Nar Phu to Upper Mustang Trek via Teri-La Pass - 25 Days

Meet our airport representative and get transferred to the hotel in the center of Kathmandu after your arrival at the Tribhuwan International Airport.

Check-in at the hotel and have a rest. Spend the rest of the day at your own. 

After breakfast at the hotel, there will be a half-day guided tour to the famous and important places of Kathmandu that are listed on UNESCO World Heritage such as Pashupatinath Temple - most sacred Hindu site, Boudhanath - the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal, Kathmandu Durbar Square - a former royal palace, and Swayambhunath Stupa/Temple - famous as Monkey Temple.

We will start early for our scenic drive from Kathmandu along the Trishuli and Marshyangdi Rivers, to the starting part of our trek on the Annapurna circuit. Driving along the newly built Annapurna road, we reach the cobbled village of Jagat, situated on a shelf that comes out into the precipitous Marshyangdi valley by the evening. 

Overnight. 

Hiking further north along the new dirt road for a short while we climb up slowly, looking across the river to large waterfalls plummeting from the steep canyon walls, and reach the newly-bustling Chamje. Descending to the Marshyangdi River, we cross a long suspension bridge and then start the steep climb towards Tal, the first village of the Lower Manang region.

Another half an hour of walking on the pebbled riverbed and also above it, we climb on rock steps built into the cliff-side to yet another bridge and cross the Marshyangdi again on another suspension bridge. Soon we reach Dharapani, a distinctive and typical Tibetan village with prayer flags fluttering in the wind.

Overnight. 

Trekking northwards on the main Annapurna Circuit trail; we will soon arrive at a long suspension bridge over the Marshyangdi River. We carry on with the climb through the pine and oak forests and pass through the settlements of Bagarchapp and Timang. Heading back down through the Timang village, we descend to the valley bottom, turn left and reach Koto Kyupar, our base for the trek up to Nar Phu. 

Overnight. 

We start early as we have a long and somewhat difficult day before us. Just past the check post, we take the long suspension bridge to cross the river. Then, we will be walking to the Nar Phu valley and hike up through beautiful woods above Phu. The trail takes us through some beautiful woods and past several small cave shelters and a Dharmasala, or pilgrims' rest house. 

There is always a chance that we might camp at Dharmasala; but then can also continue and make the steep climb up the valley along a small, scenic trail to the high pastures. This is the Kharka of Meta, the non-permanent winter settlement of Nar.

Overnight at Meta. 

Today’s trek is supposed to be one of the loveliest walks in the Himalayas as the area is strewn with natural beauty. The Phu Kosi accompanies the trail but from far below.

An hour past Meta, Junam is the second semi-permanent settlement, one where "Khampas" from Tibet sometimes take shelter. The next seasonal settlement is Chako, formerly a Khampa settlement. Many more ascents and descents take us to the campsite at Kyang located on a plateau high above the river which the extensive winter settlement of Phu. 

Overnight at Kyang. 

Walking down the steep slope to the river, we trek for a while along the river bank and past the 'submarine' rock, passing some small possible campsites along the way. We reach Pupigyal Kwe, the entry to Phu after trekking through scenic canyon lands and gorges. Just before the Crossover Bridge to Phu, a line of wonderful chortens color the landscape and lead the way to the main village of Phu, perched high up on a hill, in an amphitheater-style.

Overnight at Phu. 

We will spend an extra day here to relax, explore, and enjoy the beauty spread out all around us. We would also interact with the local Phu residents and perhaps do some exploring up the wide valley systems above us. We might walk up to Kharka, the summer grazing settlement which is three hours walk from Gompa. 

For photographers, this is the perfect place to click away to glory as the deep blue skies look even better and the blue sheep on the surrounding hillsides give a perfect opportunity to capture them in your camera. A wander through the village will give you an overview of the Tibetan lifestyle and the hospitality of the people will be perhaps offered in the form of a local “Raksi” or rice/barley liquor or butter salt tea. Don’t forget to taste one of these!

Back through Phu Village, we descend to the river and retrace our steps back to Kyang and Junam Kharka to reach the destination, Nar Village. En route, we get to witness the stunning gorges, beautiful scenery, and painted bamboo topped chortens. 

Another day of acclimatization is required for the journey. We will take a short hike to the Kang La Pass, explore the surrounding, monasteries, and interact with the locals today. Once you climb the prayer-flag festooned hill above Nar, it is a delight to watch the wonderful view in the sun, sheltered from the chilling and ever-present afternoon winds.

After breakfast, we follow the Lapse Khola, cross the bridge, and climb to Chubse Kharka (4,400m). We take lunch at the Kharka and shortly leave towards an open grassland set above the river where we set our camp for a night. 

Following the Lapse Khola Valley, we climb to the high camp and set a tented camp for an overnight stay. 

Today, we climb to Tei La High Camp and spend a night. 

After breakfast, our trek continues towards the summit of Teri La/Teri-La Pass. We can get a magnificent view of the Annapurnas and Chulus from the summit. After spending an ample amount of time there, we then descend to Pashu Khola and set the camp next to it. 

Today we have to walk for almost 7/8 hours, so we should be ready with our refilled water bottles and a packed lunch to sustain us on the way. We walk downhill to the river and the area of Yakpa Kharka and then climb to a rocky ridge. We trek down to Samena Khola Valley, cross the river, and reach our campsite at old Kampa Village of Yakpa. 

Leaving behind Yakpa, today we trek towards Tangge, a small hamlet of just twenty houses where you can see many sheep, goats, and large mastiff and the largest chorten in Mustang. We follow the traditional route to this beautiful settlement offering a wonderful view of Dhaulagiri. 

We have to cross a number of streams in this part of the trek, so it is best advised to hike in your sandals for the next hour. The valley is awe-inspiring, a feast of mustard yellow, red and orange rocks shining from the gurgling natural springs as it narrows and widens, the horns of blue sheep marking our path. The canyon narrows around us as we hike. We've entered a lost world of contorted canyons, muted earth-tones and narrow passages, the wonderful place called Mustang. This place is mineral rich which is manifested in the mustard and blood-orange stained rocks, and we also start to see salt drips suspended from the rock faces indicating the origins of the salt trade in this region which had incidentally made Mustang a very healthy town.

From Tangge we follow the trail climbing through the moraine of the valley and reach a high plateau that provides stunning views of some Himalayan peaks. Soon after we decline to the Dhechyang Khola, we enter the valley of Dhye Thangchung, our today's destination.

Our trail goes through the valley shoulder after crossing the river. Today, we trek along with unique and amazing rock formations. After crossing a river, we then reach a small settlement of Yara. 

Overnight. 

After breakfast, we leave the Yara village walk to another beautiful village named Dhi. We explore this village and start climbing towards the Dhi La Pass via more rock formations. From the summit, we descend to the capital of Mustang, an ancient walled and isolated city of Lo Manthang. 

The trail looks across the valley to ochre, blue and steel-grey cliffs, and leads us past tri-colored chortens and the longest and most spectacular mani wall in Mustang.

We descend steeply, cross the new bridge, and then climb up to Ghemi (3570m), built along the steep edges of the cliff as are many fortified villages in Mustang. We'll wander a bit through this interesting village, passing the mani walls and prayer wheels, looking out for the key-keeper to open the Ghemi Gompa for us.

Today, we drive to Jomsom through Chele, Chusang, and Tangbe. 

In the evening, we gather and have some fun together as our trek happens to become successful. 

We take an early morning flight from Jomsom to Pokhara. Pokhara, the second largest city of Nepal also known as Lake Paradise is the most popular destination for foreigners after the capital, Kathmandu. 

Once in the city, you will have a half-day guided sightseeing of popular landmarks such as Davis Falls, Mountain Museum, Mahendra Cave, and Shanti Stupa. In the evening, go boating in Phewa Lake or take a romantic walk on the roadside. 

After a warm breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to the airport if you chose to fly to Kathmandu.

Once in Kathmandu, you are on your own. You can take a rest at the hotel or stroll around the streets, markets, explore some of the heritage sites in the valley, and go shopping. 

With the conclusion of this amazing trip, today you can depart from Kathmandu to your home country or extend the trip and head for another trip within or outside Nepal.