Nar Phu Valley Trek Starting Point Guide – How to Reach?

Nar Phu Valley Trek is an isolated and culturally diverse trekking path in Nepal. This is a journey that takes you to the remote paths into the unknown valleys, the old Tibetan villages, and the rugged Himalayan terrain. The Nar Phu Valley Trek starting point at Koto Village, a tiny village situated in the Manang region, within the renowned Annapurna Circuit.

At Koto, the road turns off the main road and into the isolated Nar and Phu valleys. Nar Phu has many trekkers who go through Koto in the Annapurna Circuit and make a diversion towards Nar Phu. Others also include their visit to the surrounding attractions, such as Manang and the beautiful Tilicho Lake.

It is easy to know the point where the trek begins, and this will make your journey easier. It assists you in planning your transport, preparing the necessary permits, and organizing your program more appropriately. The entry point to Nar Phu Valley is regulated, so all trekkers should use the official entry point at Koto.

Koto Village: Starting point of the Nar Phu Valley Trek

The Nar Phu Valley Trek begins at Koto Village, which is the key entry point to this isolated area of the Himalayan region. It is a small and quiet village in the Manang district, along the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek.

Koto is surrounded by the pine forests and is bordered by the Marsyangdi River, which offers the first true sense of isolation, before joining the hidden valleys.

Koto is significant not only because of its location but also its use to control access to the Nar Phu region. Because the Nar and Phu valleys are regarded as restricted areas of Nepal, all trekkers have to pass through this place to check their permits.

You will see a police and army checkpoint where your restricted area permit, Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP), and guide details are verified before proceeding. You will not be able to pass this point without proper documents and a certified guide.

Koto is used as an official Nar Phu Valley Trek Starting Point because this is where the trekking trail diverges from the main Annapurna Circuit route. Trekking up to Koto, the route is the same as the Annapurna Circuit.

The path diverges here and goes off the beaten highway and off another less-frequented trail through the Nar Phu Khola into an even more remote and untamed scene.

How to reach Koto Village?

It takes both highway and off-road adventure to reach Koto Village. Koto does not have an airport, and therefore all trekkers have to drive to cities such as Kathmandu or Pokhara. The trip is a long one; however, it provides a slow pace of transition between the urban lifestyle in busy cities and the tranquil Himalayan scenery.

Kathmandu to Besisahar

The trip starts with a road trip from Kathmandu to Besisahar, which is the gateway to the Annapurna region. This is a very scenic and pleasant drive. When you come out of Kathmandu, you will be on the Trishuli River a long way.

On the way, there are green hills, terraced agricultural lands, local villages, and markets. The trip gradually changes to the countryside, and the scenery is very serene, providing you with a good view to rural Nepal. 

The highway is mainly black-topped, pitched, and pleasant at the start. However, there are a few areas that might be in maintenance or somewhat rocky because of construction. Landslides and traffic jams are normal during the monsoon season, and they might add to the traveling time.

• Distance: Around 230 km/ 142.9 miles
• Travel Time: 8-10 hours (can vary with traffic and road conditions)

Depending on your comfort and budget, you can opt to use local buses, tourist buses, shared jeeps, or privately hired jeeps.

Besisahar to Koto

The trip starts at Besisahar and goes on to Koto by jeep, and this is where the actual adventure starts. The road from Besisahar to Koto is mostly off-road and quite rough. You will have rough rides, dusty trails, and small mountain roads.

There are also steep sections of the road that traverse the landslide-prone regions. In the monsoon, the roads may be muddy and slippery, and during winter, there may be ice that slows down the speed and makes traveling difficult.

It goes along the Marsyangdi River and passes through such villages as Dharapani and Timang before arriving at Koto.

This segment of the trip is more adventurous and rewarding to the eye. You will be traveling along the Marsyangdi River, with suspension bridges and deep river gorges. You will also pass through gorgeous waterfalls, thick forests, and traditional mountainous villages.

The scenery begins to shift as you ascend in altitude, and you now start seeing more of the alpine scenery and mountainous views. It actually seems to enter into a distant part of the Himalaya.

• Besisahar to Koto Distance: 55-60 kms (34-37 miles)
• Travel Time: 3 hours
• Transport: Jeep only

Alternative Starting Points

Although the Nar Phu Valley Trek officially starts at Koto Village, some trekkers prefer to start their trek earlier in the Annapurna Circuit route.

Jagat and Dharapani are two popular alternative Nar Phu Valley Trek Starting point. These are located before Koto and can be accessed using a road.

Jagat or Dharapani will let you cover more of the Annapurna Circuit before Koto. This will be beneficial to trekkers who want to take a slower pace in gaining altitude.

Hiking low will allow your body time to acclimatize, which may minimize the chances of altitude sickness. It also allows making the trip more leisurely; you do not hurry to the higher altitudes by jeep.

The other benefit of starting earlier is that you will have more of the Annapurna region to see. You will cross through the villages, forests, and river canyons and then join the Nar Phu trail at Koto.

Nonetheless, by selecting these alternative Nar Phu Valley Trek Starting point, the overall trekking time will add a few days. It may also need further consideration of accommodation and walking distances.

Entry Permits Required at the Starting Point

To trek in Nar Phu Valley, all the permits are needed and should be carried along by the trekkers since it is a restricted place.

Most of the permit checks are done here since Koto Village is the official entrance point of the village, and before you can proceed with the journey.

The key permits for Nar Phu Valley Trek are the Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and the Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP).

Trekkers are required to present their permits, passport information, and guide information. Everything is checked by the authorities prior to the entry of the Nar and Phu region. With no licensed guide or permits, entry is prohibited.

These permits are significant since Nar Phu Valley is a restricted and regulated area. The system assists in the regulation of tourism, the safeguarding of the local culture, and the safety of such a remote location.

In the majority of instances, trekking agencies get all the permits, and trekkers just need to bring printed materials or electronic evidence.

What to Expect at Koto Village

The trekkers will see the first real glimpse of the remote lifestyle in the Himalayas at Koto Village before exploring Nar Phu Valley. It is a tiny village that has primitive amenities and is encircled by hilly terrain covered with forests and the Marsyangdi River.

Koto has a few basic lodges and teahouses. There are no fancy rooms; however, they are clean, so you can spend one or two days until the limited journey begins. Food is also healthy, and it mainly consists of simple Nepali food such as dal bhat, noodles, and soups.

Another significant checkpoint is also at Koto. In this case, police and army officers inspect permits, provide information, and direct trekkers to the restricted territory.

It is less crowded with less tourists, there will be less noise, and the landscape is more primitive. This is also where the remaining last-minute preparations are normally done by the trekkers.

Before going on the trail to Nar and Phu valleys, people review their equipment, tighten their backpacks, and make sure that they are on schedule with their guide.

Distance/Trekking Time of Starting Point

After leaving Koto Village, the actual Nar Phu Valley Trek starts. Here, the path turns into an isolated and less congested area where paths grow less noticeable and more primitive.

The average distance of the trekking trail to the Nar Phu Valley route (including Koto to Nar and Phu Valley) is about 70-90 kilometers. Average itineraries differ from 8 to 12 days.

Starting at Koto, the initial large part of the trek is towards Meta village, which requires about 6 to 7 hours of walking. The path first goes through thick woods, hanging bridges, and narrow river cliffs, and slowly opens up into elevated terrain.

Further into the valley, the daily hours of walking time tend to vary between 5 and 7 hours a day, depending on the route and acclimatization breaks. The walk involves a slow increase in altitude, as Nar and Phu villages are above 3,500 meters; therefore, the walk is slower and more constant.

The trail back is typically the same route back to Koto, but some trekkers include the Annapurna Circuit to have a circuit-like trek. Due to this flexibility, the overall length can be a little bit different in each itinerary.

Advice on how to get to the Trailhead

The road trip to Koto Village requires planning since it is a long trip, and off-road in most places. Some easy suggestions can help you make your travel easier and safer.

• The most comfortable is a private jeep, particularly in the rugged Besisahar to Koto route. Shared jeeps are less expensive and less flexible, but are usually crowded.
• Depending on the season, the road conditions may vary. There can be landslides and mud in the monsoon and icy and slow-moving areas in winter.
• Leaving early will help in avoiding traffic jams, and sufficient time will be available to arrive at the stopover points without much problem.
• It is always good to have your passport, trekking permits, and guide details available.
• Nar Phu is a restricted area that requires a registered guide. They are used to help in navigation and safety in isolated places, too.
• Bring along water, snacks, motion sickness pills, and warm clothing because the jeep ride will be lengthy and tiresome.
• There are a few ATMs, shops, and medical facilities beyond Besisahar, and there is plenty of cash and supplies.
• Ensure that your insurance covers trekking at high altitude and emergency evacuation.
• In mountain areas, there are usually road delays, and therefore, you should not have a schedule in mind when you are planning a trip.

Author

Himalayan Masters

Himalayan Masters has been established by travel and trekking experts with several years of experience. Our consultants have travelled extensively and have in-depth knowledge of the region you will be traveling in.