The Nar Phu & Tilicho Trek is an exciting trek to some of the most remote and less explored areas of the Annapurna region. This trek is ideal for adventure and culturally rich trekking experiences. The less explored and remote Nar Phu Valley was opened to outsiders only in 2003. Today, this valley remains one of the best-preserved ‘Hidden Valleys’ in Nepal.
The trek begins on the well-known Annapurna trek route and then leads to a more challenging and isolated trekking route. While on this trek, you will encounter a variety of exciting landscapes and scenic beauty, including canyons, unique rock formations, expansive alpine valleys, and remote villages at higher altitudes. This trekking route passes through a trans-Himalayan region that resembles Tibet and offers a unique and untamed trekking experience. While on this trek, you may also encounter a variety of wildlife, including Himalayan Thar, Blue Sheep, and Snow Leopard.
After experiencing the culturally rich villages of Nar and Phu, the trekking adventure moves forward as one crosses the challenging Kang La Pass (5,322 m), offering breathtaking views of the Annapurna ranges while leading the trekker towards Manang. The trekking route takes another turn towards one of the most sought-after attractions of the trek: the majestic Tilicho Lake, one of the highest lakes in the world, located in a breathtaking high-altitude basin.
The trekking adventure becomes even more exciting as one crosses the challenging Mesokanto La Pass (5,240 m), one of the lesser-trodden routes connecting trekkers towards the adventurous trekking route of Jomsom.
The Nar Phu & Tilicho Trek offers a perfect blend of untouched natural beauty, adventurous trekking routes, and cultural interactions-an exciting trekking adventure for those willing to explore one of the most hidden trekking routes in Nepal.
Highlights of the Nar Phu Valley & Tilicho Trek:
Welcome! To Kathmandu, Nepal. You will be welcomed by an Asian Heritage Travel representative with a nameplate upon your arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, and you will then be taken to your hotel located within the busy tourist district known as Thamel in Kathmandu. You will see some of the highlights of the city while traveling to the hotel, including Pashupatinath Temple, Narayanhiti Royal Palace Museum, and the peaceful Garden of Dreams. Once you arrive at your hotel, a representative will meet you to discuss your itinerary and answer any questions you might have about it. After you check into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore the busy streets, cafés, and shops of Thamel or relax at your hotel.
Includes: Private transport and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites and Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
After breakfast, we start our journey out of Kathmandu on a winding highway running along the side of the Trishuli River. During the journey, you will be treated to the sights of terraced fields, villages alongside the rivers, and traditional countryside homes, which offer a glimpse of rural Nepal at its best. We will drive through the bustling town of Mugling and head towards Pokhara, but turn off towards Dumre and head towards Besisahar. From there, we will take a local jeep for a more adventurous drive on a rough mountainous road to Jagat. The driving time for the day is about 8 hours.
Alternatively, you can also decide to drive only as far as Bulbule or Khudi from Kathmandu, which will reduce the driving time for the day but increase the duration of the trip by a day.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking guide, porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Jagat.
After breakfast, your trek starts with a steady climb as you follow the track toward Chamje. Along the way, the track takes you through a beautiful landscape, passing a suspension bridge. From there, the track becomes steeper as you trek on the rocky terrain. After 3.5 hours of trekking, you reach the beautiful village of Tal. This is a great place for a break and lunch.
After the break, the trek continues on the rocky terrain toward Kotro, which takes about 2 hours. From there, the trek continues as you head toward your destination, passing a suspension bridge near the village of Lower Dharapani. From there, the trek becomes a gradual climb, and you reach the village of Dharapani.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Dharapani.
Continuing on the mule track that takes us through the fir, towering oak, and maple forests, for some time, we continue our hike on the riverbank. Along the route, you get to enjoy the majestic views of Mount Manaslu and Peak 29. The route takes us through a thick pine forest before reaching Latamarang. After the rest, we continue our trek to Koto via the forest.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Koto.
After breakfast, we cross the checkpoint and conclude the formalities. Then, we move ahead with the trek along the riverbank of Soti Khola. The route goes up through pine forests, passes by the rivers, and crosses suspension bridges to reach Dharmasala. Getting out of the woodland after a while, we gradually climb upwards to reach Meta Village. Now, we come into contact with the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. From here, we have great views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Meta Village.
Today’s trek will take you through a series of gradual climbs and descents, along with a series of suspension bridges over fast-running mountain streams. After four hours of trekking, you will arrive at Kyang, where you will have a packed lunch. This part of the hike will feel quite remote, as there will be no signs of civilization along the way, neither in the form of villages nor lodges. Instead, you will get a glimpse of the past in the ruins of old Khampa settlements at places like Jhunam, Chyakhu, and Kyang, which were inhabited by Khampa refugees from Tibet.
Late in the afternoon, you will set up camp, pitching your tents in the peaceful atmosphere. In the evening, you will sit back and enjoy a freshly prepared meal under the star-studded sky of the Himalayas.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Kyang.
After breakfast, your journey continues on a rocky path, slowly moving along the course of the Phu Khola. The path will steadily take you to Phu Village, and the journey will take about three hours to get to the remote Phu Village.
On your way, you may catch a glimpse of blue sheep grazing on the mountain slopes. Once you arrive at Phu, you enter one of the most interesting hidden valleys in Nepal, where traditional ways of life are still very much embedded. In the Phu Valley, people like the Lama, Gurungs, and Ghales live their traditional lives, depending on subsistence farming, animal herding, and seasonal migration.
One of the attractions for the day is the historical Tashi Lhakhang Monastery. This famous monastery is regarded as one of the greatest Buddhist monasteries in the world and is believed to be the last monastery founded by the spiritual leader Karmapa Rinpoche, holding spiritual significance for the people. The beauty of the surrounding environment is also awe-inspiring, with the majestic views of Himlung Himal and other snow-capped mountains rising steeply from the valley.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Phu Village.
Today, your journey involves retracing your steps back along the trail towards Meta, but with a different view of the places you passed earlier. Before reaching Meta, there is a turn towards Nar Phedi Monastery, which will be your destination for the night.
Nar Phedi is a serene and simple monastery, comprising only the monastery itself. The rooms are clean and comfortable, and the nuns will welcome you with warmth and hospitality, allowing a glimpse into their simple and serene lifestyle. You can even participate with them in the kitchen as they prepare their dinner over a traditional fireplace, allowing a close look into their daily routine.
In the evening, around 5 PM, there is a beautiful puja ceremony, which is a blessing, a spiritual experience, and a significant moment during your stay. There is a small donation box available, which allows you to donate towards the upkeep of this serene and beautiful monastery.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Nar Phedi.
Today’s trek is a casual and pleasant experience. The route from Nar Phedi Monastery is a winding trail that gradually takes you towards Nar Village.
On the way to the village, you will see a beautiful line of colorful chortens with bamboo on top, which indicates that you are arriving at the ancient settlement. By lunchtime today, you will arrive at the village of Nar, which is a place of solitude as well as breathtaking beauty, even though it is not too far from the popular route of the Annapurna Circuit.
Nar is a more lively place compared to Phu. Here, you may witness women gathering together and working on their woolen weavings on their traditional back-strap looms in the village square, chatting away as they go about their day. Additionally, there are a few newly built tea houses here, which allow you to stay in a comfortable tea house with a variety of meals to eat.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Nar Village.
Today is a long and rewarding day, so we will start early, before the sun comes up, as we make our way towards the Kang La Pass, which will bring us back onto the Annapurna Circuit.
The ascent is a steady rather than a particularly technical climb, although the altitude makes this a challenging day. When we get to the top of the Kang La Pass, we get a stunning view of some of the highest peaks, including Annapurna II, Gangapurna, and Tilicho Peak.
The descent is steep, which gives us a thrilling run down this mountain. We will take a break for lunch on a plateau with a stunning view before continuing our journey towards Ngawal.
Ngawal is a village along the upper Pisang route of the Annapurna Circuit, and this feels very different from the remote villages we have just come from. The lodges here are more developed, with more comfortable accommodations, a greater variety of food, and more access to WiFi and mobile phone connectivity.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Ngawal.
After breakfast, we continue along the trail, flanked by lush grasslands on both sides. Along the way, admire Braga Village, famous for its splendid monastery adorned with stupas and mani walls. Towering peaks such as Annapurna II (7,937 m), Annapurna III (7,555 m), Annapurna IV (7,525 m), Gangapurna (7,455 m), and Tilicho Peak (7,134 m) dominate the horizon. After a brief ascent, we reach Manang, where we will spend the night.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Manang.
The day starts with a gradual climb towards Khangsar Village, which requires a couple of hours. As you climb, you get to enjoy a beautiful view of the Annapurna ranges, along with other beautiful views of Tilicho Peak, Gangapurna Lake, and other snow-capped mountains.
After reaching Khangsar, your next destination is Thare Gompa, which is a quiet spot. It requires an hour to reach this destination. Here, you take a break and enjoy your lunch while surrounded by the quiet beauty of the mountains. The trail becomes gradual as you carefully walk through a large landslide area. The views along this trail make your journey more adventurous. After three hours, you reach Tilicho Base Camp, where you stay overnight at a lodge.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Tilicho Base Camp.
From Tilicho Base Camp, you will set off early in the morning with a packed lunch from your lodge for the day. The route will take you steeply through the mountain terrain as you make your way towards Tilicho Lake, which is considered one of the highest lakes in the world. This will take you about 3 hours, depending on your speed and the terrain conditions.
As you climb through the mountain terrain, the view opens up to a breathtaking alpine environment. Reaching the lake at 4,920 meters, you will get to enjoy the breathtaking view of the deep blue water of the lake, along with the towering peaks covered in snow all around. After spending some time at the lake, you will set camp and spend the night in the tents near the lake. This will be one of the most memorable experiences of the entire journey, as the environment is so peaceful and the view so breathtaking, especially the view of the lake and the mountains.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Tilicho Lake.
Today is another high and challenging day on the trail. You set off early in the morning from the camp and start a steady rocky climb towards Mesokanto La Pass. This takes around 2.5 hours. As you climb higher, the terrain becomes rougher, but the scenery is breathtaking from the top.
Once you have climbed to the top of the pass, you then descend long and steeply on rough terrain. Along the way, you get to see breathtaking views of Dhaulagiri, which is the highest peak in the world. This takes around 3.5 hours to descend, making the day quite challenging.
Along the way, you will stop to have your packed lunch or dry food. At the end of the day, you will arrive at a place to set up camp and spend the night under the stars amidst the raw beauty of the Himalayas.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Dharamshala.
Today’s trail is a gentle descent as you walk through the open terrain and a goat farm en route to Thini Gaon, which will take about 4 hours of trekking. The route is quite leisurely, giving you time to enjoy the varying vistas as you make your way through the last part of the isolated mountain trail.
From Thini Gaon, the bustling town of Jomsom is just about 30 minutes away. Upon arrival, you will have lunch and spend the night at a comfortable lodge.
The rest of the afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy the surroundings at your own leisure. Take a leisurely walk around the place, or simply relax after the grueling climb to the high altitude.
Includes: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, English-speaking trekking Guide, Porter, and an overnight accommodation at an available local lodge/tented camp in Jomsom.
After breakfast, we will travel from Jomsom to Pokhara, which takes only 25 minutes by air. Upon our arrival, we will check into our hotel, or instead, we can take some time to explore some of the attractions available in Pokhara. Pokhara is a beautiful city with its large lake, temples, interesting caves, and breathtaking mountain scenery. Perhaps the best way to enjoy the beauty of Pokhara is to get a boat ride on Phewa Lake, which offers breathtaking views of Annapurna, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri.
Includes: Breakfast, Airfare and an overnight accommodation at Hotel Crystal Palace or a similar hotel in Pokhara.
After having breakfast, you’ll take a scenic road trip from Pokhara to Kathmandu, enjoying all of the beautiful scenery during the trip. Upon arrival, our representative will transfer you to your hotel for relaxation after the long trip.
That evening, you will attend a free time activity, where you can wander around Thamel’s busy streets, full of shops, restaurants, and local culture. This is a great time to experience Kathmandu’s bustling energy before concluding your tour.
Includes: Breakfast, Private Transport, and an overnight accommodation at Yatri Suites and Spa or a similar hotel in Kathmandu.
Today is the last day of your journey. Three hours before your scheduled departure back to your home or another location, our representative will pick you up in a private vehicle after breakfast and drop you off at Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport.
We hope you travel safely and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Includes: Breakfast and private Transport.
Getting to Nepal as an international visitor is easy with the availability of an easy-to-use Visa on Arrival service at Tribhuvan International Airport and almost all the land border crossings into Nepal. Upon arrival at the airport, you will complete the visa form, submit the necessary documents, pay the applicable visa fee online, and then you will be given your visa within a very short time.
With several different types of Nepali visas available for various duration periods, visitors have the choice of whether they want to stay for a few days or months; however, some nationalities must obtain their visa in advance of travelling, so you must check the current visa requirements.
Learn more about visa guidelines and requirements: Tourist Visa Information
Nepal offers a wide variety of accommodation to meet the varying requirements of travelers at every budget level and personal comfort preferences.
Luxury Accommodation
Enjoy the luxury and the comfort of a highly rated hotel, and are looking for a high-end experience. You will find many luxury hotels in Nepal with an array of modern conveniences, such as spa treatments, fine dining, beautiful locations, breathtaking views of the Himalayas, and individual attention from the staff. These types of hotels are perfect for people who want to relax, unwind, and experience luxurious facilities while traveling throughout Nepal.
Budget Accommodation
Travelers who want to experience Nepal without breaking the bank will be happy to know that there are also many inexpensive accommodation options, including guesthouses, boutique lodges, and homestays, which are all clean, friendly, and very good value. Budget accommodation allows a traveler to stay within their budget while experiencing the generosity of local hospitality.
We ensure that your accommodation matches your preference, whether you seek luxury or convenience.
Explore available accommodation categories: Accommodations in Nepal.
Nepal has a lot to offer with its incredible natural beauty, rich culture, and warm hospitality. Travelling can also come with risks, which is why anyone visiting Nepal needs to consider purchasing travel insurance, particularly those involved in adventure activities or trekking, as well as those who will be travelling to remote areas of Nepal. A well-rounded insurance policy can provide peace of mind through protection against the following:
Many trekking routes in Nepal are over 3000 meters (9842 ft); therefore, your policy should specifically state that high altitude travel is part of your Insurance plan, as well as the option to be evacuated in the event of an emergency. Choosing the right policy will help you receive the best possible care in your time of need.
Find out more about travel insurance for Nepal: Travel Insurance in Nepal
For hikers traveling to the Nepalese Himalayas, it’s essential to have the correct trekking equipment. Depending on what elevation you’re at, the weather might change drastically, so it’s crucial to use and carry the proper clothing and equipment in order to enjoy a safe and comfortable trip.
If you don’t want to travel with your own equipment, there are plenty of places in Nepal where you can rent or purchase what you need (particularly in Thamel, Kathmandu’s main shopping district). There are also locations within the city where you can find stores that offer a variety of high-quality trekking apparel and equipment at very reasonable prices.
See the complete trekking gear guide: Trekking Gear
