Nar Phu Valley Trek 2027: 9-Day Itinerary, Permits, Cost and Best Time

Updated 19 October 2026.

Short answer: Nar Phu is a restricted area on the north side of the Annapurna Circuit, and my plan is 9 days: a drive from Kathmandu to Koto, six walking days through Meta, Phu, Nar Phedi and Nar, then over the Kang La pass (5,320 m) to Ngawal and Pisang, and a drive back. You need a restricted-area permit, a licensed guide, the Annapurna Conservation Area permit and a TIMS card, and we include all of them. For two to four people it costs USD 1,480 Budget, USD 1,905 Standard and USD 2,435 Luxury per person. Best months are March to May and September to November.

I am Shreejan. Nar Phu is one of the places I would send a trekker who has done the Annapurna Circuit or Poon Hill and wants something quieter, tougher and more remote. It is not an easy walk. Here is what the nine days look like, what the permits cost and where the hard parts are.

What is the Nar Phu Valley trek?

Nar and Phu are two remote villages north of the Annapurna Circuit trail. The valley is a restricted area, so far fewer trekkers come here. The trail goes up to Phu, comes back to Nar Phedi and Nar, and then climbs to the Kang La pass before dropping to Ngawal on the Circuit.

What is the 9-day itinerary?

The distances, times and altitudes are the ones on the trip page and are approximate. The hours differ a little between the table and the day text on the page, so I have shown the range. For more on the stops, read my guides to Koto, Phu, Nar Phedi, Nar and the Kang La pass.

How hard is the Kang La pass?

Day 7 is the hardest day. You climb from Nar (about 4,100 m) to the pass at about 5,320 m, a climb of around 1,220 m, then drop about 1,730 m to Ngawal. The itinerary gives 8 to 10 hours. The pass is a little lower than Thorong La on the Annapurna Circuit (5,416 m), but the walk to reach it is longer and the villages are further apart. That is why the plan has a full rest day at Phu, and why I ask about your fitness and the highest you have slept before I say yes.

If you get a headache on the way up, tell your guide. Read AMS, HAPE and HACE on a Nepal trek before you come.

What permits do I need for Nar Phu?

All three are in the price of every tier. Permits need 48 hours in government working days, so I ask for your passport copy within a week of booking. Since 22 March 2026 a solo trekker can take a restricted-area permit through an agency with a licensed guide, so you do not need a partner. For the full list of restricted-area rules, read Nepal restricted-area permits and the Annapurna Circuit permits page.

What does it cost in 2027?

These are the prices on the trip page today, in US dollars per person. The price falls as the group grows.

A solo trekker on Standard has no porter, and the guide carries up to 10 kg of your bag. Kathmandu hotels are not in any tier.

When is the best time to go?

Frequently asked questions

How many days does the Nar Phu trek take? My plan is 9 days from Kathmandu to Kathmandu, with six days on foot.

Do I need a permit for Nar Phu? Yes: a restricted-area permit, the ACAP and a TIMS card. We include all three.

How much is the Nar Phu permit? The official fee is USD 100 a week from September to November and USD 75 a week from December to August.

Can I trek Nar Phu alone? Yes, with an agency and a licensed guide. Since 22 March 2026 there is no minimum group size.

How high is the Kang La pass? About 5,320 m on our itinerary.

Is Nar Phu harder than the Annapurna Circuit? The days are longer, the lodges are simpler and the villages are further apart. I would call it harder, and a good second trek.

Do I need travel insurance? Yes, bought at home, with cover to 5,500 m and helicopter evacuation.

What if the road to Koto is blocked? I check the road before you leave Kathmandu. If it is not safe, I will move your dates, and I will tell you why.

How do payment and cancellation work?

You pay a deposit of 10 per cent to book and the balance when you meet us in Kathmandu, in US dollars or euros, in cash or by card. Cash carries no fee, and card carries a 3.5 per cent bank charge. We cannot take Nepali rupees from foreign guests.

The deposit is non-refundable, and there is no refund if you cancel yourself. I can move your trip free of charge to any date within one year, with at least 7 days notice because this is a restricted area. If we cannot run the trip, we refund what you have paid, less taxes, bank or card charges and any money already spent on your behalf.

What is the next step?

The full trip page is Nar Phu Valley Trek, 9 Days. Message me on WhatsApp on +977 9810351300 with your dates, your group size and the highest you have slept before. I will tell you honestly if Nar Phu suits you.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.