Narphu Valley and Tilicho Base Camp Trek

Trip Duration 21 Nights and 22 Days
Trip Code NAP-NPV -405A
Trip Grade Strenuous and Adventures
Trip Cost Prices on request
Best Time Sept – Nov / March - April

Overview

NNarphu Valley and Tilicho Base Camp Trek takes you to exotic land that has preserved medieval Tibetan culture in its original form as Narphu valley is inhabited by Nepalese Tibetans. Narphu Valley and Tilicho Base Camp Trek is amazing trek takes you to the real Shangrilla via the challenging high passes like Masokanto La (5099m), Kangla pass (5200m) and Tilicho Pass (4949m) picturing dramatic mountain views and great alpine scenery in your eyes.

The Annapurna Narphu valley and Tilicho Lake trek is an ideal trek for those who are ardent to visit remote regions of Nepal beyond the regular trekking routes. It is a camping trek that offers the pictorial landscape of recently opened region of Nar and Phu valley, situated just north of popular Annapurna circuit route. Narphu valley trekking is fully supported camping trek. Trekkers carry only day pack and walk at their own pace. The Nar & Phu valley geography is Trans Himalayan and similar to that of Tibet. Trails are still rugged that has changed little over the years. We spend few days in exploring this remote valley and cross the Kang La pass (5300m) on the way to Manang. Leaving famed Manang we head to Jomsom via the best-kept secret remote trekking route of Mesokantu pass (5099m) and the world’s highest situated outstanding Tilicho Lake (5300m). This trek explores the interesting Nar Phu valley where about 300 inhabitants still depending only on livestock and yak herding for their livelihood exist. Crossing two beautiful but challenging passes and trekking about 4-5 days through Tilicho Lake you will end your trekking in Jomson.

Highlights

  • Kathmandu valley excursion
  • Various ethnic backgrounds, BrahminChettri, Gurung, Manangi, Thakali & Tibetan
  • Ancient Buddhist monasteries and isolated villages of Nar and Phoo
  • The last surviving Shangri-Las
  • Ruined Khampa settlements
  • Nar and Phu valleys are left untouched by modernization
  • Visit Phu village situated on the edge and travel south to Nar village
  • Cross Kangla Pass, east of Chulu east and join main Annapurna trail
  • One of the world's highest Thorong-La
  • Walk through the world's deepest gorge flanked by Annapurna I and Dhaulagiri
  • Lake valley of Pokhara.

Trip Summary

Trip Grade Strenuous and Adventures
Trip Duration 21 Nights and 22 Days
Trip code NAP-NPV -405A
Trip Start/Ends Kathmandu - Besishahar/Jomsom-Pokhara
Maximum Altitude Kang-La (5322m) and Thorong Pass (5416m)
Trip Cost Prices on request
Group Size Minimum 2 upto 16 persons in one group
Accessibillity Drive to Beshishahar to trail-head from Kathmandu and start the trek according to the itinerary, after Thorong-La pass from Jomsom fly back or trek to Pokhara.
The Route Crossing Kang-La [5322m] and Thorong-La Pass [5416m], 5/7-hrs average walking per day, moderate to strenuous trail.
Season Sept – Nov / March - April
Trip Facilities 3+ hotel in city on B/B and best available teahouse/lodge on mountain, camping required for this trek

Itinerary

Upon our arrival in the Tribhuwan International Airport (TIA) in Kathmandu, we will be greeted by a representative from Nepal Adventure Point who will drop us off at our hotel. After checking in, we take a rest or we may also stroll in the streets of Thamel, a tourist hub in Kathmandu for some souvenir shopping. 

Today after breakfast we start a guided tour to several of the most historical and spiritual attractions in Kathmandu. Some of these landmarks are considered World Heritage Sites including the historic Durbar Square, the sacred Hindu temple of Pashupatinath, the famous 'Monkey Temple' (Swoyambhunath) and Buddhist shrine (Bouddhanath) which is one of the largest stupas in the world. At noon, there will be a pre-trip discussion where we can meet our trek leader and other team members. Nepal Adventure Point briefs us regarding our trek as well as provides us an opportunity to ask any questions we may have regarding our upcoming adventure.

After breakfast and leave Kathmandu around 7AM in the morning. We see picturesque views of Nepali countryside, lush greeneries, rivers, villages, farms and mountain vistas en route throughout the drive. After 8-10 hours of drive we reach Jagat via Besishahar. Drive up to Besishahar will most likely be smooth owing to black-topped roads whereas after Besishahar, the roads get dusty and coarse but the scenic view from our windowpane is more than compensating for the bumpy ride.

Upon breakfast, we slowly begin our trek today. The trail from Jagat descends until it reaches the river and then continues through a lush forest. Further ascent leads to sharp-edged cliff facing the riverbank. En-route, Chamje comes into picture amidst the glorious backdrop of towering Annapurna mountain ranges. After crossing a suspension bridge, we climb steeply towards the slippery and physically challenging path to Sattale. On treading along a succession of rock-strewn trails, we descend to a grassy riverbank that leads to Tal. As we walk away from Tal, the path becomes rugged and winding. Then we approach steep forested village of Karte. Meandering along the waterfalls and cliffs, we finally reach Dharapani after crossing a suspension bridge. 

We begin our trek in the morning towards Bagarchhap which takes about one hour passing through pine and fir forests. We can visit the white washed monastery in this village. Then we continue our trek till Danaque which takes about an hour. The trail is steeply ascending up to Timang. We have a good view of Mt. Manaslu and Peak 29 from here. Now the trail continues through pine forests again till Latamarang which takes about one and half hour. We break for lunch here and again resume through forests whereby we have a short glimpse of Annapurna II. Finally we arrive in Koto village. 

In the morning, we register our restricted area permit at the Police Check Post. Then we trek through the River bank of Soti Khola again through wonderful pine forests, streams and suspension and reach Dharmasala. We have our packed lunch on the way. We then continue the trek through forests and ascend steeply towards Meta village. Finally we arrive on the Tibetan Plateau where we have a very good view of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal. 

We start our day traversing up and down and crossing suspension bridges over different streams. After almost 4 hours of trek we reach Kyang where we can see the remnants, particularly the ruined forts of the Khampa settlement (The place which Khampa refugees from Tibet once captured and lived). We further keep walking past the Phu Khola on a rocky trail and finally reach the Phu village in another 3 to 4 hours.

Today is the scheduled acclimatization day whereby we are suggested to rest and get acclimatized with the altitude. As we are in the Lost/Hidden Valley, we can explore the culture, natural diversity, and religious practices of the ethnic groups like Lama, Gurung and Ghale in here. Besides this, we can trace out how people make their survival depending on agriculture, animal breeding and seasonal migrations in such remote location or in the hidden valley. It is also the day for us to explore the Tashi Lakhang Monastery – the old Buddhist Monastery listed out of the 108 world’s great Buddhist Monasteries; it is supposed to be the last monastery constructed by Karmapa Rinpoche. Apart from exploring the cultural avenues of the lost valley, the valley also offers us a great view of Himlung Himal and other snow peaks in the region. 

The trail descends passing many streams and suspension bridges until Mahendra Pul which takes about 4 hours. We pass the high suspension bridge 80m over the Gorge of Lapche River. We have lunch in Mahendra Pul. After lunch, the trail steeply ascends passing many Buddhist stupas until Nar Village which takes about 2 hours. We find several Buddhist Monasteries here to visit coupled with the glorious vistas of Pisang Peak and other small peaks. 

This is the second scheduled acclimatization day for this trek. We spend the day taking a day hike nearby and explore Nar village and have a close look over the local culture and lifestyle. We also prepare for the trek next day. 

Today is adventurous day with long day hike so we get up early in the morning and head to Kangla pass. From pass we can see the Annapurna massif. We further trek down to Ngwal from there. 

From Ngwal, we head for Manang today. We pass through the isolated village of Paugh overlooking the amazing views of Annapurna range. We then move gently uphill to Mungli and then to the main trail of Annapurna Trail at Mungli. We eventually reach Manang, where we set up our camps for overnight stay. 

This day is acclimatization day, which is best spent being active and climbing to higher elevations for views but returning to lower altitudes to sleep. Manang itself is in a spectacular location with many attractions. There are lakes, caves, moraine-hills, monasteries or local activities in town and visit HRA clinic that may be advice for any one going high for trekker’s safety.

After acclimatized at Manang we continue our adventure for Tilicho Lake, from Manang one heads out through the western gates and then one follows the path down to the river. After crossing the Khangsar Khola on the bridge below Khangsar and ascend the slope to the village, a village still in the old Tibetan style and which is also known as last village of Nepal.

Continue from Khangsar on a large path. Pass a Gompa (monastery). The route ahead goes on a recently constructed path up towards a high ridge. At one point is an intersection. One path maintains the altitude, traversing the slopes towards a place where the valley is narrow; the other continues to ascend towards the line of the ridge. The former is the old path, and is much more difficult as it goes on really steep screed; the latter is the new path that goes a completely different way. Continue along the new path, reach a high crest, and descend on switch backs carved out through the screed slopes to a side valley of the main valley. At its bottom is a brook. On the other side of it is a building known as Tilicho Base Camp at elevation of 4200 meters. 

Today our journey start early in the morning around 6 AM as we trying to avoid the wind. From Base camp to the Tilicho lake takes another 3-4 hours. Tilicho Lake is a cold barren place in the afternoon and claimed as highest lake of the world. After we spend some time around Tilicho Lake we will return same way back to Base Camp as there are no any accommodation facilities at Tilicho Lake area.

Note: If trekker's don't want to go Thorong La  pass, then they can set out from lake Tilicho through the pass Mesokanto la directly to Jomsom.

Cost Included

  • Fee: Narphu valley special permit, ACAP entrance permit and TIMS card 
  • Activities: Sightseeing, hiking and trekking trip as per itinerary.
  • Equipment: All necessary camping equipments, kitchen utilize etc
  • Accommodation: 4 nights hotel in Kathmandu, 1 night hotel in Pokhara on twin sharing bedroom and 16 nights at tented/teahouse on mountain. 
  • Food: Full board on camping/teahouse (Breakfast, lunch and dinner) on mountain and 5 breakfast in city. 
  • Staffs: Leader/Guide and supporters and their daily wage, food, and accommodation
  • Transportation: Airport arrival/departure transfer, Kathmandu to Besishahar and Pokhara to Kathmandu transportation.
  • Company & Government’s service charge: All applicable Government taxes & official service charges. And Crew’s, daily wages/salary, food, equipment, air and road-head transportation

Cost Excluded

  • International and local flight
  • Travel/medical insurance coverage personal accidents, medical and emergency Helicopter rescue
  • Personal travel and trekking equipments 
  • All lunch and dinner while in city
  • Items of a personal nature such as normal drinks, hot shower, dessert, laundry, internet and phone call.
  • Expenses occurred due to unavoidable Events i.e. road wrecks, flight delays etc
  • Tips/Gratuities for your trekking crews
  • Temple and Monastery entrance fees
  • Optional activities
  • And unforeseen expenses which are out of control by Nepal Adventure Point

Trip Notes

Please request our Trip Note advice and detailed itinerary.

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