Nar – Phu Trekking with Thorang-La Pass Trek

Arrive at Kathamandu 1350m Transfer to Hotel.

Welcome to Kathmandu, the capital city of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal.You will be met on airport and transferred to your hotel. After the arrival, the group will be formally introduced to Guide for the activities over the next few days. One should pay attention in particular to the safety aspects of the briefing. Any questions or doubts should be asked and clarified at this time. We check your insurance details and other requirement for your trekking.

Kathmandu sightseeing

After breakfast, we start an interesting tour around Kathmandu. Escorting by an English speaking guide be, try to give them a full taste of our vivid culture image and an enchanting manner of its people. In our sightseeing tour we go to Monkey temple Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Kathmandu Durbar square. Durbar Square: -This complex of palaces, courtyards and temples, built between the 12th and 18th centuries, used to be the seat of the ancient Malla kings of Kathmandu. An intriguing piece here is the 17th century stone inscription set into the wall of the palace with writings in 15 languages. The Durbar square, protected as an UNESCO world Heritage site, is the social, religious and urban focal point of the city. There are also museums inside the palace building. There is an entrance fee of Rs.250 for foreign visitors. Your ticket to the Square entitles you to visit all the museums. Swayambhunath, 6.5 kilometers west of Kathmandu, situated on a hillock, this 2000 years old Stupa is the world’s most glorious Buddhist shrine and is surrounded by several small pagodas. The main temple is capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt and is painted on the four sides with all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. Pashupatinath, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the holiest and most famous Nepalese temple. Situated 5 kilometers northeast of Kathmandu on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, it is an impressive pagoda style structure with gilt roof and richly carved silver doors. It has bathing and cremation ghats, which are of absorbing interest to the tourist, particularly in the mornings and on festival days.

Kathmandu – Besisahar drive (820m / 6hrs)

We drive along the Kathmandu-Pokhara Highway to Dumre and then follow the rough road by the Marsyangdi River to Besisahar.

Besisahar - Khudi (790m / 4hrs)

We start our first day's short trek from Besisahar, turning right at the canal on the outskirts of the village and descending the narrow path to the Pam Khola. We then cross the stream and climb to the village of Denauti with its striking red-walled houses. From here we descend to the banks of the Marsyangdi Khola and then follow the trail through rice paddies and subtropical forests to the Gurung village of Khudi.

Khudi - Bahundanda (1310m /4hrs)

Leaving Khudi we pass a school and a forest nursery as the trail continues northwards up the Marsyangdi Valley. After crossing a suspension bridge at Bhulbule, the trail passes a cascading waterfall and as we traverse the rice terraces the views of Manaslu are magnificent. Following a gentle incline we come to the village of Ngadi with its shops and teahouses. From here, the trail continues to ascend towards Bahundanda. Bahundanda literally means "Hill of the Brahmins" and it is the most northerly Brahmin settlement in the Marsyangdi Valley. It is situated on a long ridge and we camp in terraced fields near the village.

Bahundanda - Jagat (1290m /4hrs)

A steep trail descends from Bahundanda, through rice terraces, before crossing a stream at the bottom of a small waterfall. It then climbs again and traverses the hillside high above the river before reaching the village of Hani Gaon. Ahead, the Marsyangdi valley forms a steep V-shape, and we follow the winding mountain path down through Syange and along the river for some distance. The trail then climbs steeply and the path is cut into the sheer cliff-face some 200-300m above the riverbed. Eventually we descend to the stone village of Jagat, situated on a shelf, which juts into the precipitous Marsyangdi valley. We camp in the fields beyond the village.

Jagat - Dharapani (1920m /5hrs)

The trail from Jagat descends until it almost reaches the river and then begins to climb again through a forest. The sheer cliff on the opposite bank plunges downward but this side is also steep. When the climb ends, we follow a level track to Chamje, which is marked by a magnificent waterfall on the opposite bank. After descending to the river and crossing a suspension bridge, we begin a climb to Sattale on a path so steep that it seems one slip would send you hurtling down into the valley. We continue on an undulating path above the river, and at one point, where a tributary flows in from the opposite bank, the main river becomes covered with huge boulders that hide the water. Climbing the zigzag path to the top of the hill, we see the level, plain of Tal before us. Though cliffs enclose it, the level area looks reassuring after the arrowing mountain paths just travelled on. We descend to a grassy riverbank, which leads to Tal with its hotels and teahouses. Beyond Tal, the valley narrows and the path becomes high and winding, and in several areas hewn from the rock itself. Beyond the small village of Karte, there is a bit more cliff walking before the path drops again to the river. We cross a suspension bridge, and climb the short distance to the stone kani marking the entrance to Dharapani.

Dharapani – Nar Phu Valley first Camp (2740m /6hrs)

As we cut through a narrow field from the village, the Dudh Khola, which originates from the south face of Manaslu, enters on the opposite bank. The Marsyangdi then veers to the left, and as Annapurna II becomes visible ahead, we arrive at Bagarchhap, a Bhote village with prayer flags fluttering in the breeze. Continuing to climb through forests of pine and oak, we pass through Dhanakyu before coming to a thundering waterfall. Further on, the Marsyangdi Khola enters a gorge and the path consists of steep stone steps. Pausing for breath, we can look back for views of Manaslu. When the steep incline ends we follow a path amid magnificent rhododendrons to Ratamron and then continue on a gently rising path, crossing a stream before entering a pine forest. We then cut across a loose hillside to the hamlet of Koto (2600 m) from where we can look straight up at nearby Annapurna II - a sight convincing us that we are deep in the Himalayan mountains! This is also where we leave the Annapurna Circuit, we cross the Marsyangdi river and enter the Nar Phu valley. From the bank of Nar Phu Khola we start climbing to our first camping site, which we reach about two hours from Koto.

Nar Phu Valley - Sinhenge Dharamsala (3230m / 6hrs)

Most of this first day in the Nar Phu valley we walk on small jungle paths, which is quite a change from the bigger trail around Annapurna. For the first part is up and down and then we have a short steep ascent to Choto (2840m). We then have lots of steep ups and downs and the path is quite exposed above the Nar Phu Khola. At the altitude of 3090m we cross a suspension bridge, here the valley is very narrow and just before the bridge there are some hot springs. The rock carved path now becomes very exiting, both because of danger, but also because there are some big waterfalls.

Sinhenge Dharamsala - Upper Chaku Village (3720m /5hrs)

We begin the day by crossing Methang Khola river and then start a breathtaking climb on a winding path to the Methang pastures. Here at Methang there is an ancient Chorten and marvellous views of Kang Guru. Further on we pass the abandoned Methang village (3560m), from the village there is a path to Kang Guru BC. The path to the next village Junan is easy and flat, Junan is also abandoned. From here we continue to have an easy walk to Lower Chaku village, which has about 15 houses. We continue to Upper Chaku on a steep trail.

Upper Chaku Village - Phu Village (3980m/7hrs)

This day begins with a hard steep ascent to the abandoned Kyan village Vhaku, where there is a nice long mani wall. We continue on an amazing tunnel carved rocky path 70 meters above the river and then decent to the riverbed, we follow the riverbed and pass some Mani Chortens. We then climb up from the riverbed to the Phu valley entrance door (Phuohii Yalgoe). About an hour from the valley entrance we cross the Phu Khola and begin climbing up to the village. Phu village consists of about 30 houses, which are home to 100-150 people.

Rest in Phu Village

We rest here for a day, have a look at the village and might go exploring a little further up in the valley.

Phu Village - Nar Campsite (3550m /7hrs)

To get to Nar we have to go back down the valley, we pass Chaku and walk on for a couple of hours before we cross the Phu Khola at Nar Phedi (two bridges to Nar). From here we climb up to a very nice grassy campsite.

Nar Campsite - Kang La Phedi (4530m / 6hrs)

From our campsite it is a steep couple of hours climb to Nar Village (4110), we have lunch here near the village, so we can take a look at it before we walk on. We continue on a long but gentle ascent through the lateral moraine of Temdenzon Khola, on a nice path. At the bottom of Kang La, we camp on a nice grassy spot.

Kang La Phedi - Munje (3330m /7hrs)

Today we have a long and hard day ahead of us, however it is very rewarding. We have to cross the big Kang La pass (5280m). It is a very steep ascent to the top of the pass where there is a nice Chorten and some great views of the Annapurna massive. Just before we reach the pass there is a small lake where we take a rest before making the last effort to reach the top. From the top of the pass it is a very steep decent, but after an hour we a grassy path which leads us to Ngawal, where there is both restaurants and lodges. We continue all the way to Munje where there is some beautiful forest and we camp there for the night.

Munje - Manang (3540m / 5hrs)

Cultivated fields appear on both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy mountain, we can see the village of Braga with its splendid monastery. Large chortensi and mani walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us - Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Annapurna IV, Gangapurna [7455m] and, to the rear, Tilicho Peak (7134m). After a short steep climb we reach Manang which is a surprisingly large village for this remote mountain region. We camp here for the night, amidst the fluttering prayer flags, which adorn the houses.

Manang - Letdar (4250m / 5hrs)

From Manang, we climb to the next village of Tengi, with the magnificent Annapurna Himal in view all the way, while behind us we can see Peak 29 and Himalchuli in the distance. We are now past the treeline and the vegetation consists of alpine grasses and scrub juniper. Climbing the path past the summer village of Gunsang, we cross the Gundon Khola via a wooden bridge. From here we can see ahead the mountains surrounding the Thorung La which we will cross tomorrow. The trail is up and down as the elevation gradually increases and we soon enter an alluvial delta where there are yak pastures. An hour beyond this, we come to the small settlement of Letdar.

Letdar - Thorung Phedi (4500m / 5hrs)

Leaving Letdar, we climb gradually to a ridge before descending to the headwaters of the Marsyangdi and crossing via a covered wooden bridge. After a short ascent up the mountain path on the right bank, we follow a narrow trail across an unstable steep slope and then descend to Thorung Phedi.

Thorung Phedi - Muktinath (3800m / 8hrs)

An early start today for our crossing of Thorung La (5416m). The trail becomes steep immediately on leaving camp but as this trail has been used by local people for hundreds of years the path is well defined. The gradient then eases and after around 4 hours of steady climbing we reach the chorten and prayer flags of the pass. The views are dramatic to say the least, from the snow covered mountains above, to the head of the Kali Gandaki valley below and the brown and purple hills of Mustang which are spread out before us. The descent to Muktinath is a knee pounding 1600m but it's compensated for with excellent views of Dhaulagiri. Eventually the moraines give way to grassy slopes before a pleasant walk along the Jhong Khola Valley to Muktinath and its shrines and temple.

Muktinath – Jomsom (2713m / 5hrs)

We now begin the descent down the dramatic Kali Gandaki valley, initially through arid country in the same geographical and climatic zone as Tibet. After passing through Jharkot and Khingar, villages with typical Tibetan architecture, we follow the valley floor most of the way to Jomsom and are rewarded with tremendous views of both Dhaulagiri and Nilgiri. Jomsom is a large town sprawled along both banks of the Kali Gandaki River.

Jomsom – Pokhara

After breakfast we flight take flight from Jomsom – Pokhara. it takes 15 minutes flight to pokhara. after check hotel in Pokhara then we will do polkhara Lake side sightseeing then overnight in Hotel.

Pokhara -Kathmandu .Overnight in Hotel B

Drive from Pokhara to Kathmandu by tourist mini bus that takes about seven hours. While driving from Pokhara to Kathmandu, you head up to Damauli,, Dumre, Muglin and Kurintar where the Nepal's first Cable car is operated to reach to Manakamana Temple. En route, you could enjoy the mountain views, green sceneries, rice terrace fields, vegetable fields and people being engaged in their daily life activities. From Naubishe you climb up to Thankot, the gateway to capital city. You can also fly from Pokhara to Kathmandu which takes approximately 25 minutes.

Final Departure.

All too soon it's time to bid Nepal farewell and one realizes that we can never be intimate, only acquainted with this amazing adventure kingdom.