Nar Phu and Tilicho Lake Trek with Thorong La Pass – 21 Days

We complete our customs formalities at the Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Afterwards, there will be a representative from our company who will take you to your hotel. We can then spend the rest of the day resting. In the evening, we get to try Nepalese cuisine at a welcome dinner hosted by our company. Overnight in Kathmandu. 

From Kathmandu valley, we will start our journey to a small but old town of Besisahar. The sight of hills as well as deteriorating rivers will keep us fascinated during the journey. The ride will be about seven to eight hours long. We will be spending the night in a local lodge after arriving at Besisahar.

Today we will drive to Koto, which will take around four to five hours. You can enjoy the spectacular mountain views of Annapurna II, Lumjung Himal, Manaslu, and other peaks along the way. The trail continues through pine forests till Latamarang, which takes about one and a half hours. Finally, we will reach Koto, a small village inhabited by Gurung communities. 

After registering our restricted area permit at the police check post, we will travel along the banks of Soti Khola through wonderful pine forests, pass suspension bridges and cascading waterfalls and reach Dharamshala, which takes about five hours. From here, the woods become thinner, and the vistas get wider. We continued trekking for about one and a half hours through the forest, ascending steeply till Meta village on the Tibetan Plateau. The views of Annapurna II and Lamjung Himal look great from here. Overnight at a lodge. 

Today’s trek leads you from the quiet settlement of Meta to the beautifully forested area of Kyang. The trail winds gently through serene rhododendron and oak forests, opening occasionally into clearings that offer lovely views of the surrounding hills and valleys. Along the way, you’ll pass small hamlets and terraced fields, providing a glimpse into traditional village life in the lower Annapurna region.

This section is moderately easy, making it an ideal day for recovery and acclimatization. The peaceful atmosphere and gradual elevation changes allow you to fully enjoy the sounds and sights of the forest. After about 3-4 hours of walking, you’ll arrive in Kyang, a tranquil stop with basic teahouse accommodation and rustic charm, perfect for resting, enjoying a warm meal, and preparing for the higher elevations ahead.

Today’s trek takes you deeper into the mystical landscapes of the Nar Phu Valley as you journey from Kyang to the ancient village of Phu. The trail winds through a stark high-altitude desert of crumbling cliffs, sculpted rock formations, and wide riverbeds. Following the Phu Khola, you’ll cross a series of small wooden bridges and pass chortens and prayer cairns, marking entry into spiritually significant terrain. Although the path is relatively gentle, the increasing altitude and long distance make it a rewarding day, enhanced by mesmerizing mountain views.

After approximately 3-4 hours of trekking, Phu Village comes into view, dramatically perched on a ridge and framed by towering peaks and traditional stone houses. This remote, Tibetan-influenced settlement is one of the true highlights of the trek, offering a rare glimpse into ancient Himalayan culture largely untouched by modernization. Spend the rest of the day exploring Phu Monastery, interacting with residents, and acclimatizing in this serene high-altitude sanctuary.

Today is a well-deserved rest and acclimatization day in the remote and culturally rich village of Phu. This important pause allows your body to adapt to the high altitude before crossing higher passes such as Nar Pass and Kang La. Rather than remaining idle, you can take a short acclimatization hike to nearby viewpoints, where stunning panoramas of Himlung Himal, Pokharkan, and the surrounding Tibetan border peaks unfold.

Spend time wandering through Phu’s narrow stone alleys, interacting with residents, and learning about a traditional mountain lifestyle that has remained largely untouched by modernization. A visit to Tashi Lhakhang Monastery, one of the oldest and most spiritually significant gompas in the region, is highly recommended. This day offers not only physical recovery but also a deeper immersion into the culture, architecture, and rhythms of Himalayan village life, while helping your body adjust to the thin mountain air.

Leaving behind the ancient stone dwellings of Phu, today’s journey leads you on a scenic descent along the Phu Khola. The trail winds through dry riverbeds, mani walls, and open highland meadows before branching off toward Nar Phedi, a peaceful spiritual stop located at the base of the climb to Nar Village.

Nar Phedi is not a typical village; it is home to a solitary nunnery where Buddhist nuns warmly welcome trekkers with simple vegetarian meals, prayer rituals, and humble lodging. This quiet and culturally rich stop offers an authentic glimpse into monastic life in the remote Himalaya and provides a serene atmosphere for rest and reflection before the ascent ahead.

After a peaceful night at the Nar Phedi nunnery, today’s trek leads you on a steady uphill climb to the culturally rich and visually striking village of Nar. The trail ascends gradually along open hillsides adorned with mani walls, chortens, and dry-stone enclosures, offering sweeping views of dramatic cliffs and the surrounding high Himalayan landscape.

As you approach Nar, rows of beautifully painted chortens and gate-like stone structures provide a grand and spiritual welcome. Perched at around 4,110 meters, Nar is larger and more vibrant than Phu, with clustered stone houses, narrow alleyways, and an active monastic life. This remarkable settlement offers a rare opportunity to experience authentic high-altitude Tibetan culture, seemingly untouched by time.

From near, we ascend through the lateral moraine of Temdenzon Khola on a pleasant path that passes yak pastures with defined views of the west ridge of Pisang peak. We will trek to Jhombu Kharka, also known as Kang La Phedi, at the bottom of Kang La Pass. We will cross the Kang La Pass with a very steep ascent to the top, but it’s not too difficult. Our hike will take about 2 hours to cross the pass. From the top of the pass, we will be rewarded with the beautiful view of the Annapurna range and other peaks. Then three hours of steep descent until we reach Ngawal village, where we will stay overnight.

An hour trek to Braga village passing the Marsyangdi River. We will explore the famous monasteries in Barga Village. Then we leave the trail off to Tilicho Lake in the left corner and continue a short walk up to Manang, a settlement of a dramatic village. There are many guest houses, cafes and even trekking shops in Manang. Overnight stay at a lodge. 

From Manang, we head out through the western gates and follow the path down the river. We cross the river and continue walking on the south side of the river through coniferous forest towards Khangsar village. Overnight at Khangsar.                                                                        

From Khangsar to the Tilicho Base Camp, it is mostly going downhill, but it has landslide areas that can be dangerous. They are not difficult to walk, but the trails are very narrow. The trail goes through the middle of the landslide area. The rock formations along the trail are very impressive. Tented camp overnight at Tilicho Base Camp.                                                           

From Tilicho Base Camp, the path continues up along moraine ridges and grassy slopes to some large switchbacks carved out of the slope. We then reach the watershed. On the other side is Tilicho Lake, a large, spectacularly set lake nestled at the foot of the north face of Tilicho peak, part of the snowy wall that the 1950 French Expedition Team referred to as “The Great Barrier”. The leader of the French Team, Maurice Herzog, referred to Tilicho Lake as “The Great Ice Lake”. The lake also holds an important place for Hindus as this sacred lake features in one of the holiest texts of the Hindus-‘The Ramayana’. Overnight at Tilicho Base Camp.                                                                                                           

From Manang, we cross a stream and climb up to Tenki village, then head out of the Marshyangdi valley northwest up to the Jar Sang Khola valley. The trail ascends slowly as we head northward. We will pass a few pastures and juniper trees. Following the trail, we will pass through a small village called Gunsan with houses made of flat mud-proof and then pass through pastures with yaks and horses. After crossing a small river on a wooden bridge, we make our way up the spectacular valley to an open, peaceful meadow known as Yak Kharka. Overnight at a lodge. 

Today, we head to the foot of Thorong La Pass, Thorong Phedi. We climb up to a ridge, then head down and cross the Marshyangdi River on a wooden bridge. After climbing the mountain path, we follow a narrow trail across a slope and descend to Thorong Phedi. Overnight at a lodge. 

Today we cross Thorong La Pass, one of the highest passes in the world and the highest point of the trek. We have to push ourselves through the icy air and high altitude, but the view from the pass will make it totally worth it. We will see a panorama of majestic Himalayan peaks extending northwards into Tibet, and at the back, we can see several of the main peaks of Annapurna. We will then descend all the way to Muktinath. The descent to Muktinath is pretty steep and will take between 3 and 4 hours. Muktinath is a sacred place for Hindus and Buddhists. The Buddhists call it “Chumig Gyatsa”, which in Tibetan means “Hundred Waters”. Overnight at a hotel. 

We will drive to Jomsom via Kagbeni. After having lunch in Muktinath, we started our journey. We will traverse along the traditional Thakali village and dense forests of pine and fir to reach Jomsom. Jomsom is famous for strong mid-day winds and has plenty of modern luxuries such as the internet and restaurants. Overnight at Jomsom.

On this day, we will fly back to Pokhara, and then we will transfer you to the hotel in Pokhara. The offers scenic treats throughout, and the diverse landscapes and towering peaks are a relief to sore eyes. Upon reaching Pokhara, we can rest or enjoy the beautiful city and its attractions. The lakeside area is especially famous for offering lively nights. 

On this day, we will drive back to Kathmandu along the Prithvi Highway. The drive presents beautiful roadside settlements and gorgeous landscapes all the way to Kathmandu. Upon reaching Kathmandu, we will transfer you to the hotel, and then you can rest or shop for souvenirs to mark the end of the adventurous journey. Stay overnight at a hotel in Kathmandu.

Your adventure in Nepal comes to an end today! We will take you to the airport, approximately 3 hours before your scheduled flight. On your way home, you will have plenty of time to plan your next adventure in the wonderful country of Nepal.