Nar Phu Valley is a mountain village located within the Annapurna Conservation area of Nepal. It serves as a slice of heaven for trekkers trying to avoid hullabaloo while basking in the beauty of Himalayas in its most unfiltered form. In today’s topic here we brought highlights of Nar Phu Valley trek. First things first, you may want to check this quick video that gives a perfect idea of the region
Contents
Permit & Regulation
In order to get the trekking permits to enter this valley, at least two trekkers should be in one group, accompanied by a registered trekking guide. The local trekking agency in Kathmandu will arrange these permits. Instead, if you are a solo traveler, but willing to enter this region you should get a ghost permit by paying double the amount or join the existing group. An approx of USD 30 to 35 is needed to pay for the guide that includes accommodation, food, and insurance plus the personal expenses for food and accommodation.
Transportation to the Trailhead
The trek starts from Koto Manang, which is about 10-11 hours from the capital city Kathmandu. Minibusses are available in the Kathmandu-Besisahar section, but from Besisahar to Koto Manang, It is required that you should get on a local jeep.
Drinking-Water
Nar Phu is located in a remote region of Nepal, which leads to exorbitant food costs compared to the Annapurna Circuit area. Menu choices are also minimal, and you need to allocate approx. 6-7 USD for each meal. This, however, doesn’t include alcohol, soft drinks, or dessert. Bottle of water is also extremely expensive, and at some parts of the area, plastic bottles are completely banned. It is always advisable to carry purifying drops and tablets along. This is indeed the best way to save money while helping the environment.
Accommodation
Camping is no longer needed in Nar Phu Valley trek. You don’t find any difficulties finding basic accommodation in Nar Phu Valley. The local teahouses which are available throughout the trek. A twin sharing room comes with a pocket pinch of around 5-7 USD per night.
Difficulty
The Nar Phu Valley Trek is moderately difficult and the rate of altitude sickness is comparatively lower than other trekking areas of Nepal. This makes it a safer option than the Everest Base Camp trek. However, we always recommend our client to take extra percussion with the number of days, Itinerary, and acclimatization
Telecommunication
You can enjoy access to a large number of telecommunication booths that are available across the Nar Phu trekking trail. Almost every single village that you are going to pass along the way has a VHF phone which helps in establishing emergency contact. You can enjoy network coverage of local service providers only in 30% of the trekking area.
Gear
Trekkers often feel spoilt for choice while taking their pick amongst the trekking essentials. But you definitely need to pack in a hiking boot, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, quick-dry hiking pants, down jacket, hiking bag, hiking socks, thermal vests, and climbing shoes. There is no requirement of carrying ice axe, climbing ropes or Goretex jacket. If you are not an experienced hiker with all the grear stuck at home, there are many trekking shopes in Kathmandu that rent the hiking gear at a cheap price.
Power Bank
You need to prepare for shelling a few extra dollars if you plan on charging your electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, cameras,s etc. The main reason behind this is the large expense on a local hydropower station. As a more affordable solution, you can invest in a portable power bank or portable solar battery charger.
Best Season
March until May and September to November are the best months to trek in Nepal. However, if you are looking for a monsoon trek between June to August in Nepal, Nar Phu Valley might be a perfect choice. As it is located in the rainshadow part of the Himalayas, rainfall occurring here is way less compared to any other base camp trek in Nepal.
Conclusion
This is just the highlights of Nar Phu Valley trek. Visiting a place is indeed a once in a lifetime experience. The unspoiled natural beauty of the Himalayas along with the ancient Buddhist culture of Nar Phu village will surely take your breath away. While considering a hike in an off-beat area like Nar Phu, you need to proceed with a reputed company for staying worry-free about the service and guide provided to assist in your tour. You can definitely lookup service providers online, but it is always a good idea to check their service before availing the same. You can gain a lot of knowledge about the kind of service provided by scanning through the review page filled by previous clients. NEST Adventure in Kathmandu has already gained profound popularity in the trekker’s forum for providing top-notch service to their customers.
Happy Trekking!
