Types of accommodation and food en route to the Nar Phu Valley
Like most of the high-altitude trekking destinations in Nepal, the Nar Phu Valley Trekking Route also offers descent-type mountain lodges and teahouses. Although the quality of these houses can vary a lot depending on the elevation, the facilities tend to be limited at higher altitudes; they are usually comfortable enough to take a rest for the night.
Usually, rooms are shared among two trekkers, consisting of two separate wooden beds, mattresses, bed linens, pillows, and blankets. The host of the tea house or local lodge serves you typical Nepalese-Tibetan meals. International dishes might be uncommon in more remote and highly elevated areas.
Nonetheless, anticipate the basic food and accommodation in the trekking trail to Nar Phu Valley, which are essential factors for the raw Himalayan tea house trekking acquaintance, simple yet the most suitable and reliable to complete the overall adventure journey to the Nar Phu Valley.
Good thing all lodging and meals during the trek are included in the trip cost, so all you have to do is make the most of this 12-day Nar Phu Valley expedition.
The best time to embark on Nar Phu Valley
A trip to Mustang’s unique area in the less-traveled remote spot of the Annapurna region of Nepal is suitable at any time of year. Each of the four distinct seasons of Mustang provides its travel and trekking aspirants with something new to explore, including unique topography, scenery, and local festivals and celebrations.
As the overall trekking to the Nar Phu Valley falls under the trans-Himalayan region of the Nepalese Himalayas behind the gigantic peaks, it rarely observes rainfall and hence is the best summer/monsoon adventurous trekking destination along with the spring and autumn.
Guides and porters to trek Nar Phu Valley
The passage to Nar Phu Valley lies under the Nepal government’s list of restricted areas, and hence it is not possible to enter the land without a government-registered and trained guide.
To go and traverse this highly protected Himalayan valley of Nepal, guide, who have to be assisted by fluent English-speaking. Rest assured, with Ammonite Adventure, you will be in safe hands.
We operate under a strict guide and porter policy where our guides are there to navigate the route for trekkers, and porters are allowed to carry a maximum of 30 kg of luggage. We request all adventurers and travelers to respect the guidelines concerning the safety and security of the heroes of the Himalayas, guides, and porters.
Permits and fees to visit Nar Phu Valley
For the Nar Phu Valley 16-day trek, you will need three different permits, which are obtainable from NTB, TAAN, and several locally based trekking and travel agencies under the governance of the concerned authorities. Which are:
TIMS (Trekkers Information Management System) Card
The standard permit regulated by the Nepal government itself to keep the database of the trekkers for safety and security purposes is the TIMS card to provide necessary aid in case of any sort of emergency occurrence.
How much you will be charged for the TIMS card depends on the nationality of the trekkers trekking the Nar Phu Valley, which is:
- NPR 600 for SAARC citizens for solo trekking, which will cost NPR 300 on the group price.
- NPR 2,000 for all the tourists per person, which comes to NPR 1,000 on a group trip.
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
The permit that was issued precisely to conserve the Annapurna region is the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit. As the Nar Phu Valley trekking route also passes by several trails under this protected land, you will have to get this permit as well, which is:
- NPR 100 if you are a Nepalese trekker.
- NPR 1500 for people who are SAARC nationals
- NPR 3,000 for all foreigners
Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit RAP)
The special permit that grants you entry to the restricted territory of the Mustang region, Nar Phu Valley, is the restricted area permit, whose cost varies depending upon the season of travel, as given below:
In the prime trekking season of autumn and spring, USD 100 per person enters for the first seven days and USD 15 per person per day beyond one week.
In the winter and summer, it costs USD 75 per person for a week and USD 15 per day for each extra day after the first week.
Nar Phu Valley Trek Difficulty and acute mountain sickness
The adventurous expedition to the Nar Phu Valley is taken as a moderately challenging teahouse trekking involvement within the Annapurna region of Nepal. A perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, suitable for each trekker, whether they are a beginner or a well-experienced trekker seeking an authentic journey of a lifetime.
The Kang La and Thorong La Pass is slightly tiresome yet the most rewarding section of our 16-day Nar Phu Valley itinerary, where the high altitude can lead to the spotting of symptoms of acute mountain sickness. Hence, as your trustworthy trekking companion, we request trekkers and adventurers to not skip acclimatization days, explore the highly elevated areas during the day, and descend back to the lower region to let their bodies adapt accordingly.
Most of the trekking sessions are above 3,000m in rocky terrain with few steep ascents and descents; therefore, advanced physical preparedness is recommended a month before the Nar Phu Valley trek departing days, along with the acquaintance of local professional guides.
Trekking group/single
The Nar Phu Valley Trek is a trip into one of Nepal's most secluded and pristine areas. It is open to both solo travelers and groups. Whether you prefer the liberty of solo travel or the camaraderie of a group trek, we are capable of tailoring the trek for you.
If you have your group, we provide you with group discounts. It is such a wonderful way to save while venturing together. Please note that these discounts are only for groups you bring; they are not for the ones organized by Ammonite Adventure.
We are ready to work with any group, no matter how big. For a group of 12 or more trekkers, we will provide you with an assistant guide for additional support. Each pair of trekkers will have a porter to share, and the weight limit for each trekker's load is 9 kg. The Nar Phu Valley route is a combination of long days and high passes, so if everyone is carrying light luggage, the trek will be more comfortable.
Who Can Do This Trek
This trek is suitable for intermediate and advanced trekkers, but beginners can also do it with good preparation. You should have a good fitness level, as you will walk long hours and cross high passes above 5,000m. Regular walking, light hiking, and basic stamina are enough if you prepare well before the trek.
How to Reach Nar Phu Valley Trek Starting Point
The trek usually starts with a drive from Kathmandu to Jagat (1,300m) by jeep or local bus. The road is partly smooth and partly rough, especially after Besisahar. An alternative route is to drive to Koto or start from the Annapurna Circuit trail.
A Typical Day on Nar Phu Valley Trek
A normal trekking day includes 5–7 hoursof walking through villages, forests, and mountain trails. You will have three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner) at tea houses. The trail offers a mix of nature, culture, and mountain views, making each day different and interesting.
Extra personal expenses on Trekking
Our trek package Nar Phu Valley will largely cover your on-trip expenses; however, there are still some costs that you will have to pay out of your pocket. Meals and lodging in Kathmandu are not included in the package, and you will have access to a large selection of accommodations ranging from budget lodges to luxury hotels.
You can do the booking online before coming here. Moreover, you will also need your own money for expenses like food and accommodation in Kathmandu, Nepal, visa fees, the travel insurance you purchased, snacks, hot drinks, bottled water, cold beverages, crew tips, and souvenirs.
It's best if you bring cash in a few major foreign currencies and then exchange it for Nepali Rupees either in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you start the trek. The Nar Phu Valley area is very far from the city - there are no ATMs and only Nepali Rupees are accepted in the villages.
Our professional, certified trekking leaders and porters will accompany Trekkers who know these paths better than anyone else. We assign one porter for every two trekkers, with the shared load not exceeding 18 kg. If you want a porter all to yourself, just let us know beforehand.
Our guides and porters hail from the high Himalayan villages and are completely acclimatized to high-altitude trekking. We make sure they get paid well and are provided with insurance, food, clothing, accommodation, and medical support when necessary. Their health and well being is our highest priority.
Our trek leaders have:
- Certification for first aid in the wilderness
- A Trek Guide License from the Nepal Government
- English fluency and other languages that can be of help
- Knowledge of cultural, historical, and natural aspects of the region
- Good storytelling skills to present the local heritage of the region
- Great interaction with people from different countries coming for trekking
- Ability to Solve Emergency Situations
- Strong skills in planning and organizing
- They are good at cheering up for Hard Times Walk with a little Humor
- Client Need Awareness
Booking and Payment
Ammonite Adventure is a registered company with the Nepal Government and is a contributing member of TAAN & NMA.
At the time of booking, a deposit of 10% is required via Bank transfer, Western Union, or an online payment method; the rest of the payment can be settled in Nepal either by cash, card, or bank transfer.
Email us a copy of your passport (for yourself and any dependants), your most recent passport-sized photographs, proof of travel insurance, and lastly your flight details, no later than one week after booking.
Last-minute Booking
Last-minute bookings for the Nar Phu Valley trek are allowed. However, the complete payment of the price needs to be made at least 24 hours before departure.
Due to the remote trek, special permits are required for this trek; there may be difficulties administering paperwork and transportation, and the weather may affect the availability for this trek at last minute.