A fantastic journey in a wild and unexplored area located north-east of Annapurna: the Nar and Phu Valley, this trek, in a wild and unexplored area north-east of Annapurna, is perfect for those trekkers who want to discover the Annapurna circuit as well as explore an untouched valley. Although Tilman first explored this region in the 1950’s, the Nar and Phu valley was only opened to trekkers as recently as 2003, and still relatively few westerners have explored its villages, which remain untouched by modernity. The remoteness of the valley and its proximity to Tibet has meant that the people and their culture have remained more akin to Tibet than Nepal, and they have retained their age-old practices. Most local inhabitants are engaged in yak herding and farming, like in rural Tibet.
Traversing an amazing combined expanse of high passes, remote villages, narrow canyons, lush forests, and viewpoints which overlook majestic snow peaks, this trek enjoys amazing natural diversity. We begin after driving for almost a whole day from Kathmandu to Jagat, from where we follow the popular Annapurna Circuit route as far as Koto, before heading into the previously restricted wilds of the Nar Khola Valley. Trekking in the area is unlike most of Nepal – the terrain is Trans Himalayan and similar to that of Tibet. Trails are rugged and at times cut high into cliff sides in an area that has changed little over the years.
We will spend a number of days exploring the region and will visit the remote villages of Phu and Nar, as well as crossing the Kang La Pass. We spend a couple of days in Phu to see the unique Buddhist monastery and chortens for which it is famous, and to explore the interesting rock formations in the area. One such monolith is nicknamed ‘The Leaning Tower of Pisa’, and guards the trail to Phu gate (otherwise known as Pupigyal Kwe). Here there are two forts, now in ruins, but impressively situated atop the flatlands before Phu. We will also have time to visit local villagers as they spin their yak yarn, pound mustard seeds and carry out other traditional daily activities
We will visit the Tashicholing Monastery before heading towards Nar, not far from the main Annapurna Trail. An area rarely visited by trekkers, Nar is a bit more lively than Phu and we will spend some time in the village square watching woman talk and weave carpets and blankets. Each family seems to have at least one child in the gompa (a combined fort, monastery and religious college) and thus the streets are alive with the sound of cymbals crashing, chanting and drumming.
We trek to Ngawal via Kang La (5322 m), an absolutely spectacular pass over-looking Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho peak, and the other peaks surrounding Tilicho, and Hongde. Next it is on to Braga (3500 m), an old, partially deserted Tibetan-style village to explore its ancient, yet colourful gompa.
The route will rejoin the Annapurna Circuit near Braga and continue to Manang. After a day rest in Manang we will follow the little-used route that leads to the Tilicho Lake. This route and its high passes link the Manang and Kali Ghandaki Valleys, and offer the adventurous and fit trekker high mountain scenery at its very best.
After a visit to the world's highest lake, Tilicho, the trail return and joins Annapurna Circuit trail near Yak Kharka and it continues to over Thorung La (at 5416m, the highest commonly-trekked pass in Nepal); pass offers a spectacular panoramic views of Annapurna and Dhaulagiri range along with superb birds eye view of mysterious kingdom of Upper Mustang and Tibetan plateau, and long descend to Kali Gandaki valley; deepest gorge in the world, then finally Jomsom, passing Muktinath, ‘where fire and water meet’, and which has been a sacred site for over 2000 years, and small ancient elusive Bonpo village of Lupra where spiritual Bonpo Buddhism is still practiced.
At Jomsom; an important town in the Kali Gandaki Valley, with its dramatic STOL airstrip, there is an interesting museum of local culture and Tibetan medicine, where the trek ends, and from where we take short flight or long drive to Pokhara, the lakeside town, and enjoy the overnight stay in hotel before return back to Kathmandu.
