Annapurna Circuit Trek via Nar Phu Valley is an exhilarating and adventurous journey in the secluded and remote high Himalayan region of Nepal. This trek travels you through the restricted areas in the mountains that are rich in raw natural beauty and untampered Tibetan influenced Bon culture.
Combining Nar Phu Valley with the Annapurna Circuit trek lets you have a mixed experience of venturing into the isolated Manang locations and one of the most traversed Annapurna region trails. While the Annapurna Circuit is among the popular and well trodden trekking trails in Nepal Himalayas, Nar Phu Valley is one of the most untouched hidden gems. This valley is the combined name of Nar and Phu villages, which are in the outlying areas of Manang.
The Nar Phu Valley is primarily inhabited by Khampas (Tibetan descendants), offering you a taste of culture and customs from the north. The remote Nar and Phu villages are near the Tibetan border. The trails leading to this valley are less frequented by the explorers. So, during this journey, you will experience off the beaten adventure in the pristine wilderness corners of the Himalayas.
During the Nar Phu Valley and Annapurna Circuit trek, you can marvel at the stunning vistas of majestic Himalayan peaks such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Gangapurna, Pisang Peak, Manaslu, Tilicho Peak, Lamjung Himal, Himlung Himal, Macchapuchre and many others. The trek leads you through lush Himalayan forests and across several Buddhist landmarks like Monasteries, Shrines, Stupas and Chortens, etc. You will also venture through waterfalls, free flowing rivers, meadows, rocky ridges, ancient villages, terraced farmlands, narrow canyons, colorful rock formations, yak pastures and other captivating landscapes. Along the way, you can immerse yourself in the magnificent panoramic view of the high peaks, unspoiled nature and unique Himalayan cultures.
Permits Required for Nar Phu Valley with Annapurna Circuit Trek
Nar Phu Valley is a restricted Himalayan area. You need to get a special permit to access and trek into this valley. The cost of a restricted area permit varies depending on the season of the trek. You should be a minimum of two trekkers with a licensed guide from a registered trekking agency for entry in all the restricted areas.
For Nar Phu Valley trek with Annapurna Circuit, you will generally need the following permits:
- Trekker’s Information Management System (TIMS) card
- Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) Permit
- Nar Phu Valley Restricted Area (NRA) Permit
The cost of a TIMS card is NPR 2,000 per person. Likewise, the ACAP permit costs you NPR 3,000 per person. On the other hand, the Nar Phu Valley Restricted Area permit costs USD 100 per person per week from September to November. And the price decreases to USD 75 per person per week between December and August. If you need to stay longer in the restricted Nar Phu region beyond a week period, it will cost you an extra 10 to 15 USD per day per person. For our 18 day long Nar Phu Valley trek with Annapurna Circuit, a week of restricted area permit is usually enough.
Eco Holidays Nepal will fulfill all the necessary official procedures and documentation to get the Nar Phu Valley trek with Annapurna Circuit permits on your behalf. However, for this, you should send us the required documents, like copies of your visa, passport and air tickets, along with two passport size photographs. Obtaining the necessary permits beforehand for the trek will help you enjoy a hassle free adventure.
Food and Accomodation
The food and accommodation during the Nar Phu Valley with Annapurna Circuit Trek will be provided by the traditional teahouses in the villages along the trail. These teahouses are strategically established in order to cater to the needs and requirements of people venturing into the region. Normally, a local family will run the teahouses, providing you with decent meals and comfortable accommodations.
Accomodation
The facilities in teahouses are basic, such as simple bedding (blanket, mattress and set of pillows) and sharing living spaces with two to three beds in a single room. Likewise, toilets are mostly traditional types, i.e., squat styles. In some recently built teahouses, you can also find flush toilets though. These toilets are also for communal use and so are the bathrooms. Furthermore, you will get a shared dining hall where all the fellow travelers gather to have meals together.
The facilities in also teahouses depend on how much you are willing to pay for them. You can also get a private room if you want to, but the price can equal what two/three sharing rooms come at. You can enjoy a hot shower and WiFi facilities at teahouses when paying an extra amount. Likewise, charging electronics also comes at an added cost.
Food
The food during the trek will be healthy and nutritious in every shift, including breakfast, lunch and dinner. Teahouse families prepare food mostly from the crops and vegetables that are grown in local farmlands. You can choose food from a range of Nepali dishes and Continental cuisines. While dal baht (rice, lentils and pickles) is the main meal in most teahouses, you can get other varieties like momo, chowmein, thukpa, yak steaks, flatbread, gundruk and dhindo, pasta, mushroom soups, jam bread etc. Likewise, you will get to enjoy both hot and cold drinks like tea, coffee, milk, juice etc in teahouses.
Note: The price of food and accommodation increases with the rise in altitude. However, their availability gets declined. This is because of the remoteness of the region and the difficulty in transporting goods and products. You do not have to worry about these if you are traveling with us as we make all the necessary arrangements for food and accommodation throughout the journey.
Guide and Porter
Guide and porter are essential for the Nar Phu Manaslu Circuit Trek. In fact, Nar Phu Valley is a restricted zone and you cannot get the Restricted Area Permit if you are not traveling with a guide. The guide you should hire must be a government license holder. He should not be a freelancer but rather associated with an authorized trekking agency. Likewise, for porter, it will be better if you consider hiring one from the local trekking destination.
Guides
Hiring guides fulfill multiple purposes, such as:
- Guides are knowledgeable about the local terrains and can help you safely navigate through unfamiliar mountainous areas.
- They lead the group by setting a comfortable pace through the correct and best possible easy, safe and efficient routes and make sure all the trekkers stay on track.
- Guides provide you with a personalized trekking experience, like adjusting itineraries in needed cases or focusing on specific aspects of the journey.
- They provide extensive information and interesting facts about the natural and cultural sites that you will visit during the journey.
- Guides act as language translators and facilitate a meaningful interaction between you and local communities.
- They are usually trained in wilderness first aid and emergency procedures and can provide you with quick help during uncertain circumstances, including evacuation if necessary.
- Guides provide enriched insights into the local culture, customs, history, geography, flora, fauna, etc, of the region that will enhance your overall experience.
- They address issues that can arise among trekkers and also provide motivation and courage, especially during challenging situations.
- Guides help with the efficient use of trekking equipment, instruct on handling challenging terrain and stay safe in adverse weather conditions.
Porters
- Porters relieve you from the loads of your heavy trekking backpacks.
- Since a porter carries your luggage and supplies, you can enjoy a light walk free of weights pulling you down.
- As porters usually have a good local connection, they can help you arrange the best logistics available in the area.
- Porters even help to set up camps if needed.
- In some cases, they can also assist with basic maintenance of the trekking equipment and repairing gear.
Nar Phu Valley Trek with Annapurna Circuit FAQs
How Long Does Nar Phu Valley Trek with Annapurna Circuit Take to Complete?
Nar Phu Valley trek with Annapurna Circuit usually lasts for around 18 to 20 days. However, the duration can vary depending on several factors like your fitness level, itinerary/route chosen, trail conditions, acclimatization needs, experience level, pace, weather conditions and others.
What Makes Nar Phu Valley With Annapurna Circuit Trek Special?
The aspects that make Nar Phu Valley with Annapurna Circuit Trek special are:
Nar Phu Valley
- Restricted area
- Tibetan influenced culture
- Ancient monasteries like Tashi Lhakhang Monastery in Nar and the Gumbas in Phu.
Annapurna Circuit
- Thorong La Pass
- Diverse ecosystems of the Annapurna Conservation Area
How difficult is the Annapurna Circuit Trek With Nar Phu Valley?
Annapurna Circuit Trek with Nar Phu Valley is a moderately challenging high Himalayan adventure. The factors that make this trek difficult are the long duration, varied and rugged terrains, high mountain passes of Thorung La and Kang La, unpredictable weather conditions and remoteness and limited facilities.
Who Can Do This Trek?
Both beginner and experienced trekkers can do the Annapurna Circuit Trek with Nar Phu Valley. However, people who are considering to embark on this journey should prepare themselves well. While having previous experience is always beneficial, those who dont have need to upgrade their physical fitness, endurance and stamina to overcome long days of walking over ascending and descending trails.
Likewise, mental resilience, packing appropriate gear and understanding complex terrains and unpredictable weather conditions is essential. Furthermore, you need to be able to adjust to varying conditions and limited facilities in the remote Himalayan regions to experience the expected journey.
Is There a Risk of Altitude Sickness During This Journey?
Yes, there is a possibility of altitude sickness during the alpine mountain adventure of Annapurna Circuit Trek with Nar Phu Valley. While on this trek, you will meet certain points that are at excessive altitudes, such as Thorung La Pass at 5,415 meters and Kangla Pass at 5,306 meters. Likewise, throughout the journey, you will stay for multiple days above 3,000 meters. While the chance of altitude sickness increases after exceeding 2,500 meters, it is possible during this high Himalayan journey.
Should I Get Travel Insurance for the Adventure of the Annapurna Circuit Trek With Nar Phu Valley?
Yes, you need to have travel insurance for the remote high altitude journey of Annapurna Circuit Trek with Nar Phu Valley. During this mountain trek, you can encounter several unforeseen happenings like a sudden illness, accidents, injuries, weather adversities, etc. With travel insurance, you can get out of all these troubles that can arise along the way. Usually, a comprehensive high altitude trekking travel insurance policy covers:
- Lost/delayed/stolen baggage
- Medical expenses including hospital stays, doctor visits and necessary treatments
- Trek delays and cancellations
- Immediate helicopter rescue and emergency evacuation
How Much Does Nar Phu Valley Trek With Annapurna Circuit Cost?
Nar Phu Valley trek with Annapurna Circuit cost usually ranges between USD 2,000 to USD 3,000 per person. You can expect to pay this price range for a standard package that generally includes permits, transportation, guide and porter, food and accommodation and other required logistics.
When is the Best Time to Embark on the Annapurna Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek?
The best time to go for the Annapurna Circuit and Nar Phu Valley trek is during the spring and autumn seasons. Spring from March to May and autumn from September to November provide you with stable weather and moderate temperatures for an easy, smooth and relaxing trekking journey. The other good sides of venturing into the Himalayan region at this time are clear skies, unobstructed mountain views, reduced rain and snowfall, no risks of natural calamities, greater environmental visibility, fresh air and dry trekking trails.