A special permit is needed to travel into the enigmatic Nar Phu Valley. Which is located in the northern part of the area. Only in 2002 was this virgin valley accessible for hiking. Since then, it has been a restricted area that can only be entered with a unique authorization. Two Nar Phu Valley Trek permissions are required for prospective hikers. The Nar Phu Valley Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Project Permit (ACAP).
The approved offices in Kathmandu or Besisahar are where the trekker can apply for and get the ACAP. The Restricted Area Permit (RAP) can only be applied for and obtained on behalf of the trekker by a legitimate Nepali trekking agency.
Travelers might stray to the villages of Nar and Phu to encounter the authentic Himalayan wildness. Experiencing historical Tibetan culture, prehistoric trade routes, harsh canyons, rock formations, and one of the high passes are the highlights of this vanished valley.
All the information about obtaining the Nar Phu Valley permit is detailed below:
The government of Nepal has classified the Nar Phu Valley as a restricted area due to its proximity to the Tibetan border. Its restricted position aids in border security, tourism regulation, and the preservation of historic culture and legacy.
All hikers must have a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) to enter this area because of this. The appropriate Restricted Area Permit (RAP) you obtained covers Narpa Rural Municipality (wards 1 to 5) and Nasho Rural Municipality because Nar Phu is located in the Manag area (the wards of 6 and 7).
Due to its proximity to the Tibetan border, the Nar Phu Valley has been designated as a restricted area by the government of Nepal. Its constrained position helps with border security, tourism control, and legacy and culture preservation.
This means that in order to visit this area, all hikers need to get a Restricted Area Permit (RAP). Given that Nar Phu is situated in the Manag region, the appropriate Restricted Area Permit (RAP) you obtained covers Narpa Rural Municipality (wards 1 to 5) and Nasho Rural Municipality.
(As of July 2022; published by the Nepali Department of Immigration)
It costs US$100 for the first 7 days from September to November (autumn) and then US$15 for each subsequent day spent in the restricted area.
Winter, Spring, and Summer months from December to August: US$ 75 for the first 7 days, plus US$ 15 for each extra day spent in the restricted area.
Due to the Nar Phu valley trek’s passage through the Annapurna conservation area, which extends above Manang, an Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) permit is required. The charge is necessary to build paths and save the local animals and flora in the Annapurna region.
When applying for the Nar Phu Valley Trekking permit, you must present the following paperwork:
If you wish to double-check the paperwork, you can ask the trekking company you hired to help you with the paperwork and make sure you apply for it.
The terms and conditions listed below should be taken into account both before and during your trek through the Nar Phu Valley:
It is free for kids under ten because they don’t need a permit.
Both permits are valid for single entries only, are not transferable, and are only for individual trekkers.
Only specific offices in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and Besisahar are authorized to issue permits; checkpoints along the trekking route are not permitted to do so.
One must abide by the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act, 2029 B.S., before entering the Annapurna Conservation Area (1973)
You must keep your entry permits with you the entire way and present them to the appropriate authorities at each checkpoint as needed.
Value Added Tax (VAT) and other government taxes are included in the price of both the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the ACAP.
You must sternly forbid unlicensed filming in the limited area.
Only the areas specified in the permit’s conservation and restricted areas are accessible to holders of permits.
The Nar Phu Valley trek requires a qualified professional guide because it takes place in a restricted area along an unmarked off-the-beaten-path. Taking a guide has several advantages, from security and protection to interacting with people and learning about the history, ethnicity, and traditions of the place. By raising their standard of living, your contributions also support their livelihood and the Nepali economy.
The difficulty rating of the trek via Nar Phu Valley is moderate to challenging. It is ideal for both experienced and inexperienced hikers. The highest point of the Nar Phu Valley Trek is Kang La Pass, one of Nepal’s highest passes, at 5,320m/17,450ft.
It is preferable to stick to the traditional 12-day Nar Phu Valley Trek plan, which includes six days of hiking and one day of acclimatization if you are prone to altitude sickness. You will walk the trail for an average of 5 to 6 hours per day, up to 8 hours on some days, and for as little as 2 hours on others.
The greatest time to trek through the Nar Phu Valley is in the fall, from September to November, when the weather and scenery are ideal. However, the summer and monsoon months of June through August are also ideal for hiking in the Nar Phu Valley. The Himalayan ranges, which are situated between the Annapurna and Manaslu region and close to the Tibetan plateau, block the majority of rainy clouds, keeping the area dry for the majority of the year.
The Nar Phu Valley is the perfect place for a monsoon walk because it is situated in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. a journey that takes you off the beaten track. the high plateau of the Trans-Himalayas. High mountain passes include Kang-La Pass and Thorong La (5416m) (5322m).
The trek officially starts at Besisahar and proceeds along the standard path for the Annapurna Circuit until Koto, where it diverges eastward toward the Nar Phu valley. Before reaching the little community of Odar, which means “Cave,” the trail follows the Nar Khola River and passes through a steep ravine. This is an ideal location for stopping for lunch at one of the recently built tea shops. With the calming delights of a hot spring on the way to take a refreshing rest, the path leaves Odar through thickets of pine, rhododendrons, and bamboo. From there, we travel to Meta, a charming village with stunning scenery and a distant glimpse of the monastery at Nar Phedi.
Given its proximity to the well-known and popular Annapurna circuit, the Nar Phu Trek, which has only been available for exploration since 2002, offers an exceptionally unspoiled cultural and scenic experience that is all the more impressive. Since comparatively few trekkers have been to one of the few completely unexplored areas in the Himalayas, one of Nepal’s true hidden valleys has rested in tranquil isolation from the outside world, with its rocky terrain and historic communities bordering on Tibet.
The mountain of Himlung (7126m) and its base camp at 4920m altitude are also accessible from Phu. With a rest day designated for Phu, there is the option to walk to the base camp and enjoy the stunning views and glacial settings, or to stay in Phu for the day and further explore the maze-like settlement and its many attractions.
Only a reputable trekking company with a Nepalese base may receive the Nar Phu Valley Trekking permit. A reputable trekking company makes sure that all of the necessary paperwork is in order and that you receive your permits on schedule.
Teams from companies like Trex Mount have been planning and organizing adventures in the Phu Valley for a very long time. We can quickly and easily assist you in obtaining the necessary Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and ACAP. Please feel free to get in touch with one of our agents to learn more about your chance to see the mysterious Valley.