5 Reasons for Trekking to Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake
5 Reasons for Trekking to Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake
Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trek is one of the finest offbeat treks in the Annapurna region. Less explored and adorned with the magical sights of snow-clad mountains, rural terrains, and the magnificent Tilicho Lake, this trek will give you an authentic trekking experience. Explore the real taste of adventure as you trek through the dramatic lands inhabited by the friendly Gurung, Tamang, and Tibetan people.
Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trek are the lands of exotic flora and fauna. If you are lucky, you will get to encounter animals like Himalayan Thar and musk deer. Along with these, there are many attractive aspects of Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trek that you should not miss out at all, especially if you are an adventure lover.
The major 5 reasons for trekking to Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake are as follows:
The Twin Villages of Nar and Phu
No wonder, the twin village of Nar and Phu is the first in our list. Nar and Phu lie north of the Manang district. Even though they fall in the famous Annapurna region, it is still undiscovered and sees only a few numbers of tourists every year.
However, Nar Phu is an isolated village with beautiful specialties. They are often called “Hidden Paradise.” Here, you will pass via numerous ancient villages with unique cultures. The medieval community of Bhote & Sherpas showcases Tibetan influenced traditions. Even in today’s modern days, they live a remote rural life. Their villages showcase fewer changes since their inception. You will get a rare experience to interact with them and their legendary ethics.
Likewise, these lovely villages feature diverse topography. You get to walk past narrow canyons and wild off-beaten trails. You will have great alpine scenery along with it. So, take a journey that lets you enjoy the slow-paced life of Nar & Phu! You will taste the real Himalayan wilderness. Grab the rare opportunity to unleash these true hidden gems and enjoy the unspoiled nature and Buddhist culture to its core.
High Altitude of Tilicho Lake
Next on the list is one of the high-altitude lakes in the world, Tilicho Lake. Situated at the soaring altitude of 4919m, Tilicho Lake will mesmerize you. You have to pass several difficult terrains to reach the ultimate point. Once you reach Tilicho Lake, you will immerse in its beauty and forget the rest of the world for some time.
Tilicho Lake is an important place for pilgrimage. Hindus believe Tilicho Lake was the ancient Kak Bhusundi Lake. Kak Bhusundi was a sage who told the Sanskrit epic Ramayana to Garuda (King of Birds). You will find a famous idol of Devi Bhagwati near this lake. People worship this idol with great respect and belief.
Situated at a high altitude, you can see several peaks surrounding the lake. They are Khangsar, Muktinath Peak, Nilgiri, and Tilicho Peak. Resting in the rough and wild areas of Annapurna (Manang), the lake was less explored. However, the number of visitors is increasing every year. Withal, you should remain aware of Altitude Sickness and be careful while walking on confined paths. If you take essential precautions, you can enjoy it to the fullest.
The High Passes of Kang-La and Mesokanto-La
Trekking to Nar Phu Villages and Tilicho Lake takes you to varied lands. You go through several ups and as you explore & enjoy both the natural and geographical features. High passes of Kang La (5322m) and Mesokanto La (5121m) are some of the extreme points of this trek. So, you will have to cross many high gorges to reach these passes.
The pass from Kang La to Mesokanto La represents the hidden tranquility of the Nar Phu valleys. These two passes let you discover the magnificent views of the Annapurna range. Also, these passes connect you with the hidden valleys of Manang and Mustang districts. You get to soak into their peculiarities. The path preserves rare species of herbal medicines, including Yarchagumba, which cures diseases like tuberculosis and asthma.
While you can view some stunning settlements at Mesokanto La, the trail will take you to the beautiful Mustang Valley and Jomsom. Afterward, you will walk down to the Kali Gandaki valley. You get up close with Kali Gandaki gorge, the deepest gorge in the world.
The Massif Views of Annapurnas
When it comes to visiting Nepal, tourists seek to witness the soaring Himalayan peaks. That is why trekkers are overflowing in the Everest and Annapurna regions during peak trekking seasons. Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake fall in the magnificent Annapurna region. So, get ready to enjoy the majestic view of the glorious peaks.
As you walk through the off-beaten trails, enjoy the sights of the glistening snow-clad mountains. Enjoy the fabulous views of zesty mountains as you dive into the serenity of the off-beaten trekking experiences. The magnificent view of the mountains like Manaslu (8156m), Dhaulagiri (8167m), and Annapurna (8091m) follows you throughout the trek. Other lofty peaks you get to witness during the trek are Machhapuchhre, Lamjung Himal, and Tilicho peak.
The high passes like Kang La and Mesokanto la give outstanding massif views. You get heart-touching views of Tukuche Peak, Dhampus Peak, and Nilgiri Mountain from the passes. After crossing Kang La (5322m), the view of Chulu East and Gangapurna gets better. Along with the splendid views, you also can catch colorful sights of high-altitude glaciers.
Less Touristic Area
Nar Phu Valley Tilicho Lake Trek lies far away from modern civilization. Their paths take you to some of the remote regions of Nepal. You will delve into routes that are different from the regular ones. Every single point of this trek is raw and undiscovered. You walk past unique settlements like Chame, Manang, Mustang, Meta, Koto, and Pisang. You can explore these beautiful villages. You will also visit the ethnic villages and scarce settlements. You will see houses that haven’t seen many changes over the centuries. Even today, you can see stone houses and roofs of hay.
Despite living a rural life, the local people will welcome you with a warm smile. This is the factor that makes Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trek fantastic. The Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Trek could be a future “Eco-Tourism Trekking Spot” of the Annapurna region.
With the changing altitude, the beauty of the region starts diversifying. The scenery keeps on getting beautiful. You can find specialties in every spot. You can visit bountiful gompas & monasteries in these smaller villages. Hence, you also get to enjoy local cultural heritage. You can even be part of their festivities.
If you want to avoid conventional routes, you can opt for this trek. You will have all the regions by yourself. You will find no crowds & chaos. All you do is enjoy, explore, and relish every moment.
Key Information about Nar Phu Valley Trek
Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trek is the most diverse and classic trek. Opened to visitors in 2003, this trek might be a new milestone for adventure lovers. You need to know some crucial information about this region.
Nar Phu Valley falls in the restricted area. Thus, you will need a special Restricted Area Permit (RAP) for this region. This is only issued by an authorized trekking agency. You will also need the ACAP (Annapurna Conservation Area Permit). The cost of RAP is USD 100 per week per person, whereas ACAP costs USD 30 per person per week.
You also need to remember some strict regulations for this restricted area. You are not allowed to trek in this region alone, and you will need a registered porter/guide who knows this area well.
The best time for this trek is Spring (March to May) and Autumn (Sept to Nov). The climate and weather are more preferable in these seasons. You will get better views of the surrounding scenery and mountains. You will also avoid several natural obstacles in these seasons.
Along the trail, there are enough teahouses. Teahouse accommodations are simple and provide basic facilities. If you wish, you can partly do camping trek or group tours as well. There are plenty of camping spots in this region. With the mixed type of trekking, you will get to experience more.
Conclusion
Nar Phu Valley and Tilicho Lake Trek is an unexplored, unspoiled, and less crowded trail in Nepal. This is a perfect combination of all the major highlights of the Himalayan country that any adventure lover would like to witness and experience. This off-beaten trek lets you explore the hidden valleys of Nar and Phu. You get to enjoy the beautiful panoramas of mountains all the way. You cross many high passes beside Kang La and Mesokanto La. Explore the scarce settlement of Jomsom, Manang, and others. You can also add popular destinations like Thorong La Pass (5416m) and Muktinath temple to this trek.
If you want to experience the wilderness of the remote region of Nepal, don’t think much. Just go for this heart throbbing adventure and live the best memories!