Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek

Hello travelers from across the globe! Today’s blog is different than usual. We are delving deeper into finding out the various aspects of trekking in Nepal’s two restricted area trekking routes. The Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek blog can be helpful for you to know about the cultural insights, trail conditions, best time to trek, and logistics situation. At the end of the blog, you will be able to make trek booking decision with clear mind.

Nar Phu Valley and Manaslu Region are known for their spirituality. Both of these regions are habituated by the people who follow traditional Tibetan culture. Therefore, traveling to these regions provide the information about Nepalese Tibetan culture along with the chance to witness diverse landscape.

Have you ever thought of an idea where you trek in both the regions in one single trip itinerary? Try this crazy idea of walking for nearly a month in the Himalayan belt of Nepal. It will surely help you find inner peace and increase spirituality in your thinking. This blogger is so pleased to share some information about these two places where you can feel the presence of mystical and mythical beings. In fact, the journey offers you different perspective and you will definitely feel as if you are in another world.

Now, let’s go deeper into the Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek guide and information for trekkers’ benefits.

Restricted Area Trek in Nepal

For variety of reasons Nepal Government has listed various places as restricted area. Let’s not go deeper into finding reasons about this arrangement. Simply know that the Nepal Government is serious about protecting the cultural and natural heritages of these places. They are essential for national identity, unity, and sustainability. Therefore, trekking or any kinds of travel activities inside these regions require set rules and regulations.

You are not allowed to travel solo or independently. Traveling requires a group of at least two trekkers guided by the licensed Nepalese trekking guide. Similarly, you must travel under the supervision of Nepal Government registered trekking agency with proper license. Besides this, you must obtain the regular trekking permit and special restricted permit.

Regular permits for Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek are Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP), Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP), and Tsum Nubri Rural Municipality Entry Permit. The conservation area permit costs NRs. 3000 to foreigners and NRs. 1500 to SAARC nationals while the local permit costs NRs. 1000.

Special Restricted permit for Manaslu Circuit Trek area is 100 $ per 7 days per person for autumn season with additional 15 $ for each extra day. The cost of the permit for spring and other season is 75 $ per 7 days per person with additional 10 $ for each extra day. Similarly, the Nar Phu Valley Trek route also charges the same amount for special restricted permit. Please note that you need to get two special restricted permit to do the Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek.

Manaslu Circuit Trek Highlights

The journey of the Manaslu Circuit Trek can’t be described in mere word. The trail is in the vicinity of the world’s 8^th tallest mountain Mt. Manaslu (8163 m) and traverses through multi – ethnic communities especially the villages of Nubri people. Diverse landscape offers great trekking moments. Here is the list of the highlights of the trek:

• Manaslu Base Camp (4800 m)
• Multi Ethnic Villages (Gurung, Magar, Brahmins, Chhetris, Dalits, Tsum Nubri, etc.)
• Diverse Landscape (Waterfalls, Valleys, Lakes, High Passes, Rivers, and Glaciers)
• Diverse Vegetation (Temperate Deciduous, Alpine, and Tundra)
• Larke La Pass (5416 m)
• Centuries Old Monasteries (Pungyen, Serang, Samagaon, Samdo, Shyala, etc.)
• Over a dozen mountain vista
• Authentic Rural Nepal Environment

Nar Phu Valley Trek Highlights

Slowly the number of trekkers in the various restricted regions of Nepal is increasing. Therefore, these regions are also losing its mysterious and rawness charm. For example, Manaslu Circuit Trek and Upper Mustang Trek are frequently crowded during peak season by trekkers from across the globe. In these times, Nar Phu Valley has been holding the raw beauty. Therefore, trekking in Nar Phu can surely provide you lots of insights about traditional Tibetan people living in Nepal. In addition, the journey inside the region provides the feeling of being in different world in different time zone.

• Nar and Phu traditional Villages
• Over a dozen mountain vistas
• Centuries old Monasteries, Chortens, and Stupas
• Farming and Animal Rearing beyond mountains
• Clustered Houses Villages
• Rain Shadow Himalayan Desert Landscape
• Gorges, Narrow Valleys, and High – Altitude Passes
• Tranquil and Serene Trekking route

Best Time for Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek

Choose the right time for better trekking experiences. The timing of your trip decides the quality of your overall experiences. Therefore, finding the best time for Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek is crucial. The best times for the trek are the months of spring (March – May) and autumn (September – November) season in Nepal. However, it is possible to do the trek in monsoon season (June – August) also if you are planning to do the Nar Phu Valley Trek only. The location of Nar and Phu Villages is in the rain shadow area of Nepal which experiences less rainfall.

Always book the trekking trip package of the restricted region of Nepal in an advance. The preparation must be standard and crisp for better experiences. Make quick decision about the timing of your trip. You can choose either of these seasons for quality experiences of nature and culture of the region.

Accommodation and Meals

Don’t worry about food and lodging on the Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek. There are quality tea houses and eateries along the trail especially in the Manaslu Circuit Trek section. However, you may have to eat in a monastery or makeshift eatery for lunch on few occasions. Lodging is available either in local houses or in standard tea house. Note down that Nar and Phu villages have tea houses and community lodges built for trekkers.

Brief Itinerary Overview of Manaslu Circuit Trek with Nar Phu Valley

The first phase of the Manaslu Circuit and Nar Phu Valley Trek is the Manaslu Circuit Trek itinerary. Trekkers have to start the trek either from Machha Khola or Jagat and continue their journey to Samagaon Village for acclimatization stop. They trek through villages like Deng, Namrung, Lho, and Shyala. All these villages are unique and have the traces of traditional Tibetan culture with the presence of many monasteries. The journey continues to enter the Annapurna region after the exploration of the Manaslu Base Camp (4800 m) and crossing the Larke La Pass (5106 m).

The second phase starts from Dharapani after the completion of the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The Nar Phu Valley Trek route traverses through places like Koto and Meta villages before reaching Phu and then to Nar Village. After the completion of these villages exploration, trekkers can retrace the same trail back to Besisahar via Dharapani. Interestingly, they can continue their journey to Thorong La Pass and enter the Mustang region of Nepal doing the Annapurna Circuit Trek. This is absolutely crazy! It will surely become the long detour trekking adventure.

Crazy Trekking Idea in Nepal: Manaslu Circuit Nar Phu Valley Annapurna Circuit with Annapurna Base Camp/Upper Mustang

What if we explore entire trekking routes of the Annapurna region, Manaslu region, and Nar Phu Valley in one single trip? Funnily it sounds crazy indeed! It is not impossible though. Trekkers can choose to do the Manaslu Circuit Trek then do the Nar Phu Valley Trek. From Nar Phu Valley, they can join the Annapurna Circuit Trek route by crossing the Kangla Pass and reach Ngawal. The trip continues to Muktinath after crossing the Thorong La Pass (5416 m). Next trail from Muktinath is the Upper Mustang Trek and then retracing the same trail by drive to Tatopani. Trek to Annapurna Base Camp via Poon Hill starts from Tatopani.

The idea is crazy and it requires more than a month’s itinerary but this crazy trip can be perfect hideaway for people seeking solace in mountains. If you want to trek like this, then contact the leading trekking company like the Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd. They can surely knit the best trekking itinerary and arrange best logistic support for you.

Top Travel Company for Manaslu Circuit Trek & Nar Phu Valley Trek

You must hire a trekking guide and buy the trekking package for trip inside these regions. Therefore, finding the top travel company is crucial for successful and momentous trekking trip. In addition, the journey into the wild and remote places like Nar Phu and Manaslu need an experienced trekking guide and leading Travel Company for better trip management. According to the testimonials of past trekkers and reviews on various platforms, the Everest Trekking Routes Pvt. Ltd. is the top travel company for Manaslu Circuit and Na Phu Valley Trek.