Every year, thousands of trekkers come from all over the globe to rekindle their spirit of adventure that has lured them to Nepal’s Himalayas. Nationally well-known routes, including Everest Base Camp (EBC), flow in much larger volumes of trekkers arriving from all over the globe who desire to take pictures from the same coveted point where thousands of other trekkers have already captured their remarkable photos.
Nevertheless, as we experience increased volumes of trekkers, we also experience sea-like toxicities, which severely impede one’s enjoyment; or as it relates to trekking, we experience, overcrowding and displacement of rushed trekking itineraries, as reign as altitude sickness, or injuries, or death along the dangerous trail (and area surrounding the base camp) of Everest.
If you’re looking to experience similar scenic thrills, and hazard excludes all troubling, harmful experiences, I highly recommend the Nar Phu Valley Trek, and it sits on the cusp of being one of Nepal’s best-approved alternative trekking experiences. Home to some fiendish barren lands and isolated places, the Nar Phu Valley Trek lies entirely within the Annapurna region of Nepal, and will provide the Himalayan scenery that will awaken your senses; and offer you a Tibetan cultural experience, ancient villages, and the feeling of real wilderness adventure without the innumerous challenges of mass tourism.
A journey back in time
The trek began at Koto, where there were a few incomplete lodges beside Chame. Everything changed in the moment I stepped off the Annapurna Circuit and into the restricted Nar Phu Valley. The trail became quiet and wilder, and I felt like I was plunging deeper into the mystery often echoed in the Himalayas. The pines dwindled to canyons, and the old paths on the steep faces of sandstone cliffs started to evoke a sense of time-travel.
You will see a stone house clinging to cliffs, bright prayer flags taut and waving in the wind, and monasteries which have seen centuries of local history and which can tell you stories. The local people, also all of Tibetan descent, have maintained their ancient lifestyles of farming, yak herding, and weaving.
For travellers whose intent is to culturally explore and discover, an experience with these communities provides much richer stories than the nature-lovers option of simply walking (with a guide) from lodge to lodge while being lectured to by your guide. Travellers are always amazed when they find themselves welcomed with tea made from yak butter in someone’s home.
The hidden villages
The first major highlight was Phu village – without a doubt, the most stunning and remote village I have yet to visit. It felt like a cluster of stone houses, surrounded by monster cliffs on all sides. It had a Tibetan temple, the Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, which had been blessed by Guru Rinpoche, an 8th-century tantric master. It was amazing to see the monks going through their daily rituals in such a remote part of the world.
Himlung Himal and the base camp
For me, one of the high moments on my journey so far was the side trek to Himlung Himal Base Camp (4900m). The view of Mount Himlung (7126m) — a great bulk and massive plinth — standing like a giant watchman was stunning. And the fact that so few people manage to come this far made it extra special. There were no words to describe the beautiful quietude of the environment, apart from the sounds of wind and distant yak bells. It was as if I had a private audience with the mountains.
The day we trekked over Kang La Pass (5320m) was perhaps the most draining and rewarding day. Up before sunrise, we made our way hiking up steep snowy slopes, under twinkling stars. When we reached the top, the Annapurna range was laid out in front of me, including Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and many other nameless giants. It was one of those moments that leave you completely humbled.
Walking down into Ngawal village, I again felt like I was entering a civilised area, whilst I still carried the raw and untouched essence of Nar Phu Valley within me.
As Dr. Buddha Basnyat from the Himalayan Rescue Association says to trekkers, ” altitude sickness does not discriminate. Remember that fitness does not equal safety; it is respect for the mountains and listening to your body that keeps you safe.”
Stunning natural beauty
Trekkers in Nar Phu Valley will be treated to some of the most spectacular Himalayan scenery imaginable: jagged peaks, deep canyons, glacial rivers, and wide, high-altitude plateaus. You are enveloped by views of Annapurna II, Gangapurna, Tilicho Peak, and all the other snow-encrusted giants that you swarmed to view.
During the process of experiencing the foreign mountain landscapes, trekkers traverse several exciting suspension bridges, pass old mani stones with blessings carved into them, and go through deep gorges that could all add adrenaline junky to the adventurous trekker’s resume.
In shortage of better descriptors and would be applicable as no offense intended: Instead of a big flock of trekkers headed to Everest, receiving fatigue, congestion, and scheduling that has led to previous incidents (accidents), the tranquility in Nar Phu helps trekkers decide their own pace in How they progress on their trek.
My experienced guide, Mingma Sherpa, told me on Everest that, “there is no failure in going down. It doesn’t matter if you are at the XYZ summit, the mountain doesn’t care about how much you paid to get there, it only cares about your health.”
This applies in all Himalaya trek venues, yet you would encounter the chances of being overwhelmed or rushed are less likely in trek settings such as Nar Phu.
A true off-the-beaten-path experience
Things that make Nar Phu truly special are the remoteness of the trek. To trek in Nar Phu Valley, you need a special permit. There are fewer visitors here, meaning the valley is kept in pristine condition. Nar Phu’s remoteness makes it perfect for trekkers who want to escape the increasing commercialisation on the Everest and Annapurna circuits.
You won’t find upscale lodges and expensive bakeries, or wifi cafes. You can instead expect a truly simple tea house, a warm fire, and some good human interaction. This is what adventure is all about for so many adventure seekers: the ability to see nature and culture at its most real.
Conclusion
The growth in adventure tourism in Nepal means that Nar Phu Valley is exactly what more and more experienced trekkers are looking for: a genuine culture, real adventure, tranquillity, solitude, and organic beauty. Nar Phu offers fewer trekkers, silence, and space, and dramatic, breathtaking, soul-refreshing beauty. This trek can help remind us of why we go to the mountains: not to race to see the sights, but to reconnect with nature, reconnect with culture, and reconnect with ourselves.
If you are interested in veering from the tourist trail in Nepal and experiencing some untouched beauty and magic in Nepal, Nar Phu is likely to be the best trek that nobody knows about.
