Mode of Trekking (Organized Camping Trek)
21 Days Trip
16 Days Trek, 4 nights in Hotel
Moderate to Challenging

Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trek is designed for those who wants to explore off the beaten and remote trail of the Nepal Himalayas with magnificent mountain views. Nar Phu Valley is a newly opened trek in the Annapurna Region. The trail passes through Tibetan like villages and you get a chance to observe the rich, untouched local culture of Nar Phu. We traverse to the south of the Annapurna Range, where we ascend through conifer forests and cross pristine alpine meadows gaining spectacular mountain views from Manaslu to Dhaulagiri. Along with spending plenty of time at these colorful and timeless villages, we enter the spectacular Nar region and traverse around the ice bound Tilicho Lake before crossing the Meso Kanta Pass, bringing us into the very heart of the Annapurna.

ITINERARY

Day 1. In Kathmandu
Arrive Kathmandu. Your group leader or the office representative from Alps in Nepal will meet you at the airport and will transfer you to Hotel Yak and Yeti. Remainder of the afternoon is at leisure. Arrangements will be made for the distribution of your kit bag and down jacket at 5 pm.
Welcome dinner is organized at 6:30 pm in one of the traditional Nepali restaurants and this is a great opportunity to get acquainted with the fellow group members before the trip.

Day 2. In Kathmandu
In the morning we explore Kathmandu on an organized sightseeing tour visiting Boudhanath and Pusupathi Nath, one of the biggest Buddhist shrines in the world and the most famous Hindu temple in the country. The early afternoon is free to relax in the spacious hotel garden or you may wish to visit Thamel for any last-minute shopping before the trek. In the afternoon you will be supplied with trek departure information.

Day 3. Drive to Besisahar and trek to Ngadi
We take a private vehicle to Besisahar, the administrative centre of the Lamjung district which is 170 km from Kathmandu and drive further to Bhulbhule. From Bhulbhule we start walking through the picturesque paddy field till we get to Ngadi, a small settlement, where we overnight. It is worth having your camera handy as the view is quite scenic.

Day 4. Trek to Jagat
Today we cross the Nagdi River on a suspension bridge and follow the path heading up the left- hand valley of Marsyangdi. After a long climb, we reach the village of Bahun Danda, a large Brahmin settlement perched on top of the hill. The trail descends steeply through the rice and millet terraces which look like a natural amphitheatre. We keep following the east flank of the Marsyangdi crossing few shops, tea houses and several side streams. After few hours, the path edges a large flat shelf of hillside, where lies the village of Syange which offers a magnificent view of the waterfall on the other side of the valley. After Syange, the walk is about one and half hours, the track follows an impressive cut in the near vertical cliffs high above the river to reach Jagat.

Day 5. Trek to Dharapani
The next village we meet is Chamje from where we descend to cross the river and begin a long steep climb till we get to a wide valley where the village of Tal lies. From Tal, we start seeing the Buddhist culture .Leaving the village; we follow Mani walls which are prayer stones. We reach the village of Dharapani which lies near the confluence of the Marshyangdi and Dudh khola.

Day 6. Trek to Koto
Climbing through the alpine forest we reach Bagarchap which has several tea houses and offers a partial view of Lamjung and Annapurna 2. Another hour later we reach Danaque with breathtaking view of the mountains.We follow the delightful village of Danique before ascending steeply to Timang. From here the view of the Manaslu and Annapurna mountains are just magnificent. Tonight we camp at Koto, very close to apple orchards.

Day 7. Trek to Dharamsala
Today we enter the Nar Phu valley. Our permits are inspected at Koto before entering in the beautiful Nar Phu valley. Being the area very sensitive culturally and politically for being so close to the Tibetan boarder the region was closed for all the trekkers until late 2002. We cross the Marshyangdi river on a metal bridge and then trek through the serene valley. The walk is totally different to what you have experienced in the last couple of days. River chat flit from boulder to boulder in the conifer forest while higher up, the mountain side is covered with birch trees. There are no highly demanding steep uphill in today’s walk, just a gradual up along the gorge, till we get to our camp site in the vicinity of the small hut village of Dharamsala.

Day 8. Trek to Meta
Keeping in mind for acclimatization we make our trekking very short today. We carry on above the gorge and reach the vantage point from where the Annapurna 2 and 4 looks spectacular. Further up we climb as we make to a small Buddhist village of Meta. After lunch we will do an optional walk and see more of the Nar Phu valley. Those who can, this walk is very good for acclimatization as we say, climb high sleep low, this is our motto in high altitude treks. Not only that you will be rewarded with spectacular mountain views including Kang Guru and Gyaji Kang.

Day 9. Trek to Nar
Our trail ascends gradually to Tibetan Plateau like landscape which provides an absolute vantage point of a valley towards Tibet. Here you can have superb views of the huge peaks that stretch north towards Tibet while in the immediate vicinity Pisang Peak provides a constant reminder of our location. The village of Nar is the biggest village in the region where the main occupation of the people are trading and farming. Here people still follow one of the oldest forms of religion called Bon Po where the Buddhist priest will offer the dead bodies to the scavengers. This tradition is still followed because to cremate dead bodies are very expensive out there due to the lack of wood.

Day 10. At Nar
Today is an optional exploration day. We trek toward north from our campsite enjoying the impressive Himalayan views. You may have an opportunity to witness a very rare blue sheep and who knows you may encounter the elusive snow leopard as well.

Day 11. Trek to Kang la Base
We head up the Nar Phu valley crossing a series of alpine meadows to reach our camp at the base of the Kang La. This is a short stage with plenty of time to explore the high ridges in the vicinity that afford an almost 360 degree mountain panorama including Chulu East at the head of the valley.

Day 12. Cross Kang la and to Ngawal
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 chorten and some great views of the Annapurna massif. Just before reaching 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 reach our camp site which is very close to Ngawal village.

Day 13. Trek to Manang
After passing Ngawal village we follow the trail along the bank of Marshyangdi River. On the way we pass pine forest, farming terraces appear on both sides of the path and off to the right, below a craggy mountain, we can see the village of Braga ( Tibetan style village). Here the houses are stacked on top of each other perched high on the valley cliffs. Above the village there is a beautiful monastery which is said to 500 years old. Large chortens and mani walls abound and the tall peaks of the Himalaya spread out before us. Annapurna ll, Annapurna lV, Gangapurna and Tilicho lake, looks magnificent from here. After a short steep climb we reach the trading town of Manang. We camp in a beautiful clearing and the view from our campsite is just incredible.

Day 14. Trek to Shree Kharka
After savoring the beauty of Manang village our trail follows the high ridge. This is another vantage point to capture some of the best pictures of Annapurna in your camera, so we encourage you to take some good shots. Our campsite today is a meeting point in between Manang and Tilicho Lake. So there is a likely chance we meet few groups coming from the other side.

Day 15. Trek to Tilicho Base
Today is a short day but challenging. We head up the valley slope before negotiating the series of scree slopes and finally reach our camp site at the base of our tomorrows climb to Tilicho Lake.

Day 16. Trek to Tilicho Lake
We start quite early in the morning to get some of the good pictures. You will be mesmerized by the views of Annapurna, Manaslu and many other mountains that dominate this place. Relatively the climb to Tilicho lakes is not that difficult so you have a little easy day in store for you. Regarded as the highest lake in the world, Tilicho Lakes never fails to capture the eyes of the travelers. This is a place of calmness and the religious site for the Hindus. The Hindus believe that this is the lake that is referred to in the Ramayana where the crow recited the Ramayana to Garuda and where Shiva found solace after the death of his consort Sati. While Tilicho does not hold religious significance for the local Buddhist population, herders often make their way to the lake in search of straying yak. Our camp tonight is on the meadow which is right next to the lake. There are numerous side walking options, except a full circuit of a lake. So feel free to ask your group leader about this and he will give you suggestions.

Day 17. Trek to Meso Kanta pass and to Kharka Camp
The first bit of a walk is uphill with an ascend of nearly 300 meters. Then the trail traverses through couple of ridges and a final uphill push takes us to Meso Kanta pass. From the pass one can have a picturesque view of Dhaulagiri Peak, Nilgiri Peak with the bird’s eye view of the Tilicho Lake. Down in the valley we can also see Kali Gandaki, the deepest gorge in the world. After spending sometime at the pass our trail descends steeply to our camp.

Day 18. Trek to Jomsom
A long ridge descend gradually leads us to Kali Gandaki River and to Jomsom village. For a change we will stay overnight in a lodge.

Day 19. Fly to Pokhara
Fly from Jomsom to Pokhara, depending on our luck with the Jomsom flight. Flights in and out of this tiny mountain airstrip are commonly delayed and we have no way of predicting the length of the delay. Its’s something we just have to live with. With luck we’ll get out the first day. All camp meals at Jomsom are included while waiting. We cannot over emphasize the unreliability of these flights. We have no control over their operation or schedules, and while we devote an enormous amount of time, money, and energy into securing reservations, you should be ready for disappointments, delays and cancellations of Jomsom flights. We may have to try our luck for the next day.

Day 20. Fly to Kathmandu
Early morning fly to Kathmandu. Our office representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to hotel Yak and Yeti. Remaining of the afternoon is at leisure to rest, perhaps catch up on some last minute shopping or enjoy the sightseeing. In the evening if you wish to go for a last night dinner with the group then you are welcome. Stay overnight in hotel Yak and Yeti.

Day 21. Trip concludes (Unless further plans are made)
After breakfast we transfer you to the airport for your flight home.

NEPAL EXTENSIONS

There are a variety of interesting extensions you might choose to add on either before or after your trek. These options include:

Chitwan National Park:
It provides excellent opportunities to view the rare species such as sloth bear, bison, rhinoceros, leopard and the exclusive tiger. Early morning jungle walks and safaris on elephant back are amongst the most popular activities. The jungle lodge can be reached from Kathmandu either by air or by private vehicle.

White Water Rafting:
On the Trisuli or Seti Rivers.

Mount Everest Scenic Flight:
An hour flight departs Kathmandu early morning and provides spectacular views of Mount Everest and the surrounding mountains.

Bhutan:
A five day cultural visit to Paro, Thimpu and Punakha.

Tibet:
A four day visit to Lhasa the capital city of Tibet.

Please contact the Alps in Nepal office if you plan to extend your trip and let us know in advance.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Expert Leadership
Expert leadership is the key to an exciting, unforgettable experience. We have a very good selection of local leaders who are professionally trained and are among the most experienced in Nepal. Who better to look after you than your professional local leader, who speaks the language and knows the culture, intimately? The following people regularly lead this trek:

SANJAY GURUNG: Sanjay is an experienced trek leader who has been in this profession for last sixteen years. Besides trekking all over Nepal he has also led several trips to India and Tibet. His profound knowledge and easy going personality make him an ideal choice to lead treks for Alps in Nepal.

PETER CHETTRI: Peter holds a very good sense of humour and adventurous spirit which has made him an asset to the company. He was born in Nepal and brought up in Sikkim. As a graduate in Arts, he has a good command over both spoken and written English. He has been leading treks with Alps in Nepal for four years. He has done a first aid training specialised in Acute Mountain Sickness. His excellent leadership has always earned a good reputation to the company.

ASHIM SUBBA: Ashim is a travel enthusiast who has always been keen on adventure. He went to the University in Calcutta and holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce. Apart from being fluent in Nepali and English, he also speaks Japanese and has been involved in trekking for last two years. He has completed the first aid training including high altitude medicine. His expertness as a leader is one of the keys to our success.

Why Alps in Nepal is your first choice for Adventure
Alps in Nepal, combines the best of international standards with the deep knowledge of local experts. It offers you services and an experience that surpass those offered by the large international companies; with the reliability that local outfits lack. With over 15 years of experience we have successfully organized tours and treks for several thousand patrons who can testify the unique class of service we offer. Please feel free to ask us about the selection of your trip or for any further information.