10th Centuries AD. On this Nar-Phu and Kang-La Pass trek, the trail follows through farm villages adorned with Buddhist prayer walls and monuments of Stupas. Opportunities for visit the old monasteries of great cultural and religious interest on this trek around Nar-Phu and Manang villages.
Food & Accommodation on Nar-Phu & Kang-La Trekking:
The accommodation en route to Nar-Phu and around Manang areas, spending overnights in a simple lodge. In the first part of the journey from Dharapani village, lodges are simple with cozy rooms. Most lodges provide common baths and toilets, and trekkers needs to pay extra for hot showers.
Two places where lodges are very simple and basic on this trek around Meta, Kyang. Including Phu and Nar villages as well at the base of Kang-La Pass, as the walk heads towards Manang Valley. Some places at the High Camp have simple room accommodation. But after crossing the Thorang-La pass to Muktinath and Jomsom Town. Spending in the lodges having better facilities with rooms having attached bath and toilets.
Trekkers can enjoy comprehensive food menu from Continental, Chinese, Indian, and Nepali, including Tibetan dishes. But en route to Phu and Nar villages, food and room accommodations are of basic standard because of its harsh terrain. Due to its isolated location from the outside world for centuries, it might get better as the flow of visitors increases.
Similarly, at High Camp, before crossing the Thorang-La Pass, food is nice and simple. But from Manang village onwards to Muktinath and Jomsom, trekkers can enjoy the food menu of wide variation to choose from, including bakeries items.
Overviews:
Nar-Phu & Kang-La Pass Trekking an adventure around the far Northern range of massif Annapurna Himalayas. Located above Manang Valley and away from the main popular and famous routes of the Annapurna Circuit. Leads to an exciting walk, more of an exploration, as the Nar-Phu Valley was closed in the past decades.
Then flung its door open for outside visitors from 2003 onward but remains the restricted areas in Nepal. Trekkers require special permits to enter this once-forbidden country of Nar and Phu Valley. Only a few groups of trekkers seldom venture around this beautiful hidden land to soak into its age-old cultures.
The adventure begins with an exciting long drive from Kathmandu to reach cooler hills in Dharapani. To enter the Manang areas, where the walk starts following the main trail of the Annapurna Circuit for a few days. The walk then diverts towards our main highlight destinations to Nar-Phu villages and the high scenic valley.
The walk follows the river gorge, then enters an open and a wide windswept valley where Nar and Phu villages stand. Enjoy the most interesting moments exploring the windblown impressive village of Phu, loaded with immense cultures. Visiting places of interest, the Tashi Lhakhang Gompa/ monastery, more than 300 years old. As well as enjoying the dramatic surrounding scenery of towering snow-capped peaks and the dramatic landscapes.
After Phu towards the adjoining Na village, with time to observe the exciting and interesting farm activities and cultures. From Nar and Phu then on the return journey and crossing over Kang-La pass to reach back at Manang Valley. The walk follows the main route of the Annapurna Circuit trail through Manang village to cross another pass.
A steep climb leads you to the top of Thorang-La Pass, the highest point of the adventure. Reward spectacular panorama of the snow mountains from Annapurna, Damodar, and Chulus to Dhaulagiri Himal.
Slowly, the walk end on reaching the Mustang areas at Muktinath. A holy pilgrimage site for Hindu followers, and then down to the river valley of Kaligandaki to reach at Jomsom. A large town Jomsom and headquarters of Mustang district, for the last overnight stop of the treks. From Jomsom, a short scenic flight brings you to the beautiful city of Pokhara, to conclude our marvelous adventures. After a great and wonderful experience on Nar Phu and Kang-La Pass Trekking with excellent services of Native Everest guide and staff.
Interested travelers who wish to join on this wonderful Nar-Phu & Kang-La Pass
Trek, please contact us for more details and information.