Hiking the Naar Phu Valley

Trip Details

Hiking Trip Summary

Hiking the Naar Phu Valley offers a classic Himalayan trekking experience that reveals both the Nepal of the present and the Nepal of the past. From the bustling, exotic capital of Katmandu to the magnificent slopes of the Annapurna massif, you'll trace the footsteps of the many trekkers who have been drawn to these mountains for decades.  

Initially following the traditional Annapurna Circuit, the route to the Naar Phu valley diverges north, entering a region that was closed to tourism until 2002.  Approaching the border of Tibet, this is a world of raw, unspoiled Himalayan landscapes and ancient ways of life. This is a route of imposing peaks, high passes, tremendous glaciers, narrow canyons, and beautiful forests. 

Life for Nepali Tibetans inhabiting these valleys (currently numbering roughly 300) has changed little in the last few centuries.  Trekking through colorful, remote villages and visiting ancient Buddhist monasteries provides a window to a timeless way of life and enduring culture. 

Itinerary

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Additional Information

SOLO TRAVELERS

If you wish to have your own room in the hotels and your own tent while camping, there is a single supplement charge. If you are traveling alone and would like to share a room, we will match you with a roommate. If a roommate is not available, we will not charge extra for this “forced single.”

INCLUDED

• All accommodations as noted: first-class hotel in Kathmandu, teahouse and camping accommodations during the trek  
• All meals except 2 lunches and 1 dinner
• Private cooking staff on trek
• All group camping and cooking equipment including dining, sleeping, and toilet tents, sleeping bags and pads
• Land transportation, airport transfers as noted
• Entrance fees and permits as described in the itinerary
• Guides: International Mountain Leader and local Nepalese trekking team
• Amazing hiking!

NOT INCLUDED

International airfare, airport departure taxes, 2 lunches, 1 dinner, alcoholic beverages, expenses of a personal nature, optional tipping or gratuities to guides or staff.

LUGGAGE

Once on the trek, your baggage will be transported by mules. Please ensure you have only one main piece of baggage weighing a maximum of 12kg/25lbs, in addition to a daypack. Additional luggage can be stored in your hotel in Kathmandu and will available on your return from the trek. See our sample packing list.

ACCOMMODATIONS AND FACILITIES

During the trip, you will be staying at hotels, teahouses, and camps.

Hotels: 3 nights will be spent in Katmandu. The accommodations in Katmandu will be a 4-star hotel with have private baths.

Tea Houses: 5 nights will be spent in teahouses. These offer simple accommodation on a basic level. Rooms are shared, some with ensuite facilities, some with shared bathrooms. Each bed has a blanket, a bottom sheet and a pillow, though it’s recommended you carry a personal sleeping bag.  As we get to more remote locations, the facilities simplify. There will be a common dining room that serves as a place to relax after hiking and an outdoor sitting area where you can admire the view. Some dining rooms are heated, others not. You can purchase snacks and beverages at the teahouses. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are also served.

Camps: 8 nights will be spent camping. Campsites will consist of personal sleeping tents, a dining tent, cook tent, and shower and toilet tents. Each sleeping tent accommodates 2 persons. The dining tent has a dining table and chairs. Warm water is provided every morning and evening for washing. Toilet tents come equipped with toilet seats. 

Meals:  Breakfasts may include oatmeal, muesli, cornflakes, toast, pancakes, and eggs. Lunches and dinners may include Nepali style food such as soup, rice, dal, chapatis, chicken, curries, and vegetables, as well as more Western foods such as pasta, meat, and potatoes. Snacks and desserts might include fruit, cakes, and cookies. Water, coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are served with meals. Beer and wine are available at the hotel and some teahouses.

TRAVEL

The only international airport in Nepal is Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport, which is located about 3 miles from Katmandu center. Given the long travel time in getting to Katmandu, it's recommended that you arrive a day to two ahead of the trip start.

MEETING POINT

Participants will meet on arrival at Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport for individual transfers to our hotel in Kathmandu. The meeting point for the group will be at the hotel in Kathmandu. 

ENDING POINT

The trip will end after breakfast on the last day, with private transfers back to Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport as needed.

WHO WOULD LIKE THIS TRIP?

This trip provides an exceptional opportunity for anyone who has dreamed of traveling to Nepal and hiking in the Himalayas. It has all the ingredients of a classic trek, from time spent in Kathmandu to staying in teahouses along the legendary Annapurna Circuit, to camping under a star-cluttered Himalayan night sky. The most extraordinary aspect of this trip is sure to be time spent in Naar Phu Valley, a place little intruded-upon by our tech-driven world. 

This trip is rated Strenuous/Strenuous plus. While daily elevation gain and losses may seem moderate, much of the trip takes place over 10,000', with the highest elevation being 17,716'. Needless to say, this is a remote and challenging trip with many rewards. It is essential that participants are in excellent health and physical condition. While every active travel trip has inherent risk, when traveling to remote wilderness locations and at high altitudes, participants should understand that in the event of illness or accident they will not be within ready access to medical attention and facilities (and the level of care, once accessed, may not be to Western standards).   

MORE INFORMATION

Please contact us for a more detailed itinerary, for more information, or to register. We're also happy to supply a list of past participants willing to share insights into this guided Hiking the Naar Phu Valley experience.

Reserving a Trip

All Nepal trips are offered by Live Breathe Hike, an active travel company based in France and owned and operate by Tanya Perret. Tanya has extensive experience leading groups in European Alps, as well as the Himalayas of Nepal. To insure for the best experience possible, Tanya endeavors to speak with all prospect participants.

All registrations, deposits and payments will be handled solely by Live Breathe Hike, and their Terms and Conditions will apply.

For more information and supporting details about these amazing trips, to arrange to speak with Tanya and/or to reserve your spot, we invite you contact Live Breathe Hike.

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