Nar Phu Valley Trek

Also known as Naar-Phu Trek (Kang La Pass).

Nar Phu Valley Trek is a difficult 9-12-day homestay/teahouse trek in the Annapurna region of Nepal, reaching 5,320 m. It starts at Koto (2,600m, jeep from Kathmandu/Besisahar) and ends at Ngawal (jeep out via Manang road to Besisahar).

Key facts

Region
Annapurna (Manang)
Duration
9-12 days, 5-8 hours walking per day
Distance
80 km
Maximum altitude
5,320 m
Difficulty
Difficult — Remote restricted valley with basic lodging, long 6-8 hour days through narrow gorges with exposed cliff-side trail sections, and the 5,320m Kang La pass crossed in a single big day from Nar. Steep altitude profile (Koto 2,600m to Phu 4,080m in two walking days) demands care.
Trek type
Homestay/Teahouse, loop route
Best season
Autumn (Sep-Nov) and Spring (Apr-May)
Guide
Mandatory. Restricted area: a licensed guide employed through a registered agency is mandatory, and the RAP is only issued via the agency. The old minimum-2-trekkers rule was removed on 22 March 2026 - solo trekkers can now get an individually issued RAP, but still only with guide + agency.
Restricted area
Yes — special permit required
Budget cost
NPR 85,000–120,000
Comfortable cost
NPR 120,000–160,000
Guided cost
NPR 140,000–200,000
Getting there
Kathmandu -> Besisahar (bus 6-8h) -> Koto/Chame (shared 4WD jeep 5-7h); return Ngawal -> Besisahar (jeep 5-6h) -> Kathmandu (bus 6-7h). Direct private jeep Kathmandu-Koto ~10h.
Altitude sickness
High: Phu (4,080m) is reached on the second walking day from Koto (2,600m), and Kang La (5,320m) follows within days; the built-in Phu acclimatization day is essential, not optional.

Weather

Nar and Phu sit in a semi rain-shadow, so monsoon trekking is more feasible than most of Nepal, though the Koto-Meta gorge trail suffers rockfall/landslip when wet. Kang La holds snow into late April and after early storms; winter closes the pass and most Nar/Phu lodges shut. Sudden wind, snow and whiteout are possible on the pass in any month.

Permits

Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Kathmandu to Koto, 0 h, 2,600 m — Long scenic drive up the Marsyangdi; permit check at Koto
  2. Day 2: Koto to Meta, 6-7 h, 3,560 m — Enter the restricted Nar Khola gorge - waterfalls, cliff-cut trail, dense forest to alpine transition
  3. Day 3: Meta to Phu, 7-8 h, 4,080 m — Kyang ruins, hoodoo canyons, dramatic Phu gate (Pupigyal Kwe) entrance
  4. Day 4: Phu to Phu (acclimatization), 4-6 h, 4,080 m — Tashi Lhakhang monastery; optional hike toward Himlung Himal Base Camp (~4,900m)
  5. Day 5: Phu to Nar Phedi, 5-6 h, 3,490 m — Retrace the gorge, then the Nar Phedi monastery guesthouse - nuns cook dinner
  6. Day 6: Nar Phedi to Nar, 2-3 h, 4,110 m — Painted chortens, amphitheatre-set village, afternoon exploring Nar's gompas
  7. Day 7: Nar to Ngawal via Kang La, 8-9 h, 3,660 m — Kang La 5,320m - Annapurna II, III, IV, Gangapurna and Tilicho panorama; steep scree descent
  8. Day 8: Ngawal to Besisahar, 0 h, 760 m — Drive down the Manang road
  9. Day 9: Besisahar to Kathmandu, 0 h, 1,400 m — Return drive

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