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Embark on an extraordinary journey to the wild, unexplored areas north of Annapurna. This rugged trek takes us to the exotic and captivating Nar Phu Valley. Starting from Jagat, we follow the popular Annapurna Circuit trails, then branch off at Koto onto less traveled paths toward Nar Phu valley, north of Manang. We cross the stunning Kang La pass, which offers incredible views of the Annapurna massifs. The Kang La pass connects Nar with Manang. The valley opens up to vast high snow-peaks, ancient villages, and high-altitude grazing lands.
Trekking through this hidden mountain valley lets us experience medieval Tibetan culture in its purest form, with dramatic mountain views and beautiful alpine scenery. We then head west over the Thorong La Pass, descend into lower Mustang, and continue to Jomsom. Finally, we drive back to Pokhara and then to Kathmandu the next day.
Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu(1400m)
Day 2: Kathmandu Sightseeing and Trek Arrangements
Day 3: Kathmandu to Jagat (Drive) Jagat 1,290 m – 10 hrs
Day 4: Jagat to Dharapani Dharapani 1,830 m – 7 hrs
Day 5: Dharapani to Koto Koto 2,610 m – 6 hrs
Day 6: Koto to Meta 3,560 m – 7 hrs
Day 7: Meta to Phu Meta 4,250 m – 7 hrs
Day 8: Acclimatization Day Phu 4,250 m – 2 hrs
Day 9: Phu to Nar Nar 4,110 m – 6 hrs
Day 10: Acclimatization Day Nar 4,110 m – 3 hrs
Day 11: Nar to Ngawal Via Kang La Pass ( 5,240m) Ngawal 3,600 m – 9 hrs
Day 12: Ngawal to Manang Manang 3,540 m – 4 hrs
Day 13: Manang to Yak Kharka Yak Kharka 4,110 m – 3 hrs
Day 14: Yak Kharka to Thorong Phedi Thorong Phedi 4,600 m – 4 hrs
Day 15: Thorong Phedi to Muktinath via Thorong La Pass Muktinath 3,710 m – 9 hrs
Day 16: Muktinath to Jomsom Jomsom 2,760 m – 6 hrs
Day 17: Jomsom to Pokhara (Drive) 6-7 hrs
Day 18: Day 18: Pokhara to Kathmandu (Drive) Kathmandu 1,300 m – 8 hrs
You will land at Kathmandu Airport, where our team will be there to entertain you with a lovely welcome. You and the team will head towards your hotel for much-needed rest. Later, you will join a welcome dinner hosted by the team in the evening, where you will know everything about the trip. And then you will return to the hotel for the night’s rest.
We will use the second day to make you feel at home in Nepal by taking you around the important cultural heritage sites in Kathmandu. We will go to places like Swyambhunath Temple, Basantapur Durbar Square, and a couple more. At the same time, the team will arrange tickets, permits, and gear for the exciting trek. After the valuable visit, we will leave you back at the hotel for the night.
We depart from Kathmandu early in the morning to reach Jagat by early evening. The journey out of the Kathmandu Valley and onto the lower-lying lands follows the Trisuli River, where you might see people enjoying white water rafting. There are plenty of good spots for coffee and lunch along the way. The road turns towards Pokhara, and we follow this well-maintained route until we turn off at Besisahar and enter Manang, with its more winding roads.
Overnight stay in Jagat
The Trek begins! After breakfast, we leave the village of Jagat and make our way to Dharapani, where we will stay overnight. The first day is tough, featuring many steps to climb and rough trails to navigate. If the stone steps seem daunting, talk to your guide about an alternate route, which is available. The breathtaking scenery of waterfalls, rivers, suspension bridges, terraced fields, and numerous goat herds makes the effort worthwhile. Your legs will soon adapt to the long hikes over the next few days. We'll take a lunch break along the way, possibly trying Tibetan bread for the first time. By evening, we'll arrive at the teahouse (trekking lodge) in Dharapani for our overnight stay.
After breakfast, we trek through pine forests with mesmerizing glimpses of Annapurna II until we reach Koto, where we stay overnight.
Today, we enter the restricted area, passing through a check post. The trail leads us through pine forests, along the Soti Khola (river), and across rocky terrain. Along the way, we can spot caves and canyons. We will stop for lunch, most likely in Dharmasala village, before continuing to Meta, where we will spend the night. The skyline is dominated by stunning views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.
It is a day full of delightful cultural surprises. The trail leads us past stunning Buddhist chortens (cairns/shrines) and offers views of impressive gorges, canyons, and the ruins of Tibetan-style forts. After crossing a suspension bridge, we reach Phu, where we can visit the Tashi Lhakhang monastery.
We decide to extend our stay in Phu for an additional day to adjust to the altitude before continuing our trek over the Kang La Pass in the upcoming days. Acclimatization is crucial, and we maintain our activity levels by embarking on a hike to Himlung Himal Base Camp and exploring a glacier valley. Alternatively, there's much to explore around Phu village itself, including encounters with yaks and yak herders. We will spend another night in Phu.
Today, we backtrack slightly to reach Nar. Along the way, we cross a bridge spanning an impressive narrow canyon that plunges 80 meters deep. Tonight, we have the unique opportunity to join evening prayers with the resident nuns. We will also enjoy a dinner prepared by them, immersing ourselves in the monastery's daily life. Visitors are welcome to make donations at the monastery and light oil lamps in remembrance of their loved ones.
Today, we dedicate a day to acclimatization in Nar, situated in a bowl-shaped valley known for its agriculture. The name Nar, meaning 'place of blue sheep,' reflects the local culture, where residents speak a Sino-Tibetan language distinct from the rest of Manang.
After a challenging day, we are treated to spectacular views that more than compensate for the fatigue in our legs! From the top of the Kang La Pass, we are mesmerized by the stunning peaks of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak. Finally, we arrive at Ngawal, where we can connect to Wi-Fi and share some of our memorable stories with loved ones back home.
Today, we enjoy a shorter trekking day with more gradual trails, giving our bodies some well-deserved rest. Along the way, we immerse ourselves in the rich Buddhist heritage of the region. Departing from Ngawal, we descend past Sher Gompa and neighboring settlements, passing by Milarepa's cave. Milarepa, a significant figure in the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, lived around 1052 AD and traveled extensively in what is now Nepal, leaving behind sites dedicated to his memory.
We also visit Braga Gompa, a monastery that dates back nearly 900 years, and the Godzo Gompa before crossing the Ghatte Khola river and reaching the town of Manang, where we will spend the night.
Today is another short day amidst this breathtaking Tibetan-like landscape. The trail includes some steep sections, but exploring the shops in Manang offers a delightful diversion. Along the route, you'll encounter various artifacts for sale, tempting though they may be. Just remember, with the Thorong La Pass approaching, it is wise not to go overboard with your purchases!
The barren landscape continues today, and we'll need to navigate through an area affected by a landslide. Listen carefully to your guide's advice. Since today's trek is short, spend the afternoon hiking to High Camp to prepare for crossing the Thorong La Pass tomorrow, which is at high altitude. Alternatively, enjoy the stunning views of Annapurna II, III, IV, Pisang Peak, Chulu, and Tilicho while treating yourself from a recommended bakery along the way. Remember to pack your belongings tonight and get a good night's sleep, as we'll be setting off early tomorrow morning.
After breakfast, we begin our journey over the pass! It might be foggy in the morning, but the weather usually improves as the sun comes up. The pass is over 5,400 meters high and takes about 9 hours to hike across its 15-kilometer path. It is quite challenging, and if anyone finds it too tough, they may have the option to hire mules, although this isn't guaranteed
Despite the difficulty, this is one of the most exciting days of our trek. We'll reach the Hindu pilgrimage town of Muktinath by the end of the day. Enjoy a comfortable lodge and a satisfying dinner as you celebrate what you have accomplished today.
After breakfast, you can visit the Muktinath temple, famous for its 108 water spouts. You don't need to try them all unless you're Hindu or enjoy cold showers! Later, we trek downhill to Jomsom, a town with an airport. If you prefer to spend more time in Muktinath or explore Kagbeni village along the way, you can arrange a jeep ride from Muktinath to Jomsom or Kagbeni (from Kagbeni, it's a 2-3 hour walk to Jomsom). In Jomsom, there are plenty of shops, bars, and hotels where you can relax.
This itinerary includes an early morning drive back to Pokhara, where you will have a full day to explore this lively lakeside town. Alternatively, you could extend your trek for another 3 or 4 days, heading down through Mustang and possibly up to the renowned Poon Hill. When booking your trek, feel free to discuss these options with us.
We head back to Kathmandu by comfortable tourist bus.
Philip Hoffmann
Sabbatical Explore Nepal's team planned this excursion, which went excellent and was exceptionally well planned. We had the best guide on this trip who was friendly, humorous, and professional. He made us feel easy throughout the excursion. He was always there to explain the new things of the journey from the unique hanging bridges to the rapid Dudh Koshi River. The entire team for the journey was great. I can say the trip to Everest Base Camp is a trip for my lifetime. Thanks a lot to the entire team of Sabbatical!
Sarah Green
After Everest Base Camp Trek, I did tour to Pokhara and Chitwan National Park. I am thankful to Shiva and his Sabbatical Explore Team for managing a great guide for my trek. I knew the trek is beautiful but not entirely. All the prayer flags, busy farm fields, like traditional hamlets, and yes giant peaks, these all are running through my mind while writing this. Thanks for this amazing trek. The guide helped me deal with the challenges of the trek without getting anxious. Thanks to him and the team! I suggest this group of experts to everyone reading my experience. You won't regret joining them. I am not!
Stefanie Zendler
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