Nar Phu Valley Trek

1. Best season for Nar Phu Valley Trek

The best season for roaming in the Nar Phu Valley is Spring and autumn season. You can also visit during the monsoon season in Nepal to witness the Paddy Day celebtrations in the fields of the Nar and Phu villages.

a. Spring Season

In Nepal, Spring starts in March and lasts until May. The bright skies, little rain, pleasant temperature, and moderate climate make it perfect for the Nar Phu Valley expedition. The trailhead is packed with trekkers and guides. The hike begins in April, when the lower parts of the route are warm, which makes it perfect. You can start seeing the beautifully blooming red, white, and pink rhododendrons even at the height of 3000 meters. The colorfully blooming rhododendron adds to the beauty of the Himalayas and makes your journey fruitful. The temperature begins to rise in mid-May. 

b. Autumn Season

It starts in mid-September and lasts until the end of November. The moderate temperatures, light winds, and little downpours make it an ideal season for exploring the valley of Nar Phu. The clear sky and bright sun add beauty to the mountain in the daytime. At night, you can admire the breathtaking beauty of the stars and moon.

The monsoon ends in early September, which makes the weather pleasant and warm. The traces of golden/amber hues from green trees in the forest add a perfect contrast to the heavenly blue skies. The ripened paddy and millet make the land beautiful, which will make you stop and capture it on your camera and mobile phone. The lush greenery and unpolluted weather boost your trekking ability. 

2. Fitness for Nar Phu Valley Trek

Hiking in this valley is one of the toughest treks in the Annapurna region. The odyssey lasts throughout the day while taking a break for mountain viewing. You have to walk at least 6 to 7 hours a day. If you are planning to tour Nar Phu, then you have to prepare two weeks ahead of the journey. The backpacker should work out, jog, and train themselves to walk upstairs and downstairs. You must train yourself to carry more than 5 kg of backpack while walking and jogging. 

You will enjoy the trip more fruitfully if you are more fit. Experience is not necessary but trekking with experience makes you calmly tackle the obstacle. You must be mentally and physically fit, along with being in average shape. A positive perspective, self-assurance, and perseverance make you mentally fit. The rambler must address their health problems, like heart, lung, or blood issues, to their expedition leader.

The adventure enthusiast falls under the fit criteria of the trek. Your passion for exploring ancient culture and conquering high mountain passes makes you eligible for this valley trek. You will make the best memories, lifetime experiences, and achievements of your life. At the end of the excursion, the priceless true beauty and worthy adventure make you suggest the trek to your friends and family. 

3. Difficulty level of Nar Phu Valley Trek

The intermediate level of the Annapurna region needs two high passes. Day one of the trip begins in the Kathmandu valley and ends the moment you reach Koto (2,600 meters). It will take you to an altitude of 5320 meters above sea level, where there is a minimum risk of altitude sickness. If you have some sort of health issue before your age criteria, you will suffer from altitude sickness. You have to be careful regarding what your body needs, and you have to stay hydrated throughout the journey. The Thorung La pass is located at a height of 5416 meters. Due to the extreme cold and heavy snowfall, it is closed most of the year, which makes it challenging and adventurous.

You have to pass through challenging terrains and harsh, rocky steep, and narrow trails. The voyage is very risky and the difficulty level cannot be adjusted like another route. You have to have a strong mindset and physical fitness to complete this journey. The hiker must adjust to rural areas without modern facilities and services. The uncountable ups and downs of 6 to 9 hours of walking make it a difficult trekking option.

If you have a habit of smoking and drinking, make sure to avoid it throughout the journey. The early symptoms of altitude sickness are headaches, loss of appetite, and breathing issues. If you experience any of these, make sure to share them with your guide quickly. You should avoid walking at an elevation of more than 500 meters a day and walk slowly to avoid altitude sickness.

One of the most challenging areas of this trek is the Kang La and Thorung La passes, as they require mental strength and a narrow gravel trail alongside the cliff. If you are willing to head straight via the motorable road while skipping the picturesque section, then you can also choose the Kang La Pass Trek Itinerary as an alternate option. This route will skip the tiring road journey from Besisahar to Koto.

4. Acclimatization

The acclimatization for the Nar Phu Valley is in Nar Village. It means you will get a day to enjoy and relax with your crew members as well as your trekking leaders. You have to be extremely careful about your body's symptoms, as it may lead to altitude sickness. If you ignore the symptoms, it can be extremely dangerous. Even though our guides are professionals in first aid training, sometimes the condition may worsen if you do not inform your guide.

So, we advise you to share every simple and minor detail about your body's symptoms. We will use oximeters to track your oxygen saturation at high altitudes and stay hydrated throughout your trip. You shouldn't walk beyond your ability and maintain a steady pace. If you suffer from altitude sickness, you can recover by walking downward. Even walking downward, your sickness does not stop; you have to do as per your trekking guide and leave the voyage in the middle.

5. Permits 

The expedition to the Valley of Nar Phu requires permits as it is located in a restricted area of the Annapurna region. It sits near the Tibetan plateau, so it is necessary to get a trekking permit. The Nepalese Government grants trekking permits to foreigners with recognized partner organizations. You must trek with a trekking guide, and the guide needs to have a Nepali government license. You can't hike alone and must be in groups with Nepali government-licensed local agencies like Mystic Adventure Holiday. You need three different types of permits for this journey. They are:

• TIMS (Trekker's Information Management System)

The TIMS refers to Trekker's Information Management System, which reviews trekker safety in Nepal. As soon as you pay the fee, your name and travel plan will be entered into the TIMS. You have to pay NPR 600 for individuals and NPR 300 for groups only if you are from SAARC Country. If you are from a foreign country, you need to pay NPR 2000 for an individual and NPR 1000 for a group.

• ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit)

ACAP is necessary because you are hiking in the Annapurna Region of Nepal. It is used for preserving the wildlife and vegetation of the Annapurna region. The hiker has to pay NPR 100 if he is a native. If you are from a SAARC country or a foreign country, you have to pay NPR 1500 and NPR 3000, respectively.

• Nar Phu Valley Special Permit  

You need to have a Nar Phu Valley Special permit to trek in this restricted area of the Annapurna region. The price for this permit differs according to season. You need to buy it in either Kathmandu or Pokhara Valley; otherwise, they will charge you double at the checkpoints. You need to pay USD 100 per person for a week from September to November. If you are hiking from December to August, you need to pay USD 75 per person for a week. If you stay there more than a week, you need to pay an extra USD 15 per day in both the autumn and spring seasons.

 6. Variation in Itinerary

There is another route available for the Nar Phu Valley Trek. The route will be extended to Tilicho Lake. Then, we can rejoin the Annapurna circuit trek at Yak Kharka. We can hike via Manang, Khangsar, Tilicho Base Camp, Tilicho Lake, Yak Kharka, Thorung Phedi, Muktinath, and Jomsom instead of Ngawal to Pisang on the eight days. This will take 16 days in addition to Nar Phu and we will also take you to the Muktinath Temple, Tilicho Lake, Jomsom, and Lower Mustang.

7. Accommodation  

During your travel to the Nar Phu Valley, we will provide you with standard-quality meals and accommodations. It varies depending on the location. You will receive high-quality accommodation in Pokhara and Kathmandu but as the altitude increases, the quality differs. You will share a room with your teammates of the same gender while traveling in the group.

You can also request a single room with an additional fee above the Nar Phu Valley Trekking package, given the price. You will stay in tea houses, which are a combination of restaurants, hotels, and public gathering places, while hiking. You need to bring your sleeping bag, even though the tea houses provide a blanket for your comfort. 

During the peak season, there might be a lack of blankets in the teahouses so you need to come fully prepared. You will sleep in the fully furnished bedroom, which has a twin bed along with a table and chairs. There are squatting toilets outside of the house and you need to pay an extra charge for hot showers. You will also spend a night at the local monastery in Nar Phedi. 

8. Foods

Nar Phu Valley is quite strenuous and challenging to reach. You need to boost your energy by eating a balanced diet. We provide three meal services, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can choose breakfast of choice with options like regional Tsampa porridge, pancakes, Tibetan bread or chapati, butter, cheese, honey, various egg items, muesli bread, fruits and vegetables, hot beverages, etc.

A variety of lunches like Dal, Bhat, and Tarkari, Various Soup Items, Vegetable Curry, Thukpa, Pasta, Steaks, Potatoes, Noodles, Sherpa Stew, Spaghetti, Tibetan Bread, Momo (Dumplings), Macaroni, Salad, Pizza, Sandwiches, Snacks, and Dessert Items are available. You can choose options like dal, bhat, and tarkari, vegetable curry, potatoes, papad, prawns, Korean ramen, pizza, soups, sherpa stew, sandwiches, momo (dumplings), pasta, desserts, salads, spaghetti, noodles, snacks, Tibetan bread, and steak in your dinner. 

9. Electricity & Water

There is availability of electricity in every hotel and teahouse. Sometimes at high altitudes, landslides and floods may cut the power supply; otherwise, electricity is abundant in this area. You need to pay an extra charge to recharge your camera and phones, ranging from 1 dollar to 4 dollars at the Nar Phu Valley. There are plenty of hotels and lodges that sell mineral water. Some parts of the trekking areas forbid using disposable water bottles, so you need to bring water purification pills or you can also ask for boiling water or filtered water. To maintain adequate body salt and to consume germ-free water, chlorine tablets are most important.

10. Travel Insurance

Nar Phu Valley is a high-altitude trek, which makes it difficult and more challenging. The two highest passes, Thorung La Pass (5,320 m) and Kang La Pass (5,416 m), need to be crossed, and there is a risk of landslides as well as altitude sickness. So, you need to have travel insurance. You need to submit a copy of their comprehensive travel insurance coverage before starting the trek. 

The insurance must cover medical and emergency repatriation, along with helicopter rescue and evacuation up to the highest trip altitude (6,000 m). When you book your trip, you need to email your travel insurance details. This will assist us in emergency rescue situations that might arise from natural disasters or specific medical conditions.

11. Packing List for Nar-Phu Valley 

The Nar Phu Valley lies at an elevation of above 5000 meters from sea level, so you need to pack all necessary items in your backpack as there are no shops at high altitudes. Make sure to bring layers of warmer clothing during the winter season, as there is snowfall and extreme cold. We will provide you with a 75-litre duffel bag at the pre-trip meeting in Kathmandu Valley. You can rent a sleeping bag and a down jacket while paying the extra cost for it while you are in Kathmandu. Make sure to click here for more information regarding

 12. Altitude Sickness and Remedies during Nar Phu Valley Trekking

Altitude sickness is defined as the condition in which the body takes time to adjust to reduced oxygen and changes in air pressure in high-altitude mountains. The trekker starts experiencing the symptoms of altitude sickness from an altitude of 3000 meters. They began experiencing symptoms like headache, fatigue, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, lack of sleep or inability to sleep, loss of appetite, and many others. You can complete the expedition without a single headache if you take care of yourself properly.

When you are preparing for your hike to Nar Phu Valley, you should apply the following things to avoid altitude sickness: 

• Make sure to drink water now and then and avoid things like smoking and drinking alcohol, as they may dehydrate your body.
• You need to consume a balanced diet and energy-rich snacks. 
• Make sure to bring the medicine, Diamox, as it can lessen your altitude sickness.
• You need to continue walking at the same pace and avoid hurrying. 
• Acclimate yourself before hiking at an altitude above 3000 meters.
• Start walking to a lower elevation as soon as your body starts showing the symptoms of altitude sickness.
• You must be hygienic to reduce altitude sickness.