Nar Phu trek 9 days possible?

This is their itinerary (NOT RECOMMENDED):
Day 1 Drive from Kathmandu via Besisahar to Koto 2,600m; approx. 8 hours
Day 2 Trek to Meta 3,560m; approx. 7 hours
Day 3 Trek to Phu 4,080m; approx. 7 hours
Day 4 Acclimatisation day in Phu; side trip to Himlung Base Camp (4,800m)
Day 5 Trek to Nar Phedi, overnight stay in monastery 3,490m; approx. 6 hours
Day 6 Trek to Nar Village 4,110m; approx. 3 hours
Day 7 Trek via Kang La Pass (5,240m) to Ngawal 3,650m; approx. 8 hours
Day 8 Trek to Pisang (3,200m; approx. 3 hours) and drive to Besisahar approx. 4 hours
Day 9 Return to Kathmandu approx. 5 hours

My answer: NO, not safe (in terms of altitude)

We trekked Nar Phu in 2014 (Besisahar to Koto to Phu to Ngawal to Jomsom).

Driving to Koto (same alt approx as Chame) on Day 1 then trekking to Meta (3610m) next day is (i) too much altitude gain and (ii) for many, us included, too long of a day. Going to 4070m (Phu) on the 3rd day is too high too fast. It would also be a long day from Meta. Going from Nar over the Kang La to Ngawal in one day would be a long hard day.

The driving times seem very optimistic. It also optimistic to assume there will be space in monastery at "Nar phedi" (we did indeed stay at monastery, but room were limited). I think it took us 8 hours to trek from Phu to Nar Phedi (it was a longish day).

Trail from "Kang La Phedi" up to Kang La is fairly steep; Trail down from Kang La to half-way to Ngwal is very steep.

Nar Phu doesn't have a lot of tea houses. In 2014, they were in: Meta, Phu (very basic), Monastery at Nar Phedi, Nar. There were no "lunch stops" -- we had to stop and cook our own food.

Unless already well acclimatized (e.g., from recent preceding high-altitude trek) and in very good shape, one really needs camping for 3 nights.

Nar-Phu was a great trek -- why rush it?

Thanks Landfall!

Agreed, altitude gains are pretty ridiculous on that trek. I struggle with altitude a bit but fine after a while.

So, what would be a reasonable amount of time given we are a bit short on time? Itinerary suggestion? Good to know that lunch will be mostly self-catered. CAn this be done as a teahouse trek?

Million thanks!

Adam

In 2014 we had the benefit of trekking from Besisahar to Koto to "get us in shape" (plus, perhaps, a little altitude acclimatization, given that we stayed two eves in Koto). Driving all the way to Koto, then trekking into Nar-Phu would not give you these.

Just a couple days ago, my wife and I remarked to each other that trekking all the way to Meta from Koto in one day would definitely have been too much for us (it is a steep hill up to Meta, and 3610m altitude makes it tougher). So we had to camp in Dharmsala (a lousy camp). Next day we trekked approx 6 hours to Chyakhu (3800m), a beautiful place. (There may now be a place for lunch here.). Next day we trekked approx 6 hours up to Phu. We were going to stay an extra day in Phu, but felt we'd had enough time there and the lodge was really lousy (food too), so headed down next day to Nar Phedi. A long day and we were lucky to get a room in the Monastery. (Pricey, but good.) Next day we trekked up to Nar -- short but all up. Nar was nice. Next day we trekked to campsite (in ruins, but nice area) at Kang La Phedi. Trekked over Kang La next day was tough but made much "easier" by camping at Kang La Phedi.

In my view:
- no, it cannot be done soley as a teahouse trek
(unless there is a lodge a dharmsala, which is very unlikely and a lodge between Meta and Phu)
- to be reasonably comfortable and safe: nights at (i) Dharmsala, (ii) *Chyakhu or Kyang, (iii) Phu, (iv) **Nar phedi, (v) Nar, and (vi) *Kang La phedi. [=camping; *camping not required *only if room available at monastery]
- If extra nights at either Phu and/or Nar, then one could skip the night at Kang-La phedi, though it still would be a long day.
- As I said, the driving times optimistic. Everything has to go perfect (and even then, it would be very tiring). I would at least add one day in the beginning. Perhaps drive to Dharapani, stay eve, then trek to Koto. And have a buffer day in Kathmandu at end in case of (i) road transport delay, (ii) weather delay over Kang La (although one could hike back down to Koto from Nar not going over Kang La in one very long day) or (iii) illness. So 11 days minimum plus buffer day in Kathmandu

In 2014, we did Besisahar-Nar Phu-Kang La-Thorung La-Pokhara in 18.5 days (and min 2 days could have been cut, making it 16.5 days)

I can endorse Landfall's views 110%. Koto to Meta is too much both in length and altitude gain for most not pre-acclimatised and not trail hardened. We did it in 2009, but we had already attempted Manaslu circuit, and hiked up from Bhulbhule, with over 2 weeks of trekking behind us. Even then we did not attempt to get to Phugaon the next day, but camped in Kyang. Spent 2 nights in Phugaon, then to the Nar Phedi (monastery construction was in progress). Also, after two nights in Nar we hiked about 2.5 h to Kang La Phedi and crossed the pass the next day. We did not find it particularly tough because the approach was shorter and we had been on the trail for well over 3 weeks already. The descent to Ngawal is a long one for sure (well, Tiicho Tal to Thinigaon was even longer).

In total we spent 8 nights in Nar-Pho, about the right amount for a short visit. It would be nice to continue to Lo Manthang over the Mustang Pass sometime in the future (then onwards to Dolpo...).

Someone trying that itinerary would be hurting bad in Phugaon, and getting over Kang La would be questionable. Side trip to Himlumg BC 4800m on an acclimatisation day, do not even dream about it.

If you stop for a night at Kang La Phedi then you need to have a tent, there is a small tea house (keeps open during seasons)... updated from last Spring. Trekkers who have better time I suggest Nar Phu with Mesokanto Pass (5120m), Upper Mustang, Dolpo...
Good Luck!!!

Re #5: Why do you suggest Mesokanto La if one wants to get to Upper Mustang? There are two routes that I know of strength from Tar to upper Mustang, the other from Phugaon, going to over a 6000m+ pass near the border. A couple of companies actually arrange treks using these routes.

If you stop for a night at Kang La Phedi then you need to have a tent, there is a small tea house (keeps open during seasons)... updated from last Spring...
Good Luck!!!

It would help if you indicated LOCATION of the "small tea house" and its facilities (meals only? beds?).

I was considering this trek or the Mardi HImal in April. Have around 9-10 days to trek. Decent fitness levels, but will be first time at proper altitude. We live at sea level lol. Really looking to be off the very popular routes.

Anyone done both of these are can make a suggestion which they would recommend. Some of the reports of Nar phu have made me reconsider that Himal would be more suited.

Plan is to fly into Pokhara and then pick up an independent guide, permits etc there rather than booking prior to getting there. Any red flags, issues doing it this way? I have a concern that mid April could be very busy time.

thanks

We spent 9 days in Naar-Pho and were pre-acclimatized, 7 days would be minimum, but there would be acclimatisation issues, Meta is already at almost 4000m, both Phugaon and Nar over 4000m. Thus 9-10 days including transportation and getting out is not realistic.