Nar, Phu & Tilicho Lake a hidden valley trek.

“When you come around the corner, you will see a sight that will move your soul”

So wrote a Nepali guide when this remote northern outpost of Manang region bordered with Tibet was opened for trekkers in 2003.

To begin this Nar, Phu & Tilicho Lake  trek, we drive to Besisahar and trek initially following the well-known Annapurna Circuit rail as far as Koto before we enter into the Phu river Valley. Trekking in this area is unlike most of Nepal ? the terrain is Trans Himalayan and similar to that of Tibet. Trails are rugged and at times cut high into cliff sides in an area that has changed little over the years. We first visit the high Phu Village, which like a medieval castle, rises almost 40m above a dusty riverbed. Steep walls eroded by relentless wind and weather protect the 30-40 basic stone houses sheltered behind, built atop one another like a vertical jigsaw puzzle The we cross the Himlung Khola and enter the wide Nar Valley. After exploring the Nar, Phu villages, we cross the 5200m Kang-La pass and enter the Manang Valley.

In Braga, the route will then rejoin the Annapurna Circuit near Manang from where we will follow the little-used route that leads to the Tilicho Lake and the Meso Kanto Pass (5089m) which link the Manang and Kali Ghandaki Valleys. The crossing of the pass offers a more challenging and exciting alternative to the popular Thorong La Pass on the Annapurna Circuit. After crossing the pass we trek to Jomsom from where we fly back to Pokhara.

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