Nar Phu Valley Trek Cost: What It Adds to Your Annapurna Circuit

Last updated: October 2026

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Why We Add Nar Phu to the Annapurna Circuit

Nar Phu isn’t a loop of its own. You enter the restricted area from Koto, a village on the main Annapurna Circuit trail, walk up through Meta, Phu and Nar, then cross the Kang La to rejoin the Circuit at Ngawal. It’s a detour off the Circuit rather than a separate route.

That’s why MountainKick packages Nar Phu with the Annapurna Circuit instead of selling it on its own. Other operators sell standalone Nar Phu trips with different structures. With MountainKick, what you’re paying for is the Circuit with Nar Phu added.

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How Much More Does Nar Phu Add?

	Annapurna Circuit	Circuit + Nar Phu
Days	16	17
Passes	Thorong La	Kang La and Thorong La
Solo	$1,260	$1,450
2 to 3 people	$770 per person	$1,450 per person
4 to 7 people	$643 per person	$1,450 per person
Restricted area permit	No	Yes
Guide	Required	Required

Solo, the Nar Phu addition is about $190 more. In a larger group, the difference is much bigger because the Annapurna Circuit has a substantial group discount, while MountainKick’s Nar Phu package has one flat price. In a group of 4 to 7, that works out to about $800 more per person.

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Nar Phu Trek Cost Breakdown

Expense	Typical cost
MountainKick package	$1,450
Food on the trail (about 14 days)	$420 to $630
Personal spending (showers, charging, Wi-Fi, snacks)	$100 to $200
Nepal visa (30 days)	$50
Tips for guide and porter	$130 to $270
Gear rental	$0 to $100
Travel insurance	Depends on your policy
Typical total before international flights and insurance	about $2,100 to $2,700

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What the Extra Cost Pays For

• The restricted area permit
• Extra guide and porter time in a more remote section
• Accommodation in Nar and Phu, which have far fewer beds and higher costs than the main Circuit
• A second high pass, the Kang La

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Nar Phu Permit Cost

All permits are included in the MountainKick package:

• Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit: $100 per person per week from September to November, or $75 per week from December to August
• Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP): NPR 3,000
• TIMS card: NPR 2,000 for most foreign trekkers

The Nar Phu Restricted Area Permit must be arranged through a registered trekking agency, and a licensed guide is required. Permit fees can change, so check our Nepal trekking permits guide for the latest information.

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Food Costs in Nar Phu

Expect to spend a bit more on food inside the restricted area, generally $35 to $45 a day, compared with about $30 to $40 a day on the main Circuit. This is based on what our clients usually spend, so treat it as a planning estimate. Nar and Phu are harder to resupply than villages like Manang or Chame. Menus are smaller, and anything brought in, like chocolate or batteries, costs more.

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Tips for Your Guide and Porter

Tips aren’t included and are up to you. For the 17-day trek, many trekkers budget around $130 to $270 for the guide and porter combined, depending on group size and service. See our guide to tipping guides and porters in Nepal.

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How Much Cash to Bring

There are no ATMs in the Nar Phu Valley. Take out your trekking cash in Kathmandu or Pokhara before you start. For food and normal personal expenses, around $550 to $850 in cash is a reasonable starting budget, plus whatever you plan to give as tips. For ATM limits and fees, see our guide to money in Nepal for trekkers.

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Travel Insurance

MountainKick requires travel insurance that covers trekking and helicopter evacuation at the maximum altitude on your itinerary. On this trip that’s the Thorong La at 5,416m. See our travel insurance guide.

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Who Is the Nar Phu Add-On Best Suited To?

Consider it if:

• You want a quieter, more remote section of the Annapurna region
• You’re comfortable with a second high pass close to the Thorong La
• You’re trekking solo or as a couple, where the extra cost is smallest

The standard Circuit may suit you better if:

• You’re short on time
• You’d rather keep the itinerary simple
• You don’t want another pass above 5,000m
• You’re trekking in a larger group, where the cost gap is biggest

For the Circuit on its own, see our Annapurna Circuit trek cost guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the Nar Phu Valley trek cost?

MountainKick’s 17-day Nar Phu Valley Trek with Annapurna Circuit costs $1,450 per person, whatever your group size. With food, personal spending, visa and tips, most trekkers should budget about $2,100 to $2,700 before international flights and insurance.

Can you trek Nar Phu without the full Annapurna Circuit?

Not with MountainKick. We only run it combined with the Circuit, since the route enters and leaves through Circuit trail sections. Other operators may do it differently.

How much is the Nar Phu restricted area permit?

The permit costs $100 per person per week from September to November and $75 per week from December to August. ACAP and TIMS are also required for the Nar Phu Annapurna Circuit route. All are included in the MountainKick package.

Do you need a guide for Nar Phu?

Yes. A licensed guide through a registered agency is required, whatever your group size.

Can solo trekkers get a Nar Phu permit?

Yes. Since 22 March 2026, the two-trekker minimum for restricted area permits has been removed. A solo trekker can now get a Nar Phu permit through a registered trekking agency, but a licensed guide is still required.

How high is the Kang La?

5,320m, slightly lower than the Thorong La at 5,416m.

What’s the best season for Nar Phu?

Autumn (September to November) usually has the most stable weather, though it’s also when the permit fee is highest. Spring is the other main season.

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