based on A perfect itinerary for pro trekkers and adventure lovers, the ManasluTrekking with Nar Phu Valley Trek is a power-packed trekking package in the high Himalayan region for 24 days. In these 24 days with us, you’ll hike the complete Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley of the Annapurna region. Both the routes are under Restricted Areas, so they require a special permit and a group of at least 2 foreign trekkers accompanied by a licensed guide to trek in the region.
After Manaslu opened its door to foreign trekkers in 1992, it gradually gained popularity among avid trekkers searching for less-traveled and more challenging trekking routes. The experts at Outfitter Nepal have combined the off-the-beaten Manaslu Trek with the even newer Nar Phu Valley Trek opened only in 2002. Despite its proximity to the well-known Annapurna Circuit, Nar Phu Valley offers an extraordinary natural landscape and unique cultural heritage like no other trekking trail.
The Manaslu with Nar Phu Valley trek takes you far from modernization to the most remote areas of the Nepalese Himalayas along the borders of Nepal and Tibet. The natives of the region are Tibetan descendants, preserving their ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture for generations. Trekking on this route gives you the opportunity to indulge in a completely different culture while enjoying the breathtaking views of the snow-capped mountains all around you.
Let us take you on the virtual tour of the Manaslu Trekking and Nar Phu Valley Trek, stating the unique features that draw true adventurers, mountain lovers, and ancient culture enthusiasts towards it.
Best Features of the Manaslu Trekking with Nar Phu Valley
- Trekking in 2 different restricted areas of the Nepalese Himalayas
- 3 weeks of continuous hiking in the remotest location in Nepal
- Hiking on the off-the-beat and fairly less-crowded trail
- Staying in the ancient villages of Nar and Phu, far from modernization
- Walking in the shadows of Manaslu, the world’s 8th-highest mountain peak
- Cross 3 high-altitude mountain passes (Larke La, Nar, and Kang La)
- Visit old monasteries, vibrant chortens with decorated mani walls and colorful prayer flags
- Closely observe the Tibetan Buddhist culture practiced by the locals
- Witness the rare wildlife of Manaslu Conservation Area (Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer)
- Experience the diverse landscape of Nepal, from lush green lowlands to bare alpine highlands
Newly established off-the-beaten trekking route
As previously mentioned, both Manaslu and Nar Phu Valley treks are newly opened trekking trails in Nepal. Due to their newness and isolated location, the Manaslu with Nar Phu Valley Trek has much fewer settlements and mountain lodges. It receives fairly lesser trekkers as compared to other popular treks in the Annapurna and Everest regions. Hence, the Manaslu Nar Phu Trek is the best option for solitude lovers who enjoy fewer people and more nature.
Dream trek for someone who's into untouched nature
Talk about pure nature, and the Manaslu with Nar Phu Valley Trek shows it all to you. The trail is anything but raw nature untouched by modernization. The rugged terrain of the region features multiple steep climbs on challenging trekking trails. Your physical stamina will be put to the test as you trek through the rough path of the remote Himalayas. But nothing can stop a true adventurer who's determined to scale the untouched nature of Manaslu and Nar Phu Valley.
Features an exceptional natural diversity
The unique 24 days trek to the Manaslu and Nar Phu Valley starts in a subtropical region with lush woods and gushing rivers. You go through countless terraced farms of paddies while taking in the pleasantly warm weather. A few days later, the alpine vegetation with dry slopes and desolate ravines encircled by snow-capped mountains come into sight. After crossing Larke La Pass, you'll hike back to the tropical forests and farms before ascending up again to the desert-like landscape of Nar Phu Valley, with arid soil devoid of any vegetation.
Mesmerizing panoramic mountains along with the 8th highest Manaslu
With stunning Himalayan views, the Manaslu region and Nar Phu Valley are home to Nepal's most beautiful trekking trail. You will be trekking through the base of humongous mountain peaks.
The Manaslu region offers panoramic views of Manaslu (8,153 m), Himal Chuli (7,893 m), Ngadi Chuli (7,871 m), Siring Himal (7,165 m), Buddha Himal (6692 m), Larke Peak, and many other summits.
Similarly, trekking in the Nar Phu Valley gives you the breathtaking sight of Annapurna II (7937m), Gangapurna (7455m), Tilicho Peak (7134m), and Himlung Himal (4900m). The geological features that set the landscape apart make it particularly fascinating.
Crossing Larke La, Naar and Kang La Pass
During the Manaslu with Nar Phu Valley Trek, you'll be crossing 3 different mountain passes. The first one is Larke La Pass, at an elevation of 5160 meters, also the highest point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The other two passes are Naar Pass and Kang La Pass (5306 m), situated in the Nar Phu region of our 24 days long trek. Kang La Pass is the highest point of the Nar Phu Valley Trek and is the maximum altitude we reach during our 24 Days Manaslu and Nar Phu Valley Trek.
Rich in the ancient Buddhist culture of Tibetan descendants
Most of the inhabitants of the upper regions of both Manaslu and Nar Phu Valley are Tibetan descendants who have lived there for centuries. They practice Buddhism as their religion, and it's reflected in their lifestyle and culture. People in some parts practice Bon, a religious ritual that transcends Buddhism in its origin. Numerous Buddhist stupas, Chortens, Mani walls, and prayer flags decorate the trail. It is a golden opportunity to learn about the age-old religion, culture, and traditions if you're into it.
Exploration of the Nar and Phu Village tucked away in the mountains
Pho Gaon and Nar Gaon are two independent villages in the secluded corners of the Annapurna region. Both locations are very remote and have yet to undergo any modernization. You'll spend 2 nights and 1 full day in each village to explore the area and observe the day-to-day life of the locals, which is very different from your modern lifestyle. This section of the region is only accessible to a limited number of hikers. If you take this Manaslu with Nar Phu Valley Trek, you'd be one of those lucky ones.
Simple yet flourishing lifestyle of the locals
The locals in the Manaslu region and Nar Phu Valley are engaged in activities like printing prayer flags, collecting wood from the forest, harvesting crops, working on carpentry projects, and rotating the prayer wheels in the town square. Women are mostly involved in weaving wool fabric for rugs and blankets on back-strap looms, pressing mustard seeds for oil, and caring for yaks, sheep, and goats. You could try to pick up some of the abilities that are unique to the locals.
Let's move forward with the detailed itinerary of the Manaslu with Nar Phu Valley trek – 24 days so you'll have a clear idea of what each day during the trekking journey looks like.
