Nar Phu Valley Trek with Annapurna Circuit

Here, your trek to the Annapurna Circuit with Nar Phu Valley will officially start with an exciting and scenic full day's drive from Kathmandu to Tal (1,700m / 5,577ft). You'll have an early breakfast at your hotel before you leave the city around 7am to 8am with your guide and driver in a comfortable private vehicle. This first part of your journey from Kathmandu to Besisahar (760m), where the traditional trek begins, is around 170 to 180km and can take from six to seven hours of driving. You'll pass through the stunning countryside, terraced rice fields and along the Marsyangdi river.

Actually, the drive to Besisahar follows the Prithvi Highway till Dumre Bazaar and then heads north, into the hills. The landscapes you see will transform from the bustling towns and subtropical forests, to spectacular gorges and cascading waterfalls. You'll have several short breaks for tea, photos and refreshments along the way. At Besisahar, you'll swap your private vehicle for a local jeep as you head off onto the rougher mountain road. The drive from Besisahar to Tal is another adventurous one where you'll enjoy wonderful views of the Marsyangdi River, the green hills and the first signs of distant snow capped peaks.

Before you reach Dumre Bazaarr, you will drive through Thankot and Naubise near Kathmandu and begin to follow Trishuli riverside till you get to Mugling Bazaar. You will take right turn from Mugling Bazaar and head towards Pokhara. You will pass Anboo Khaireni and then you will reach Dubre Baazaar. Popular Bandipur nearby by Dumere Bazaar.

Likewise, you should arrive in Tal in the late afternoon or early evening. Tal is a village dramatically situated at the bottom of a sheer cliff face with a lovely waterfall that drops right into the Marsyangdi river. You'll be able to check into your cozy lodge and take a wander around the small village, visit the waterfall and take it all in. The experience of changing from city life to this peaceful, natural landscape is instant and welcome.

In the evening you'll have the chance to relax on your lodge's terrace, have a fantastic meal of local food (Dal Bhat and fresh vegetables), and your guide will give you a briefing about the following trek days.

Stay overnight at a tourist-level lodge in Tal.

This first day of your journey will leave you in good stead for the trekking adventure ahead, with some fun and spectacular driving through a diverse and visually pleasing landscape to meet the first beautiful stage of your trek.

Here, a pleasantly warm and invigorating start to your second day on this majestic Nar Phu Valley with Annapurna Circuit Trek, and your day begins from the gorgeous village of Tal. Enjoy a good and substantial breakfast at the lodge you will have spent the night in, and then at around 7:30 – 8:00am you will begin to set off up the trail for another spectacular day, enjoying the fantastic landscapes that this wonderful region has to offer. From Tal, the path, clearly defined and easily walkable, gradually climbs alongside the raging, booming Marsyangdi river in what is a fantastic way to start your days trekking in what is simply an awesome part of the country.

Likewise, the path winds its way through incredibly narrow, wild gorges, passing through dense, luscious forests and crossing a number of fun, bobbing suspension bridges high over the furious turquoise waters, and you can also find a series of awesome waterfalls cascading down cliffs of rock and at regular intervals. Since the first part of the trail is relatively easy, you can really relax into this, getting used to the environment and making good ground up to a more busy, exciting village by the name of Dharapani (1,960m) after a few enjoyable hours. Here, you guide will efficiently register you with the ACAP permits, and after this, you can have a relaxing tea break and watch the welcoming Gurung people as well as other Tibetan communities go about their daily lives.

You, then, proceed from Dharapani along a lovely trail through the pretty village of Bagarchap where you will stop for lunch. After your rest and a quick re-charge, you then begin to climb steeper toward higher altitudes with the path remaining exciting, but at this point in the trekking, the landscape changes, and the very luscious subtropical forest then develops into pine, oak and rhododendron trees and cooler mountain air. You now begin to get magnificent views of surrounding forests and mountains with snowy peaks at a distance.

After around six hours of excellent trekking, you then arrive in the peaceful old village of Koto (2,610m) later that afternoon. Koto is a village located at a key trail junction, and you will check into your very friendly and comfy lodge where you will then get yourself comfortable. In the evening you can have a brief walk around the stone houses and ancient monasteries nearby, before having an enjoyable dinner beside the fireplace with your guide and fellow trekkers. Your guide will brief you on the hike to Chame for the next day in the evening at the lodge too.

Overnight in a standard tourist tea house at Koto (2,610m).

An incredible day which builds your rhythm for trekking and allows you to experience much more of the wonderful nature and culture of Annapurna.

Today, your trek continues from the peaceful village of Koto to a remote, high-altitude settlement of Meta. You will have a delicious and hearty breakfast at your guesthouse in Koto before you start off at an early hour of 7 to 7:30 am. Today's challenging but rewarding trek involves a lot of ascent as you gain almost 950m over a trekking distance of about 8 hours and this day you will ascend almost 950 meters up the valley side towards Nar Phu.

Here, you will enter the dramatic, narrower valley and your trek begins by winding through dense fir and pine forests, a canopied haven that makes for a peaceful start to the day. After some stretches along the Marsyangdi River, the trail ascends into a side valley leading towards Nar Phu. As the path grows steeper and more rugged with increased elevation, you'll welcome the steady pace of your guide as you enjoy the unspoiled mountain beauty. Along the trail, rhododendron bushes dot charming woods and the path takes you across streams.

Likewise, you'll stop at the tranquil Singenge Dharmasala for tea and snacks, a break that's most welcome. You'll eat a filling lunch at a suitable spot further on and begin to climb again steadily up an increasingly open valley. As the forest thins and you ascend, views of towering snow-capped peaks begin to reveal themselves, particularly of the breathtaking Annapurna II, along with other spectacular peaks like Himlung Himal, etc. The clean, cool mountain air and dramatic landscapes of bare, rocky hills contribute to an ethereal Himalayan panorama.

After a trek of about eight hours, you'll reach the remote settlement of Meta (3,560 m) in the afternoon. You'll check into your cozy but basic teahouse in Meta and after you are settled, you can take a leisurely walk through the traditional stone houses of this mountain village and admire the superb mountain views. Later in the evening, you'll gather by the fireplace in your teahouse and enjoy a delicious and warming meal before your guide briefs you on tomorrow's journey into the Nar Phu valley.

Overnight in a tourist-standard teahouse in Meta (3,560 m).

This demanding but ultimately very rewarding day is your best chance to truly experience the vast, unspoiled natural beauty and culture of the stunning Annapurna region.

Here, your fourth day on the spectacular Nar-Phu Valley trek with Annapurna Circuit brings you to the relatively short yet incredibly rewarding trek from the isolated village of Meta to the historical settlement of Kyang. Following a hot and wholesome breakfast at your comfy lodge in Meta, you will begin your hike around 7:30-8:00 AM feeling refreshed and well acclimatized. With a roughly 260-meter elevation gain over approximately 4 hours, it is a day to pace yourself, appreciate the majestic high-altitude views, and venture further into the restricted and untouched regions of the Nar-Phu Valley.

Leaving Meta, the today’s trek takes you on a slight descent to a river basin, first reaching Nar Phedi after about an hour of smooth walking. From there the path wanders through a broad, impressive Himalayan river valley along the clear, cool Nar Khola. The well-maintained yet uneven trail provides a wonderful mix of steady ascents and descents with occasional rocky patches and narrower sections that make it engaging without being too strenuous. You will also cross a number of small streams via suspension bridges, the blue water rushing below, creating a refreshing environment.

Along the route, you will pass through a number of intriguing historic villages including Chyaku (or Chyakhu), a deserted Khampa settlement consisting of ruined stone forts and ancient walls that offer a glimpse into the history of Tibetan refugees who once inhabited the hidden valley. The trail continues to be relatively consistent, with some stony and dusty terrain, and the views become increasingly awe-inspiring as the arid landscape gives way to spectacular, close-up panoramas of Pisang Peak, Annapurna II and other snow-capped giants against the vast expanse of the bright blue sky.

After stopping for a rejuvenating tea or lunch along the way, it’s a steady climb to Kyang. Finally, after roughly four hours of delightful and cultural trekking, you will reach the calm and exposed settlement of Kyang (3,820 m) in the early afternoon. Here in this historical settlement, characterized by its stone houses and old ruins, you will check into your cosy lodge and relax in the peaceful high-altitude environment.

Actually, the rest of the afternoon and evening will be spent exploring the village and its surroundings, enjoying the breathtaking views and relaxing by the fireplace with a good hot meal. Your guide will brief you on the following days journey to Phu Village.

Overnight stay at a tourist-standard comfortable lodge in Kyang (3,820 m).

A relatively easy and informative trek, this day offers a great balance of trekking and cultural immersion while taking in awe-inspiring Himalayan landscapes.

After another night in a cozy room, and fueling up with a hearty and delicious breakfast, your trekking adventure today starts at 7:30 AM. Today's journey takes you from the historic and relatively established village of Kyang to the very remote and the most striking high-altitude village of Phu, at 4,250 meters (13,943 feet). Gain in altitude will be approximately 430 meters over about 5 hours in this truly untouched and awe-inspiring valley of the Annapurna region.

Actually, the trekking starts off as a gently rising trail leaving the Kyang behind and winding through arid, rocky trails scattered with juniper bushes and weathered mani walls. The path is quite narrow, rugged, and becomes steeper gradually, as it takes you up toward the Phu Khola valley. You will pass through the small and charming settlement of Jhong (3,900m), which retains a traditional stone-house vibe. After Jhong, the trail goes over a series of moderate ascents and descents along the steep and narrow valley of Phu Khola, crossing a few high suspension bridges across the turquoise river.

In fact, today’s most important aspects of the day are the unfolding of spectacular vistas of the high Himalayan peaks, which will make the trek a once in a lifetime experience. During today’s trek you’ll get a panoramic view of mighty peaks like Pisang Peak (6092m), Annapurna II (7,937m) and Gangapurna (7,455m). The starkly beautiful starkly and dramatic Himalayan panorama includes the stunning view of snow-capped Himlung Himal (7,126m) and others that dominate the Northern Himalayas.

Following a short break for a hot tea with local snacks and lunch, you will eventually start the final ascent towards Phu. The trail gradually gets steeper as you enter a narrow valley, which soon opens up to a wider alpine valley. And after about five hours of trekking, you reach the extremely picturesquely perched high mountain village of Phu, located at 4,250m, in the early afternoon.

After checking in at the cozy, but rather simple guest house, you will have time in the afternoon to visit the ancient Phu monastery and traditional stone houses and take in the rich Tibetan Bon culture of the villagers. After a delicious and hot dinner in the evening, your guide willBrief you regarding the day activities of the next day over by the warm fireplace in the evening.

Overnight stay at comfortable tourist-standard lodges in Phu (4,250m)

Day six on this wonderful trek in the Nar-Phu Valley will be spent in gaining some essential acclimatisation time at the considerable altitude of Phu. After a good nights rest in the comfortable lodge, you will awoken to the awe-inspiring, snow-capped Himalayan giants bathed in the soft glow of the morning sun. You will start your day with a relaxing and satisfying breakfast, and the entire day is taken at a leisurely and unhurried pace, ensuring that your body has time to happily acclimatise to the thinning air while still allowing you to experience and enjoy this fantastic environment.

In late morning, your guide will take you for an easy, short 2-hour exploration of the ancient village of Phu, on a gently undulating, relatively flat trail which is ideal for getting used to the altitude. You will first be able to visit the impressive and ancient Phu Monastery (Tashi Lhundrup Monastery), which is one of the most sacred monasteries of the region. Inside this perfectly preserved gompa you will be able to admire stunning ancient mural paintings, statues of Guru Rinpoche and exquisite thangka paintings, while at the same time understanding more of the deeply entrenched Tibetan-Bon Buddhist religion of this secluded and remote valley.

From the monastery, you will have superb 360 degree views of the soaring Himlung Himal (7,126 m), Pisang Peak (6,092 m) and the massive white-blanketed faces of Annapurna II (7,937 m) that dramatically surround the settlement.

Following your visit to the monastery, you will take a gentle wander through the beautiful and traditional stone-built houses of Phu and be able to observe the ways in which the locals have adapted to life at high altitude. The village sits dramatically on the edge of a ridge and the views outward are spectacular, 360 degree perspectives of barren, desolate terrain, steep gorges and the stark and icy peaks that sit as the crown on this ancient kingdom.

Also, you can expect to visit a few local chortens and mani walls that are draped with colourful, prayer flags that ripple in the crisp mountain air. Being at an easy, unhurried pace ensures that you will have ample opportunity for both rest and photograph taking and will really have time to absorb and appreciate the tranquil and holy atmosphere of this remote settlement in the Himalayas.

In the afternoon, you are free to rest back at the lodge and perhaps read a book or sit by the window in the warm sunshine and admire the stunning and unforgettable mountainous surroundings. In the evening, you will enjoy a hearty and delicious hot meal using locally sourced produce, and share your stories with your guide beside a roaring, open fire.

Overnight stay at comfortable tourist standard lodge in Phu (4,250 m).

This thoughtful day dedicated to acclimatisation not only ensures that your body can adjust at a safe and proper rate, but also allows you to soak in the culture and incredible scenery of this magnificent remote location.

Here, your seventh day on this amazing Nar-Phu Valley expedition will be a truly scenic downward hike from the Remote High Altitude settlement of Phu back to Nar Phedi. After enjoying a restful and energizing breakfast in your cozy lodge at Phu (4,250 m), you'll commence your trek at approximately 07:30 hrs. Though this is predominantly a descending day, you will gain the advantage of an approximate drop of 760 meters during a mix of gentle downs and steep climbs over a span of about 6 hours.

Actually, this is indeed a fun and exhilarating trail to begin with, as you descend from Phu village into a steep and narrow gorge along the Phu Khola. Here the expansive views of Himlung Himal (7,126m), Pisang Peak (6,092 m) and Annapurna II (7,937 m) with their imposing and glaciated walls dominate the views for quite a long duration against the bright blue sky. The defined but rough and dusty trail has a couple of interesting loose-stone descents and sharp drops. Several fun suspension bridges over the fast-flowing turquoise river lie ahead.

As you hike down, the arid rocky terrain will give way and you'll find yourself traversing the medieval settlement of Kyang (3,820m) once again. 

Here you can enjoy a refreshing tea break and explore the ancient stone houses and ruins again. Further on the trail you will trace a series of easy ups and downs through wide valleys that are marked with juniper bushes and ancient Mani walls. 

Being in warmer air and with more oxygen due to the lower altitude, you'll experience more energy and joy from the mesmerizing views that unfold, characterized by red cliffs and white snow covered peaks in the background.

After a fulfilling lunch at a riverside vantage point you'll have a more relaxed final stretch toward Nar Phedi. After an approximate 6-hour beautiful downward hike you'll reach the quiet settlement of Nar Phedi (3,490 m) by mid-afternoon. Situated at the confluence of the Nar and Phu valleys, Nar Phedi exudes an aura of tranquility amidst the spectacular mountain panorama.

Upon arrival at the guesthouse you'll check in and then have the rest of the afternoon and evening free. You can enjoy time on the terrace, visit the local chortens, or simply absorb the atmosphere of this tranquil high-altitude village. Savor a hot delicious dinner while your guide updates you about the trek to Nar Village that awaits you on day 8.

Overnight at a comfortable tourist standard lodge at Nar Phedi (3,490 m).

In conclusion, this enjoyable descending day offers you a welcome respite from high altitude while you continue to feast your eyes upon the sublime scenery of the Himalayas from a different perspective, deepening your connection to the magical Nar-Phu region.

Actually, day eight of this stunning Nar-Phu Valley trek with Annapurna Circuit is a shorter yet rewarding hike to the historic village of Nar. Following a restful night and a delicious, energizing breakfast at your lodge in Nar Phedi (3,490 m), you’ll set off around 8:00-8:30 AM. With an elevation gain of roughly 620 meters over only two hours, today’s trek offers a comfortable and gentle climb, allowing you to absorb the dramatic scenery without the strenuous effort often associated with high-altitude hiking.

Here, the trail begins immediately with a steep, but well-defined, ascent out of Nar Phedi, winding through arid slopes and rocky terrain dotted with juniper bushes and resilient alpine vegetation. As you climb, the pathway grants panoramic, close-up views of surrounding snow-capped peaks such as Annapurna II (7,937 m), Pisang Peak (6,092 m), and the impressive Himlung Himal (7,126 m), towering majestically against the crystal-clear Himalayan sky. The dramatic red and brown cliffs of the valley contrast vividly with the brilliant white snow, creating a truly breathtaking panorama.

As this day is relatively short, you’ll be able to maintain a relaxed pace, breathing in the crisp mountain air and savoring the spectacular vistas that unfold with every step. The trail remains generally rocky and dusty with a few steep switchbacks but is safe to navigate. You’ll come across various ancient mani walls, chortens, and prayer flags that add a deep spiritual dimension to the journey. As you gain altitude, the wide Nar Valley slowly reveals itself, showcasing the traditional stone-built houses of Nar Village set against the rugged mountain backdrop.

After approximately two hours of this beautiful and scenic climb, you’ll reach the historically rich village of Nar (4,110 m) by late morning. Upon arrival in this timeless village, renowned for its distinctive Tibetan-style architecture, ancient monasteries, and welcoming local people, you’ll check into your comfortable lodge. The rest of the afternoon will be free for you to explore the village in detail, including the ancient Nar Monastery and the narrow, cobbled alleyways lined with traditional homes. Take time to relax in the peaceful high-altitude atmosphere and simply be present.

In the evening, you can relax on the lodge’s terrace and soak in the breathtaking mountain panorama, enjoy a warm, delicious dinner, and listen as your guide briefs you on the upcoming adventure.

Overnight in a standard tourist guesthouse in Nar (4,110 m).

In conclusion, a short but incredibly rewarding day that offers great acclimatization and an authentic experience of the remoteness and beauty of the Nar Valley.

Actually, it is on your 9th day of this extraordinary Nar-Phu Valley trekking tour that we finally reach and settle in at Nar village. Known for its ancient culture and timelessness, it is a quaint settlement sitting comfortably at an elevation of 4,110m. After a quiet night at your well-chosen lodge, you can wake up to the sight of golden morning light painting the grand Himalayan peaks that encompass this charming valley. Enjoy a relaxed breakfast at your accommodation while admiring the stunning views, and allow yourself a gentle pace to acclimatise and explore the secrets of this remote and beautiful hamlet.

In the late morning, your guide will lead you on a 3-hour, gentle stroll around Nar village. The path is fairly flat and slightly undulating, providing the ideal pace for acclimation. During this leisurely walk, you will visit the magnificent Nar Monastery, one of the most ancient and significant Buddhist gompas in the region. You'll get to admire exquisite, centuries-old murals depicting the lives of Buddhist figures, ancient statues and wonderfully painted thangkas. The monastery also provides panoramic views over the imposing Annapurna II (7,937m), Pisang Peak (6,092m), and Himlung Himal (7,126m), that stand tall above the village.

As you continue, you'll weave through the narrow cobblestone pathways of the village, flanked by traditional stone houses with flat roofs, and beautifully decorated with prayer flags that flutter cheerfully in the crisp mountain breeze. You can also explore other, smaller monasteries and chortens scattered around Nar village, and learn about the peculiar Tibetan-Bon Buddhist traditions still practised here. Because the walk is not demanding in any way, you will have enough time to relax, take photos, and absorb the spiritual atmosphere of this hidden gem in the Himalayas.

Likewise, the afternoon will be spent at leisure, resting at your lodge, enjoying the sunshine on the terrace, or simply watching the awe-inspiring mountains while sipping a cup of hot tea. Enjoy another warm and delicious meal prepared with local ingredients for dinner, and perhaps share stories and experiences with your guide and fellow trekkers by the roaring fireplace.

Overnight stay at a comfortable tourist-standard lodge in Nar (4110m).

In conclusion, this day spent relaxing, and leisurely discovering the village will help your body to acclimatize efficiently at this altitude, while allowing you to discover the cultural and natural beauty of Nar, and build unforgettable memories to cherish.

Today, your tenth day on the Nar-Phu Valley trek with Annapurna Circuit will undoubtedly be one of the most demanding yet awe-inspiring days of the entire adventure as you will be crossing the stunning Kang La Pass (5,320m/17,454ft) before descending to the beautiful village of Ngawal. Following an early and hearty breakfast in your cozy Nar (4,110 m) lodge, you will set off from Nar village at around 6:00–6:30 AM for what promises to be a challenging yet spectacular trek spanning over nine hours. This day involves more than 1200 meters of uphill ascent, followed by an equally challenging steep descent.

Starting from Nar village, you will climb a steadily steep, rugged path through rocky terrain and barren terrain covered in juniper shrubs, enjoying increasingly panoramic views of Annapurna II (7,937 m), Pisang Peak (6,092 m), and Himlung Himal (7,126 m). You will trek continuously uphill for about three hours before reaching the high-altitude pastureland, Kang La Phedi (also known as Jhombu Kharka), which is traditionally used as a yak grazing area and from where you will stop for some warm tea, while watching yaks grazing peacefully and enjoying breathtaking scenery.

From Kang La Phedi, the ascent will continue but at an ever-steeper rate, requiring focus on steady breathing in the thin altitude and careful navigation on the path made rocky with switchbacks and loose rocks. After about two and a half hours of strenuous climb, you will reach the pinnacle of Kang La Pass (5,320 m) and be rewarded with truly incredible 360-degree views of the entire Annapurna range-including Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, Pisang Peak, and numerous other colossal peaks-that seem to stretch infinitely under the bright Himalayan sky. This moment at the summit is beyond exciting and spiritually uplifting.

After savoring the view at the pass and capturing some memorable shots, you will make a descent for about three hours back down to Ngawal. The downhill path, initially a steep and rocky track, eventually transitions into more of a green alpine terrain and pines forest, leading you back to the famous Annapurna Circuit trail. Finally, after trekking for nearly nine hours, you will reach the serene village of Ngawal (3,600m/11,811ft) in the late afternoon. You will check in to a comfortable tourist-standard lodge here, spend your evening enjoying great views of the Annapurna range from its terrace over a hot meal, and discuss the day's extraordinary trek with your guide.

Overnight stay at a comfortable tourist-standard lodge in Ngawal (3,600m).

In conclusion, this exceptionally demanding day offers a majestic transition from the isolated Nar-Phu valley into the familiar yet enchanting sceneries of the Annapurna Circuit.

Today you take an enjoyable walk from Ngawal (3660m), a tranquil village, to Manang (3540m). It is about 8 km and 4 hours walk. The walk will be mainly down and slight ups, initially downhill through flat fields and barren land giving a full view of Annapurna, Gangapurna, and Tilicho peaks at your right hand side. After leaving Ngawal you reach the picturesque old stone house village of Braka (there are nice teahouses with monastery and local people serving hot drinks). The path is wide, safe to walk and not challenging, even at high altitude.

Moving ahead you will see barren wide valleys, rocky mountain ranges, and snowy peaks in front. The strong cold wind will be blowing, the path will be taking you gradually towards the amazing Manang valley. Teahouses at Braka and Manang offer clean rooms, hot meals and best care to the trekkers.

Here, you finally arrive at a bustling town of Manang which has a pleasant place to acclimatize, bakeries, shops and marvelous views.

In conclusion, the walk on this day is shorter and easy for the body to adapt to the altitude. It also allows you to see the beauty of the Annapurna region closely in an enjoyable way.

Today on day 12 you trek from Manang, at 3540 m, to Yak Kharka, at 4110 m, over a distance of approximately 7 km and will take you about 5 hours. After leaving Manang the trail continues to ascend slowly, passing by the tiny village of Tengi, characterized by its lovely stoned house and a beautiful monastery, but it is mainly the proximity of Annapurna II, Annapurna III, Gangapurna and the massive icefall of Gangapurna Glacier that will attract your attention. 

In fact, most of the trail is a continuous uphill on a rather wide and well maintained rocky path and includes some small steep portions, through open alpine meadows and juniper bushes where the yaks peacefully graze. 

In Tengi and on your way to Yak Kharka there are teahouses where you can stop for a warm cup of tea and a quick lunch and a rest and due to the very dry high altitude air the mountain views are stunning through out the entire day.

As you gain elevation the landscape becomes more and more barren and rugged and you feel surrounded by snowy and rocky peaks. You will be able to feel a great sense of space in the Annapurna region and since the trail remains relatively easy with few technically difficult portions and excellent for acclimatisation the trek from Manang to Yak Kharka is considered as an ideal acclimatization day.

Finally you arrive to Yak Kharka, a small and peaceful high-altitude settlement consisting of just few cosy teahouses where the rooms and food are quite simple but more than warm and the locals are very friendly.

On Day 13, you start trekking from Yak Kharka at 4110 m to Thorong Phedi at 4600 m. This 6km stretch will take about 4 hours, as you steadily climb and deal with several short but steep sections of path. Your trek begins with a gradual ascent through barren, open, rocky meadows and sparse juniper scrub, leading past Letdar at 4200m, where a brief respite is available in rudimentary teahouses offering hot tea, a basic meal and warm companionship amid stunning panoramic views across to Annapurna III, Gangapurna glacier, Chulu East and the gigantic, snow-clad mountains guarding the high valley. The terrain becomes steeper with loose stones and occasional exposed sections but always stays a clear, visible path, allowing you to admire spectacular mountainous landscapes, endure the increasingly biting, cold winds and feel truly immersed in the heart of the Himalayas with the few trees replaced by vast, barren slopes all around. 

Crossing two streams, you traverse more alpine pastures with resting yaks, eventually reaching Thorong Phedi. This lonely, sparsely built settlement comprises just a few small stone structures, providing warm beds, a good, hearty meal and readily available clean drinking water in a friendly setting for weary hikers ready for the following day's ascent over the Thorong La Pass.

A day of constant, but moderate, altitude gain that prepares your body efficiently for higher elevations and allows you to soak up the wild grandeur of the upper Manang region in serene peace.

Start at 4 am from Thorong Phedi (4600m) to Muktinath (3710m) via Thorong La Pass (5416m). This is around 16 km long trekking for approximately 9 hours. You will begin trekking steep uphill through rocky, dusty and uneven trail which will continue all the way to the High Camp at 4800m where many trekkers stay overnight and from here the path continue climbing constantly across bare landscape with gravels and scree slopes. You can observe magnificent view of sunrise over the Annapurna range, Chulu peaks, and beyond, the great Manang valley at your back as the strong mountain wind blow hard keeping you alert. Here in High Camp, teahouses offer hot tea and quick breakfast before pushing for the top.

Upon reaching Thorong La Pass at 5416m, the top most point of the trek, you will be greeted by an extraordinary 360-degree panoramic views of magnificent snowy peaks in the world; Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Thorong Peak, with landscapes of the Tibetan plateau. After celebrating with many prayer flags fluttering on the Thorong La pass, the trail dramatically change to the long steep downhill path on rough rocky sections and switchbacks that will challenge your knees. The surrounding land gradually turns from the dry alpine desert into verdant Kali Gandaki valley as you descend more than 1600m down.

Finally reach to the sacred town of Muktinath and observe the famous temple, natural gas fire, sacred water springs and settle down at a clean teahouse or a hotel offering comfortable beds, nourishing meal and warm shower which relieve all your tiring efforts on this rewarding day.