Nar Phu Annapurna Tilicho Pass Trek leads us through the hidden village of Phoo (Phu) and Nar village over Kang La Pass and the world’s highest Lake Tilicho Lake in the Annapurna region of Nepal. Nar and Phu (Phoo) are restricted areas and have opened for trekkers only since 2003. This unique “Off The Beaten Path trek" combines the blend of high peaks and passes, remote villages, narrow canyons, amazing rock formations, and Himalayan cultures simultaneously throughout the trek.
Because of the restriction in the areas, monasteries and valleys are still yet to be fully explored and have maintained an enigma. Crossing through the challenging high passes of Khang La Pass (5280 meters), and Mesokanto Pass (5089 meters) and visiting the world's highest lake Tilicho at an altitude of 4949 meters are the major attractions of Nar Phu Tilicho Lake Trek. This is an ideal trip for those trekkers who want to do a panoramic trek in Annapurna Region and also want to avoid the busy and crowded regions around Thorang La Pass.
Nar Phu Annapurna Tilicho Pass Trek in these areas is unlike most of Nepal as the terrain is Trans Himalayan and similar to Tibet. Trails are rugged and at times cut high into the sides of the cliff, in an area that has changed little over the years. The trek spends a number of days exploring the region and visiting the remote villages of Nar and Phu (Phoo), as well as crossing the Khang La Pass (5280 meters) which offers fantastic views of the Annapurna massif, Lamjung (6983 meters) and Manaslu (8163 meters). Another attraction is the world’s highest lake, Tilicho Lake (4949 meters), and the crossing of Mesokanto Pass (5089 meters).
The trekking route starts initially following the well-known Annapurna Circuit as far as Koto before heading into the previously restricted wilderness of Nar Khola Valley. The route then rejoins the Annapurna Circuit, at Manang for a brief period but once again heads to the less visited route to Tilicho Lake. Mesokanto Pass (5089 meters) interlinks Manang and Kali Gandaki Valleys and ends Nar Phu Tilicho Pass Trek at Jomsom.
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks with the company’s display board will greet you outside the arrival terminal and transfer you to your Hotel. The trek leader will meet the group for a meeting and provide a detailed briefing on the trek. All the required information regarding the trek would be provided.
A full day guided tour to several of historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites.
After breakfast, a private vehicle (car/bus) will pick you at your hotel. We drive to Dharapani via Besisahar along the Prithvi Highway, following Trishuli River for most part of the drive. It takes around 6 hours to reach Besisahar and continue about 4 hours to Dharapani.
The trek starts on the secondary road and does so for the most part of trek until the trek reaches Manang. The road passes the villages of Bagarchap and Danaque. The trail gets briefly off the road and starts to climb through the woods to Temang. Stunning view of Manaslu (8163 meters) opens up at Temang. The trek returns back to the road and goes through the small villages of Thanchok and then finally reaches Koto. (6 hours)
The trail leaves the road, enters a narrow valley, leaving crowded settlements behind, and heads for sparsely inhabited Nar Phu Valley. The trek crosses and leaves Marshyangdi River and starts to follow Phu River gradually climbing into the valley. The valley gets narrower and goes through pristine forests, as the valley grows wider with views starting to open up. The long day of climb finally ends at Dharmasala. (6-7 hours)
Trek to Chaku is an interesting day as the trek passes through stunning waterfalls and towering rock faces. The day starts with a steep climb passes the village of Meta. The terrain is leveled all the way up to Junam and continues to be similar until the lower village of Chaku. The day ends with a final steep climb ending at the higher village of Chaku. (6 hours)
A steep drop kicks off the day and leads to the river. The trail stays on the riverbed for a while and then slowly starts to climb off the river. Another climb ends another long day at Phu. (6-7 hours)
A short hike up to the village offers stunning views of the valley. Although a long and exhausting walk to Himlung Base Camp also remains a good alternative.
The trek retraces back to Chaku and passes the village. After crossing the bridge, the trail once again starts to climb and does so for the rest of the day. This is also one of the longer days of the trek. (7-8 hours)
The day is a shorter one as the trek enters the higher elevations. Couple of hours climb ends the day at Khang La Phedi. A good rest is recommended as the trek now enters higher elevations. (3 hours)
An early start to the day to cross the Khang La (5280 meters). The day starts with a climb that continues to get steeper and only ends at the top of the pass. A steep drop in a rocky moraine then on a scree leads to a new valley. Steep drop continues throughout the day and finally ends at the village of Ngawal. This is one of the longest and hardest days of the trek. (7-8 hours)
A descend down to the valley and an easy terrain joins the trail back with the road near Mugje. After passing through Mugje, the road leads to the village of Braga. Braga has two contrasting parts, an ancient looking village with a monastery a few minutes away from the road and new modern facilitated teahouses at the other side of the road. An easy walk on the road and a final brief climb ends the day at Manang. The road also ends at Manang and the trek will only get back on road after the Thorang La. (4 hours)
The trail now separates from the regular Annapurna Circuit and heads into a different valley. A descent leads into the river and turns into an ascent for the next few hours until Khangsar. After the Khangsar the trail gets narrower and crosses through a scree in the latter part of the day. A flat grassy area with a small stream finally leads to the Tilicho Base Camp. (6-7 hours)
The day starts with a steep climb and then turns into an easier ascent. More majestic views of mountains start to appear in every direction as the trek slowly and continuously keep on climbing. Gangapurna (7455 meters), Annapurna III (7555 meters) and several unnamed peaks starts to show themselves as the climb continues. The huge lake finally starts to appear as the terrain slowly starts to turn easy. Tilicho Lake is highest lake in the world located at an altitude of 4949 meters.After a brief walk away from the lake we camp on a rocky moraine. (5 hours)
Another early start to the day starts with a steep climb on a ridge. The trail now drops briefly and a long gradual uphill walk follows. Finally, the trail starts to drop and drops very steeply for the rest of the day to Yak Kharka. This is the other long day of the trek and almost as difficult as the day of crossing of Khang La. (8-9 hours)
The trek still continues to drops and continuously loses the altitude. After a long downhill, the trail gets to get easier at Thini and slowly and easily reaches the busy town of Jomsom. Jomsom is also the admintrative headquarter of Mustang, the forbidden Kingdom. Jomsom is also famous for apples and is also known as the apple capital of the country. The apple and apricot brandy from the region is also very popular. A visit to Marpha Village is also an interesting option for the afternoon.(5 hours)
An early scenic flight to Pokhara. Views of Annapurna range and the dominating figure of Machapuchare (also known as Fishtail) (6993 meters) dominates both the sky and the beautiful Phewa Lake with its reflection in it. Afternoon can be enjoyed by the lake as the hotel is located near to the lake.
A half day guided tour to the most popular and historical sites of Pokhara and a late afternoon flight back to Kathmandu.
A half day guided tour to several of historical and spiritual attractions enlisted under the World Heritage Sites.
A representative from Visit Himalaya Treks Pvt. Ltd. will check your flight tickets and transfer you to the airport before two hours from your flight with a hope of seeing you again in the future.
Start Dates are your arrival date in Nepal and End Dates are the returning date from Nepal.
The set departure dates listed are specially quoted and specified for group joining option. Let us know if the set departure dates are not suitable for you- another dates which are suitable for you can certainly be added by us.
Upcoming Trip Departure
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Looking for a personalized experience? We organize a privately guided trip designed to fit your taste and interest. Please fill out the form below to get started.
We always try to be flexible to design the trip itinerary for our client’s needs. However, if you are not convinced as our suggested itinerary then off-course you are always welcome to customize or change the trip itinerary.
Holiday should never be about making it to the final point quickly. Along your trek, we can add days at your request with additional costs to cover guides, porters, accommodation, and food.
An average physical fitness should be maintained prior to booking a trek. Any sort of illness or recent medical problems should be mentioned while booking a trip. Most of our itineraries are prepared to give you maximum time to acclimatize and pace-setting on the treks would be done according to your convenience. If you are having regular medication then tell us before the trip started which would be better for us to give you the physical feedback.
Our main concern is your safety. We never compromised on your safety during the Trekking and all our guides are properly trained and well equipped to take care of our client's safety even in remote areas as well.
There would be always back support in case of an emergency situation like severe high-altitude sickness or accident (which is least expected), you will be sent to the nearest hospital, if possible, otherwise rescued by a helicopter and sent you to the hospital as soon as possible. Since you are entirely liable for all the expenses incurred for the use of such emergency services, please make sure that your travel insurance covers both- medical and emergency evacuation costs.
It is not a problem at all because in a mountain most of the tea houses/lodges serve vegetarian food as well and our guide will take care at the time of cooking and on a camping trek, our cook and staffs will care all about the food section.
Most of the lodges in the mountains are basic like a guest house or tea house style. In a few major settlements Lodges are upgraded, where are the possibilities we provide you with the best accommodation! Also, it depends upon the service packages.
Lately, most of the teahouses have electricity supply even with solar panels. So, charging your gadgets is not a problem at all. But charging your battery you should have to pay an additional fee (US$ 1 to 3 approx. per hour.), in order to get your gadgets to be charged.
Now a day’s most of the major village has a cell phone network connection. However, in a remote area where cell phone does not work, and even if there is not any other communication access then we send satellite phone along with our guide so you can easily be in touch with your family.
Yes, either you can store at the same hotel as you stayed or we can store your goods with us safely in our office free of cost.
The luggage must not exceed up to 20 kilograms. A trekking helper (porter) carries the baggage of fewer than 20 kilograms. This bag can be received at the end of each day’s trek and you should carry the rest of the weight as a day bag with all your money and valuables inside it.
This is a difficult thing to gauge. We have seen everything from USD 25 to USD 900 per person for guides and porters. Tipping is not required, but a small gesture of thanks to your guides and local porters. The level of the tip should reflect the level of satisfaction from and personal involvement with your guide. However, we recommend you to spend a minimum of 10% of your total trip cost for tipping the entire local staff.